Psalm 136:24
He rescued us from our enemies. God's love never fails.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you want to read a really wild story about rescue from an enemy, go to Judges 4 and read how Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, handled Sisera, who was captain of the army of Jabin, the King of Canaan. Sisera was said to have oppressed the Israelites for more than twenty years. His army was defeated by Israel’s tribes, under the leadership of princess Deborah’s captain, Barak. Sisera fled and sought refuge with “friends” – Jael and Heber – but it didn’t work out as he had hoped. Apparently they didn’t consider Sisera in the same light! If you think there are no gory accounts in the Bible, be sure to check out this chapter in Judges!
The point is that enemies are nothing new… but not all enemies are as obvious as an opposing army captain! Some of our “enemies” are fear, depression, discouragement, despair, insecurity, ego, greed, hate, discrimination, and much more. But we don’t need a clever woman with a hammer and a stake… we just need God’s love! God has defeated more of our enemies than we can count… and He will continue to do just that. The key is recognizing our “enemies” and calling on God for help to overcome them. He stands ready to rescue us… and He never fails to answer.
Some of us are trying to battle our “enemies” on our own… and the results are probably pretty sad. Many of us are fairly slow learners! But we can change this. We can learn to call on God to rescue us… and to expect His answers. God wants to hear from us. He wants us to recognize His power – AND His desire – to help us in all situations. We have two choices… we can step one direction and try to manage our “enemies” on our own… or we can step toward God and let Him handle things for us. The choice is ours… which way will you turn?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label protection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label protection. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 24, 2010
1 Samuel 17:3
The LORD has rescued me from the claws of lions and bears, and he will keep me safe from the hands of this Philistine. "All right," Saul answered, "go ahead and fight him. And I hope the LORD will help you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I have been working on a project to organize our family photos in chronological order and digitize all of them. Daunting task? You bet! And there’s more… in looking back through all of the photos, we’ve experienced an incredible range of emotions … joy in seeing the pictures – especially the babies, kittens, puppies, children and other pets … laughter at hairstyles and what-were-we-thinking clothing options … and profound sorrow for the loss of loved ones, homes, and more. The “emotional rollercoaster ride” is something for which we weren’t prepared.
But there’s more. In looking back over decades of photos – ours and those of our parents – we realized just how much we have accomplished, endured, and overcome. We’ve had our share of “claws of lions and bears and hands of the Philistines!” But God has carried us through them. We’ve survived … grown … become much stronger … and the LORD has helped us indeed!
Sometimes it’s a good idea to stop and take inventory of where you have been and how far you have come … to see what God has done in your life and to recognize the amazing things you have been able to manage/accomplish/endure in His name. There will always be “Sauls” who will say, “prove it.” The good news is that with God guiding our steps, we can do just that!
Take some time to think over the events of your life and how God has cared for you, nurtured you, and blessed you along the way. Recognize the times He has saved you from “lions, bears and Philistines,” and acknowledge that He still has your back. Create an arsenal of examples to share with others that will encourage and bless them and serve as proof that the LORD does help each of us. And while you are at it, start to acknowledge the ways He helps you every day. Be humble and thankful, and trust Him always. The LORD is indeed our help – and it’s time we recognized Him!
©2010 Debbie Robus
The LORD has rescued me from the claws of lions and bears, and he will keep me safe from the hands of this Philistine. "All right," Saul answered, "go ahead and fight him. And I hope the LORD will help you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I have been working on a project to organize our family photos in chronological order and digitize all of them. Daunting task? You bet! And there’s more… in looking back through all of the photos, we’ve experienced an incredible range of emotions … joy in seeing the pictures – especially the babies, kittens, puppies, children and other pets … laughter at hairstyles and what-were-we-thinking clothing options … and profound sorrow for the loss of loved ones, homes, and more. The “emotional rollercoaster ride” is something for which we weren’t prepared.
But there’s more. In looking back over decades of photos – ours and those of our parents – we realized just how much we have accomplished, endured, and overcome. We’ve had our share of “claws of lions and bears and hands of the Philistines!” But God has carried us through them. We’ve survived … grown … become much stronger … and the LORD has helped us indeed!
