Luke 23:48-55
A crowd had gathered to see the
terrible sight. Then after they had seen it, they felt brokenhearted and
went home. All of Jesus' close friends and the women who had come with
him from Galilee stood at a distance and watched.
There was a man
named Joseph, who was from Arimathea in Judea. Joseph was a good and
honest man, and he was eager for God’s kingdom to come. He was also a
member of the council, but he did not agree with what they had decided.
Joseph
went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. He took the body down from
the cross and wrapped it in fine cloth. Then he put it in a tomb that
had been cut out of solid rock and had never been used. It was Friday,
and the Sabbath was about to begin.
The women who had come with
Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and watched how Jesus' body was
placed in the tomb. Then they went to prepare some sweet-smelling spices
for his burial. But on the Sabbath they rested, as the Law of Moses
commands.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
After
we buried our beloved cat Lucy four weeks ago, we ambled around
the house rather aimlessly. We had done all we could do…there was
nothing left except to sit and allow the profundity of what had just
happened to soak in. Those were sad, heartbreaking hours. Each day has
gotten a little easier, although we still look for our precious Tuxedo
cat. I think I hear her sometimes…or that I spot her out of the corner
of my eye – lying in her favorite chair in my office.
When my
grandmother died two years ago, there was a sense of joy and relief that
her struggle had ended…that her longing to be with Jesus in heaven had
become her reality. But the very next morning, we sprung into
action…arranging her funeral, writing her obituary, answering phone
calls and questions, sorting through pictures for her memorial video.
There was so much to do initially that the time to sit and “soak it all
in” didn’t come right away. In fact, it was about two weeks before it
truly hit me that my grandmother was really gone - and I was able to
reflect on all that had happened.
Unless you are a pet owner, you
may think it in bad taste that I have shared references to the death of
my fur baby and my grandmother in the same devotional. Please stick
with me!
I tell you all of this to explain how empty, exhausted,
and numb the entourage at the cross must have felt after Jesus’ death.
Momentarily, they must have sat in silence…somewhat dumbfounded and
bewildered. “What do we do now?” they must have wondered. “Where do we
go? How will we ever be happy again?” These are normal questions
after the loss of any loved one. And the “busyness” that follow –
preparation for burial and the actual interment – are
cathartic…healing…a way to do something, which is a real human need.
But
I must also tell you that the numbness fades…rest comes...the heart
swells with memories and good thoughts…and joy returns. Jesus rose from
the grave. He lives! The tomb could not hold Him! And because of
this, we can move forward in confidence and peace. Because Jesus lives,
I know that my grandmother (and yes, my cat Lucy) are safe with Him in
heaven. We have to go through this “numb” day/time to get to the
“Resurrection Day”…but it is coming!
So wherever you are
today…whatever has caused your “numbness” or grieved you…whatever trials
you are enduring…whatever heartaches you are experiencing…know that a
better day is coming, because Jesus will make it so. Sit and weep if
you must…take in what is happening and process it. But call on Jesus to
get you past this day and into the light of resurrection in Him!
Believe in the promises of Jesus Christ, and know that joy truly does
come in the morning for all who trust in Him.
Because of Jesus,
we are a lot stronger than we think! Sit and talk with Him today…share
EVERYTHING…and remember to thank Him for His amazing sacrifices on our
behalf. I often tell people who are grieving…”You just have to get
through today.” Easter is coming…let Jesus help you get through
today - and handle all of your tomorrows.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label promises of Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label promises of Jesus. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 23, 2011
John 14:15-17
Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, you will do as I command. Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don't see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My sister recently started a new job. Because she began in the middle of a pay period, she had to work three weeks before she got her first paycheck. When I was teaching, payday was the 20th of each month, which meant we taught part of August and almost all of September before we received a paycheck. We did our jobs in good faith that on the appointed day, the checks would be there. And sure enough, when payday came, we got our money. But we operated in faith until that day that we would be paid for our work.
