Showing posts with label
offering hope and encouragement to others.
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Showing posts with label
offering hope and encouragement to others.
Show all posts
Romans 8:31-39
So, what do you think? With God on our
side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put
everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing
himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he
wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God
by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a
finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the
presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think
anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love
for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not
hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not
even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None
of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that
nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow,
high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between
us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced
us.
Scripture quotations
from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene
Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All
rights reserved.
I
saw a video on Facebook about a man named Tyrone Obaseki, who suffered
horribly as a child in the Texas state “system” for orphans and foster
children. He was tossed from one facility and orphanage to another…was
placed in psychiatric hospitals, drugged, confined to a board in a
straight jacket for hours on end, and abused by a foster family, among
other things. Today, Tyrone is a college graduate, mental health
counselor, and motivational speaker. He has also written a book, soon
to be released, that details his 18 years in the state “system” and how
he overcame his experiences.
Tyrone points out in his video that
the foster family with whom he lived did one thing right…they told him
about Jesus. Even as these foster parents abused Tyrone, they took him
to church, where he learned about the love of Christ. I have to believe
that this faith and hope in Jesus sustained Tyrone in large part. Yes,
he is one of those extraordinary individuals who somehow overcame
incredible adversity. But in my heart, I feel like his knowledge of
Jesus gave him an “edge.” Somehow, he managed to realize that Jesus was
with him…and that He was standing in the gap and petitioning God to
rescue him. Tyrone Obaseki made it through, and now he stands poised to
help countless other children who may be in a similar situation.
What
is the message for us? Surely most of us have never had to endure such
horrors…bullying, sedation and “medication” with mind-altering drugs,
restraint, molestation, verbal abuse and more. Hopefully, you have
never been in a situation where you felt like there was no human being
to whom you could turn for help. But I’d be willing to bet that you
have experienced times in your life where you wondered how things could
ever turn around. I imagine that most of us have had at least one
instance where we felt like we wanted to throw in the towel and say,
“I’ve had enough!” Surely you have gone through something in your life
that made you feel like (at least temporarily) the odds were stacked
against you.
And yet, we know that NOTHING can separate us from
the love of God…because of Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus is standing
with God right this minute, arbitrating on our behalf. He is saying,
“What about So-and-so and his/her struggle. Shouldn’t we help them?”
Jesus is reminding God that He shed His own blood and suffered
unbelievably, so that we could have abundant life…both now and
for all Eternity. He is calling on God to fill us with hope, courage,
and strength…and the confidence that with Him as our Heavenly Father, we
are never truly alone.
Wherever you are today…whatever your
circumstances…Jesus is standing in the gap for you. He is interceding
on your behalf with God, because He loved you enough to DIE for you. If
you have surrendered your heart to Him, your name is forever written in
the Lamb’s Book of Life…and God has a place for you with Him for all
eternity. He’s not about to abandon you! There may be days when you
feel like you are alone…but all you have to do is reach out to God, and
He will be there with you. There may be times of hardship…even
suffering…but as you draw near to God, He will surely wrap His arms
around you and fill you with a sense of His presence – and hope for your
future.
We need to be sharing this GOOD NEWS with others. We
need to be encouraging and reassuring others of their importance to
God…and how steadfast His love and care is for them. There are people
of all ages who need to hear this message…and God is counting on us to
share it. Just as Tyrone Obaseki has a mission…we do, also. Are you
fazed by the events of the day…or are you trusting Jesus to mediate with
God on your behalf? Are you operating in the power and hope of Jesus
Christ and the sacrifice He made for you…and do others see this
confidence and faith in action? Isn’t it time they did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Hebrews 11:1-3
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Anyone who knows me very well knows that I am a “card person”. I enjoy making cards for others…but I also keep a stash of “store-bought” cards handy, so that I always have something available for sending a note of encouragement, expressing gratitude or condolences…or just to say, “I’m thinking of you today.” Sometimes a person is experiencing something of which I have first-hand knowledge…the loss of a parent or sibling, a particular illness or injury – or caring for a loved one who is ill or injured, or the loss of a pet, to name a few.
