2 Timothy 2:22-26
Run away from infantile
indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining
those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get
involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s
servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher
who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to
obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change
of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil’s
trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his
errands.
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.
Each
night at Vacation Bible School (VBS), the leader talks to the children
during the opening activities about our mission project. This year, we
are collecting an offering to feed hungry families in Costa Rica.
During the crafts class, we are coloring fabric tote bags that will hold
food for distribution to these families. Our Costa Rica mission team
will deliver these bags and distribute the food later this summer.
As
leaders in countless VBS assemblies across the country probably do,
ours has challenged the boys to out-give the girls in this mission fund
raising. For the first two nights, the boys “out-gave” the girls by a
margin of almost 2 to 1. Last night, the tables turned, and the girls
donated almost twice as much as the boys. So our leader declared the
girls the “winners”, and a shriek like only little girls can emit
pierced the Family Life Center. Many of us - adults AND children -
covered our ears in defense. And Timothy burst into tears.
“We’re
LOSERS!” he cried. “She said the boys are LOSERS!” Big tears poured
down his face as he buried his head in my lap. I tried to console him.
I tried to explain that this was not what our leader meant. We are ALL
winners because Jesus loves us, and we are doing a GOOD THING as we use
our money to buy food for these hungry families. Timothy has been
concerned for the Costa Rican children. Each night at VBS he has asked
me about them…how will they manage without food (we’re going to feed
them), aren’t they lonely and sad (no, they will be happy to get our
bags filled with food, and they will know that someone loves them – that
Jesus loves them). And now, he feels like a loser…a failure.
We’re
working on this. I know that there will come a time when Timothy will
understand that this is just a game. When he gets older, he will
probably revel in this competition – and “beating” his sister at
anything and everything! But for now, this little guy is truly
disturbed to think that he and the other boys are “losers”. This breaks
my heart…and opens my eyes.
As I read today’s scripture passage,
I couldn’t help but replay this incident in my head. Where have we
gotten involved in seemingly innocent conversations and activities that
stir up trouble we didn’t ever imagine? Where have our thoughts and
deeds been insensitive, sparked an argument, and truly been inane to
begin with? In the case of our churches and money, it strikes me as
rather curious that we tend to emphasize “giving” so much, while
ministering to many people who barely have two nickels to rub together.
We say we want the hungry, the homeless and the downtrodden to join
us…to feel the love of Jesus in our midst. And then we tell them that
they need them to “give until it hurts” - both figuratively and
literally.
We “step on toes” in numerous ways…from promoting our
own agendas to expounding on social and political views to gossip and
discrimination of all kinds. Sometimes we don’t have a clue that we are
doing this – or hurting someone else. Other times, I think we know it
(at least a little bit)…and for some reason, we simply don’t seem to
care. We go right ahead and do it anyway.
Last night when I took
the children home, Timothy asked, “The boys will win tomorrow
night…right?” I told him that honestly, I don’t know. But I reminded
him that he is ALWAYS a winner…every single day…that in Jesus’ eyes, he
can NEVER lose. I hope it was enough, should the little girls rally
again tonight and pour on the pressure! But I know for sure that I will
be more aware of the ways that I might be involved (even innocently) in
controversies, judgments, words and actions that could be viewed as
divisive or hurtful.
I will deliberately seek to operate in grace, mercy and compassion for others… to see things through their
eyes…and to ask God to show me how to minister out of His abundance and
mature righteousness. We can learn a lot from the tender heart of a
5-year-old. Maybe it’s time a lot of us returned to this perspective in
our own lives and saw things a little more literally…with fewer gray
areas. Jesus tells us in Matthew 19:14 that “God’s kingdom is made up
of people like these.” Are you childlike in your faith and
discipleship? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label operating in compassion love and understanding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label operating in compassion love and understanding. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 15, 2014
2 Samuel 24:14
“This is a hard decision,” David replied, “but it is better to fall into the hand of the Lord (for his mercy is great) than into the hands of men.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“I made a mistake.” “My bad.”
“I shouldn’t have said/done that.” “I messed up.”
“That was wrong of me.” “It was my fault.”
“I wish I could take that back.” “I was wrong.”
“May I have a second chance?” “I’m sorry.”
We’ve all uttered at least one (and probably ALL) of these phrases at one time or another. But that doesn’t mean we liked it! We often find it hard to admit that we were mistaken or made a mess of things. It’s embarrassing…sometimes shameful. And often, there are consequences.
In this chapter of 2 Samuel, we learn about a really poor choice that David made. He sent representatives to take a census…to number (count) the people of Israel. He specifically wanted to know how many men were of conscription age – old enough to join his army. God had not sanctioned any of this…He had not told David to do this. In fact, David knew that God was not in favor of such a show of human strength. Bottom line…David just wanted to brag about how many men he had available for war. And God was not the least bit pleased.
So God offered David three choices…7 years of famine, three months on the run from his enemies, or three days of plague. David chose the three days of plague, and 70,000 people lost their lives as a result. God could have allowed even a larger number of people to die, but He had mercy before the three days was up and ordered the death angel to retreat. The people of Jerusalem were spared.
I don’t know about you, but if God offered me those same three choices, I would be tempted to answer, “None of the above!” There was no good option for David. But notice that he responded that any punishment from a merciful God would be far better than the consequences of man. David had no clue that God would spare Jerusalem or lighten the punishment. But he trusted that God would be fair and just, no matter what.
I believe that the treatment David received from God in this instance made Him a better man and taught him priceless lessons about how to behave in the future…toward God AND toward his fellow man. We can take these lessons to heart, as well…
God could have just taken David out and washed His hands of him and his antics. But He didn’t…and He won’t do this with us, either. How will we respond to this much love, grace and mercy? How will you share these gifts with others?
©2014 Debbie Robus
“This is a hard decision,” David replied, “but it is better to fall into the hand of the Lord (for his mercy is great) than into the hands of men.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“I made a mistake.” “My bad.”
“I shouldn’t have said/done that.” “I messed up.”
“That was wrong of me.” “It was my fault.”
“I wish I could take that back.” “I was wrong.”
“May I have a second chance?” “I’m sorry.”
We’ve all uttered at least one (and probably ALL) of these phrases at one time or another. But that doesn’t mean we liked it! We often find it hard to admit that we were mistaken or made a mess of things. It’s embarrassing…sometimes shameful. And often, there are consequences.
In this chapter of 2 Samuel, we learn about a really poor choice that David made. He sent representatives to take a census…to number (count) the people of Israel. He specifically wanted to know how many men were of conscription age – old enough to join his army. God had not sanctioned any of this…He had not told David to do this. In fact, David knew that God was not in favor of such a show of human strength. Bottom line…David just wanted to brag about how many men he had available for war. And God was not the least bit pleased.
So God offered David three choices…7 years of famine, three months on the run from his enemies, or three days of plague. David chose the three days of plague, and 70,000 people lost their lives as a result. God could have allowed even a larger number of people to die, but He had mercy before the three days was up and ordered the death angel to retreat. The people of Jerusalem were spared.
I don’t know about you, but if God offered me those same three choices, I would be tempted to answer, “None of the above!” There was no good option for David. But notice that he responded that any punishment from a merciful God would be far better than the consequences of man. David had no clue that God would spare Jerusalem or lighten the punishment. But he trusted that God would be fair and just, no matter what.
I believe that the treatment David received from God in this instance made Him a better man and taught him priceless lessons about how to behave in the future…toward God AND toward his fellow man. We can take these lessons to heart, as well…
- We need to question our motives. Are we making a choice because this is what we want…or are we certain that God agrees and sanctions this decision?
- When we make a mistake, we need to own it…and do whatever is necessary to make things right as quickly as possible.
- Staying in tune with God will help to ensure that we don’t make mistakes…but when we do, we need to be prepared to accept the consequences. We must trust that God will never desert us - even while we suffer for our sins - and that He will help us through these times with grace and mercy.
- We must offer others that same grace, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. People will offend us…they will make mistakes that affect us in ways great and small. And when they own these wrongdoings and admit them, we must be prepared to offer them the same love and fair treatment that God offers us when we sin against Him.
God could have just taken David out and washed His hands of him and his antics. But He didn’t…and He won’t do this with us, either. How will we respond to this much love, grace and mercy? How will you share these gifts with others?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 10, 2014
Psalm 111:4
The Lord God is famous
for his wonderful deeds,
and he is kind and merciful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning I got an e-mail message with news that a friend of ours has received the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma - kidney cancer. This occurred quite suddenly, and he is scheduled for immediate removal of one of his kidneys. Friends and fellow church members will gather during the surgery itself to pray for him and the medical team…and of course, prayers have already begun in earnest for this young father of three small children. These prayers are acts of compassion and care…and we believe that God will deliver a positive outcome, according to His will.
As I went about my morning activities, I muddled over all of this “news”. My first thought was of Dr. Jennifer Arnold, the “little person” I mentioned in another devotional who just completed chemotherapy for a rare form of cancer and “rang the bell” in her oncology ward to signify an “all clear” diagnosis. I pictured my friend doing the same thing. But then the devil filled my head with doubts, fears, panic and all sorts of questions. And I started to ask God, “What about this? Why that? What will happen if???”
Very clearly, I felt God telling me to “settle down”…to come back to “center” and remember WHO He is! I immediately changed my prayer from one of “Lord…NO!” to one of “LORD…I know You’ve got this!” God emphatically reminded me of the countless “Oh, NO!” moments in my own life that He handled perfectly. Notice I did NOT say that God handled each of these experiences as I wished…but I can see that the outcome had great purpose - HIS purpose.
In 1994, my classmate friend Sandra died of breast cancer. She left behind two young boys – ages six and nine. For a long time, I asked God over and over…“Why her and not me? I have no children…she is a single mother with two little boys. Didn’t she need to stick around to rear them?” I don’t know why God took Sandra…but I now understand at least in part why I am still here. I had children and a grandmother to care for…my husband needed me to help him with our business…and apparently, God has other things in store for me – at least so far this day!
The point is that God truly IS kind and merciful…and famous for wonderful deeds. And we must remind each other of this…even in the midst of a crisis or an event or experience that frightens and bewilders us. We must turn our “Oh, NO!” moments into “God’s got this!” affirmations. We must encourage others to do the same and lift them up with prayers of hope and assurance…hugs and words of promise and possibility…and a confident attitude that God never wastes an opportunity or experience.
I don’t know what your “Oh, NO!” moments entail…but I’m pretty sure you have had some – or you will at some point. And I’m fairly certain that family members and friends will have them, also. How will you handle them? Will you trust God to deliver you with kindness and mercy? Will you encourage each other as you call on Him to demonstrate His wonderful deeds? Will you empathize with those who are in the middle of a “rough patch” and assure them that God is still in control?
Do you truly believe the claim of this scripture passage from Psalm 111…and are you living out its message in your own thoughts and actions? Isn’t it time you took this to heart and claimed it – for your own life and the lives of others? Will this be the day you do exactly that? “God’s got this!” He truly does. Do you believe it…and does it show?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The Lord God is famous
for his wonderful deeds,
and he is kind and merciful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning I got an e-mail message with news that a friend of ours has received the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma - kidney cancer. This occurred quite suddenly, and he is scheduled for immediate removal of one of his kidneys. Friends and fellow church members will gather during the surgery itself to pray for him and the medical team…and of course, prayers have already begun in earnest for this young father of three small children. These prayers are acts of compassion and care…and we believe that God will deliver a positive outcome, according to His will.
As I went about my morning activities, I muddled over all of this “news”. My first thought was of Dr. Jennifer Arnold, the “little person” I mentioned in another devotional who just completed chemotherapy for a rare form of cancer and “rang the bell” in her oncology ward to signify an “all clear” diagnosis. I pictured my friend doing the same thing. But then the devil filled my head with doubts, fears, panic and all sorts of questions. And I started to ask God, “What about this? Why that? What will happen if???”
