Daily Devotional for June 28, 2014

Psalm 37:7
Be still in the presence of the Lord,
    and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
    or fret about their wicked schemes.

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 words “be still” are really not high on my vocabulary list!  In my own defense, I grew up with a grandmother who would call and say, “there are peas and beans to be picked in the garden.” By the time my parents, siblings and I got to her farm to help, said peas or beans were already picked, shelled – and either put up in the freezer, or simmering in a pot on the stove alongside an all-out country dinner!  My dad (her son) was one of these “if-you-want-that-fence-torn-down-then-show-me-where-to-put-the-remnants” …or “you’re-thinking-of-moving-so-I’ll-hook-my-trailer-to-the-truck” sort of guy.

Then I married someone who was more pensive and patient.  Greg thinks things through…sometimes for days or weeks.  He studies all of the angles and carefully weighs the outcomes.  He can make split-second decisions…but he can also say, “Let’s not get in a hurry…there is no rush!”  He is not an impulse buyer…nor does he have a quick temper.  He has helped me to discover that while “The early bird gets the worm”…there is also wisdom in knowing that “Good things come to those who wait”!

As I have grown in my faith and my relationship with the Holy Spirit, I have come to understand the delicate balance of knowing when to act quickly, and when to “be still”.  I will be the first in line to press the button when tickets go on sale for a James Taylor concert…but it may take me weeks or months to pick out a new laptop computer or a car.  I may be one of the “first responders” when someone I know or care about is in need…but now, I may take a step back and prayerfully consider my response and/or reaction when someone offends me.

I have learned that evil people with wicked schemes don’t really prosper…even when it seems that they may – momentarily, at least.  Name one person who truly “skirted by” his/her entire life without some sort of downfall or defeat.  I don’t say this to imply that I wish anyone to suffer or to receive “just desserts”.  I know plenty of “good people” who have suffered tremendous injustices while it seems that those who defy God at every turn seem to skate along.  But I also know that not all rewards and blessings are visible and tangible in this earthly lifetime…nor are the consequences for bad behaviors.

And so, as I sit here with a cup of coffee and talk with you, I suggest that we all take time today – and every day – to “be still”…to consult God before we make decisions of all sizes, shapes and colors…and to wait patiently for His wise reply.  Would you really rather have “the worm”…or the “good things” that come from waiting on the LORD?  Are you ready to “be still and know” the difference?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 5, 2013

Romans 5:3-5
There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
 
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, I attended the funeral of a man I have known since we were children, growing up a couple of blocks apart.  I hugged his mom and dad, his sister and brother, cousins and in-laws…all of whom are grieving their loss.  I understand the sadness of losing a brother.  I cannot imagine the heartache of losing a son… watching him die by inches from an insidious brain cancer, as these parents did. There were dozens of people who came to offer their condolences and remember this man… to offer support to this family.  It’s one of the neat things about living in a small town like ours… we come together to uplift one another at times like these.
 
But as I looked around the chapel, I saw countless people who are “hemmed in with troubles.”  Parents who are concerned about children…families plagued by drug addiction, divorce, and dissention…others who are grieving their own losses… those who are caring for the aged, infirm, and some with dementia.  And yet, I looked at the smiles on their faces… the hugs, handshakes and pats on the back we all shared… and I realized that virtually every person there is living with alert expectancy.  In the midst of their grief and challenges, most of these people are trusting God to pour into their lives more blessings than they could possibly amass containers to hold!
 
To realize even this was a blessing to me!  To see so many people who are anticipating what God will do next in their lives gave me inspiration!  To live among so many people who have continued to shout praises to God even while facing such trials and adversities motivates me to be more patient… to focus on what God will do with the tests that come my way rather than concentrating on present difficulties.  I am reminded of the common catch-phrase my friend’s pastor shared today… one he said my friend ended almost every conversation with – “How can I help you today?”
 
Imagine if we lived with such confidence that God was going to “trouble our troubles” and use them for good that we developed a passionate patience.  What if we were able to face any circumstance in our lives with the attitude and this question for others - “How can I help you today?”   My guess is that we would never have enough buckets to contain all of the blessings God would pour out on us!  It’s a chance I am willing to take… a “leap of faith and patience” I am eager to make.  I know that troubles will come… there will be days when I question it all and get discouraged.  But I have seen too many examples of passionate patience not to believe in its power… and God’s power to produce blessings out of trials and turmoil.  I’m ready to shout praises and operate with “alert expectancy.”  And I’m getting my containers ready… are you?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 3, 2013

Romans 2:3-4
Do you really think God won’t punish you, when you behave exactly like the people you accuse?  You surely don’t think much of God’s wonderful goodness or of his patience and willingness to put up with you. Don’t you know that the reason God is good to you is because he wants you to turn to him?
 
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
“I may have my faults, but at least I’m not as bad as So-and-So!”  How many times have you heard a version of this… or uttered something similar yourself?  We all tend to think we are not as bad as the next guy, when the truth is that we are ALL sinners and in need of God’s patience, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
 
I’ll admit… I get frustrated with a few people and wonder why they cannot see things as I do.  Why can’t they realize that they need Jesus?  Why don’t they understand that their behaviors are giving the devil ample reasons to dance?  Why won’t they change and behave better?  And then I hear God’s voice asking me, “Why won’t you do the same things?”  And I am embarrassed… ashamed… and humbled.
 
I am so thankful that God is patient with me.  I’m beyond thrilled that He wants me to turn to Him.  At a recent funeral, my dear pastor friend preached from Psalm 139, which says in verses 7 and 8:  “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there!”  He explained that in the Hebrew translation of that last verse, it says… “If I go up to heaven, YOU!  If I go down to the grave, YOU!”  In other words, wherever we are, GOD is THERE… waiting for us… desiring us…wanting to forgive us and set us on the right path again.
 
