James 1:16-18
So don’t be misled, dear brothers.
But
whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all
light, and he shines forever without change or shadow. And it was a
happy day for him when he gave us our new lives through the truth of his
Word, and we became, as it were, the first children in his new family.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
The last time Timothy and
Nathan visited for the day, we had a surprise for them…an odd assortment
of Lego® pieces and accessories to add to their collection. There was
an anchor…a “police” car hood, some cool tubes and extensions, and much
more. The boys were thrilled with this surprise…and Greg and I
delighted in THEIR joy and excitement.
More than once, Timothy
has asked Greg and me, “WHY are you so nice to me?” This usually comes
on the heels of getting something he really wants…like a new Lego® set.
But sometimes it is the result of extra attention or praise. There are
also times when things are not quite going their way and one of the
children will say to us…”You NEVER do anything nice for me!” Yes, kids
can be quite fickle!
Thankfully, God is never inconsistent…and He loves
to give us gifts and blessings. I can just imagine the joy He finds in
watching us revel in the wonder of an unexpected gift…everything from a
friendly word or gesture from another person to some kind of “windfall”
that we were not anticipating. My mother called such surprise
blessings “silver boxes.” I would tell her about something wonderful
that happened out of the blue, and she would say, “There’s your ‘silver
box’ for today!”
God loves to give us “silver boxes.” These are
the “Lego® sets” of His universe. “Shadows” do come into our lives from
time to time…and like little children, we often question God about
them. But these are not His doing. God is never fickle...His light never falters. The
“clouds” that occasionally block our awareness of His presence come from
our own sin - and are the devil’s doing. But God is still there…loving
us…blessing us…caring about our every breath!
“Silver boxes” are
all around us. We never know when we will receive one…but God has an
unending stash of them just waiting to be shared. As we grow in our
faith, let’s learn to recognize these more readily…to stomp down any
notions that God would withhold His gifts from us or ever mistreat us in
any way. Let’s understand that God is in the business of giving His
children all that they need…and then some!
When God gives you a
“silver box,” will you recognize that it came from Him? Do you fully
appreciate ALL of God’s good gifts…and have you told Him so lately?
Isn’t this the perfect day to get your “attitude of gratitude” right,
once and for all? What will God give you today? Are you really ready to
for His light to shine?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label recognizing God's presence and power every day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recognizing God's presence and power every day. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for February 29, 2016
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the man who isn’t a Christian can’t understand and can’t accept these thoughts from God, which the Holy Spirit teaches us. They sound foolish to him because only those who have the Holy Spirit within them can understand what the Holy Spirit means. Others just can’t take it in.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Have you ever had a change in plans that turned out to be a real “blessing in disguise?” Has someone ever quite shown up – literally or symbolically – in your life at just the right time? How many times have you wondered, “How did that happen?” or “How did he/she know what I needed?”
We all have these experiences. And for some of us, they truly are a mystery. But for those of us who are attuned to the Holy Spirit, we know better! The more I get to know God and understand how He works in my life, the more often I recognize when His Holy Spirit shows up – and frequently shows out!
Every day, God orchestrates the events of our lives. Just recently, I have noticed how many times I start to work on a devotional and a particular scripture passage…and that very concept will be the theme of my passage from a devotional book…or someone will mention a scripture on Facebook, and it dovetails neatly with what I have just read/written! There are days when I know that God is completely guiding me to write in a certain direction…and days when I feel the Holy Spirit leading me down a totally different path.
For a long time, I was like many people...somewhat awed – and at times even rattled - by how things just seemed to “happen.” Now I know better. And yes, there are times that I say to someone, “The Holy Spirit did that!” – and they look at me like I am from Mars. But I know His voice…and I hope that by sharing this, they will come to know it, too! I want others to think of the Holy Spirit as a friend and comforter…not some ghostly apparition that is meant to scare and intimidate us! When I was a child, most adults referred to “the Holy Ghost”…and I didn’t have a clue who or what that was! Now I know…and I am so glad!
I want others to understand how the Holy Spirit can work in our lives. I am learning to rest in His daily “steering” of me in the right direction…and I want others to do the same. So I am glad to point out when the Holy Spirit orchestrates events in my life and creates a far better situation than I ever could. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
But the man who isn’t a Christian can’t understand and can’t accept these thoughts from God, which the Holy Spirit teaches us. They sound foolish to him because only those who have the Holy Spirit within them can understand what the Holy Spirit means. Others just can’t take it in.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Have you ever had a change in plans that turned out to be a real “blessing in disguise?” Has someone ever quite shown up – literally or symbolically – in your life at just the right time? How many times have you wondered, “How did that happen?” or “How did he/she know what I needed?”
We all have these experiences. And for some of us, they truly are a mystery. But for those of us who are attuned to the Holy Spirit, we know better! The more I get to know God and understand how He works in my life, the more often I recognize when His Holy Spirit shows up – and frequently shows out!
Every day, God orchestrates the events of our lives. Just recently, I have noticed how many times I start to work on a devotional and a particular scripture passage…and that very concept will be the theme of my passage from a devotional book…or someone will mention a scripture on Facebook, and it dovetails neatly with what I have just read/written! There are days when I know that God is completely guiding me to write in a certain direction…and days when I feel the Holy Spirit leading me down a totally different path.
For a long time, I was like many people...somewhat awed – and at times even rattled - by how things just seemed to “happen.” Now I know better. And yes, there are times that I say to someone, “The Holy Spirit did that!” – and they look at me like I am from Mars. But I know His voice…and I hope that by sharing this, they will come to know it, too! I want others to think of the Holy Spirit as a friend and comforter…not some ghostly apparition that is meant to scare and intimidate us! When I was a child, most adults referred to “the Holy Ghost”…and I didn’t have a clue who or what that was! Now I know…and I am so glad!
I want others to understand how the Holy Spirit can work in our lives. I am learning to rest in His daily “steering” of me in the right direction…and I want others to do the same. So I am glad to point out when the Holy Spirit orchestrates events in my life and creates a far better situation than I ever could. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 18, 2015
Matthew 5:17-18
“Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.
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.
Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a man named Jerry - one of my parents’ lifelong friends. His children have been MY friends since childhood, and Jerry was even a pallbearer at my dad’s funeral nearly 16 years ago. During the service, the pastor read from Ecclesiastes 3, where King Solomon talks about “seasons” of life – and a purpose for each one. He made the comment that sometimes things happen in life that seem perfectly horrible…terrible, painful, gut-wrenching things occur that we cannot fully understand. But we see later that they were a “set-up” of sorts to prepare us to handle something else. Had we not experienced the first situation, we would not have been adequately equipped to handle what happened next – or we might have missed out on understanding the joy and blessings of the latter event.
I have found this to be so true in my own life. And if a specific experience did not help me directly…I was able to use it to help someone else at a later point. As I read this scripture passage and Jesus’ claim that He did not come to negate what God had already said and done – but rather to enhance it – I thought of the words from yesterday’s service. If we don’t understand the rituals and “living sacrifices” of the Old Testament…we cannot fully appreciate how Jesus’ death on the cross settled that for us – once and for all. If we don’t grasp how God guided and cared for those who loved Him in the time before Jesus came to earth, we cannot begin to comprehend Jesus’ love and care for people He had never even met…like you and me!
There is something profound that happens in the life of a Christian when he/she begins to realize how completely God orchestrates everything…from the first day of our lives to the last – and beyond. When we start to really understand how He “pulls it all together” – how today’s challenges and heartaches prepare us for tomorrow’s successes and joys – we begin to experience the fullness of God in a new way. His constant presence becomes more real to us…and we are far more cognizant of how truly alive Jesus is…here…now…today…and always!
Yesterday, I sat between my mother and a dear “other mother figure”…and I considered the pastor’s words about our life experiences and “seasons”. I thought of Jerry and these ladies…and other dear souls who were in attendance…and I was reminded of how this has “played out” in their lives over and again. The same God who has guided and tended to these dear people of faith is doing these things in your life and mine. Do you recognize His work? Do you feel His presence? Don’t you want to?
Spend some time today talking to God about this. Think over the events of your life and see if you don’t recognize some distinct circumstances where He has knit together the bigger picture for a blessed outcome. Recognize God’s constant presence in your heart and mind…and trust Him to orchestrate each “season” perfectly.
©2015 Debbie Robus
“Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.
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.
Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a man named Jerry - one of my parents’ lifelong friends. His children have been MY friends since childhood, and Jerry was even a pallbearer at my dad’s funeral nearly 16 years ago. During the service, the pastor read from Ecclesiastes 3, where King Solomon talks about “seasons” of life – and a purpose for each one. He made the comment that sometimes things happen in life that seem perfectly horrible…terrible, painful, gut-wrenching things occur that we cannot fully understand. But we see later that they were a “set-up” of sorts to prepare us to handle something else. Had we not experienced the first situation, we would not have been adequately equipped to handle what happened next – or we might have missed out on understanding the joy and blessings of the latter event.
I have found this to be so true in my own life. And if a specific experience did not help me directly…I was able to use it to help someone else at a later point. As I read this scripture passage and Jesus’ claim that He did not come to negate what God had already said and done – but rather to enhance it – I thought of the words from yesterday’s service. If we don’t understand the rituals and “living sacrifices” of the Old Testament…we cannot fully appreciate how Jesus’ death on the cross settled that for us – once and for all. If we don’t grasp how God guided and cared for those who loved Him in the time before Jesus came to earth, we cannot begin to comprehend Jesus’ love and care for people He had never even met…like you and me!
There is something profound that happens in the life of a Christian when he/she begins to realize how completely God orchestrates everything…from the first day of our lives to the last – and beyond. When we start to really understand how He “pulls it all together” – how today’s challenges and heartaches prepare us for tomorrow’s successes and joys – we begin to experience the fullness of God in a new way. His constant presence becomes more real to us…and we are far more cognizant of how truly alive Jesus is…here…now…today…and always!
Yesterday, I sat between my mother and a dear “other mother figure”…and I considered the pastor’s words about our life experiences and “seasons”. I thought of Jerry and these ladies…and other dear souls who were in attendance…and I was reminded of how this has “played out” in their lives over and again. The same God who has guided and tended to these dear people of faith is doing these things in your life and mine. Do you recognize His work? Do you feel His presence? Don’t you want to?
Spend some time today talking to God about this. Think over the events of your life and see if you don’t recognize some distinct circumstances where He has knit together the bigger picture for a blessed outcome. Recognize God’s constant presence in your heart and mind…and trust Him to orchestrate each “season” perfectly.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 18, 2014
Isaiah 40:9-11
O crier of good news, shout to Jerusalem from the mountaintops! Shout louder—don’t be afraid—tell the cities of Judah, “Your God is coming!” Yes, the Lord God is coming with mighty power; he will rule with awesome strength. See, his reward is with him, to each as he has done. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will carry the lambs in his arms and gently lead the ewes with young.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, I shared a video on Facebook of Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end Trey Flowers completing a 55” “box jump”. A box jump is a plyometric exercise that involves standing in front of a sturdy “box” and vertically jumping atop it in a single motion…with no assistance. This exercise uses multiple joints and muscles and requires tremendous leg strength. Flowers swung his arms about 3 times, bent his knees into a quarter-squat, and jumped more than 55” into the air – and landed atop the “box”. The onlookers cheered and applauded.
This video was an “announcement” of sorts. A few days after Christmas, the Arkansas Razorbacks will take on the Texas Longhorns in the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl. There is a decades-old rivalry between these two universities and their sports programs. This was one way of announcing to the good people of Texas that “The Razorbacks are coming! We have mighty power and awesome strength! We’re coming to Houston to garner a win and carry the trophy home to our fans!”
To be clear, I do not mean to compare any of the Arkansas Razorbacks football team members to Jesus. But my point is that we are all about heralding big events…letting people know who we are and what we plan to accomplish. Our “bravado” and confidence are never higher than when we anticipate an exciting victory over a lifelong “enemy” in a sporting competition. Why do we not herald Jesus with equal exuberance?
This is the question we must ask today. Jesus has come…Jesus is coming again. His strength and power over the devil and his agents are incomparable…and paradoxically, His tender love and care for us are undeniable.
We don’t have a “box jump” video of Jesus…but we can use our words and actions to spread His message! Jesus has come! Don’t be afraid to shout this to the world and be the crier of this GOOD NEWS! Jesus has come…victory is ours! Who will you tell today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
O crier of good news, shout to Jerusalem from the mountaintops! Shout louder—don’t be afraid—tell the cities of Judah, “Your God is coming!” Yes, the Lord God is coming with mighty power; he will rule with awesome strength. See, his reward is with him, to each as he has done. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will carry the lambs in his arms and gently lead the ewes with young.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, I shared a video on Facebook of Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end Trey Flowers completing a 55” “box jump”. A box jump is a plyometric exercise that involves standing in front of a sturdy “box” and vertically jumping atop it in a single motion…with no assistance. This exercise uses multiple joints and muscles and requires tremendous leg strength. Flowers swung his arms about 3 times, bent his knees into a quarter-squat, and jumped more than 55” into the air – and landed atop the “box”. The onlookers cheered and applauded.
This video was an “announcement” of sorts. A few days after Christmas, the Arkansas Razorbacks will take on the Texas Longhorns in the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl. There is a decades-old rivalry between these two universities and their sports programs. This was one way of announcing to the good people of Texas that “The Razorbacks are coming! We have mighty power and awesome strength! We’re coming to Houston to garner a win and carry the trophy home to our fans!”
To be clear, I do not mean to compare any of the Arkansas Razorbacks football team members to Jesus. But my point is that we are all about heralding big events…letting people know who we are and what we plan to accomplish. Our “bravado” and confidence are never higher than when we anticipate an exciting victory over a lifelong “enemy” in a sporting competition. Why do we not herald Jesus with equal exuberance?
This is the question we must ask today. Jesus has come…Jesus is coming again. His strength and power over the devil and his agents are incomparable…and paradoxically, His tender love and care for us are undeniable.
We don’t have a “box jump” video of Jesus…but we can use our words and actions to spread His message! Jesus has come! Don’t be afraid to shout this to the world and be the crier of this GOOD NEWS! Jesus has come…victory is ours! Who will you tell today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 6, 2014
Luke 2:8-12
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In our day and age, we have become pretty skeptical…and rightly so. We receive telephone calls from someone at our “credit card company” or our “insurer” saying he/she needs to verify our account data. Someone in my area recently had a knock at the door from a person who insisted he was with the utility company - and if she did not pay $500 right away, her power would be turned off! Friends and grandparents get calls from someone pretending to be us…in serious trouble and needing money wired right away. You probably know of other scams that have occurred in your community – or even to you or someone you know.
So if I were minding my own business in my yard and someone appeared and told me that I needed to go into town and see the newborn Messiah, I might not believe them. Granted, if they appeared in the aura of a bright light and brought “backup singers”, I might give them a second consideration! But still…haven’t we all heard news reports of someone who supposedly saw a “bright light” and maybe some “life forms” within it? And didn’t we laugh and shake our heads and wonder about their sanity!
Let me be clear…I do not expect our Heavenly Father to send angels to stand before me and herald any revelation in the near future. But I do know that God will show up…today…in the next few minutes and hours…someway…somehow. He will guide me…plant thoughts in my head about tasks I need to accomplish and people I need to address in some manner. He will direct my path and reveal opportunities to bless - and to be blessed. I hope I recognize all of them. I don’t want to miss out on a single thing that God has in store for me!
Thankfully, the shepherds had not become cynical and dubious. They had probably not been the victims of scam artists…and most assuredly, there had been no telemarketers to disrupt their dinner hour or the baby’s nap time! But they must have certainly been astounded by the news they received…not to mention the method with which it was delivered. And yet, they recognized the presence of God…and heeded His call. Can you say the same in your own life? Isn’t it time you could?
©2014 Debbie Robus
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In our day and age, we have become pretty skeptical…and rightly so. We receive telephone calls from someone at our “credit card company” or our “insurer” saying he/she needs to verify our account data. Someone in my area recently had a knock at the door from a person who insisted he was with the utility company - and if she did not pay $500 right away, her power would be turned off! Friends and grandparents get calls from someone pretending to be us…in serious trouble and needing money wired right away. You probably know of other scams that have occurred in your community – or even to you or someone you know.
So if I were minding my own business in my yard and someone appeared and told me that I needed to go into town and see the newborn Messiah, I might not believe them. Granted, if they appeared in the aura of a bright light and brought “backup singers”, I might give them a second consideration! But still…haven’t we all heard news reports of someone who supposedly saw a “bright light” and maybe some “life forms” within it? And didn’t we laugh and shake our heads and wonder about their sanity!
Let me be clear…I do not expect our Heavenly Father to send angels to stand before me and herald any revelation in the near future. But I do know that God will show up…today…in the next few minutes and hours…someway…somehow. He will guide me…plant thoughts in my head about tasks I need to accomplish and people I need to address in some manner. He will direct my path and reveal opportunities to bless - and to be blessed. I hope I recognize all of them. I don’t want to miss out on a single thing that God has in store for me!
Thankfully, the shepherds had not become cynical and dubious. They had probably not been the victims of scam artists…and most assuredly, there had been no telemarketers to disrupt their dinner hour or the baby’s nap time! But they must have certainly been astounded by the news they received…not to mention the method with which it was delivered. And yet, they recognized the presence of God…and heeded His call. Can you say the same in your own life? Isn’t it time you could?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 3, 2014
Luke 1:39-45
A short time later Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah’s home, where she greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby moved within her.
The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. Then in a loud voice she said to Mary:
God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the child you will have. Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me. The Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know where he got it, but when someone is leaving – our home or some gathering we are attending - Timothy has developed a habit of saying, “Goodbye! Thanks for coming! Have a great day!” At the very least, he makes the person who is leaving feel special – and possibly a little blessed!
The scriptures tell us that Mary hurried to Judea to visit Elizabeth and revel in the news that both women had received. I have to think that Mary’s parents may have sent her to Judea, to reduce talk in the village - and buy a little time to figure out how to deal with the unexpected dilemma of her unwed pregnancy. And isn’t this what we often do when God sends us in a direction that is not what we expected…or when we feel Him calling us to do something we really don’t want to do or think others might criticize? Sometimes it seems easier to run and hide from God than to say, “Thanks for coming!”
This is another reason I love these verses and the faith and courage of these two women – one old and wise…the other young and naïve. Both accepted – and embraced – this news from the angels. They took on the challenge that these pregnancies would surely bring - and recognized God’s blessing in them. Essentially, they said to God…”Thanks for coming!”
So often, God shows up in our lives, and rather than thank Him for coming, either we run and hide…or we question His authenticity. Was that really God? Is this truly a blessing from Him…or is the “other shoe” about to drop? Is this too good to be true? Are there hidden motives and agendas? We ask God to work in our lives…and when He does, we are often dubious or apprehensive! Sometimes, all we really need to do is say, “God, if this is really Your doing…show me. I’m here…I’m listening…and I’m ready to follow Your lead. Oh, and ‘Thanks for coming!’” It’s that simple – and that complicated – all at once!
The next time you feel God’s presence, what will you do? Will you run and hide…or will you embrace Him and follow His lead? Are you truly glad that God appears in your life? Are you ready to say, “Thanks for coming!”…and accept the His blessings and any challenges and assignments He presents? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
A short time later Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah’s home, where she greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby moved within her.
The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. Then in a loud voice she said to Mary:
God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the child you will have. Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me. The Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know where he got it, but when someone is leaving – our home or some gathering we are attending - Timothy has developed a habit of saying, “Goodbye! Thanks for coming! Have a great day!” At the very least, he makes the person who is leaving feel special – and possibly a little blessed!
The scriptures tell us that Mary hurried to Judea to visit Elizabeth and revel in the news that both women had received. I have to think that Mary’s parents may have sent her to Judea, to reduce talk in the village - and buy a little time to figure out how to deal with the unexpected dilemma of her unwed pregnancy. And isn’t this what we often do when God sends us in a direction that is not what we expected…or when we feel Him calling us to do something we really don’t want to do or think others might criticize? Sometimes it seems easier to run and hide from God than to say, “Thanks for coming!”
This is another reason I love these verses and the faith and courage of these two women – one old and wise…the other young and naïve. Both accepted – and embraced – this news from the angels. They took on the challenge that these pregnancies would surely bring - and recognized God’s blessing in them. Essentially, they said to God…”Thanks for coming!”
So often, God shows up in our lives, and rather than thank Him for coming, either we run and hide…or we question His authenticity. Was that really God? Is this truly a blessing from Him…or is the “other shoe” about to drop? Is this too good to be true? Are there hidden motives and agendas? We ask God to work in our lives…and when He does, we are often dubious or apprehensive! Sometimes, all we really need to do is say, “God, if this is really Your doing…show me. I’m here…I’m listening…and I’m ready to follow Your lead. Oh, and ‘Thanks for coming!’” It’s that simple – and that complicated – all at once!