Sometimes it’s a good idea to stop and take inventory of where you have been and how far you have come … to see what God has done in your life and to recognize the amazing things you have been able to manage/accomplish/endure in His name. There will always be “Sauls” who will say, “prove it.” The good news is that with God guiding our steps, we can do just that!
Take some time to think over the events of your life and how God has cared for you, nurtured you, and blessed you along the way. Recognize the times He has saved you from “lions, bears and Philistines,” and acknowledge that He still has your back. Create an arsenal of examples to share with others that will encourage and bless them and serve as proof that the LORD does help each of us. And while you are at it, start to acknowledge the ways He helps you every day. Be humble and thankful, and trust Him always. The LORD is indeed our help – and it’s time we recognized Him!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 17, 2010
June 17 ~ Isaiah 54:14
You will be built on fairness with no fears of injustice; every one of your worries will be taken far from you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A young cousin of mine recently received a nasty telephone message on the family’s answering machine. It turned out to be a jealous little girl who posed as my cousin’s friend and said some really ugly things to her. But it had all of the makings of a potential bullying situation. In talking with my cousin’s mother, we both shared how a bully had hurt us as young girls and teenagers, and the mother said, “It all came back to me in a flood.”
Clearly, from what I know of this woman, she has risen above any torment and torture that her childhood bully tried to inflict. If the bully meant to tear her apart for life, she failed miserably. And the girl who bullied me didn’t ruin my life, either. I wish I could say the same for some young teens whose stories have been in the news lately. For them, the only rescue they felt viable was suicide.
Especially when we are young, we are so vulnerable. Satan has an easy task of making life hard for us… and bullies are really difficult to ignore. We pray for God to take the burden away, but sometimes, in certain circumstances, we can’t escape our worries and injustice. Maybe those children didn’t have an attentive mother like my cousin’s, who jumped right on this situation and got to the bottom of it. Maybe these young people felt they should be able to handle this on their own and didn’t tell anyone – especially an adult. Or maybe they didn’t live in a home where everyone practiced faith in God to deliver them from all forms of weaponry, even the attacks of a bully.
My point is that Satan starts early. He has been trying to tear each of us away from God since the day we were born, and he will stop at nothing to achieve this. But we serve a God who is far more powerful… far more faithful… loving and kind, yet strong and mighty. And if we will stay focused on Him… hang on and hang in there – He will help us overcome all obstacles. He will send attentive mothers and fathers and empathetic teachers and counselors. He will give us wisdom and courage to fight the enemies of Satan, and every one of our worries will be taken far from us!
I’ll be the first to tell you that I come from a long line of worry warts. I learned from some of the best… and I got pretty good at it. And I’ll admit, I still worry about things that I cannot control from time to time. But I am learning to “let go and let God” – and I see evidence every day of how much better He handles these worries than I ever could. I see proof that He has had a protective hand on me for all of my years… and I know He is not letting go. Who has you in his hands – Satan, the biggest bully of all time - or the Great Protector, God Almighty? Who is doing your worrying these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
You will be built on fairness with no fears of injustice; every one of your worries will be taken far from you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A young cousin of mine recently received a nasty telephone message on the family’s answering machine. It turned out to be a jealous little girl who posed as my cousin’s friend and said some really ugly things to her. But it had all of the makings of a potential bullying situation. In talking with my cousin’s mother, we both shared how a bully had hurt us as young girls and teenagers, and the mother said, “It all came back to me in a flood.”
Clearly, from what I know of this woman, she has risen above any torment and torture that her childhood bully tried to inflict. If the bully meant to tear her apart for life, she failed miserably. And the girl who bullied me didn’t ruin my life, either. I wish I could say the same for some young teens whose stories have been in the news lately. For them, the only rescue they felt viable was suicide.
Especially when we are young, we are so vulnerable. Satan has an easy task of making life hard for us… and bullies are really difficult to ignore. We pray for God to take the burden away, but sometimes, in certain circumstances, we can’t escape our worries and injustice. Maybe those children didn’t have an attentive mother like my cousin’s, who jumped right on this situation and got to the bottom of it. Maybe these young people felt they should be able to handle this on their own and didn’t tell anyone – especially an adult. Or maybe they didn’t live in a home where everyone practiced faith in God to deliver them from all forms of weaponry, even the attacks of a bully.
