Psalm 118:4
Let every true worshiper
of the Lord shout,
“God is always merciful!”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Nearly
every day, “memories” pop up on my Facebook page…a photo of something I
posted 2, 3, or even 5 years ago or longer. Facebook gives me the
opportunity to “share” these memories again. I don’t do this often…I
find that people don’t read the fine print and think these are new
events that are just now happening. And today, a “memory” from one year
ago today showed up – and I chose not to share it again on my timeline.
It was a photo of my mother’s dog, Spot. One year ago today, Spot left
this earth. He was my mother’s faithful companion for 15 years. And
while she knew that he was nearing the end of his life, the timing – and
manner – in which it his life ended was somewhat traumatic and sudden.
Ever
pragmatic and faithful, Mother took this in stride, as she did almost
everything in her life. She was scheduled for hand surgery the next
morning to try to correct carpal tunnel syndrome…and she looked at this
as God’s way of protecting her – AND Spot – from the difficulties of
caring for him while her hand was in a big bandage and she was somewhat
incapacitated. This was God’s mercy for an obedient servant and her
faithful puppy dog.
As I looked at the picture of Spot today and
thought of my mother – now in heaven with him – I realized that God’s
mercy was not just for that day…but for many days to follow. God saw
the big picture and knew that my mother was going to be unable to
adequately care for Spot in the months ahead. He knew that her husband,
Lee, was not truly a dog lover…and that leaving him to care for Spot
would be unfair to all of them. This was God’s mercy for Lee, too.
So
often, we don’t understand – or recognize – God’s mercy…especially in
the moment. It seems so hard to comprehend why certain things are
happening…their timing and the circumstances. But we don’t understand
God’s timetable…we don’t fully grasp His mercy over us.
Let today
be the day that you begin to operate in the confidence that “God is
merciful!” Worship Him more fully…knowing that He plans out the most
infinite details of our lives - and always considers what is best for
us. Never underestimate God’s timing…or His love and care. Let every
true worshiper of the Lord shout, “God is always merciful!” And let
this be the day that you really begin to doubt less and trust more, as
you grow in faith and courage…and trust in God’s promises for every
facet of your life.
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label operating in faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label operating in faith. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 14, 2014
Hebrews 11:1-3
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Anyone who knows me very well knows that I am a “card person”. I enjoy making cards for others…but I also keep a stash of “store-bought” cards handy, so that I always have something available for sending a note of encouragement, expressing gratitude or condolences…or just to say, “I’m thinking of you today.” Sometimes a person is experiencing something of which I have first-hand knowledge…the loss of a parent or sibling, a particular illness or injury – or caring for a loved one who is ill or injured, or the loss of a pet, to name a few.
Other times, I have absolutely no personal background that equips me to say, “I know what you are going through… I get it.” Thankfully, I do not have a terminal illness…I have never lost a child...I’ve never had to say “Goodbye” to a loved one who was deployed overseas or put in harm’s way…I have not endured a divorce or the loss of my husband. Let’s be honest…words of “wisdom” and “understanding” can seem pretty hollow when they come from someone who has never walked in our shoes!
Does this mean that we should not offer compassion and expressions of encouragement to others when we have no first-hand knowledge of what they are experiencing? Absolutely not! But we must carefully consider our words and actions…how they are conveyed…and how they will be received. For instance, telling someone who has lost a child that “he/she is in a better place” does not truly offer them comfort in the moment. When someone is ill or injured, describing your own illnesses and injuries in detail serves no purpose. If friends divorce, suggesting that they “get over it” isn’t right, any more than coddling them and encouraging them to wallow in self-pity is appropriate.
So what are we to do? How do we show compassion and encouragement to others? In these scriptures, we are given a great model. We can share our faith. Where we have first-hand knowledge, we can say, “This is how God got me through my loss/illness/divorce/challenge.” We can tell others, “I know that right now it seems impossible that things will ever be better…but I can tell you from my own experiences that you will look back someday and see how God was orchestrating things and caring for you the whole time.”
If you do not have personal experience, you can still encourage…by lending quiet support, doing little things behind the scenes, and more. A simple hug can speak volumes. You can offer to run an errand that might seem difficult or stir an upsetting memory. You can send a note or e-mail to simply say, “I’m here if you need me… for anything.” When you do speak, you can say, “I can’t possibly understand what you are going through. I know this must be incredibly hard. But I know that God has never failed me in anything…and He isn’t about to fail you, either.”
This is “unseen faith”! We don’t know where, when or how… we just know that God is…that He is ever-present – and always working for us. When our foundation is firmly established in a relationship with God and fortified by salvation through Jesus Christ, we can endure the unthinkable…the improbable…the devastatingly difficult and impossible. Our faith in God – seen and unseen – makes life worth living. It truly is our “handle on what we can’t see.” And one of the greatest gifts we can give to someone else is to offer them compassion because of our faith…and to invite them to share in it, as well.
Sometimes it is so hard to know what to say and do for another person. But if we really, truly love Jesus and trust Him, we always have a response that is appropriate. Simply tell them that God loves them… that He is with them…that He has never failed you, and that you have confidence He isn’t going to start now. What God has done for us, He will surely do for others. Who needs to hear this from you today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Anyone who knows me very well knows that I am a “card person”. I enjoy making cards for others…but I also keep a stash of “store-bought” cards handy, so that I always have something available for sending a note of encouragement, expressing gratitude or condolences…or just to say, “I’m thinking of you today.” Sometimes a person is experiencing something of which I have first-hand knowledge…the loss of a parent or sibling, a particular illness or injury – or caring for a loved one who is ill or injured, or the loss of a pet, to name a few.
Other times, I have absolutely no personal background that equips me to say, “I know what you are going through… I get it.” Thankfully, I do not have a terminal illness…I have never lost a child...I’ve never had to say “Goodbye” to a loved one who was deployed overseas or put in harm’s way…I have not endured a divorce or the loss of my husband. Let’s be honest…words of “wisdom” and “understanding” can seem pretty hollow when they come from someone who has never walked in our shoes!
Does this mean that we should not offer compassion and expressions of encouragement to others when we have no first-hand knowledge of what they are experiencing? Absolutely not! But we must carefully consider our words and actions…how they are conveyed…and how they will be received. For instance, telling someone who has lost a child that “he/she is in a better place” does not truly offer them comfort in the moment. When someone is ill or injured, describing your own illnesses and injuries in detail serves no purpose. If friends divorce, suggesting that they “get over it” isn’t right, any more than coddling them and encouraging them to wallow in self-pity is appropriate.
So what are we to do? How do we show compassion and encouragement to others? In these scriptures, we are given a great model. We can share our faith. Where we have first-hand knowledge, we can say, “This is how God got me through my loss/illness/divorce/challenge.” We can tell others, “I know that right now it seems impossible that things will ever be better…but I can tell you from my own experiences that you will look back someday and see how God was orchestrating things and caring for you the whole time.”
If you do not have personal experience, you can still encourage…by lending quiet support, doing little things behind the scenes, and more. A simple hug can speak volumes. You can offer to run an errand that might seem difficult or stir an upsetting memory. You can send a note or e-mail to simply say, “I’m here if you need me… for anything.” When you do speak, you can say, “I can’t possibly understand what you are going through. I know this must be incredibly hard. But I know that God has never failed me in anything…and He isn’t about to fail you, either.”
This is “unseen faith”! We don’t know where, when or how… we just know that God is…that He is ever-present – and always working for us. When our foundation is firmly established in a relationship with God and fortified by salvation through Jesus Christ, we can endure the unthinkable…the improbable…the devastatingly difficult and impossible. Our faith in God – seen and unseen – makes life worth living. It truly is our “handle on what we can’t see.” And one of the greatest gifts we can give to someone else is to offer them compassion because of our faith…and to invite them to share in it, as well.
Sometimes it is so hard to know what to say and do for another person. But if we really, truly love Jesus and trust Him, we always have a response that is appropriate. Simply tell them that God loves them… that He is with them…that He has never failed you, and that you have confidence He isn’t going to start now. What God has done for us, He will surely do for others. Who needs to hear this from you today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 25, 2013
John 6:61-69
Jesus knew that his disciples were grumbling. So he asked, “Does this bother you? What if you should see the Son of Man go up to heaven where he came from? The Spirit is the one who gives life! Human strength can do nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are from that life-giving Spirit. But some of you refuse to have faith in me.” Jesus said this, because from the beginning he knew who would have faith in him. He also knew which one would betray him.
Then Jesus said, “You cannot come to me, unless the Father makes you want to come. That is why I have told these things to all of you.”
Because of what Jesus said, many of his disciples turned their backs on him and stopped following him. Jesus then asked his twelve disciples if they were going to leave him. Simon Peter answered, “Lord, there is no one else that we can go to! Your words give eternal life. We have faith in you, and we are sure that you are God’s Holy One.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I read this scripture passage today, I immediately thought, “I know just how Peter felt” [when he said there was no one else that they could go to]. Don’t misunderstand me… I do not consider Jesus a “last resort”…He is the ONLY choice for me. But that doesn’t mean that He has not called me (and you and countless other believers) to do some really hard things… to make some difficult choices and decisions!
If you are like me, there are times when you truly do not know what to do. You don’t have a clue what the best option is in a particular situation… you see pros and cons to all available options. In these instances, I have learned to say, “LORD… it’s up to you. I have no wisdom and discernment about this issue. I don’t even know what to ask You for - except YOUR WILL… so I leave it at that!” Now here’s the tricky part… deep down inside your heart, you probably do have an opinion. You probably know how you really wish things would go. And when God decides differently, you may have to face some difficulties – and accept them. That’s where faith comes into play!
We must follow Jesus…and believe in His life-giving Spirit. We must trust Him to work things out in our best interest. And when He allows our path to be tough and riddled with challenges, we must accept the tests and stick with Him. We must do this not because He is our only hope… but because He is our only hope! Do you see the difference?
I get it. I understand how hard this can be. I am a “git-r-done” kind of girl who likes to cross all the “t’s”, dot all the “i’s” and know exactly how things are going to go from the outset. I like to have a plan, figure out the best way to achieve an outcome, and hop to it! So I am really out of my comfort zone with this faith thing much of the time. Learning to trust God and wait on His timing has not come easily for me… and on any given day, I am still a mess. But I know that Jesus is God’s Holy One… that He is my Rock and my Redeemer – and my only hope. Slowly but surely, I’m learning to rest in that… to trust Him to give me what I need – when I need it! I’m learning to “let go and let God”… and it’s a wonderful thing!
Wherever you are in your journey, understand that there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer here...as long as you are trusting in God. You will have days where everything seems peaceful and your confidence soars. There will also be days where you say, “LORD, I don’t think I can do this.” That’s when He will pick you up and carry you for a while. Just do not turn your back on Him. Focus on Jesus and trust Him to always operate in your best interest. Bask in the comfort of feeling His life-giving Spirit deep in your heart!
