October 12 ~ Matthew 4:5-11
Then Satan took him to Jerusalem to the roof of the Temple. “Jump off,”
he said, “and prove you are the Son of God; for the Scriptures declare,
‘God will send his angels to keep you from harm,’ . . . they will
prevent you from smashing on the rocks below.”
Jesus retorted, “It also says not to put the Lord your God to a foolish test!”
Next Satan took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him
the nations of the world and all their glory. “I’ll give it all to you,”
he said, “if you will only kneel and worship me.”
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “The Scriptures say, ‘Worship only the Lord God. Obey only him.’”
Then Satan went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale
House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc.,
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Let’s be honest…when you tell a child NOT to touch something, there’s
a 50/50 shot that he/she will do exactly that! I once teasingly asked a
friend, “Does your wife know you are at this party without her?” and he
replied (also in jest), “I’ve learned that it is easier to ask for
forgiveness than permission!” Isn’t this how we often act? We’ll just
tell this one juicy tidbit, and then we will promise God that we will
never gossip again. We’ll just “sow some wild oats now,” and we will be
really sorry for it later and ask God to forgive us. We will look out
for ourselves now - because nobody else is going to…and we will hope
that God sees that our “heart” was in the right place. We’ll just touch
the stove and SEE if it’s really hot!
It’s time to learn that when God essentially tells us that “the stove is
hot”…the STOVE IS HOT! When He shows us how to live and gives us clear
guidelines, and we go right ahead and do our own thing, we must be
prepared to live with the consequences. We cannot assume that God will
always bail us out when we make stupid mistakes – or disobey and
disappoint Him.
We also cannot play fast and loose with our allegiance. I am here to
tell you, not a single one of us knows how long we have on this earth.
We have a LOT to do while we are here, and we had best be busy getting
it done! There is no time to listen to people who tell us that THEY
know better than God. There is not a minute to waste on selfish
agendas. There will be times when we have to sacrifice our own desires
for the greater good of others…and when we do this, God will bless our
efforts.
Here’s an example…my Mam-ma Polly had such a meager income that you
would not believe she could actually make it through each month. Yet she
was always ready to give to others…food from her table…a tithe to her
church…”shoe boxes” for needy children at Christmas…and so much more.
She always had a few dollars in her checking account at the end of the
month. She never missed a meal, and her home was cozy and comfortable.
All of her needs were met…and then some.
GOD made the difference and blessed my grandmother’s faithful obedience.
And He will do this for us, too. There will be times when the road
seems uncomfortable and/or uncertain. But when we keep our focus on
Him…when we worship only God and obey His commands and the teachings of
His only Son, Jesus Christ…nothing the devil offers can compare with
what we have been promised.
The devil is ALWAYS tempting us. Where and how is he tempting you? How
are you reacting and responding? Have you kicked him to the curb and
trusted God to make the difference…or are you hedging your bets that you
have time to show remorse and ask forgiveness later? Will this be the
day that you trust God fully and let His angels attend to your every
need? Don’t you think it should be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label resisting temptation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resisting temptation. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 10, 2016
Matthew 4:1-4
Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, to be tempted there by Satan. For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. Then Satan tempted him to get food by changing stones into loaves of bread.
“It will prove you are the Son of God,” he said.
But Jesus told him, “No! For the Scriptures tell us that bread won’t feed men’s souls: obedience to every word of God is what we need.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Excuses! Excuses! We’ve all made them…
Here’s the thing…when we compromise our values or fall victim to the devil’s schemes – or when we succumb to his temptations, we lose big time. Not only that…when we “eat” from Satan’s plate of lies, we totally deprecate our faith that God can handle things. We are often so fearful of what will happen to us if we stand up for what we KNOW God is telling us is the right thing that we completely turn our backs on Him. Essentially we say, “LORD, I know You SAID you could handle anything, but I really don’t believe You!”
So where will you stand today? Are you really ready to tell the devil to get lost - and trust God…for EVERYTHING? Dare to say, “I have no clue what this may cost me in the short run…but I am willing to risk it to stay in Your will, LORD.” God will make a way where you see none at all. I know, because I have done this…more than once!
More than a few of us are “wandering in the desert” today…and we are starving. The devil is standing before us with the most attractive and delectable offerings to tempt us over to his side. But God is standing there, also…and I promise, what He offers makes Satan’s enticements look like ridiculous.
Don’t be fooled…and don’t make the mistake of choosing poorly. TRUST GOD! Allow HIM to feed you and meet your needs. He can…and He will! Are you ready to take a leap of faith?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, to be tempted there by Satan. For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. Then Satan tempted him to get food by changing stones into loaves of bread.