Very clearly, I felt God telling me to “settle down”…to come back to “center” and remember WHO He is! I immediately changed my prayer from one of “Lord…NO!” to one of “LORD…I know You’ve got this!” God emphatically reminded me of the countless “Oh, NO!” moments in my own life that He handled perfectly. Notice I did NOT say that God handled each of these experiences as I wished…but I can see that the outcome had great purpose - HIS purpose.
In 1994, my classmate friend Sandra died of breast cancer. She left behind two young boys – ages six and nine. For a long time, I asked God over and over…“Why her and not me? I have no children…she is a single mother with two little boys. Didn’t she need to stick around to rear them?” I don’t know why God took Sandra…but I now understand at least in part why I am still here. I had children and a grandmother to care for…my husband needed me to help him with our business…and apparently, God has other things in store for me – at least so far this day!
The point is that God truly IS kind and merciful…and famous for wonderful deeds. And we must remind each other of this…even in the midst of a crisis or an event or experience that frightens and bewilders us. We must turn our “Oh, NO!” moments into “God’s got this!” affirmations. We must encourage others to do the same and lift them up with prayers of hope and assurance…hugs and words of promise and possibility…and a confident attitude that God never wastes an opportunity or experience.
I don’t know what your “Oh, NO!” moments entail…but I’m pretty sure you have had some – or you will at some point. And I’m fairly certain that family members and friends will have them, also. How will you handle them? Will you trust God to deliver you with kindness and mercy? Will you encourage each other as you call on Him to demonstrate His wonderful deeds? Will you empathize with those who are in the middle of a “rough patch” and assure them that God is still in control?
Do you truly believe the claim of this scripture passage from Psalm 111…and are you living out its message in your own thoughts and actions? Isn’t it time you took this to heart and claimed it – for your own life and the lives of others? Will this be the day you do exactly that? “God’s got this!” He truly does. Do you believe it…and does it show?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 23, 2014
Philippians 4:1
Dear friends, I love you and long to see you. Please keep on being faithful to the Lord. You are my pride and joy.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sunday mornings are special for me, because we generally pick up Timothy and Zola and take them to church with us…and then out for a bite of lunch – usually at Burger King®. The children burst through the door and run toward us…eager to get in the car and get going. The chatter flows as they tell us about their week and speak with anticipation about the plans for our day. Sometimes on pretty days, we go play in the park after lunch. Occasionally, one of the children will have spent the night with us, and we are collecting the other sibling on our way to church. And almost always, they are just as eager to stop and pick up “Grandma E” (Greg’s mother), who usually goes with us.
Regardless of the day or the hour, I always love to see these children and their brother, Nathan. When more than a few days have passed between our visits, I long to see them. They truly are my pride and joy in many ways…and I take great delight in spending time with each of them. And perhaps you have someone who makes you feel this way…a friend, family member, significant other…or even a small child.
Can I tell you something? This is how God feels about us! He longs to spend time with us…to hear how our day/week has gone…to “catch up” and make plans…to share worship, a meal, or an adventure. God even longs for our company when we engage in play. Everything about us delights Him…in spite of our sinful nature and our penchant for misbehaving!
Just as importantly, God wants us to develop relationships with others…connections that bring us pride and joy. He wants us to let others know how important they are to us…just as Paul expressed to the Philippians in this letter. God wants us to truly desire relationships with others…and to know how to show it! He wants us to get along…to share each other’s joys and sorrows…and to truly make others feel valued, precious, and appreciated.
How well do you accomplish this? Are you fully engaged when you talk to others? Do you make time in your day to visit with people…to minister to them…to celebrate their joys and triumphs…and to console them in their sorrows and sadness? Do others truly know that you care? Do they feel loved…important…as if you are proud and happy to know them and be a part of their lives?
Just how good are you at relationships? Have you paid attention to the example of Jesus and implemented this in your discipleship? People don’t care what you know until they know that you care. What do others know about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Dear friends, I love you and long to see you. Please keep on being faithful to the Lord. You are my pride and joy.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sunday mornings are special for me, because we generally pick up Timothy and Zola and take them to church with us…and then out for a bite of lunch – usually at Burger King®. The children burst through the door and run toward us…eager to get in the car and get going. The chatter flows as they tell us about their week and speak with anticipation about the plans for our day. Sometimes on pretty days, we go play in the park after lunch. Occasionally, one of the children will have spent the night with us, and we are collecting the other sibling on our way to church. And almost always, they are just as eager to stop and pick up “Grandma E” (Greg’s mother), who usually goes with us.
Regardless of the day or the hour, I always love to see these children and their brother, Nathan. When more than a few days have passed between our visits, I long to see them. They truly are my pride and joy in many ways…and I take great delight in spending time with each of them. And perhaps you have someone who makes you feel this way…a friend, family member, significant other…or even a small child.
Can I tell you something? This is how God feels about us! He longs to spend time with us…to hear how our day/week has gone…to “catch up” and make plans…to share worship, a meal, or an adventure. God even longs for our company when we engage in play. Everything about us delights Him…in spite of our sinful nature and our penchant for misbehaving!
Just as importantly, God wants us to develop relationships with others…connections that bring us pride and joy. He wants us to let others know how important they are to us…just as Paul expressed to the Philippians in this letter. God wants us to truly desire relationships with others…and to know how to show it! He wants us to get along…to share each other’s joys and sorrows…and to truly make others feel valued, precious, and appreciated.
How well do you accomplish this? Are you fully engaged when you talk to others? Do you make time in your day to visit with people…to minister to them…to celebrate their joys and triumphs…and to console them in their sorrows and sadness? Do others truly know that you care? Do they feel loved…important…as if you are proud and happy to know them and be a part of their lives?
Just how good are you at relationships? Have you paid attention to the example of Jesus and implemented this in your discipleship? People don’t care what you know until they know that you care. What do others know about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 14, 2014
Philippians 4:6-9
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
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.
There are days when I think maybe I should have this scripture passage (at least the first part) tattooed on my forearm so that I could see it many times each day! It seems that many of us (myself included) are just “wired” to worry! I know…I know…worry is a tool of the devil – a distraction to keep us off balance and out of “alignment” with God. But let me tell you, this is PROOF that the devil is powerful! There are many times when I try so hard NOT to worry – with poor results. I recognize that Satan LOVES this…and it really makes me mad!
Still, I believe this is a powerful scripture passage. In many translations, “God’s wholeness” is referred to as “the peace that passes understanding”. And I can tell you from personal experience that I know this peace. There have been times when something almost literally took my breath…when I thought I could not bear what was happening in that moment – or beyond. And at the same time – or even for days to come – I felt an incredible sense of calm and peace. The only explanation I can offer is that God shielded me. He made everything work together, settled me down, and allowed me to rest while He did the heavy lifting.
I’ll be honest…this passage of scripture comes at the perfect time for me. I have been allowing some worrisome thoughts to enter my mind and heart. I’ve been wrestling with some things that I know I should leave for God to handle…and I’ve felt unsettled in the process. This message is as much for me today as for any of you. God wants us to stop worrying. He wants us to present our concerns to Him (even though He already knows them!) and then let them go. It is God’s desire that we focus on the wonderful things that He has done…the magnificent things that He is able to accomplish…and the miracles He will perform in our lives and those of others as time progresses. He wants us to believe Him when He tells us, “I’ve got this!”
So whatever is troubling you today, shape it into a prayer and give it to God. Let Him settle you down and fill you with the peace that cannot be explained. Trust that He truly does have the power – and the desire – to handle your cares and concerns according to His will…which means they will all be managed perfectly. Send the devil and his pack of vicious lies and despicable tools packing…and rest in the power and tranquility of the LORD as He centers your life in Him.
Share this good news and encouragement with all you meet. Operate in compassion for those who are troubled and worried. Offer them hope by sharing these scripture verses and demonstrating these truths in your own life.
Nothing is too big for God to handle. Isn’t it time we let Him? Will this be the day that you operate in God’s inexplicable peace?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
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.
There are days when I think maybe I should have this scripture passage (at least the first part) tattooed on my forearm so that I could see it many times each day! It seems that many of us (myself included) are just “wired” to worry! I know…I know…worry is a tool of the devil – a distraction to keep us off balance and out of “alignment” with God. But let me tell you, this is PROOF that the devil is powerful! There are many times when I try so hard NOT to worry – with poor results. I recognize that Satan LOVES this…and it really makes me mad!
Still, I believe this is a powerful scripture passage. In many translations, “God’s wholeness” is referred to as “the peace that passes understanding”. And I can tell you from personal experience that I know this peace. There have been times when something almost literally took my breath…when I thought I could not bear what was happening in that moment – or beyond. And at the same time – or even for days to come – I felt an incredible sense of calm and peace. The only explanation I can offer is that God shielded me. He made everything work together, settled me down, and allowed me to rest while He did the heavy lifting.
I’ll be honest…this passage of scripture comes at the perfect time for me. I have been allowing some worrisome thoughts to enter my mind and heart. I’ve been wrestling with some things that I know I should leave for God to handle…and I’ve felt unsettled in the process. This message is as much for me today as for any of you. God wants us to stop worrying. He wants us to present our concerns to Him (even though He already knows them!) and then let them go. It is God’s desire that we focus on the wonderful things that He has done…the magnificent things that He is able to accomplish…and the miracles He will perform in our lives and those of others as time progresses. He wants us to believe Him when He tells us, “I’ve got this!”
So whatever is troubling you today, shape it into a prayer and give it to God. Let Him settle you down and fill you with the peace that cannot be explained. Trust that He truly does have the power – and the desire – to handle your cares and concerns according to His will…which means they will all be managed perfectly. Send the devil and his pack of vicious lies and despicable tools packing…and rest in the power and tranquility of the LORD as He centers your life in Him.
Share this good news and encouragement with all you meet. Operate in compassion for those who are troubled and worried. Offer them hope by sharing these scripture verses and demonstrating these truths in your own life.
Nothing is too big for God to handle. Isn’t it time we let Him? Will this be the day that you operate in God’s inexplicable peace?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 12, 2014
Ephesians 5:5-7
You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them—the usual variations on idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God.
Don’t let yourselves get taken in by religious smooth talk. God gets furious with people who are full of religious sales talk but want nothing to do with him. Don’t even hang around people like that.
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 an interview with actor/director/screenwriter Tyler Perry (creator of the “Madea” films), and he was asked about a picture he tweeted of himself shopping at the grocery store – for the first time in 15 years. He said, “I have people who do that for me now.” He explained that he spent his time on other pursuits, and he hired someone to do things for him like shopping, cooking, and more. He also noted that there was a time when he was homeless and lived in his car, so he makes no apologies for now being able to afford to hire personal shoppers and assistants.
I happen to like Tyler Perry. From what I can see, he is a decent person who has done well – and helped a lot of other people along the way. From everything I’ve observed, Perry strives to honor God with all of his endeavors…and he appears to credit God for all of his blessings and success.
Here’s the thing…a lot of us were essentially “homeless and living in our cars”…lost without God…living in a world of sin and the devil’s tricks. Then we found Jesus…we invited Him into our hearts…and He saved us. And more than a few of us went right back to the “car”. We didn’t truly grow and learn. We are content to let others do the work of Jesus’ ministry while we claim His salvation and “ride his coat-tails” – and those of others who obediently serve Him. Oh, we’re quick to “talk the good talk”. When asked, we will say that we are Christians…we will talk about the power of prayer and how “the LORD will provide”. But we’re not eager to do the hard work…we’re too busy to reach out to others and truly share how God has worked in our lives. Our talk about the power of prayer is just that – talk! We don’t really have the time or inclination to stop and pray for others.