The most important choice we can ever make is to allow Jesus to make all of the others. Who is making the choices in your life today?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Jesus knew that his disciples were grumbling. So he asked, “Does this bother you? What if you should see the Son of Man go up to heaven where he came from? The Spirit is the one who gives life! Human strength can do nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are from that life-giving Spirit. But some of you refuse to have faith in me.” Jesus said this, because from the beginning he knew who would have faith in him. He also knew which one would betray him.
Then Jesus said, “You cannot come to me, unless the Father makes you want to come. That is why I have told these things to all of you.”
Because of what Jesus said, many of his disciples turned their backs on him and stopped following him. Jesus then asked his twelve disciples if they were going to leave him. Simon Peter answered, “Lord, there is no one else that we can go to! Your words give eternal life. We have faith in you, and we are sure that you are God’s Holy One.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I read this scripture passage today, I immediately thought, “I know just how Peter felt” [when he said there was no one else that they could go to]. Don’t misunderstand me… I do not consider Jesus a “last resort”…He is the ONLY choice for me. But that doesn’t mean that He has not called me (and you and countless other believers) to do some really hard things… to make some difficult choices and decisions!
If you are like me, there are times when you truly do not know what to do. You don’t have a clue what the best option is in a particular situation… you see pros and cons to all available options. In these instances, I have learned to say, “LORD… it’s up to you. I have no wisdom and discernment about this issue. I don’t even know what to ask You for - except YOUR WILL… so I leave it at that!” Now here’s the tricky part… deep down inside your heart, you probably do have an opinion. You probably know how you really wish things would go. And when God decides differently, you may have to face some difficulties – and accept them. That’s where faith comes into play!
We must follow Jesus…and believe in His life-giving Spirit. We must trust Him to work things out in our best interest. And when He allows our path to be tough and riddled with challenges, we must accept the tests and stick with Him. We must do this not because He is our only hope… but because He is our only hope! Do you see the difference?
I get it. I understand how hard this can be. I am a “git-r-done” kind of girl who likes to cross all the “t’s”, dot all the “i’s” and know exactly how things are going to go from the outset. I like to have a plan, figure out the best way to achieve an outcome, and hop to it! So I am really out of my comfort zone with this faith thing much of the time. Learning to trust God and wait on His timing has not come easily for me… and on any given day, I am still a mess. But I know that Jesus is God’s Holy One… that He is my Rock and my Redeemer – and my only hope. Slowly but surely, I’m learning to rest in that… to trust Him to give me what I need – when I need it! I’m learning to “let go and let God”… and it’s a wonderful thing!
Wherever you are in your journey, understand that there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer here...as long as you are trusting in God. You will have days where everything seems peaceful and your confidence soars. There will also be days where you say, “LORD, I don’t think I can do this.” That’s when He will pick you up and carry you for a while. Just do not turn your back on Him. Focus on Jesus and trust Him to always operate in your best interest. Bask in the comfort of feeling His life-giving Spirit deep in your heart!
The most important choice we can ever make is to allow Jesus to make all of the others. Who is making the choices in your life today?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 12, 2013
Matthew 21:21-22
But Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you’ll tell, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.”
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 often refer to our 19-month-old great-niece, Zola, as “our little monkey!” Zola absolutely loves to climb things. One day, as my husband sat on our couch, he put his feet on the ottoman in front of him. Zola wanted to pass by. She could easily have crawled underneath my husband’s legs and been on her way. Instead, she worked, wriggled, huffed and puffed as she attempted to “scale the mountain” and climb up and over. For her, those legs were a huge obstacle… one she faced head-on! I’m not sure where she gets her determination and confidence, but there is nothing she won’t tackle!
My favorite part of this particular translation of Matthew 21:21-22 is…” you’ll not only do minor feats … but also triumph over huge obstacles.” Most of us perform minor feats every single day - from getting to work or school on time… running a household a combination of people of all ages and maybe a pet or two…managing to squeeze in a workout that keeps us healthy.. and much more. Let’s call them “small victories.” I believe God blesses us with these to keep us encouraged and moving forward… to show us that we are strong and capable of “getting it done.”
By the same token, each one of us will likely face huge obstacles at one point or another in our life. Our “mountain” may be something such as finishing college or completing a difficult internship…losing a significant amount of weight (or that last stubborn 10 pounds) and getting in shape to reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure…coping with the grief of losing a loved one…losing our job and/or our home… managing a serious illness (ours or that of a friend or family member)… facing the results of a crisis, such as a natural disaster… or conquering an addiction. But God can equip us with the strength, courage and fortitude to handle these obstacles… if only we will trust Him.
Isn’t it great to know that God can help us with all of this – minor feats, huge obstacles - and everything in between? Wouldn’t it be great if we operated a little more like Zola… in the “No Fear Zone?” We DO know where our determination and confidence lies… in the strength and power of God Almighty. It is up to us to lay hold of Him… to remove all doubt and claim the dominion of God as our believing prayer. Whether He directs us to crawl under or around our hurdle… or to climb to the top and tackle it head-on, we can embrace Kingdom Life and handle anything under God’s power.
Does this mean that we can literally make mountains jump into the lake by telling them to do so? Probably not! But with God’s help, the “mountains” in our individual lives can be seized and managed, captured and dominated… and we can rest in the assurance and protection of a victorious Master who always has our back. Aren’t you ready for this? What “mountain” do you need to move today? Are you ready to lay hold of God and get it done?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 21, 2012
Matthew 11:28-29
If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timmy and I watched “Daisy Bothers Minnie,” a Disney video. Minnie Mouse and her cat, Figero, are all set to relax for the evening, when Daisy calls to say she has a problem at her house and cannot take her “therapeutic bath.” Even though Minnie has plans for the evening, Daisy inserts herself into Minnie’s night and comes right on over. Then she imposes over and over, causing all sorts of problems, and totally interrupting Minnie’s “quiet night at home.” To say that Minnie Mouse was frustrated would be a major understatement. Minnie was more than tired from carrying heavy burdens!
From the demands of family members and friends to school and work - to concerns about the world at large, our burdens can get pretty heavy. Some have worries that seem like they would crush Superman, much less us ordinary humans. Around the world, illness, debt, relationship difficulties, homelessness, war, separation, hunger, fear and oppression, and more weigh heavily on the shoulders of millions of people every minute of the day. But even if your own “burdens” pale in comparison to those of someone in a war-torn country or a person who is facing a serious illness or the prospect of homelessness, they are YOUR burdens and have real significance in your life and the lives of those with whom you interact.
The amazingly wonderful thing is that God can handle ALL burdens. The woman in the Sudan who cannot feed herself or her children can cry out to God just like the student in a college classroom who needs help getting through freshman English! The soldier who is stationed halfway around the world in Afghanistan and won’t be home for Thanksgiving can experience rest in the LORD just as much as the elderly shut-in who will spend the holiday in his/her living room, all alone, watching parades and ballgames on TV.
The hostage in a war-torn country who is beaten and imprisoned can feel the same comfort and care from God as the foster child who is separated from his/her biological family and doesn’t know what will happen next. Every single one of us has “burdens” that seem like more than we can handle at one time or another, and God stands ready to take this load from each of us… if only we will ask Him to do so.
These verses in The Message say in part… “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to lay my burdens down at the feet of Jesus and learn the unforced rhythms of His grace.
So often, we’re like Minnie Mouse… we reach our limits with friends, family members, work, school, and the worries of our day. We are ready to “have a quiet night” and relax… and something – or someone like Daisy Duck – comes along to ruin our plans. We can become overwhelmed in a hurry. God understands this, and He is saying, “I’ve got this. Let me handle things while you rest.” Aren’t you ready to do this? Isn’t it time we stopped throwing up our hands and screaming in frustration? Won’t you simply pick up the easy, gentle, graceful yoke of God and wear it for a change… and let Him handle the heavy stuff?
©2012 Debbie Robus
If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timmy and I watched “Daisy Bothers Minnie,” a Disney video. Minnie Mouse and her cat, Figero, are all set to relax for the evening, when Daisy calls to say she has a problem at her house and cannot take her “therapeutic bath.” Even though Minnie has plans for the evening, Daisy inserts herself into Minnie’s night and comes right on over. Then she imposes over and over, causing all sorts of problems, and totally interrupting Minnie’s “quiet night at home.” To say that Minnie Mouse was frustrated would be a major understatement. Minnie was more than tired from carrying heavy burdens!
From the demands of family members and friends to school and work - to concerns about the world at large, our burdens can get pretty heavy. Some have worries that seem like they would crush Superman, much less us ordinary humans. Around the world, illness, debt, relationship difficulties, homelessness, war, separation, hunger, fear and oppression, and more weigh heavily on the shoulders of millions of people every minute of the day. But even if your own “burdens” pale in comparison to those of someone in a war-torn country or a person who is facing a serious illness or the prospect of homelessness, they are YOUR burdens and have real significance in your life and the lives of those with whom you interact.
The amazingly wonderful thing is that God can handle ALL burdens. The woman in the Sudan who cannot feed herself or her children can cry out to God just like the student in a college classroom who needs help getting through freshman English! The soldier who is stationed halfway around the world in Afghanistan and won’t be home for Thanksgiving can experience rest in the LORD just as much as the elderly shut-in who will spend the holiday in his/her living room, all alone, watching parades and ballgames on TV.
The hostage in a war-torn country who is beaten and imprisoned can feel the same comfort and care from God as the foster child who is separated from his/her biological family and doesn’t know what will happen next. Every single one of us has “burdens” that seem like more than we can handle at one time or another, and God stands ready to take this load from each of us… if only we will ask Him to do so.
These verses in The Message say in part… “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to lay my burdens down at the feet of Jesus and learn the unforced rhythms of His grace.
So often, we’re like Minnie Mouse… we reach our limits with friends, family members, work, school, and the worries of our day. We are ready to “have a quiet night” and relax… and something – or someone like Daisy Duck – comes along to ruin our plans. We can become overwhelmed in a hurry. God understands this, and He is saying, “I’ve got this. Let me handle things while you rest.” Aren’t you ready to do this? Isn’t it time we stopped throwing up our hands and screaming in frustration? Won’t you simply pick up the easy, gentle, graceful yoke of God and wear it for a change… and let Him handle the heavy stuff?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 17, 2012
Isaiah 41:9-10
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.
I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
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.
Timothy has been learning how to deal with frustration. Sometimes he will stack up his blocks in a “tower” that is not structurally sound. He puts little blocks near the bottom and bigger, heavier ones near the top. When this configuration collapses and falls to the floor, Timmy also falls apart. So we have been trying to teach him to remain calm, to recognize that all is not lost… we are here to help him, and we will show him how to build a better, more sound configuration.
