Luke 19:35-44
They brought the colt to Jesus. Then,
throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode,
the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the
street.
Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its
descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise
over all the mighty works they had witnessed:
Blessed is he who comes,
the king in God’s name!
All’s well in heaven!
Glory in the high places!
Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!”
But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”
When
the city came into view, he wept over it. “If you had only recognized
this day, and everything that was good for you! But now it’s too late.
In the days ahead your enemies are going to bring up their heavy
artillery and surround you, pressing in from every side. They’ll smash
you and your babies on the pavement. Not one stone will be left intact.
All this because you didn’t recognize and welcome God’s personal visit.”
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.
What a difference one week
can make! In the course of seven days, Jesus was heralded as a hero,
arrested, interrogated, beaten to a pulp, crucified…and He rose from the
grave. Now that’s a week!
Our pastor likes to say that “you
cannot travel from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday without considering the
cross.” And he is correct! But you also cannot safely and successfully
travel a single step of many of “life’s journeys” unless you “recognize
and welcome God’s personal visit”. Trials, physical abuse and
executions were common in Jesus’ day. Believe me…the mere mortals who
were convicted and crucified did not rise from the dead! And many of
those who were so eager and anxious to laud Jesus as the Messiah on one
Sunday were nowhere to be found by “Good Friday”.
Ours is not a
solitary journey. We cannot base our faith on one happy day…or one
devastating experience. We must embrace life as a whole...and trust God
in every minute of it. We must “recognize and welcome God’s personal
visit” in each and every aspect of our life…”the good, the bad, and the
ugly”…and believe that He will lead us “from Palm Sunday to Easter
Sunday” - and see us through what lies in between.
As difficult
as life seems some days, it can never compare to what Jesus endured for
us on the cross. How can we ignore the One who did so much for us - for
even one minute? Isn’t it time we welcomed God to reign in our lives
and dwell in our hearts…each and every minute of the day? Will this be
the Palm Sunday that you herald His presence…and give Him a permanent
“home”?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label recognizing God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recognizing God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 2, 2014
Luke 1:34-38
Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not married!”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. Nothing is impossible for God!”
Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you think Elizabeth and Zachariah were surprised to learn that “they were pregnant” in their advanced years…imagine how little Mary must have felt when the angel Gabriel visited her with news that SHE was going to deliver a baby! Historians believe Mary could have been as young as twelve or thirteen. She lived with her parents, who are not mentioned by name in the Bible. Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph, a carpenter in Nazareth.
I know we live in a very different time. But for the life of me, I cannot wrap my brain around an angel appearing to a teenage girl – even one who was engaged to be married – and telling her, “You are blessed…and even though you are a virgin, you are pregnant with a son.” I most certainly cannot fathom that same angel telling this girl that the baby would be the holy Son of God! I picture her initial reaction being one of fear…followed by total shock and disbelief…and then maybe even more fear and a hefty dose of embarrassment or shame! How would she ever explain this to her parents…much less Joseph? You can “do the math” and figure out pretty quickly what they would all assume.
Now picture this happening in a very small town…where reputation was EVERYTHING…especially to a young carpenter trying to establish himself in business. In a split second, Mary must have felt like her life was over – and just beginning at the same time. So her reaction as recorded in the Gospels moves me greatly. Some might say, “She was so young and naïve…her response was that of a gullible little girl.” But others will recognize the depth of faith and devotion to God that Mary’s reaction contained. In that instant, Mary recognized the hand of God upon her life. And when He spoke…she listened – and humbly obeyed.
Can we say the same about our own relationship with God? We have all entertained “angels unaware” at some point in our lives. The hand of God has touched us…maybe even rescued us from some trouble - or even a disaster. We have heard God call to us in some fashion – maybe not as boldly as the form of an angel named Gabriel who appeared in a bright light – but He has spoken to us. How have we responded? Are we so bold – and childlike – in our faith that we readily answer, “I am the Lord’s servant!” and accept what God asks of us?
Isn’t it time we took a second look at the courage and faithfulness of Mary and incorporated more of it into our own lives? If God can entrust a teenage girl with the delivery and motherhood of the Savior of the World…what might He be calling us to do? Will we be ready, willing and able to accept His assignment(s)? Don’t you think we should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not married!”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. Nothing is impossible for God!”
Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you think Elizabeth and Zachariah were surprised to learn that “they were pregnant” in their advanced years…imagine how little Mary must have felt when the angel Gabriel visited her with news that SHE was going to deliver a baby! Historians believe Mary could have been as young as twelve or thirteen. She lived with her parents, who are not mentioned by name in the Bible. Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph, a carpenter in Nazareth.
I know we live in a very different time. But for the life of me, I cannot wrap my brain around an angel appearing to a teenage girl – even one who was engaged to be married – and telling her, “You are blessed…and even though you are a virgin, you are pregnant with a son.” I most certainly cannot fathom that same angel telling this girl that the baby would be the holy Son of God! I picture her initial reaction being one of fear…followed by total shock and disbelief…and then maybe even more fear and a hefty dose of embarrassment or shame! How would she ever explain this to her parents…much less Joseph? You can “do the math” and figure out pretty quickly what they would all assume.
Now picture this happening in a very small town…where reputation was EVERYTHING…especially to a young carpenter trying to establish himself in business. In a split second, Mary must have felt like her life was over – and just beginning at the same time. So her reaction as recorded in the Gospels moves me greatly. Some might say, “She was so young and naïve…her response was that of a gullible little girl.” But others will recognize the depth of faith and devotion to God that Mary’s reaction contained. In that instant, Mary recognized the hand of God upon her life. And when He spoke…she listened – and humbly obeyed.
Can we say the same about our own relationship with God? We have all entertained “angels unaware” at some point in our lives. The hand of God has touched us…maybe even rescued us from some trouble - or even a disaster. We have heard God call to us in some fashion – maybe not as boldly as the form of an angel named Gabriel who appeared in a bright light – but He has spoken to us. How have we responded? Are we so bold – and childlike – in our faith that we readily answer, “I am the Lord’s servant!” and accept what God asks of us?
Isn’t it time we took a second look at the courage and faithfulness of Mary and incorporated more of it into our own lives? If God can entrust a teenage girl with the delivery and motherhood of the Savior of the World…what might He be calling us to do? Will we be ready, willing and able to accept His assignment(s)? Don’t you think we should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 21, 2013
Psalm 39:7
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Where did I put my _____? You fill in the blank! Each one of us probably asks this question several times a day. We wonder where we put put our keys… our phone…our wallet…even our car (in a busy parking lot)! It’s enough to drive a person batty at times… especially if we cannot find said item!
I wonder if you have ever asked yourself, “Where is my hope?” Because you see, there are plenty of things in life that seem to cause people to lose theirs. At any given moment, we may be stressing and fretting over a final exam…funding for a scholarship…bills we can’t seem to pay…not enough work - or sleep…the challenges of parenthood – or aging…too much to do – or too little…illness and/or injury…and more. And let’s not even talk about grief and loneliness… a feeling of helplessness over things that are beyond our control! I’m talking real, gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, anxiety-producing situations that reduce us to a blithering mess! In these moments, many – if not all of us - will ask, “Where is my hope?”
C’mon now… you know the answer! You’ve always known that your hope lies in Jesus Christ and what He did for you. But you know what else? God understands when we question this! He gets it when we are despondent and heartsick and worry and fret. See… in those moments, we are raw… broken… REAL! And God gets a chance to truly show up and show out! He stands in the wings, waiting for us to realize that He can fix this! He can restore us… encourage us… give us new insights and a positive outlook. And the sooner we realize this and recognize His power to help… the better!
So where did you put your hope today? Have you momentarily lost it? Has it actually been missing for a long, long time? Isn’t today the perfect day to find it again… to rediscover God and what He does for us every day through His Son, Jesus Christ? Will this be the moment that you heave a sigh of relief and say, “I’ve found my hope…His name is Jesus!”? He’s standing right beside you… isn’t it time you acknowledged Him?
©2013 Debbie Robus
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Where did I put my _____? You fill in the blank! Each one of us probably asks this question several times a day. We wonder where we put put our keys… our phone…our wallet…even our car (in a busy parking lot)! It’s enough to drive a person batty at times… especially if we cannot find said item!
I wonder if you have ever asked yourself, “Where is my hope?” Because you see, there are plenty of things in life that seem to cause people to lose theirs. At any given moment, we may be stressing and fretting over a final exam…funding for a scholarship…bills we can’t seem to pay…not enough work - or sleep…the challenges of parenthood – or aging…too much to do – or too little…illness and/or injury…and more. And let’s not even talk about grief and loneliness… a feeling of helplessness over things that are beyond our control! I’m talking real, gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, anxiety-producing situations that reduce us to a blithering mess! In these moments, many – if not all of us - will ask, “Where is my hope?”
C’mon now… you know the answer! You’ve always known that your hope lies in Jesus Christ and what He did for you. But you know what else? God understands when we question this! He gets it when we are despondent and heartsick and worry and fret. See… in those moments, we are raw… broken… REAL! And God gets a chance to truly show up and show out! He stands in the wings, waiting for us to realize that He can fix this! He can restore us… encourage us… give us new insights and a positive outlook. And the sooner we realize this and recognize His power to help… the better!
So where did you put your hope today? Have you momentarily lost it? Has it actually been missing for a long, long time? Isn’t today the perfect day to find it again… to rediscover God and what He does for us every day through His Son, Jesus Christ? Will this be the moment that you heave a sigh of relief and say, “I’ve found my hope…His name is Jesus!”? He’s standing right beside you… isn’t it time you acknowledged Him?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 21, 2013
John 14:5-7
Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t even know where you are going! How can we know the way?”
“I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father. If you had known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This week, 78-year-old Christian author Henry Blackaby was reported missing in Atlanta, Georgia. Blackaby is the author of Experiencing God, a best-selling workbook for Christian discipleship that was published in the 1990s. The author’s family reported that he was a diabetic, and he did not have his medication with him. Volunteers combed the Atlanta area in an attempt to assist police in locating Blackaby. Some 29 hours later, he was found.
This updated information was posted on the website for Blackaby Ministries International (www.henryblackaby.com)...
I saw several e-mail reports about this situation throughout the day. While we live over 500 miles from the Atlanta area, we were asked to pray for this family and those who were searching for Henry. Information was given in each update, including a description of his car and the license plate number and the fact that he was a diabetic without his medication - indicating that he might need immediate medical attention, if found. I can’t help but believe that God answered the prayers of many by providing clues such as the credit card purchases, so that Henry could be found.