My point is that Satan starts early. He has been trying to tear each of us away from God since the day we were born, and he will stop at nothing to achieve this. But we serve a God who is far more powerful… far more faithful… loving and kind, yet strong and mighty. And if we will stay focused on Him… hang on and hang in there – He will help us overcome all obstacles. He will send attentive mothers and fathers and empathetic teachers and counselors. He will give us wisdom and courage to fight the enemies of Satan, and every one of our worries will be taken far from us!
I’ll be the first to tell you that I come from a long line of worry warts. I learned from some of the best… and I got pretty good at it. And I’ll admit, I still worry about things that I cannot control from time to time. But I am learning to “let go and let God” – and I see evidence every day of how much better He handles these worries than I ever could. I see proof that He has had a protective hand on me for all of my years… and I know He is not letting go. Who has you in his hands – Satan, the biggest bully of all time - or the Great Protector, God Almighty? Who is doing your worrying these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 5, 2010
May 5 ~ Psalm 46:1-3
God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble. And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea. Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, we’ve had a lot of serious storms come through our state. Tornadoes, floods, high winds, lightning strikes and more have ravaged many communities. Some have even lost their lives. One stormy night, my grandmother phoned me and asked, “What do you think about this weather?” I told her we were watching the warnings on television. At age 97+, my Mam-ma is no longer able to venture to her backyard storm cellar if the tornado sirens sound, so she said she had fixed a spot for herself in an interior closet of her house. I offered – three times - to come and get her and let her ride out the storms with us. She declined, and tearfully she said, “The Lord is gonna take care of me.” While I know that she knows this to be true, she was not convincing me she was confident at that moment! I assured her that this was true… the Lord would take care of her… but I would still come get her if she wished. The storms moved out, and Mam-ma stayed put, and we all slept soundly in our own beds that evening.
How often – in so many circumstances – are we just like my Mam-ma? How often do we know deep in our heart that God will protect us, yet we panic and wring our hands and worry? I’m not talking about just when we get storm warnings. I have to admit, I grew up running to a storm cellar, and tornado warnings still agitate me and set me on edge. I know that I should be calmer and more confident… but I also know that God gave us tornado warnings to protect us by getting us to take cover!
What I’m really talking about are the “storms” of life that upend our world. How do we handle these? Do we rest in the knowledge and confidence that God is our mighty fortress – always ready to help us when troubles come? Do we allow fear (a tool of the devil) to overcome us, or do we settle in and say, “Bring it on, Mister… God will protect me!”? We need to learn to lean on God more. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our part. When the “storm warnings” are issued, we need to pay attention – and take cover when necessary. But we also need to remember WHO numbers our steps… and call on Him for guidance and protection! God IS our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble… are you ready to rest in His strength?
©2010 Debbie Robus
God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble. And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea. Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, we’ve had a lot of serious storms come through our state. Tornadoes, floods, high winds, lightning strikes and more have ravaged many communities. Some have even lost their lives. One stormy night, my grandmother phoned me and asked, “What do you think about this weather?” I told her we were watching the warnings on television. At age 97+, my Mam-ma is no longer able to venture to her backyard storm cellar if the tornado sirens sound, so she said she had fixed a spot for herself in an interior closet of her house. I offered – three times - to come and get her and let her ride out the storms with us. She declined, and tearfully she said, “The Lord is gonna take care of me.” While I know that she knows this to be true, she was not convincing me she was confident at that moment! I assured her that this was true… the Lord would take care of her… but I would still come get her if she wished. The storms moved out, and Mam-ma stayed put, and we all slept soundly in our own beds that evening.
How often – in so many circumstances – are we just like my Mam-ma? How often do we know deep in our heart that God will protect us, yet we panic and wring our hands and worry? I’m not talking about just when we get storm warnings. I have to admit, I grew up running to a storm cellar, and tornado warnings still agitate me and set me on edge. I know that I should be calmer and more confident… but I also know that God gave us tornado warnings to protect us by getting us to take cover!