The next time you start to compare your sins and shortcomings to those of another, remember these passages in Romans and Psalms.  Remind yourself that the things you judge others for are no worse than your own offenses. In this case, trying to shine a spotlight on others actually may bring your own life front and center!  God shakes His head at this…and someday, He will remind us of our accusations and attempts to shift blame and focus.  Don’t you want to do all you can to make His list of such misdeeds as short as possible?
 
Don’t you want to turn to God and spend your time in His presence… to recognize His company… to bask in His glory?  When was the last time you thanked God for his patience and mercy over your life?  When was the last time you acknowledged that wherever you go, He is there… and praised Him for such grace and forgiveness?  Isn’t this a perfect time to tell God how much you love Him… and to thank Him for loving you?  Are you ready to quit blaming others for your mistakes and fully acknowledge God?  Will this be the day you begin?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 2, 2013

Romans 15:3-6
That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!
 
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 her book, Just Give Me Jesus, Anne Graham Lotz recalls the story in John 4 of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well in Sychar.  Lotz explains that this woman practiced a different religion… she was someone with whom a Jew like Jesus would not normally interact.  Think of the animosity – and distance – that often exists between Christians and Muslims, and you get the picture.  Beyond that, this woman had lived a hard life… she was probably not all that popular, which might explain why she came to the well in the middle of the day instead of early morning with all of the other women.  She had been married to five husbands and was currently living with a man to whom she was not married… and of course, Jesus knew this.  Still, He spoke to her… asked her for water…and sat around waiting for her answer - and offering a few of His own.
 
Lotz concludes that this woman was searching for something.  She had a “thirst” that she was unable to quench.  Like many of us, she had tried to fill her emptiness with the things of the world… possessions, relationships, money, a job, “busyness,” and more.  Still, she was troubled.  She needed Jesus and the “Living Water” that only He could give.  Jesus went out of his way to pass through a city where He was not all that welcome in order to sit by a well and visit with a woman with whom He should not have been visiting (according to most)… and He took on the troubles of this troubled Samaritan woman.  He was patient with her… He offered kindness.  He was steady and constant.  And He invited her to drink from His Living Water and never be thirsty… or empty… again.
 
God is calling us 1) to drink the Living Water of Jesus Christ… to fill that emptiness we may have with Him, rather than the things of this world; and 2) to take on the troubles of the troubled - and offer them Jesus, as well.  He is summoning us to offer steady, constant, warm kindness and patience to others… to lead by example and live by the Scriptures… to gently invite them to drink from the well that is like no other… a life in Christ that satisfies completely.
 
So many of us do not fully understand that to giving our heart to Jesus is only the first step in beginning a New Life in Christ.  We must continually drink from His well… study the scriptures, truly converse and communicate with God, and fellowship with others.  We must live by Jesus’ example and take on the troubles of the troubled.  We must let them know that there is someone Who can quench their thirst and fill their emptiness.  We can’t reach out to only one race… one denomination or religious faction… one socio-economic class…those with high moral standards or people with whom we seem to “click.”  We must “sit at the well” and exercise patience and tolerance with all who approach.  We must make sure that they see in us the very thing they are seeking… and that we show them how to acquire it for themselves.
 
So where does this leave us today?  Are we ready and willing to wade into the deep, muddy waters of life?  Are we equipped with our own solid relationship with Jesus…is He our constant and steady companion?  Will we linger at the well and wait on those who need us, or are we too busy with our own agenda… and too good to be bothered by such “sinners?”  Take a look in the mirror… you and I are the “Samaritan woman” just as much as the person depicted in John 4.  Jesus waited for us and took on our troubles… and now it is our turn to share this GOOD NEWS with others.  Will you “sit”… and “wait”… and offer others a drink of the life-changing “Living Water” of Jesus Christ?  Are you a “member of the choir” or a sideline spectator in your faith?  Isn’t it time you decided where you stand?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 20, 2013

Hebrews 12:1-3
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
 
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.
 
One of my favorite hymns is “Be Still My Soul”… published by Katharina A. von Schlegel, in 1752.  These words were set to the tune Finlandia, composed by Jean Sibelius in 1899.  This hymn was became popular during World War II, as the words offered hope and encouragement to countless soldiers and citizens who were enduring horrific tragedies and hardships.  They desperately needed to hear, “Don’t give up!” – and this hymn offered this message and more.
 
The words of this hymn are just as significant for us today.  I don’t know what challenges you face.  I don’t know what has caused you to feel discouraged, ashamed, tired and worn down.  But I do know that we have a hope in Jesus Christ, Who never gave up!  I know that a lot of us need to strip down and “trim the spiritual fat”… to remove the parasitic sins that trouble us day in and out.  We need to focus on where we are headed… and Who is with us along the way.  We must “keep our eye on the prize”… eternity in Heaven at the feet of Jesus… and a place of honor at the King’s table.  We would do well to study the words of this hymn and take them to heart… to internalize them and make them a part of our daily living.
 
Here are the lyrics to “Be Still My Soul”...may they encourage you today and energize you for your Spiritual journey. May you take heart and truly “be still” as you realize that the LORD is on your side… that we can “bear patiently the cross of grief or pain” because of Jesus and all that He endured on our behalf.  My prayer for you today is that you would thoughtfully read these verses and take a few moments to still your soul.  In the words of this scripture passage, “we’d better get on with it!”  I believe this is a great place to begin… don’t you?

 

Be Still My Soul

 

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

 

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

 

Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

 

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise

On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;

Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,

So shall He view thee with a well-pleased eye.

Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 19, 2013

Hebrews 10:32-39
Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.
 
It won’t be long now, he’s on the way;
    he’ll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
    if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy.
But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.
 
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.
 
On the television show “The Biggest Loser,” contestants discover that losing weight and seeing results happens more quickly at the beginning than the end.  In fact, as these participants become lighter and leaner, it becomes harder with each passing week to shed the last pounds and inches.  Progress is still possible, but the thrill of those first few weeks and the truly drastic changes are gone.  This is where the real work begins.
 
It’s easy to become discouraged… or at least complacent.  After all, some of these contestants have dropped 100 pounds or more.  Losing that last stubborn 15 to 50 seems akin to climbing Mt. Everest.  There is a temptation to reward all of the hard work with a favorite dessert… or to skip a workout here and there.  After all, the entrant has come so far… what would it hurt?  OR… the challenge may be finishing.  The desire to keep going and lose the rest may wane… settling for the current weight and size may seem appealing.  This is when the patient endurance must kick in and keep these contestants going.  They have made it this far… reached countless milestones… and they must keep going and finish strong!
 
In our Christian faith, we often seem to lose steam after a while.  The spark and excitement of our initial salvation experience may pale.  Our encouragement and support from others may wane… and our inner resolve to forge ahead and continue to grow with the Holy Spirit can fade.  We’ve come so far… God has given us so much… maybe we could just stop and rest here a while!  And many of us do exactly that.  The trouble is… too many of us grow stale at our “resting point.”  We settle for a “good enough” relationship with the Holy Spirit - and miss out on all He wants to give us by doing so.
 
Just as in a weight-loss program that we hope will bring permanent, lasting results, we must practice patient endurance as we grow in our faith.  We must keep on “keepin’ on,” continue to study, pray, fellowship and learn.  We must not “rest on our laurels” – or on the blessings we have received from God already.  We cannot quit!  We have to keep trusting God for outcomes, learning how He works, and expecting His promises to be fulfilled.  We have to wait on the LORD in all things… and believe that He will show up, right on time!
 
This is a tall order… but such a “sure thing” as the blessings and rewards of a life in Christ is certainly worth it!  Are you ready to press forward and persevere?  Are you still “in the game” and trusting all the way?  Will you make it to the Finish Line with Jesus… or will you give up and quit?  The choice is yours… what will you decide?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 17, 2013

Galatians 5:22-24
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.
 
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 is learning about rewards and consequences.  When he eats all of his dinner, a “treat” afterward is often offered.  Last night it was ice cream and a small piece of chocolate.  Sometimes it is a special video or a trip to the park.  And this morning, I surprised him with a big fat marshmallow – one of his favorite treats – because he had been polite, obedient, and well-mannered.  I hope he and his siblings will learn to develop patience, compassion, and an innate sense of holiness.  Last week during his birthday party (which happened to be on Mother’s Day), Timothy climbed the ladder to his little slide, stopped and said, “Hey, Happy Mother’s Day everyone!”  I count that a victory… an unforced expression of love and kindness that was followed a few minutes later by an unprompted “Thanks for telling me ‘Happy Birthday,’ guys!”
 
Every day is different, and today, Timothy wanted to be a superhero.  He asked for a cape and a mask, and I tied a kitchen towel around his neck and gave him a quickly-fashioned paper eye mask.  He was delighted.  He didn’t need a fancy, store-bought costume.  He was every much “Super Timmy” in his home-made duds.  All the television commercials in the world for fancy toys and wacky-flavored cereals cannot compete with a quick home-made costume and a marshmallow for this kid!
 
Let’s be honest… not all four-year-old boys develop patience, kindness, and a loving heart and spirit so early. And in any given minute, Timothy is anything but all of these things - because he is only four and still learning.   In fact, he had a "meltdown" as I wrote this, because I would not produce another marshmallow on demand!  Sadly, many forty-year-old (or older) men and women  behave in much the same way!  They still have not developed a heart for the “fruits of the Spirit”… they operate in the things of this world – the unwritten laws which dictate that we must have this or that… and everything should always go our way! So they experience all sorts of dilemmas and challenges… debt, disappointment, lack of respect in the home and workplace, frustration, failed relationships, and a reputation for being disagreeable or a hothead, just to name a few.  Worse yet, many people fail to receive all of the good gifts that God wishes to send their way.  Like a little boy who didn’t eat his dinner or couldn’t play nicely, there is no “treat” or surprise.
 
When we fully experience a transformation from the ways of this world to a life in Christ… when we allow the Holy Spirit to have complete authority over our heart… we are forever changed.  And everyone notices.  We operate from a totally different perspective than other people.  We are kinder and more patient… we have more compassion for others and the circumstances of the world… and we operate with a sense of inner peace and calm in even the craziest and most challenging situations.  And God responds by blessing us beyond what we could ever have hoped or imagined.
 
I don’t know about you, but I want this kind of life… for myself, and for my family and friends.  That’s why I am sharing this message with you.  I want you to understand what a hope we have in Jesus Christ… how much God wants to give us, if only we will allow Him to fill our heart.  When we make serving God – and serving others in His name – second nature, we are free of the world’s “rules” and ways and able to fully experience all that He has in store for us.  Won’t you ask God today to help you fill your heart with His Holy Spirit?  Won’t you learn to walk in the ways of the LORD and to experience life like never before?  Whether you are four or forty-four… or even twice that age… God still has plenty in store for you.  Are you ready to receive His good gifts?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 15, 2013

May 15 ~ Ecclesiastes 8:11
Because the sentence against evil deeds is so long in coming, people in general think they can get by with murder.
 
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.
 
When children are little, their parents tell them not to run into the street… to come back when they call to them…to answer them right away when they speak.  And if they don’t, there are consequences.  But generally, the parents cut the child a little slack, allowing for them to grow and learn.  As children turn into teenagers and do not return phone calls or texts… do not pay attention to what is said… and do not follow certain rules, there are stiffer consequences.  Still, it may seem the kids are “getting away with murder.”
 
When these teens leave home, become adults, and do not pay bills on time and/or answer creditor’s calls…when they do not show up for work and do a good job… when they don’t pay the rent and handle their responsibilities – or they break the law – the consequences are harsher.  There comes a day when Mom and Dad can no longer make things okay in every situation… where there is no way to avoid the reality of owning up to misdeeds, irresponsibility, and the outright defiance of authority.
 
It’s no different for Christians.  Too many of us coast along thinking we can play at our faith… that no matter what we do, God will still love us.  We will still go to heaven, so it’s all good!  But I’m here to tell you… God will only be patient with us so long.  Just as patience runs out on the part of parents, friends and those in authority who have been disobeyed and/or disrespected… God’s patience will run out!  He will become disgusted with our dishonor – and often our outright abuse of Him and His blessings.  And we will not be allowed to continue in this manner forever without consequences.
 
Does this mean that God will directly punish us for our mistreatment of Him and others?  I believe it’s more of an “allowance” by God for some of the bad things that can happen.  God is plenty capable of practicing “tough love.”  He doesn’t want us to lose our home, car and belongings because we don’t make our payments.  He doesn’t want to see children taken from families because the parents cannot properly care for them.  God does not enjoy seeing someone behave in such a way that they lose their job or their health… family relationships and friendships.  But sometimes, in order to get our attention, He has to allow these things to happen!  When we push His patience too far…God will step in and take action!  While we may escape an outright “punishment” from God…He most surely will withhold blessings that would have otherwise been bestowed upon us.  Either way, we lose.
 
We all have our limits.  Some of us will lie down and let others treat us like a doormat for a while longer than others.  But at some point, pretty much everyone says, “That’s enough!”  So why are we surprised that God would do the same?  It may seem like the other guy “gets away with murder,” but I assure you… a day of reckoning is coming – for him/her, and for us.  If you have tried God’s patience, at the very least your life will not have been filled with the joy and blessings that God had in store for you.  You will not fully realize all of the wonderful plans He had designed to shower upon your life.  And what will you have to say for yourself?
 
Have you tried God’s patience to the limit?  Isn’t it time you began to make the necessary changes… to show Him the honor and respect that He deserves?  Aren’t you ready to take responsibility for your actions and realize that the only way to truly be happy – in life in general, and in your Christian faith – is to do what God has asked of you… to be mature and accountable, reliable and trustworthy?
 
You may feel like God is giving others more than their share of second chances.  You may feel that the other guy gets all the breaks and doesn’t have to “pay” for them.  But I can assure you, nobody gets away with anything.  God is watching for those who live with honor, sensibility, consistency… and obedience.  At some point, He will act – one way or another!  Don’t live for God because you are scared not to… do it because you want to please the One who has done more for us than we could ever imagine… much less deserve!  God is so patient with each of us already.  Are you doing all you can to please Him and earn His patience?  Isn’t today a great day to begin?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 14, 2013

May 14 ~ Colossians 3:12-13
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
 
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.
 
This was my “quote for the day” today… “A police officer saw a lady driving and knitting at the same time, so after driving next to her for a while, he yelled, ‘Pull over!’  ‘No!’ she called back.  ‘It’s a pair of socks!’”
 
A very good friend of mine called recently to “vent” about her aging mother.  It’s time for “the talk” – the one where my friend tries to convince her mother to stop driving!  After numerous “fender-benders” and a situation that could have been tragic, my friend sees that it’s only a matter of time before something catastrophic happens if she doesn’t intervene.  Thankfully, she is not driving and knitting… but her reflexes and judgment on the road are impaired, all the same.  Still, like many aging seniors, my friend’s mother thinks there is nothing wrong with her driving… and she is quite insulted that anyone would even suggest she lay down the keys!
 
In exasperation, my friend finally told her, “If I find out that you have driven that car out of town for any reason, I am coming over here and get your keys and take them home with me!”  This reminded me of a time when my mother was exasperated with her mother, who would not stop cooking on her electric range and allow her Home Health aide to do the cooking.  One day mother told my grandmother, “If you turn one knob on the cookstove, I’ll remove the heating element and carry it in my purse!”
 
Like my friend, my mother grappled with a lack of patience and the arguments with my grandparents that ensued. And I understand… there were PLENTY of times when I lost patience with my Mam-ma Polly.  Hey, I lose patience with someone on almost a daily basis!  And therein lies the problem.  Paul is reminding us that we ALL have faults.  If we had any inkling of how often we exasperate the LORD… if we knew how frequently and easily He could lose patience with us… we would think twice about how we are treating others.  We so don’t deserve the love, mercy, kindness, gentleness and patience we receive from God on a minute-by-minute basis.  The least we can do is to show our respect and honor for these blessings by treating others in the same manner – and with a mega dose of humility.
 
I’m not saying that we won’t lose patience with people and situations.  We’re human… it will happen.  But we can become more aware of what we are saying… and how we treat others… and lessen the frequency and impact of these events.  We can ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?”  Hopefully this will be the impetus we need to see things in a new light – and to temper our behavior.
 
At the end of the day, my friend still has to do what is in the best interest of all concerned.  As I told her when we spoke, “You may have to make your mom mad my friend in order to keep her safe.  We are praying and asking God to equip her with an extra dose of patience, humility, and lovingkindness as she does what has to be done.  And I’m going to ask Him to soften the heart of my friend’s mother – and give her patience and understanding also, as her daughter sees after her well-being.
 
We are so blessed that God offers us His love, mercy and patience.  Won’t you ask Him to give you a hefty measure of these qualities, as well?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 13, 2013

Colossians 1:9-12
Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
 
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.
 
Over the weekend, my husband helped me recover my piano bench.  The fabric I had stapled to the lid over 15 years ago had worn bare around the edges, and it was time for a makeover!  My husband used his drill to remove the padded board that fit inside a wooden frame on the lid.  I used a staple gun to attach the new fabric.  When we got ready to re-insert the board, it would not fit.  I had stapled the new fabric atop the old… which was attached over an original layer… and the three thicknesses were simply too much.  The screws would not “grab” in the wood.  Moreover, I had used a staple that we thought was the right size… but once everything was in place, the staples stuck through the wood.  “Those will snag your clothes, little legs, and cause all sorts of problems,” my husband lamented.
 
They make this type of project look so easy on HGTV!  There was nothing to do but take everything apart… pull out ALL of the staples and remove the new fabric and the second layer.  We decided the first layer was holding the padding in place, so it should stay.  A couple of hours later, we had everything back together again – this time with upholsterer’s tacks and duct tape! – and the bench looked great!
 
There was a time when this setback would have sent me into orbit.  I would have sputtered, spewed and grumbled.  I would have gritted my teeth and griped as I pulled out each staple.  But this time, I just looked at the bench, took a deep breath, stuck with the project… and soon all was back in order.  And there is a pattern here!  I still get mad at myself when I break a dish or spill something… and I still get frustrated and impatient when things don’t work out just as I had hoped or happen as quickly as I would like.  But I’m learning to operate in the glory-strength of God instead of my own grim strength.
 
Lately, I’ve been taking a few minutes fairly often to make a list (if only mentally) of all of the things God has done for me… all of the prayers He has answered in my life in just the last short while… all of the things He has worked out and the positive outcomes that are all around me.  When I stop and examine them, I realize that He is at work… and I am learning how to do His work – on His terms.  There are still plenty of things that I wish that God would fix!  There are still areas that I need to work on – and situations in which I wish He was working a little faster.  But that’s on me… because He is doing exactly what is necessary and needed.  I am the one who still has real work that needs to be done.
 
The more we learn to operate in patience and the glory-strength of God, the more bearable and joyful our lives become.  We are calmer, more confident, and certainly much more effective for His Kingdom.  So what is your “broken glass” or project gone awry today?  How will you handle it?  Will you call on God to grant you the necessary patience, endurance and strength to handle things with dignity and calm?  Or will you grit your teeth, grumble and fumble?  The choice is totally yours… how will you decide?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 11, 2013

2 Peter 3:8-9
Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.
 
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 a few days, our little Timothy will be four years old.  We are celebrating his birthday tomorrow with an afternoon party.  A few days ago, he told my niece, “Mother, my friends need to come for my party.  When will they be here?”  She explained that his party was not for several days, and he would have to wait.  When you are almost four, several days can seem like several years!  At the other end of the spectrum, my grandmother used to tell me often, “I don’t know why the LORD doesn’t take me.”  She longed for heaven, and the last two years, especially, seemed like two hundred years to her.  We would talk about how God still had plans for her... she still had work to do… but knowing this really made the waiting no easier.
 
One of the hardest things for us to understand in our Christian faith is God’s timing.  We have a terrible time understanding that God’s “day” may be far longer than our 24-hours/1440 minutes.  We may wonder why He doesn’t answer quickly – but on His timetable, He did exactly that!  We may ask, “Why hasn’t the LORD healed me?”  When we get to Heaven, He may say, I healed you in the same day – by my calculations!  When we feel that God is not answering us… or that He is not working quickly, we need to stop and remind ourselves that we operate on very different schedules!
 
As this passage illustrates, we must also remember that what we observe as God’s reluctance to act quickly may actually be His patience as we find our way to him.  He may very well operate with restraint in order to give us “space and time to change.”  And we should be incredibly grateful for this!
 
Patience is not my strong suit.  But if I wish to truly grow in my faith and my relationship with God, I need to cultivate endurance, tolerance, and staying power.  I need to learn to “be still and know” that God is on my side… to rest in His timing and operate with confidence as I wait on Him to work.  And when God seems “late,” I need to recognize His self-control on my behalf.
 
If we stop and look closely, we can often see the perfection in God’s timing.  We can understand that He always has our best interests in mind.  This may not make waiting for a fourth birthday party any easier, but it can help us to wait for the LORD to work – according to His perfect timing.  Don’t you think it’s worth a try?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 13, 2012

Ephesians 4:2
Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other.

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

Our cat Lucy has this little routine she goes through almost every night. She eats her dinner then wanders down the hallway toward our bedroom. She sits and cries outside the bathroom doorway. She doesn’t want anything… I’ve checked. She is merely “announcing” that she is getting a drink from the water bowl we keep there for her. I’ll admit…it’s annoying sometimes. She can really get loud and persistent! But we love her so much, so we put up with the little quirks of hers and her sister Mabel’s.

In return, our cats forgive us when we let the food bowl sit empty for a while. They love us even when we don’t cater to their every whim… or when they think we don’t pay enough attention to them. And they actually remain pretty humble and gentle about it… although from time to time, they do give us a declawed swipe to say “Hey, YOU! Notice me!”

Sometimes we have a hard time tolerating the behaviors of our two-legged friends. We forget that they might also have trouble putting up with our faults. And yes… we do have our own imperfections! We get so busy pointing out the other guy’s defects that others might actually have a hard time believing we really love them!

Criticism is easy… loving someone “warts and all” is the hard part! But the role of a Christian is to love others as Jesus loves us… and that means we are going to have to sometimes bite our tongue and patiently overlook a few things. I’m not saying we can’t gently make suggestions when we see someone we love take what we consider to be a wrong turn. But more than a few of us offer advice and suggestions where none were solicited… or we gripe and complain about things that really don’t (or shouldn’t) matter all that much between good friends.

We need to take this passage to heart… and examine our own motives and behaviors. Where do we need to be more humble, gentle and patient? Where could we be more tolerant of another person’s opinions, style, or idiosyncrasies? How can we be more like Jesus in our daily living? Isn’t it time we began?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 9, 2012

Ephesians 4:1-3
As a prisoner of the Lord, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace.

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

A post on Facebook this morning noted that our high school football team gets “back to work” today. This got me thinking about sporting events – and how enjoy attending and supporting our alma mater, young friends and relatives who participate… and our community at large. It also reminded me that there are “fans” at these events who behave badly. To be honest, there are a handful of people I prefer not to sit near at sporting events, because their conduct is so off-putting. Even worse, some of these folks are active members of local area congregations who profess to be faith-filled Christians!

Some of these same folks are quick to complain noisily about calls by referees, the lack of playing time for a particular team member, and how poorly the coach does his/her job. If people spent as much time and energy on solving some of our country’s biggest problems as they do debating issues like these - or the newest uniform designs for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team - we’d be amazed at the progress that could be made!

So what does this have to do with today’s scripture passage? There are two things to glean from this:

1. We must do everything we can to be patient with those who behave in an unbecoming manner. When our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ show out at sporting events, on social media, or anywhere else, we must still love them and exhibit patience – even if they try our own! If we lash out at those who are misbehaving, we have become just as unlovely – and we dishonor God. We don’t have to sit near these people, but we can’t publicly lash out – or worse yet, become one of them!
2. We must check our own behavior and see where we are missing the mark. Are we behaving in a manner that is worthy of the title “Disciple of Christ?” Do we show patience and tolerance – hold our tongue and act with humility – even when we disagree with the ref’s call or the coach’s decision? When the other guy publicly speaks with hatred and untruth about our favorite political candidate, do we strike back with an equally vile comment or presentation toward his/her choice?

Just because I choose not to sit near a friend who is raucous at sporting events doesn’t mean I don’t love this person. And on occasion, I may privately speak to a friend – after careful consideration and prayer – and let him/her know I am concerned about his/her tone or others’ perception of these behaviors. But the most important thing we can do is to live by example… to behave in a manner that honors God and our allegiance to Him – and to patiently love the other guy… even when he/she is anything but lovely.

As we prepare for yet another school year and dozens of sporting events – not to mention the political campaigns that are in full force and countless other issues that are testing our mettle these days – let’s take a few minutes to study this scripture passage. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit of unity and peace – to show you how to treat others with humility, love, gentleness and patience. Call on God to help you guard your tongue and your thoughts… and to always act in a way that is worthy of His blessings. And if you find yourself needing a new seat at a sporting event, come and sit near me! I’ll be the one biting my tongue!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 3, 2012

James 1:5-8
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

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 sister was approached recently by someone who asked, “Does God answer your prayers?” The answer was “Yes.” The person asking questions followed with, “Well, just how long does it take?” My sister tried to explain that some prayers are answered right away, while some answers take longer… even days/weeks/years. The lady asking the questions said something to the effect of, “Oh! I can’t wait that long! I need my answer within fifteen minutes!”

I’m afraid we are all like this much of the time. We ask for what we think we can get - or feel we desperately need. We hesitate to ask God for some things, fearing He will think less of us for asking. And in all prayers, we are often impatient for an outcome. When we don’t get instant answers, we “worry our prayers” … repeat them… stew about whether – or how – God might be planning to answer. And I have to believe that all the while, God is just shaking His head in frustration.

I am still often confounded by God’s timing – because I am impatient. But as I learn to trust His answers and outcomes, I am no longer surprised them. I am still occasionally caught off guard by His delivery. Let’s just call these “pleasant surprises.” It’s not that I didn’t expect God to answer. But as I release my worries to Him, I give them to Him in faith. So when He does deliver, I feel like, “Oh! That’s great!” I knew an answer was coming…but I had stopped trying to orchestrate the arrival time and date!

Understand this… no prayer or thought is too big or too small for God. Trust Him in all things – in all sizes. Never hesitate to talk to God about anything. There is a difference between bringing concerns and praises before God over and again… and brow-beating Him in an effort to get an answer. In other words, praying for someone who is ill on a daily basis is not the same as saying, “LORD, I asked You to heal Tom… did you HEAR me?” The former speaks to what – and who – is on your heart. The latter reveals our impatience and lack of faith in God to answer. Believe me… HE knows when and how the outcome should be delivered!

The best summary I can offer for this passage today is to calm down and rest in the LORD. Talk to God about everything, without any fear of retribution or ridicule. Then trust Him to answer… when the time is right… in the most perfect way. As this passage says, stop “worrying your prayers.” Never give them a second thought. Assume that God heard you the first time… because He did… and move forward in confidence that His answer is on the way.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 28, 2012

Isaiah 30:15, 18
God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: "Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me — the very thing you've been unwilling to do.

But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you. He's gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

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.

When I visit my grandmother at her Assisted Living Facility during mealtime, I often have to laugh. The pervading topic of conversation at her table is how long she and her friends have to wait to be served their meal. There are probably 80 residents in this dining hall. Three or four nurse’s aides busily move from table to table, serving the meal… often a plate of hot food, and an extra dish or two with salads and dessert. This doesn’t count the aide who may circle the dining room serving coffee, iced tea, water, buttermilk… and often offering an extra dish of pudding, fruit, or maybe some sort of salad.

The point is… these residents are served a sit-down meal three times a day in a retirement center. Seldom, if ever, do these folks have a pressing appointment. While they sit and wait for the meal (perhaps as much as 30 minues), they have plenty to drink… and often the “appetizer” on which to snack. Yet it never fails… the residents in my grandmother’s area of the dining room, which is usually the last to be served, grow impatient.

I remember how frustrated Timothy used to grow when he was hungry. He would sometimes bang his high chair tray and cry while I prepared his meals… and once or twice, he tried to climb out! I would often occupy him with a snack of cheese, “goldfish” or cereal to satisfy him while he waited for the main event. The difference was… he was a baby who didn’t know any better. The residents at my grandmother’s facility should understand how this works by now!

Do you see where I am headed? Some of us are so young in our faith that maybe we have an excuse. We may not be mature enough to understand that we can rest in the LORD and let Him handle things for us. Others of us have been at this for a while… so we ought to know by now that God’s timing is perfect… He can handle what we cannot… and we need to calm down and rest in Him!

In God, we find the perfect example of patience in action. Do you think God gripes and grumbles and says to Himself, “I wish Tom would hurry up and get this! I wish Jane would figure out that I’ve got her back and quit running around like a chicken with its head cut off!”? No! God waits! He settles in and holds our treasures and blessings in store for us, so that when we finally DO calm down and turn to Him, He has plenty to share with us… grace, mercy, love, and an abundance of miracles.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to settle in, relax and give my cares to God. I often tell my grandmother that after all of the meals she has cooked and served – and cleaned up afterward – this is her reward… her time to be blessed by others. She should sit back and enjoy it! And while I’m not calling for us to become lazy in our faith… it IS time for us to get comfortable with trusting God and letting Him have control.

We need to be patient and stop wasting time trying to do God’s job for Him, so that we can enjoy the blessings and “good stuff” that comes with being His faithful servant. I know I don’t want to miss anything He has in store for me… do you?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 30, 2012

Galatians 4:1-3
Let me show you the implications of this. As long as the heir is a minor, he has no advantage over the slave. Though legally he owns the entire inheritance, he is subject to tutors and administrators until whatever date the father has set for emancipation. That is the way it is with us: When we were minors, we were just like slaves ordered around by simple instructions (the tutors and administrators of this world), with no say in the conduct of our own lives.

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.

Like many people, I have family heirlooms that I plan to pass on to my nieces and nephews someday. However, many times, the heirs are too young to fully appreciate the inheritance – or to properly care for the items. For example nobody would give a three-year-old boy his Grandpa’s gun or expect a 12-year-old girl to be trusted with an expensive piece of diamond jewelry. Young children have neither the maturity nor the capacity for housing Grandma’s china or a piece of furniture that has been handed down for generations. So the benefactor often holds onto these things – or places them in a “trust” - until the heirs mature.

What does this have to do with our Christian faith? God has so much that He wants to give us. We are truly the “heirs to His kingdom.” But most of us are not spiritually mature enough to handle this gift… at least not all of it. So we must be tutored and guided until we reach a level of Christian maturity. As we get to certain points in our “faith walk,” God grants us more gifts and blessings.

My grandparents and other relatives taught me about many of the heirlooms that I treasure today… who made them, how they were used, and more. I am trying to do the same for my nieces and nephews… teaching them to appreciate these pieces and why they are significant. I am not saving everything to be dispensed when I die. As they grow and mature enough to care for these heirlooms, I am sharing some of them. I get a kick out of watching these “children” enjoy my gifts. And it’s the same with God. He loves to see us reach a level of maturity that enables us to enjoy and fully appreciate His gifts and blessings.

Some of us want to resist God’s teaching. We think we already know far more than we truly do. Don’t be like this. Get over yourself, and accept God’s instruction and guidance. The sooner you grow and mature in your faith, the sooner you can receive more of the blessings of your inheritance. Listen to God… learn from Him… and get ready to be rewarded with His good gifts!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 5, 2012

Romans 8:22-25
We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth. The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children. This means that our bodies will also be set free. And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping. However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it.

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

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I begin to wonder why it is taking God so long to answer many of my prayers. I mentioned a few weeks ago that some of the names and concerns in my prayer journal are the same ones that have been on “the list” for decades! I keep hoping that things will change… that I will see evidence of God’s hand in these lives and circumstances. But I admit… sometimes it is hard to remain patient.

This passage reminds me that God’s answers sometimes involve pain and struggle. If God answered all of my prayers immediately, according to my desires, would I keep asking? If I saw His big picture clearly all at once and everything was easy as pie, would I be able to handle it? If I no longer had the promise of blessings and abundance yet to come, would I lose interest and focus? Without goals and hopes in the LORD, would I drift away from Him and become too comfortable in my own abilities?

I am no longer so much surprised by God as I am impressed! He continues to amaze and bless me in abundance every day. And the more I hope for in Him, the bigger my faith grows. Ultimately, God will answer many of my prayers, according to His will - not mine. And in the end, my hope in Him will be fulfilled when He calls me to heaven for all eternity.

Are you patiently anticipating God’s next move in your life? Do you hope for things not seen… and trust that God is always at work, even when we cannot see direct results? The waiting is hard… but it’s not killing me. In fact, waiting on God… staying hopeful and faithful… is making me stronger. I am growing and expanding in my faith every day, and someday God will give birth to great things as a result. How big are your hopes and dreams in the LORD these days?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 4, 2012

Romans 5:3-5
There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

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 a regional “lifestyles” section of our newspaper, I read an article today about Lorrie Thiel of Jacksonville, Arkansas, who was injured in a serious car wreck nearly 10 years ago. As a result, Lorrie suffers frequent seizures. She obtained a service dog named Schultzy to alert her when a seizure is about to occur. She and Schultzy later adopted Galahad from the local animal shelter and trained him to become Lorrie’s service companion.

Galahad can not only alert Lorrie when a seizure is forthcoming, he also wears a special backpack which contains her medications on one side, and her purse (hidden) on the other. When a seizure is eminent, Galahad lets Lorrie know so that she can find a safe, comfortable chair and sit down – and she can take medication to lessen the seizure’s effects. If Lorrie is unable to take her medications, and other people are present, Galahad will rub against someone’s leg with the side of the pack that contains the medication. If they don’t respond, he stops and starts this process until they look in his pack. He is also trained not to let anyone look in the side of his pack containing Lorrie’s purse unless they are wearing a police or paramedic uniform.

Lorrie now trains service dogs for others in need. She still suffers two to three seizures a week, but she has used the troubles that once hemmed her in to develop a passion for helping others who may be in a similar situation. She was alert for what God was going to do next in her life, and as a result, her blessings are abundant and have poured over into the lives of many others.

So often, we are so busy living in fear of what might or might not happen in our lives that we fail to recognize the opportunities God is presenting us with at this very moment. We impatiently anticipate big things from God at the expense of what He may be showing us… if only we would sit still and pay attention. When we are hemmed in by troubles on all sides, we panic. How could this happen to us? Where is God? What will become of us… how will we ever get past this?

I would be willing to bet that Lorrie Thiel didn’t dream that her life would take this turn. I feel pretty sure that this mother of two teenagers never saw herself experiencing such a life-changing event… or allowing God to use her to bless so many other people out of her own troubles. I don’t know what God has planned today, tomorrow, next week or next year – for any of us. But I know that through the Holy Spirit, He wants to generously pour into our lives an abundance of love, grace, mercy and blessings that we can’t possibly gather enough containers to hold!

We have two choices… 1) we can operate in fear and impatience, worrying continually about what will happen each day to us and those we love… we can allow Satan to fill us with dread and dissatisfaction and stay stagnant in our faith walk, or 2) we can take the daily experiences of life and steel ourselves with patience and passion as God pours into us. We can anticipate what amazing, incredible things He has in store for us… believe for them, watch and listen for them to arrive… and act on them to pay forward what He stands ready to deliver. The choice is 100% ours. I don’t know about you, but I’ve already started looking for bigger containers!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 2, 2012

Psalm 37:4-8
Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire. Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help. Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right. Be patient and trust the LORD. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things. Don't be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin.

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

We are apparently wired from birth to experience anger. How else would toddlers know to throw temper tantrums? Where would little children learn to lash out – at one another and at us? And even at young ages, the results of anger are often what most of us would consider “sinful”… bad behavior and “meltdowns,” physical abuse or mistreatment, and a generally poor attitude. Let’s face it… Satan is not picky about age. The younger he can gain a stronghold in our lives, the better!

But this is not the real point I want to stress today. What I want to emphasize is that we are all wired for anger, but we must not surrender to it. We must learn to rest in the LORD and let Him have control, rather than succumb to the ramifications of irritation and fury in our own lives. And we must do our part to teach children (of all ages) to do this, as well.

Does this mean that we will not be affected by news reports of injustice and mistreatment? Will we wear our rose-colored glasses and never get emotional when we see people get by with crime or dishonesty? When someone “does us wrong,” will we feel nothing? Absolutely not! But where and how we channel the energy of these emotions is what matters. We can be angry and furious… and open ourselves wide for the devil to step in and cause us to say things we shouldn’t, drive us to drink, or make us act out inappropriately… or we can turn to God, trust Him to help, and wait patiently for His response.

The next time something angers you… the next time you are bothered by some news or something you witness – or some injustice hurled in your direction… stop, breathe, listen... PRAY! Ask God to handle things according to HIS will, then give Him time and leeway to do so. Make sure that your words, actions and desires line up with God’s will. Do what pleases Him, trust Him to act as judge and jury over others, and bask in the blessings He will send your way.

When we get angry, nobody wins but Satan. Don’t give Him any victories… even for a second! Stay focused and still… and wait for the “good stuff” that God is getting ready to send your way.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 6, 2012

Acts 1:1-5
Dear Theophilus, in the first volume of this book I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he said good-bye to the apostles, the ones he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but "must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon."

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.

During the holidays, I read a book called Two From Galilee by Marjorie Holmes. This little novel centered on Mary and Joseph and all of the controversy that surrounded not only their betrothal, but most certainly Mary’s pregnancy and the weeks and months that led to the birth of Jesus. It’s a great story, and Ms. Holmes does a great job of giving us insights into the lives of Mary and Joseph’s families… the religious laws and cultural customs of the day… and the waiting.

Waiting seems to be a frequent theme in the Bible. Joseph waited for Mary… and Mary waited for the birth of Jesus. Often in the Old Testament, we read where David, Moses, Abraham and others waited on a word or sign from the LORD. Mary, the mother of Jesus and others waited at Calvary as Jesus was crucified… and Mary Magdalene and others waited near the tomb after His body was placed there.

We spend a lot of time in life waiting. We wait on graduation from high school… and some wait again to finish college and graduate school. We wait on a wedding date, and the birth of our children. We wait for a call to say we got the job… or the house. We wait for loved ones to return from war… and we sit and wait with those who are dying. And let’s be honest, many of us are not very good at waiting. We lack patience… and faith. Even when we know that the day is coming when everything will be fulfilled, we have trouble trusting the promises and believing that it will truly arrive.

So it should come as no surprise that we have trouble waiting on the LORD. We have trouble waiting on His timing… and believing that He really hears our requests and plans to make good on His promises. But we have so much evidence that He does exactly what He says. The Bible is filled with one example after another where God made a promise to His children… and delivered. We ought to know by now that God keeps his promises… and when He tells us to wait, it’s with good reason!

I don’t know what you are waiting on these days, but I do know this… whatever God has promised you, He will bring. If you are waiting on healing…it’s coming. If you are waiting on rescue from personal or financial struggle, a relationship conflict, or a sense of peace and calm…hold on. The God who gave His only Son to save us from our sins… the same God who makes His Holy Spirit available to dwell in our hearts each and every day… will not keep us waiting forever.

Jesus’ teachings and instructions were a lot for His apostles to absorb in the forty days before his ascension into heaven. The words of the angel to Mary…that she - a virgin - would bear a son who would be the Savior of the world…were incredibly mind boggling. The promise of Eternity in heaven seems almost unfathomable to me. But I know that this promise is true… because I have seen evidence already of God’s faithfulness to keep His promises. And so I wait on the LORD… for His guidance, His direction, and His blessings and His constant care. Won’t you wait with me?

©2012 Debbie Robus