Daily Devotional for December 20, 2016

Proverbs 11:24-25
It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The latest issue of our county’s historical journal has a reprint of an article that features my Mam-ma Polly.  The story was written by our dear friend Merrellyn, who was Mam-ma’s neighbor in the last 2 decades of her life. Merrellyn peppered the article with Mam-ma’s recollections of her childhood, as well as some interesting experiences from her adult life.  She notes how hard that she and her siblings worked to help my great-grandmother with chores…and that she did not have a home with electricity until 1938 - six years after she and my grandfather married. My dad was two by then. I cannot imagine life with a toddler and no electricity…can you?

I’ve said many times that I always thought my grandparents were rich…because they were always sharing SOMETHING with someone else.  By the same token, I grew up hearing about a few people in our community who legitimately were financially able to do a lot of good things for many people…but they were so attached to their money and possessions that they could not bear to think of parting with any of them – even for a “good” cause.  And when I thought of these people, they seemed lonely, bitter, and sad.

I’ve known more than a few people who isolated themselves and “hid their light under a barrel”…and when the time came that they were in need, there were few people who were even aware of them enough to step forward and help.  On the other hand, I’ve known people who gave generously of their time, energy and whatever they had to any and all who required what they had to offer…and there was practically a line around the block to help them whenever they needed assistance.

I’ve attended funerals for people who were virtually penniless…yet they gave all they could and lived a “rich,” full life filled with service, love and joy.  And I’ve attended services for some who lived such stingy, self-absorbed lives that barely a dozen people showed up to pay their respects.  I’m not saying that this is always how the equation works.  I’m sure there have been mitigating circumstances, and generous people who were neglected or “flew under the radar.”  I know there were probably some selfish folks who appeared to have a bevy of friends and people who cared about them in spite of their egocentric nature.  But Scripture tells us in Galatians 6:7 that “…a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!”

The goal is not to die surrounded by people who care and sing your praises…or those who will note how “rich” you were.  The aim should be to serve God with everything we have…because it ALL ultimately belongs to Him in the first place.  The rewards and blessings that come from giving are a nice byproduct - a bonus, if you will!  God does not bless us so that we can become self-centered hoarders of our time, talents and money.  He showers us with abundance so that we can share with others in the name of Jesus.  We can all do better at this.

My challenge today is that we all take inventory of our lives and see where we could “share the wealth” a little more - and glorify God in the process.  Are you willing to take a closer look?  Isn’t this the perfect week to do so?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 1, 2016

Acts 20:32-35
I now place you in God’s care. Remember the message about his great kindness! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God’s people. I have never wanted anyone’s money or clothes. You know how I have worked with my own hands to make a living for myself and my friends. By everything I did, I showed how you should work to help everyone who is weak. Remember that our Lord Jesus said, “More blessings come from giving than from receiving.”

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

There is a little girl in my Sunday school class who went to a local bank today to see Santa. She and her little brother had their photo made with Santa.  The little girl’s mother posted on Facebook that “Julia has been so worried that everyone just asks Santa for presents and never asks what he wants. Julia did not ask for anything. She just asked Santa what he wanted.”  I would say that Julia is well on her way to developing a giving spirit!

There is nothing wrong with children sitting on Santa’s lap and telling him what they want for Christmas.  But too many of us have cultivated the “what’s-in-it-for-ME?” attitude to the point that it has become second nature to us. Everything we say and do is framed in this context.  We are envious of others…we fight to “keep up with the neighbors”…and some of us would step over our own family members to make an extra buck to acquire more “stuff.”

I grew up in an atmosphere of giving.  I watched my Mam-ma Polly give out of her abundance more times than I can count.  And let me be clear…my grandparents were NOT rich!  I thought they were when I was little, because they were ALWAYS giving something to someone.  Not until I was an adult did I realize how little they had…and how much they gave.  And it served them well.  My Mam-ma was one of the most loved women I’ve ever known.  And she was revered for her generous spirit.

Don’t misunderstand me…we don’t give so others will think we are wonderful.  We give because Jesus commanded us to do this…to meet the needs of others and think of these ahead of our own.  God has already given us Jesus and more than we ever could deserve.  The fact that He also blesses us with love and abundance because of our own generosity toward others is merely a nice side benefit.

Look around…especially this holiday season.  Who is in need…of a hug, a card, a bag of cookies or candy, a warm coat, a few bucks, a sack of groceries, a helping hand, a ride, or a few words of encouragement?  Who needs to know that you care…in whatever form that may take?  Who needs to see Jesus in the words and actions that you provide?  Who will be the catalyst for blessings you cannot even imagine, as you yield to Jesus’ command and “work to help everyone who is weak?”

Isn’t it time you asked someone else what they wanted – even Santa?  Will this be the day that you get started?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 22, 2015

Leviticus 19:19-10
“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.'"

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

More than once, I’ve observed a child play with more toys than he/she could possibly use.  But if you asked him/her, “Are you using that?” or “Are you about done with ABC?”…the child would say, “I need ALL of this!”  When kids are little, we try to teach them not to “hog” all of the toys…to leave something for their siblings, friends, or classmates.  But somehow, as we grow up, this concept often flies right out the window.  We pretty much want it all – even the excess – and we’ll do just about anything to make that happen! 