“It will prove you are the Son of God,” he said.
But Jesus told him, “No! For the Scriptures tell us that bread won’t feed men’s souls: obedience to every word of God is what we need.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Excuses! Excuses! We’ve all made them…
- “If I don’t look the other way, I’ll lose my job.”
- “If I make my kids behave, they won’t like me.”
- “If I speak out against racist remarks, I’ll lose my friends.”
- “If I don’t serve on high profile committees in my church, people will think I don’t love God.”
- “I don’t approve of this person, but if I don’t support him/her, things will be really tough for me.
Here’s the thing…when we compromise our values or fall victim to the devil’s schemes – or when we succumb to his temptations, we lose big time. Not only that…when we “eat” from Satan’s plate of lies, we totally deprecate our faith that God can handle things. We are often so fearful of what will happen to us if we stand up for what we KNOW God is telling us is the right thing that we completely turn our backs on Him. Essentially we say, “LORD, I know You SAID you could handle anything, but I really don’t believe You!”
So where will you stand today? Are you really ready to tell the devil to get lost - and trust God…for EVERYTHING? Dare to say, “I have no clue what this may cost me in the short run…but I am willing to risk it to stay in Your will, LORD.” God will make a way where you see none at all. I know, because I have done this…more than once!
More than a few of us are “wandering in the desert” today…and we are starving. The devil is standing before us with the most attractive and delectable offerings to tempt us over to his side. But God is standing there, also…and I promise, what He offers makes Satan’s enticements look like ridiculous.
Don’t be fooled…and don’t make the mistake of choosing poorly. TRUST GOD! Allow HIM to feed you and meet your needs. He can…and He will! Are you ready to take a leap of faith?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 17, 2016
James 1:12-15
God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.
Don’t blame God when you are tempted! God cannot be tempted by evil, and he doesn’t use evil to tempt others. We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Friends of ours welcomed a new grand-daughter into the world yesterday. This baby arrived early in the morning and was almost immediately whisked off to nearby Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where she will undergo heart surgery within the next two days. Her parents have been aware for several months that this would happen. Still, this baby’s grandmother said that letting them take her away in an ambulance yesterday and was one of the hardest things she has ever witnessed.
I cannot explain in medical terms what is wrong with this baby’s heart. But I know that there is a hole…and some of the parts of the heart are not connected correctly. The medical team believes that all of this can be reversed in one surgery. This is probably a fairly routine procedure for them…but for us “regular folks,” it all sounds pretty daunting.
Additionally, this baby’s grandmother is just a few months out from a more-than-year-long battle with colon cancer. All indications are that she is cancer free, but what a journey she endured…surgeries, weekly chemo treatments, infections, and more! She is a walking miracle…and a testament to amazing faith in God – because hers never seemed to waver.
When troubles come in groups like this, we often tend to feel like we can’t catch a break. Sometimes, we wonder if God is punishing us. Many are tempted to walk away and say, “If God allows these things to happen to such faithful people, I don’t want any part of Him.” But oh, what a mistake this would be!
My family has experienced its own period of “faith testing” in recent months…and maybe yours has, also. I won’t even begin to diminish the pain and heartache that can come…the nagging frustrations and confusion that are possible. Sometimes there is that momentary thought…”Why bother to take care of myself…exercise and eat right…if I’m just going to have an accident or get cancer and die anyway?” We are tempted to curl up in a ball and let the world pass us by…or drown our sorrows in something – even if it’s ice cream!
But this would speak volumes about our Christian faith…or lack of it. We will all be faced with challenges…heartaches…devastating events that knock us to our knees. And God will be right there with us, whether we recognize Him or not. How well we lean into God and allow Him to shoulder the burdens will tell the tale of our faith.
When we pick ourselves up and keep going even on the days we don’t think we can – or we don’t feel up to it – God carries us. And I assure you, He blesses us in the process. It may be days/weeks/years later, but we will look back and see how He gave us everything we needed to get through this. God has done this for me and my family…and I know that He is doing this for the family of this newborn baby girl.
For a myriad of reasons, many people are blaming God for their troubles…wondering why they even try to serve and be faithful to Someone who allows these “tests” - and Satan’s temptations. And I would say to them – and to you – we cannot see how we are growing in strength and wisdom, courage and hope. We cannot fully comprehend how God is blessing us as we lean on Him and forge ahead. But we will someday…and it will all have been worth the effort. I believe this with all my heart…what about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.