I know you are wondering… has she lost her mind? What does this have to do with John 14? More than you might think! See, Jesus’ disciples were questioning Him. They wanted physical proof of His true identity… that what He told them was true. It wasn’t enough that He said, “If you have seen me, you have seen my Father!” They wanted Him to show them. Moreover, they seemed clueless about how to follow Him… how to get to Heaven. He kept telling them, “I am the way”… but they wanted a map – or at least some pretty good directions…and maybe more than a few clues and hints.
And here’s the thing… God’s “clues” are all around us. Some are subtle and easily missed… that “still, small voice” you sometimes get…a scripture verse that keeps popping up and you wonder, “Why do I keep seeing this?”…a passing comment from a friend that keeps running through your head. Others are smack-you-in-the-face obvious, like when an elderly friend of mine said that three times in one morning she had an encounter with another driver who pulled in front of her. She told me, “I think God’s trying to get my attention and telling me I need to stop driving!”
The trouble with us is that we’re stubborn! We don’t pay attention. We walk right past God’s equivalent of flashing neon signs and choose to look the other direction. Now maybe we don’t do this deliberately, but in essence, we make choices every day with regard to whether we will pay attention to what God is telling and showing us… or not. God shows us how to follow Him… the direct path to true discipleship and an eternity spent with Him in Heaven… and we are so busy doing what we choose that it often doesn’t even register. I’m not saying that we necessarily make a conscious effort to ignore God. But by choosing to allow ourselves to be preoccupied with other things… or to serve our own interests… we essentially do exactly that!
I don’t know what clues and signals God is sending you today. But I know that we can either choose to pay attention – to look and listen for God’s messages and guidance… or we can choose to ignore the signs and “wing it.” If you ask me, the latter choice is the surest way to end up in your own equivalent of driving aimlessly around Atlanta for twenty-nine hours. Mr. Blackaby’s outcome could have been far more serious… and so could ours, if we don’t figure out who God really is and start following Him. Is this a chance you are willing to take?
What choices have you made that need rethinking? The “search party” is out on your behalf. God wants you found and returned to Him… restored and placed back on the right path. Won’t you recognize His presence and choose to follow His lead?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t even know where you are going! How can we know the way?”
“I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father. If you had known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This week, 78-year-old Christian author Henry Blackaby was reported missing in Atlanta, Georgia. Blackaby is the author of Experiencing God, a best-selling workbook for Christian discipleship that was published in the 1990s. The author’s family reported that he was a diabetic, and he did not have his medication with him. Volunteers combed the Atlanta area in an attempt to assist police in locating Blackaby. Some 29 hours later, he was found.
This updated information was posted on the website for Blackaby Ministries International (www.henryblackaby.com)...
On Thursday, September 19, Henry Blackaby drove his car to pick up his wife Marilynn from an appointment. Henry apparently suffered a heart attack while driving. He became disoriented and unable to find his way back home. He drove for the next 29 hours until finally being found in a small town south of Atlanta. He did not have his cell phone with him nor insulin for his diabetes. As a result, his blood sugar rose and his kidneys began to struggle as well. The family was able to track his movements as he used a credit card to make occasional purchases. He is currently in a hospital undergoing extensive tests. He seems to be in good spirits and lucid. We appreciate your prayers. With Henry disoriented, suffering from a heart attack, and driving for 29 hours throughout the night all over Atlanta, it is clear that GOD HEARD AND ANSWERED THE PRAYERS OF HIS PEOPLE! Thank you to everyone who prayed and helped in the search.Any time someone is missing, there is confusion and uncertainty. Where do you begin the search for them? How do you make sure that someone will recognize them? There are choices to make… when to truly declare a person missing… who are the proper authorities are to which this should be reported… how the search should be handled – and who should be involved. In this case, it all came down to a credit card. By tracing Henry Blackaby’s credit card transactions, searchers could figure out where he was and follow him. You may not find it a stretch that someone thought to check his credit card activity… but that a man in his physical and mental condition actually used said card in his condition is nothing short of miraculous in my mind!
I saw several e-mail reports about this situation throughout the day. While we live over 500 miles from the Atlanta area, we were asked to pray for this family and those who were searching for Henry. Information was given in each update, including a description of his car and the license plate number and the fact that he was a diabetic without his medication - indicating that he might need immediate medical attention, if found. I can’t help but believe that God answered the prayers of many by providing clues such as the credit card purchases, so that Henry could be found.
I know you are wondering… has she lost her mind? What does this have to do with John 14? More than you might think! See, Jesus’ disciples were questioning Him. They wanted physical proof of His true identity… that what He told them was true. It wasn’t enough that He said, “If you have seen me, you have seen my Father!” They wanted Him to show them. Moreover, they seemed clueless about how to follow Him… how to get to Heaven. He kept telling them, “I am the way”… but they wanted a map – or at least some pretty good directions…and maybe more than a few clues and hints.
And here’s the thing… God’s “clues” are all around us. Some are subtle and easily missed… that “still, small voice” you sometimes get…a scripture verse that keeps popping up and you wonder, “Why do I keep seeing this?”…a passing comment from a friend that keeps running through your head. Others are smack-you-in-the-face obvious, like when an elderly friend of mine said that three times in one morning she had an encounter with another driver who pulled in front of her. She told me, “I think God’s trying to get my attention and telling me I need to stop driving!”
The trouble with us is that we’re stubborn! We don’t pay attention. We walk right past God’s equivalent of flashing neon signs and choose to look the other direction. Now maybe we don’t do this deliberately, but in essence, we make choices every day with regard to whether we will pay attention to what God is telling and showing us… or not. God shows us how to follow Him… the direct path to true discipleship and an eternity spent with Him in Heaven… and we are so busy doing what we choose that it often doesn’t even register. I’m not saying that we necessarily make a conscious effort to ignore God. But by choosing to allow ourselves to be preoccupied with other things… or to serve our own interests… we essentially do exactly that!
I don’t know what clues and signals God is sending you today. But I know that we can either choose to pay attention – to look and listen for God’s messages and guidance… or we can choose to ignore the signs and “wing it.” If you ask me, the latter choice is the surest way to end up in your own equivalent of driving aimlessly around Atlanta for twenty-nine hours. Mr. Blackaby’s outcome could have been far more serious… and so could ours, if we don’t figure out who God really is and start following Him. Is this a chance you are willing to take?
What choices have you made that need rethinking? The “search party” is out on your behalf. God wants you found and returned to Him… restored and placed back on the right path. Won’t you recognize His presence and choose to follow His lead?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 15, 2012
Matthew 6:25-34
"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
"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.
My mom took her mother to the doctor once, and my grandmother announced that she would never return to that particular physician. When Mom questioned her, my grandmother said, “He wasn’t a real doctor… he didn’t wear a white coat or a tie.” Years later, my dad’s mother complained to me about another doctor… “He didn’t even touch me.” Do you see the difference? In reference to one of her caregivers, I recently told my grandmother, “I don’t care if she wears a clown wig and a red nose… if she takes good care of you, nothing else matters!”
We are so obsessed with appearances and STUFF. We care about the wrong things. We rush from one thing to the next and never notice the intricacies of how God knit together the feathers on a bird… how He gave spiders the ability to create the most spectacular woven creations… how the body of a tiny baby is perfectly formed – a miniature of our own larger selves. Worry is one of the devil’s biggest tools… and he surely knows how to use it!
But God is the King of “worry-busters.” If we trust Him in everything, He will handle it all, starting with the small stuff. Even those of us who trust Him for big things often forget this and begin to stress out over things like how we look, what we drive, how much money we make, and more. We focus more on what we don’t have than how much God has blessed us.
This is not a license to stop caring… to let yourself go and become a slob or a bum. God wants us to use what He has given us to the best of our ability - and represent Him well. But that doesn’t mean we will all look like cover models or superstars. Can I tell you something? The most attractively dressed person is the one who exudes faith, confidence, grace, joy, and love. We all know someone who is universally loved and respected – and looks less than perfect… and it doesn’t matter one whit! In fact, we really don’t even think about his/her looks. We’re too busy enjoying this person’s company and admiring him/her for making the most of God’s gifts.
Let’s face it… worry is excess baggage that we need to remove. Can we set it down, once and for all, and make this the day we start to fully operate in faith that God will meet our needs? Can we truly “let go and let God?” Can we recognize that our God, Who cares about the least wildflower in the field - or the tiniest bird in the air - cares deeply for each of us, as well? It is time to step away from the mirror and trust God to “cloak you in beauty.”
Let’s stop worrying about the “white coat and tie” and focus on the “touch.” The time has come for us to step up and be who God called us to be – and to trust Him to meet ALL of our needs. Are you ready to take this leap of faith?
©2012 Debbie Robus
"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
"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.
My mom took her mother to the doctor once, and my grandmother announced that she would never return to that particular physician. When Mom questioned her, my grandmother said, “He wasn’t a real doctor… he didn’t wear a white coat or a tie.” Years later, my dad’s mother complained to me about another doctor… “He didn’t even touch me.” Do you see the difference? In reference to one of her caregivers, I recently told my grandmother, “I don’t care if she wears a clown wig and a red nose… if she takes good care of you, nothing else matters!”
We are so obsessed with appearances and STUFF. We care about the wrong things. We rush from one thing to the next and never notice the intricacies of how God knit together the feathers on a bird… how He gave spiders the ability to create the most spectacular woven creations… how the body of a tiny baby is perfectly formed – a miniature of our own larger selves. Worry is one of the devil’s biggest tools… and he surely knows how to use it!
But God is the King of “worry-busters.” If we trust Him in everything, He will handle it all, starting with the small stuff. Even those of us who trust Him for big things often forget this and begin to stress out over things like how we look, what we drive, how much money we make, and more. We focus more on what we don’t have than how much God has blessed us.
This is not a license to stop caring… to let yourself go and become a slob or a bum. God wants us to use what He has given us to the best of our ability - and represent Him well. But that doesn’t mean we will all look like cover models or superstars. Can I tell you something? The most attractively dressed person is the one who exudes faith, confidence, grace, joy, and love. We all know someone who is universally loved and respected – and looks less than perfect… and it doesn’t matter one whit! In fact, we really don’t even think about his/her looks. We’re too busy enjoying this person’s company and admiring him/her for making the most of God’s gifts.