Sadly, a lot of Christians trot out their faith when it’s convenient, serves them well, or makes them look good. But the truly earnest work of loving others in Jesus’ name and sharing His Good News with them is not on our radar. We’re first in line to expect a blessing from God – or an accolade from others for our goodness…but it’s pretty much a mask behind which we hide. Pastor Rick Warren talks in The Purpose Driven Life about the word “worship” and how we throw that word around and misuse it. Warren says that many of us claim, “I didn’t get anything out of ‘worship’ on Sunday,” when true “worship” is not designed for us…it is designed for GOD. We’re not supposed to get something out of authentic “worship” – we are to offer worship to God!
By the same token, I believe we are not to sit back on our laurels and rest in the salvation of Jesus Christ. We are not to wait expectantly for God to bless us or “fix” things for us. We are to get busy emulating Jesus…demonstrating His teachings to others…and showing them grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and unconditional love in His name. Talk is cheap. Others will know us (and our true character) by our genuine love for Jesus Christ – and how we demonstrate it (John 13:35).
Where are you today? Are you making the most of your new life in Christ? Are you sharing His message with others in everything from your physical actions to your talk and your body language? Are you busy taking God’s blessings over your own life and multiplying them in your daily living? Or are you still stuck “living in your car”? Are you expecting your salvation to be your “ticket” into heaven…and carrying on as usual in your old ways with the same people and situations that held you captive in the past? Are you hiding behind cheap talk and pretending that you are a faithful disciple to impress others? Are you content to let other Christians do the work of the LORD for you…regardless of how viable your excuses may seem?
Isn’t it time to do a “gut check”…to see where you really stand as a Christian disciple? Are you willing to risk the discovery that your discipleship needs a little work in order to become a more genuine servant of Jesus? Will this be the day you take inventory and make necessary changes? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them—the usual variations on idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God.
Don’t let yourselves get taken in by religious smooth talk. God gets furious with people who are full of religious sales talk but want nothing to do with him. Don’t even hang around people like that.
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 an interview with actor/director/screenwriter Tyler Perry (creator of the “Madea” films), and he was asked about a picture he tweeted of himself shopping at the grocery store – for the first time in 15 years. He said, “I have people who do that for me now.” He explained that he spent his time on other pursuits, and he hired someone to do things for him like shopping, cooking, and more. He also noted that there was a time when he was homeless and lived in his car, so he makes no apologies for now being able to afford to hire personal shoppers and assistants.
I happen to like Tyler Perry. From what I can see, he is a decent person who has done well – and helped a lot of other people along the way. From everything I’ve observed, Perry strives to honor God with all of his endeavors…and he appears to credit God for all of his blessings and success.
Here’s the thing…a lot of us were essentially “homeless and living in our cars”…lost without God…living in a world of sin and the devil’s tricks. Then we found Jesus…we invited Him into our hearts…and He saved us. And more than a few of us went right back to the “car”. We didn’t truly grow and learn. We are content to let others do the work of Jesus’ ministry while we claim His salvation and “ride his coat-tails” – and those of others who obediently serve Him. Oh, we’re quick to “talk the good talk”. When asked, we will say that we are Christians…we will talk about the power of prayer and how “the LORD will provide”. But we’re not eager to do the hard work…we’re too busy to reach out to others and truly share how God has worked in our lives. Our talk about the power of prayer is just that – talk! We don’t really have the time or inclination to stop and pray for others.
Sadly, a lot of Christians trot out their faith when it’s convenient, serves them well, or makes them look good. But the truly earnest work of loving others in Jesus’ name and sharing His Good News with them is not on our radar. We’re first in line to expect a blessing from God – or an accolade from others for our goodness…but it’s pretty much a mask behind which we hide. Pastor Rick Warren talks in The Purpose Driven Life about the word “worship” and how we throw that word around and misuse it. Warren says that many of us claim, “I didn’t get anything out of ‘worship’ on Sunday,” when true “worship” is not designed for us…it is designed for GOD. We’re not supposed to get something out of authentic “worship” – we are to offer worship to God!
By the same token, I believe we are not to sit back on our laurels and rest in the salvation of Jesus Christ. We are not to wait expectantly for God to bless us or “fix” things for us. We are to get busy emulating Jesus…demonstrating His teachings to others…and showing them grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and unconditional love in His name. Talk is cheap. Others will know us (and our true character) by our genuine love for Jesus Christ – and how we demonstrate it (John 13:35).
Where are you today? Are you making the most of your new life in Christ? Are you sharing His message with others in everything from your physical actions to your talk and your body language? Are you busy taking God’s blessings over your own life and multiplying them in your daily living? Or are you still stuck “living in your car”? Are you expecting your salvation to be your “ticket” into heaven…and carrying on as usual in your old ways with the same people and situations that held you captive in the past? Are you hiding behind cheap talk and pretending that you are a faithful disciple to impress others? Are you content to let other Christians do the work of the LORD for you…regardless of how viable your excuses may seem?
Isn’t it time to do a “gut check”…to see where you really stand as a Christian disciple? Are you willing to risk the discovery that your discipleship needs a little work in order to become a more genuine servant of Jesus? Will this be the day you take inventory and make necessary changes? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 11, 2014
1 Peter 5:8-11
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
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.
This morning as I enjoyed a cup of coffee on my back deck in 66-degree sunshine, I thought of the two big frozen blobs of sleet that still sit in our front flower beds. I reminded myself that less than a week ago, we were experiencing day-time high temps in the teens and low twenties – and wind-chill factors close to zero!
Our house sits in a relatively wooded – and shaded – neighborhood. The home of one of my cousins has a similar setting. She remarked to me that for several days last week, she thought the whole world was as “iced in” as she was, because she could not see beyond her neighborhood, where major streets and thoroughfares had been cleared, salted and sanded. We felt much the same way. Just a couple of blocks away from our house, a major highway was “passable”, while our streets and driveway were completely covered in sleet and ice.
So we were lulled into a sense that the world was “sleeping” for a few days until the weather cleared…while in reality, life was continuing somewhat as usual just a few yards from our doorstep! Indeed, about a 3-hour drive east of us, motorists were stranded for as much as 48 hours on interstate highways in our state. As most of the world carried on “as usual”, these motorists sat motionless, hungry, weary and away from family, friends, important appointments, and more.
This seems like the perfect analogy to demonstrate how we operate as Christians. There are times when things happen in our lives, and we feel like the whole world has stopped…or should! We experience illness, the death of a friend or loved one, trouble at home or in the workplace, stress at school, a pile of bills to be paid, accidents, uncontrollable weather events…and so much more. Whether these circumstances were beyond our control, or the devil caught us napping…”life” happens! And the thing is…this happens to all of us!
For every challenge and circumstance you have experienced…someone else has “been there, done that”. This ought to give us renewed courage as we see how God has worked in the lives of others – how He has gotten them through the rough spots, put them together and set them back on their feet for good. This also should give us courage and motivation to share with others out of our own personal witness to God’s great plans for us. I am not diminishing the importance – or severity – of anything that has happened in your life. In fact, I have expressed heartfelt compassion and empathy to many of you whom I know personally. I have shared with you in these devotionals how God has “had the last word” in my life on many occasions…and how my faith has been strengthened through these experiences.
So my question to you today is, “What are you doing with the circumstances and events of your life?” Are you awake and alert? Or are you napping while the “weather” clears…or burying your head in the sand because things just seem too hard to bear? Either one of the latter leaves you vulnerable to the devil. And Peter is right…Satan stands ready and waiting to pounce like a cat watching a bug or a bird in the yard! Whatever you are going through…whatever has happened to you…God can use it to strengthen your faith – and to demonstrate His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion to others. Will you be one of His agents in this…or one of the devil’s victims? The choice is totally up to you.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
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.
This morning as I enjoyed a cup of coffee on my back deck in 66-degree sunshine, I thought of the two big frozen blobs of sleet that still sit in our front flower beds. I reminded myself that less than a week ago, we were experiencing day-time high temps in the teens and low twenties – and wind-chill factors close to zero!
Our house sits in a relatively wooded – and shaded – neighborhood. The home of one of my cousins has a similar setting. She remarked to me that for several days last week, she thought the whole world was as “iced in” as she was, because she could not see beyond her neighborhood, where major streets and thoroughfares had been cleared, salted and sanded. We felt much the same way. Just a couple of blocks away from our house, a major highway was “passable”, while our streets and driveway were completely covered in sleet and ice.
So we were lulled into a sense that the world was “sleeping” for a few days until the weather cleared…while in reality, life was continuing somewhat as usual just a few yards from our doorstep! Indeed, about a 3-hour drive east of us, motorists were stranded for as much as 48 hours on interstate highways in our state. As most of the world carried on “as usual”, these motorists sat motionless, hungry, weary and away from family, friends, important appointments, and more.
This seems like the perfect analogy to demonstrate how we operate as Christians. There are times when things happen in our lives, and we feel like the whole world has stopped…or should! We experience illness, the death of a friend or loved one, trouble at home or in the workplace, stress at school, a pile of bills to be paid, accidents, uncontrollable weather events…and so much more. Whether these circumstances were beyond our control, or the devil caught us napping…”life” happens! And the thing is…this happens to all of us!
For every challenge and circumstance you have experienced…someone else has “been there, done that”. This ought to give us renewed courage as we see how God has worked in the lives of others – how He has gotten them through the rough spots, put them together and set them back on their feet for good. This also should give us courage and motivation to share with others out of our own personal witness to God’s great plans for us. I am not diminishing the importance – or severity – of anything that has happened in your life. In fact, I have expressed heartfelt compassion and empathy to many of you whom I know personally. I have shared with you in these devotionals how God has “had the last word” in my life on many occasions…and how my faith has been strengthened through these experiences.
So my question to you today is, “What are you doing with the circumstances and events of your life?” Are you awake and alert? Or are you napping while the “weather” clears…or burying your head in the sand because things just seem too hard to bear? Either one of the latter leaves you vulnerable to the devil. And Peter is right…Satan stands ready and waiting to pounce like a cat watching a bug or a bird in the yard! Whatever you are going through…whatever has happened to you…God can use it to strengthen your faith – and to demonstrate His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion to others. Will you be one of His agents in this…or one of the devil’s victims? The choice is totally up to you.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 10, 2014
Zechariah 7:8-10
Then this message came to Zechariah from the Lord: “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.
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.
Andrew Solomon, author of Far From the Tree, recently interviewed Peter Lanza for a piece in The New Yorker magazine. Lanza is the father of Adam Lanza, the shooter at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012. Far From the Tree is a book about children who are different from their parents...and how these parents cope with their children and the challenges they present. In some cases, the children became criminals - like Adam Lanza.
Andrew Solomon noted that Peter Lanza has (understandably) struggled with what happened at Newtown, where Adam also killed his mother (Lanza's ex-wife Nancy) before killing himself. Lanza has made the comment that he now wishes that Adam had never been born...and he apparently claims that he doesn't mourn Adam's death.
I am trying to understand this…to put myself in the shoes of Peter Lanza. There are reports that parents of some of Adam Lanza’s victims have approached Peter and told him that they forgive Adam…but Peter apparently cannot accept this compassion and mercy. And again, I think I can somewhat understand those feelings. Peter Lanza must surely feel incredibly guilty - and ask himself daily what could have been done to prevent this horrific event. Adam Lanza suffered from Asperger’s syndrome – a form of autism – and may have also been schizophrenic. I don’t say this to excuse his heinous crimes…but I do propose that his parents might have done everything humanly possible to keep Adam and everyone else safe – and still, this happened. Some things are simply beyond our control.
I think what struck me about this story – and this scripture passage from Zechariah – is that we must learn not to question things so much…or maybe we are asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking “Why, LORD?” or “Why me?”…let’s ask, “What are You doing with this?” Let’s look at how God can use all circumstances in our lives for HIS purposes…and let’s operate with fairness, mercy and kindness in every situation. Instead of asking God why He allowed a man or woman to die and leave a spouse, let’s ask, “What can I do for the widows in my church or community? How can I help them?” Instead of shaking our heads and wagging our tongues about orphans and foster children and their plight, let’s roll up our sleeves and ask, “What needs to be done for these children?” Let’s discover how God can use these innocents to enrich OUR lives as we minister to them.