We want all of our money…we don’t want to share any with the poor or needy, and we grumble about paying taxes and charitable giving.  Woe to the person who asks us for a few bucks to help XYZ!  We pile our plates high with food and think nothing of leaving half of it to be thrown out…but we give little or no thought to feeding the hungry among us.

We are territorial…it is our land…our “stuff”…our country…and we don’t want to share even a postage-stamp-sized corner of it with anyone else!  Even worse is how greedy and selfish we are with our church.  We don’t want anyone moving in on our territory there, either…from our “positions” of leadership and participation to our friendships with fellow members.  We greet those we know and love on Sunday mornings…and have nothing left for a stranger or visitor.

There is a lot of “meat” in this scripture passage from Leviticus about how we operate in greed and selfishness…often without even thinking.  Let’s take some time today to examine our hearts and minds and see where we operate in excess.  Ask yourself where you might be stockpiling more than you need with no consideration of the person who could really use it…everything from tangible possessions to a friendly smile. 

God has blessed us with such abundance.  There is no need to be stingy!  How we treat these gifts speaks volumes about our faith.  This greatly defines our relationship with God and demonstrates our confidence that His love is for EVERYONE…and that He will always meet our every need. 

What are your attitudes and behaviors saying to others – and to God – about your Christian faith?  Are you ready to leave some of the “gleanings of your harvest” for someone else?  Don't you think it's time you did?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 4, 2015

2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.

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 wrote a post for one of my blogs in which I used the analogy of a mole that sits atop my left foot.  The “birth mark” is about a quarter inch in diameter…but for my entire childhood, it was an embarrassment to me…something I made conscious efforts to hide as much as possible.  I know…it was ridiculous…but not all that uncommon.  I would venture to say that we all have things about ourselves that we do not like and/or wish did not exist or were not part of our “makeup.”

My brother had a much larger birthmark…on his backside.  I honestly cannot remember which "cheek"…and of course, his “mole” was easy to conceal!  But it was there, all the same.  And my point is that we all have something…whether others see it and/or know about it or not. To every sinner who has asked Jesus to forgive them and dwell in their heart, this merciful gift  of Salvation has been granted. And as this scripture translation states, we’re all in the same boat!

The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus died for each of us, so that we could all be in HIS boat.  If you could take every person in Jesus’ boat, strip him/her down, x-ray inside and examine the mind and heart, you would find all sizes, shapes and colors of “moles and warts!”  The only One in the boat who is blemish free would be Jesus…and yet, He welcomes each of us to share His “boat!”

This is amazing, incredible fact should be the impetus for us to get over ourselves and live for Jesus!  And it’s exactly what Paul calls us to do in this passage.  When we are “in Jesus’ boat” and make Him the central focus of our lives, our “moles and warts” disappear for all intents and purposes.  We are free to live, love, and serve in the name of Jesus. We are unencumbered by the frustrations – and even the shame or embarrassment – of our own imperfections…because the attention is no longer on us. 

Live in Jesus – and FOR Him – a “far better life” than you can ever live on your own.  Make Him the focus, and take the spotlight off of yourself.  Let His love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy cover your sins, warts, moles, and blemishes.  Don’t wait another minute!  Jump  over into Jesus’ boat…He has a spot there with your name on it! 

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 1, 2015

1 John 2:15-17
Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

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 once worked with a woman whose cousin was killed in a car accident.  When she went to visit the family, the widow was sitting on a couch with her head in her hands.  She tearfully told this woman, “He was going to buy me a fur coat!”  I cannot express how this made the cousin feel.  But before you cluck your tongue and declare this widow to be so horrible, consider that each of us has a “fur coat moment”…probably more often than we realize.

The problem is, we make things all about us…what we want…what we think we need…whether or not we feel validated and important.  And in the process, we totally leave God out of the equation.  There is a saying that no one ever said on his/her death bed, “I wish I had spent more time in the office.”  We could add to this…”No one ever said on his/her death bed, ‘I wish I had one more car, piece of jewelry, electronic gadget, or trophy.’”

Too often, we are so busy loving the world and its goods that we truly do squeeze out love for God.  And even those with what seem to be the best of intentions may be doing this in ways that are not readily recognized. We all pretty well “get it” about selfish desires for possessions, positions and personal desires.  But things like signing up to serve on every committee and attend every group or mission that your church sponsors may not include God, either. 

How can this be?  Clearly, God has a plan for each of us…things that He wants us to do to honor and glorify Him.  Just because you are “all in” with church or civic activities…or you are running here and there doing things for your family doesn’t mean that God commissioned you to participate in all of these activities.  Whether we realize it or not, too many people are overly-involved so that others will say, “I don’t know how he/she does it all!”  And this isolates us from God.

So the challenge for each of us today is to sit quietly and evaluate who we are, what we are doing, and where we are headed.  Are we listening for God’s voice?  Is He guiding our steps and showing us how and where to serve?  Are we carefully considering how God feels about every aspect of our lives…from our possessions to how we spend our time, talents and money to those who are in our circle of friends and associates?  Are we seeking HIS approval – or the world’s?  And are we ready to change any and all of this to put Him front and center in our lives? 