Let’s face it… worry is excess baggage that we need to remove. Can we set it down, once and for all, and make this the day we start to fully operate in faith that God will meet our needs? Can we truly “let go and let God?” Can we recognize that our God, Who cares about the least wildflower in the field - or the tiniest bird in the air - cares deeply for each of us, as well? It is time to step away from the mirror and trust God to “cloak you in beauty.”
Let’s stop worrying about the “white coat and tie” and focus on the “touch.” The time has come for us to step up and be who God called us to be – and to trust Him to meet ALL of our needs. Are you ready to take this leap of faith?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 23, 2012
Romans 12:3
I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The final two contestants on American Idol were 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez, from San Diego, California… and 21-year-old Phillip Phillips, from Leesburg, Georgia. Both have amazing talent. Sanchez sings like someone almost twice her age. Phillips has a knack for sounding like a lot of musical artists… and creating his own “sound” as well. Neither of these young people were taught how to do these things… their talent is a God-given gift. For either of them to take personal credit for their abilities – or the ultimate title of American Idol – would be ludicrous. With coaching and instruction, each would probably be a good singer/entertainer. But what sets them apart from the average singer in any town in America is an extraordinary talent – a gift from God.
There are things we can accomplish on our own, perhaps. We can study and learn… we can exercise and build muscle mass and strength… we can practice playing a musical instrument and become fairly adept at creating a pretty sound. But for everything we can do “on our own,” there are countless things that we would never be able to accomplish without God’s help… His grace, mercy, love and blessings. And honestly, our ability to learn anything is in itself a gift from God. If God had not blessed us with the capability to absorb knowledge… or to move physically… we would never be able to learn or move! Everything we have and are is a gift from God!
Knowing this… why on earth would we ever take credit for things? Why would we ever think we are better than we really are? We are only as good as the gifts God gives us – and what we do with them. Does that mean that some of us could not do a whole lot better? Do many of us squander what God has given us? Absolutely! Do most of us fail to fully recognize and acknowledge God’s presence in our lives? Most certainly! So what are we doing about this? Shouldn’t our aim become to do better at giving credit where credit is due? Isn’t it time we focused on praising God for all He has done for us… all He has given us… and putting our own ego in the back seat?
God may not be calling us to be the next American Idol, rocket scientist, or CEO of a major corporation. He may be calling us to be the best “ordinary” servant we can be. Our job is to pay attention… to be ready to serve however and wherever God desires… and to give Him all the glory for what He accomplishes in and through us. Are you in?
©2012 Debbie Robus
I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The final two contestants on American Idol were 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez, from San Diego, California… and 21-year-old Phillip Phillips, from Leesburg, Georgia. Both have amazing talent. Sanchez sings like someone almost twice her age. Phillips has a knack for sounding like a lot of musical artists… and creating his own “sound” as well. Neither of these young people were taught how to do these things… their talent is a God-given gift. For either of them to take personal credit for their abilities – or the ultimate title of American Idol – would be ludicrous. With coaching and instruction, each would probably be a good singer/entertainer. But what sets them apart from the average singer in any town in America is an extraordinary talent – a gift from God.
There are things we can accomplish on our own, perhaps. We can study and learn… we can exercise and build muscle mass and strength… we can practice playing a musical instrument and become fairly adept at creating a pretty sound. But for everything we can do “on our own,” there are countless things that we would never be able to accomplish without God’s help… His grace, mercy, love and blessings. And honestly, our ability to learn anything is in itself a gift from God. If God had not blessed us with the capability to absorb knowledge… or to move physically… we would never be able to learn or move! Everything we have and are is a gift from God!
Knowing this… why on earth would we ever take credit for things? Why would we ever think we are better than we really are? We are only as good as the gifts God gives us – and what we do with them. Does that mean that some of us could not do a whole lot better? Do many of us squander what God has given us? Absolutely! Do most of us fail to fully recognize and acknowledge God’s presence in our lives? Most certainly! So what are we doing about this? Shouldn’t our aim become to do better at giving credit where credit is due? Isn’t it time we focused on praising God for all He has done for us… all He has given us… and putting our own ego in the back seat?
God may not be calling us to be the next American Idol, rocket scientist, or CEO of a major corporation. He may be calling us to be the best “ordinary” servant we can be. Our job is to pay attention… to be ready to serve however and wherever God desires… and to give Him all the glory for what He accomplishes in and through us. Are you in?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 13, 2012
Isaiah 45:18-21
God, Creator of the heavens - he is, remember, God. Maker of earth - he put it on its foundations, built it from scratch. He didn't go to all that trouble to just leave it empty, nothing in it. He made it to be lived in.
This God says: "I am God, the one and only. I don't just talk to myself or mumble under my breath. I never told Jacob, 'Seek me in emptiness, in dark nothingness.' I am God. I work out in the open, saying what's right, setting things right. So gather around, come on in, all you refugees and castoffs. They don't seem to know much, do they - those who carry around their no-god blocks of wood, praying for help to a dead stick?
So tell me what you think. Look at the evidence. Put your heads together. Make your case. Who told you, and a long time ago, what's going on here? Who made sense of things for you? Wasn't I the one? God? It had to be me. I'm the only God there is - The only God who does things right and knows how to help.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When I packed my grandmother’s things last year to move her into an assisted living facility, I found more than one set of nice pajamas in a dresser drawer. They had never been worn. She was saving them “in case I have to go to the hospital.” In truth, the hospital staff prefers that patients wear the “gowns” they provide – for a variety of reasons. So these beautiful pajamas that had never been worn were in my grandmother’s dresser drawer, where time had taken a toll on the elastic in the pants. Before anyone could wear them, these “brand-spanking-new” pajamas would have to be repaired!
I made a point to sort through all of my grandmother’s clothes and only move her best things… and a handful of older items she simply refused to part with… and I told her she should wear her good things every day and not tuck anything in the back of her closet for a “rainy day.” She has not been entirely happy with this and claims that on some days she is “overdressed,” but she is making an effort to dress well.
Don’t we do this with our life as a Christian? Don’t we often tuck our best into a drawer or the back of our closet… to trot out only if and when we have a special occasion? Don’t we go through life pretty much taking God for granted… calling on Him only in a crisis… and “worshipping” other things – at least to some degree – much of the time? We can blame this on busyness, or admit to laziness, or even self-absorption. But the bottom line is that – for whatever reasons - many of us often neglect our relationship with our One True God and fail to fully live as good stewards of His blessings in the world He created.
I count myself among those who need to renew efforts to “wear the good stuff” every day – to truly give God my best in all things, at all times. Any less belies how important He is in my daily living… and WHO God truly is. Who – or what – have you placed ahead of God these days? What old habits and other “old stuff” have you pulled out of the closet? Isn’t it time for a good old-fashioned spring cleaning? Isn’t this a great time to bring God’s best to the forefront… to “wear” the blessings and His call to service for all to see – and to give Him the glory and recognition He deserves?
©2012 Debbie Robus
God, Creator of the heavens - he is, remember, God. Maker of earth - he put it on its foundations, built it from scratch. He didn't go to all that trouble to just leave it empty, nothing in it. He made it to be lived in.
This God says: "I am God, the one and only. I don't just talk to myself or mumble under my breath. I never told Jacob, 'Seek me in emptiness, in dark nothingness.' I am God. I work out in the open, saying what's right, setting things right. So gather around, come on in, all you refugees and castoffs. They don't seem to know much, do they - those who carry around their no-god blocks of wood, praying for help to a dead stick?
So tell me what you think. Look at the evidence. Put your heads together. Make your case. Who told you, and a long time ago, what's going on here? Who made sense of things for you? Wasn't I the one? God? It had to be me. I'm the only God there is - The only God who does things right and knows how to help.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When I packed my grandmother’s things last year to move her into an assisted living facility, I found more than one set of nice pajamas in a dresser drawer. They had never been worn. She was saving them “in case I have to go to the hospital.” In truth, the hospital staff prefers that patients wear the “gowns” they provide – for a variety of reasons. So these beautiful pajamas that had never been worn were in my grandmother’s dresser drawer, where time had taken a toll on the elastic in the pants. Before anyone could wear them, these “brand-spanking-new” pajamas would have to be repaired!
I made a point to sort through all of my grandmother’s clothes and only move her best things… and a handful of older items she simply refused to part with… and I told her she should wear her good things every day and not tuck anything in the back of her closet for a “rainy day.” She has not been entirely happy with this and claims that on some days she is “overdressed,” but she is making an effort to dress well.
Don’t we do this with our life as a Christian? Don’t we often tuck our best into a drawer or the back of our closet… to trot out only if and when we have a special occasion? Don’t we go through life pretty much taking God for granted… calling on Him only in a crisis… and “worshipping” other things – at least to some degree – much of the time? We can blame this on busyness, or admit to laziness, or even self-absorption. But the bottom line is that – for whatever reasons - many of us often neglect our relationship with our One True God and fail to fully live as good stewards of His blessings in the world He created.
I count myself among those who need to renew efforts to “wear the good stuff” every day – to truly give God my best in all things, at all times. Any less belies how important He is in my daily living… and WHO God truly is. Who – or what – have you placed ahead of God these days? What old habits and other “old stuff” have you pulled out of the closet? Isn’t it time for a good old-fashioned spring cleaning? Isn’t this a great time to bring God’s best to the forefront… to “wear” the blessings and His call to service for all to see – and to give Him the glory and recognition He deserves?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 20, 2012
1 Corinthians 4:14-17
I am not writing to embarrass you. I want to help you, just as parents help their own dear children. Ten thousand people may teach you about Christ, but I am your only father. You became my children when I told you about Christ Jesus, and I want you to be like me. That's why I sent Timothy to you. I love him like a son, and he is a faithful servant of the Lord. Timothy will tell you what I do to follow Christ and how it agrees with what I always teach about Christ in every church.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend shared a story via Facebook recently about a young violinist who played in a metro station in Washington, DC, one cold January morning. In 45 minutes, the young man played six pieces by Bach. People passed by without as much as a look. A few tossed money into his case. Some even paused briefly before they hurried on. One three-year-old boy stopped and listened to the musician, but his mother tugged and pushed and insisted he move ahead. Other children and parents were observed engaging in much the same interaction.