Rather than be so upset about “foreigners” and the poor among us…let’s work on how to help them. What if we asked God to show us how we are supposed to respond and react toward these people for HIS glory, rather than gripe and grumble about their presence…and make things even worse for them?! Suppose we got busy asking the right questions and learning about others and their needs…then worked to find solutions and ways to truly help.
Instead of trying to figure out how to get even with others…or how to outsmart “the system”…suppose we worked together with love, compassion, grace, mercy and forgiveness – and found real, viable solutions and ways to share Jesus’ love with others. Understand that I am NOT saying we shouldn’t look for ways to keep guns out of the hands of children and others who might use them for evil. I do not mean to imply that we should turn and look the other way…and just “let the chips fall” – or excuse true laziness or an illegal or immoral act. But I do believe we must quit trying to wish away unpleasant or difficult people and circumstances - and face them head-on…“with the full armor of God”.
Jesus never shied away from anyone or any situation. In Jesus Christ, we find the perfect demonstration of how to conduct our own lives…and how to serve Him in the process. We have work to do! It’s time to get up and get going…to be about the business of loving others in Jesus’ name and sharing His Good News. Are you awake and alert? Is your heart filled with compassion, grace, mercy and forgiveness through Jesus? Are you really ready for the work of serving others? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Then this message came to Zechariah from the Lord: “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.
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.
Andrew Solomon, author of Far From the Tree, recently interviewed Peter Lanza for a piece in The New Yorker magazine. Lanza is the father of Adam Lanza, the shooter at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012. Far From the Tree is a book about children who are different from their parents...and how these parents cope with their children and the challenges they present. In some cases, the children became criminals - like Adam Lanza.
Andrew Solomon noted that Peter Lanza has (understandably) struggled with what happened at Newtown, where Adam also killed his mother (Lanza's ex-wife Nancy) before killing himself. Lanza has made the comment that he now wishes that Adam had never been born...and he apparently claims that he doesn't mourn Adam's death.
I am trying to understand this…to put myself in the shoes of Peter Lanza. There are reports that parents of some of Adam Lanza’s victims have approached Peter and told him that they forgive Adam…but Peter apparently cannot accept this compassion and mercy. And again, I think I can somewhat understand those feelings. Peter Lanza must surely feel incredibly guilty - and ask himself daily what could have been done to prevent this horrific event. Adam Lanza suffered from Asperger’s syndrome – a form of autism – and may have also been schizophrenic. I don’t say this to excuse his heinous crimes…but I do propose that his parents might have done everything humanly possible to keep Adam and everyone else safe – and still, this happened. Some things are simply beyond our control.
I think what struck me about this story – and this scripture passage from Zechariah – is that we must learn not to question things so much…or maybe we are asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking “Why, LORD?” or “Why me?”…let’s ask, “What are You doing with this?” Let’s look at how God can use all circumstances in our lives for HIS purposes…and let’s operate with fairness, mercy and kindness in every situation. Instead of asking God why He allowed a man or woman to die and leave a spouse, let’s ask, “What can I do for the widows in my church or community? How can I help them?” Instead of shaking our heads and wagging our tongues about orphans and foster children and their plight, let’s roll up our sleeves and ask, “What needs to be done for these children?” Let’s discover how God can use these innocents to enrich OUR lives as we minister to them.
Rather than be so upset about “foreigners” and the poor among us…let’s work on how to help them. What if we asked God to show us how we are supposed to respond and react toward these people for HIS glory, rather than gripe and grumble about their presence…and make things even worse for them?! Suppose we got busy asking the right questions and learning about others and their needs…then worked to find solutions and ways to truly help.
Instead of trying to figure out how to get even with others…or how to outsmart “the system”…suppose we worked together with love, compassion, grace, mercy and forgiveness – and found real, viable solutions and ways to share Jesus’ love with others. Understand that I am NOT saying we shouldn’t look for ways to keep guns out of the hands of children and others who might use them for evil. I do not mean to imply that we should turn and look the other way…and just “let the chips fall” – or excuse true laziness or an illegal or immoral act. But I do believe we must quit trying to wish away unpleasant or difficult people and circumstances - and face them head-on…“with the full armor of God”.
Jesus never shied away from anyone or any situation. In Jesus Christ, we find the perfect demonstration of how to conduct our own lives…and how to serve Him in the process. We have work to do! It’s time to get up and get going…to be about the business of loving others in Jesus’ name and sharing His Good News. Are you awake and alert? Is your heart filled with compassion, grace, mercy and forgiveness through Jesus? Are you really ready for the work of serving others? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 9, 2014
Psalm 103:8-18
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone - as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
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.
When we went to lunch today after church, Zola got upset with me because I would not let her hold her milk bottle by herself. The milk at Burger King® comes in a plastic bottle, and we add a straw…and she usually ends up with more milk ON her than IN her! So I insisted on holding the bottle today while she got her drink. That did not go over well. She clammed up and stared straight ahead and would not speak or eat or move…for probably close to 15 minutes. We went on with our meal and virtually ignored her. She began to get upset when Timothy ate an apple slice from her plate…and then a French fry. I told her since she was not eating, that food was “fair game”…and soon, she was eating her lunch.
We are by no means experts when it comes to managing children and their “tantrums,” but we have learned that often, the more things you can ignore and overlook, the better. It would have served no purpose (other than to ruin lunch for everyone) if we had gotten upset today. There was no need for threats to punish...or a knee-jerk reaction. We chalked this up to the moodiness of an almost-three-year-old…maybe a lack of sleep…and Zola just being “Zola”!
As I read these scripture verses – which happen to be some of my favorites – I thought about how often we behave like a sullen or insolent child. We are stubborn… we disobey and disrupt…and God loves us anyway. He continues about His business while we sit and pout, wring our hands, or lie down on the floor and kick and scream in a temper tantrum. And then He picks us up and snuggles us as if to say, “Feel better now?”
We need to take a long hard look at these verses and the lessons they contain. We need to apply this same compassion and mercy to those we encounter in our daily living. We need to offer forgiveness…and to blow many offenses to the four winds – as though they had never been here. And with Jesus’ help, we can do exactly that! We do not have the power to forgive sins…but we can – and must – forgive offenses against us. We must look past hurts, irritations, and mistreatment and see what God sees…His precious children…and we must love them, as He loves us!
I pulled Zola into my lap as she began to eat, and I snuggled her. When I tried to return her to the chair beside me, she protested…”I want to sit with you!” She felt happy with me…and loved. It was as if we had experienced a mutual understanding that everything was forgiven…the pouting was over…and I still loved her just as much as ever. And that’s how it is with God. He loves us so much…even when we are so very unlovable. And He wants us to share that love with others in His name.
This is not always an easy thing to do…but it is so necessary. As God loves and forgives you…as He offers you compassion and mercy…won’t you do the same for others? Who do you need to figuratively “snuggle on your lap” today and let them know that all is forgiven? What grudges are you still holding? Isn’t this a great time to release them? Don’t you feel God calling you to do just that?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone - as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
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.
When we went to lunch today after church, Zola got upset with me because I would not let her hold her milk bottle by herself. The milk at Burger King® comes in a plastic bottle, and we add a straw…and she usually ends up with more milk ON her than IN her! So I insisted on holding the bottle today while she got her drink. That did not go over well. She clammed up and stared straight ahead and would not speak or eat or move…for probably close to 15 minutes. We went on with our meal and virtually ignored her. She began to get upset when Timothy ate an apple slice from her plate…and then a French fry. I told her since she was not eating, that food was “fair game”…and soon, she was eating her lunch.
We are by no means experts when it comes to managing children and their “tantrums,” but we have learned that often, the more things you can ignore and overlook, the better. It would have served no purpose (other than to ruin lunch for everyone) if we had gotten upset today. There was no need for threats to punish...or a knee-jerk reaction. We chalked this up to the moodiness of an almost-three-year-old…maybe a lack of sleep…and Zola just being “Zola”!
As I read these scripture verses – which happen to be some of my favorites – I thought about how often we behave like a sullen or insolent child. We are stubborn… we disobey and disrupt…and God loves us anyway. He continues about His business while we sit and pout, wring our hands, or lie down on the floor and kick and scream in a temper tantrum. And then He picks us up and snuggles us as if to say, “Feel better now?”
We need to take a long hard look at these verses and the lessons they contain. We need to apply this same compassion and mercy to those we encounter in our daily living. We need to offer forgiveness…and to blow many offenses to the four winds – as though they had never been here. And with Jesus’ help, we can do exactly that! We do not have the power to forgive sins…but we can – and must – forgive offenses against us. We must look past hurts, irritations, and mistreatment and see what God sees…His precious children…and we must love them, as He loves us!
I pulled Zola into my lap as she began to eat, and I snuggled her. When I tried to return her to the chair beside me, she protested…”I want to sit with you!” She felt happy with me…and loved. It was as if we had experienced a mutual understanding that everything was forgiven…the pouting was over…and I still loved her just as much as ever. And that’s how it is with God. He loves us so much…even when we are so very unlovable. And He wants us to share that love with others in His name.
This is not always an easy thing to do…but it is so necessary. As God loves and forgives you…as He offers you compassion and mercy…won’t you do the same for others? Who do you need to figuratively “snuggle on your lap” today and let them know that all is forgiven? What grudges are you still holding? Isn’t this a great time to release them? Don’t you feel God calling you to do just that?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 8, 2014
2 Corinthians 2:10-11
I will forgive anyone you forgive. Yes, for your sake and with Christ as my witness, I have forgiven whatever needed to be forgiven. I have done this to keep Satan from getting the better of us. We all know what goes on in his mind.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Each year for Lent, I add rather than “give up” something. I take this 40-day block and read Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life* again. I think this will be at least my sixth or seventh time to study this book…and each time, I gain fresh and new insights. Yesterday represented “Day 3”…the chapter titled “What Drives Your Life?” Pastor Warren notes that… “Many people are driven by resentment and anger.” He goes on to say that we don’t release our pain and irritation… we “rehearse it over and over” in our minds. He reminds us that “Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent. You are only hurting yourself with your bitterness. For your own sake, learn from it, and then let it go.”
I realize this is far more easily said than done. But I believe that Pastor Warren is right. Every single one of us will experience something that either we hold onto and allow to fester and create bitterness…or we forgive the offender and move forward. We don’t have to forget what happened…in fact, we should remember the experience and use it to motivate or remind us to create something positive. But we should not allow this to mold us or shape our future.
Think of Jesus on the cross, when He asked God to…”forgive these people! They don’t know what they’re doing.”** If Jesus could forgive the heinous atrocities done to Him in that moment… how could we ever think of doing any less in our own lives? I know that a lot of evil exists in this world. I fully understand that you may have been abandoned, bullied, abused, molested…the victim of gossip, a crime or a deceit. I realize that you may be mistreated in the workplace...or even unfairly dismissed. I know that there are a few teachers and coaches who make it very hard on certain students…and many of us will at some point feel like someone ripped out our heart and stomped on it! I totally get it that you may have felt persecuted in some manner – for years. Yes, “bad things happen to good people”…and it’s really, really tough to forgive and move forward sometimes. But we must to this in good faith as Jesus’ followers.
Read this passage from 2 Corinthians again. We must forgive others in order “to keep Satan from getting the better of us.” Let’s be honest…Satan jumps up and down with delight when we flounder, stew and ruminate on our indignations and the injustices that have been set upon us. I am reminded again of sitting at my niece’s basketball game during the state tournament. The other team had come from behind…and with each basket scored, their fans grew more and more raucous. It was absolutely no fun at all to sit a few feet from people who were jumping up and down and screaming with glee…and all at “our” expense. That’s what Satan does when we harbor feelings of un-forgiveness. And I, for one, refuse to allow him that pleasure!