Operating in the faith that the Holy Spirit will always be with us is a far cry from believing we will get a paycheck, but you get the picture. We have a whole lot more trouble trusting Jesus to send His Holy Spirit than we do believing that we will be paid for the work we have already done in an earthly job! The irony is that Jesus is the only One we can truly trust to deliver on any and all promises! Let’s be honest, companies have gone under… and employees have been left without all of the pay they earned. Family members, friends, and acquaintances have promised all sorts of things and failed to deliver. Human promises are not always a sure thing.
When Jesus tells us He is sending His Holy Spirit, we can count on this! And once you develop a close relationship with Jesus and strive to do what He asks of you… stay in communication with Him and seek ways to honor and serve Him… you will begin to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit more strongly than ever. It won’t matter what others say or who questions your faith, strength, and courage… YOU will know Who is living within you and “driving the car” in your daily living.
Once we acknowledge the Holy Spirit and let Him guide us, everything in our lives becomes better. It took me a long, long time to understand the Holy Spirit and how He works in me. Don’t let it take that long for you. Ask Jesus what you need to do to feel His presence… invite Him to come and live in your heart. Just say, “Come Holy Spirit!” Be still and listen for Him… feel His presence and the peace and calm that He brings to every situation. Get to know the Holy Spirit for yourself and see how much better He can make every single day!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, you will do as I command. Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don't see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My sister recently started a new job. Because she began in the middle of a pay period, she had to work three weeks before she got her first paycheck. When I was teaching, payday was the 20th of each month, which meant we taught part of August and almost all of September before we received a paycheck. We did our jobs in good faith that on the appointed day, the checks would be there. And sure enough, when payday came, we got our money. But we operated in faith until that day that we would be paid for our work.
Operating in the faith that the Holy Spirit will always be with us is a far cry from believing we will get a paycheck, but you get the picture. We have a whole lot more trouble trusting Jesus to send His Holy Spirit than we do believing that we will be paid for the work we have already done in an earthly job! The irony is that Jesus is the only One we can truly trust to deliver on any and all promises! Let’s be honest, companies have gone under… and employees have been left without all of the pay they earned. Family members, friends, and acquaintances have promised all sorts of things and failed to deliver. Human promises are not always a sure thing.
When Jesus tells us He is sending His Holy Spirit, we can count on this! And once you develop a close relationship with Jesus and strive to do what He asks of you… stay in communication with Him and seek ways to honor and serve Him… you will begin to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit more strongly than ever. It won’t matter what others say or who questions your faith, strength, and courage… YOU will know Who is living within you and “driving the car” in your daily living.
Once we acknowledge the Holy Spirit and let Him guide us, everything in our lives becomes better. It took me a long, long time to understand the Holy Spirit and how He works in me. Don’t let it take that long for you. Ask Jesus what you need to do to feel His presence… invite Him to come and live in your heart. Just say, “Come Holy Spirit!” Be still and listen for Him… feel His presence and the peace and calm that He brings to every situation. Get to know the Holy Spirit for yourself and see how much better He can make every single day!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 27, 2011
John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word. Everything that was created received its life from him, and his life gave light to everyone. The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the movie “Gasland,” a farmer in Wyoming took the movie producer into the mountains and showed him ancient drawings that still line a rock wall. The two men talked about how old this area of our country is… how thousands of years ago, water carved out the Tetons and created the rock formations that stand tall on this land today. In the same manner, we look at the Grand Canyon, and we can’t even wrap our brains around how old it is… how long it has been there.
Sometimes my husband and I watch travel shows on television about interesting, beautiful places in Europe. Many of the buildings and ruins are centuries old… and some were created almost a thousand years ago. It boggles the mind to think about how – and when – these magnificent structures were created. I can’t fathom a time when the area where rivers now flow was actually the mountainous “inverse”. I look at an old bridge that was built early in the last century – or a cool older home built around 1920, and I am amazed at the workmanship… knowing the technology and machinery we have today did not exist at that time. But then I look at an ancient monastery in the Himalayas, I can’t even comprehend how the workmen traveled to that location… much less how they carried the materials and tools necessary to create such a magnificent structure.