I have to tell you, I am often not far behind my three-year-old nephew in the “Frustration Department!” We all have challenges and “towers” in life that are not structurally sound. And when they crash and burn… so do we, much of the time. I really need this passage to remind me that there is no need for panic or fear. God is with me, holding me steady and keeping a firm grip on me. If I will calm down and trust Him, God will give me strength and show me how to build a firmer foundation and find better solutions to whatever challenges I face. And He will do the same for you!
We all have frustrations. But we also have a “cure for what ails us” – a Heavenly Father who is right beside us. God picked us… He has not dropped us and will never fail to meet our needs or answer our calls. All we have to do is take the first step… to move closer and ask Him to help.
When a wobbly structure falls, we’ve tried to teach Timmy to say, “Oops!” and start over… to realize that all is not lost. It’s much the same with God and the “wobbly structures” in our own lives. We need to learn to say, “Uh-oh, God… I’m in trouble here… can you help?”... then trust Him to do exactly that. Where can you apply this to your own life? What “towers” have crashed and need fixing? Are you ready to call out to God and feel His grip tighten? Isn’t it time to say “Oops?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.
I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
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.
Timothy has been learning how to deal with frustration. Sometimes he will stack up his blocks in a “tower” that is not structurally sound. He puts little blocks near the bottom and bigger, heavier ones near the top. When this configuration collapses and falls to the floor, Timmy also falls apart. So we have been trying to teach him to remain calm, to recognize that all is not lost… we are here to help him, and we will show him how to build a better, more sound configuration.
I have to tell you, I am often not far behind my three-year-old nephew in the “Frustration Department!” We all have challenges and “towers” in life that are not structurally sound. And when they crash and burn… so do we, much of the time. I really need this passage to remind me that there is no need for panic or fear. God is with me, holding me steady and keeping a firm grip on me. If I will calm down and trust Him, God will give me strength and show me how to build a firmer foundation and find better solutions to whatever challenges I face. And He will do the same for you!
We all have frustrations. But we also have a “cure for what ails us” – a Heavenly Father who is right beside us. God picked us… He has not dropped us and will never fail to meet our needs or answer our calls. All we have to do is take the first step… to move closer and ask Him to help.
When a wobbly structure falls, we’ve tried to teach Timmy to say, “Oops!” and start over… to realize that all is not lost. It’s much the same with God and the “wobbly structures” in our own lives. We need to learn to say, “Uh-oh, God… I’m in trouble here… can you help?”... then trust Him to do exactly that. Where can you apply this to your own life? What “towers” have crashed and need fixing? Are you ready to call out to God and feel His grip tighten? Isn’t it time to say “Oops?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 4, 2012
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.
I was recently involved in a discussion with some family members about how people often assume that we share certain opinions - and proceed to engage in conversations we do not enjoy or appreciate. The question is… do you let your feelings be known and possibly spark an argument, or do you listen quietly – and risk further assumption by your silence that you agree? It really can be a dilemma.
We pretty well agreed that there are times we have to speak up… and times when the best option is to say nothing and remain as neutral as possible. In the most optimum situations, our silence will speak for us – and the others involved in the conversation will realize that we are “voicing” our disapproval.
But the lesson of this passage is two-fold:
My challenge to you is to carefully consider this scripture passage and take it to heart. Guard your words and actions. Have opinions… but stop and think about how you share them with others. Never assume that the people with whom you are interacting feel as you do… and tone down your behavior accordingly. By tempering your expression in this manner, you may open the door for another to soften his/her heart… and you make the devil furious. Any day I can accomplish this is a good day in my book!
Keep your cool. Be a gentle listener who walks away from impolite and argumentative discourse. Let your general demeanor and your spirit of grace, love and peace speak for you and reflect mature righteousness. Exercise your freedom and independence by choosing to work decently and patiently with others. Serve the LORD gladly… and honorably. Stand up for what you believe to be right and true… just do so prayerfully and with grace and gentle restraint.
©2012 Debbie Robus
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.
I was recently involved in a discussion with some family members about how people often assume that we share certain opinions - and proceed to engage in conversations we do not enjoy or appreciate. The question is… do you let your feelings be known and possibly spark an argument, or do you listen quietly – and risk further assumption by your silence that you agree? It really can be a dilemma.
We pretty well agreed that there are times we have to speak up… and times when the best option is to say nothing and remain as neutral as possible. In the most optimum situations, our silence will speak for us – and the others involved in the conversation will realize that we are “voicing” our disapproval.
But the lesson of this passage is two-fold:
- Never assume that the “other guy” feels as you do – about anything! Guard your conversations accordingly. For every person who agrees with your viewpoint, recognize that there may be at least one – maybe more – who does not. As my mother would say, “You may cut off your nose to spite your face.”
Here’s an example of this… you may disagree with a particular political issue that seems to potentially have a big effect on your particular business. So you voice your displeasure with this legislation – perhaps not so nicely – on social media outlets and in person. The thing is… for every customer who agrees with your position, you may have at least one who doesn’t – a customer who may hear your rants and choose to patronize another business! The same could be said for friends and acquaintances, fellow church members, and more. - Being argumentative could cost you big time in the long run! On this day, of all days, I am not saying that we should not be able to voice our opinions. But we have an obligation to prayerfully choose our words and actions. We may very well play directly into the devil’s hand if we are not careful! He would like nothing more than to see God’s children at odds with each other – over the most trivial issues, in the scheme of things.
My challenge to you is to carefully consider this scripture passage and take it to heart. Guard your words and actions. Have opinions… but stop and think about how you share them with others. Never assume that the people with whom you are interacting feel as you do… and tone down your behavior accordingly. By tempering your expression in this manner, you may open the door for another to soften his/her heart… and you make the devil furious. Any day I can accomplish this is a good day in my book!
Keep your cool. Be a gentle listener who walks away from impolite and argumentative discourse. Let your general demeanor and your spirit of grace, love and peace speak for you and reflect mature righteousness. Exercise your freedom and independence by choosing to work decently and patiently with others. Serve the LORD gladly… and honorably. Stand up for what you believe to be right and true… just do so prayerfully and with grace and gentle restraint.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 6, 2012
Galatians 6:9
Don’t get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don’t give up.
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This is Day Six of my grandmother’s hospital stay. She still requires help with virtually everything… from being lifted and set in a chair to feeding and bathing. Countless people have worked continually to help her. This woman who has done so much for so many others now needs almost 100% care. She is being “rewarded when the time is right.” I am learning firsthand what Paul is teaching in Galatians 6:9… don’t grow weary… don’t give up… keep helping others in Jesus’ name. What goes around comes around… and while the reward is not our goal (or shouldn’t be), I can already see evidence of the blessings God gives to those who serve.
I turned on the television for my grandmother to distract her and give her something else on which to focus. She said she wanted to watch “church,” so I found Bro. Charles Stanley delivering a sermon. He’s one of her favorites. Bro. Stanley was preaching about fear and how it cripples us – how when we walk in fear, we aren’t truly exercising our faith and trusting God. He reminded us to picture God’s arms wrapped around us… strong arms that offer protection and fight our battles for us. Whatever we endure, we don’t have to fear - because God is handling things.
Again, I have seen incredible evidence of this in recent days. I have felt a calm and peace at every turn… even if those closest to me felt I was anything but serene! I have truly felt God’s hand in every detail… and I have been quite content to let Him guide me and protect my grandmother and the rest of us.
I may be a slow learner, but I am seeing the promises of God… and learning to walk in them! And in my weariness, I am restored and renewed by these promises… and by those who are serving us tirelessly. I am continually strengthened by God’s loving arms… and the angels He sends to serve in His name. I pray that whatever you are facing today – or may face in days to come – you feel this same strength and protection… that angels come to minister to your every need… and that you are inspired to serve as God directs you.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Don’t get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don’t give up.
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This is Day Six of my grandmother’s hospital stay. She still requires help with virtually everything… from being lifted and set in a chair to feeding and bathing. Countless people have worked continually to help her. This woman who has done so much for so many others now needs almost 100% care. She is being “rewarded when the time is right.” I am learning firsthand what Paul is teaching in Galatians 6:9… don’t grow weary… don’t give up… keep helping others in Jesus’ name. What goes around comes around… and while the reward is not our goal (or shouldn’t be), I can already see evidence of the blessings God gives to those who serve.
I turned on the television for my grandmother to distract her and give her something else on which to focus. She said she wanted to watch “church,” so I found Bro. Charles Stanley delivering a sermon. He’s one of her favorites. Bro. Stanley was preaching about fear and how it cripples us – how when we walk in fear, we aren’t truly exercising our faith and trusting God. He reminded us to picture God’s arms wrapped around us… strong arms that offer protection and fight our battles for us. Whatever we endure, we don’t have to fear - because God is handling things.
Again, I have seen incredible evidence of this in recent days. I have felt a calm and peace at every turn… even if those closest to me felt I was anything but serene! I have truly felt God’s hand in every detail… and I have been quite content to let Him guide me and protect my grandmother and the rest of us.
I may be a slow learner, but I am seeing the promises of God… and learning to walk in them! And in my weariness, I am restored and renewed by these promises… and by those who are serving us tirelessly. I am continually strengthened by God’s loving arms… and the angels He sends to serve in His name. I pray that whatever you are facing today – or may face in days to come – you feel this same strength and protection… that angels come to minister to your every need… and that you are inspired to serve as God directs you.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 3, 2012
Proverbs 25:19
A friend you can't trust in times of trouble is like having a toothache or a sore foot.
Galatians 5:16
If you are guided by the Spirit, you won't obey your selfish desires.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The incredible devastation of tornadoes that have ravaged our nation this week is truly mind boggling. My heart is broken for the victims of these storms, and I am praying that God will care for each of them and offer comfort and hope in the days ahead. But you may have seen the news video of the incredible tornado that was barreling down on one city, and a woman can be heard clearly praying for the storm to miss her. Miraculously, the storm turns, and her home is spared… but her town is wiped away.
I will be the first to tell you that I would have prayed exactly as that woman did… and I am not saying she was selfish or wrong to do so. But when fear sets in, we often call things into our life that we don’t need. If we could get into a mindset of calling on God to provide us with what we need, according to His will, rather than what we think is best, we might be astounded by the results. Does this mean that praying for God to stop the storm completely or to protect all in its path might have had a different outcome for this woman and her community? Not necessarily. But we often pray selfishly, giving little regard to the ultimate outcome and its ramifications for anyone but ourselves.
Our goal should be to grow closer to God… to become more like Jesus… and that means letting go of any and all selfish motives. I heard the question posed recently, “If you were in a sinking boat with two other people, and only two of you could be saved… whom would you choose?” What was your first thought – does it depend on who the other two people are and what they mean to you? Or did you think of your own faith in God… your promise of Eternity in heaven with Him… and say, “I would gladly go”? Did you base your answer on your relationship with God… and possibly the relationship you believe the other two had with Him, as well?
When we begin to operate in faith rather than fear, everything changes… our opinions, our outlooks, our prayers, our choices. I repeat, if I saw a massive tornado approaching my house, I might very well ask God to save me. But hopefully I would also ask Him to protect all in its path, according to His will… and accept whatever outcome He chose as sovereign and absolute.