Are we living in the world of “fur coats”, mortal accolades and appreciation, and the immediate future…or are we focused on Eternity and how we will account for ourselves when we get to Heaven?  Who DO we love…the world – or God?  It’s time we figured this out, once and for all.   

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 23, 2015

Psalms 80:1
O Shepherd of Israel who leads Israel like a flock; O God enthroned above the Guardian Angels, bend down your ear and listen as I plead. Display your power and radiant glory.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

How often do you plead with God about something?  If you are like most people, the answer is…”Pretty often!”  Now here’s the bigger question…how often do you trust Him to answer?  I mean REALLY BELIEVE that God will hear your prayer and act on it.  Notice I didn’t say that He will hear and do whatever you asked…because often what we ask for is not what is really needed.

I don’t think I am all that different from a lot of people, and I know that there have been many times that I begged and pleaded with God to DO SOMETHING (translation: make this work out like I want it to, LORD!)…but I didn’t really expect any results.

The time has come for us to stop offering hollow prayers.  God may not answer us immediately…or in the way that we expect or desire…but He will answer.  He does hear us, and if we earnestly call on Him to display His power and radiant glory, He will do so!

I am learning to talk to God about everything…to give Him my burdens and my desires…and to WAIT on Him to answer.  I know that He will…and that He will answer YOU, also.  Are you ready to pray expectantly - with faith and intention…or will you just keep telling God your problems and hoping He fixes them?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 16, 2015

Mark 11:22-25
Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”

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.

Sunday in the church nursery, an almost 2-year-old named Stella lost her shoe.  I retrieved the sandal and handed it to her.  She wanted to put it on by herself.  There was an ankle strap with a buckle, and she fussed at me as I took the shoe from her to unfasten the buckle.  When I tried to help her put it on her foot, she would kick and squeal. 

This little red-headed “ginger snap” got so frustrated as she worked to put on her shoe…but she would not accept any help in buckling the strap or getting it on correctly.  She finally just walked around with one shoe on and the other foot bare!  She would rather do that than allow someone to help her…to trust that we grownups knew more than she did about how the shoe should go on her foot and fasten!

Stella will figure it out.  But when it comes to our prayer life and faith in God, a lot of us are still walking around wearing only one shoe!  We still don’t fully understand that we need to pray about everything…and believe that God hears us and answers.  Does this mean that we will all drive Maseratis and be dripping in diamonds and furs…that we will never have to work another day in our lives and God will make every single second hunky-dory forever, just because we asked Him to do so?  Absolutely not!

What this scripture tells us is that God will meet all of our needs…all the time and in every way.  It also tells us that God knows what these needs are…and how best to meet them.  So when we pray and ask God for help and guidance, we can relax and rest in the confidence that He will answer… that whatever He gives us will be perfect.  So if you tell God you need a car to get to school or work or wherever, and He provides you with a clunker that looks horrible but runs fine, you can trust that this is what you need to be driving.

If you ask God to bring you a soulmate, and the person who comes into your life doesn’t exactly look like a model from the pages of Victoria’s Secret or one of the men in GQ Magazine - but he/she loves Jesus and treats you royally – consider that God has chosen the perfect companion for you, based on His plans and not your selfish desires.  When troubles come and you ask God to help you through them…yet the road is rough and rocky…don’t ask “Why me, LORD?” Instead, ask, “What are You showing me?  How do You want me to handle this?  How can I glorify You in my reactions and responses?”

It’s time for us to accept God’s help…to trust His answers…and to let Him show us how to “put on the other shoe” and live fully in His plans and abundance.  This seems like a pretty good day to get started…wouldn’t you agree?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 24, 2015

Jeremiah 22:15-16
But a beautiful palace does not make a great king! Why did your father Josiah reign so long? Because he was just and fair in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him. He saw to it that justice and help were given the poor and the needy and all went well for him. This is how a man lives close to God.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

A friend and I were recently discussing how we Christians treat others…and how our words and actions are perceived by those in our midst.  We both acknowledged firsthand acquaintance with more than one person who appears to “have it all”…yet they seem about as spiritually empty as one can get. When you examine how these folks treat others, it’s not a stretch to explain the correlation.

Let’s be honest… when “it’s all about me”…it’s not about God.  When you are “in it”…meaning life, your business, personal relationships - or whatever thoughts and activities fill your day – for the sheer purpose of what YOU can gain or how YOU can benefit…there isn’t much - if any - room for God or others.

This is not about wealth, money or power…because I know people with plenty of all three who still manage to keep the balance.  They fully utilize their “blessings” to serve God.  Their first step is to ask Him, “What should I do for YOU today?”…and they plot their course accordingly.  There are others who focus totally on their own gain.  By all appearances, these people may be highly successful.  But if you study the whole of their lives, I bet you will find that they truly are anything BUT close to God.

Understand what I am saying…you cannot “have it all” until you step outside of your SELF and focus on God.  HE gave us every blessing that we enjoy!  Our job is to be good stewards of these gifts.  My challenge is that we examine our priorities – and our hearts.  This is not about the quantity in our lives…but rather, the quality of our choices and actions with regard to what we have been given. The goal is to draw close to God…to find Him in our daily living and keep Him near to us at all times.  In order to do this, we have to stay busy thinking about God and others…and forgetting ourselves. 