Then I read in the book of John about how Jesus was with God before Creation… how He has always been with God… how he IS God… a part of the “Three-in-One” – God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit… and I can barely wrap my brain around this, either. John bases this statement on a dream he describes in Revelation 19:13 and 16, where he says “The rider wore a robe that was covered with blood, and he was known as ‘The Word of God.’ On the part of the robe that covered his thigh was written, ‘KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.’”
We’ve studied the creation story in Genesis since we were very young – maybe even toddlers! We all know much of it by heart… “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” But if you are like me, you don’t stop to consider the magnitude of that this means… and most surely you haven’t thought about Jesus being present! What does say to us today? Why am I telling you this?
I believe that we need to be more aware of the continual presence of God in our lives – in all three forms. I believe there is great encouragement and hope in the knowledge that Jesus has been with us since before Creation… He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us now… and He will be waiting for us in heaven! Every one of us is going to encounter times in our lives when we have a real “gut-check.” We are going to experience challenges and times of great need… and every step of the way, Jesus will be with us. It is incredible to me to think that long before a single person was created, Jesus was there… and He will be with us in Eternity. He truly does number our steps… and know what is planned for us!
Doesn’t this make you feel better? Doesn’t it give you comfort and courage to know that the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS has always been with us… and always will be? Are you starting to “get it” that we can always call on Him… that He truly cares for our every need? His life gave us light, and Darkness (Satan) has never put Him out… and never will. Buildings will crumble and fall away… mountains can be blasted to rubble by heavy machinery… but Jesus Christ stands forever! Now that’s Good News worth celebrating! And have a glorious day with the LORD!
©2011 Debbie Robus
In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word. Everything that was created received its life from him, and his life gave light to everyone. The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the movie “Gasland,” a farmer in Wyoming took the movie producer into the mountains and showed him ancient drawings that still line a rock wall. The two men talked about how old this area of our country is… how thousands of years ago, water carved out the Tetons and created the rock formations that stand tall on this land today. In the same manner, we look at the Grand Canyon, and we can’t even wrap our brains around how old it is… how long it has been there.
Sometimes my husband and I watch travel shows on television about interesting, beautiful places in Europe. Many of the buildings and ruins are centuries old… and some were created almost a thousand years ago. It boggles the mind to think about how – and when – these magnificent structures were created. I can’t fathom a time when the area where rivers now flow was actually the mountainous “inverse”. I look at an old bridge that was built early in the last century – or a cool older home built around 1920, and I am amazed at the workmanship… knowing the technology and machinery we have today did not exist at that time. But then I look at an ancient monastery in the Himalayas, I can’t even comprehend how the workmen traveled to that location… much less how they carried the materials and tools necessary to create such a magnificent structure.
Then I read in the book of John about how Jesus was with God before Creation… how He has always been with God… how he IS God… a part of the “Three-in-One” – God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit… and I can barely wrap my brain around this, either. John bases this statement on a dream he describes in Revelation 19:13 and 16, where he says “The rider wore a robe that was covered with blood, and he was known as ‘The Word of God.’ On the part of the robe that covered his thigh was written, ‘KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.’”
We’ve studied the creation story in Genesis since we were very young – maybe even toddlers! We all know much of it by heart… “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” But if you are like me, you don’t stop to consider the magnitude of that this means… and most surely you haven’t thought about Jesus being present! What does say to us today? Why am I telling you this?
I believe that we need to be more aware of the continual presence of God in our lives – in all three forms. I believe there is great encouragement and hope in the knowledge that Jesus has been with us since before Creation… He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us now… and He will be waiting for us in heaven! Every one of us is going to encounter times in our lives when we have a real “gut-check.” We are going to experience challenges and times of great need… and every step of the way, Jesus will be with us. It is incredible to me to think that long before a single person was created, Jesus was there… and He will be with us in Eternity. He truly does number our steps… and know what is planned for us!
Doesn’t this make you feel better? Doesn’t it give you comfort and courage to know that the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS has always been with us… and always will be? Are you starting to “get it” that we can always call on Him… that He truly cares for our every need? His life gave us light, and Darkness (Satan) has never put Him out… and never will. Buildings will crumble and fall away… mountains can be blasted to rubble by heavy machinery… but Jesus Christ stands forever! Now that’s Good News worth celebrating! And have a glorious day with the LORD!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 3, 2010
April 3 ~ Luke 24:2-7
When they found the stone rolled away from the entrance, they went in. But they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus, and they did not know what to think. Suddenly two men in shining white clothes stood beside them. The women were afraid and bowed to the ground. But the men said, "Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive? Jesus isn't here! He has been raised from death. Remember that while he was still in Galilee, he told you, 'The Son of Man will be handed over to sinners who will nail him to a cross. But three days later he will rise to life.' "
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Before you toss this as a duplicate of the previous devotional, stick with me for a few minutes. We’ve all seen movie scenes where someone goes to a cemetery and stands over a tombstone and talks to the person who is buried there… and you may have done this yourself. If we are rational, we realize that the person to whom we are speaking isn’t going to answer – and probably can’t even hear what we are saying. But somehow, we are drawn to the grave. There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, it may be therapeutic to stop and meditate at a gravesite. But expecting any response – or to find anything other than a mound of dirt and a marker – is unreasonable.
This is what makes the account of the women who visited Jesus’ tomb so remarkable. Jesus truly was NOT there! And the significance of this contrast to the graves of mere human beings is huge. Because the tomb could not hold Jesus… because of what He did for us and God’s power… the grave is not our final resting place. Because of Jesus and the sacrifices – and victories – He experienced on our behalf, the tomb will not hold us either – at least not our souls.
Jesus was raised from physical death. And because of that, we are raised from the death of sin – if we choose to believe in Him and the power of God to work in our lives. We do have a final resting place… but it’s not in a cemetery. We who have become followers of Christ will live in Heaven with God Almighty for all of eternity! This is very good news – not only for this Easter weekend, but forever. The tomb is empty – death is not the end – Hallelujah! Celebrate new life in Christ Jesus today – and always!
©2010 Debbie Robus
When they found the stone rolled away from the entrance, they went in. But they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus, and they did not know what to think. Suddenly two men in shining white clothes stood beside them. The women were afraid and bowed to the ground. But the men said, "Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive? Jesus isn't here! He has been raised from death. Remember that while he was still in Galilee, he told you, 'The Son of Man will be handed over to sinners who will nail him to a cross. But three days later he will rise to life.' "
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Before you toss this as a duplicate of the previous devotional, stick with me for a few minutes. We’ve all seen movie scenes where someone goes to a cemetery and stands over a tombstone and talks to the person who is buried there… and you may have done this yourself. If we are rational, we realize that the person to whom we are speaking isn’t going to answer – and probably can’t even hear what we are saying. But somehow, we are drawn to the grave. There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, it may be therapeutic to stop and meditate at a gravesite. But expecting any response – or to find anything other than a mound of dirt and a marker – is unreasonable.
This is what makes the account of the women who visited Jesus’ tomb so remarkable. Jesus truly was NOT there! And the significance of this contrast to the graves of mere human beings is huge. Because the tomb could not hold Jesus… because of what He did for us and God’s power… the grave is not our final resting place. Because of Jesus and the sacrifices – and victories – He experienced on our behalf, the tomb will not hold us either – at least not our souls.