Where are you operating in fear these days? Where are you living selfishly, and possibly calling into your life things that you really don’t need? Where are you asking God for blessings and care at the potential expense of others? Where are you failing to trust in His complete perfection? Is this the day you begin to change? Will you ask God to meet your needs completely, according to His will… and rest in His choices? Are you the friend that others can trust… or are you like a selfish “toothache?” Isn’t it time we reversed our fear and started living in unwavering faith?
©2012 Debbie Robus
A friend you can't trust in times of trouble is like having a toothache or a sore foot.
Galatians 5:16
If you are guided by the Spirit, you won't obey your selfish desires.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The incredible devastation of tornadoes that have ravaged our nation this week is truly mind boggling. My heart is broken for the victims of these storms, and I am praying that God will care for each of them and offer comfort and hope in the days ahead. But you may have seen the news video of the incredible tornado that was barreling down on one city, and a woman can be heard clearly praying for the storm to miss her. Miraculously, the storm turns, and her home is spared… but her town is wiped away.
I will be the first to tell you that I would have prayed exactly as that woman did… and I am not saying she was selfish or wrong to do so. But when fear sets in, we often call things into our life that we don’t need. If we could get into a mindset of calling on God to provide us with what we need, according to His will, rather than what we think is best, we might be astounded by the results. Does this mean that praying for God to stop the storm completely or to protect all in its path might have had a different outcome for this woman and her community? Not necessarily. But we often pray selfishly, giving little regard to the ultimate outcome and its ramifications for anyone but ourselves.
Our goal should be to grow closer to God… to become more like Jesus… and that means letting go of any and all selfish motives. I heard the question posed recently, “If you were in a sinking boat with two other people, and only two of you could be saved… whom would you choose?” What was your first thought – does it depend on who the other two people are and what they mean to you? Or did you think of your own faith in God… your promise of Eternity in heaven with Him… and say, “I would gladly go”? Did you base your answer on your relationship with God… and possibly the relationship you believe the other two had with Him, as well?
When we begin to operate in faith rather than fear, everything changes… our opinions, our outlooks, our prayers, our choices. I repeat, if I saw a massive tornado approaching my house, I might very well ask God to save me. But hopefully I would also ask Him to protect all in its path, according to His will… and accept whatever outcome He chose as sovereign and absolute.
Where are you operating in fear these days? Where are you living selfishly, and possibly calling into your life things that you really don’t need? Where are you asking God for blessings and care at the potential expense of others? Where are you failing to trust in His complete perfection? Is this the day you begin to change? Will you ask God to meet your needs completely, according to His will… and rest in His choices? Are you the friend that others can trust… or are you like a selfish “toothache?” Isn’t it time we reversed our fear and started living in unwavering faith?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 12, 2011
1 Kings 4:12-13
If you obey my commands and do what I say, I will keep the promise I made to your father David. I will live among my people Israel in this temple you are building, and I will not desert them.
Psalm 111:7-8
God is always honest and fair, and his laws can be trusted. They are true and right and will stand forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In many ways, two-year-olds trust no one! I promise Timothy that he can play outside when he wakes from a nap, but he doesn’t believe me. I tell him that he cannot play on the stairs unattended, because he might fall… but he has to take a little tumble to be convinced. We tell him that the kitties don’t want to be bothered, but he has to get a spit and a swat from them to believe it.
We always have Timothy’s very best interest at heart… but he doesn’t see it that way at all! In this little two-year-old’s mind, every time we leave without him, we’ve deserted him forever. We have broken every promise we ever made… and he is crushed. The good news is that we do honor our promises, and his trust is always restored. He forgets all about being upset with us and showers us with hugs and kisses and giggles.
Do you think God sees us as His very own two-year-olds? Don’t we behave much like little Timothy? Do we not act as if God’s promises are unbelievable and unworthy of our trust? Don’t we treat God like He has completely deserted us at the first sign of trouble? Aren’t we crushed the second God tells us to stand on our own two feet and operate in faith that He will carry us through whatever we are facing?
Timothy will grow up soon enough. Hopefully, he will learn who to trust… and when he is being told the truth. For us as Christians, the time to grow up is NOW! We can no longer act like fickle two-year-olds. God has told us… shown us… demonstrated over and again His power, love, grace, and mercy. He has delivered on countless promises already… and assured us that He will make good on hundreds more.
We must mature in our faith and trust God to do what He says. We must recognize His laws as honest, fair, and in our best interest. We must believe that He will hear our prayers and answer in a way that is perfect for our situation. And we must shower Him with “hugs, kisses and giggles” in the form of our praise and devotion… our service and gratitude.
Growing up is never easy… whether you are a two-year-old just learning the ropes or a Christian trying to operate in total surrender of self. Both are a process… but you have to start somewhere. Are you ready to trust God and believe Him? Are you growing in your faith… or are stuck in the “terrible twos”?
©2011 Debbie Robus
If you obey my commands and do what I say, I will keep the promise I made to your father David. I will live among my people Israel in this temple you are building, and I will not desert them.
Psalm 111:7-8
God is always honest and fair, and his laws can be trusted. They are true and right and will stand forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In many ways, two-year-olds trust no one! I promise Timothy that he can play outside when he wakes from a nap, but he doesn’t believe me. I tell him that he cannot play on the stairs unattended, because he might fall… but he has to take a little tumble to be convinced. We tell him that the kitties don’t want to be bothered, but he has to get a spit and a swat from them to believe it.
We always have Timothy’s very best interest at heart… but he doesn’t see it that way at all! In this little two-year-old’s mind, every time we leave without him, we’ve deserted him forever. We have broken every promise we ever made… and he is crushed. The good news is that we do honor our promises, and his trust is always restored. He forgets all about being upset with us and showers us with hugs and kisses and giggles.
Do you think God sees us as His very own two-year-olds? Don’t we behave much like little Timothy? Do we not act as if God’s promises are unbelievable and unworthy of our trust? Don’t we treat God like He has completely deserted us at the first sign of trouble? Aren’t we crushed the second God tells us to stand on our own two feet and operate in faith that He will carry us through whatever we are facing?
Timothy will grow up soon enough. Hopefully, he will learn who to trust… and when he is being told the truth. For us as Christians, the time to grow up is NOW! We can no longer act like fickle two-year-olds. God has told us… shown us… demonstrated over and again His power, love, grace, and mercy. He has delivered on countless promises already… and assured us that He will make good on hundreds more.
We must mature in our faith and trust God to do what He says. We must recognize His laws as honest, fair, and in our best interest. We must believe that He will hear our prayers and answer in a way that is perfect for our situation. And we must shower Him with “hugs, kisses and giggles” in the form of our praise and devotion… our service and gratitude.
Growing up is never easy… whether you are a two-year-old just learning the ropes or a Christian trying to operate in total surrender of self. Both are a process… but you have to start somewhere. Are you ready to trust God and believe Him? Are you growing in your faith… or are stuck in the “terrible twos”?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 18, 2011
Psalm 107:5-15
You were hungry and thirsty and about to give up. You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the LORD, and he rescued you. Right away he brought you to a town. You should praise the LORD for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.
To everyone who is thirsty, he gives something to drink; to everyone who is hungry, he gives good things to eat. Some of you were prisoners suffering in deepest darkness and bound by chains, because you had rebelled against God Most High and refused his advice.
You were worn out from working like slaves, and no one came to help. You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the LORD, and he rescued you. He brought you out of the deepest darkness and broke your chains. You should praise the LORD for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On August 5th, 12-year-old Charles “Dale” Ostrander was swimming off the coast of Washington state, just north of Long Beach. Dale was with a church group, swimming in the Pacific Ocean, when a riptide current pulled him under and began to sweep him out to sea. A 12-year-old girl with a surfboard tried to rescue Dale, but the current was too swift. When she made it to shore, she clung to the sand and said, “He’s dead. What am I supposed to do?” More rescuers retrieved Dale’s body from the waters, where he had been pulled underwater for 20-25 minutes. He was unconscious and limp. Nobody gave Dale much hope for survival. Dale’s fellow church members fell to their knees on the beach and prayed for him
In a blog established to chronicle this story – www.prayersfordale.blogspot.com – a post dated August 14th describes how Dale’s father, Chad, spoke to the congregation at church several days later:
Some of us are in some pretty strong currents, too. We have our own “riptides” pulling us under, and we are drowning a little every day. Others among us have “circled the drain” from time to time…yet God rescued us. Did we stop to thank Him? Did we even recognize His powerful hands reaching down and saving us?
Do we understand that we are often suffering under the chains and riptides of our own making… and God stands ready to save us, if only we will ask? Truly, the rescue of this 12-year-old boy is a miracle… and not all horrific events like this come to such a happy end. But so often, we fail to recognize that a rescue from our troubles is only a prayer away. We fail to see that we can ask God for anything… and He will answer perfectly. And often if we do ask, we fail to believe that God really heard us… and that help truly is on the way.
Clearly this boy’s parents prayed faithfully… trusting God for a perfect outcome. They didn’t know if that would mean life for their son on this earth – or in heaven. But they prayed and believed anyway, as did the fellow church members who were with Dale Ostrander on August 5th. The question for us is… are we praying faithfully and believing God will deliver a perfect outcome? Are we thanking Him for all of the times He has rescued us already… and trusting Him to be our lifeline in the future? Isn’t it about time we stuck out our hand and let God pull us safely to shore, so to speak? Are you ready for a rescue?
©2011 Debbie Robus
You were hungry and thirsty and about to give up. You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the LORD, and he rescued you. Right away he brought you to a town. You should praise the LORD for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.
To everyone who is thirsty, he gives something to drink; to everyone who is hungry, he gives good things to eat. Some of you were prisoners suffering in deepest darkness and bound by chains, because you had rebelled against God Most High and refused his advice.
You were worn out from working like slaves, and no one came to help. You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the LORD, and he rescued you. He brought you out of the deepest darkness and broke your chains. You should praise the LORD for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On August 5th, 12-year-old Charles “Dale” Ostrander was swimming off the coast of Washington state, just north of Long Beach. Dale was with a church group, swimming in the Pacific Ocean, when a riptide current pulled him under and began to sweep him out to sea. A 12-year-old girl with a surfboard tried to rescue Dale, but the current was too swift. When she made it to shore, she clung to the sand and said, “He’s dead. What am I supposed to do?” More rescuers retrieved Dale’s body from the waters, where he had been pulled underwater for 20-25 minutes. He was unconscious and limp. Nobody gave Dale much hope for survival. Dale’s fellow church members fell to their knees on the beach and prayed for him
In a blog established to chronicle this story – www.prayersfordale.blogspot.com – a post dated August 14th describes how Dale’s father, Chad, spoke to the congregation at church several days later:
- “Brother Ostrander said, ‘We didn't understand, we just accepted. I knelt by his bed and put Dale on the altar, like Abraham. I told God, “You offered your son, you know how it feels. Thank you for letting us say goodbye.” We tried to let the girls know that he wasn't coming back. That night, the doctor knelt down right by Dale's ear and said, “Dale, open your eyes!” and his eyes opened! We thought, “Wow, there's hope!”’