What I’m really talking about are the “storms” of life that upend our world. How do we handle these? Do we rest in the knowledge and confidence that God is our mighty fortress – always ready to help us when troubles come? Do we allow fear (a tool of the devil) to overcome us, or do we settle in and say, “Bring it on, Mister… God will protect me!”? We need to learn to lean on God more. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our part. When the “storm warnings” are issued, we need to pay attention – and take cover when necessary. But we also need to remember WHO numbers our steps… and call on Him for guidance and protection! God IS our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble… are you ready to rest in His strength?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 2, 2010
April 2 ~ Matthew 28:2-7
Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord's angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards shook from fear and fell down, as though they were dead.
The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. He isn't here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would. Come, see the place where his body was lying. Now hurry! Tell his disciples that he has been raised to life and is on his way to Galilee. Go there, and you will see him. That is what I came to tell you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Blackberry, iPhone, Kindle, iPad and more… it seems like the way we get information changes daily. Someone reporting on the new iPad said, “This is how we will read newspapers and magazines in the future.” While God can use any of these devices to speak to us or work in our lives, He frequently uses another resource… angels. And in the days following Jesus’ crucifixion, God used an angel to roll away the stone and deliver the news to Mary and the other women that Jesus was not there.
Think about it… God used an angel to tell Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son. He sent an angel in a dream to tell Joseph to go ahead with his marriage to Mary, who was already pregnant. An angel told the shepherds in the field that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem. Another angel spoke to Joseph in a dream and told him to flee to Egypt to protect Jesus from being killed by King Herod. Throughout the Bible, God used angels to deliver news. And even today, God uses angels to speak to us. They may not look as bright as lightning or wear clothes as white as snow, but if we are paying attention, angels are with us. When you are in a situation where you are afraid or lonely, angels are with you. Angels sing and celebrate good news and events with you. Angels are present when a new life begins… and angels usher you into God’s presence in heaven when you die.
Angels are real… and significant. Why else would God have used an angel to deliver such important news? An angel first reported that Jesus was raised to life. Why is this important for us today? I believe we often fail to recognize God’s presence – how He attends to us in many forms… even sending angels to surround us and see after our every need. This is just one more of the countless ways God cares for us… an extension of His loving act of sending us Jesus.
So as you go about your day, know that God is with you. Feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in your heart… and feel the blessings of angels that surround you on God’s behalf. Listen for any word they may have for you from our Heavenly Father. That “little voice” in your head may actually be the whisper of an angel! Thank God for loving us so much that He not only lifted Jesus from the tomb, but He sent an angel to share this Great News! Don’t be afraid… Jesus is ALIVE… and God’s angels are always with you! And the best part is that you don’t need an iPhone, Blackberry, or other electronic device to hear from either of them!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord's angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards shook from fear and fell down, as though they were dead.
The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. He isn't here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would. Come, see the place where his body was lying. Now hurry! Tell his disciples that he has been raised to life and is on his way to Galilee. Go there, and you will see him. That is what I came to tell you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Blackberry, iPhone, Kindle, iPad and more… it seems like the way we get information changes daily. Someone reporting on the new iPad said, “This is how we will read newspapers and magazines in the future.” While God can use any of these devices to speak to us or work in our lives, He frequently uses another resource… angels. And in the days following Jesus’ crucifixion, God used an angel to roll away the stone and deliver the news to Mary and the other women that Jesus was not there.
Think about it… God used an angel to tell Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son. He sent an angel in a dream to tell Joseph to go ahead with his marriage to Mary, who was already pregnant. An angel told the shepherds in the field that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem. Another angel spoke to Joseph in a dream and told him to flee to Egypt to protect Jesus from being killed by King Herod. Throughout the Bible, God used angels to deliver news. And even today, God uses angels to speak to us. They may not look as bright as lightning or wear clothes as white as snow, but if we are paying attention, angels are with us. When you are in a situation where you are afraid or lonely, angels are with you. Angels sing and celebrate good news and events with you. Angels are present when a new life begins… and angels usher you into God’s presence in heaven when you die.