Do you feel close to God?  Is it all about you – or Him?  Is it time to shift your focus?  Will this be the day that you begin?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 13, 2014

Hebrews 12:14-17
Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
 
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.
 
In Genesis 25 the story of the “Esau syndrome” is explained.  Esau was the firstborn son of Isaac.  One day he came in from the fields, and found his younger twin brother, Jacob, cooking a big stew.  Esau was starving, and he asked for a serving.  I don’t know if Jacob was teasing him at first, or if he was truly serious…but he basically said to Esau, “I’ll give you a bowl of stew in exchange for your rights as the firstborn.”  And Esau said, “Okay!”  In other words, Esau traded his lifelong heritage and the blessings that God and Isaac intended to be his for a belly full of food that satisfied an immediate appetite.
 
When we picked Timothy and Zola up after Sunday school yesterday, Timothy’s teacher handed him an empty toilet paper roll covered in cotton balls and said, “Don’t forget your ‘Esau arm’!”  All the way to the car, Timothy told his Uncle Greg, “Jacob LIED to his father!  He LIED!  We aren’t supposed to LIE!”  The Sunday school lesson had come from Genesis 27… a further development in the “Jacob and Esau saga”.  You should read the whole story for yourself, but here’s a quick synopsis.  Esau was a very hairy redhead.  Scripture doesn’t fully describe Jacob’s appearance, but it is assumed that he looked nothing like Esau.
 
Isaac was old, blind and dying, and he had told Esau that he would bless him and his future.  Scripture indicates that Isaac was partial to Esau.  Jacob and his mother Rebekah were jealous of this, and they concocted a scheme to cover Jacob’s arms in animal fur, so that he would feel and smell like Esau.  He would then go to Isaac and ask for the blessing, and Isaac would give it – thinking he was giving this sacred sign to Esau. Pick up your Bible and read the rest of the story to get a full account…but let’s just say that Jacob got himself into a huge heap of trouble!
 
This story made a big impact on Timothy.  He was very impressed with his “hairy arm”…and even more affected by the message that lying is NOT a good thing!  I am not sure that this lesson for 4-year-olds fully explored trading God’s lifelong gift for a short-term appetite…but the seeds were planted for learning more about this at a future date.  But it is most certainly time for us to understand this lesson and get the whole picture!
 
Here’s the thing…we cannot make ourselves look better in God’s eyes than the next guy.  All we do is end up hurting ourselves and others in the process.  Sibling rivalry is as old as Cain and Abel…and jealousy and the desire to satisfy human appetites is documented in the Garden of Eden!  Because of the devil and his power, we are vulnerable to sin…we lie, cheat, gossip, get caught up in jealousies, bicker, and plot “evil” against others in the form of deceptions – and even retributions. These are often the “weeds” in the “garden” that is our life.   But this is not God’s desire for us…and in Jesus, we find the perfect role model for how to treat others, regardless of our circumstances.
 
Every time I read the account of Jesus’ trial before the Romans and Pontius Pilate and the horrific beating He endured before a single nail was ever pounded into His flesh, I am reminded that the “indignities” and insults we experience are nothing by comparison.  And yet, Jesus did not retaliate – although He surely could have!  Instead, Jesus forgave…thieves on the cross, Roman soldiers who mocked Him…and ultimately, you and me!
 
I have to say, that little cardboard toilet paper roll with cotton balls made an impact on me, too.  I will think of it when I think about how I treat others…how I react – and respond – to them.  I will remind myself of the “Esau syndrome” and the “Esau arm”…and I will ask myself, “What would Jesus do?”  I so want to get at least a glimpse of God face-to-face someday… and the Bible tells me this is an important part of how it’s done!  Will you remember the “hairy arm” of Esau…and the compassion, grace and mercy of Jesus?  Will you choose the latter as your model for daily living?  Shouldn’t you?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 11, 2014

1 Corinthians 12:25-26
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.
 
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.
 
A couple of times in the past week, our cat Mabel had a problem with one of her front paws.  We don’t know what was wrong. Greg examined her and pressed on the foot, but he found no cuts, swelling, or abrasions.  He had to press really hard to find the truly sore spot… still, Mabel limped terribly sometimes.  Then she would go a day or two and be just fine.  It’s a mystery to us, and we are watching her closely.
 
When Mabel limped through the house, she didn’t appear to be in any real pain, but we were pained just to observe her in this condition.  Even when our pets hurt, we hurt for them.  When they feel poorly, we are not 100% up to snuff.  It’s the same when either one of us isn’t well or has something that is bothersome…the other feels it, too. When a spouse, a child or another family member is ill or upset, these things generally affect everyone in the family.
 
What about our “church family”…or our friends, co-workers, and distant relatives…are we as tenderhearted toward people who are outside our “inner circle”?  Do we grieve and mourn with others who suffer loss?  Are we genuinely concerned about those who are sick or in need?  Do we celebrate victories and happy occasions other than our own?  Are we truly engaged in the work of sharing compassion, as Jesus modeled, or are we more interested in what is in it for us personally?
 
The life of a Christian is a delicate balance…and yes, this often requires a little effort on our part.  We have to prioritize…but we also have to be flexible.  We must make time for ourselves and our desires…but we must not get so caught up in our own little world that we neglect to notice the needs of someone else until the cat comes limping across the floor!
 