- Today Dale got up and walked down the hall with help from the physical therapist. In Chad Ostrander's words: ‘God has shown us a miracle.’"
Some of us are in some pretty strong currents, too. We have our own “riptides” pulling us under, and we are drowning a little every day. Others among us have “circled the drain” from time to time…yet God rescued us. Did we stop to thank Him? Did we even recognize His powerful hands reaching down and saving us?
Do we understand that we are often suffering under the chains and riptides of our own making… and God stands ready to save us, if only we will ask? Truly, the rescue of this 12-year-old boy is a miracle… and not all horrific events like this come to such a happy end. But so often, we fail to recognize that a rescue from our troubles is only a prayer away. We fail to see that we can ask God for anything… and He will answer perfectly. And often if we do ask, we fail to believe that God really heard us… and that help truly is on the way.
Clearly this boy’s parents prayed faithfully… trusting God for a perfect outcome. They didn’t know if that would mean life for their son on this earth – or in heaven. But they prayed and believed anyway, as did the fellow church members who were with Dale Ostrander on August 5th. The question for us is… are we praying faithfully and believing God will deliver a perfect outcome? Are we thanking Him for all of the times He has rescued us already… and trusting Him to be our lifeline in the future? Isn’t it about time we stuck out our hand and let God pull us safely to shore, so to speak? Are you ready for a rescue?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 18, 2011
Proverbs 22:8, 10
Troublemakers get in trouble, and their terrible anger will get them nowhere.
Arguments and fights will come to an end, if you chase away those who insult others.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was having a conversation with a friend recently about Facebook. We noted that there are some people who have expressed certain views and opinions – or used language we don’t condone – and we have had to block or remove them from our “Friends” list. I don’t want others who read my wall to see these types of posts and assume I approve of the content. Like it or not, we are quite often known by the company we keep!
A lot of people post comments on Facebook that are controversial at best… and downright offensive to many. They do this to get a rise out of others… because of their own anger… and quite honestly, out of fear – both imagined and justified. And it’s not just on Facebook. People do this in e-mail messages, letters to the editor of a local newspaper, face-to-face conversations, from the pulpit and the lecturn, and at table discussions at the local coffee shop or break room. A case in point is the “evangelist” whose rant I recently saw on a TV news show. She claimed that there was a connection with Spiritual ramifications between the blackbirds falling from the sky in Beebe, Arkansas… an Arkansas governor named Beebe… and a former Arkansas governor who supported “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” She tried to tie all of this into a neat package to suggest that the “end times were near”… and this was our sign!
As Christians, we have to change the channel on such nonsense! We have to “unfriend” those who choose to post insults and obscenities on Facebook. We must delete the e-mail messages that spread vicious lies and insults. And at times, we must stand up to those who send or say such things and say, “This is offensive to me… I do not like what you are saying and doing. I encourage you to stop… but at least stop including me in your messages/circle.”
If you couple these scripture verses with those in the New Testament where Jesus often confronted those who were causing trouble, you see that we are called to do our part to diffuse troublemakers and potentially volatile situations. There are times that ignoring angry outbursts and vile comments is the appropriate action. There are also times when we must confront those who are causing trouble… but always in a loving, caring manner – never insulting or being angry in return.
Simply blocking or avoiding those with angry tempers and troublesome behaviors may not be enough… and this could signal to others that you are on board. Ask God to help you discern when to be silent… and when to challenge troublemakers and disruptive behaviors. Ask God to give you understanding and compassion for those who are operating in fear… and to show you how to encourage them to seek His direction as they express their feelings. And while you are at it, ask God to give you the right attitude… and sense and sensibility in your own conduct.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Troublemakers get in trouble, and their terrible anger will get them nowhere.
Arguments and fights will come to an end, if you chase away those who insult others.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was having a conversation with a friend recently about Facebook. We noted that there are some people who have expressed certain views and opinions – or used language we don’t condone – and we have had to block or remove them from our “Friends” list. I don’t want others who read my wall to see these types of posts and assume I approve of the content. Like it or not, we are quite often known by the company we keep!
A lot of people post comments on Facebook that are controversial at best… and downright offensive to many. They do this to get a rise out of others… because of their own anger… and quite honestly, out of fear – both imagined and justified. And it’s not just on Facebook. People do this in e-mail messages, letters to the editor of a local newspaper, face-to-face conversations, from the pulpit and the lecturn, and at table discussions at the local coffee shop or break room. A case in point is the “evangelist” whose rant I recently saw on a TV news show. She claimed that there was a connection with Spiritual ramifications between the blackbirds falling from the sky in Beebe, Arkansas… an Arkansas governor named Beebe… and a former Arkansas governor who supported “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” She tried to tie all of this into a neat package to suggest that the “end times were near”… and this was our sign!
As Christians, we have to change the channel on such nonsense! We have to “unfriend” those who choose to post insults and obscenities on Facebook. We must delete the e-mail messages that spread vicious lies and insults. And at times, we must stand up to those who send or say such things and say, “This is offensive to me… I do not like what you are saying and doing. I encourage you to stop… but at least stop including me in your messages/circle.”
If you couple these scripture verses with those in the New Testament where Jesus often confronted those who were causing trouble, you see that we are called to do our part to diffuse troublemakers and potentially volatile situations. There are times that ignoring angry outbursts and vile comments is the appropriate action. There are also times when we must confront those who are causing trouble… but always in a loving, caring manner – never insulting or being angry in return.
Simply blocking or avoiding those with angry tempers and troublesome behaviors may not be enough… and this could signal to others that you are on board. Ask God to help you discern when to be silent… and when to challenge troublemakers and disruptive behaviors. Ask God to give you understanding and compassion for those who are operating in fear… and to show you how to encourage them to seek His direction as they express their feelings. And while you are at it, ask God to give you the right attitude… and sense and sensibility in your own conduct.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 20, 2011
Luke 9:62
Jesus answered, "Anyone who starts plowing and keeps looking back isn't worth a thing to God's kingdom!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My grandmother has the staff at her assisted living facility jumping through hoops to help her “make a garden.” For as long as I can remember, my grandmother has had a garden of some sort every year. When I was a child, she and my grandfather grew nearly everything they ate. Each late winter/early spring, they would get out the little wheel plow and make the rows in their garden for the various vegetables. For the deeper furrows, my Pap-pa would hitch a mule to the plow and make his rows.
Like many good farmers I knew through the years, my grandparents’ rows were always neat and orderly, and incredibly straight. Oh, they tried to teach me and my siblings to plow the rows, but ours were never straight enough, and our attention span was probably not long enough… and we most likely looked back while plowing! I can still hear my grandmother fussing about those rows… and she told me just last week that she had chastised the maintenance guy at her senior residence because “he didn’t dig his trenches deep enough.”
What does this mean in the end? What does it really hurt? Maybe not much… but then again, maybe it hurts a lot. In a relatively square garden patch, one crooked row leads to another… and another… and ultimately, besides crooked rows, you could end up without enough space for everything you wanted or needed to grow. Also, crooked rows speak to the orderliness of the gardener. And serious gardeners like my grandmother take their planting personally… and feel any flaws reflect directly on their character!
In the context of our spiritual life, Jesus is saying that we have to leave the past in the past. We can’t be continually looking back at what we did or worrying about what we didn’t finish or fix. We have to be willing to say, “Jesus has called me to serve Him now… those things no longer matter. He is more important!”
So when people say, “I’ll give my heart to Jesus tomorrow… just let me have one more wild night,” this passage is for them. When someone says, “Lightning will strike if I darken the doors of the church sanctuary,” this passage says, “That’s not true.” When people tell you, I’ve got to get my life in better order before I can serve others,” that’s stinkin’ thinkin’! I remember very clearly believing that I could not attend a Walk to Emmaus until I had resolved some “issues” in my own heart first. I thought I had to fix myself before I could allow God to work… and nothing could be further from the truth!
God wants us right where we are… now… today… this minute! He wants us to say, “I want so badly to be in Your will and serving You with every fiber of my being that I am willing to drop everything and start immediately.” He doesn’t want us to hesitate… to even look back and wave “Good-bye” to our sinful past. He just wants us to move forward, plowing the straightest, neatest row of Christian faith and trust that we possibly can. He will give us the seeds to plant. He will fertilize and nurture our “garden” and handle the harvest. All we have to do is put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.
I am so bad about hesitating. I am clearly one of those who wants to “tie up loose ends” first. I have a terribly hard time “letting go and letting God” sometimes… don’t you? But we can change! We can do better. We must learn to operate in faith and stop looking backward. Our spiritual “garden” depends on it!
During the Walk to Emmaus… we say to those who attend, “Christ is counting on you.” They reply, “And I am counting on Christ.” Are you counting on Christ today? Or are you looking backward, procrastinating, and trying to fix things yourself? Isn’t it time you started plowing forward? Can Christ count on you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus answered, "Anyone who starts plowing and keeps looking back isn't worth a thing to God's kingdom!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My grandmother has the staff at her assisted living facility jumping through hoops to help her “make a garden.” For as long as I can remember, my grandmother has had a garden of some sort every year. When I was a child, she and my grandfather grew nearly everything they ate. Each late winter/early spring, they would get out the little wheel plow and make the rows in their garden for the various vegetables. For the deeper furrows, my Pap-pa would hitch a mule to the plow and make his rows.
Like many good farmers I knew through the years, my grandparents’ rows were always neat and orderly, and incredibly straight. Oh, they tried to teach me and my siblings to plow the rows, but ours were never straight enough, and our attention span was probably not long enough… and we most likely looked back while plowing! I can still hear my grandmother fussing about those rows… and she told me just last week that she had chastised the maintenance guy at her senior residence because “he didn’t dig his trenches deep enough.”
What does this mean in the end? What does it really hurt? Maybe not much… but then again, maybe it hurts a lot. In a relatively square garden patch, one crooked row leads to another… and another… and ultimately, besides crooked rows, you could end up without enough space for everything you wanted or needed to grow. Also, crooked rows speak to the orderliness of the gardener. And serious gardeners like my grandmother take their planting personally… and feel any flaws reflect directly on their character!
In the context of our spiritual life, Jesus is saying that we have to leave the past in the past. We can’t be continually looking back at what we did or worrying about what we didn’t finish or fix. We have to be willing to say, “Jesus has called me to serve Him now… those things no longer matter. He is more important!”