The Washington Post had planted this musician in the metro as an experiment. His name was Joshua Bell, and he was one of the most talented musicians in the world. One of the pieces he performed was considered to be the most complicated musical work ever written – and he played it on a violin worth $3.5 million! Two nights earlier, he had sold out a concert hall in Boston, where seats went for as much as $100 each. This morning he garnered $32 in “tips”.
The story claimed that the Post put Bell here as part of… “a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were… in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: 1) Do we perceive beauty? 2) Do we stop to appreciate it? and 3) Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?”
The article concluded by asking (paraphrased)… “If we don’t pause in a crowded place to listen to one of the best musicians in the world play one of the most complicated, beautiful pieces of music ever written, what else might we be missing?” As I read this passage from Paul to the Corinthians, I asked myself how many people and situations God has sent to teach us about Jesus, and we were too busy or disinterested… lost in our own little worlds to recognize and appreciate them? Just as God used Paul to send Timothy to minister to the people of Corinth, He sends ministers to us each day. But do we recognize them?
There are thousands of “teachable moments” from God… but we miss too many of them. We overlook far too many opportunities to hear from God – to experience His glory and beauty in nature, music, the laugh of a child or even the touch of an adoring pet who paws at us, and more. We hurry onward and often do nothing more than toss a dollar bill into a collection plate – or give a sideward glance or lip service to who and what surrounds us - as we race to get to our next big event… failing to see God standing right before us creating a magnificent opus to begin our day!
Who has God sent your way to teach you and bless you? Where is He offering you “teachable moments” – and blessings to brighten your journey? Are you truly alert and appreciative? Do you recognize His presence with childlike innocence and intrigue… or are you far too busy? Can I tell you something? There is nothing more important that we have to do today than hear from God! Stop! Look! Listen! Hear God’s “music” and recognize those He sends to perform it for you. Pay attention to your Heavenly Father… and truly learn all you can from Him. Let this be the day you begin to slow down and recognize His presence… and to appreciate more deeply just how blessed we are by His love and care.
©2012 Debbie Robus
I am not writing to embarrass you. I want to help you, just as parents help their own dear children. Ten thousand people may teach you about Christ, but I am your only father. You became my children when I told you about Christ Jesus, and I want you to be like me. That's why I sent Timothy to you. I love him like a son, and he is a faithful servant of the Lord. Timothy will tell you what I do to follow Christ and how it agrees with what I always teach about Christ in every church.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend shared a story via Facebook recently about a young violinist who played in a metro station in Washington, DC, one cold January morning. In 45 minutes, the young man played six pieces by Bach. People passed by without as much as a look. A few tossed money into his case. Some even paused briefly before they hurried on. One three-year-old boy stopped and listened to the musician, but his mother tugged and pushed and insisted he move ahead. Other children and parents were observed engaging in much the same interaction.
The Washington Post had planted this musician in the metro as an experiment. His name was Joshua Bell, and he was one of the most talented musicians in the world. One of the pieces he performed was considered to be the most complicated musical work ever written – and he played it on a violin worth $3.5 million! Two nights earlier, he had sold out a concert hall in Boston, where seats went for as much as $100 each. This morning he garnered $32 in “tips”.
The story claimed that the Post put Bell here as part of… “a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were… in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: 1) Do we perceive beauty? 2) Do we stop to appreciate it? and 3) Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?”
The article concluded by asking (paraphrased)… “If we don’t pause in a crowded place to listen to one of the best musicians in the world play one of the most complicated, beautiful pieces of music ever written, what else might we be missing?” As I read this passage from Paul to the Corinthians, I asked myself how many people and situations God has sent to teach us about Jesus, and we were too busy or disinterested… lost in our own little worlds to recognize and appreciate them? Just as God used Paul to send Timothy to minister to the people of Corinth, He sends ministers to us each day. But do we recognize them?
There are thousands of “teachable moments” from God… but we miss too many of them. We overlook far too many opportunities to hear from God – to experience His glory and beauty in nature, music, the laugh of a child or even the touch of an adoring pet who paws at us, and more. We hurry onward and often do nothing more than toss a dollar bill into a collection plate – or give a sideward glance or lip service to who and what surrounds us - as we race to get to our next big event… failing to see God standing right before us creating a magnificent opus to begin our day!
Who has God sent your way to teach you and bless you? Where is He offering you “teachable moments” – and blessings to brighten your journey? Are you truly alert and appreciative? Do you recognize His presence with childlike innocence and intrigue… or are you far too busy? Can I tell you something? There is nothing more important that we have to do today than hear from God! Stop! Look! Listen! Hear God’s “music” and recognize those He sends to perform it for you. Pay attention to your Heavenly Father… and truly learn all you can from Him. Let this be the day you begin to slow down and recognize His presence… and to appreciate more deeply just how blessed we are by His love and care.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 15, 2012
Acts 2:29-36
My friends, it is right for me to speak to you about our ancestor David. He died and was buried, and his tomb is still here. But David was a prophet, and he knew that God had made a promise he would not break. He had told David that someone from his own family would someday be king.
David knew this would happen, and so he told us that Christ would be raised to life. He said that God would not leave him in the grave or let his body decay. All of us can tell you that God has raised Jesus to life!
Jesus was taken up to sit at the right side of God, and he was given the Holy Spirit, just as the Father had promised. Jesus is also the one who has given the Spirit to us, and that is what you are now seeing and hearing. David didn't go up to heaven. So he wasn't talking about himself when he said, "The Lord told my Lord to sit at his right side, until he made my Lord's enemies into a footstool for him." Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For a decade or longer, Barbara Walters has selected a group of the Ten Most Fascinating People to interview each year. The group includes celebrities, politicians, and maybe a “hero” or two, like General David Petraeus. I get the premise of Ms. Walters’ program, but I honestly have to ask myself, “What makes these people so fascinating?”
I’ll be honest… I find a lot of people – and things - interesting. I am impressed with the fortitude of some individuals… the struggles and adversities they overcame to achieve a level of success or fame. I appreciate the physical dedication and determination of certain athletes… the absolute resolve of someone like Gabrielle Giffords to recover from what should have been a deadly head trauma – or the incredible inner strength of those who survived such human injustices as the concentration camps of war or the civil rights movements in our own country. I am amazed and fascinated by the miracle of life… a newborn baby… how the feathers of a bird come together to create incredible color patterns…the beauty and intricacy of the tiniest wildflowers on a forest floor.
But in all of these people and things, I recognize the One who truly deserves our fascination. The truly fascinating Being is the Giver of Life… our Almighty God. Without Him, none of us would exist. Without God, there would be no plants or animals… no starry skies or blazing sunsets. The fortitude and inner strength… resolve and determination… courage and beauty… all come from our amazing God. Without the gift of Jesus and His blood on the cross, we would have to fear death… and the prospect of an eternity in hell.
The people we consider fascinating are nothing in and of themselves. Whether they realize it or not, they got where they are because of our Heavenly Father. Any success they enjoy… any great accomplishments they achieve… any accolades they receive… any horrific experiences they overcame… are all because of the blessings, goodness, grace and mercy of God Almighty.
For me, this scripture passage is screaming, “IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU… IT’S ABOUT JESUS!” We’ve put the focus on ourselves. Peter is pointing out that David knew that God would make one of his sons a king… but he would make HIS Son the King of Kings. David got it… he realized this was not about him or his family, but about God and His kingdom. The question is… do we get it now? Are we busy focusing on Jesus… or are we self-absorbed and focused on ourselves and what God can do for us?
We need to recognize that we are nothing apart from God. We need to understand that we desperately need the Holy Spirit to guide us each and every day. We need to acknowledge that it is not about us… it’s all about Him. Where is your focus? What – and who – really fascinates you? Is Jesus at the top of your list? Shouldn’t He be?
©2012 Debbie Robus
My friends, it is right for me to speak to you about our ancestor David. He died and was buried, and his tomb is still here. But David was a prophet, and he knew that God had made a promise he would not break. He had told David that someone from his own family would someday be king.
David knew this would happen, and so he told us that Christ would be raised to life. He said that God would not leave him in the grave or let his body decay. All of us can tell you that God has raised Jesus to life!
Jesus was taken up to sit at the right side of God, and he was given the Holy Spirit, just as the Father had promised. Jesus is also the one who has given the Spirit to us, and that is what you are now seeing and hearing. David didn't go up to heaven. So he wasn't talking about himself when he said, "The Lord told my Lord to sit at his right side, until he made my Lord's enemies into a footstool for him." Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For a decade or longer, Barbara Walters has selected a group of the Ten Most Fascinating People to interview each year. The group includes celebrities, politicians, and maybe a “hero” or two, like General David Petraeus. I get the premise of Ms. Walters’ program, but I honestly have to ask myself, “What makes these people so fascinating?”
I’ll be honest… I find a lot of people – and things - interesting. I am impressed with the fortitude of some individuals… the struggles and adversities they overcame to achieve a level of success or fame. I appreciate the physical dedication and determination of certain athletes… the absolute resolve of someone like Gabrielle Giffords to recover from what should have been a deadly head trauma – or the incredible inner strength of those who survived such human injustices as the concentration camps of war or the civil rights movements in our own country. I am amazed and fascinated by the miracle of life… a newborn baby… how the feathers of a bird come together to create incredible color patterns…the beauty and intricacy of the tiniest wildflowers on a forest floor.
But in all of these people and things, I recognize the One who truly deserves our fascination. The truly fascinating Being is the Giver of Life… our Almighty God. Without Him, none of us would exist. Without God, there would be no plants or animals… no starry skies or blazing sunsets. The fortitude and inner strength… resolve and determination… courage and beauty… all come from our amazing God. Without the gift of Jesus and His blood on the cross, we would have to fear death… and the prospect of an eternity in hell.
The people we consider fascinating are nothing in and of themselves. Whether they realize it or not, they got where they are because of our Heavenly Father. Any success they enjoy… any great accomplishments they achieve… any accolades they receive… any horrific experiences they overcame… are all because of the blessings, goodness, grace and mercy of God Almighty.
For me, this scripture passage is screaming, “IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU… IT’S ABOUT JESUS!” We’ve put the focus on ourselves. Peter is pointing out that David knew that God would make one of his sons a king… but he would make HIS Son the King of Kings. David got it… he realized this was not about him or his family, but about God and His kingdom. The question is… do we get it now? Are we busy focusing on Jesus… or are we self-absorbed and focused on ourselves and what God can do for us?