Where are you in this picture?  Are you holding up your end of the bargain as a Christian disciple?  Are you involved in the hurts – and the healings – of the other “parts” of Christ’s body?  Is your life in balance, with plenty of time for yourself AND for others?  Do you need to spend some time in prayer and consideration of this delicate harmony and God’s design for your role in it?  Wouldn’t today be the perfect time to begin?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 8, 2014

Matthew 14:13-14
As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
I’ve got a news flash…it’s not all about YOU!  “It” is also not all about me or anyone else.  I get it…we’re all busy.  We all have things we would like to do with our lives – or even a spare hour or two.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying a hobby…working hard at your job or something that interests you… or spending time watching your favorite programs or movies and having some “couch potato” time.  God wants us to enjoy our lives. At the same time, we have been called to serve as Disciples of Christ.  This means we must model His behavior and the examples that He provided for us.  And the one documented in these scriptures leaves no room for doubt about what we are to do when we see a need.
 
Jesus had just heard about the beheading…yes, beheading…of His beloved cousin, John the Baptist.  He was understandably grief-stricken…disheartened...and weary.  He simply needed to be alone.  Haven’t you felt that way at one time or another?  All you needed was a few minutes, an hour, or a day to be alone…to pour out your heart to God…to cry, rage, kick and scream, if need be…to process all that has happened and come to terms with your feelings.  Remember, Jesus came to earth as a human being…His emotions were real – even raw.  He needed “alone time” with God, just like we do.
 
Still, when the crowds pursued Him…when He learned of a need…Jesus set aside His own agenda and went to the people.  He healed the sick…He comforted those who were hurting…He ministered to each person in His midst and put their concerns ahead of His own.  And He gave us an example to follow.
 
Trust me…I know how hard this can be.  I have grumbled (even if only inwardly) as I trudged off to help someone with something that interrupted my plans.  I have dragged myself to funerals, nursing home visits, events that were more important to someone else than they were to me, errands, and more.  I have had to force myself to sit at the desk and write a get-well or sympathy card…or to offer to help someone out when I really wanted to keep my mouth shut and do something that was more enjoyable.  We all probably secretly wish that people could get sick and die on OUR schedule…that we could pencil them in on a day when sitting at the hospital, babysitting, rescuing someone whose car broke down or they locked themselves out of the house or vehicle…even running an errand or working a funeral into our morning or afternoon…was more “convenient”.  If you want to pretend you don’t feel this way… go right ahead. I’m just being real here!
 
But then I stopped and asked myself… “What if I went to God with a need or concern, and He was too busy to answer or help me?”  What if God said to us, “I’ll get back to you…I’m in the middle of a good book this afternoon”, or “I don’t have time today…maybe tomorrow”, or even “I know you need me, but I am really just not ‘up for it’.  Maybe someone else will step up and help you.”  Can you imagine how hurtful this would be?  Do you think you would want a relationship with God if He was only available when it was convenient for Him or piqued His interest in some manner?  Who wants a relationship with anyone...much less a God…who is so selfish and unloving?
 
Tell me what, exactly, is so important in your own life that you cannot find time and energy to help someone else!  Truly, God has a full plate.  He is the only One who could genuinely say, “I don’t have time for that today” or “I’m simply ‘not in the mood’ to help.” Yet God is the very One who will never say this!  We need to ask ourselves… are we really interested in serving Jesus – and serving others in His name?  Or is it simply all about us?  Maybe it’s time we all re-evaluated our level of Christian compassion…and made some much-needed adjustments.  Isn’t today a great day to get started?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 2, 2014

Luke 22:27-30
“Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You’d rather eat and be served, right? But I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves. And you’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. Now I confer on you the royal authority my Father conferred on me so you can eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and be strengthened as you take up responsibilities among the congregations of God’s people.
 
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.
 
A Facebook friend posted a link to an article about basketball legend Michael Jordan, written last year for ESPN’s Outside the Lines by Wright Thompson.  “Michael Jordan Has Not Left the Building” is a sad, yet compelling commentary on the life of a 50-year-old athlete who has acquired much wealth and fame… but possibly lost his true identity and peace in the bargain. Thompson tells of the mega-millions Jordan has acquired as an athlete, and as a businessman off the court.  He speaks of a failed marriage…a time when life was much simpler for Jordan…the death of MJ’s father… and his engagement to 34-year-old Yvette Prieto.  And he documents what Michael Jordan himself admits is an incredibly huge ego.
 
Jordan talks about going to Florida to visit Yvette’s Cuban family.  He notes how simple a meal at their house was… how her grandparents speak little English and do not know much about basketball… and how this visit reminded him of his youth in Wilmington, North Carolina.  He told Thompson that “My ego is so big now that I expect certain things.”* And that’s the trouble with a lot of us.  We’re not Michael Jordan, of course… but like him, we have attached so much imaginary importance to ourselves that we have totally lost our grip on what truly matters.
 