So when people say, “I’ll give my heart to Jesus tomorrow… just let me have one more wild night,” this passage is for them. When someone says, “Lightning will strike if I darken the doors of the church sanctuary,” this passage says, “That’s not true.” When people tell you, I’ve got to get my life in better order before I can serve others,” that’s stinkin’ thinkin’! I remember very clearly believing that I could not attend a Walk to Emmaus until I had resolved some “issues” in my own heart first. I thought I had to fix myself before I could allow God to work… and nothing could be further from the truth!
God wants us right where we are… now… today… this minute! He wants us to say, “I want so badly to be in Your will and serving You with every fiber of my being that I am willing to drop everything and start immediately.” He doesn’t want us to hesitate… to even look back and wave “Good-bye” to our sinful past. He just wants us to move forward, plowing the straightest, neatest row of Christian faith and trust that we possibly can. He will give us the seeds to plant. He will fertilize and nurture our “garden” and handle the harvest. All we have to do is put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.
I am so bad about hesitating. I am clearly one of those who wants to “tie up loose ends” first. I have a terribly hard time “letting go and letting God” sometimes… don’t you? But we can change! We can do better. We must learn to operate in faith and stop looking backward. Our spiritual “garden” depends on it!
During the Walk to Emmaus… we say to those who attend, “Christ is counting on you.” They reply, “And I am counting on Christ.” Are you counting on Christ today? Or are you looking backward, procrastinating, and trying to fix things yourself? Isn’t it time you started plowing forward? Can Christ count on you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 16, 2011
Proverbs 12:25
Worry is a heavy burden, but a kind word always brings cheer.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Legendary news anchor Barbara Walters says that when she underwent open heart surgery last year, she recalls that she was not anxious (worried) as she was wheeled into the operating room. She thought to herself… “If I die on the operating table, I won’t know it.” If only it were always that simple to free ourselves of worry and anxiety! This scripture is right… worry is a heavy burden… and Satan makes sure most of us get a big dose of it daily.
We worry about everything from the weather to tests to whether or not our jeans will fit or we will have the right outfit for an upcoming event. We worry about big things in our lives… and the seemingly insignificant ones, as well. Many of us carry the burden of worry like a badge of honor. We’ve made a career out of brooding over worries.
God wants us to give our worries to Him. He wants us to lighten up… to be more trusting and faithful in His ability to work and bring about good in our lives. And He wants us to share that positive energy and outlook with others. We must offer a word of cheer and encouragement whenever we can, to lighten the burden of worry for the other guy.
Worry and anxiety truly do not change the outcome… but God does! The sooner we learn to rest in God and give Him control over our lives, the sooner we can become a cheerleader for others… and encourage them to do the same. Worry is a tool of the devil… designed to drag us down and keep us from experiencing the richest blessings of God. Are you really going to let him have that sort of satisfaction? Isn’t today a good day to “cast all your cares upon the LORD” and let Him do His job? Let’s focus on being the cheerleader instead of the worry-wort. Let’s see what amazing things God has in store for us when we let Him handle our day!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Worry is a heavy burden, but a kind word always brings cheer.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Legendary news anchor Barbara Walters says that when she underwent open heart surgery last year, she recalls that she was not anxious (worried) as she was wheeled into the operating room. She thought to herself… “If I die on the operating table, I won’t know it.” If only it were always that simple to free ourselves of worry and anxiety! This scripture is right… worry is a heavy burden… and Satan makes sure most of us get a big dose of it daily.
We worry about everything from the weather to tests to whether or not our jeans will fit or we will have the right outfit for an upcoming event. We worry about big things in our lives… and the seemingly insignificant ones, as well. Many of us carry the burden of worry like a badge of honor. We’ve made a career out of brooding over worries.
God wants us to give our worries to Him. He wants us to lighten up… to be more trusting and faithful in His ability to work and bring about good in our lives. And He wants us to share that positive energy and outlook with others. We must offer a word of cheer and encouragement whenever we can, to lighten the burden of worry for the other guy.
Worry and anxiety truly do not change the outcome… but God does! The sooner we learn to rest in God and give Him control over our lives, the sooner we can become a cheerleader for others… and encourage them to do the same. Worry is a tool of the devil… designed to drag us down and keep us from experiencing the richest blessings of God. Are you really going to let him have that sort of satisfaction? Isn’t today a good day to “cast all your cares upon the LORD” and let Him do His job? Let’s focus on being the cheerleader instead of the worry-wort. Let’s see what amazing things God has in store for us when we let Him handle our day!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 30, 2010
Matthew 24:43-46
Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in. Always be ready! You don't know when the Son of Man will come.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A whole lot of preparation has been going on lately – for everything from holiday celebrations and gift-giving to abundant meals to football bowl games. And the question of the day seems to be “Are you ready?” People pass in the store and ask, “Are you ready for Christmas?” They see mutual fans for their football team and ask, “Are you ready for the big game?” The coaches are talking on newscasts about how they are preparing their team, and “We’re almost ready!”
The common thread for all of these events is that we know when they will occur. We know the date for Christmas, the Sugar Bowl, a wedding, and sometimes… even the birth of a baby! But we don’t know when Jesus will return. We don’t know when we will die and pass over into Heaven (hopefully!). We don’t know what will befall us next day/week/year.
So we have some work to do. It seems a little crazy that we work so hard to prepare for the events for which we know the date, yet the most important events of our lives don’t get nearly the same amount of attention. Would we work harder to be ready for Jesus if we knew the hour of our death or when He would return for His church? Would we procrastinate until the last minute, like we do about so many other things?
The point is… we do not know God’s timing. But we need to be ready! We need to continually be on top of our game… in the best possible condition… totally prepared and committed in service and obedience to our Heavenly Father. There will most likely be other Christmases. There may be more bowl games and second chances for other events… but we only get one shot at Eternity. There are no “do-overs!” when Jesus returns or calls us home. Will you be ready? Have you prepared daily to be called His faithful servant? Isn’t it time you began?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in. Always be ready! You don't know when the Son of Man will come.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A whole lot of preparation has been going on lately – for everything from holiday celebrations and gift-giving to abundant meals to football bowl games. And the question of the day seems to be “Are you ready?” People pass in the store and ask, “Are you ready for Christmas?” They see mutual fans for their football team and ask, “Are you ready for the big game?” The coaches are talking on newscasts about how they are preparing their team, and “We’re almost ready!”
The common thread for all of these events is that we know when they will occur. We know the date for Christmas, the Sugar Bowl, a wedding, and sometimes… even the birth of a baby! But we don’t know when Jesus will return. We don’t know when we will die and pass over into Heaven (hopefully!). We don’t know what will befall us next day/week/year.
So we have some work to do. It seems a little crazy that we work so hard to prepare for the events for which we know the date, yet the most important events of our lives don’t get nearly the same amount of attention. Would we work harder to be ready for Jesus if we knew the hour of our death or when He would return for His church? Would we procrastinate until the last minute, like we do about so many other things?
The point is… we do not know God’s timing. But we need to be ready! We need to continually be on top of our game… in the best possible condition… totally prepared and committed in service and obedience to our Heavenly Father. There will most likely be other Christmases. There may be more bowl games and second chances for other events… but we only get one shot at Eternity. There are no “do-overs!” when Jesus returns or calls us home. Will you be ready? Have you prepared daily to be called His faithful servant? Isn’t it time you began?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 2, 2010
Ephesians 4:31
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was watching a report on ESPN about the Miami Heat going to Cleveland, Ohio, to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in a pro basketball game. Many of the residents of Cleveland are absolutely furious that LeBron James, dubbed “The King of Cleveland”, left their beloved city to play basketball in Miami. They feel James disrespected the city by announcing his free agency on national television before giving notice to his Cavaliers team. Lest you think I am exaggerating this whole thing, the ESPN report said that security, both at the Quicken Loans Arena, and that provided by the Cleveland police force, has been beefed up for the 8:00 p.m. game to an unprecedented level… and there will be extra security around the Miami bench. One Cleveland resident said, “There needs to be!”
This is an overblown example of everything Ephesians 4:31 says NOT to do... and I believe that most of us see how foolish it all is. But the businessmen who say their restaurant revenues are down because James left town don’t see it the same way, nor do countless other Cleveland residents who feel their “beef” is valid. And honestly, even if it is on a much smaller scale, we often act just like these people about equally ridiculous things. And yet they don’t seem ridiculous to us… at least at the time.
We seem to have a knack for getting upset, mad, angry, bitter, frustrated and resentful over the craziest things. We show out, act up, and treat others rudely in the bargain. “I let him/her know such and such!” or “I showed him/her who was boss,” or “You have got to be kidding me! They can’t treat me this way!” We get mad at the wait staff, so we don’t leave a tip. We get angry at referees at every sporting event from Little League to the pros. We plot our “revenge” against friends, family members… you name it. We’ll show them!
In the end, the only person who truly suffers is us… and those who have to be subjected to our tirades! We end up being regarded as someone who is negative, difficult, and unpleasant. People start to avoid us like the plague and think up excuses to escape our company. Who wants to be around a grump or a chronic complainer? Who wants to subject themselves to the potential to be mistreated or berated? Who in their right mind would think that we are living with a heart filled with Jesus Christ by the way we behave?
Do you see my point? We can’t be true disciples of Jesus and act this way. Nobody will believe us. Nobody will see His face in ours if we are negative, angry, resentful, or rude. No one will look at us and say, “I want what he/she has! I want to feel like that!” I have to imagine that this sort of behavior causes God to hang His head and feel extremely sad and disappointed.
I pray that we would start to examine our lives… our hearts… our motives – TODAY! It’s especially easy to get caught up in the “stress” of what should be one of the most blessed seasons of the year and let our tempers flare and our feelings hang out on our sleeves. But that totally belies our faith and the Reason for this season! Take a good hard look at yourself today. See where you are letting your emotions get the better of you… and ask God to change your heart… now and all through the year.
Begin to operate in positives, blessings, grace, mercy… and the love of Christ. Make needed changes to improve your attitude… and the sentiments of those around you in the bargain… and make these changes for good!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was watching a report on ESPN about the Miami Heat going to Cleveland, Ohio, to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in a pro basketball game. Many of the residents of Cleveland are absolutely furious that LeBron James, dubbed “The King of Cleveland”, left their beloved city to play basketball in Miami. They feel James disrespected the city by announcing his free agency on national television before giving notice to his Cavaliers team. Lest you think I am exaggerating this whole thing, the ESPN report said that security, both at the Quicken Loans Arena, and that provided by the Cleveland police force, has been beefed up for the 8:00 p.m. game to an unprecedented level… and there will be extra security around the Miami bench. One Cleveland resident said, “There needs to be!”
This is an overblown example of everything Ephesians 4:31 says NOT to do... and I believe that most of us see how foolish it all is. But the businessmen who say their restaurant revenues are down because James left town don’t see it the same way, nor do countless other Cleveland residents who feel their “beef” is valid. And honestly, even if it is on a much smaller scale, we often act just like these people about equally ridiculous things. And yet they don’t seem ridiculous to us… at least at the time.