Other times, I have absolutely no personal background that equips me to say, “I know what you are going through… I get it.” Thankfully, I do not have a terminal illness…I have never lost a child...I’ve never had to say “Goodbye” to a loved one who was deployed overseas or put in harm’s way…I have not endured a divorce or the loss of my husband. Let’s be honest…words of “wisdom” and “understanding” can seem pretty hollow when they come from someone who has never walked in our shoes!
Does this mean that we should not offer compassion and expressions of encouragement to others when we have no first-hand knowledge of what they are experiencing? Absolutely not! But we must carefully consider our words and actions…how they are conveyed…and how they will be received. For instance, telling someone who has lost a child that “he/she is in a better place” does not truly offer them comfort in the moment. When someone is ill or injured, describing your own illnesses and injuries in detail serves no purpose. If friends divorce, suggesting that they “get over it” isn’t right, any more than coddling them and encouraging them to wallow in self-pity is appropriate.
So what are we to do? How do we show compassion and encouragement to others? In these scriptures, we are given a great model. We can share our faith. Where we have first-hand knowledge, we can say, “This is how God got me through my loss/illness/divorce/challenge.” We can tell others, “I know that right now it seems impossible that things will ever be better…but I can tell you from my own experiences that you will look back someday and see how God was orchestrating things and caring for you the whole time.”
If you do not have personal experience, you can still encourage…by lending quiet support, doing little things behind the scenes, and more. A simple hug can speak volumes. You can offer to run an errand that might seem difficult or stir an upsetting memory. You can send a note or e-mail to simply say, “I’m here if you need me… for anything.” When you do speak, you can say, “I can’t possibly understand what you are going through. I know this must be incredibly hard. But I know that God has never failed me in anything…and He isn’t about to fail you, either.”
This is “unseen faith”! We don’t know where, when or how… we just know that God is…that He is ever-present – and always working for us. When our foundation is firmly established in a relationship with God and fortified by salvation through Jesus Christ, we can endure the unthinkable…the improbable…the devastatingly difficult and impossible. Our faith in God – seen and unseen – makes life worth living. It truly is our “handle on what we can’t see.” And one of the greatest gifts we can give to someone else is to offer them compassion because of our faith…and to invite them to share in it, as well.
Sometimes it is so hard to know what to say and do for another person. But if we really, truly love Jesus and trust Him, we always have a response that is appropriate. Simply tell them that God loves them… that He is with them…that He has never failed you, and that you have confidence He isn’t going to start now. What God has done for us, He will surely do for others. Who needs to hear this from you today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Luke 8:15
And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The major news networks continue to present story after story of courage from the devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma last week. In particular, there have been numerous profiles of brave teachers who hunkered down – and hovered over – their precious charges…singing with them, praying, and assuring them that “This will be over soon.” One teacher said, “I just kept telling them, ‘It’s almost over! It’s almost over!’” Like most teachers and former teachers, these will tell you that our students become like our own children… each one precious to us. After all, for some nine months or more, teachers spend as much time – or more – with their students than their own parents do! I can tell you firsthand that a deep bond develops.
Last Monday in Moore, Oklahoma, the patience and perseverance of these teachers and students paid off hugely. Monthly tornado drills that suddenly became a reality helped to keep the children safe. The love and courage of dozens of teachers shielded these children… both physically and emotionally. And while there were heartbreaking losses… there were tremendous harvests of safe, relatively unscathed students and teachers. Experts of all kinds have asserted that nothing further could be done to protect those children. Even where students perished, the teachers and those involved were doing what they had trained to do… they were following protocol and heeding the instructions they had been given.
While earthly lives were lost, there are blessings and positive points even in these deaths. We have come to know a lot about the precious children who died… and their families. God has shown us courageous parents who are facing unbelievable heartache with boldness and resolution. We have learned about little ones who crammed more living into 9 years or so than many of us who live three, four, or even ten times that long!
Just as these teachers and students heeded the safety instructions they had been given… we must listen to God’s word. Just as these teachers planted seeds of love and devotion for their students and channeled that courage and conviction into becoming a human shield and shelter… we must plant seeds of the Good News of Jesus Christ with total conviction. We must nurture and shield others as we sew God’s love into them… and we must patiently wait on His harvest. And just as those children who lost their lives spent what time they had on earth embracing love and blessing others, we must do the same.