“When is it my turn?”…”What about me and what I want/need?”…”How could this happen to me?”…”Who will take care of me?”…all of these are questions many of us voice on a regular basis.  Our concern is not with how we can help others, because we are too caught up in our own agendas and “What’s in it for me?” to consider being a true servant.  And yet, the greatest “celebrity” of all… the One who truly had every right to be revered and respected… and placed on a pedestal like we tend to do for modern-day athletes and others – chose to live among us as one who serves.  Jesus Christ modeled perfectly how we are supposed to conduct our lives.  Any wealth and blessings we are allowed should be used to fuel and energize our efforts to serve others in His name.
 
In his article, Thompson tells of an employee who found letters that Michael Jordan wrote to his parents while he was a student at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington.  The employee was astonished at how “normal” Jordan seemed… how he talked of campus life, food in the cafeteria… and how he always needed money.  One letter ended with a request for his parents to “please send stamps.”  I have to tell you… the overall tone of this article was that of a man who “has it all”… yet has very little.  The writer paints a picture of a life that seems empty…sad…and lacking in purpose.  Jordan tells him that the simpler time of life in Wilmington is gone, and he cannot get it back… that now he expects certain things that he did not require before.
 
Does this describe you?  Have you become so wrapped up in your own desires and “needs” that you fail to think of others?  Have you become a dinner guest at the table who demands to be served and never offers to take a turn at extending assistance or attention to others? How are we using God’s gifts?  Are we building our egos and amassing “wealth” and attention… and losing our heart and soul in the bargain?  Or are we learning from Jesus’ example and truly taking up the responsibilities among God’s people… and serving in His name?
 
Have we, like Michael Jordan, become so caught up in our own story that we have failed to recognize the other guy’s narrative?  Is life so complicated and out-of-control that we cannot even recognize that sometimes, all someone really needs is a word of encouragement… and maybe some stamps?  Isn’t it time we regained our focus?  Will this be the day that you set aside your own requests and yearnings to serve someone else?  Will you be “the one who eats the dinner”… or the one who serves it?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus
 
* http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/page/Michael-Jordan/michael-jordan-not-left-building

Daily Devotional for October 3, 2013

Matthew 7:1-5
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own.  Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
 
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.
 
This morning, Greg and his mother and I attended a 50th anniversary celebration of the dedication of Greers Ferry Dam, which was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy on October 3, 1963.  Today’s keynote speaker was President Bill Clinton, who reminded us of President Kennedy’s remarks and the world events of that era.  He noted the civil rights struggle and how Arkansas’ own governor disagreed with President Kennedy in this matter… that our country was just beginning to emerge from the effects of wars and global conflicts…and how there was a struggle in our country over voter rights. He also cited a famous speech by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in which Dr. King reminded all of us to… “Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.”  In other words, President Clinton used Dr. King’s words and those of President Kennedy to encourage us to set aside our personal affronts and differences, and reach out a hand to one another… to work together for a better future.
 
There is no room in this admonition for us to pick on one another… to argue and dole out blame.  This is not just the wise caution of two former United States Presidents and a Nobel Peace Prize-winning clergyman and civil rights activist!  These are also the words of Jesus Christ, as He tells us clearly to take a long, hard look in the mirror before we choose to criticize or belittle someone else.  Jesus reminds us that we cannot call another person names, look down our nose at them, or demean them in anyway until we have become blameless, spotless, and inarguably perfect in every way!  Can I tell you something?  This will never happen!
 
We do have a choice.  We can remain smug and find every possible reason to fail to get along.  We can be critical and self-serving and find faults in others left and right.  We can neglect to make any progress… and create a pretty sad legacy for future generations.  Or we can heed the suggestions offered today in President Clinton’s remarks and this scripture passage… we can take the focus off of ourselves and our own agendas and find a way to get along.  We don’t always have to agree.  We don’t always have to be right.  We just have to find a way to work together and make forward progress.
 
Our focus should not be on “us versus them”.  Instead, we should be asking at every turn, “How does God want me to work with others for His purposes?”  What does He desire that we build together?  How does God want me to set aside my desires and differences for the greater good of His kingdom – and others?  It’s simply not about you… or me!  And the sooner we quit griping and complaining about the other guy and work on our own shortcomings… the sooner we stop being so critical of others and start looking for positives…the sooner we take the focus off of ourselves and put it where it belongs - on God and His plans and desires - the sooner things will improve on all fronts.
 
The choice is ours… the next move depends on us.  How will you decide?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 1, 2013

Matthew 6:1
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.”
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
On August 21, 2013, a New York City cab jumped the sidewalk and plowed into a cyclist, then hit British tourist Siân Green and severed her leg.  People in the area sprang into action, including a plumber named David Justino, who removed his belt and applied it to the leg as a tourniquet. Max Crespo, a food vendor brought ice and packed the severed limb, and an unnamed nurse guided all of the life-saving efforts.  The story gained national attention when celebrity physician Mehmet Oz emerged from his office across the street to offer his assistance.  If you GOOGLE this story, you will see that several of the heroes in this story are named… Justino and Crespo are among them.  Of course, onlookers readily recognized Dr. Oz.  The nurse did not give her name, and I am not sure whether she has ever come forth.  As I write this devotional, there is an ad running on television for an upcoming Dr. Oz Show episode that will feature Siân Green and some of her “heroes”.
 