We need to recognize that we are nothing apart from God. We need to understand that we desperately need the Holy Spirit to guide us each and every day. We need to acknowledge that it is not about us… it’s all about Him. Where is your focus? What – and who – really fascinates you? Is Jesus at the top of your list? Shouldn’t He be?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 9, 2012
Acts 1:22-26
"Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection."
They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, "You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way." They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
One of the most puzzling questions many have is, “How do you know when you’ve truly heard from God?” Few, if any of us, get a lightning bolt… much less an audible Voice that tells us how to proceed. So how do you know when you are really hearing from God? As I read this scripture passage, I had to laugh when I got to the part where the people prayed to God for an answer… and then “drew straws.”
Surely picking a name out of the hat or “drawing straws” is not how God communicates with us… or is it? If you go back and read the verses in Acts 1 leading up to this passage, you will see that the disciples were following God’s word from scripture… replacing Judas, who had fulfilled prophecy and betrayed Jesus, then killed himself on a farm he bought with the dirty money. There were about 120 people gathered together, including Jesus’ mother Mary, His brothers, the disciples, and other followers.
Two names were placed in nomination, and then they prayed before drawing a name of one of the nominees. The more I thought about this, the more I realized what the message of this passage is for us today. God shows up in amazing, unexpected places. And He very well may tell us to “draw straws” for our answer. But the KEY to the passage comes before the name was drawn. The most important part of the passage is the verse where the people ask God to “make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership.”
As long as we are communicating with God and asking Him to guide or steps and our choices, He can utilize any tool or method to deliver our answer. If you have a hard choice to make, and God plainly directs you to “draw straws,” then do it. If He sends you an audible message in the form of advice from a trusted Christian brother or sister that you cannot shake… that’s probably what you are supposed to do. If you just know in your gut that one choice is right over another, God is probably giving you that physical nudge. If you have prayerfully sought God’s guidance, He can show up to answer in amazing ways that may even seem off-the-wall to some.
How do you know when you’ve heard from God? When you have spent time talking with Him and done all of the necessary preparation… then listened… God will show up. Whatever He is telling you to do… however He is reaching you and giving you the solution…don’t hesitate to follow through on His message. Have you consulted God about your decisions for today? Eenie, meenie, miney, moe… who has some straws to draw?
©2012 Debbie Robus
"Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection."
They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, "You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way." They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
One of the most puzzling questions many have is, “How do you know when you’ve truly heard from God?” Few, if any of us, get a lightning bolt… much less an audible Voice that tells us how to proceed. So how do you know when you are really hearing from God? As I read this scripture passage, I had to laugh when I got to the part where the people prayed to God for an answer… and then “drew straws.”
Surely picking a name out of the hat or “drawing straws” is not how God communicates with us… or is it? If you go back and read the verses in Acts 1 leading up to this passage, you will see that the disciples were following God’s word from scripture… replacing Judas, who had fulfilled prophecy and betrayed Jesus, then killed himself on a farm he bought with the dirty money. There were about 120 people gathered together, including Jesus’ mother Mary, His brothers, the disciples, and other followers.
Two names were placed in nomination, and then they prayed before drawing a name of one of the nominees. The more I thought about this, the more I realized what the message of this passage is for us today. God shows up in amazing, unexpected places. And He very well may tell us to “draw straws” for our answer. But the KEY to the passage comes before the name was drawn. The most important part of the passage is the verse where the people ask God to “make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership.”
As long as we are communicating with God and asking Him to guide or steps and our choices, He can utilize any tool or method to deliver our answer. If you have a hard choice to make, and God plainly directs you to “draw straws,” then do it. If He sends you an audible message in the form of advice from a trusted Christian brother or sister that you cannot shake… that’s probably what you are supposed to do. If you just know in your gut that one choice is right over another, God is probably giving you that physical nudge. If you have prayerfully sought God’s guidance, He can show up to answer in amazing ways that may even seem off-the-wall to some.
How do you know when you’ve heard from God? When you have spent time talking with Him and done all of the necessary preparation… then listened… God will show up. Whatever He is telling you to do… however He is reaching you and giving you the solution…don’t hesitate to follow through on His message. Have you consulted God about your decisions for today? Eenie, meenie, miney, moe… who has some straws to draw?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 18, 2011
Psalm 145:10-19
Creation and creatures applaud you, God; your holy people bless you. They talk about the glories of your rule, they exclaim over your splendor, letting the world know of your power for good, the lavish splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal; you never get voted out of office. God always does what he says, and is gracious in everything he does. God gives a hand to those down on their luck, gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
All eyes are on you, expectant; you give them their meals on time. Generous to a fault, you lavish your favor on all creatures. Everything God does is right — the trademark on all his works is love.
God's there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it. He does what's best for those who fear him — hears them call out, and saves them.
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.
The “Sunday paper” was full of circulars and ads for all kinds of “last-minute gift ideas.” Countless online retailers are offering free shipping and promising “You can still have this in time for Christmas!” Everywhere you look, someone is ready to lavish gifts and “stuff” upon us… to “play Santa Claus” and “make our Christmas merry and bright!”
What we really need is the favor of God. He stands ready to lavish His gifts upon us… but we often crave the things of this world instead. As we head into the last week before Christmas Day and rev up our holiday preparations and last-minute shopping, let’s stop to remember why we celebrate Christmas… and WHO is truly responsible. Let’s think a little less about what Santa Claus is bringing us and a lot more about what God does for us each and every day.
Let’s remember that God shows up right on time to meet our every need… to save us when we are down and out… to feed us body and soul… to lavish His goodness, grace, mercy and love on each one of us. How could we not love such an amazing God? How could we not offer Him our very best and put HIM at the top of our list of priorities?
It’s easy to get caught up in the tinsel and sparkle of the commercialism of Christmas… but it’s time we paid more attention to God and the gifts He offers us every day of the year. How will you spend the “home stretch” of this Christmas season?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Creation and creatures applaud you, God; your holy people bless you. They talk about the glories of your rule, they exclaim over your splendor, letting the world know of your power for good, the lavish splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal; you never get voted out of office. God always does what he says, and is gracious in everything he does. God gives a hand to those down on their luck, gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
All eyes are on you, expectant; you give them their meals on time. Generous to a fault, you lavish your favor on all creatures. Everything God does is right — the trademark on all his works is love.
God's there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it. He does what's best for those who fear him — hears them call out, and saves them.
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.
The “Sunday paper” was full of circulars and ads for all kinds of “last-minute gift ideas.” Countless online retailers are offering free shipping and promising “You can still have this in time for Christmas!” Everywhere you look, someone is ready to lavish gifts and “stuff” upon us… to “play Santa Claus” and “make our Christmas merry and bright!”
What we really need is the favor of God. He stands ready to lavish His gifts upon us… but we often crave the things of this world instead. As we head into the last week before Christmas Day and rev up our holiday preparations and last-minute shopping, let’s stop to remember why we celebrate Christmas… and WHO is truly responsible. Let’s think a little less about what Santa Claus is bringing us and a lot more about what God does for us each and every day.
Let’s remember that God shows up right on time to meet our every need… to save us when we are down and out… to feed us body and soul… to lavish His goodness, grace, mercy and love on each one of us. How could we not love such an amazing God? How could we not offer Him our very best and put HIM at the top of our list of priorities?
It’s easy to get caught up in the tinsel and sparkle of the commercialism of Christmas… but it’s time we paid more attention to God and the gifts He offers us every day of the year. How will you spend the “home stretch” of this Christmas season?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 17, 2011
Psalm 145:5-9
For the last few days, a cedar tree outside our window has been filled with bluebirds and pine warblers. The tree is loaded with tiny blue berries, and the bluebirds especially love them. So all of these little songbirds have had a feast!
Below the tree on a shepherd’s hook hangs a bird feeder that we keep filled this time of year with black sunflower seeds. The birds enjoy these seeds, but the bluebirds seem to prefer the cedar berries. I sat at the window for a long time one morning… mesmerized by these beautiful creatures. The males are much more brilliant in color than the females, but both have their own sweet beauty.
©2011 Debbie Robus
I will keep thinking about your marvelous glory and your mighty miracles. Everyone will talk about your fearsome deeds, and I will tell all nations how great you are. They will celebrate and sing about your matchless mercy and your power to save. You are merciful, LORD! You are kind and patient and always loving. You are good to everyone, and you take care of all your creation.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For the last few days, a cedar tree outside our window has been filled with bluebirds and pine warblers. The tree is loaded with tiny blue berries, and the bluebirds especially love them. So all of these little songbirds have had a feast!Below the tree on a shepherd’s hook hangs a bird feeder that we keep filled this time of year with black sunflower seeds. The birds enjoy these seeds, but the bluebirds seem to prefer the cedar berries. I sat at the window for a long time one morning… mesmerized by these beautiful creatures. The males are much more brilliant in color than the females, but both have their own sweet beauty.
As I watched these little songbirds feed on the berries, I thought about how caring and loving God is… that He could care enough to provide blue berries on a gnarly, shaggy-barked tree to feed tiny creatures that wear coats in a rainbow of blues, oranges, greys and browns. He knit together each bird in perfection… just the right number of feathers in just the right arrangement to create their colorful, distinctive markings. Even if we never put out a single sunflower seed in winter, God would not let these little birds starve.
The God who takes care of these tiny birds is the same God who loves and cares for us. Surely He meets all of our needs and loves us just as much. This is a good time to stop and thank Him for being so merciful, powerful, gracious, and kind. It took a flock of tiny bluebirds on a dreary winter day to remind me just how special we are to God. And now I’m reminding you!
Take a few minutes today to look around and marvel at God’s glory and mighty miracles. Give Him a prayer of thanks and praise for being so meticulous and thorough. Tell God how much you appreciate He meets your needs so well… and remind someone else how much He cares for them. I just did!
Daily Devotional for October 15, 2011
Psalm 118:28-29
The LORD is my God! I will praise him and tell him how thankful I am. Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Did you have breakfast this morning? Did you wake up with a knot in your stomach because you had not had food to eat for the last few days? Did you have to walk several miles just to get your bowl of morning cereal? By the mere act of reading this devotional, you have indicated how blessed you are. You have some sort of device at your disposal that allows you to communicate with the world… to say whatever you wish to whomever you please.
When was the last time you thanked God for all of the comforts you have in your life? Even if God didn’t give us the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ… salvation… the promise of eternal life… the basic (and not-so-basic) conveniences and blessings He lavishes on us daily are more than enough to merit praise.
We take so much for granted. We have our little pity parties and lament how mistreated and misunderstood and neglected we are… how “poor” we are and how we can’t seem to get ahead in this world or we’re being taxed to death – or “they” are out to get us. All the while, we live in such abundance compared to many.
We may not dine on steak and caviar every night, but we have food to eat. We may not live in a palace…but we are safe, warm and dry. We may not drive a Rolls Royce, but we have a means to get where we need to go. And when we do have a need, God always provides. It may not be exactly what we asked for… you may pray for a Mercedes and get a clunker… but God answers with grace and mercy.
We have no problem asking God for what we need… yet we fail to give Him the only thing we can to truly repay Him besides our service and loyalty – our praise. Isn’t it time we started focusing more on giving thanks and showing gratitude? We’ll never be able to “even the score”… and thankfully, God doesn’t care about that. But we can make a dent. Are you ready to try?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The LORD is my God! I will praise him and tell him how thankful I am. Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Did you have breakfast this morning? Did you wake up with a knot in your stomach because you had not had food to eat for the last few days? Did you have to walk several miles just to get your bowl of morning cereal? By the mere act of reading this devotional, you have indicated how blessed you are. You have some sort of device at your disposal that allows you to communicate with the world… to say whatever you wish to whomever you please.
When was the last time you thanked God for all of the comforts you have in your life? Even if God didn’t give us the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ… salvation… the promise of eternal life… the basic (and not-so-basic) conveniences and blessings He lavishes on us daily are more than enough to merit praise.
We take so much for granted. We have our little pity parties and lament how mistreated and misunderstood and neglected we are… how “poor” we are and how we can’t seem to get ahead in this world or we’re being taxed to death – or “they” are out to get us. All the while, we live in such abundance compared to many.
We may not dine on steak and caviar every night, but we have food to eat. We may not live in a palace…but we are safe, warm and dry. We may not drive a Rolls Royce, but we have a means to get where we need to go. And when we do have a need, God always provides. It may not be exactly what we asked for… you may pray for a Mercedes and get a clunker… but God answers with grace and mercy.
We have no problem asking God for what we need… yet we fail to give Him the only thing we can to truly repay Him besides our service and loyalty – our praise. Isn’t it time we started focusing more on giving thanks and showing gratitude? We’ll never be able to “even the score”… and thankfully, God doesn’t care about that. But we can make a dent. Are you ready to try?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 22, 2011
John 6:34-40
The people said, "Lord, give us this bread and don't ever stop!"
Jesus replied: I am the bread that gives life! No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who has faith in me will ever be thirsty. I have told you already that you have seen me and still do not have faith in me. Everything and everyone that the Father has given me will come to me, and I won't turn any of them away.
I didn't come from heaven to do what I want! I came to do what the Father wants me to do. He sent me, and he wants to make certain that none of the ones he has given me will be lost. Instead, he wants me to raise them to life on the last day. My Father wants everyone who sees the Son to have faith in him and to have eternal life. Then I will raise them to life on the last day.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A youth pastor friend of mine conducted an experiment recently. He asked all of the youth in his group to do without certain things each day for eight days, in order to get a feel for those who are less fortunate. Here was their schedule:
• Day one: No bed
• Day two: Eat rice only
• Day three: Beg for lunch
• Day four: No shower/hygiene products
• Day four part two: No relying on parents/No eating out (they must take care of themselves)
• Day five: No media (no cell phones, no radio, no computer, no TV)
• Day six: No cars (you can bum a ride with someone else, bike or walk, but no cars)
• Day seven: Wear the same clothes you wore yesterday
• Day eight: Fast all day
At best, this experiment was mildly uncomfortable for the participants… and maybe it opened a few eyes to the challenges that many face every day. We cannot fathom needing food and water. We do not understand the concept of needing water… we truly have plenty of food to eat and water to drink. It probably doesn’t occur to us often – if at all – that others clamor for even one cup of water, or a small bowl of mealy mush to eat each day.
The GOOD NEWS is that there is not a single person on the planet who cannot have plenty of the “Bread of Life” and “Living Water” offered by Jesus Christ. Whether lying on a bare church floor with no bedding…or on the hot dusty desert floor of Somalia… we can all be assured that Jesus will never turn us away. He loves all of us and cares deeply about us.
What we don’t grasp… and what eluded the people in this passage from John… is that physical needs and Spiritual needs are not the same. “Why,” we ask…”must people go hungry and thirsty? Why must there be poor and needy among us? Why do bad things happen to good people?” I don’t have the whole answer… and maybe we’re not supposed to understand this fully. But what I do know is that sometimes, through our physical needs and suffering, we are better able to see the Spiritual food and provisions that God offers us through Jesus. Let’s remember, Jesus suffered, too. He understood hunger, thirst, abuse, and murder… firsthand!
What I want you to take away from this message today is that God offers us “food and water” that defies physical man… the sustenance that permeates our soul and matters for all eternity. This life, no matter how many years we are granted, is truly only a blip on the screen. But life in the presence of Almighty God lasts forever. I want in on it… don’t you? And I want to take as many people with me as I possibly can! I am grateful that I will probably never know true physical hunger or thirst. But I am even more grateful that, by God’s grace, I won’t know these needs Spiritually. Can you say the same?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The people said, "Lord, give us this bread and don't ever stop!"
Jesus replied: I am the bread that gives life! No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who has faith in me will ever be thirsty. I have told you already that you have seen me and still do not have faith in me. Everything and everyone that the Father has given me will come to me, and I won't turn any of them away.
I didn't come from heaven to do what I want! I came to do what the Father wants me to do. He sent me, and he wants to make certain that none of the ones he has given me will be lost. Instead, he wants me to raise them to life on the last day. My Father wants everyone who sees the Son to have faith in him and to have eternal life. Then I will raise them to life on the last day.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A youth pastor friend of mine conducted an experiment recently. He asked all of the youth in his group to do without certain things each day for eight days, in order to get a feel for those who are less fortunate. Here was their schedule:
• Day one: No bed
• Day two: Eat rice only
• Day three: Beg for lunch
• Day four: No shower/hygiene products
• Day four part two: No relying on parents/No eating out (they must take care of themselves)
• Day five: No media (no cell phones, no radio, no computer, no TV)
• Day six: No cars (you can bum a ride with someone else, bike or walk, but no cars)
• Day seven: Wear the same clothes you wore yesterday
• Day eight: Fast all day
At best, this experiment was mildly uncomfortable for the participants… and maybe it opened a few eyes to the challenges that many face every day. We cannot fathom needing food and water. We do not understand the concept of needing water… we truly have plenty of food to eat and water to drink. It probably doesn’t occur to us often – if at all – that others clamor for even one cup of water, or a small bowl of mealy mush to eat each day.
The GOOD NEWS is that there is not a single person on the planet who cannot have plenty of the “Bread of Life” and “Living Water” offered by Jesus Christ. Whether lying on a bare church floor with no bedding…or on the hot dusty desert floor of Somalia… we can all be assured that Jesus will never turn us away. He loves all of us and cares deeply about us.
What we don’t grasp… and what eluded the people in this passage from John… is that physical needs and Spiritual needs are not the same. “Why,” we ask…”must people go hungry and thirsty? Why must there be poor and needy among us? Why do bad things happen to good people?” I don’t have the whole answer… and maybe we’re not supposed to understand this fully. But what I do know is that sometimes, through our physical needs and suffering, we are better able to see the Spiritual food and provisions that God offers us through Jesus. Let’s remember, Jesus suffered, too. He understood hunger, thirst, abuse, and murder… firsthand!
What I want you to take away from this message today is that God offers us “food and water” that defies physical man… the sustenance that permeates our soul and matters for all eternity. This life, no matter how many years we are granted, is truly only a blip on the screen. But life in the presence of Almighty God lasts forever. I want in on it… don’t you? And I want to take as many people with me as I possibly can! I am grateful that I will probably never know true physical hunger or thirst. But I am even more grateful that, by God’s grace, I won’t know these needs Spiritually. Can you say the same?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 21, 2011
John 6:30-33
They replied, "What miracle will you work, so that we can have faith in you? What will you do? For example, when our ancestors were in the desert, they were given manna to eat. It happened just as the Scriptures say, `God gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "Jesus then told them, "I tell you for certain that Moses wasn't the one who gave you bread from heaven. My Father is the one who gives you the true bread from heaven. And the bread that God gives is the one who came down from heaven to give life to the world."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most of us are probably familiar with the scene in the movie “Jerry Maguire” where Cuba Gooding, Jr. screams, “Show me the money!” Gooding portrays a pro football player who is disgruntled with his contract. As his agent (played by Tom Cruise) tries to appease him, Gooding’s character is totally dissatisfied with the explanation. He wants proof of what Cruise’s character is promising… he wants more… he wants Cruise to “show me the money!”
Isn’t this how we operate with God many times? If we are really honest, don’t we want God to “show me the money!”? Oh, I don’t mean we literally want money… though some do! We are not satisfied with the things God does for us every minute of the day… the subtle mercies He offers us… the way He loves us when we don’t deserve it… the grace He extends as we muddle through our lives. We want Him to bring lightning bolts and thunder and pull out the BIG guns and really do miraculous things that are clearly visible. Maybe then we will really recognize Him and give Him due credit!
Does this sound familiar? How many times have you said, “LORD, I need a miracle!”? We fail to recognize that the fact that God loves us in the first place is probably one of the biggest miracles ever! Beyond this, we don’t stop to acknowledge all of the countless ways He is present in our lives on a daily basis. In essence, we don’t really recognize GOD! Unless He “shows us the money” in a grand way that makes a spectacular production for the world to see, we aren’t interested.
Look around. Take a good, hard look at your life in the light of what God has done – and continues to do – for you every day. See His hand in the smallest of events, as well as those larger ones. Get a grip on how much God loves us, and understand that He really does “show you the money” every minute of the day. Now humble yourself and thank Him… really thank Him for His tender love, grace and mercy… and start to operate in a spirit of full awareness of His presence – and gratitude for His blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
They replied, "What miracle will you work, so that we can have faith in you? What will you do? For example, when our ancestors were in the desert, they were given manna to eat. It happened just as the Scriptures say, `God gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "Jesus then told them, "I tell you for certain that Moses wasn't the one who gave you bread from heaven. My Father is the one who gives you the true bread from heaven. And the bread that God gives is the one who came down from heaven to give life to the world."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most of us are probably familiar with the scene in the movie “Jerry Maguire” where Cuba Gooding, Jr. screams, “Show me the money!” Gooding portrays a pro football player who is disgruntled with his contract. As his agent (played by Tom Cruise) tries to appease him, Gooding’s character is totally dissatisfied with the explanation. He wants proof of what Cruise’s character is promising… he wants more… he wants Cruise to “show me the money!”