Don’t blame God when you are tempted! God cannot be tempted by evil, and he doesn’t use evil to tempt others. We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Friends of ours welcomed a new grand-daughter into the world yesterday. This baby arrived early in the morning and was almost immediately whisked off to nearby Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where she will undergo heart surgery within the next two days. Her parents have been aware for several months that this would happen. Still, this baby’s grandmother said that letting them take her away in an ambulance yesterday and was one of the hardest things she has ever witnessed.
I cannot explain in medical terms what is wrong with this baby’s heart. But I know that there is a hole…and some of the parts of the heart are not connected correctly. The medical team believes that all of this can be reversed in one surgery. This is probably a fairly routine procedure for them…but for us “regular folks,” it all sounds pretty daunting.
Additionally, this baby’s grandmother is just a few months out from a more-than-year-long battle with colon cancer. All indications are that she is cancer free, but what a journey she endured…surgeries, weekly chemo treatments, infections, and more! She is a walking miracle…and a testament to amazing faith in God – because hers never seemed to waver.
When troubles come in groups like this, we often tend to feel like we can’t catch a break. Sometimes, we wonder if God is punishing us. Many are tempted to walk away and say, “If God allows these things to happen to such faithful people, I don’t want any part of Him.” But oh, what a mistake this would be!
My family has experienced its own period of “faith testing” in recent months…and maybe yours has, also. I won’t even begin to diminish the pain and heartache that can come…the nagging frustrations and confusion that are possible. Sometimes there is that momentary thought…”Why bother to take care of myself…exercise and eat right…if I’m just going to have an accident or get cancer and die anyway?” We are tempted to curl up in a ball and let the world pass us by…or drown our sorrows in something – even if it’s ice cream!
But this would speak volumes about our Christian faith…or lack of it. We will all be faced with challenges…heartaches…devastating events that knock us to our knees. And God will be right there with us, whether we recognize Him or not. How well we lean into God and allow Him to shoulder the burdens will tell the tale of our faith.
When we pick ourselves up and keep going even on the days we don’t think we can – or we don’t feel up to it – God carries us. And I assure you, He blesses us in the process. It may be days/weeks/years later, but we will look back and see how He gave us everything we needed to get through this. God has done this for me and my family…and I know that He is doing this for the family of this newborn baby girl.
For a myriad of reasons, many people are blaming God for their troubles…wondering why they even try to serve and be faithful to Someone who allows these “tests” - and Satan’s temptations. And I would say to them – and to you – we cannot see how we are growing in strength and wisdom, courage and hope. We cannot fully comprehend how God is blessing us as we lean on Him and forge ahead. But we will someday…and it will all have been worth the effort. I believe this with all my heart…what about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 29, 2015
Joshua 1:9
I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last Christmas, I found a recipe for Cashew Brittle…a salty/sweet concoction of caramelized sugar and cashews. I made several batches and shared with friends and family…but I have to say, I ate my fair share! I wasn’t even a fan of cashews…until they were combined with this crunchy sweetness. Then I could NOT stay away from the candy jar. I knew that I should pace myself…that I needed to exercise will power and resolve and stay away from that delicious concoction. Hey, I knew better than to make it in the first place! But I simply could not control myself…or maybe I allowed myself to be controlled by the thought – and taste – of that delicious treat. If you have ever said to yourself or someone else, “I won’t rest until I’ve eaten the whole thing!”…you know exactly what I mean.
We do this very thing with our worries and fears. We say we are going to give them to God. And sometimes, we do let God handle these things – for a little while. But in the back of our mind, the devil is saying, “You better pick those back up and fiddle with them for a while longer. What if this? What about that? You should be concerned!” Essentially, we are encouraged to return to the “Worry Candy Jar” - and keep going back as the “weight” of our troubles mounts.
This scripture from Joshua is incredibly powerful and profound. In these words, we pretty well have a sum total of what it means to live and breathe in Christian faith. We have the perfect recipe for how to walk in peace and confidence with God. “…be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.”
Today, let’s make a concerted effort to “let go and let God” – in every situation. Let God handle your worries and fears. Let God heal you and give you peace. Let God comfort you in grief and encourage you in challenges and stressful situations. Let God be God and do the heavy lifting. Be strong and brave – and confident that He is in complete and perfect control. And stay away from that “candy jar” of worries and lies from the devil.