There are countless events in our world every day where people rush to make a difference in the lives of others.  And in Dr. Oz’ defense, he cannot help that he is widely recognized.  It might seem like he is exploiting this event.  And in the eyes of some… maybe he is.  But I visited Dr. Oz’ blog and learned more about “Plumber Dave” (as some have dubbed him) and the other unsung heroes of this tragedy, and Dr. Oz appears to be giving them all the credit for saving the life of Siân Green.
 
Imagine if every time your doctor saved a life, he/she called a news conference!  What if you put out a notice on social media every time you helped a neighbor, bought someone’s meal in the drive-thru line, or sent a note of appreciation to someone who had touched your life in some manner?  Would your efforts appear to be genuine and offered out of true discipleship and service?  Or would stroking your ego seem to be the driving force behind them?
 
Ask yourself these simple questions… “Why am I doing XYZ?  Is it so people will notice me and be impressed?  Or is it because God has called me to serve Him by serving others… in whatever manner and format are appropriate at the time?”  Remind yourself that God does not applaud when you “toot your own horn”!  He does not reward ego and self-serving talk and actions.  Nothing about Christian discipleship is truly about us!
 
On Dr. Oz’ blog (http://blog.doctoroz.com/dr-oz-blog/our-common-kindness), he states…

Dave is an inspiration to me. His example reminds us all that we are not alone in moments of crisis. If you ever need proof of human goodness, remember the people who opened their doors or handed out free soup and sandwiches to people affected by Hurricane Sandy. Think of people who hurried to pull victims from the rubble after a building collapsed in Philadelphia in June. Look to the elementary school clerk who fearlessly talked down an armed shooter in Georgia before he could hurt a single student.
 
It can be easy to lose perspective as we find ourselves caught up in minor irritations and arguments throughout the day. But we must remember that when it comes down to it, kindness is our best defense against disaster, and absolutely no one is too ordinary to be a hero.

God wants us to be ordinary servants who do extraordinary things.  When we accept the challenges, He will provide us with opportunities…and bless us in ways we cannot even imagine.  But the choice is ours.  We can do what is asked of us with quiet humility and a spirit of servitude.  We can answer the call… and brag about it afterward.  Or we can do nothing and “let the chips fall where they may”.  How will you choose?  Your answer matters… maybe more than you think!  Is the world your “stage”… or are you quietly serving as a Christian disciple and basking in the applause of heaven?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 15, 2013

Galatians 6:7-8
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
There’s a new Sonic® commercial where two guys are sitting in the car, and one of them says that he woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, and the other guy says, “Tell me about it”… then proceeds to talk about something.  Guy #1 says, “Wait a minute!  You said ‘tell me about it,’ and then you didn’t give me a chance to tell you!”  Guy #2 says, “Man, you really did wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning!”  It’s a silly commercial… not as funny in my opinion as most by these two actors… but it does make a good point.
 
We are often so caught up in our own life that we really don’t give the other person a chance to “tell us about it.”  We ask people how they are doing as we pass them… but we certainly don’t intend for them to answer us - and we’re not about to stop what we are doing long enough to hear their answer!  We don’t notice that others have needs, because we are so busy whining and complaining about our own.  We can’t be bothered to help a friend, because we might have to give up or postpone something that we want to do for ourselves.  We’ll spend hours shopping online or in a store for just the right shoes, purses, golf clubs, hunting rifle, fishing pole, or outfit to wear to an event… but we can’t spend thirty minutes talking to a friend in need… much less take an hour or two on Sunday to attend a worship service.
 
We don’t stop to think how others are affected by our decisions because we are too busy worrying about whether or not we will be “fulfilled”, satisfied or happy with the choice.  I’m just as guilty as the rest of you… I have made my share of excuses when I didn’t want to do something.  But I have also done things I didn’t want to do because they were the right choice… like spend time taking my grandmother to events that didn’t interest me because she had no other way to get there and needed assistance getting around once there.  I don’t always want to bite my tongue when someone says something that I disagree with, even though I know to respond might start World War Three or destroy a friendship.  I have to consciously choose to pay the guy at the farmer’s market more than he is asking for his home-grown vegetables, even when it means I’m giving him the last of my change… or to tell the girl who sells me her daughters’ hand-me-downs that she is undercharging and give her extra money, even though she didn’t ask for it, and I could rightfully pay her pennies on the dollar.
 
The point is that we have choices.  We can choose to serve ourselves and always do what “feels good.”  Or we can ask, “Does this please God and honor my commitment to serve Him as a Christian disciple?” and choose to do what is right.  Sometimes, that choice actually feels good and serves us, whether we intended for it to do so or not.  Often, we get the bigger blessing when we make a hard choice.  Either way, we must deal with our decisions and face the results.
 
I don’t know what hard choices you are encountering.  I don’t know whether you are serving yourself more than you serve God and others… or if you have made a habit of living selflessly.  The balance can be delicate.  But if you will practice serving God and others first, you will find that you end up served in the bargain more often than not.  At the end of the day, God will be pleased with your decisions.  And that’s really all that matters.
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 26, 2013

Romans 14:17-18
God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around 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.
 