If un-forgiveness is “driving” you today, I urge you to prayerfully beg God to help you release these feelings. In the words of a popular song from a recently-released children’s movie, “Let it go!” Jesus’ act of forgiveness on the cross set the stage for His entire ministry of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. His torture and mockery have not been forgotten…but they have been transformed into a fuel for reaching the world in His name. We can show others how a man who had every right to hold a grudge “turned the other cheek” and actually interceded on the behalf of His persecutors. And if Jesus can do that, surely we can forgive those who have offended or oppressed us in some manner.
I pray it will be so… for me…for you…for all of us. It gives me great pleasure to picture the devil cowered in the corner or running for his life because he could not conquer us. To imagine myself standing at the feet of Jesus and basking in His glory and pleasure because of my obedience and compassionate spirit – even toward my “enemies” – is a beautiful thing. Where are you standing today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*The Purpose Driven Life ~ ©2002 Zondervan Press ~ http://purposedrivenlife.com
**Luke 23:34 (CEV)
I will forgive anyone you forgive. Yes, for your sake and with Christ as my witness, I have forgiven whatever needed to be forgiven. I have done this to keep Satan from getting the better of us. We all know what goes on in his mind.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Each year for Lent, I add rather than “give up” something. I take this 40-day block and read Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life* again. I think this will be at least my sixth or seventh time to study this book…and each time, I gain fresh and new insights. Yesterday represented “Day 3”…the chapter titled “What Drives Your Life?” Pastor Warren notes that… “Many people are driven by resentment and anger.” He goes on to say that we don’t release our pain and irritation… we “rehearse it over and over” in our minds. He reminds us that “Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent. You are only hurting yourself with your bitterness. For your own sake, learn from it, and then let it go.”
I realize this is far more easily said than done. But I believe that Pastor Warren is right. Every single one of us will experience something that either we hold onto and allow to fester and create bitterness…or we forgive the offender and move forward. We don’t have to forget what happened…in fact, we should remember the experience and use it to motivate or remind us to create something positive. But we should not allow this to mold us or shape our future.
Think of Jesus on the cross, when He asked God to…”forgive these people! They don’t know what they’re doing.”** If Jesus could forgive the heinous atrocities done to Him in that moment… how could we ever think of doing any less in our own lives? I know that a lot of evil exists in this world. I fully understand that you may have been abandoned, bullied, abused, molested…the victim of gossip, a crime or a deceit. I realize that you may be mistreated in the workplace...or even unfairly dismissed. I know that there are a few teachers and coaches who make it very hard on certain students…and many of us will at some point feel like someone ripped out our heart and stomped on it! I totally get it that you may have felt persecuted in some manner – for years. Yes, “bad things happen to good people”…and it’s really, really tough to forgive and move forward sometimes. But we must to this in good faith as Jesus’ followers.
Read this passage from 2 Corinthians again. We must forgive others in order “to keep Satan from getting the better of us.” Let’s be honest…Satan jumps up and down with delight when we flounder, stew and ruminate on our indignations and the injustices that have been set upon us. I am reminded again of sitting at my niece’s basketball game during the state tournament. The other team had come from behind…and with each basket scored, their fans grew more and more raucous. It was absolutely no fun at all to sit a few feet from people who were jumping up and down and screaming with glee…and all at “our” expense. That’s what Satan does when we harbor feelings of un-forgiveness. And I, for one, refuse to allow him that pleasure!
If un-forgiveness is “driving” you today, I urge you to prayerfully beg God to help you release these feelings. In the words of a popular song from a recently-released children’s movie, “Let it go!” Jesus’ act of forgiveness on the cross set the stage for His entire ministry of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. His torture and mockery have not been forgotten…but they have been transformed into a fuel for reaching the world in His name. We can show others how a man who had every right to hold a grudge “turned the other cheek” and actually interceded on the behalf of His persecutors. And if Jesus can do that, surely we can forgive those who have offended or oppressed us in some manner.
I pray it will be so… for me…for you…for all of us. It gives me great pleasure to picture the devil cowered in the corner or running for his life because he could not conquer us. To imagine myself standing at the feet of Jesus and basking in His glory and pleasure because of my obedience and compassionate spirit – even toward my “enemies” – is a beautiful thing. Where are you standing today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*The Purpose Driven Life ~ ©2002 Zondervan Press ~ http://purposedrivenlife.com
**Luke 23:34 (CEV)
Daily Devotional for March 5, 2014
James 1:3
You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I didn’t die. I thought I might…but I didn’t. When a high school classmate chased me one day during lunch hour with what turn out to be a dead snake - and I fell to the ground while running and my dress flew over my head – I wanted to die of embarrassment. But I didn’t. When a principal badgered and bullied me during my first year of teaching, and there seemed to be no recourse, I thought I couldn’t handle it. But I did. When my father-in-law died… then my brother and my own dad left us within the span of 13 months…I thought with each passing that I could not bear the grief…that surely it would swallow me. And when Greg and I lost our first beloved pets, I was quite sure that I could not survive without them. But here I am.
During illnesses, surgeries and injuries when the doctor would say, “You cannot do XYZ for a certain length of time…you cannot put any weight on your foot for six weeks or more…you cannot drive until this heals…if you don’t regain your range of motion in the next few weeks, you will lose it forever”…we were, at best, frustrated. We had place to go…things to do…and certainly no time to be sick, crippled or incapacitated. When Greg and I grew frustrated and weary from maintaining two properties and hoping that our "farm" would sell, we prayed that God would either send us a buyer...or show us what we were supposed to do. The property sat on the market for so long that we contemplated selling our "city" home and moving back to the "farm."
But God always healed our hearts and our bodies...and a buyer for our "farm" property came along at just the right time. God answered each and every time we were tested. We survived every challenge, heartache, and frustration. And with each successive “test”, we grew stronger and more faithful.
Do we have it completely figured out? Are we “there” yet? Absolutely not! But I can see that each test has strengthened us. We can see God’s hand in our lives…and we recognize that we are where we are today because of Him. Without our faith, we would have folded a long, long time ago. And I suspect many of you would have, as well.
Let’s be clear…I do not relish the thought of future tests and trials. But I know they are inevitable. More importantly, I know that God will never leave me. He will never give me more than He can equip me to handle. I may feel like I am going to die… or that I would rather die! But I know that I won’t – until God is ready for me to come to Him in heaven. Meanwhile, I can use my “lessons” to encourage others. I can say to them… “I survived this…and you can, too.” I can offer hope, love, compassion and understanding. And in doing so, I can demonstrate God’s love and power…and give Him all the glory.
Whatever you are going through today…however rough and unbearable your life seems…no matter how excruciating the heartache may feel…God is with you. He will lift you up and cradle you in His arms and carry you through the toughest times. Several years ago, I began to mentally picture Jesus stretching out His arms toward me. In this image, I run to Him and snuggle against His chest in the silky-soft folds of His flowing white robe. Jesus wraps His arms around me, and I discharge a heavy sigh of relief. I am safe…I am at home…Jesus has me.
When you are tested, frustrated, grieved and heartbroken, picture yourself in the arms of Jesus. Let His strong - yet gentle - arms engulf you. Nuzzle against His chest and feel the steady rhythm of His breathing. And know that you are safe…that you will survive this…that all is well in the LORD. Share this with others who are experiencing similar difficulties (and we all know someone who is going through something!)…and let them know that all things are possible with God.
I didn’t die…and neither will you…because Someone watches over me and handles my tests and troubles. This is very good news, indeed…news we must share with others. How has your faith been strengthened by trials and challenges? Who needs to hear the “good news” of your “faith story” today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I didn’t die. I thought I might…but I didn’t. When a high school classmate chased me one day during lunch hour with what turn out to be a dead snake - and I fell to the ground while running and my dress flew over my head – I wanted to die of embarrassment. But I didn’t. When a principal badgered and bullied me during my first year of teaching, and there seemed to be no recourse, I thought I couldn’t handle it. But I did. When my father-in-law died… then my brother and my own dad left us within the span of 13 months…I thought with each passing that I could not bear the grief…that surely it would swallow me. And when Greg and I lost our first beloved pets, I was quite sure that I could not survive without them. But here I am.
During illnesses, surgeries and injuries when the doctor would say, “You cannot do XYZ for a certain length of time…you cannot put any weight on your foot for six weeks or more…you cannot drive until this heals…if you don’t regain your range of motion in the next few weeks, you will lose it forever”…we were, at best, frustrated. We had place to go…things to do…and certainly no time to be sick, crippled or incapacitated. When Greg and I grew frustrated and weary from maintaining two properties and hoping that our "farm" would sell, we prayed that God would either send us a buyer...or show us what we were supposed to do. The property sat on the market for so long that we contemplated selling our "city" home and moving back to the "farm."
But God always healed our hearts and our bodies...and a buyer for our "farm" property came along at just the right time. God answered each and every time we were tested. We survived every challenge, heartache, and frustration. And with each successive “test”, we grew stronger and more faithful.
Do we have it completely figured out? Are we “there” yet? Absolutely not! But I can see that each test has strengthened us. We can see God’s hand in our lives…and we recognize that we are where we are today because of Him. Without our faith, we would have folded a long, long time ago. And I suspect many of you would have, as well.
Let’s be clear…I do not relish the thought of future tests and trials. But I know they are inevitable. More importantly, I know that God will never leave me. He will never give me more than He can equip me to handle. I may feel like I am going to die… or that I would rather die! But I know that I won’t – until God is ready for me to come to Him in heaven. Meanwhile, I can use my “lessons” to encourage others. I can say to them… “I survived this…and you can, too.” I can offer hope, love, compassion and understanding. And in doing so, I can demonstrate God’s love and power…and give Him all the glory.
Whatever you are going through today…however rough and unbearable your life seems…no matter how excruciating the heartache may feel…God is with you. He will lift you up and cradle you in His arms and carry you through the toughest times. Several years ago, I began to mentally picture Jesus stretching out His arms toward me. In this image, I run to Him and snuggle against His chest in the silky-soft folds of His flowing white robe. Jesus wraps His arms around me, and I discharge a heavy sigh of relief. I am safe…I am at home…Jesus has me.
When you are tested, frustrated, grieved and heartbroken, picture yourself in the arms of Jesus. Let His strong - yet gentle - arms engulf you. Nuzzle against His chest and feel the steady rhythm of His breathing. And know that you are safe…that you will survive this…that all is well in the LORD. Share this with others who are experiencing similar difficulties (and we all know someone who is going through something!)…and let them know that all things are possible with God.
I didn’t die…and neither will you…because Someone watches over me and handles my tests and troubles. This is very good news, indeed…news we must share with others. How has your faith been strengthened by trials and challenges? Who needs to hear the “good news” of your “faith story” today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 3, 2014
Nehemiah 1
These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah.
In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.
They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said,
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Actor Matthew McConaughey received the Oscar for Best Actor at the 86th annual Academy Awards ceremony held on March 2, 2014. In his acceptance speech, McConaughey said, "First off I want to thank God, because that's who I look up to. He's graced my life with opportunities that I know are not of my hand or any other human hand..." McConaughey won for his role as Ron Woodroof in the movie “Dallas Buyers Club”.
In “Dallas Buyers Club” (which takes place in 1985), McConaughey’s character, Ron Woodroof, is an electrician and part-time rodeo bull rider who is racist, homophobic, smokes heavily, drinks, abuses drugs, and more. He could be described as a “typical redneck”. Woodroof is hospitalized for an injury, and doctors determine that he is HIV+ and only has about a month left to live. Woodroof is at first angered to think that he has a terminal illness that he thought only affected those with a certain sexual orientation. Over time, he comes to accept not only the fallacy of this thinking…he also develops true compassion and empathy for everyone who suffers from this potentially-deadly virus.