Angels are real… and significant. Why else would God have used an angel to deliver such important news? An angel first reported that Jesus was raised to life. Why is this important for us today? I believe we often fail to recognize God’s presence – how He attends to us in many forms… even sending angels to surround us and see after our every need. This is just one more of the countless ways God cares for us… an extension of His loving act of sending us Jesus.
So as you go about your day, know that God is with you. Feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in your heart… and feel the blessings of angels that surround you on God’s behalf. Listen for any word they may have for you from our Heavenly Father. That “little voice” in your head may actually be the whisper of an angel! Thank God for loving us so much that He not only lifted Jesus from the tomb, but He sent an angel to share this Great News! Don’t be afraid… Jesus is ALIVE… and God’s angels are always with you! And the best part is that you don’t need an iPhone, Blackberry, or other electronic device to hear from either of them!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 6, 2010
March 6 ~ Psalm 20:7
Some people trust the power of chariots or horses, but we trust you, LORD God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Strength… when used for the right purposes, it can wield power, protection, and movement! When used for the wrong reasons, strength can be brutal. It can bruise, break, and cause great harm – literally, physically and emotionally. And sometimes, we foolishly – or even unknowingly – place our trust in the wrong types of strength. We count too heavily on human beings, who can disappoint. We trust the power of money, material possessions, or status. And somewhere down the line, we realize that these things do not satisfy – or sustain us – and sometimes they even hurt us.
True power and strength lies with God. HE is the one who guides and protects us. He is the one with the ability to move mountains – both literally and figuratively – in our lives. Remember, GOD is the ultimate Superhero! God will not harm us – He is our shield. He will not bruise us and beat us down – He is our protection. He will not abandon us – He is our Savior. We must learn to trust God completely – to surrender to His will and KNOW that what He does in and through us is most important – and in our best interest. We must realize that trusting God is not scary – it is comforting. He is our “soft place to fall.” He is our Rock and our Redeemer.
Friends and family, money and possessions have their place and purpose in our lives. But without trust in God and a strong relationship with Him, all other relationships and “trusts” are subject to failure. Make sure your trust is placed properly and that your relationship with God gets top priority. His strength is always a sure thing!
©2009 Debbie Robus
Some people trust the power of chariots or horses, but we trust you, LORD God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Strength… when used for the right purposes, it can wield power, protection, and movement! When used for the wrong reasons, strength can be brutal. It can bruise, break, and cause great harm – literally, physically and emotionally. And sometimes, we foolishly – or even unknowingly – place our trust in the wrong types of strength. We count too heavily on human beings, who can disappoint. We trust the power of money, material possessions, or status. And somewhere down the line, we realize that these things do not satisfy – or sustain us – and sometimes they even hurt us.
True power and strength lies with God. HE is the one who guides and protects us. He is the one with the ability to move mountains – both literally and figuratively – in our lives. Remember, GOD is the ultimate Superhero! God will not harm us – He is our shield. He will not bruise us and beat us down – He is our protection. He will not abandon us – He is our Savior. We must learn to trust God completely – to surrender to His will and KNOW that what He does in and through us is most important – and in our best interest. We must realize that trusting God is not scary – it is comforting. He is our “soft place to fall.” He is our Rock and our Redeemer.
Friends and family, money and possessions have their place and purpose in our lives. But without trust in God and a strong relationship with Him, all other relationships and “trusts” are subject to failure. Make sure your trust is placed properly and that your relationship with God gets top priority. His strength is always a sure thing!
©2009 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 24, 2010
February 24 ~ Psalms 35:1-3
Fight my enemies, LORD! Attack my attackers! Shield me and help me. Aim your spear at everyone who hunts me down, but promise to save me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As I read this passage, I couldn’t help but envision action figures, ready to strike... Batman, Spiderman… even Indiana Jones! Okay, so maybe I’ve watched one too many adventure movies! But imagine God as the Ultimate Superhero! He takes on all attackers… He shields us from every sling and arrow. He hunts down the devil and his agents and destroys them before they can harm a hair on our heads!