We seem to have a knack for getting upset, mad, angry, bitter, frustrated and resentful over the craziest things. We show out, act up, and treat others rudely in the bargain. “I let him/her know such and such!” or “I showed him/her who was boss,” or “You have got to be kidding me! They can’t treat me this way!” We get mad at the wait staff, so we don’t leave a tip. We get angry at referees at every sporting event from Little League to the pros. We plot our “revenge” against friends, family members… you name it. We’ll show them!
In the end, the only person who truly suffers is us… and those who have to be subjected to our tirades! We end up being regarded as someone who is negative, difficult, and unpleasant. People start to avoid us like the plague and think up excuses to escape our company. Who wants to be around a grump or a chronic complainer? Who wants to subject themselves to the potential to be mistreated or berated? Who in their right mind would think that we are living with a heart filled with Jesus Christ by the way we behave?
Do you see my point? We can’t be true disciples of Jesus and act this way. Nobody will believe us. Nobody will see His face in ours if we are negative, angry, resentful, or rude. No one will look at us and say, “I want what he/she has! I want to feel like that!” I have to imagine that this sort of behavior causes God to hang His head and feel extremely sad and disappointed.
I pray that we would start to examine our lives… our hearts… our motives – TODAY! It’s especially easy to get caught up in the “stress” of what should be one of the most blessed seasons of the year and let our tempers flare and our feelings hang out on our sleeves. But that totally belies our faith and the Reason for this season! Take a good hard look at yourself today. See where you are letting your emotions get the better of you… and ask God to change your heart… now and all through the year.
Begin to operate in positives, blessings, grace, mercy… and the love of Christ. Make needed changes to improve your attitude… and the sentiments of those around you in the bargain… and make these changes for good!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 18, 2010
Acts 26:17-18
'I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’
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.
Every day we make dozens, if not hundreds, of choices. We choose what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, which route to take to school or work… and whether to do our homework or the laundry. Will we put cream in our coffee or bananas on our cereal? Will we watch this TV program or that one? Will we have ketchup with our fries? And for some of us, we may choose whether to pay this bill or that one… whether to buy milk for our children or cigarettes for ourselves… whether to get up and go to work or call in sick yet again.
A lot of the choices we make are dictated by habit… or by those who have influenced us. My dad always turned to the Obituaries page in the newspaper first… “to see if I’m still living,” he’d say. To this day, that’s the first part of the daily newspaper that I read. My mother always put sugar in her cornbread before baking and pineapple tidbits in her cole slaw, and that’s how I make mine. You may belong to a certain church or a political party or drive a specific make and model of car because of your parents or someone else who influenced you.
Maybe you were influenced in something of a “reverse negativity” by others. Maybe living with an alcoholic or abusive parent has made you vow to never be the same way. Maybe you have grown up living “hand-to-mouth,” and you have sworn you will do better. Maybe you have lived in very strict household, and you plan to be more liberal when you are out on your own. Maybe you have decided to be the first in your family to graduate from college. Maybe you plan to find the cure for cancer because someone you loved died from it, or you hope to start a center for latchkey kids because you never had anyone waiting for you after school.
The point is… we all make choices in our lives that are a direct result of the people and circumstances that have influenced us. So our job as Christian disciples is to be the influence that causes people to turn to God and away from Satan… to choose salvation over sinfulness… to opt for Eternal life in Heaven over perpetual damnation in Hell. We are called to be the example for others and invite them to join us in living life to its fullest through Jesus Christ.
The question I have for you today has two parts: 1) Who are you listening to as you make choices? Are you looking for Godly disciples to follow… and are you hearing the message they are presenting? 2) What kind of influence are you? Are you an honorable, faithful disciple of Christ, showing others “the way, the truth, and the light”? Or are you aiding and abetting the devil… living in sin and leading others toward the darkness and despair of a life mired in conflict and destruction?
Being a Spirit-filled Christian is heavy stuff! It’s not for the faint of heart… or those who are weak in their faith! But at the end of the day… the choice is ours. We can choose to serve in the light of Christ… to be His light to a world fumbling in the dark. Or we can close our eyes and stumble in the dark with the others and hope for the best. It’s not a gamble I am willing to take… are you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
'I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’
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.
Every day we make dozens, if not hundreds, of choices. We choose what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, which route to take to school or work… and whether to do our homework or the laundry. Will we put cream in our coffee or bananas on our cereal? Will we watch this TV program or that one? Will we have ketchup with our fries? And for some of us, we may choose whether to pay this bill or that one… whether to buy milk for our children or cigarettes for ourselves… whether to get up and go to work or call in sick yet again.
A lot of the choices we make are dictated by habit… or by those who have influenced us. My dad always turned to the Obituaries page in the newspaper first… “to see if I’m still living,” he’d say. To this day, that’s the first part of the daily newspaper that I read. My mother always put sugar in her cornbread before baking and pineapple tidbits in her cole slaw, and that’s how I make mine. You may belong to a certain church or a political party or drive a specific make and model of car because of your parents or someone else who influenced you.
Maybe you were influenced in something of a “reverse negativity” by others. Maybe living with an alcoholic or abusive parent has made you vow to never be the same way. Maybe you have grown up living “hand-to-mouth,” and you have sworn you will do better. Maybe you have lived in very strict household, and you plan to be more liberal when you are out on your own. Maybe you have decided to be the first in your family to graduate from college. Maybe you plan to find the cure for cancer because someone you loved died from it, or you hope to start a center for latchkey kids because you never had anyone waiting for you after school.
The point is… we all make choices in our lives that are a direct result of the people and circumstances that have influenced us. So our job as Christian disciples is to be the influence that causes people to turn to God and away from Satan… to choose salvation over sinfulness… to opt for Eternal life in Heaven over perpetual damnation in Hell. We are called to be the example for others and invite them to join us in living life to its fullest through Jesus Christ.
The question I have for you today has two parts: 1) Who are you listening to as you make choices? Are you looking for Godly disciples to follow… and are you hearing the message they are presenting? 2) What kind of influence are you? Are you an honorable, faithful disciple of Christ, showing others “the way, the truth, and the light”? Or are you aiding and abetting the devil… living in sin and leading others toward the darkness and despair of a life mired in conflict and destruction?
Being a Spirit-filled Christian is heavy stuff! It’s not for the faint of heart… or those who are weak in their faith! But at the end of the day… the choice is ours. We can choose to serve in the light of Christ… to be His light to a world fumbling in the dark. Or we can close our eyes and stumble in the dark with the others and hope for the best. It’s not a gamble I am willing to take… are you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 16, 2010
Mark 16:14-16
Afterwards, Jesus appeared to his eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them because they were too stubborn to believe the ones who had seen him after he had been raised to life. Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We have enjoyed beautiful fall weather lately, and the color in the trees and shrubbery has been spectacular… at least in my neighborhood. One day as I drove my grandmother to the beauty shop, I found myself traveling streets that are seldom on my route. In doing so, I enjoyed breathtaking views of maples, oaks, and elms in beautiful hues of red, orange, and yellow. Crepe myrtles were splendid on the church campus in a fiery burst of orange and yellow. The bushes in the yard of my grandmother’s neighbor were a brilliant ruby red.
Later, my husband gently teased me as I recanted all I had seen and we drove down the street toward his mother’s house. As we passed each brilliant tree, he would laughingly say, “Oooohhh, look at that one! Ohhhhhh… that one is amazing!” And they were! And once again I was reminded that all of this beauty was created by a God I have never physically seen. As we sat and enjoyed a sunny morning on our back deck, I marveled at a brilliant yellow hickory tree and how intricately God designed something as mundane as the bark on that tree… and yet He created the entire planet and rules over the universe.
I have so many questions. I wonder which came first… God or the universe? … the chicken or the egg? I wonder how God thought of all of these beautiful creations of nature… and why He bothered with things like armadillos and spiders! And do we really need snakes? More importantly, why does God bother with the likes of me? Why did He take such care to create every hair on our head… and to number them before we were even born?
Okay, many will argue that I have no way of knowing that God really did all of this. Others will ask, “If God is so powerful and great, why do we have wars, famine, droughts and other natural disasters, pain and suffering?” I have an idea about some of these, but truly, I don’t have the answer. And some use this as an excuse to deny that God exists… or to choose not to believe in Him and follow His teachings. I have made a conscious – and heartfelt – choice to believe in God.
Several years ago, I read today’s scripture passage one day while listening to a televangelist who gave his interpretation of its deeper meaning. He said that as important as the original disciples were to the cause of Jesus Christ, those of us who are His disciples today are just as vital… if not more. Why? Because the original disciples saw Jesus. They touched the nail-scarred hands and the pierced side. They had physical proof that He had been crucified, then rose from the grave.
We have none of this. We weren’t there. We have not physically seen anything. And yet we believe. We look at nature and all of God’s creations. We read the scripture and take them totally at face value… believing that the details are accurate… that what the Bible says took place actually happened. We listen for the voice of our Heavenly Father to guide us, and we share Christ’s Good News and teachings with others. Once I realized how truly exposed it is to walk in faith… to “lay it all on the line” and trust in Jesus Christ and believe His promises, even though many would argue we have no physical proof of His existence… I finally “got it!”I finally understood how incredible this “faith walk” really is… and how amazing it feels to surrender completely and just “be” in Him.
I am in awe of creation… a sunrise, the moon on a crisp autumn night, the beauty and intricacy of kittens, puppies, and small children… the wonder of an old person’s wrinkles. But more than this, I am amazed and awed again and again by the joy of daring to walk in faith and trusting God to number my days as well as my hair! Yes, I want to believe… but it’s more than that. I no longer have to convince myself that Jesus is real… I know it with every fiber of my being. He may “scold” me for many things, but it won’t be for failing to believe. What about you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Afterwards, Jesus appeared to his eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them because they were too stubborn to believe the ones who had seen him after he had been raised to life. Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We have enjoyed beautiful fall weather lately, and the color in the trees and shrubbery has been spectacular… at least in my neighborhood. One day as I drove my grandmother to the beauty shop, I found myself traveling streets that are seldom on my route. In doing so, I enjoyed breathtaking views of maples, oaks, and elms in beautiful hues of red, orange, and yellow. Crepe myrtles were splendid on the church campus in a fiery burst of orange and yellow. The bushes in the yard of my grandmother’s neighbor were a brilliant ruby red.
Later, my husband gently teased me as I recanted all I had seen and we drove down the street toward his mother’s house. As we passed each brilliant tree, he would laughingly say, “Oooohhh, look at that one! Ohhhhhh… that one is amazing!” And they were! And once again I was reminded that all of this beauty was created by a God I have never physically seen. As we sat and enjoyed a sunny morning on our back deck, I marveled at a brilliant yellow hickory tree and how intricately God designed something as mundane as the bark on that tree… and yet He created the entire planet and rules over the universe.