Isn’t this how we operate with God many times? If we are really honest, don’t we want God to “show me the money!”? Oh, I don’t mean we literally want money… though some do! We are not satisfied with the things God does for us every minute of the day… the subtle mercies He offers us… the way He loves us when we don’t deserve it… the grace He extends as we muddle through our lives. We want Him to bring lightning bolts and thunder and pull out the BIG guns and really do miraculous things that are clearly visible. Maybe then we will really recognize Him and give Him due credit!
Does this sound familiar? How many times have you said, “LORD, I need a miracle!”? We fail to recognize that the fact that God loves us in the first place is probably one of the biggest miracles ever! Beyond this, we don’t stop to acknowledge all of the countless ways He is present in our lives on a daily basis. In essence, we don’t really recognize GOD! Unless He “shows us the money” in a grand way that makes a spectacular production for the world to see, we aren’t interested.
Look around. Take a good, hard look at your life in the light of what God has done – and continues to do – for you every day. See His hand in the smallest of events, as well as those larger ones. Get a grip on how much God loves us, and understand that He really does “show you the money” every minute of the day. Now humble yourself and thank Him… really thank Him for His tender love, grace and mercy… and start to operate in a spirit of full awareness of His presence – and gratitude for His blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 1, 2011
Psalm 100
Shout praises to the LORD, everyone on this earth. Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the LORD! You know the LORD is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture. Be thankful and praise the LORD as you enter his temple. The LORD is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently I visited my grandmother at the retirement center where she now lives. It was time for lunch, and I visited with the ladies at her table while they waited to be served… all women I’ve known most, if not all, of my life. The ladies were all excited about their lunch – chicken livers! But when the meals were served, they each had a boneless chicken breast… and they were not happy. It seems that they had misunderstood… they were served the “daily lunch special.” Chicken livers was an option for those who didn’t want the “special.” But the ladies got it backwards… and they were very disappointed.
The food the ladies were served looked delicious, and I encouraged them to give it a try. And later, when I phoned my grandmother, we talked about how fortunate these seniors are to have such a wonderful, comfortable, safe place to live… a place where they have great care, delicious food, air conditioning in summer and heat in winter… and so much more. And I began to think about how often we are so busy complaining about something that is wrong that we fail to recognize all that is right!
It should be enough that we belong to God… that we are His people and the sheep in His pasture. Just knowing that we belong to God and He is caring for our every need should fill us with joy and make us want to “shout praises to the LORD!” But we – and I am right smack in the middle of this group – tend to find the glass half empty and stew about the things that are wrong in our little worlds. We should be busy listing our blessings and thanking God for all He does for us.
There is an e-mail message that circulates from time to time that starts off: "If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.” I do not know who to credit for these comments. But they are great thoughts.
We have so many reasons to be thankful and to give God praise… and truly, so very little about which to complain. Yet we are often far more eager to tell anyone who will ask what is wrong with our lives than what is right. It’s time to change this! We need to be busy counting our blessings and praising God for all He does for us.
We need to be thankful for the house that needs cleaning… the less-than-restful night of sleep in a clean, warm bed and the clothing on our backs that may have come from a thrift store… because even when things are not up to our “standards” or desires, we are still incredibly blessed. And when we finally get our “chicken liver dinner,”… as the ladies at the retirement center did the next day… we need to thank God for blessing us even when we gripe!
What has been your “chicken liver dinner” lately? What will you praise God for today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Shout praises to the LORD, everyone on this earth. Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the LORD! You know the LORD is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture. Be thankful and praise the LORD as you enter his temple. The LORD is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently I visited my grandmother at the retirement center where she now lives. It was time for lunch, and I visited with the ladies at her table while they waited to be served… all women I’ve known most, if not all, of my life. The ladies were all excited about their lunch – chicken livers! But when the meals were served, they each had a boneless chicken breast… and they were not happy. It seems that they had misunderstood… they were served the “daily lunch special.” Chicken livers was an option for those who didn’t want the “special.” But the ladies got it backwards… and they were very disappointed.
The food the ladies were served looked delicious, and I encouraged them to give it a try. And later, when I phoned my grandmother, we talked about how fortunate these seniors are to have such a wonderful, comfortable, safe place to live… a place where they have great care, delicious food, air conditioning in summer and heat in winter… and so much more. And I began to think about how often we are so busy complaining about something that is wrong that we fail to recognize all that is right!
It should be enough that we belong to God… that we are His people and the sheep in His pasture. Just knowing that we belong to God and He is caring for our every need should fill us with joy and make us want to “shout praises to the LORD!” But we – and I am right smack in the middle of this group – tend to find the glass half empty and stew about the things that are wrong in our little worlds. We should be busy listing our blessings and thanking God for all He does for us.
There is an e-mail message that circulates from time to time that starts off: "If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.” I do not know who to credit for these comments. But they are great thoughts.
We have so many reasons to be thankful and to give God praise… and truly, so very little about which to complain. Yet we are often far more eager to tell anyone who will ask what is wrong with our lives than what is right. It’s time to change this! We need to be busy counting our blessings and praising God for all He does for us.
We need to be thankful for the house that needs cleaning… the less-than-restful night of sleep in a clean, warm bed and the clothing on our backs that may have come from a thrift store… because even when things are not up to our “standards” or desires, we are still incredibly blessed. And when we finally get our “chicken liver dinner,”… as the ladies at the retirement center did the next day… we need to thank God for blessing us even when we gripe!
What has been your “chicken liver dinner” lately? What will you praise God for today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 24, 2011
Luke 24:28-34
They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: "Stay and have supper with us. It's nearly evening; the day is done." So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.
Back and forth they talked. "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?"
They didn't waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: "It's really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!"
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.
“Light bulb moments”… “Aha! Moments”… whatever you call them, we’ve all had that time when “the lights went on,” and we truly understood something that had eluded us beforehand. For these two men on the road to Emmaus, their “light bulb” moment came when Jesus sat with them and broke bread, then blessed it. They had been so caught up in their sadness over the crucifixion, death and disappearance of Jesus that they couldn’t recognize Him walking right alongside them on the road.
Suddenly, all of the things Jesus had said and done as He walked with them to their home came together and made sense… and helped them to realize that THIS was the man everyone was talking about… the person who was crucified, buried, and then came up missing from the tomb. THIS was no mere mortal… He was JESUS CHRIST… the MESSIAH! These men realized in an instant just how much Jesus loved them… how true His teachings were… and just how incredibly real His power was.
An entire “community” has been built around this scripture passage. Information about the Walk to Emmaus at www.upperroom.org says “The Walk to Emmaus offers today's disciples a parallel opportunity to rediscover Christ's presence in their lives, to gain fresh understanding of God's transforming grace, and to form friendships that foster faith and support spiritual maturity.” While the Walk to Emmaus is associated with the United Methodist Church, anyone can attend. For teenagers, there is a comparable event known as Chrysalis. Other denominations have similar spiritual renewal programs, such as the Catholic Church’s Cursillo and a non-denominational “Faith Walk” program that is offered in several locations throughout the South.
Whether you ever attend one of these four-day events or not is irrelevant. I found my Walk to Emmaus experience to be life-changing, as I discovered more about the abundant grace of Jesus Christ… how much He loves us and wants us to trust Him – and to serve Him by sharing His love and grace with others. It is safe to say that I had a “light bulb moment” on my “walk.” But we can have this same experience in the quiet of our own home… out on a hike in the natural beauty of God’s creation… or in the midst of a noisy praise and worship service at a local church.
The key is to open our hearts and minds to the possibilities with Jesus… to really, really recognize that He is walking right beside us! We’re on the road of life, head hung low, slogging through our daily routine and worrying and fretting about all sorts of things – many of which are quite legitimate! – and we fail to recognize that Jesus is right there with us. He’s ready to take on our burdens, to extend His grace to us for our shortcomings, and to love us unconditionally. But a lot of us have simply never fully recognized His presence.
Let’s make today a “light bulb moment” day for all of us. Even if you have had such an experience in the past… we all need a refresher course from time to time. Let’s stop what we are doing for a few seconds, close our eyes, and say, “Come close, LORD… I know you are there… I really, truly feel you with me.” Then DO IT! Feel His presence… accept His grace, mercy, and love – and bask in them. And share this good news with others by serving like the Disciple you are. It’s time… this is the day… altogether now… say, “Aha!”
©2011 Debbie Robus
They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: "Stay and have supper with us. It's nearly evening; the day is done." So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.
Back and forth they talked. "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?"
They didn't waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: "It's really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!"
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.
“Light bulb moments”… “Aha! Moments”… whatever you call them, we’ve all had that time when “the lights went on,” and we truly understood something that had eluded us beforehand. For these two men on the road to Emmaus, their “light bulb” moment came when Jesus sat with them and broke bread, then blessed it. They had been so caught up in their sadness over the crucifixion, death and disappearance of Jesus that they couldn’t recognize Him walking right alongside them on the road.
Suddenly, all of the things Jesus had said and done as He walked with them to their home came together and made sense… and helped them to realize that THIS was the man everyone was talking about… the person who was crucified, buried, and then came up missing from the tomb. THIS was no mere mortal… He was JESUS CHRIST… the MESSIAH! These men realized in an instant just how much Jesus loved them… how true His teachings were… and just how incredibly real His power was.
An entire “community” has been built around this scripture passage. Information about the Walk to Emmaus at www.upperroom.org says “The Walk to Emmaus offers today's disciples a parallel opportunity to rediscover Christ's presence in their lives, to gain fresh understanding of God's transforming grace, and to form friendships that foster faith and support spiritual maturity.” While the Walk to Emmaus is associated with the United Methodist Church, anyone can attend. For teenagers, there is a comparable event known as Chrysalis. Other denominations have similar spiritual renewal programs, such as the Catholic Church’s Cursillo and a non-denominational “Faith Walk” program that is offered in several locations throughout the South.
Whether you ever attend one of these four-day events or not is irrelevant. I found my Walk to Emmaus experience to be life-changing, as I discovered more about the abundant grace of Jesus Christ… how much He loves us and wants us to trust Him – and to serve Him by sharing His love and grace with others. It is safe to say that I had a “light bulb moment” on my “walk.” But we can have this same experience in the quiet of our own home… out on a hike in the natural beauty of God’s creation… or in the midst of a noisy praise and worship service at a local church.
The key is to open our hearts and minds to the possibilities with Jesus… to really, really recognize that He is walking right beside us! We’re on the road of life, head hung low, slogging through our daily routine and worrying and fretting about all sorts of things – many of which are quite legitimate! – and we fail to recognize that Jesus is right there with us. He’s ready to take on our burdens, to extend His grace to us for our shortcomings, and to love us unconditionally. But a lot of us have simply never fully recognized His presence.
Let’s make today a “light bulb moment” day for all of us. Even if you have had such an experience in the past… we all need a refresher course from time to time. Let’s stop what we are doing for a few seconds, close our eyes, and say, “Come close, LORD… I know you are there… I really, truly feel you with me.” Then DO IT! Feel His presence… accept His grace, mercy, and love – and bask in them. And share this good news with others by serving like the Disciple you are. It’s time… this is the day… altogether now… say, “Aha!”
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 31, 2011
Deuteronomy 6:5
Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My husband and I did not think we could ever love another cat as much as we loved our first two “babies.” We loved them like children for 15 and 19 years respectively… and we grieved their passing deeply. It still makes me teary-eyed to think about our furry companions. Then we got Mabel and Lucy… and 12 years later, we can’t imagine life without them. Even when they are getting into trouble, we love them with all that is in us.
We love all of our nieces, nephews, cousins and little friends madly. And because we have spent so much time with Timothy, he is like our own child… and we love him with all we have - with our whole heart. When you love someone like this, you take on their joys, fears, hurts, heartaches, frustrations… whatever they experience, you feel deeply and internalize. This kind of love is incredibly personal and profound.
The question is… “Do we feel this same connection with God?” We’re supposed to! We are supposed to love God with our whole heart… to feel such a profound, personal connection to Him that we love what He loves... and who He loves. We are supposed to grieve over things that break His heart… and take great pride and joy in things that please and glorify Him. But I’m not sure that we always experience God in this way. I’m not sure that we fully commit our heart to Him in such a deep, intense manner, or that we spend a significant portion of each day thinking about Him.
How is it that the love we so easily give to a child or a pet… a significant other… or even a hobby or a career… we cannot muster for the God of the Universe? Isn’t it time we did some soul searching? Isn’t it time to love God with all we’ve got? Do you have a deep, abiding “love connection” with God? Shouldn’t you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My husband and I did not think we could ever love another cat as much as we loved our first two “babies.” We loved them like children for 15 and 19 years respectively… and we grieved their passing deeply. It still makes me teary-eyed to think about our furry companions. Then we got Mabel and Lucy… and 12 years later, we can’t imagine life without them. Even when they are getting into trouble, we love them with all that is in us.
We love all of our nieces, nephews, cousins and little friends madly. And because we have spent so much time with Timothy, he is like our own child… and we love him with all we have - with our whole heart. When you love someone like this, you take on their joys, fears, hurts, heartaches, frustrations… whatever they experience, you feel deeply and internalize. This kind of love is incredibly personal and profound.
The question is… “Do we feel this same connection with God?” We’re supposed to! We are supposed to love God with our whole heart… to feel such a profound, personal connection to Him that we love what He loves... and who He loves. We are supposed to grieve over things that break His heart… and take great pride and joy in things that please and glorify Him. But I’m not sure that we always experience God in this way. I’m not sure that we fully commit our heart to Him in such a deep, intense manner, or that we spend a significant portion of each day thinking about Him.
How is it that the love we so easily give to a child or a pet… a significant other… or even a hobby or a career… we cannot muster for the God of the Universe? Isn’t it time we did some soul searching? Isn’t it time to love God with all we’ve got? Do you have a deep, abiding “love connection” with God? Shouldn’t you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 27, 2011
Psalm 8:3-9
I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. Then I ask, "Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?" You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor. You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power-- the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures. Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have not watched the movie Temple Grandin, you need to rent it! The true story of a woman with autism, this film tells not only about the life and work of Temple Grandin and how she struggled with her condition… it is also about the incredible work she has done in the area of humane treatment of cattle.
The movie is a little hard to watch in spots, because inhumane treatment of cattle is depicted. But as you will see in the movie, Temple Grandin champions the care of both horses and cattle… and her dedication serves to remind us that something as “lowly” as a cow is valuable to God and deserves to be treated kindly.
I’ve thought about this movie a lot since we viewed it, and I have come to recognize even more strongly the incredible work God has done in and through Temple Grandin. God used her to provide care and a change in the way cattle are treated today in many corners of our country. God used Temple Grandin to show others so much about autism. I don’t want to give away the movie, but let’s just say that I don’t think you can watch this movie without being struck by how much God has used her… and the fact that God can use each of us in extraordinary ways, if we will open our hearts to Him.
We all have doubts from time to time… but hear me clearly… the same God who created the moon and stars… the same God who cares about cattle and horses, bugs and birds… the same God who can accomplish miraculous things through someone with autism… this God loves you dearly. You are precious to Him, and He values you more than you realize. When you start to feel down or discourage, remember that the God of the Universe thinks you are amazing. He values you above all other of His creatures. He’s got your back! How can we not honor Him? How can we help but sing His praise and serve Him with our whole heart? How can we ever feel useless?
The same God who used Temple Grandin to accomplish incredible things wants to bless you, too. What’s holding you back… have you acknowledged Him in your life? Are you giving Him the glory and honor He deserves? Isn’t it time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. Then I ask, "Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?" You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor. You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power-- the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures. Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have not watched the movie Temple Grandin, you need to rent it! The true story of a woman with autism, this film tells not only about the life and work of Temple Grandin and how she struggled with her condition… it is also about the incredible work she has done in the area of humane treatment of cattle.
The movie is a little hard to watch in spots, because inhumane treatment of cattle is depicted. But as you will see in the movie, Temple Grandin champions the care of both horses and cattle… and her dedication serves to remind us that something as “lowly” as a cow is valuable to God and deserves to be treated kindly.
I’ve thought about this movie a lot since we viewed it, and I have come to recognize even more strongly the incredible work God has done in and through Temple Grandin. God used her to provide care and a change in the way cattle are treated today in many corners of our country. God used Temple Grandin to show others so much about autism. I don’t want to give away the movie, but let’s just say that I don’t think you can watch this movie without being struck by how much God has used her… and the fact that God can use each of us in extraordinary ways, if we will open our hearts to Him.
We all have doubts from time to time… but hear me clearly… the same God who created the moon and stars… the same God who cares about cattle and horses, bugs and birds… the same God who can accomplish miraculous things through someone with autism… this God loves you dearly. You are precious to Him, and He values you more than you realize. When you start to feel down or discourage, remember that the God of the Universe thinks you are amazing. He values you above all other of His creatures. He’s got your back! How can we not honor Him? How can we help but sing His praise and serve Him with our whole heart? How can we ever feel useless?
The same God who used Temple Grandin to accomplish incredible things wants to bless you, too. What’s holding you back… have you acknowledged Him in your life? Are you giving Him the glory and honor He deserves? Isn’t it time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 27, 2010
Matthew 28:19-20
Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sometimes I think it would be so incredible to visit the Holy Lands. And if you know me very well, you know how much I dislike travel, so for me to say this is HUGE! But it has occurred to me that to walk where Jesus walked… to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane… to visit the places He visited and sense His presence there… would be an amazing, life-changing event.
Then I take a walk on the access road above the hiking trail near our house, and I look at the dozens, if not hundreds, of perfect leaf specimens that are pressed against the asphalt by a recent rain. And I realize that my notion that I would feel closer to Jesus in the Holy Lands is totally blown to bits.
We don’t have to go anywhere to experience Jesus… He is with us already, right where we are. He’s in every leaf, every stick, every rock… and the very air we breathe. If we are in tune with Him and listening for His voice, we can almost feel His pulse alongside ours. We can certainly experience the power of His presence as we boldly proclaim His Good News to others.
Being a disciple of Christ is heavy duty stuff! The commission given us by Jesus to make disciples, baptize in His name, and teach others what He has taught us is no small task… and certainly should not be taken lightly. But we have everything we need to accomplish this… right here, right now.
We don’t have to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands or anywhere else. Jesus lives in and through us… and He isn’t going anywhere! The question is… are we recognizing His presence? Are we acknowledging His power and tapping into His strength to accomplish incredible things? Isn’t it time we began?
What’s holding you back today? Ask God to empower you… to awaken you to His presence in your heart… and to give you the strength and courage to serve as His disciple. And take a look around and see where you can recognize His presence in even the “leaves and sticks” on your trail.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sometimes I think it would be so incredible to visit the Holy Lands. And if you know me very well, you know how much I dislike travel, so for me to say this is HUGE! But it has occurred to me that to walk where Jesus walked… to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane… to visit the places He visited and sense His presence there… would be an amazing, life-changing event.
Then I take a walk on the access road above the hiking trail near our house, and I look at the dozens, if not hundreds, of perfect leaf specimens that are pressed against the asphalt by a recent rain. And I realize that my notion that I would feel closer to Jesus in the Holy Lands is totally blown to bits.
We don’t have to go anywhere to experience Jesus… He is with us already, right where we are. He’s in every leaf, every stick, every rock… and the very air we breathe. If we are in tune with Him and listening for His voice, we can almost feel His pulse alongside ours. We can certainly experience the power of His presence as we boldly proclaim His Good News to others.
Being a disciple of Christ is heavy duty stuff! The commission given us by Jesus to make disciples, baptize in His name, and teach others what He has taught us is no small task… and certainly should not be taken lightly. But we have everything we need to accomplish this… right here, right now.
We don’t have to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands or anywhere else. Jesus lives in and through us… and He isn’t going anywhere! The question is… are we recognizing His presence? Are we acknowledging His power and tapping into His strength to accomplish incredible things? Isn’t it time we began?
What’s holding you back today? Ask God to empower you… to awaken you to His presence in your heart… and to give you the strength and courage to serve as His disciple. And take a look around and see where you can recognize His presence in even the “leaves and sticks” on your trail.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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