Jesus was raised from physical death. And because of that, we are raised from the death of sin – if we choose to believe in Him and the power of God to work in our lives. We do have a final resting place… but it’s not in a cemetery. We who have become followers of Christ will live in Heaven with God Almighty for all of eternity! This is very good news – not only for this Easter weekend, but forever. The tomb is empty – death is not the end – Hallelujah! Celebrate new life in Christ Jesus today – and always!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 31, 2010
March 31 ~ 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. That part is: Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say. He was buried, and three days later he was raised to life, as the Scriptures say. Christ appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After this, he appeared to more than five hundred other followers. Most of them are still alive, but some have died. He also appeared to James, and then to all of the apostles. Finally, he appeared to me, even though I am like someone who was born at the wrong time.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The burden of proof is often a deciding factor in countless life situations, from court cases to new inventions to medical research. Everyone wants proof before they will believe something. If you weren’t drinking and driving, take a breathalyzer test and prove it in court. If this new vacuum cleaner really does pick up more than its competitor, show me in a side-by-side comparison. If this new drug really does cure cancer, I want to see results and case studies that confirm this! If Jesus really rose from the grave… I want to hear this news from people who were there!
Ah… there’s the rub… we really can’t talk to anyone who was actually there. We have to rely on the reports of Paul, the Apostles, the Disciples, and over five hundred other people who saw Jesus after the crucifixion and burial. Is that enough proof? Can we take the word of these people? Some would argue that we cannot trust these accounts. We believe the words of some people we never met who claim they were there and saw this. Don’t we demand more proof than that for even simple things, like showing ID at the grocery store?
The fact is that we are very much operating in faith that this happened. We are trusting Paul and others to tell us honestly what they saw and heard. Why would we trust them? We are such skeptical people by nature. Why do we believe this? We believe because the evidence really is overwhelming. Think about it. The story has not changed in almost 2000 years. Geologists and historians have been able to document many of the events and evidence surrounding the crucifixion. But more than this, we have learned from experience that God’s word is infallible. If we have been paying attention, we have seen that His promises play out in our own lives in so many ways every single day. If you have cultivated a relationship with God and His Holy Spirit, you already feel differently on the inside. You know that you know that you know that this is real… and that Paul’s account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is 100% accurate.
There will be some who will not believe. There will be some who are skeptical and say that they cannot accept all of this as anything but a colorful story … the proof is just not compelling enough. But I am not among them. The proof is more than compelling to me. As we approach Easter weekend, and I think about the events of that few days, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that every second of it happened just as written. I am humbled and heartsick as I think about Jesus agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prayed for God to find another way, if possible. I am physically sick as I consider the torture and crucifixion… imagine each spike being driven into Christ’s hands and feet. I am incredibly numb and grief stricken as I imagine the rumble of thunder, the dark skies, and the earth trembling after Jesus says, “It is finished.” I am overcome with joy and elation to realize on the third day that the grave was empty, and Jesus overcame death! I KNOW that He now sits in heaven at the right hand of God, and He talks to God about ME every single day!
More than that, I know that Jesus talks to God about YOU each day, also. He loves us so much that, in His mind, everything that happened was worth the price. Whatever you are going through today, know this… you can handle it because of Jesus. You can get through this and “rise again” in Him. Just as God raised Jesus from the grave, He will raise you from whatever is challenging you today. We are not alone… we have a Saviour! The proof is overwhelming… can you see Him?
©2010 Debbie Robus
I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. That part is: Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say. He was buried, and three days later he was raised to life, as the Scriptures say. Christ appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After this, he appeared to more than five hundred other followers. Most of them are still alive, but some have died. He also appeared to James, and then to all of the apostles. Finally, he appeared to me, even though I am like someone who was born at the wrong time.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The burden of proof is often a deciding factor in countless life situations, from court cases to new inventions to medical research. Everyone wants proof before they will believe something. If you weren’t drinking and driving, take a breathalyzer test and prove it in court. If this new vacuum cleaner really does pick up more than its competitor, show me in a side-by-side comparison. If this new drug really does cure cancer, I want to see results and case studies that confirm this! If Jesus really rose from the grave… I want to hear this news from people who were there!