The next time you feel God’s presence, what will you do? Will you run and hide…or will you embrace Him and follow His lead? Are you truly glad that God appears in your life? Are you ready to say, “Thanks for coming!”…and accept the His blessings and any challenges and assignments He presents? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 26, 2014
Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Twenty-four hours. We all get the same amount of time in each and every day. Yet how we choose to live in those 24 hours differs greatly. Some of us will live with joy and purpose…some of us will gripe and grumble our way through the day. Others will sleep away a big chunk of it…after all, the “Thanksgiving Holiday break” has already begun for many!
Almost 30 years ago, I had major surgery a few days before Thanksgiving. I remember getting a phone call from my parents on Thanksgiving Day, as family members gathered at their house some 90 miles away for feasting and fun. I have to admit that I felt a little sorry for myself and Greg as I heard the laughs and chatter of family members arriving for that special get-together. But our precious neighbors brought huge plates of food to us from their family feast…and they returned with MORE full plates that evening from another family dinner! Our hearts – and our bellies – were FULL! We found a way to “rejoice and be glad” for God’s love and care on that day.
About a decade later, my mother ate her Thanksgiving Dinner in a hospital cafeteria in another city, as she sat with my dad, who was too sick from renal failure to even smell food. At their insistence, we carried on with the traditional “family dinner” at our house…and we made the best of things, given the circumstances. We found a way to “rejoice and be glad” for God’s love and care on that day.
This year, our “Thanksgiving Holiday break” will include visits with family and friends…including the squeals and giggles of several little children, which always add to the fun. We will have our traditional favorite foods…and honor those who have gone before us - and the role they played in holiday gatherings of the past. And in all of it, we will recognize that the LORD made this day – and every day – and we will “rejoice and be glad in it”.
I don’t know what your next 24 hours will be like…or how you will celebrate Thanksgiving Day – or IF you will even celebrate. But when you know and love Jesus, every day is part of a “Thanksgiving Holiday break”…or at least, it should be. Whatever your circumstances…wherever “life” takes you today and in the days ahead…will you recognize that this is the day that the Lord has made? Will you thank Him for His love and care for every single minute of it? Will you find a way to “rejoice and be glad”?
©2014 Debbie Robus
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Twenty-four hours. We all get the same amount of time in each and every day. Yet how we choose to live in those 24 hours differs greatly. Some of us will live with joy and purpose…some of us will gripe and grumble our way through the day. Others will sleep away a big chunk of it…after all, the “Thanksgiving Holiday break” has already begun for many!
Almost 30 years ago, I had major surgery a few days before Thanksgiving. I remember getting a phone call from my parents on Thanksgiving Day, as family members gathered at their house some 90 miles away for feasting and fun. I have to admit that I felt a little sorry for myself and Greg as I heard the laughs and chatter of family members arriving for that special get-together. But our precious neighbors brought huge plates of food to us from their family feast…and they returned with MORE full plates that evening from another family dinner! Our hearts – and our bellies – were FULL! We found a way to “rejoice and be glad” for God’s love and care on that day.
About a decade later, my mother ate her Thanksgiving Dinner in a hospital cafeteria in another city, as she sat with my dad, who was too sick from renal failure to even smell food. At their insistence, we carried on with the traditional “family dinner” at our house…and we made the best of things, given the circumstances. We found a way to “rejoice and be glad” for God’s love and care on that day.
This year, our “Thanksgiving Holiday break” will include visits with family and friends…including the squeals and giggles of several little children, which always add to the fun. We will have our traditional favorite foods…and honor those who have gone before us - and the role they played in holiday gatherings of the past. And in all of it, we will recognize that the LORD made this day – and every day – and we will “rejoice and be glad in it”.
I don’t know what your next 24 hours will be like…or how you will celebrate Thanksgiving Day – or IF you will even celebrate. But when you know and love Jesus, every day is part of a “Thanksgiving Holiday break”…or at least, it should be. Whatever your circumstances…wherever “life” takes you today and in the days ahead…will you recognize that this is the day that the Lord has made? Will you thank Him for His love and care for every single minute of it? Will you find a way to “rejoice and be glad”?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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