Now, think about your action figure “superheroes” for a minute. What had to happen before they could strike? They had to be summoned! Someone had to let them know that their help was needed. Batman got the “Bat Signal.” Spiderman has a “sixth sense” when danger is near. Indiana Jones ends up in situations that call for faith and courage, and bravado…to save himself and those around him.
I know this is a bit of a stretch, but stick with me… we have to call on God (through prayer) to fight our enemies. Sure, He already knows we need help, but remember… He wants to hear from us. He wants us to voice our needs. He wants us to recognize Him as our Redeemer and call upon Him to avenge us.
Let’s be honest… the Bible is the best “action adventure” ever created. God really is the Ultimate Superhero. And He stands ready to fight for us at every turn… all we have to do is give Him the signal and believe in His power. Superheroes of the comics and movies may be figments of our imagination, but God is REAL and reigns forever. Are YOU trusting Him to save you today?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Fight my enemies, LORD! Attack my attackers! Shield me and help me. Aim your spear at everyone who hunts me down, but promise to save me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As I read this passage, I couldn’t help but envision action figures, ready to strike... Batman, Spiderman… even Indiana Jones! Okay, so maybe I’ve watched one too many adventure movies! But imagine God as the Ultimate Superhero! He takes on all attackers… He shields us from every sling and arrow. He hunts down the devil and his agents and destroys them before they can harm a hair on our heads!
Now, think about your action figure “superheroes” for a minute. What had to happen before they could strike? They had to be summoned! Someone had to let them know that their help was needed. Batman got the “Bat Signal.” Spiderman has a “sixth sense” when danger is near. Indiana Jones ends up in situations that call for faith and courage, and bravado…to save himself and those around him.
I know this is a bit of a stretch, but stick with me… we have to call on God (through prayer) to fight our enemies. Sure, He already knows we need help, but remember… He wants to hear from us. He wants us to voice our needs. He wants us to recognize Him as our Redeemer and call upon Him to avenge us.
Let’s be honest… the Bible is the best “action adventure” ever created. God really is the Ultimate Superhero. And He stands ready to fight for us at every turn… all we have to do is give Him the signal and believe in His power. Superheroes of the comics and movies may be figments of our imagination, but God is REAL and reigns forever. Are YOU trusting Him to save you today?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 23, 2010
February 23 ~ Luke 22:39-40
Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, as he often did, and his disciples went with him. When they got there, he told them, "Pray that you won't be tested."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever been in a situation where you have been warned to protect yourself in some way – “Be sure you wear your seatbelt,” or “Don’t do that without a helmet,” or even, “If you go in there, take a flashlight!”
In this passage, Jesus knows what is about to happen. He knows that He is going to be tortured, mocked, and crucified, and He knows that the Roman soldiers may try to trick and torture His disciples, too. So He tells them to “Pray that you won’t be tested.” In other words, He wants them to “put on the full armor of God.” He wants them to protect themselves fully by covering the hours/days ahead in prayer… asking God to watch over them and keep them from harm.
How often do you “pray that you won’t be tested?” When you get up in the morning, do you ask God to guide your day? When you go to bed at night, do you ask God to protect you as you sleep and give you a good night’s rest? Do you ask Him to help you with the answers on your test the next day? Do you ask Him to protect you as you drive to and from work or school? Are you praying so that you won’t be tempted, tested, or tormented? Are you fully protected each day against Satan and his attempts to harm you? Shouldn’t you be?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, as he often did, and his disciples went with him. When they got there, he told them, "Pray that you won't be tested."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever been in a situation where you have been warned to protect yourself in some way – “Be sure you wear your seatbelt,” or “Don’t do that without a helmet,” or even, “If you go in there, take a flashlight!”
In this passage, Jesus knows what is about to happen. He knows that He is going to be tortured, mocked, and crucified, and He knows that the Roman soldiers may try to trick and torture His disciples, too. So He tells them to “Pray that you won’t be tested.” In other words, He wants them to “put on the full armor of God.” He wants them to protect themselves fully by covering the hours/days ahead in prayer… asking God to watch over them and keep them from harm.