Ah… there’s the rub… we really can’t talk to anyone who was actually there. We have to rely on the reports of Paul, the Apostles, the Disciples, and over five hundred other people who saw Jesus after the crucifixion and burial. Is that enough proof? Can we take the word of these people? Some would argue that we cannot trust these accounts. We believe the words of some people we never met who claim they were there and saw this. Don’t we demand more proof than that for even simple things, like showing ID at the grocery store?
The fact is that we are very much operating in faith that this happened. We are trusting Paul and others to tell us honestly what they saw and heard. Why would we trust them? We are such skeptical people by nature. Why do we believe this? We believe because the evidence really is overwhelming. Think about it. The story has not changed in almost 2000 years. Geologists and historians have been able to document many of the events and evidence surrounding the crucifixion. But more than this, we have learned from experience that God’s word is infallible. If we have been paying attention, we have seen that His promises play out in our own lives in so many ways every single day. If you have cultivated a relationship with God and His Holy Spirit, you already feel differently on the inside. You know that you know that you know that this is real… and that Paul’s account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is 100% accurate.
There will be some who will not believe. There will be some who are skeptical and say that they cannot accept all of this as anything but a colorful story … the proof is just not compelling enough. But I am not among them. The proof is more than compelling to me. As we approach Easter weekend, and I think about the events of that few days, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that every second of it happened just as written. I am humbled and heartsick as I think about Jesus agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prayed for God to find another way, if possible. I am physically sick as I consider the torture and crucifixion… imagine each spike being driven into Christ’s hands and feet. I am incredibly numb and grief stricken as I imagine the rumble of thunder, the dark skies, and the earth trembling after Jesus says, “It is finished.” I am overcome with joy and elation to realize on the third day that the grave was empty, and Jesus overcame death! I KNOW that He now sits in heaven at the right hand of God, and He talks to God about ME every single day!
More than that, I know that Jesus talks to God about YOU each day, also. He loves us so much that, in His mind, everything that happened was worth the price. Whatever you are going through today, know this… you can handle it because of Jesus. You can get through this and “rise again” in Him. Just as God raised Jesus from the grave, He will raise you from whatever is challenging you today. We are not alone… we have a Saviour! The proof is overwhelming… can you see Him?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 28, 2010
March 28 ~ Acts 13:30-35
But God raised him from death! Then for many days Jesus appeared to his followers who had gone with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Now they are telling our people about him. God made a promise to our ancestors. And we are here to tell you the good news that he has kept this promise to us. It is just as the second Psalm says about Jesus, "You are my son because today I have become your Father." God raised Jesus from death and will never let his body decay. It is just as God said, "I will make to you the same holy promise that I made to David." And in another psalm it says, "God will never let the body of his Holy One decay."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“I promise.” We say that so often. We tell our babies and small children, “I promise I will be right back.” We tell family and friends, “I promise I will remember to do such-and-such for you,” or “I promise I will never lie to you, “ or even “I promise I will do better.” We tell our teachers, “I promise, the dog ate my homework!”
“I promise, I promise!” But how many of our promises are reliable? How often do we fall short of delivering on our promises? What if GOD fell short? What if He had allowed Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, but somehow He never resurrected Jesus’ body? What if God had allowed Jesus’ body to decay? Our “Good News” wouldn’t be very good, would it?!
There’s more to consider... before we gave our hearts to Jesus, we were “dead” in sin. But Jesus bought and paid for our sins on the cross, and then He rose from the grave. Because of this, we are no longer “dead” in sin. We have risen to new life in Christ. God promised this, too! If God had failed to honor even one part of His promises, we would not be saved from sin and guaranteed an eternity with Him in heaven.
Because we are human, we often fail to honor our promises, even when our intentions are the best in the world. Thankfully, God NEVER fails to honor a promise. We can rest assured that what He has said He will do for us will be done. This is wonderful news! I promise this is true… because GOD has promised it!