Woodroof learns that there is a drug (AZT) that might prolong his life – or even save him - but it is not available in the U.S. except in clinical trials. He is astounded to realize that he is dying and cannot acquire – or afford – a drug that could save his life. So he sets out to obtain AZT…and he vows to do whatever it takes to accomplish this.
There are a lot of situations in life where we have no compassion for “the other guy” – until we become him/her. Quite frankly, there are many circumstances where we truly don’t care…or we judge and decide that “he/she had it coming.” “She smoked, so it’s no wonder she got lung cancer”…or “He has cheated people for years…and now it’s coming back to haunt him”…or simply “That is none of my concern” or “There is very little I can do to help” are some of the sentiments that come to mind.
In this first chapter of Nehemiah, we meet a simple servant – the king’s cupbearer – who is so moved by the news of the great troubles and disgrace that the Jews are experiencing in Jerusalem that he falls to his knees in tears and begins to pray for them. Matthew McConaughey has a more prominent platform - and probably a broader audience – than Nehemiah. He can use his celebrity status to encourage awareness and empathy for the plight of those who suffer from the injustice and indignity of diseases such as AIDS…and mistreatment because of sexual orientation, social status, race, creed, color, and more. He can publicly credit God for his success…and do so in a compelling manner, as he did during his acceptance speech.
Nehemiah’s audience was much smaller…probably close to non-existent! But He made a point to tell us that “I was the king’s cup-bearer.” In other words, he was a simple, very ordinary servant who did what he could. He prayed for people who were in trouble. He cried, grieved and truly “felt their pain”.
The point is that we may be neither a “Matthew McConaughey” or a “Nehemiah”. Most likely, we fall somewhere in between…and we might wonder just what we could possibly do for others. How could we make a difference? What are we supposed to do from our vantage point? The answer seems pretty clear to me…we are to invite God to use us – however, whenever, and wherever He chooses. We are to truly care about others…and to do what we can on their behalf. This might mean prayer…it might mean public witness and praise of God and the things He has done in our lives…or it might mean taking a stand and becoming physically active in ministering to others.
God may call you to serve in a soup kitchen…offer words of encouragement to someone who is hurting or troubled…or fall to your knees and pray for those who are being persecuted in Ukraine. Our job is to be ready and willing to share love, grace, mercy, and compassion with others in Jesus’ name. God will make us able to do these things!
In my book, Nehemiah did not use his status as a cup-bearer as an excuse…but rather as an example that God can use each of us, if only we are attentive and obedient. What about you? Are you a “cup-bearer” who uses your “status” as an excuse…or a servant equipped by God to minister in Jesus’ name? You don’t have to be an Oscar-winning actor to accomplish great things for God’s kingdom…you just have to be a willing servant. Are you the King’s cup-bearer? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah.
In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.
They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said,
“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer.
“Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’
“The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Actor Matthew McConaughey received the Oscar for Best Actor at the 86th annual Academy Awards ceremony held on March 2, 2014. In his acceptance speech, McConaughey said, "First off I want to thank God, because that's who I look up to. He's graced my life with opportunities that I know are not of my hand or any other human hand..." McConaughey won for his role as Ron Woodroof in the movie “Dallas Buyers Club”.
In “Dallas Buyers Club” (which takes place in 1985), McConaughey’s character, Ron Woodroof, is an electrician and part-time rodeo bull rider who is racist, homophobic, smokes heavily, drinks, abuses drugs, and more. He could be described as a “typical redneck”. Woodroof is hospitalized for an injury, and doctors determine that he is HIV+ and only has about a month left to live. Woodroof is at first angered to think that he has a terminal illness that he thought only affected those with a certain sexual orientation. Over time, he comes to accept not only the fallacy of this thinking…he also develops true compassion and empathy for everyone who suffers from this potentially-deadly virus.
Woodroof learns that there is a drug (AZT) that might prolong his life – or even save him - but it is not available in the U.S. except in clinical trials. He is astounded to realize that he is dying and cannot acquire – or afford – a drug that could save his life. So he sets out to obtain AZT…and he vows to do whatever it takes to accomplish this.
There are a lot of situations in life where we have no compassion for “the other guy” – until we become him/her. Quite frankly, there are many circumstances where we truly don’t care…or we judge and decide that “he/she had it coming.” “She smoked, so it’s no wonder she got lung cancer”…or “He has cheated people for years…and now it’s coming back to haunt him”…or simply “That is none of my concern” or “There is very little I can do to help” are some of the sentiments that come to mind.
In this first chapter of Nehemiah, we meet a simple servant – the king’s cupbearer – who is so moved by the news of the great troubles and disgrace that the Jews are experiencing in Jerusalem that he falls to his knees in tears and begins to pray for them. Matthew McConaughey has a more prominent platform - and probably a broader audience – than Nehemiah. He can use his celebrity status to encourage awareness and empathy for the plight of those who suffer from the injustice and indignity of diseases such as AIDS…and mistreatment because of sexual orientation, social status, race, creed, color, and more. He can publicly credit God for his success…and do so in a compelling manner, as he did during his acceptance speech.
Nehemiah’s audience was much smaller…probably close to non-existent! But He made a point to tell us that “I was the king’s cup-bearer.” In other words, he was a simple, very ordinary servant who did what he could. He prayed for people who were in trouble. He cried, grieved and truly “felt their pain”.
The point is that we may be neither a “Matthew McConaughey” or a “Nehemiah”. Most likely, we fall somewhere in between…and we might wonder just what we could possibly do for others. How could we make a difference? What are we supposed to do from our vantage point? The answer seems pretty clear to me…we are to invite God to use us – however, whenever, and wherever He chooses. We are to truly care about others…and to do what we can on their behalf. This might mean prayer…it might mean public witness and praise of God and the things He has done in our lives…or it might mean taking a stand and becoming physically active in ministering to others.
God may call you to serve in a soup kitchen…offer words of encouragement to someone who is hurting or troubled…or fall to your knees and pray for those who are being persecuted in Ukraine. Our job is to be ready and willing to share love, grace, mercy, and compassion with others in Jesus’ name. God will make us able to do these things!
In my book, Nehemiah did not use his status as a cup-bearer as an excuse…but rather as an example that God can use each of us, if only we are attentive and obedient. What about you? Are you a “cup-bearer” who uses your “status” as an excuse…or a servant equipped by God to minister in Jesus’ name? You don’t have to be an Oscar-winning actor to accomplish great things for God’s kingdom…you just have to be a willing servant. Are you the King’s cup-bearer? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 2, 2014
1 Timothy 1:5-7
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
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.
As Greg and I sat down to watch the final two hours of the History Channel mini-series The Bible, he jokingly said, “We know how it ends.” And as true as that statement is, I think we both came away from this movie with a renewed perspective on our life in Christ. The suffering of Jesus was almost unbearable to watch…even though we both knew we were merely watching a movie. The raw emotions of the disciples, Jesus’ mother Mary, John and Mary Magdalene - and even Jesus himself - were so compelling. The depiction of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples was breathtaking. And through it all, one pervading theme shone…”Love one another."
In Romans 13:8-10, we read…”Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.’ These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
If we truly believe the words in this scripture passage…if we are genuinely committed to following Jesus, and we fully grasp the unbelievable price He paid for our sins and entrance into heaven…then we have to take a hard look at how we are treating one another. Do we gossip? Do we present a “my-way-or-the-highway” view of our faith? Do we belittle those who disagree with us or differ from us in some manner? Are we quick to judge…and slow to offer a hand up or a handout? Have we become so smug in our own narrow view of Jesus and His message that we have totally missed the whole point?
A Facebook friend recently shared the observations of a writer who had grown up in an affluent household in a northern state. He was appalled to discover that there were actually people in America who had never eaten at a sit-down restaurant and ordered from a menu. He could not comprehend that there were socio-economic classes inf this country’s population that did not possess two forms of ID – or have a bank account. A stint in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina served to open his eyes to an entire segment of the public that was truly oppressed…one that he never knew existed prior to this disastrous event.
I wonder how many of us wear similar “blinders”…by virtue of our upbringing – or by choice? Do we prefer to ignore those in need…to look the other way…to pretend that as long as everything is hunky-dory in our little corner of the world, it must be so for everyone else? Or do we seek to operate from a pure heart, a clear conscience, a genuine faith…and compassionate, unconditional love toward all people? When others look at us, do they see the face of Jesus and feel His warmth, grace and caring? Or do they see a selfish, “teacher of the Law” who is rigid, arrogant, and complacent?
Before His ascension into Heaven, Jesus called upon ordinary men and women to go and do extraordinary things in His name…literally at the risk of life and limb. And they did it…without question. Could you do this? Would you suffer and sacrifice in Jesus’ name to share His love and good news with others? These are tough questions…but they must be addressed. Just how loving and compassionate are you toward even the least of God’s creatures? How do you truly represent Jesus? Isn’t it time you knew?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
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.
As Greg and I sat down to watch the final two hours of the History Channel mini-series The Bible, he jokingly said, “We know how it ends.” And as true as that statement is, I think we both came away from this movie with a renewed perspective on our life in Christ. The suffering of Jesus was almost unbearable to watch…even though we both knew we were merely watching a movie. The raw emotions of the disciples, Jesus’ mother Mary, John and Mary Magdalene - and even Jesus himself - were so compelling. The depiction of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples was breathtaking. And through it all, one pervading theme shone…”Love one another."
In Romans 13:8-10, we read…”Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.’ These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
If we truly believe the words in this scripture passage…if we are genuinely committed to following Jesus, and we fully grasp the unbelievable price He paid for our sins and entrance into heaven…then we have to take a hard look at how we are treating one another. Do we gossip? Do we present a “my-way-or-the-highway” view of our faith? Do we belittle those who disagree with us or differ from us in some manner? Are we quick to judge…and slow to offer a hand up or a handout? Have we become so smug in our own narrow view of Jesus and His message that we have totally missed the whole point?
A Facebook friend recently shared the observations of a writer who had grown up in an affluent household in a northern state. He was appalled to discover that there were actually people in America who had never eaten at a sit-down restaurant and ordered from a menu. He could not comprehend that there were socio-economic classes inf this country’s population that did not possess two forms of ID – or have a bank account. A stint in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina served to open his eyes to an entire segment of the public that was truly oppressed…one that he never knew existed prior to this disastrous event.
I wonder how many of us wear similar “blinders”…by virtue of our upbringing – or by choice? Do we prefer to ignore those in need…to look the other way…to pretend that as long as everything is hunky-dory in our little corner of the world, it must be so for everyone else? Or do we seek to operate from a pure heart, a clear conscience, a genuine faith…and compassionate, unconditional love toward all people? When others look at us, do they see the face of Jesus and feel His warmth, grace and caring? Or do they see a selfish, “teacher of the Law” who is rigid, arrogant, and complacent?
Before His ascension into Heaven, Jesus called upon ordinary men and women to go and do extraordinary things in His name…literally at the risk of life and limb. And they did it…without question. Could you do this? Would you suffer and sacrifice in Jesus’ name to share His love and good news with others? These are tough questions…but they must be addressed. Just how loving and compassionate are you toward even the least of God’s creatures? How do you truly represent Jesus? Isn’t it time you knew?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 1, 2014
2 Timothy 1:5-7
I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
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 recent Sunday as we ate our Burger King lunch, Timothy launched into a presentation of several lines from the vintage film, “Frosty the Snowman”…as in, “When the thermometer turns red, I start to melt. I don’t like red thermometers.” He went on for several minutes. We don’t know what prompted this, but he often quotes movie lines. He is a walking encyclopedia of movie excerpts. Zola has begun to find her “voice,” and often, she mimics Timothy – or the adults around her. For instance, on a recent trip to the playground, she kept saying, “Be careful, Timmy! Be careful!” I know she had heard either Greg or me say that to her big brother. Let me tell you, Timothy and Zola miss virtually NOTHING!
I know I sound like a broken record, but someone is almost always watching. They see when you gripe and complain in the grocery store line. They notice when you smile and say “Hello.” They observe how you interact with your family members and friends…whether you are kind and considerate – or rude and obnoxious. People notice when you speak to them…and when you don’t! People also pay attention to whether your talk matches your actions – or doesn’t. So when you sing in the youth choir – or are front and center at every Bible study and worship service – then speak unkindly about someone or always seem to have an axe to grind…others take note!
When “Christians” talk about their faith and how much God means to them in one breath…and belittle the less fortunate or spew hateful remarks about those who differ in their politics, denomination or religious belief, race, creed, color and/or sexual orientation…all of that “witness” goes out the window. Who will believe you when you say you care, if you have behaved in a manner that indicates anything other than compassion and acceptance?
I realize that all of us say or do things at one time or another that are ungodly…or at best, not very nice. But in general, I was blessed that my upbringing apparently included more examples of tolerance and compassion than those that were undisciplined or exclusive. And I am trying very hard to be a good example to those whom I encounter – of all ages - but especially the younger ones. When I see Timothy and Zola greet others politely and with a smile…when I hear them speak to others and answer, “I’m just fine…how are you?” to those who inquire of them…I am blessed. I see God working in these little children to create a spirit of love and compassion for others…and I am more determined to foster a spirit of power and self-discipline in them, their little brother Nathan, and other youngsters whom we encounter. Perhaps someday they will look back and think of their Uncle Greg and Aunt Debbie as faith-filled Christians who demonstrated God’s love and care to others – and taught them to do the same.
What about you? Regardless of your upbringing, you have the ultimate “Fatherly” example of how to treat others in the life of Jesus Christ. You have God’s word…and if you are in close communication with Him, you have His guidance and understand His will. Essentially, you have no excuse for behaving with a “spirit of fear and timidity”. If you are truly listening to God and following His lead, you can’t help but operate in His power and unconditional love for others. Because of God’s influence, you should be able to exercise self-discipline and keep your words, thoughts and actions in line with His will and Jesus’ example.
It’s time for us to take a personal assessment…time to give our lives a good hard look…to examine what we are showing to others. People are watching and listening…they are looking at us and deciding whether or not we demonstrate Jesus’ love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion.
When others look at you…what do they see? More importantly, what image of Jesus are you sharing with them? Will the faith of those who preceded you continue strongly through you and on to future generations? Will it even be visible at all?
©2014 Debbie Robus
I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
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 recent Sunday as we ate our Burger King lunch, Timothy launched into a presentation of several lines from the vintage film, “Frosty the Snowman”…as in, “When the thermometer turns red, I start to melt. I don’t like red thermometers.” He went on for several minutes. We don’t know what prompted this, but he often quotes movie lines. He is a walking encyclopedia of movie excerpts. Zola has begun to find her “voice,” and often, she mimics Timothy – or the adults around her. For instance, on a recent trip to the playground, she kept saying, “Be careful, Timmy! Be careful!” I know she had heard either Greg or me say that to her big brother. Let me tell you, Timothy and Zola miss virtually NOTHING!
I know I sound like a broken record, but someone is almost always watching. They see when you gripe and complain in the grocery store line. They notice when you smile and say “Hello.” They observe how you interact with your family members and friends…whether you are kind and considerate – or rude and obnoxious. People notice when you speak to them…and when you don’t! People also pay attention to whether your talk matches your actions – or doesn’t. So when you sing in the youth choir – or are front and center at every Bible study and worship service – then speak unkindly about someone or always seem to have an axe to grind…others take note!
When “Christians” talk about their faith and how much God means to them in one breath…and belittle the less fortunate or spew hateful remarks about those who differ in their politics, denomination or religious belief, race, creed, color and/or sexual orientation…all of that “witness” goes out the window. Who will believe you when you say you care, if you have behaved in a manner that indicates anything other than compassion and acceptance?
I realize that all of us say or do things at one time or another that are ungodly…or at best, not very nice. But in general, I was blessed that my upbringing apparently included more examples of tolerance and compassion than those that were undisciplined or exclusive. And I am trying very hard to be a good example to those whom I encounter – of all ages - but especially the younger ones. When I see Timothy and Zola greet others politely and with a smile…when I hear them speak to others and answer, “I’m just fine…how are you?” to those who inquire of them…I am blessed. I see God working in these little children to create a spirit of love and compassion for others…and I am more determined to foster a spirit of power and self-discipline in them, their little brother Nathan, and other youngsters whom we encounter. Perhaps someday they will look back and think of their Uncle Greg and Aunt Debbie as faith-filled Christians who demonstrated God’s love and care to others – and taught them to do the same.
What about you? Regardless of your upbringing, you have the ultimate “Fatherly” example of how to treat others in the life of Jesus Christ. You have God’s word…and if you are in close communication with Him, you have His guidance and understand His will. Essentially, you have no excuse for behaving with a “spirit of fear and timidity”. If you are truly listening to God and following His lead, you can’t help but operate in His power and unconditional love for others. Because of God’s influence, you should be able to exercise self-discipline and keep your words, thoughts and actions in line with His will and Jesus’ example.
It’s time for us to take a personal assessment…time to give our lives a good hard look…to examine what we are showing to others. People are watching and listening…they are looking at us and deciding whether or not we demonstrate Jesus’ love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion.
When others look at you…what do they see? More importantly, what image of Jesus are you sharing with them? Will the faith of those who preceded you continue strongly through you and on to future generations? Will it even be visible at all?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 27, 2014
Colossians 1:9-12
Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for 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.
A friend of mine is embarking on a huge project to create a home for single mothers whose children were placed in foster care and are now transitioning back into a “traditional home” setting. Many of these women need help developing the necessary skills to create a solid, stable family unit that can sustain them and their children. It is hoped that a commitment to six months in this group home will equip these families to function well enough to stay out of the foster care system and “make a go of it”. Is this project fraught with opportunities for difficulties – even failure? Absolutely! Does this mean that my friend should not pursue what she believes God has called her to do? Absolutely not!
There are plenty of situations where we hesitate to get involved because we fear the outcome. Will we offend the person we are trying to comfort? Will we say the right things? Will this endeavor work…or will it fail miserably? Will all parties be left disappointed – even devastated? If we cannot guarantee that our efforts and ministries will be successful – and fruitful – should we pursue them? Read this scripture passage again…pay particular attention to the phrase that says “It is strength [the God-given glory-strength] that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy…”
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.” There are a lot of situations where we will be called to pour out our hearts…to invest our physical, mental and emotional strength…and every indication will be that our attempts to share the compassion, mercy, love and grace of Jesus Christ were ineffective…rejected…a total waste of time. But this is never the case.
We do not get to decide whether our service for Jesus was effective or not. In fact, whether we have a visible, tangible result or not is totally unimportant. What matters is that we are obedient…that we do what God leads us to do…that we make the effort and trust Him for the outcome. So my friend feels that God is calling her to do this…and she is obediently serving. Whether the desired outcome is achieved or not is totally up to God. At the end of the day, all who were involved will know that they “worked hard in God’s orchard”…that they listened to His voice and operated in His strength.
Where is God calling you to step up and out today? Who needs a hug…a hand…a word of encouragement…or whatever you feel God leading you to share as an act of mercy and compassion? How are you offering God’s love to others…and how are you serving Him? Are you obedient and eager to learn more about how to do His work? Are you willing to accept the challenge…and the potential for “failure”?
God will not waste your efforts…you will not serve Him in vain – even if it seems that your offers of love and support have been rejected. When we listen to God’s voice and serve Him obediently, He will make the difference…and we will be strengthened and blessed in the process. Are you ready to discover this for yourself?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for 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.
A friend of mine is embarking on a huge project to create a home for single mothers whose children were placed in foster care and are now transitioning back into a “traditional home” setting. Many of these women need help developing the necessary skills to create a solid, stable family unit that can sustain them and their children. It is hoped that a commitment to six months in this group home will equip these families to function well enough to stay out of the foster care system and “make a go of it”. Is this project fraught with opportunities for difficulties – even failure? Absolutely! Does this mean that my friend should not pursue what she believes God has called her to do? Absolutely not!
There are plenty of situations where we hesitate to get involved because we fear the outcome. Will we offend the person we are trying to comfort? Will we say the right things? Will this endeavor work…or will it fail miserably? Will all parties be left disappointed – even devastated? If we cannot guarantee that our efforts and ministries will be successful – and fruitful – should we pursue them? Read this scripture passage again…pay particular attention to the phrase that says “It is strength [the God-given glory-strength] that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy…”
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.” There are a lot of situations where we will be called to pour out our hearts…to invest our physical, mental and emotional strength…and every indication will be that our attempts to share the compassion, mercy, love and grace of Jesus Christ were ineffective…rejected…a total waste of time. But this is never the case.
We do not get to decide whether our service for Jesus was effective or not. In fact, whether we have a visible, tangible result or not is totally unimportant. What matters is that we are obedient…that we do what God leads us to do…that we make the effort and trust Him for the outcome. So my friend feels that God is calling her to do this…and she is obediently serving. Whether the desired outcome is achieved or not is totally up to God. At the end of the day, all who were involved will know that they “worked hard in God’s orchard”…that they listened to His voice and operated in His strength.
Where is God calling you to step up and out today? Who needs a hug…a hand…a word of encouragement…or whatever you feel God leading you to share as an act of mercy and compassion? How are you offering God’s love to others…and how are you serving Him? Are you obedient and eager to learn more about how to do His work? Are you willing to accept the challenge…and the potential for “failure”?
God will not waste your efforts…you will not serve Him in vain – even if it seems that your offers of love and support have been rejected. When we listen to God’s voice and serve Him obediently, He will make the difference…and we will be strengthened and blessed in the process. Are you ready to discover this for yourself?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 26, 2014
James 1:12
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
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.
In the blink of an eye…everything can change. One minute you can be having the best day…eagerly anticipating the future…and then you step off a ledge, break your ankle and seriously damage your foot. That happened to me almost seven years ago. And for the next nine weeks, I was unable to walk without crutches and spent much of that time sitting rather helplessly on the couch or lying in bed. As we sat at our desks one hot summer morning, my mother-in-law called for Greg to come home quickly...his dad had died while sitting in his “easy chair”. An “ordinary” work day that started with picking peaches and gardening suddenly became a day that would change our lives forever.
A relative went to work one day as usual and was told “this is your last day with us.” In essence, she was fired from a job she had held for nine years – apparently over policy differences. Another cousin woke one recent morning with a fiery red rash around her mid-section that was later diagnosed as shingles – a painful, itchy, virus that can make one miserable for weeks and months. We’ve heard news reports more than once of a young athlete who collapsed and died on the football field or basketball court during a scrimmage or actual contest. I’m sure that no one wakes up on any given morning thinking, “Today I will lose my home – or my family or my life – in a tornado, fire, earthquake or flood.”
There are “good” tests, such as marriage, the arrival of a new baby, starting college, or beginning a new job. And we all know there are plenty of tests that appear to be anything but positive or happy. Let’s be honest…we are often left asking God, “Why?” We wonder “Why me?”…”Why now?”...”Why this?”. Why did God immobilize me with a foot injury just as we were building a new house and there were dozens of decisions to make? Why does God call our loved ones to heaven and leave us hurting and bewildered? Why do we experience sudden upheavals - such as a job loss or a debilitating illness - when we have bills to pay, people who are depending on us for a myriad of things, and a ton of things to get done?
Why do some people seem to have “Job-sized” troubles? I am thinking of those who experience multiple losses within the span of a few months…and often endure unexpected personal illness, needed home or vehicle repairs, and more? We truly are left to wonder “why bad things happen to good people”…and why God allows this! And the short answer is: I honestly do not know.