I’m sure that it seemed like the tornado roared over these Oklahoma cities for hours... even though it was minutes. And often, it seems like God’s answers and evidence of our efforts on His behalf are taking far too long. But I assure you, “It’s almost here… it’s almost here!” God’s answers are always perfect… and right on time. Our job is to stay hunkered down and keep working until He delivers. Are you patiently working – and waiting – on God? Are you anticipating a huge harvest? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
2 Corinthians 2:6-7
Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
One evening this week, Timothy did not want to eat dinner. After a few bites, he declared that he was done and ready to play. I told him we would set a timer for 5 minutes, and he could play…but when he heard the “beeps” that five minutes had passed, he would return to the table. He agreed to this. Of course, three-year-olds agree to a lot of things! When the timer sounded, Timothy was not ready to return to the table. I told him that we had an agreement… and he could either return to the table or sit in the “naughty chair.” He chose the chair. I could see that he thought he would sit and watch television there, but I changed the channel from NickJr to the local news station. He burst into tears.
We sat for a few seconds… probably not even a full minute, and then I scooped him up and hugged him. He said, “I’m mad!” I told him I understood, and he added… “I’m mad at myself for sitting in the naughty chair.” I reminded him that he could choose behaviors that would avoid the chair in the future. Then I held Timmy in my lap and fed him the rest of his dinner… and he nearly cleaned his plate. We did not have another problem the rest of the night.
Mealtime is a learning experience. We are all working together to teach the children that we sit at the table as a family and eat at the appointed times. We do not nibble here and there and then run off to play. We also don’t carry food into other rooms and eat it there. And so far, the results have been mixed… although I would say we are making progress. I believe this is because when we do have to chide and chastise - or mete out consequences - we are quick to offer forgiveness and comfort.
I’ll admit… it’s very hard to stay upset with these precious children. All they have to do is look at me with their innocent, sweet faces, and I’m a goner! But I wonder…are we as loving and forgiving with others as we are our little ones? Shouldn’t we be? “But they are old enough to know better!” you’re probably saying. And you are right! But how many times have you done something you knew you shouldn’t… and as much as you regretted it afterward, there was no way to turn back the clock… maybe even as recently as today?
The point that the Apostle Paul is making in this passage is that we must have consequences when people misbehave or sin…but we must also be willing to forgive and help the person move forward, if he/she is truly repentant. If we don’t offer compassion and empathy, we are setting others up to ask, “What’s the use? I’ll never get it right. I may as well quit trying.” Two things happen here… 1) Satan dances with delight; and 2) we fail to extend to others what God grants to us each and every day through the blood of Jesus Christ.
How do you love others? How are you loved? Ask God to give you the wisdom, strength, courage and compassion to lovingly forgive others… then hearten them to do better and overcome their weaknesses once and for all. Consider how God loves and forgives you… how Jesus suffered and died on the cross for this… and pay it forward in His name. Be the person who stood by someone when perhaps nobody else would… and helped to make the difference in his/her life. Thank God for offering you a second chance – and be ready to do the same for others. On any given day, each one of us deserves to spend time in “the naughty chair”… but none of us should be deserted there!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Galatians 6:1
My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. But watch out, and don’t be tempted yourself.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy is watching a new series on NickJr. – Peter Rabbit – based on the beloved children’s books written by Beatrix Potter. Now let’s be clear… Peter Rabbit is a stinker! He steals from Mr. McGregor’s garden, and he is incredibly conniving. He’s not above involving his fellow rabbits, Lily Bobtail and Benjamin Bunny in his escapades, either! But Peter Rabbit is also encouraging and positive. He looks for the good in each situation and leads his friends with optimism and confidence. One of the friends said, “If Peter says he can do it, he can do it!”
What does this have to do with us… and with this scripture passage? Let’s be honest… we’re all stinkers! In our own ways, we lie, cheat and steal…although we may “pretty up” these actions with names like “coloring the truth” and “figuring out a way to make things work to our advantage.” But at the end of the day, we all have our moments.