2009 Debbie Robus
But God raised him from death! Then for many days Jesus appeared to his followers who had gone with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Now they are telling our people about him. God made a promise to our ancestors. And we are here to tell you the good news that he has kept this promise to us. It is just as the second Psalm says about Jesus, "You are my son because today I have become your Father." God raised Jesus from death and will never let his body decay. It is just as God said, "I will make to you the same holy promise that I made to David." And in another psalm it says, "God will never let the body of his Holy One decay."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“I promise.” We say that so often. We tell our babies and small children, “I promise I will be right back.” We tell family and friends, “I promise I will remember to do such-and-such for you,” or “I promise I will never lie to you, “ or even “I promise I will do better.” We tell our teachers, “I promise, the dog ate my homework!”
“I promise, I promise!” But how many of our promises are reliable? How often do we fall short of delivering on our promises? What if GOD fell short? What if He had allowed Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, but somehow He never resurrected Jesus’ body? What if God had allowed Jesus’ body to decay? Our “Good News” wouldn’t be very good, would it?!
There’s more to consider... before we gave our hearts to Jesus, we were “dead” in sin. But Jesus bought and paid for our sins on the cross, and then He rose from the grave. Because of this, we are no longer “dead” in sin. We have risen to new life in Christ. God promised this, too! If God had failed to honor even one part of His promises, we would not be saved from sin and guaranteed an eternity with Him in heaven.
Because we are human, we often fail to honor our promises, even when our intentions are the best in the world. Thankfully, God NEVER fails to honor a promise. We can rest assured that what He has said He will do for us will be done. This is wonderful news! I promise this is true… because GOD has promised it!
2009 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 21, 2010
March 21 ~ Isaiah 26:19
Your people will rise to life! Tell them to leave their graves and celebrate with shouts. You refresh the earth like morning dew; you give life to the dead.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In late February and early March, the landscape around our area gets about as bare as bare can get! It almost looks like everything is dead except for the green of the pine and cedar trees. Then, almost overnight, things start to burst open with buds and color. Little flowers dot the yards, and jonquils, crocus and hyacinth rise and bloom and brighten what had been a dreary scene. Yellow forsythia and red-pink japonica bushes remind us that spring has sprung, and plant life is reborn before our very eyes. People come out of their houses and work in their yards, play ball, and start a new exercise routine. The doldrums of winter are over, and we all get a burst of rejuvenation and refreshment!
In Isaiah, we read about people rising from their graves to new life, refreshed like morning dew. This refers to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who rose from the grave and ascended into Heaven to reign forever. It also refers to us – how we have a new life in Christ. Our old, sinful lives are dead, but a new life has risen. Just like the jonquils and the forsythia, we bloom and are called to brighten the day with the light of Christ!
Spring is a great time to regroup – to shake off the winter doldrums and revive ourselves. It is a great time to evaluate our Spiritual lives and see where we need a rebirth… and to ask Jesus to refresh us. Rise from your grave and celebrate with shouts! Because of Jesus, we have LIFE everlasting! Be filled with joy and new energy, and share His Good News with everyone you meet. Jesus is alive… and so are we who believe in Him! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Your people will rise to life! Tell them to leave their graves and celebrate with shouts. You refresh the earth like morning dew; you give life to the dead.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In late February and early March, the landscape around our area gets about as bare as bare can get! It almost looks like everything is dead except for the green of the pine and cedar trees. Then, almost overnight, things start to burst open with buds and color. Little flowers dot the yards, and jonquils, crocus and hyacinth rise and bloom and brighten what had been a dreary scene. Yellow forsythia and red-pink japonica bushes remind us that spring has sprung, and plant life is reborn before our very eyes. People come out of their houses and work in their yards, play ball, and start a new exercise routine. The doldrums of winter are over, and we all get a burst of rejuvenation and refreshment!