How often do you “pray that you won’t be tested?” When you get up in the morning, do you ask God to guide your day? When you go to bed at night, do you ask God to protect you as you sleep and give you a good night’s rest? Do you ask Him to help you with the answers on your test the next day? Do you ask Him to protect you as you drive to and from work or school? Are you praying so that you won’t be tempted, tested, or tormented? Are you fully protected each day against Satan and his attempts to harm you? Shouldn’t you be?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 5, 2010
February 5 ~ Psalms 141
I pray to you, LORD! Please listen when I pray and hurry to help me. Think of my prayer sweet-smelling incense, and think of my lifted hands as an evening sacrifice. Help me to guard my words whenever I say something. Don't let me want to do evil or waste my time doing wrong with wicked people. Don't let me even taste the good things they offer. Let your faithful people correct and punish me. My prayers condemn the deeds of those who do wrong, so don't let me be friends with any of them. Everyone will admit that I was right when their rulers are thrown down a rocky cliff, and their bones lie scattered like broken rocks on top of a grave. You are my LORD and God, and I look to you for safety. Don't let me be harmed. Protect me from the traps of those violent people, and make them fall into their own traps while you help me escape.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We are all about protection. We slather on sunscreen before venturing outside. We buckle up our seatbelt before we leave the driveway or parking lot. We wear sunglasses to block harmful UV rays. We use an oven mitt or a pot holder to lift a hot dish from the stove or oven. We fingerprint our small children and place them in the requisite child safety seats when traveling by car or truck. And these days, we carry a hand sanitizer in our pocket or purse – and some even wear a face mask when out in public – to prevent exposure to harmful viruses.
Given all of this, it seems rather strange that we often fail to pray for the most important protection of our day – God’s! We don’t seem to realize that starting the day by asking God to guide our steps and protect us from saying the wrong thing, spending time with the wrong people, and even being tempted to sin are more important than any SPF factor, seatbelt, or hand sanitizer. We need the Spiritual “mask” and armor of God to really save us each day!
Psalms 141 is a great prayer to pray. If you did nothing but read these words each morning… speaking them from your heart to God… this would be a good starting place. Another trick might be to stop for a second every time that you buckle your seatbelt or wash your hands each day and just say, “Lord, I look to you for my safety today.” Get in the habit of seeking God’s protection. Don’t leave home without it!
©2009 Debbie Robus
I pray to you, LORD! Please listen when I pray and hurry to help me. Think of my prayer sweet-smelling incense, and think of my lifted hands as an evening sacrifice. Help me to guard my words whenever I say something. Don't let me want to do evil or waste my time doing wrong with wicked people. Don't let me even taste the good things they offer. Let your faithful people correct and punish me. My prayers condemn the deeds of those who do wrong, so don't let me be friends with any of them. Everyone will admit that I was right when their rulers are thrown down a rocky cliff, and their bones lie scattered like broken rocks on top of a grave. You are my LORD and God, and I look to you for safety. Don't let me be harmed. Protect me from the traps of those violent people, and make them fall into their own traps while you help me escape.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We are all about protection. We slather on sunscreen before venturing outside. We buckle up our seatbelt before we leave the driveway or parking lot. We wear sunglasses to block harmful UV rays. We use an oven mitt or a pot holder to lift a hot dish from the stove or oven. We fingerprint our small children and place them in the requisite child safety seats when traveling by car or truck. And these days, we carry a hand sanitizer in our pocket or purse – and some even wear a face mask when out in public – to prevent exposure to harmful viruses.
Given all of this, it seems rather strange that we often fail to pray for the most important protection of our day – God’s! We don’t seem to realize that starting the day by asking God to guide our steps and protect us from saying the wrong thing, spending time with the wrong people, and even being tempted to sin are more important than any SPF factor, seatbelt, or hand sanitizer. We need the Spiritual “mask” and armor of God to really save us each day!
Psalms 141 is a great prayer to pray. If you did nothing but read these words each morning… speaking them from your heart to God… this would be a good starting place. Another trick might be to stop for a second every time that you buckle your seatbelt or wash your hands each day and just say, “Lord, I look to you for my safety today.” Get in the habit of seeking God’s protection. Don’t leave home without it!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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