But here’s the thing. Every unpleasant – even devastating – experience in my life has brought blessings, strength, and a deeper dependence on God to meet my daily needs. I can look back at each one of the tests and temptations in my life and enumerate ways that God was caring for me and orchestrating events that bolstered my faith and Christian witness. And I’ve seen the same thing happen in the lives of others. If nothing else, these experiences have given me a more tender heart toward others who encounter similar circumstances. I am able to say with confidence, “You will be just fine.” I don’t offer this observation callously or without sympathy for what this person is enduring. I share this out of a deep love and concern…and firsthand knowledge of its truth.
Perhaps God is testing you as you read this. Perhaps you are in a season where life is pretty great and you are “in the zone”! Whatever lies behind you…and ahead of you…God is with you. He is equipping you to handle the tests and temptations. Just as importantly, God will give you opportunities to share compassion and empathy for these circumstances with others who are equally tested and tempted.
How will you respond? This is the real question…because you do have a choice. You can elect to wallow in self-pity and let the devil drag you down…or you can say, “LORD…I don’t understand, but I trust you completely. Show me how to use this experience for Your purposes. Strengthen me and give me courage, comfort and confidence. Place before me those who need to see how You are helping me through this…the ones who need to be encouraged and ministered to out of my own tests and temptations.”
Will this be easy? Probably not! I do not mean to imply that God will instantly take your heartaches, grief, and difficulties from you. But He will walk through them with you…every step of the way…and create opportunities and blessings you never even saw coming. Will you trust Him to do this? Are you ready for whatever comes your way because of your strength and faith in the LORD? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
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.
In the blink of an eye…everything can change. One minute you can be having the best day…eagerly anticipating the future…and then you step off a ledge, break your ankle and seriously damage your foot. That happened to me almost seven years ago. And for the next nine weeks, I was unable to walk without crutches and spent much of that time sitting rather helplessly on the couch or lying in bed. As we sat at our desks one hot summer morning, my mother-in-law called for Greg to come home quickly...his dad had died while sitting in his “easy chair”. An “ordinary” work day that started with picking peaches and gardening suddenly became a day that would change our lives forever.
A relative went to work one day as usual and was told “this is your last day with us.” In essence, she was fired from a job she had held for nine years – apparently over policy differences. Another cousin woke one recent morning with a fiery red rash around her mid-section that was later diagnosed as shingles – a painful, itchy, virus that can make one miserable for weeks and months. We’ve heard news reports more than once of a young athlete who collapsed and died on the football field or basketball court during a scrimmage or actual contest. I’m sure that no one wakes up on any given morning thinking, “Today I will lose my home – or my family or my life – in a tornado, fire, earthquake or flood.”
There are “good” tests, such as marriage, the arrival of a new baby, starting college, or beginning a new job. And we all know there are plenty of tests that appear to be anything but positive or happy. Let’s be honest…we are often left asking God, “Why?” We wonder “Why me?”…”Why now?”...”Why this?”. Why did God immobilize me with a foot injury just as we were building a new house and there were dozens of decisions to make? Why does God call our loved ones to heaven and leave us hurting and bewildered? Why do we experience sudden upheavals - such as a job loss or a debilitating illness - when we have bills to pay, people who are depending on us for a myriad of things, and a ton of things to get done?
Why do some people seem to have “Job-sized” troubles? I am thinking of those who experience multiple losses within the span of a few months…and often endure unexpected personal illness, needed home or vehicle repairs, and more? We truly are left to wonder “why bad things happen to good people”…and why God allows this! And the short answer is: I honestly do not know.
But here’s the thing. Every unpleasant – even devastating – experience in my life has brought blessings, strength, and a deeper dependence on God to meet my daily needs. I can look back at each one of the tests and temptations in my life and enumerate ways that God was caring for me and orchestrating events that bolstered my faith and Christian witness. And I’ve seen the same thing happen in the lives of others. If nothing else, these experiences have given me a more tender heart toward others who encounter similar circumstances. I am able to say with confidence, “You will be just fine.” I don’t offer this observation callously or without sympathy for what this person is enduring. I share this out of a deep love and concern…and firsthand knowledge of its truth.
Perhaps God is testing you as you read this. Perhaps you are in a season where life is pretty great and you are “in the zone”! Whatever lies behind you…and ahead of you…God is with you. He is equipping you to handle the tests and temptations. Just as importantly, God will give you opportunities to share compassion and empathy for these circumstances with others who are equally tested and tempted.
How will you respond? This is the real question…because you do have a choice. You can elect to wallow in self-pity and let the devil drag you down…or you can say, “LORD…I don’t understand, but I trust you completely. Show me how to use this experience for Your purposes. Strengthen me and give me courage, comfort and confidence. Place before me those who need to see how You are helping me through this…the ones who need to be encouraged and ministered to out of my own tests and temptations.”
Will this be easy? Probably not! I do not mean to imply that God will instantly take your heartaches, grief, and difficulties from you. But He will walk through them with you…every step of the way…and create opportunities and blessings you never even saw coming. Will you trust Him to do this? Are you ready for whatever comes your way because of your strength and faith in the LORD? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 25, 2014
John 1:18
No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
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.
I know we are “late to the dance”, but we are finally watching the television miniseries The Bible, which initially aired in spring 2013 on The History Channel. This program has zipped through the Bible with lightning speed and only scratched the surface in telling the story of God’s word with selective, often-underdeveloped snippets. But the writers/producers have still managed to present a compelling image of life in Biblical times – and left many hungry to grab their Bibles and dig in more deeply. And that’s a good thing!
One of the persuasive demonstrations of the first three episodes was the incredible faith of many people who never saw the face of God. They trusted Him…worshipped Him...and obeyed Him solely on the words of a handful of people who either saw God in some form as Moses did, heard from Him directly - like Abraham - or were visited by an angel who gave them a direct message, as was the case for Mary, mother of Jesus. Most of the everyday, ordinary people of Israel walked totally by faith. They trusted that those who led them on God’s behalf had truly heard from Him.
When Jesus came to earth, He revealed God to man in a whole new way. He didn’t use burning bushes, the sudden appearance of angels, or even the audible voice of God to reach those in His midst. Instead, he related to them on a more personal level. When Peter cast his nets and came up empty-handed, Jesus took him out to fish one more time. The nets almost broke from the haul…giving Jesus the opening to say, “Come with me and I’ll make you a Fisherman Extraordinaire…one who harvests souls for God’s kingdom instead of food for the table.” When Jesus saw the sick and the lame, He touched them and made them well and whole…He demonstrated God’s love and care in a tangible way. When people were hungry, Jesus fed them… literally AND figuratively. He embraced the children who surrounded Him and reminded the adults that there is a special place in the Kingdom for those with a child-like heart of wonder and acceptance. And He suffered…for His beliefs and on our behalf…and was ultimately tortured and crucified.
It may have been difficult for those in the Old Testament times to see God…to fully understand Him. And truly, if you watch this miniseries and study your Bible, you will get a sense of just how incredibly brave it was of many to step up and out for God. Thousands died serving a God they never saw. Many were tortured unmercifully because they claimed to believe in a God who had never physically revealed Himself to them. We may operate faithfully in an unseen God…but I daresay many of us will ever be in any danger for doing so. The “stakes” for us are pretty low by comparison to so many who preceded us.
Still, we can learn much from those who followed God in such a valiant manner. For starters, we can recognize that the God who loved and cared for these people is the same God who cares for us. If God could do incredible, miraculous things in the lives of the Israelites who followed Him…don’t you think He will do the same for you? Don’t you believe that the God who protected Mary and Joseph…Who guided them as they delivered Jesus into the world and shielded Him from King Herod…will protect you and guide your steps? Do you fully comprehend that the compassion Jesus had for the people in Galilee and the surrounding cities is accessible to you…and available for you to share with others in His name?
One of the challenges we often face in sharing the love, compassion, grace and mercy of God with others is their inability to get past a sense of His physical absence. This is where we have the perfect opportunity to say, “I know that God exists…that He will do these things for you…because this is what He has done for me.” We can cite personal examples of God’s power and care for our own lives. In doing so, we can essentially say, “I get what you are going through…and I know Someone who can help you!”
Are you ready to be the face of God to others? Will this be the day that you reveal His love and care to someone by offering them compassion and understanding? Are you operating in faith that God will meet your needs each day…and are you ready to share this confidence with others? Will you step up and out in faith in an “unseen God”… and let others see Him through you today? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
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.
I know we are “late to the dance”, but we are finally watching the television miniseries The Bible, which initially aired in spring 2013 on The History Channel. This program has zipped through the Bible with lightning speed and only scratched the surface in telling the story of God’s word with selective, often-underdeveloped snippets. But the writers/producers have still managed to present a compelling image of life in Biblical times – and left many hungry to grab their Bibles and dig in more deeply. And that’s a good thing!
One of the persuasive demonstrations of the first three episodes was the incredible faith of many people who never saw the face of God. They trusted Him…worshipped Him...and obeyed Him solely on the words of a handful of people who either saw God in some form as Moses did, heard from Him directly - like Abraham - or were visited by an angel who gave them a direct message, as was the case for Mary, mother of Jesus. Most of the everyday, ordinary people of Israel walked totally by faith. They trusted that those who led them on God’s behalf had truly heard from Him.
When Jesus came to earth, He revealed God to man in a whole new way. He didn’t use burning bushes, the sudden appearance of angels, or even the audible voice of God to reach those in His midst. Instead, he related to them on a more personal level. When Peter cast his nets and came up empty-handed, Jesus took him out to fish one more time. The nets almost broke from the haul…giving Jesus the opening to say, “Come with me and I’ll make you a Fisherman Extraordinaire…one who harvests souls for God’s kingdom instead of food for the table.” When Jesus saw the sick and the lame, He touched them and made them well and whole…He demonstrated God’s love and care in a tangible way. When people were hungry, Jesus fed them… literally AND figuratively. He embraced the children who surrounded Him and reminded the adults that there is a special place in the Kingdom for those with a child-like heart of wonder and acceptance. And He suffered…for His beliefs and on our behalf…and was ultimately tortured and crucified.
It may have been difficult for those in the Old Testament times to see God…to fully understand Him. And truly, if you watch this miniseries and study your Bible, you will get a sense of just how incredibly brave it was of many to step up and out for God. Thousands died serving a God they never saw. Many were tortured unmercifully because they claimed to believe in a God who had never physically revealed Himself to them. We may operate faithfully in an unseen God…but I daresay many of us will ever be in any danger for doing so. The “stakes” for us are pretty low by comparison to so many who preceded us.
Still, we can learn much from those who followed God in such a valiant manner. For starters, we can recognize that the God who loved and cared for these people is the same God who cares for us. If God could do incredible, miraculous things in the lives of the Israelites who followed Him…don’t you think He will do the same for you? Don’t you believe that the God who protected Mary and Joseph…Who guided them as they delivered Jesus into the world and shielded Him from King Herod…will protect you and guide your steps? Do you fully comprehend that the compassion Jesus had for the people in Galilee and the surrounding cities is accessible to you…and available for you to share with others in His name?
One of the challenges we often face in sharing the love, compassion, grace and mercy of God with others is their inability to get past a sense of His physical absence. This is where we have the perfect opportunity to say, “I know that God exists…that He will do these things for you…because this is what He has done for me.” We can cite personal examples of God’s power and care for our own lives. In doing so, we can essentially say, “I get what you are going through…and I know Someone who can help you!”
Are you ready to be the face of God to others? Will this be the day that you reveal His love and care to someone by offering them compassion and understanding? Are you operating in faith that God will meet your needs each day…and are you ready to share this confidence with others? Will you step up and out in faith in an “unseen God”… and let others see Him through you today? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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