In Isaiah, we read about people rising from their graves to new life, refreshed like morning dew. This refers to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who rose from the grave and ascended into Heaven to reign forever. It also refers to us – how we have a new life in Christ. Our old, sinful lives are dead, but a new life has risen. Just like the jonquils and the forsythia, we bloom and are called to brighten the day with the light of Christ!
Spring is a great time to regroup – to shake off the winter doldrums and revive ourselves. It is a great time to evaluate our Spiritual lives and see where we need a rebirth… and to ask Jesus to refresh us. Rise from your grave and celebrate with shouts! Because of Jesus, we have LIFE everlasting! Be filled with joy and new energy, and share His Good News with everyone you meet. Jesus is alive… and so are we who believe in Him! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 2, 2010
March 2 ~ John 14:1
Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“Prove it!” How many times have you heard this or said it yourself? We all want proof, don’t we?! If we can just see things for ourselves, we’ll believe them. If someone can just show us how everything is going to come together and work out well, we’ll go along with the plans. It’s sort of like those people who read the last page of the book first – we want to know how things end!
So often, we Christians are amazingly skeptical. We’re as bad as Thomas and the other disciples. We want nothing short of pyrotechnics, flashing lights and bright billboards on every corner to assure us that Jesus IS who He says He is and will do what He promised. We say we believe in Him. We say we trust Him. But then we act in the completely opposite manner. We need proof! We need to KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt – and with physical evidence, please – that God is real and will handle our problems and deliver us from the devil and his agents. For many of us, the miracles all around us are not enough… we need more!
If you read on in John 14, you will see that Jesus tells the disciples, in essence, to relax. He tells them that they have been together a long time – long enough for the disciples to know that Jesus is a man of His word. So when He says that He is taking care of everything and preparing a place for them and will return, that should be enough to satisfy them. When He tells them that He is one with the Father, and therefore, we have a one-on-one, intimate relationship with God, we should believe Him. And then, as if He knows this won’t be sufficient, He calls on the Holy Spirit to come and be our constant companion.
I don’t know about you, but it seems rather tiresome to me to be continually wondering if God is who He says He is and will do what He promised. I’m ready to relax. I’m ready to let go and trust Him completely – to believe in Him and rely on the Holy Spirit each day to be my constant companion and guide. I’m ready rest in the Lord and let Him handle my days, nights, weekends… the whole shebang! Are you ready? What’s keeping you from trusting Him for yourself?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“Prove it!” How many times have you heard this or said it yourself? We all want proof, don’t we?! If we can just see things for ourselves, we’ll believe them. If someone can just show us how everything is going to come together and work out well, we’ll go along with the plans. It’s sort of like those people who read the last page of the book first – we want to know how things end!
So often, we Christians are amazingly skeptical. We’re as bad as Thomas and the other disciples. We want nothing short of pyrotechnics, flashing lights and bright billboards on every corner to assure us that Jesus IS who He says He is and will do what He promised. We say we believe in Him. We say we trust Him. But then we act in the completely opposite manner. We need proof! We need to KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt – and with physical evidence, please – that God is real and will handle our problems and deliver us from the devil and his agents. For many of us, the miracles all around us are not enough… we need more!
If you read on in John 14, you will see that Jesus tells the disciples, in essence, to relax. He tells them that they have been together a long time – long enough for the disciples to know that Jesus is a man of His word. So when He says that He is taking care of everything and preparing a place for them and will return, that should be enough to satisfy them. When He tells them that He is one with the Father, and therefore, we have a one-on-one, intimate relationship with God, we should believe Him. And then, as if He knows this won’t be sufficient, He calls on the Holy Spirit to come and be our constant companion.
I don’t know about you, but it seems rather tiresome to me to be continually wondering if God is who He says He is and will do what He promised. I’m ready to relax. I’m ready to let go and trust Him completely – to believe in Him and rely on the Holy Spirit each day to be my constant companion and guide. I’m ready rest in the Lord and let Him handle my days, nights, weekends… the whole shebang! Are you ready? What’s keeping you from trusting Him for yourself?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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