As Christians, we are called to leave these things behind… to “walk away from Mr. McGregor’s garden,” so to speak. And we are to take our friends with us! The Apostle Paul reminds us that this is not always easy. The temptation is there to step back into our old ways. We must stay awake and alert…“prayed up” for strength and courage to be tough and resilient in our faith.
Helping another person get their life back on track is not easy. We must be extremely careful that in doing so, we do not come across as arrogant or superior. We must also avoid enabling the person… or worse yet, sliding right in alongside them and reverting to our old ways. We must stay faithful, close to God, and confident that He will give us the strength and courage to walk in His wisdom and will. With God’s help and power behind us, we will be able to say with confidence and surety, “I can do this… and so can YOU!”
I’m amazed at how and where God reveals Himself to me… even in a children’s story like Peter Rabbit. I am thankful that He is keeping me on my toes, and I am working hard to always be aware of His presence in each and every situation. With God’s help, I can “stay out of Mr. McGregor’s garden and away from the wolf (Satan) who wants to have me for dinner”…and I can encourage others to do the same. What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
James 5:19-20
My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On June 9, 1995, six-year-old Morgan Nick asked her mother’s permission to catch lightning bugs with friends at a Little League ball field in Alma, Arkansas. Morgan’s mother, Colleen, reluctantly agreed. That was at 10:30 p.m. At 10:45, Colleen Nick went searching for Morgan. Other children told her that Morgan was seen emptying sand from her shoes near the family car and talking to a “creepy” man. When Colleen got to the car, Morgan was gone. Seventeen years later, she is still missing… but Colleen and countless others are still searching.
On September 12, 2012 - Morgan’s twenty-fourth birthday - Colleen Nick was in Onia, Arkansas, just outside of Mountain View, as a three-year-old child who had wandered from home some 30 hours earlier was located. The little boy was kneeling at the edge of a pond, caked in mud. He unassumingly told the rescuer, “I’m playing.” That he was found some 3+ miles from home was amazing. That he was physically unscathed, save a few scratches, was truly a miracle. Hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement personnel searched the thickly wooded, snake-and-critter-infested forests of the central Arkansas Ozarks for this child who was wearing only his Spider-Man underwear.
The child wandered off… and many went after him. Through tears and shouts of praise and “God is so good,” the rescue workers celebrated the safe return of this little guy. There is still hope that someday, somehow, now 24-year-old Morgan Nick might be rescued, as well. Her mother’s efforts are a testament to faith and perseverance. And this is what God asks of us… not only in the rescue of lost and abducted children in this physical world… but in the realm of those who have wandered away spiritually - gotten off track, and lost their way.
You probably know at least one person who fits into this category. I’m not asking you to pass judgment on others or lord over them how good and righteous you are. But surely you know someone you can lift in prayer and say, “LORD, I see So-and-so struggling. Help them to get on track and find their way back to You. If there is a way You can use me to help them, show me what to do.” If you know someone who could use gentle encouragement and guidance – and you feel close enough to this person to do so – by all means, speak a word of love and hope to them. You can also offer redirection to others by simple acts of kindness. Sometimes all the other person needs to know is that someone genuinely cares about him/her… and that you have not deserted them.
Prayerfully ask God to show you how to work in the lives of others, for His glory. When you are clearly led to take direct action, be bold and trust God to work out the details. When you feel hesitation, take that as a cue from God to proceed more cautiously. Prayer and a smile NEVER go out of style or lose effectiveness! Often, this is all God requires of us… that we pray for others… offer kindness… and never stop caring.
Who do you need to lift in prayer today? Where are you led to offer a hug or a smile? Is there someone you have been tempted to write off… to toss in the towel and say, “I give up on him/her”? Isn’t today a great day to redouble your efforts on their behalf… to say, “LORD, this precious child of yours has gotten lost, but I will not stop seeking him/her on Your behalf.”? Just as with the toddler lost in the woods whose location was uncertain… the value of finding him was sure. Just as Colleen Nick and others continue to believe that Morgan will be found, we must trust God to bring those who have wandered from Him back home once again. Are you doing your part in the rescue efforts?
©2012 Debbie Robus
James 2:19-20
Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That's just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
The late radio commentator and author, Paul Harvey, was known for telling “the rest of the story.” He would weave interesting tales for his listeners that contained a twist or something peculiar or unique at the end… and he would utter his trademark phrase, “… and now you know the rest of the story.”
As Christians, we often fail to tell “the rest of the story.” We stop short by claiming to believe in God… we are ready and willing to tell others what God is capable of doing – and we may even share personal examples of how God has blessed and cared for us. But this is where we begin and end… with talk. We don’t “live by example.” We judge others – often unfairly. We are exclusive in our social circles and display negative attitudes and stereotypes. We gripe about how bad things are getting in our country – and the world at large – and we blame everything on someone else.
How often do you hear someone say, “I’ve been asking God to turn this economy around, and I believe He is answering,” or “I thank God for my freedoms, and I know He is blessing me at every turn.” When was the last time you posted something positive on Facebook… or offered someone who was struggling a little hope for the future? How often to you speak encouraging words to someone else, based on your own hope and faith in Jesus Christ to “do all things?”
There are far too many “Christians” in this world who are sitting on the sidelines, judging each and every person they encounter according to a personal agenda, and offering little to nothing that would make the next guy say, “If he/she is the example of what life holds for those with Christian faith, sign me up!” Instead, there are plenty who are claiming the name of Jesus and turning off others at every turn. In a nutshell, if these folks are the epitome of a faith-filled Christian, forget it! They don’t want any part of it… and who could blame them?!
We have to stay awake and alert… and we simply must examine our hearts – and our faith – on a daily basis. Are we truly sharing “the rest of the story” with others? Or are we giving lip service to the love and power of Jesus Christ and then sitting on our hands? Worse yet, do we say one thing and demonstrate another? The time has come for us to be “the real deal” for Jesus. It will require hard work, dedication, and continual effort… but nothing less is acceptable. What is your level of commitment? How much of the story are telling these days?
©2012 Debbie Robus
2 Corinthians 2:6-7
Most of you have already pointed out the wrong that person did, and that is punishment enough for what was done.
When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine if God hung onto your every sin. What if all of your friends and family remembered EVERY SINGLE THING you ever did that they felt was offensive, irritating, or immoral… and reminded you of these actions continually? What if people treated you with an “I-know-what-you-did-and-you-disgust-me” attitude? Would you feel loved and accepted? If you felt that others held a grudge, would you desire more of their form of “grace and mercy?” Would this reflect the love of Christ for you… would you feel His presence and tender care?
There have been times when I have had to remove children from an activity and place them in “time out.” When a child disobeyed, he/she had to suffer the consequences for the action. But at the end of the “punishment,” I tried to offer them a hug and an “I-still-love-you.” And then I made every effort to put the incident behind us and move forward. This is fairly easy to do with small children. It’s harder when you are dealing with teenagers and adults. We often find that we are far less forgiving… we have learned to carry a grudge.
Don’t misunderstand me. There are times when we are right to step away from someone… to distance ourselves from toxic situations. If you know someone who is using illegal drugs, you are smart not to hang around him/her. If someone you know is involved in something illegal or immoral… or this person has hurt your feelings or harmed your reputation… you may need to take a step back and love from afar for a little while. But withdrawing love and concern for this person is never appropriate. We never want to leave the other person asking “What’s the point of caring/trying?”
I am so glad God does not do this with His children. I am grateful beyond measure that when I fail Him and fall short, He picks me up and says, “I’m still here. I still love you.” I may have to suffer consequences for my action. There may be a period of time where God steps back and lets me wallow in my mistakes and learn a hard lesson. But He NEVER deserts me or stops loving me… and we must never do this to anyone we encounter.
Think over your circle of influence – friends, family members, acquaintances, fellow students of co-workers, church members and those in your community? Where have you exhibited an attitude of un-forgiveness? Where are you holding a grudge – and holding a past offense over someone’s head? Who have you given the impression that there is no hope… that there is nothing he/she can do to make amends? Is this how you would want to be treated by others? How would you feel if God treated you this way?
In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul tells us, “But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.” This “prize” is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Does your treatment of others reflect the hope of this reward… or the despair of unforgotten grudges? Who needs your offering of forgiveness and comfort in Jesus today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