I have so many questions. I wonder which came first… God or the universe? … the chicken or the egg? I wonder how God thought of all of these beautiful creations of nature… and why He bothered with things like armadillos and spiders! And do we really need snakes? More importantly, why does God bother with the likes of me? Why did He take such care to create every hair on our head… and to number them before we were even born?
Okay, many will argue that I have no way of knowing that God really did all of this. Others will ask, “If God is so powerful and great, why do we have wars, famine, droughts and other natural disasters, pain and suffering?” I have an idea about some of these, but truly, I don’t have the answer. And some use this as an excuse to deny that God exists… or to choose not to believe in Him and follow His teachings. I have made a conscious – and heartfelt – choice to believe in God.
Several years ago, I read today’s scripture passage one day while listening to a televangelist who gave his interpretation of its deeper meaning. He said that as important as the original disciples were to the cause of Jesus Christ, those of us who are His disciples today are just as vital… if not more. Why? Because the original disciples saw Jesus. They touched the nail-scarred hands and the pierced side. They had physical proof that He had been crucified, then rose from the grave.
We have none of this. We weren’t there. We have not physically seen anything. And yet we believe. We look at nature and all of God’s creations. We read the scripture and take them totally at face value… believing that the details are accurate… that what the Bible says took place actually happened. We listen for the voice of our Heavenly Father to guide us, and we share Christ’s Good News and teachings with others. Once I realized how truly exposed it is to walk in faith… to “lay it all on the line” and trust in Jesus Christ and believe His promises, even though many would argue we have no physical proof of His existence… I finally “got it!”I finally understood how incredible this “faith walk” really is… and how amazing it feels to surrender completely and just “be” in Him.
I am in awe of creation… a sunrise, the moon on a crisp autumn night, the beauty and intricacy of kittens, puppies, and small children… the wonder of an old person’s wrinkles. But more than this, I am amazed and awed again and again by the joy of daring to walk in faith and trusting God to number my days as well as my hair! Yes, I want to believe… but it’s more than that. I no longer have to convince myself that Jesus is real… I know it with every fiber of my being. He may “scold” me for many things, but it won’t be for failing to believe. What about you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 2, 2010
Romans 7:4
That is how it is with you, my friends. You are now part of the body of Christ and are dead to the power of the Law. You are free to belong to Christ, who was raised to life so that we could serve God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was no different from any other new college graduate. I had my sights set on getting a job, having a great place to live, and being able to afford “things.” I guess I didn’t realize that teachers are not the wealthiest professionals on the planet! But it didn’t take long before we realized that “things” were not making us happy. What truly mattered were our relationships – with others, with each other … and with God.
So we formulated a plan to “downsize” from a 1900+-square-foot, 2-bedroom house and pool to just over 1100 square feet and one bathroom! We cleaned out closets and the attic, and we had a huge garage sale and sold everything that wouldn’t fit in our “new” little house and lifestyle. In our new business venture, we helped recreational vehicle travelers (RVers) find work while they traversed North America … funding their adventures on wheels by taking jobs along the way. Many of these people sold pretty much everything they owned - lock, stock, and barrel - crawled into a tiny home on wheels and took to the road. Can I tell you something? These were some of the happiest people we’ve ever met.
Additionally, the “less is more” concept was very liberating for us, too. We’ve found that living in a small town with no malls and large department stores means we often “make do” with what we have – or can access locally – and we don’t even think about the other things. We have more time and energy to focus on things that really matter … our family and friends, ministries of our church and community, and more.
Life as a Christian is not restrictive. New life in Christ represents freedom … to serve Him in ways great and small, to focus on what is really important – and who truly matters. A life filled with good food, parties, fun times and “stuff” may seem like the high life. But I can tell you with complete certainty that we very quickly become a slave to these things … and we don’t even see it coming. Choosing to “downsize” our lives – physically, emotionally, and socially … and to give up the boundaries of what society deems the “norm” … for a life filled with a focus on Jesus and His ministries represents incredible freedom.
“But I’ve got friends!” you may say … or “What about my obligations? I have football practice and ‘Mommy and Me’ play dates and golf games or poker night …or Bunco!” or “If I spend time with my friends and take care of myself and go to school/work/club meetings, there’s not a spare minute left for anything else.” The truth is, we have become slaves to a lot of what we do presently, and “letting go and letting God” have control would be liberating in ways we can’t even imagine.
I pray that today you will take a long, hard look at your life. What has enslaved you … social commitments, “stuff”, friends who are dragging you down, an addiction of some sort … even to seemingly “good” things like exercise or a hobby? What do you need to unload in favor of more time for the “good stuff” of Jesus? Where do you need to liberate yourself to make room for Him to work?
©2010 Debbie Robus
That is how it is with you, my friends. You are now part of the body of Christ and are dead to the power of the Law. You are free to belong to Christ, who was raised to life so that we could serve God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was no different from any other new college graduate. I had my sights set on getting a job, having a great place to live, and being able to afford “things.” I guess I didn’t realize that teachers are not the wealthiest professionals on the planet! But it didn’t take long before we realized that “things” were not making us happy. What truly mattered were our relationships – with others, with each other … and with God.
So we formulated a plan to “downsize” from a 1900+-square-foot, 2-bedroom house and pool to just over 1100 square feet and one bathroom! We cleaned out closets and the attic, and we had a huge garage sale and sold everything that wouldn’t fit in our “new” little house and lifestyle. In our new business venture, we helped recreational vehicle travelers (RVers) find work while they traversed North America … funding their adventures on wheels by taking jobs along the way. Many of these people sold pretty much everything they owned - lock, stock, and barrel - crawled into a tiny home on wheels and took to the road. Can I tell you something? These were some of the happiest people we’ve ever met.
Additionally, the “less is more” concept was very liberating for us, too. We’ve found that living in a small town with no malls and large department stores means we often “make do” with what we have – or can access locally – and we don’t even think about the other things. We have more time and energy to focus on things that really matter … our family and friends, ministries of our church and community, and more.
Life as a Christian is not restrictive. New life in Christ represents freedom … to serve Him in ways great and small, to focus on what is really important – and who truly matters. A life filled with good food, parties, fun times and “stuff” may seem like the high life. But I can tell you with complete certainty that we very quickly become a slave to these things … and we don’t even see it coming. Choosing to “downsize” our lives – physically, emotionally, and socially … and to give up the boundaries of what society deems the “norm” … for a life filled with a focus on Jesus and His ministries represents incredible freedom.
“But I’ve got friends!” you may say … or “What about my obligations? I have football practice and ‘Mommy and Me’ play dates and golf games or poker night …or Bunco!” or “If I spend time with my friends and take care of myself and go to school/work/club meetings, there’s not a spare minute left for anything else.” The truth is, we have become slaves to a lot of what we do presently, and “letting go and letting God” have control would be liberating in ways we can’t even imagine.
I pray that today you will take a long, hard look at your life. What has enslaved you … social commitments, “stuff”, friends who are dragging you down, an addiction of some sort … even to seemingly “good” things like exercise or a hobby? What do you need to unload in favor of more time for the “good stuff” of Jesus? Where do you need to liberate yourself to make room for Him to work?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 29, 2010
Matthew 5:7
God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I believe that mercy is one of the hardest traits for us to cultivate. When someone is in your face, or you feel you have been mistreated or betrayed, it’s hard to feel mercy toward them. When you see someone who is behaving in an inappropriate manner or choosing a lifestyle that you feel is wrong for them, it’s sometimes hard to show unconditional love. When a friend “borrows” something from you and never pays it back – even acts like it never happened – it’s hard to feel generous toward that person again. When your phone calls go unanswered or aren’t returned, and then the person acts like you just spoke the next time he/she sees you, it’s a challenge to be civil sometimes … much less kind.
What we have to realize is that we do these sorts of things to Jesus every single day. We lie, cheat and steal from Him. We are willing to take and take from Jesus, but we have little time and service for His children in return. We choose behaviors and lifestyles that absolutely make Him crazy. We go days/weeks/months without talking to our Heavenly Father … much less listening. Then we expect Him to love us anyway and welcome us back with open arms when we realize our mistakes.
We are more than willing to receive Jesus’ grace and mercy … but are we offering the same to others? The Bible is very clear that God blesses those who are merciful … and He treats them with mercy. I don’t know about you, but I really, really want and need Jesus’ mercy. I am betting a lot of other people do, too. If showing mercy to others is the ticket, then I am there … are you? If calling on Jesus to give me strength and courage to be gracious and merciful toward those who I may not feel deserve it, I am more than happy to do so. If showing mercy to others will draw me closer to Christ, I am so willing to do whatever it takes.
I pray that we will ask God to grant us the strength and courage, kindness and compassion to be merciful toward others … and in the bargain, to gain His favor and mercy. I pray that we will not show mercy merely to receive mercy for ourselves … but because this brings us closer to Jesus and demonstrates that we truly are becoming His disciples. I pray that we will feel the power of the Holy Spirit and truly want to share His mercy with others. Being merciful isn’t always easy – or even popular – but it’s so worth our effort. Where has God granted you mercy today… and where can you show mercy to others?
©2010 Debbie Robus
God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I believe that mercy is one of the hardest traits for us to cultivate. When someone is in your face, or you feel you have been mistreated or betrayed, it’s hard to feel mercy toward them. When you see someone who is behaving in an inappropriate manner or choosing a lifestyle that you feel is wrong for them, it’s sometimes hard to show unconditional love. When a friend “borrows” something from you and never pays it back – even acts like it never happened – it’s hard to feel generous toward that person again. When your phone calls go unanswered or aren’t returned, and then the person acts like you just spoke the next time he/she sees you, it’s a challenge to be civil sometimes … much less kind.
What we have to realize is that we do these sorts of things to Jesus every single day. We lie, cheat and steal from Him. We are willing to take and take from Jesus, but we have little time and service for His children in return. We choose behaviors and lifestyles that absolutely make Him crazy. We go days/weeks/months without talking to our Heavenly Father … much less listening. Then we expect Him to love us anyway and welcome us back with open arms when we realize our mistakes.
We are more than willing to receive Jesus’ grace and mercy … but are we offering the same to others? The Bible is very clear that God blesses those who are merciful … and He treats them with mercy. I don’t know about you, but I really, really want and need Jesus’ mercy. I am betting a lot of other people do, too. If showing mercy to others is the ticket, then I am there … are you? If calling on Jesus to give me strength and courage to be gracious and merciful toward those who I may not feel deserve it, I am more than happy to do so. If showing mercy to others will draw me closer to Christ, I am so willing to do whatever it takes.
I pray that we will ask God to grant us the strength and courage, kindness and compassion to be merciful toward others … and in the bargain, to gain His favor and mercy. I pray that we will not show mercy merely to receive mercy for ourselves … but because this brings us closer to Jesus and demonstrates that we truly are becoming His disciples. I pray that we will feel the power of the Holy Spirit and truly want to share His mercy with others. Being merciful isn’t always easy – or even popular – but it’s so worth our effort. Where has God granted you mercy today… and where can you show mercy to others?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)