My mom posted on Facebook about a guest speaker at her church who admonished members not to glare at those who sat on “their” pew.  She went on to recall a man who did exactly this to our family one Sunday when we lived in Gore, Oklahoma.  Apparently everyone in the church congregation knew this was the man’s regular “spot” each Sunday… but we were clueless.  I double-checked with my mom… she says we moved - RIGHT AWAY!  She also says that the church members were not friendly… that for the six months or so that we lived in this town and attended church there, most did not ever introduce themselves, so we didn’t know their names.  She also recalls that she thought my Sunday school teacher was really nice… until she learned that the woman had gotten into a fight with another woman at the beauty shop…and hit her on the head and flattened her hair curlers!
 
Now you may be asking yourself what this all has to do with today’s scripture passage.  In the example of the man claiming a pew, I believe this is much like Biblical references to those who claimed that certain foods were “unclean” and should not be eaten.  It’s another case of imposing rules that take on a religious importance or significance… but God didn’t put any there!  They really have nothing to do with authentic service to Christ.  In fact, such “rules” can be quite disruptive and destructive.
 
As for the Sunday school teacher who fought at the beauty parlor and the unfriendly church members… neither of these behaviors were pleasing to God.  And by acting in this manner, these folks were discounting their faith to those around them.  Nobody wants what you are offering if you serve it up unkindly.  And those who focus on rituals and routines… or fail to exhibit the qualities and characteristics of Jesus and His love, grace and mercy… often negate their supposed “faith” and do far more harm than good!
 
Because we are human… and imperfect… we often find it easy to lose sight of what is important.  Our attention span is generally that of a gnat… and we fail to stay focused on Jesus – and to single-mindedly serve Him.  When this happens, things go haywire… God is not glorified… and peace is nowhere to be found.  Remember… people are watching.  They notice when you put things, traditions and personal agendas ahead of God.  They see how you play fast and loose with your faith and take the “it’s nobody else’s business” approach to your relationship with our Heavenly Father.  They take a long, hard look at your attitude that “I’m not hurting anyone… this is between God and me” and they wonder just how much you desire to walk in Jesus’ footsteps.  You may even cause them to question the motives and sincerity of Jesus himself!  Did He really mean it when He said He loves us?  Was His gentle care, grace and mercy for real?  Or would Jesus be first in line to glare at us from the end of a pew or smash our hair curlers when He didn’t like something we said or did?
 
At the end of the day, what matters is pretty simple… our relationship with Jesus Christ and how we serve Him.  If we let anything get in the way or take our focus off of Jesus, we are setting ourselves up to operate in chaos… and we are opening the door to offer a poor example of Christian faith to others.  Neither sounds peaceful… or desirable to me.  What about you?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 17, 2013

James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
Last night at our Vacation Bible School, my character had to “come clean” to the children and tell them that I had been lying for two nights.  I really do know Jesus, but I told them I’d only heard of him…because I was afraid if they knew the truth, they would not visit our marketplace and spend their dollars – much less like me and be my friend.  I had really talked poorly about the Apostle Paul, a visitor to Athens where “my” marketplace was located.  Now I confessed that everything I had said was a ruse… a selfish, insincere ploy on my part to “save my own hide” and keep my business afloat.  I asked the children to forgive me… and told them that I had already asked for – and received – forgiveness from Jesus.  So many people were being persecuted, I explained, because of their faith… and I was just unwilling to risk being one of them.  Thankfully, the children were sweet and forgiving.  Many said, “I KNEW IT!  I knew all along you believed!”  Others acted disappointed, but were gracious and showed me mercy nonetheless.
 
I am reading a book titled 1861, by Adam Goodheart, which details the events leading up to the beginning of the Civil War. I find it pretty sad to read the quotes of men in power who reference God and cite scripture, while voicing an unwillingness to yield to others or show mercy… men who “played favorites” all day long and considered only the opinions and feelings that were theirs.  A lot of that still goes on today… and it is every bit as unsettling.  There really is very little new "under the sun”! 
 
This is not to say that we are on the verge of a civil war. In fact, I pray that we are not!  But a lot of us have less than pure motives. We say that we hear from God and walk in His wisdom… then we operate on the “What’s in it for me?” theory in our daily living.  We would rather deny our faith in God than have someone judge us.  We go along with unkind talk, cruel and off-putting jokes and more... because we don’t want to be singled out.  We play favorites when it suits our desires… and it’s our way or the highway.  And if we are honest, we have to admit that there are at least moments when this creates a less than peaceful existence.
 
I have to tell you… even though I was role-playing last night at VBS, it felt good to tell the truth.  It even felt good to ask for mercy and forgiveness.  The make-believe “secret” between us created a divide…and left me feeling unsettled.  If you are a true child of God… or as I told the children last night – if Jesus truly lives in your heart and is your “Forever Friend”… you have to feel at least tinges of guilt and uneasiness when you operate in selfishness and insincerity.  It has to make you at least a little anxious to “play favorites” or go along with others when you know they are being unkind or dishonest.
 
Isn’t it time to “come clean” with Jesus?  Isn’t it time to operate in the purity of His wisdom and trust Him to see you through any and all reactions and repercussions?  Don’t you want the peace of knowing that you are pleasing God at every turn… and that He has your back?  What “secrets” do you need to divulge?  Are you ready for the gentle life of Christ’s love and peace?  Is this the day you begin to change?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus