Daily Devotional for November 23, 2016

Psalm 138
Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!”
    Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
    and say it again: “Thank you!”
Thank you for your love,
    thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
    most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
    you made my life large with strength.
When they hear what you have to say, God,
    all earth’s kings will say “Thank you.”
They’ll sing of what you’ve done:
    “How great the glory of God!”
And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below;
    no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.
When I walk into the thick of trouble,
    keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand
    strike my foes,
With your other hand
    save me.
Finish what you started in me, God.
    Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now.

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.

“Life is short…and sugar is cheap!” – Jay Grelen, former “Sweet Tea” columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

I think of this phrase on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas… when we have a family dinner, and I make big pitchers of sweet tea. There is so much wisdom in this phrase.  Life IS short…as many of us know all too well. We don’t stop to take stock of the blessings we have in our lives…or to truly appreciate the presence of those around us.  We look up, and half the people in the room have their noses buried in a smart phone…or they are glued to a television. Or perhaps we don’t even bother to get together at all.

I shared a poignant video* on Facebook last week of an elderly man who was sitting at a holiday table, dining alone.  His children all made excuses for why they couldn’t come for a Christmas visit this year…how maybe next time, they would make it.  Then the video cuts to a scene of the children receiving devastating news. By their reactions, you conclude that the “poppa” has died. The children are shown arriving outside this man’s home. They are distraught…it seems their beloved father/grandfather has died.  But when they enter the home, a holiday meal is on the table. Candles are lit, and everything is perfect…and the father/grandpa emerges from the kitchen, and asks, “How else could I have brought you all together?”

I don’t know your situation and circumstances today. My own family has spent holidays together – and apart - for various reasons.  We’ve postponed holiday get-togethers because someone was ill or hospitalized…and we’ve buried loved ones on Christmas Eve.  And yes, we’ve made our share of excuses why we couldn’t make it to one or more events when there was nothing catastrophic to prevent such a gathering. Sometimes, this couldn’t be helped…but other times, we just didn’t try hard enough.

The point is that we do this with God, too.  We often make excuses or postpone our time with Him.  At best, we give God limited attention and a lot of “lip service.”  Sometimes, He has to shake up our world just to bring us together with Him for some intimate time!  We forget that life is short…and sugar is cheap. It doesn’t cost us anything to spend time with God…and yet, that time is some of the most precious we will ever have.

So this Thanksgiving, thank God with everything in you. Set aside everything and spend quality time with God and let Him know just how grateful you are that He makes your life large with strength…that no matter the distance, He knows everything about you - and keeps you alive in the thick of turmoil and trouble.  Thank God that His love is eternal and everlasting.

While you’re at it…thank God for the people that He has placed in your life.  Reach out to some of them and spend some quality time in conversation, if not personal contact.  Soak in the moments spent together, and relish in them.  Life is short, and sugar is cheap…so maybe drink a glass of sweet tea while you’re at it!  Remember how blessed you are to be loved by such a great and mighty God…and make the most of each blessing that He has given you – this week, and always.

©2016 Debbie Robus

* http://www.3lstories.com/people-are-calling-this-the-most-powerful-christmas-commercial-ever

Daily Devotional for November 20, 2016

Romans 13:11-14
But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!

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 still remember the day when I got a phone call from my Mam-ma Polly, and she and her best friend, Ruby, had been involved in a car wreck.  It was probably 4:00 p.m., and I was dressed in some of the worst clothes I own…a ragged t-shirt and some very loose cropped knit pants.  These were my “house cleaning/workout” clothes.  I had on no makeup…I had not fixed my hair.  It was “one of those days” at my house, where I had gotten busy with other things and never bothered to really “dress.” And now, my grandmother was calling me…stranded on the other side of town and in immediate need of rescue.

I did what I had to do…I grabbed my purse, hopped into the car and headed to the scene of the accident.  I’ll shorten the story a bit by saying that Mam-ma refused treatment at the scene from the EMTs and assured everyone she was okay. Then she got in my car and said, “I can’t breathe…my chest is really hurting.”  We ended up in the hospital Emergency Room for several hours, where x-rays were made, tests were run, and the diagnosis was a badly bruised sternum.

People came and went, and I shrunk into the corner, greatly embarrassed by how terrible I must have looked. I’m sure that there were some who thought I must be the real accident victim!  And I should have learned my lesson from this day…but I have to admit that I have not.  I love nothing more than a day where I can spend much of it – if not all – in my pajamas!  It’s not that I am lazy…or that I am totally unproductive these days.  But I have to say, I am more productive on the days that I dress and get up and get going!  Just a few minutes of attention to getting dressed and “presentable” could mean a world of difference in how the entire day progresses.

So what’s the point?  Some of us get so caught up in the particulars of our life that we don’t take even a little bit of time each morning to “dress” with God…to spend a quiet minute or two asking Him to help us with our day.  We don’t “put on the full armor of God,” and we are often caught off guard in some manner later on.  We put on the old rags of “dressing” in things that do not honor God…gossip, dissension, overindulgence, self-serving activities, and sins of all kinds.  Instead of placing our focus on God and ways to serve Him with our whole hearts, we “lie around in our sweats” and leave room for the devil to take control!

So take a few minutes each day to seek God’s help in your preparation.  Whether you are packing lunches and dressing for school or work…or just grabbing a second cup of coffee to sit and read the newspaper in your pjs…ask God to equip you for the day.  Call on Him to meet your needs and those of your circle of friends and loved ones - and ask Him to show you how and where to serve.

Take inventory of the things that fill your life…your priorities, your friends and acquaintances, the activities that occupy your mind and your time.  Where have you failed to get dressed and get going?  Where do you need to make some adjustments?  Time is passing so quickly, and we truly don’t have a minute to waste. Will this be the day that you begin to “get up and get dressed” with God?  Don’t you think it should be?  

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 7, 2016

Matthew 6:27-34
“Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

​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.

For most of my life, I’ve kept “to-do” lists.  These range from lists of things I hope to accomplish each day to long-term goals…like “scan and organize all of our photos,” and maybe “write another book.”  I have “mental lists” of things I need to get done…people I owe a visit…books I would like to read, and more.  I used to really beat myself up when things did not get marked off the “short list” as planned.  I would get so frustrated and upset with myself when I got behind and projects stacked up undone. And I will admit, sometimes I still get a little bent out of shape when I see things that need to be accomplished…and I am not getting to them in a timely fashion.

But then I look at what IS getting done…a family who is nurtured…friends and loved ones who are encouraged…little things that fill my days and don’t seem to amount to much – but add up to a whole lot of “something!”  I see that God is giving me opportunities every day to live – not just muddle through the day.  I bought “vampire teeth” for the kids for Halloween with every intention of making this cute donut “face” that I saw on Pinterest.  But I got busy with helping in the classroom and attending the kids’ parties at school.  So they got a set of the teeth and no donut - and they could not have cared less!

I won’t say that I am “settling”…because I think as I become less uptight about whether the house is spotless and things are “just so,” I experience more of God’s abundance in many ways.  I know that life is short, and our chances to spend time with one another and truly live in the moment – and bask in God’s goodness – are fleeting.  We will blink, and our babies will be grown…we will be “over the hill!”…and a whole other generation will have left for heaven!  What will we have to show for our lives?  Will we have spent them worrying about tomorrow and all of the things on our lists?  Or will we have steeped ourselves in the things of God…His desires for how we fill our days…and the blessings that He has poured out on each of us?  You know what the right answers to these questions are…so what will you do about them?

Ask God to help you revamp your priorities.  Give HIM first place on your “to-do” list and let Him order the rest of the items.  Recognize God’s presence in even the little things of the day…and learn to truly appreciate all of His blessings.  Stop worrying so much…and start living a whole lot more!  I know I’m working on all of these things…what about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 17, 2016

Psalm 119:1-8
You’re blessed when you stay on course,
    walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
    doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
    you walk straight along the road he set.
You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
    now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
    keeping to the course you set;
Then I’d never have any regrets
    in comparing my life with your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
    I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
I’m going to do what you tell me to do;
    don’t ever walk off and leave me.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

This morning, my husband pointed out a dead branch on a tree under the bluff in our back yard.  For as long as we have lived here, buzzards have perched on that branch.  We commented several times that one day, the branch was going to snap and take the birds with it!  I don’t know how this actually transpired, but the end of the branch is gone.  Greg said, “I guess you noticed that the branch broke…it happened about 2 weeks ago.”  I had not noticed.  I had also not noticed his new eye glasses…the ones he picked up at the eye care center last week!  Greg laughed and said, “There’s a devo in there somewhere!”  And he was right!

I get so caught up in my own world…in the things on my “to do” list…going here or there for the kids…what’s for dinner – and what’s on the grocery list…who I need to send a card…when I can fit in a workout…and a zillion other things that probably don’t really amount to a hill of beans.  And I neglect people right in front of me…namely my wonderful husband and our sweet little cat…as I check off other a myriad of things and the needs of others on my list.  It’s not that my own “family” is not important to me…or that I don’t love them…but I get sidetracked and distracted – and ultimately, they get pushed farther down the list!  And – bless them – they never complain!

Here’s the thing…we do this all the time with people – but especially with God.  We get sidetracked and distracted…and days/weeks/months go by without our so much as opening our Bibles or spending a few minutes in earnest prayer, short of a “God, please help me!” uttered in sheer distress.  We don’t notice the things that God does for us…the “broken branch” or the “new glasses” because we are so busy with our own agendas and juggling a dozen balls in the air – many of which are not “top shelf” priorities!

So we miss the beauty of a sunrise or sunset…or the amazing Hunter’s Moon that has illuminated our nights this week.  We wake up one day, and those closest to us have vanished.  They have either drifted away mentally, physically or emotionally…or they have grown up - or aged to a point where they can’t, or won’t, interact with us as they once did. Sadly, in some cases, they have even died and physically left us forever.  And we wonder…what happened?  How did we not spend our time more wisely?  Why didn’t we pay more attention?

This passage reminds us that we are blessed when we stay on course…when we maintain focus – first on God, and then on a prayerfully constructed “to-do" list!  There is no time like today to stop and re-order our lives…to get this right and ask God to organize our steps and help us maintain proper awareness of our surroundings and what is truly important.  Life IS short…and we don’t have a minute to waste!  God can help us prioritize and sort out the details so that we always stay on course. I’m asking Him to do this in my life…what about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 30, 2016

Mark 7:14-23
Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand. Your souls aren’t harmed by what you eat, but by what you think and say!”

Then he went into a house to get away from the crowds, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the statement he had just made.

“Don’t you understand either?” he asked. “Can’t you see that what you eat won’t harm your soul? For food doesn’t come in contact with your heart, but only passes through the digestive system.” (By saying this he showed that every kind of food is kosher.)

And then he added, “It is the thought-life that pollutes. For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts of lust, theft, murder, adultery, wanting what belongs to others, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, pride, and all other folly. All these vile things come from within; they are what pollute you and make you unfit for 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.
 
There has been lots of talk lately in the news about the “5-second rule.”  Apparently, new studies have been done (who pays for these things?!) to determine whether food that is dropped on the floor is safe to eat, if picked up within a certain amount of time - like five seconds. It turns out that there are extenuating circumstances…particularly what type of floor surface was involved and the specific food item in question.

The bottom line is that it probably is NOT a good idea to eat food that has fallen on the floor.  However, we’ve all seen our kids do it before we could get to them to stop this – and the children are still here!  I’ve been volunteering at the elementary school in Timothy and Zola’s classrooms, and I have had to remind myself that children are resilient…and they must have stomachs of iron! As they take turns drinking from the water fountain…eating all sorts of things without using hand sanitizer or washing their hands…and so much more, I try not to think about what they are ingesting!

In a way, you could maintain that we should be more worried about the knowledge and wisdom our children internalize than the potential for a few germs to enter their bodies as they eat their snacks and lunch – or quench their thirst.  And this is essentially the message that Jesus is giving to us about our own daily living.

Too often, we are overly concerned with the wrong things.  We worry about what this one or that one is thinking - or how he/she is living - but we don’t pay a bit of attention to what is in the person’s heart. We condemn all sorts of behaviors from others while demonstrating plenty of sins and “errors” of our own. In The Message, verse 16 says, “It’s not what you swallow that pollutes your life; it’s what you vomit—that’s the real pollution.”

So let’s stop worrying so much about “appearances.”  Let’s quit judging others based on surface observations and things that really don’t matter that much…ditch the name calling and overt criticisms…and stop acting like we are better than the other guy because we call ourselves Christians. Let’s take a long hard look at what is in our heart…and what we present to others.

Are our words and actions polluted with sin? Do we have our priorities in line with those of Jesus?  Are we focused on keeping the main thing the main thing? Are we more concerned with keeping up appearances and feeding the body…or feeding the heart and soul?

Jesus is very clear that what we think and say – and how we treat others – matters. Our thoughts, words and actions have lasting consequences.  Are you more worried about the Spiritual “5-second rule”…or spending Eternity in His presence?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 21, 2016

Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister Mary sat on the floor, listening to Jesus as he talked.

But Martha was the jittery type and was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing.

She came to Jesus and said, “Sir, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

But the Lord said to her, “Martha, dear friend, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her!”

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

For the last few years, I have worked with children at church as a Sunday school teacher and VBS assistant. Now that Timothy, Zola and Nathan are in school, I also volunteer in their classrooms. I never lost my love for teaching – or children…but as I work with children nowadays, I am reminded of an incredibly critical objective – to keep the main thing the main thing!

What does this mean?  As I look at the children in each classroom, I see little minds ready to be filled with wisdom and knowledge.  But more importantly, I see little hearts that need to be filled with love…the love of Jesus - and my own.  On any given day, we have no clue what kids bring to the classroom. Some are foster children who may have been shuffled from home to home. Some are living in dysfunctional families with parents who argue constantly or have mountains of problems that fill the home with stress and strife. Some have special needs – physically and mentally - while others just have trouble fitting in with their peers.

Some are brilliant thinkers…or are highly creative and need lots of stimulation to nurture their gifts, while others struggle to grasp even the simplest concepts and need extra attention and repetition. Some are incredibly athletic and fit, while others can barely walk a straight line or dribble a ball.

The bottom line is that each and every child comes hungry for love and attention…for someone to meet them right where they are in that moment.  And if we miss this as teachers/leaders/volunteers, we have missed the most important detail of the day. As I look back to the years that I was actually a public school teacher, I wonder how many days I was more concerned with getting all of my reports in on time - or meeting stated goals - and I missed an opportunity to reassure a child.  How many times was I so frustrated and stressed out that I didn’t smile and offer a kind word to a child who really needed that more than anything else?

I cannot return to my kindergarten classroom of the 80s…but I can make a concerted effort moving forward to meet “children” of all ages, right where they are.  We live in “Martha’s” world…but I want “Mary’s” heart!  At the end of the day, my “to-do” list may still be full. But if I hear the voice of Jesus – and follow His lead, it won’t matter what else is left unchecked.

Have you discovered the One Thing worth worrying about…or are you busy with all of the little details?  Don’t miss out on the most important part of Christian discipleship.  Learn to focus on sharing Jesus with others every day – in all that you do.  Trust Him to organize your details. Ensure that the ones that truly matter are accomplished. Are you ready to focus more on Jesus’ details and missions than your own?  Will this be the day that you get started?
  
©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 9, 2016

September 9 ~ John 3:27-30
John answered, “It’s not possible for a person to succeed—I’m talking about eternal success—without heaven’s help. You yourselves were there when I made it public that I was not the Messiah but simply the one sent ahead of him to get things ready. The one who gets the bride is, by definition, the bridegroom. And the bridegroom’s friend, his ‘best man’—that’s me—in place at his side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start?

“That’s why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.

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 Sunday school lesson last week for second and third graders, I mentioned my brother Tim, who died almost 18 years ago.  It was like a light bulb went on in Timothy’s head, and he said, “OH!  So Uncle Tim was named for ME?”  I smiled and explained that it was the other way around…that Uncle Tim was here first.  This was logical thinking for a seven-year-old.  Little children tend to believe that the world revolves around them.  And I will have to say that most of the time, Timothy is unusually empathetic for his age. Still…every child has his/her moments.

You and I are no longer children.  We cannot afford the “luxury” of selfish thinking…much less the assumption that “we’ve got this” by ourselves.  There is no way that we can navigate “life” on our own for even the shortest amount of time.  And if you believe differently, you are in for some pretty big heartaches and disappointments.

A friend shared a post on Facebook that started off, “Imagine getting to heaven and hearing God say”…and then “God” described how thought of us before we were born…laid out plans for us and prepared the way. “God” noted how He gave us time to accomplish these goals and supplied us with the Holy Spirit to guide and protect us…and provided us with missions and opportunities to fulfill them. And then it ends with “Let’s talk about how that all went.”

Too many of us want to have Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our hip pocket…but we still want the spotlight.  We want it to be all about us…about our needs and desires.  We spend our lives asking, “Is it fun?  Will I enjoy this?  Will it make me happy? What about ME?”  And the truth is…it’s not about us at all.  There’s an old hymn – “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” - that says, “Thou are the potter, I am the clay.”  Jesus is the bridegroom…you and I are just the “bridesmaids and groomsmen.”  Our job is to support Him…to fulfill His plans and missions…to step aside and bask in the rays of His limelight.

A little self-absorption is cute when you are a child…but it is in no way an attractive quality in adults…especially people who are supposed to represent Jesus.  Humility, servitude, and the desire to keep Christ front and center are hallmarks of a faithful Christian disciple.  It may never be “your turn” or “about you”…and that’s okay.  When Jesus is given top priority, all other things fall into place as He designed.  THIS is what truly matters!

When God has the talk with you about “how things went,” what will you have to say for yourself?  Have you stepped aside and given Jesus the spotlight?  Or are you still fighting to get off the sidelines and take center stage?  How you answer makes all the difference…both now and for all eternity.  Where are you standing today?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 31, 2016

John 20:1-9
Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone was rolled aside from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and me and said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have put him!”

We ran to the tomb to see; I outran Peter and got there first, and stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but I didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went on inside. He also noticed the cloth lying there, while the swath that had covered Jesus’ head was rolled up in a bundle and was lying at the side. Then I went in too, and saw, and believed that he had risen - for until then we hadn’t realized that the Scriptures said he would come to life again!

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
I saw a talk show interview with actor/comedian/filmmaker Mel Brooks in which he spoke of his dear friend, the late actor Gene Wilder.  Brooks said he knew that his friend was not well – that his time on earth was growing short.  But once Wilder passed, Mel Brooks said that he actually felt “shocked” for a while.  Brooks could not accept that he would never be able to call Wilder and speak to him again.  This this is a typical reaction for someone who is grieving…part of a normal process.

When American gymnasts Simone Biles and Aly Raisman took the gold and silver medals, respectively, in the 2016 Rio Olympics,  there were a few moments where the two young women and their coaches stood and hugged each other somewhat in disbelief.  The “talk” for days had been that these girls would win medals.  It was certainly no surprise that Biles took the gold.  But in the initial moments, there was a bit of surprise and excitement…and awe!  Again, this was a normal reaction.  The culmination of all that had happened was almost overwhelming.

Think of a time when someone told you something…but what they were saying didn’t really register.  Maybe you were not paying enough attention. Perhaps you simply did not comprehend what you were being told.  Or maybe, what you were hearing was so astounding that you didn’t think it could possibly be accurate or really happen.  So when you realized that this.was.real…you were “dazed and confused” – at least momentarily.

When I read this scripture passage, I asked myself…”What is our take-away?”  And the message I kept getting is…”pay attention!”  So often, we are caught up in a myriad of circumstances and emotions – many of them important, but some not so much – and we don’t really comprehend what we read or hear.  This is especially true when it comes to God’s word for our life.  So we can read a scripture passage over and again for decades…and one day, it all “clicks” and we realize…”THIS is what Jesus was saying!”  Or we move along through life and don’t realize that Scriptures told us plainly what would happen in this or that situation…and we simply didn’t grasp it!

The bottom line is that we must pay closer attention to God’s word for us…both written and whispered.  We must be awake and alert to His “signs and wonders”…in tune with His directives.  We must ask questions…dig deeper…and really GET what we are being fed!  The mission is too important…the message is unbelievably crucial.  We don’t have time to waste…and figuring things out after the fact – when “the tomb is empty” – is unacceptable.  God wants us to be so attuned to His word that we anticipate what is coming next…that we expect Him to show up…that we are never caught off guard.

I don’t know about you, but this means that I have work to do!  I have to get my act together and sharpen my focus.  I have to start seeking God more and living with confidence that He is always close at hand.  I have to be less shocked when God shows up and “shows out”…and better prepared for His miraculous presence and perfection.  I suspect it is much the same for you, as well.

Will you be like John and Peter at the empty tomb?  Or will this be the day that you sit up a little straighter, perk your ears, and zero in on what God is showing you?  Are you truly paying attention?  Don't you think you should be?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 25, 2016

May 25 ~ Matthew 6:30-33   
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

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.

If I have learned anything in the last several months, it’s that we worry far too much about a lot of things that really don’t matter.  For several months, I feel like I have just gone through the motions in our home…housekeeping chores have been neglected…the Christmas tree stayed up until almost the end of January…we’ve eaten a lot of take-out meals.  And it has not mattered.  We have been focused on family and attending to “business” matters that had to be handled…and the rest could wait.

When Greg and I started Workamper News in 1987, we carefully budgeted every penny.  For the first few years, we documented every dime we spent, until we were sure that the business was going to succeed enough to pay all of the bills.  If we ended up with a surplus in the budget at month’s end, we treated ourselves to Sonic® burgers.  Those were some of our happiest years as business owners!

I remember tough times as a child.  My parents were working multiple jobs to pay the bills and put food on the table for themselves and three children.  I know what it feels like to struggle and worry about how budgets will be met…and how goals will be accomplished.  I’ve stressed over college courses, business plans, the challenges and heartaches of loved ones, health concerns, and more.  And I have wasted more than my fair share of time on worry and preoccupation with the outcomes.

This is a profound scripture passage for almost all of us…because there is something innate in us as humans that keeps us asking, “What is in it for me?” and thinking about how we can acquire more…money, time, possessions, friends - or even physical fitness and attractiveness.  And Jesus is telling us to get a grip – literally – on the love and grace of God Almighty!

You might be temporarily happier with an extra couple hundred dollars in your pocket.  You could feel better for a while if you lost a few pounds, put on a new outfit and got your hair done.  You might feel a momentary thrill to drive a shiny new car…move into a big, fancy, perfectly decorated house…or mingle with the rich and famous as their equal.  But in the end, none of these things lasts – or matters.  What is important is to “steep our lives in God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions”…which are always more than enough.

Are you still worried about missing out?  Or are you trusting God to meet every one of your needs?  Will this be the day that you get your priorities in line with His and start to truly live in His peace and abundance?  Don’t you want it to be?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 13, 2016

Matthew 25:14-30
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going into another country, who called together his servants and loaned them money to invest for him while he was gone.

“He gave $5,000 to one, $2,000 to another, and $1,000 to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities—and then left on his trip. The man who received the $5,000 began immediately to buy and sell with it and soon earned another $5,000. The man with $2,000 went right to work, too, and earned another $2,000.

“But the man who received the $1,000 dug a hole in the ground and hid the money for safekeeping.

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to him to account for his money. The man to whom he had entrusted the $5,000 brought him $10,000.

“His master praised him for good work. ‘You have been faithful in handling this small amount,’ he told him, ‘so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Begin the joyous tasks I have assigned to you.’

“Next came the man who had received the $2,000, with the report, ‘Sir, you gave me $2,000 to use, and I have doubled it.’

“‘Good work,’ his master said. ‘You are a good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over this small amount, so now I will give you much more.’

 “Then the man with the $1,000 came and said, ‘Sir, I knew you were a hard man, and I was afraid you would rob me of what I earned,  so I hid your money in the earth and here it is!’

But his master replied, ‘Wicked man! Lazy slave! Since you knew I would demand your profit, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. Take the money from this man and give it to the man with the $10,000.  For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more, and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him. And throw the useless servant out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
For several months now, Greg and I have kept our great-nephew, Nathan, on Mondays and Fridays while his parents work and his older siblings are at school.  Today, Timothy joined us, because he was sent home yesterday with a fever, and children cannot return to school until they are fever-free for 24 hours.  This also happens to be Timothy’s 7th birthday.  So we are spending the day playing with Legos® and other toys, watching movies, reading books, and eating pizza - and cheese sandwiches with mayonnaise and “no crust” (Timothy’s personal favorite!).

For today, this is my treasure.  I could choose to pretty well ignore the boys – to plant them in front of the TV and go on about my day.  I could pretend I didn’t hear them when they tell me they are hungry.  I could let 3-year-old Nathan take himself to the bathroom and trust him to wash his own hands afterward (not!) – and even take his own bath and wash his hair himself!  I could get out toys and crayons and set up movies for the children, put a slice of pizza or a cheese sandwich on a plate and say, “You’re on your own.” 

OR, I could spend time working puzzles and chasing the boys with toy airplanes…watching videos and movies on TV…reading books…making sure they have plenty to eat and drink…making them bubble baths and shampooing their hair, and generally letting them know how important they are to us and how much we love them.  The more we “sow into” these boys, the more they will develop into well-rounded children and adults.

My point is that every day, you and I are given responsibility for “treasure” – and today, ours is the nurture and care of these two little boys.  Yours may to be the best student, employee, boss, mom, dad, sister, brother, cousin, teacher or spouse that you can be.  You may be retired, and your “treasure” is the investment you sow into people and projects that further God’s kingdom.  You may be sick or injured, and your “treasure” is to uplift and motivate others by your own prayers, encouragement and demonstration of Christian discipleship.

God calls us to make the most of whatever “treasure” He gives us each day.  We are to recognize His gifts and be faithful stewards of them…to make the most of every single blessing and responsibility – even if it involves Legos®, pizza and cheese sandwiches.  So how are you doing today?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 12, 2016

Matthew 25:1-13
Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.

You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.
“God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.

“In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bride-groom’s here! Go out and greet him!’

“The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’

“They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’

“They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.

“Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’

“He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’

“So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.

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.

Tomorrow, our great-nephew Timothy will celebrate his seventh birthday – and our great-niece Erin will graduate from high school.  We blinked, and these little ones grew up. Timothy should still be a wide-eyed baby dancing to “Jack’s Big Music Show”…and Erin should still be that little five-year-old girl who ran across the street to visit us after school several times a week.

Hopefully we will be around to watch the next chapters in the lives of these two and all of the other young people in our family and “circle.”  But events over the last 8 months have shown us that nothing in life is certain – even life itself.  So we must make the most of every minute!

In a spiritual context, this means that we must never pass up an opportunity to share Jesus with others.  We cannot waste time on bickering and negativity.  Our denomination’s Bishop posted a note about this today that ended with #WeAreMore.  We are more than gossip, lies, cheating, judgment, discrimination, hatred, and nastiness.  We are more than selfishness, narcissism, xenophobia, racism, classism and homophobia.  We are more than fear-mongering, dissention, and rabble-rousing.  As Disciples of Christ, we ARE more – or we should be!

This is not something we can play around with and put off for another day.  Some want to say, “I am going to ‘sow my wild oats’ for now and have fun…and I’ll be ‘good’ when I am old and gray.”  Others want to say, “I have too much to do right now. When I am less busy, I’ll spend more time with God – or my kids – or my family.”  The truth is that we really don’t know when Jesus might arrive…or when our last minutes on earth might be happening.”  We have to live every second as if it is the last…as if Jesus might return – or call us home – at any moment!

We have to demonstrate at every turn that #WeAreMore…because this is the life to which Jesus has called us.  We have to represent “more” in every word, thought and action.  We have to prioritize and recognize what is truly important…and what is a total waste of our energy.  God will show us how to do this…and we must trust His directives and follow them to the letter.  Believe it or not, the more we listen to Him and trust His lead…the more time we will have for the things that really matter…and our lives will be filled with far less stress and angst.

We cannot stop the clock…or control the hour when Christ returns or calls for us.  But with God’s help, we can regulate what we do with our time – and how we serve Him.  We can operate in the frustration and negativity of “less”…or we can show the world that with Jesus, #WeAreMore.  What are you showing the world these days?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 10, 2016

Hebrews 11:32-40
What else can I say? There isn’t enough time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Their faith helped them conquer kingdoms, and because they did right, God made promises to them. They closed the jaws of lions and put out raging fires and escaped from the swords of their enemies. Although they were weak, they were given the strength and power to chase foreign armies away.

Some women received their loved ones back from death. Many of these people were tortured, but they refused to be released. They were sure that they would get a better reward when the dead are raised to life. Others were made fun of and beaten with whips, and some were chained in jail. Still others were stoned to death or sawed in two or killed with swords. Some had nothing but sheep skins or goat skins to wear. They were poor, mistreated, and tortured. The world did not deserve these good people, who had to wander in deserts and on mountains and had to live in caves and holes in the ground.

All of them pleased God because of their faith! But still they died without being given what had been promised. This was because God had something better in store for us. And he did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us.

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

Nathan and I were watching YouTube videos the other day of ordinary people opening boxed toys.  Every few minutes, Nathan would say, “I want that!” or “I need that toy, Debbie…can we get it?”  I would tell him, “Not now,” as I made a mental note of what he liked – or put something on my “wish list” at Amazon.com for future reference.  Then Nathan would say…”Yeah…but for my birthday!”  I would acknowledge…”Well, MAYBE for your birthday.”

It’s April…Nathan’s birthday is not until August.  For a 3½-year-old, waiting that long is akin to adults waiting for Jesus’ second coming…it’s a LONG TIME!  And if the truth be told, a lot of the toys on “the list” will never be purchased.  If Nathan doesn’t receive a Spider-Man mask that talks and a Spider-Man glove that “spins webs,” he will survive.  And he will be so excited over what he DOES get, that he will hardly notice that anything is missing.

Life is largely about priorities.  In one of my mother’s journals, she mentioned her arch-enemy…time.  Mother never had enough of it.  She said her husband pointed out to her that we all have 24 hours in a day.  I’m sure that did not go over well…and I get that!  We all have desires and goals…aspirations for things we want to accomplish.  We all have struggles and challenges…illnesses and injuries…hurts and heavy hearts at times.  And we all hope against hope that God will fix ALL of this!  And He does…but not always as we imagined or intended!

Just as there will be birthday parties – and presents – for Nathan and his siblings, there will be a “party to end all parties” someday for us in Heaven, if we have surrendered our hearts - and sins - to Jesus. All of the things we hoped and dreamed for – and all of the requests we made known to God - will not matter at that time, because the Ultimate Prize of His perfect promises and designs for our Eternity will be manifested.  In other words…a lot of the things we fight so hard for  - and think we want or need on this earth - really won’t matter in the long run.

Believe me…I’ve thought about this a lot lately.  My mother left many “projects” on the table - books and articles she wanted to write…trips she wanted to take…things she wanted to do with her great-grandchildren…and more.  She quite literally ran out of time.  And you know what?  None of it matters today.  She sits in Heaven at the feet of Jesus with other believers who went before her…and she would not return to work on her “list” for all of the tea in China! God has rewarded her with more time than she can use…and glorious activities to fill it.  She is at peace and has no frustration or sense of urgency about anything.  And this is waiting for us someday, as well.

So let’s shift our focus a little. We must continue to have goals…and hope.  We must continue to believe that God is in the business of fulfilling promises…healing and righting wrongs…fixing our messes and giving us the desires of our heart.  But we must also understand that these must all line up with HIS desires and plans for us…and it all pales in comparison to what He has waiting for us in Heaven. 

If we got all that God promised us now, there would nothing to look forward to afterward. We must live with faith that everything gets better in Paradise…and operate in hope and confidence until the day comes that we see it firsthand. Are you pleasing God with your faith these days?   

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 7, 2016

Hebrews 10:22-25
So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

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.

Call me crazy (and I know that many of you do!)…but I have a real hang-up about going out of the house without being “fixed up.”  I have recently allowed myself to go to the pool to work out without putting on make-up and styling my hair first, because it’s all going to be ruined anyway.  But it still makes me a bit uncomfortable that others may see me in a less than “presentable” form.  For years, I wouldn’t even let Greg see me without makeup.  The first thing I did every morning – even on Saturdays – was to get up and “put on my face.”

One morning, a young friend stopped by before I had dressed, and immediately, she said, “Oh, you’re so PRETTY without makeup!”  I know she was being incredibly kind (or maybe even lying)…but she had never seen me without the façade of foundation, eye shadow, mascara and more…and she really SAW me for the first time!  I started thinking about times I have been with women who weren’t wearing their regular “face,” and how often it didn’t matter to me…because I was seeing THEM, not the makeup.

Here’s the thing…God wants us to be presentable.  He wants us to offer others a neat, clean appearance.  But what is most important is that we are presentable as His representatives.  When others see us, they should see someone who is loving, encouraging, uplifting, and holy.  Our clothing and makeup should only enhance the joy and confidence we exude because of our salvation through Jesus…the fact that we have been washed in His blood and baptized in His Living Waters.

When others look at you, who do they really see?  Do they notice how “put together” your clothing, hair and makeup are…or the car you drive?  Are they more impressed by your watch and other jewelry – or the designer tags on your t-shirt and jeans than your heart and soul?  Are WE this way toward others?  Do we truly seek to worship together so that we can glorify God and be uplifted and encouraged to share the Good News with others?  Or do we get together to see our friends, make plans for social activities…or compare everything from our clothing to how well our kids did over the weekend in competitions of all kinds? 

Are we making a point…or making a difference?  Are we really presentable – inside and out? Isn’t it time we were?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 5, 2016

Exodus 20:5
You must never bow or worship it in any way; for I, the Lord your God, am very possessive. I will not share your affection with any other god!

“And when I punish people for their sins, the punishment continues upon the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of those who hate me;
 
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Greg and I have been in “purge mode” of late…sorting through closets and cleaning out the clutter.  There is nothing like the death of a loved one – and the necessity to sort through THEIR belongings and decide what to keep – to motivate one to clean out his/her own “stuff!”  So as I have been spending a good deal of time sorting through my mother’s things and deciding what is important to me to keep – and what to pass on for someone else to sort – I have come to some (for me) stark realizations.

Here’s the first one…anything can become an idol…including our “stuff!”  We hang onto all sorts of things and place far too much importance on them for what are sometimes irrational reasons.  Realizing this has helped me to let go of Valentines and birthday cards from my toddler years…old newspaper clippings…and more.  Innovations like scanners and digital cameras that can preserve an image of some of the more historical and sentimental pieces has revolutionized this process – and helped me to let go of a lot of things I would otherwise cling to as a “treasure” with which I could not part.

Additionally, I’ve had to ask myself…”Will I really use this?  Will I read this book, or will it collect dust on my shelf?  Could someone else enjoy this sheet music that I have no interest in – other than the fact that it belonged to my family?”  If the answer is negative in any way, the items have to go!  A dear friend who has “inherited” in recent years made the comment that [paraphrased] “My house is filled with the past rather than the future.”  And the past – or relics from it – can also become our “idol.”

We are not to worship the belongings of others…and as I am learning, the memories such items evoke are still there, even when the “treasure” has been discarded.  This is not disrespectful to the person who cherished or accumulated these things.  And if the truth be told…many of the items I have sorted through lately were buried like a time capsule for 50 years or more – and nobody had given them a second thought!  So why are they suddenly so important again?  Let’s enjoy the memory…snap a photo or two – or make a scanned image – then let it go!

I come from a long line of certified pack rats!  If you could have seen my maternal grandfather’s desk (and I literally mean, if you could have SEEN it!) – then my mother’s office – you would understand why Mother always said that my messy desk “is so neat and organized!” (It’s not!)  So I totally get the part of this passage about “curses” continuing to future generations!

What does this mean for us in a Spiritual context?  Again, I must say…ANYTHING can become an idol.  It can be money, possessions, work, another person, our hobby…or even our STUFF and that of other people who are/were significant to us!  We get so caught up in all of these things – and the “idol worship” – that we lose focus on God.  My Jesus Calling* entry for today talked about seeking Jesus – and how He runs after those who run after Him. Let’s be honest…if we are busy pursuing other “idols,” there won’t be time and energy – much less a desire – to run after God.

When we put our relationship with Jesus Christ first – and seek His will and word for our lives, other things fall into place.  The priorities tend to order themselves properly – and we have time for work, relationships, hobbies, and even relaxation.  It becomes apparent what clutter and “junk” are necessary and significant – and what needs to find a new home (maybe even the dumpster!). 

As you go about your day, seek Jesus at every turn.  Talk to Him…ask Him if you are on the right course.  Make your conversation/relationship with Jesus the most important part of your day, and everything else will come into focus with amazing clarity.  Figure out what you have made into an idol…and ask God to help you re-align your priorities.  Jesus seeks those who seek Him and worship HIM above all else.  Are YOU one of those?  Isn’t it time you were?

©2016 Debbie Robus

*www.JesusCalling.com

Daily Devotional for February 5, 2016

Psalm 99:1-3
God rules. On your toes, everybody!
He rules from his angel throne—take notice!
God looms majestic in Zion,
He towers in splendor over all the big names.
Great and terrible your beauty: let everyone praise you!
    Holy. Yes, holy.
 
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugeterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

When we were looking through things at my Mother’s, we found a little “Tell-a-Tales" book that had belonged to my maternal grandmother.  She read it to my sister, brother and me when we were children.  The book…Little Black Sambo.  Today, I read this book to Nathan before his nap.

Some of you may think I am politically incorrect to share this book with our little ones.  But let me remind you of the story, if you don’t remember it or have never heard it.  Little Black Sambo’s parents are Black Jumbo (the father) and Black Mumbo (the mother).  Black Jumbo goes to the bazaar and buys a suit of clothing for Little Black Sambo…a jacket, pants, shoes, and a parasol (umbrella).  Remember, this book was written in 1899!

Little Black Sambo feels truly fine and regal in his new clothes.  But as he goes through the jungle, he encounters tigers…and one by one, they strip him of his clothing under the threat of “eating him up!”  Little Black Sambo convinces the evil tigers to take his articles of clothing instead…and each tiger declares himself to be “the grandest tiger in the jungle.”

Ultimately, the tigers meet up and get into a fight over who truly is the grandest.  They grab each other by the tail and begin to chase themselves around a tree -  until there is nothing left but a big puddle of pure butter.  Black Jumbo happens along and discovers the butter and takes it home to his family.  Black Mumbo makes pancakes for the family and fries them in the butter.  And Little Black Sambo gathers up his clothing and returns home to enjoy his pancakes.

I cannot tell you how many times we read this story when I was a child.  And the lesson we learned was not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought…that we are not “all that and a bag of chips”…and that “things” do not make you grand or powerful – and thinking otherwise can get you into a lot of trouble!

A lot of people have gotten into a battle with each other and are chasing around and around a palm tree (metaphorically) in competition for the title of “Most Powerful” or “Grandest in the Jungle!”  And as you can see from this children’s story, the end result is often anything but what these “tigers” expected!

In my mind, we should be like “Little Black Sambo”…going about our business…serving God…respecting His authority and supremacy…and refusing to buy into the tricks of the “tigers” in our lives.  Better to give them our shirt or shoes than to risk either becoming like them – or being swallowed up by them.  These agents of the devil hold no true power, if we stay focused on God.  Their names will never be as big as His…or as brightly spotlighted.  They can put on fancy shoes or a beautifully tailored jacket and pretend to be majestic or persuasive. But those who trust in God and listen for His voice know Who is really in charge!

My question today is this…”Who are you chasing…God or the devil’s ‘tigers’?”  Have you bought into their lies and joined the pack that chases its tails in vain?  Aren’t you ready to step back and regroup – to shift your focus to the One who deserves to be honored and glorified?  Make this the day that you step up on your toes and shout to the Heavens, “God is my King…let everyone praise Him!  Holy, yes, HOLY!  Amen and AMEN!”  Let this be your battle cry - and your defining statement…forever and always.

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 17, 2015

Isaiah 8:13
I am the one you should fear and respect. I am the holy God, the Lord All-Powerful!

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

When I was a child…and even when my parents were children…there was a man who lived in our county who was known as “Preacher Mullens.”  This gentle man was a traveling preacher…and at Christmas time, he dressed up as Santa Claus and came to area schools to pass out candy canes.  He drove a red Jeep with REAL “reindeer” on the front…actually a mounted deer (or were there two?).  Okay, so it wouldn’t be so politically correct today…but I remember petting the deer and thinking it was the greatest thing ever.  And even though I knew that “Santa” was really Preacher Mullens, he truly represented Santa to me…the only Santa of my childhood.

My first year to teach, Preacher Mullens came to visit our school, and I have a photo of him passing out candy canes to my first graders.  That was in 1977, and I think this was one of the last years that Mr. Mullens did this.  Today, at Timothy’s first grade Christmas party, a childhood friend of mine who makes a truly fine Santa Claus visited the classrooms and wished the children a Merry Christmas.  I told him, “You are carrying the torch for Preacher Mullens.”  He quickly raised his hands and said, “Oh, NO!  There is no way!”  He did not feel worthy to be compared to this man who is so revered in our community as something of a childhood folk hero.  In my friend’s mind, there is only ONE “Preacher Mullens”…and he cannot be replicated.

I’m here to assure you that there is only ONE Jesus Christ…only ONE Lord and Savior. There will be some pretty good people who come along in our lifetime – and in the generations to come. There will be some fine folks who do their best to love God and serve Him completely. And there will be some amazing spiritual leaders who can help us understand scripture, guide us in ministry, and assist us in accomplishing fantastic things in the name of the LORD. But there will only ever be ONE God…and He only sent ONE Son to save us.

So before we go singing the praises of each other – or this evangelist or that minister or author… and giving too much credit to a mere human, let’s get it straight.  Let’s remember who is the Lord All-Powerful…and let’s give HIM our utmost “fear” and respect.  In this season when we celebrate all sorts of things – including Santa Claus and his reindeer…let’s remember Who we are really supposed to be honoring.  We need to remember to make Jesus the center of attention and keep our perspective…and then we need to keep this up all throughout the year.

I have such fond memories of Preacher Mullens and all of the good he did for people in my part of the state…and he did this throughout the year – not just at Christmas time.  There is a place in my “Christmas memories” for this magnificent man and happy thoughts of the Santa Claus that he portrayed.  But I must make certain that I prioritize carefully – and that I don’t place Santa Claus ahead of Jesus…in this season or any other time of the year.  I am determined to do this…what about you?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 16, 2015

Isaiah 66:2
I have made everything;
that’s how it all came to be.
    I, the Lord, have spoken.

The people I treasure most
    are the humble—
they depend only on me
    and tremble when I speak.

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

Have you ever gone into a room and forgotten why you were there?  I know I have.  I will stop and stand still and say to myself, “Now, I know I came in here for something!” In my case, it might be a bit of simple forgetfulness that comes with age! But often, the problem is that we are trying to do too much at once.

I know it sounds cliché, but this is one of the busiest times of the year.  We are consumed with decorations, parties, gifts and festivities…musical programs and parades…food galore and opportunities at every turn for revelry.  And in the midst of all of this, we find it very easy to forget “why we came into the room.”  In other words, we get so caught up in the merriment and celebration that we forget WHO we are celebrating.

This scripture passage from Isaiah reminds us that God treasures most those who are humble…the ones who depend on Him and “tremble when I speak.”  In other words, God treasures the ones who maintain focus…listen for His voice…and pay attention to His message.  God treasures those who are more interested in what He thinks and has to say than what the world says…the ones who care more about seeking Him in the everyday, ordinary things of life than making sure everything is just perfect in their holiday celebrations and décor.  He values those who care more about meeting the physical, mental and spiritual needs of others than buying the perfect gift for Aunt Sue.

At the end of the day…we need to stop, take a breath, and refocus.  Two weeks from Friday (if not sooner) a lot of people will pack away the decorations, undress the tree, and close the book on Christmas for another eleven months.  And more than a few will pack away their relationship with Jesus, too.

Let’s promise right now that we won’t do this!  Let’s get our priorities straight now…today…December 16th.  Let’s humble ourselves before God and thank Him for all that He has made…for everything that He has given us.  And let’s ask Him to show us what is most important…”why we came into the room” in the first place! 

I want to be among those whom God treasures most…don’t you?  Are you taking the necessary steps to make it so?  Don’t you think it’s time you did?

© Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 2, 2015

Luke 12:32-34
Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

“Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

Each day, I get an e-mail notice from an online clearinghouse called Zulily.  This is somewhat like an “Overstock.com” site for (supposed) “good deals” on clothing, toys, and more.  The e-mail message showcases different brands each day.  Today, one of them was for a fashion design company that sells clothing, purses and shoes.  For the price of a bunk bed set with mattresses for Timothy and Nathan, I could purchase a designer purse!  Which do you think would be high on my list?

We could go to Ghana and visit Kodjo, the boy we have sponsored through Compassion, International for ten years and counting.  We could spend a whole day with him!  The cost of the trip for each of us would total about $8000.  For that amount, we could sponsor TWENTY-TWO needy children for a year and provide them with the opportunity to attend school…uniforms…food and health care…school supplies…the opportunity to learn about Jesus, and more.  As much as I would love to meet Kodjo and give him a big ole hug, I cannot justify this.  To do so would be to store my treasure in momentary pleasure rather than doing big things for God.

I saw an essay on what to expect when rearing boys, and one of the points was that a whole lot of fancy, expensive toys are unnecessary.  Just give a boy a stick, some dirt and the outdoors, and he is a happy camper!  And I have to agree.  I’ve watched our children get as excited – or more – over the box and wrapping paper that surrounded a gift than they were about the actual contents.  We play music on make-believe “drums” that are really a set of nested metal tins – or a recycled oatmeal box.  We have lots of second-hand toys and repurposed items that fill our toy baskets…and nobody cares!

There are so many opportunities each and every day to get it right…to line up our priorities with God’s.  But instead, we worry about whether our purse and shoes look right with our outfit…or whether our “adopted son or daughter” will know that we love them and care about them if we don’t hug them in person.  We stress over appearances on countless levels…and we “store up treasure” in all the wrong places.  We think we have to have brand-new everything, when repurposed/refreshed items are often just as good – and leave us with enough money to minister to the truly needy.

We justify $100+ tickets to concerts and sporting events and “cannot afford” to contribute to a local fundraiser to help needy families during the holidays.  Candidates spend millions of dollars for a chance to be the new leader of the free world – or a lawmaker in some capacity - while promising to enact legislation to create jobs, improve health care coverage and care for the elderly and those in low-income brackets.  We dress up and attend “charity fundraisers” with our friends, spending far more on our outfits, food, and party itself than we actually raise for those in need!  Do you see the irony?

Don’t misunderstand me…God has not called us to be martyrs…to never have any fun or spend any time or money on ourselves. There is nothing wrong with making an effort to look nice and be stylish.  But God has commanded that we listen to Him and serve when and where He directs…to make His ministries our top priority…and think a little more infrequently about our own desires.  God has called us to worry a little less about what others think of us in terms of possessions and appearances – and to care more about what they see us do in His name.

We all can do better in this area.  This passage is about a whole lot more than dollars and cents…Jesus is talking about how we serve as His disciples with everything we’ve got!  This is the day to “get over yourself” and start serving…to “put your money where your mouth is” with regards to your Christian faith and how you spend your time, talents and resources…to really serve God first, and yourself second. 

This is the day that we need to quit worrying so much about what others think - and concentrate on God’s opinion!  His is the only one that truly matters.  So what do you say?  Ready…set…GO!

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 31, 2015

Luke 10:41-42
But the Lord said to her, “Martha, dear friend, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her!”

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

My mother once gave me a book titled, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World*.  The premise was that we spend a lot of time worrying…and most of it is about things that are either insignificant – or low priority! Certain “worries” are rites of passage and part of growing up…like the litany of stresses that compile “teenage angst.”  But those who, like me, have lived a few decades can probably look back on several events and circumstances and say, “I wasted far too much time on that!”

“Woulda, shoulda, coulda”…these are all natural sentiments that most of us have experienced.  “I wish I would have studied more”…”I should have spent more time with this person or that one”…”I could have made more of an effort to get to know Jesus better at a younger age – and saved myself some heartache!”  Regrets and worry are a natural part of the human psyche.

But hear the words of Jesus in these verses…and go back and read all of the story in Luke 10, if you need to refresh your memory.  Stop and take a good look at what is concerning you these days…then ask, “Is this really what matters most?”  Is it more important that we spend time on the things that express our love - and the love of Jesus – for others…or do we really need that latest gizmo or new outfit we spent hours shopping for?  When someone drops by for a visit, will you worry about how your house looks – or enjoy their company? 

When your favorite television program is interrupted by a phone call from a friend or loved one who wants to visit, will you be irritated – or attentive?  Will you read to a child – or spend an hour surfing social media?  Will you be so self-absorbed or concerned about keeping up appearances that you miss the beauty of a crisp fall day…a few minutes spent in strengthening and encouraging conversation with God… or even His gift of a few hours of much-needed rest and renewal?

Worry steals our energy, our time, and our joy.  Misplaced priorities rob us of God’s blessings – and our true purpose as Christian disciples.  Will you spend some time today seeking God’s will and direction for your life…and syncing your agenda with His?  I probably need to get this book out and read it again, because worry has a way of creeping into our lives in ways that we don’t even notice!  Will this be the day that you start becoming a “Mary in a Martha World?” - and learn to operate in what is really important? Don’t you think it should be?

©2015 Debbie Robus

* Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World - ©2000 Joanna Weaver - http://www.amazon.com/Having-Mary-Heart-Martha-World/dp/1578562589

Daily Devotional for August 27, 2015

Matthew 10:34-39
“Don’t think I’ve come to make life cozy. I’ve come to cut—make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law—cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God. Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer father or mother over me, you don’t deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don’t deserve me.

“If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don’t deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me."

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

Regional sections of our state newspaper carried a front-page article about young man from El Paso/Vilonia, Arkansas, who is beginning his freshman year of college.  He is pictured wearing a green jacket and shirt, and the headline is “4-H is My Life.”  Now I don’t know this young man, so I have no idea what he truly thinks or feels.
I don’t know if he really said these exact words…and if he did, I’m not sure that he meant them literally. 

But I know several people who truly have made something or someone the most important focus of their lives.  They have put this interest or person above everything else…even Jesus. I know people who are obsessed with work or a hobby…their own self-interests…or a significant other.  There are people who live and breathe for their children or another family member…to the detriment of others around them. There are people who are obsessed with a particular sport or hobby – either as a spectator or a participant.  Some people are so focused on their physical diet, exercise, and appearance that everything else is secondary.

I know people who have been told by their family members…it’s me or Jesus.  I know spouses and children who have had to make this difficult decision…knowing that to choose Jesus might end their marriage or family relationship.  And sadly, there are some people who are so focused on “church” or the activities and causes that they think define their Christian faith that they have totally left Jesus out of the mix. 

Some or all of these situations – and countless others – could describe you and me on any given day.  And in each instance, we have failed to keep the main thing the main thing!  So look at the first verse of this passage again…the one where Jesus says “Don’t think I’ve come to make things cozy.”  In other translations, it says, “I came to bring trouble, not peace.”(CEV) 

Why would Jesus come to bring trouble?  Let’s realize that this is not the typical “trouble” we envision.  Jesus wants to “shake things up” a bit…to “rattle our cages” and make us think about Who He truly is…and where our priorities lie.  He wants us to discover the depths of His love…and our loyalty.  He wants us to be so devoted to Him that we are willing to strip away everything and everyone else…even parents, children, siblings, significant others, careers, possessions, hobbies, and personal desires of every kind. 

We must be willing to put aside those things that we think define our Christian faith…the campaigns we wage to make a point about this commandment or that one…our efforts to sway lawmakers and the general public to “put God back” into XYZ…and focus on truly putting God back into our lives – at the very center of our every breath!

This is HARD STUFF!  But it is critical.  What – or who – is your “life” today?  If we are not willing to let go of our own agendas and desires in order to focus totally on Jesus, then He is exactly right – we don’t deserve Him!  And that’s just not an option for me…what about you?

©2015 Debbie Robus