I cannot promise that I won’t make Cashew Brittle this year…or something equally delectable and tempting. But I am trusting God to give me strength and will power to manage even this enticement in my life. With God, ALL things are possible…even the ability to “just say no!” during the holidays! Are you ready to let Him have complete control of your worries, fears and temptations? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last Christmas, I found a recipe for Cashew Brittle…a salty/sweet concoction of caramelized sugar and cashews. I made several batches and shared with friends and family…but I have to say, I ate my fair share! I wasn’t even a fan of cashews…until they were combined with this crunchy sweetness. Then I could NOT stay away from the candy jar. I knew that I should pace myself…that I needed to exercise will power and resolve and stay away from that delicious concoction. Hey, I knew better than to make it in the first place! But I simply could not control myself…or maybe I allowed myself to be controlled by the thought – and taste – of that delicious treat. If you have ever said to yourself or someone else, “I won’t rest until I’ve eaten the whole thing!”…you know exactly what I mean.
We do this very thing with our worries and fears. We say we are going to give them to God. And sometimes, we do let God handle these things – for a little while. But in the back of our mind, the devil is saying, “You better pick those back up and fiddle with them for a while longer. What if this? What about that? You should be concerned!” Essentially, we are encouraged to return to the “Worry Candy Jar” - and keep going back as the “weight” of our troubles mounts.
This scripture from Joshua is incredibly powerful and profound. In these words, we pretty well have a sum total of what it means to live and breathe in Christian faith. We have the perfect recipe for how to walk in peace and confidence with God. “…be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.”
Today, let’s make a concerted effort to “let go and let God” – in every situation. Let God handle your worries and fears. Let God heal you and give you peace. Let God comfort you in grief and encourage you in challenges and stressful situations. Let God be God and do the heavy lifting. Be strong and brave – and confident that He is in complete and perfect control. And stay away from that “candy jar” of worries and lies from the devil.
I cannot promise that I won’t make Cashew Brittle this year…or something equally delectable and tempting. But I am trusting God to give me strength and will power to manage even this enticement in my life. With God, ALL things are possible…even the ability to “just say no!” during the holidays! Are you ready to let Him have complete control of your worries, fears and temptations? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 7, 2015
Acts 22:16
Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and wash away your sins by praying to the Lord.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In truth, surrendering your heart to Jesus IS a leap of faith…but not into darkness or danger. And certainly, this “ledge” leads to anything but an evil abyss. Giving your heart to Jesus is a one-way ticket into His waiting arms…strong, secure – yet soft and peaceful. We don’t have to “fix” a thing beforehand…Jesus will handle all of this for us. If we really understand what it means to abide in Jesus and be His forever, we would RUN LIKE THE WIND to get to Him!
So today is the day to run…if you haven’t done so already. And if you have wandered back toward that ledge and flirted with the darkness, this is the day to step away. What ARE you waiting for? Ditch the excuses and take the “leap of faith” that makes all the difference! The arms of Jesus are wide open…and ready to hold you for all Eternity!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and wash away your sins by praying to the Lord.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
- Not today.
- When I have time.
- When I get good and ready.
- I will if you will.
- That’s just not me.
- I will not be manipulated into anything.
- I will someday, but I’m still having fun and “sowing my wild oats.”
- Maybe someday.
- When I “fix” a few things…I’m not worthy right now.
In truth, surrendering your heart to Jesus IS a leap of faith…but not into darkness or danger. And certainly, this “ledge” leads to anything but an evil abyss. Giving your heart to Jesus is a one-way ticket into His waiting arms…strong, secure – yet soft and peaceful. We don’t have to “fix” a thing beforehand…Jesus will handle all of this for us. If we really understand what it means to abide in Jesus and be His forever, we would RUN LIKE THE WIND to get to Him!
So today is the day to run…if you haven’t done so already. And if you have wandered back toward that ledge and flirted with the darkness, this is the day to step away. What ARE you waiting for? Ditch the excuses and take the “leap of faith” that makes all the difference! The arms of Jesus are wide open…and ready to hold you for all Eternity!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 20, 2014
Matthew 28:1-10
The Sabbath was over, and it was almost daybreak on Sunday when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord’s angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards shook from fear and fell down, as though they were dead.
The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. He isn’t here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would. Come, see the place where his body was lying. Now hurry! Tell his disciples that he has been raised to life and is on his way to Galilee. Go there, and you will see him. That is what I came to tell you.”
The women were frightened and yet very happy, as they hurried from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and greeted them. They went near him, held on to his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid! Tell my followers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It almost never fails. When we go to see our nieces and nephews, Timothy and Zola run to us and cling to our legs. They are always delighted to see us…and they hold on as if to say, “I’m never going to let you go!” And honestly, there are several people who I would probably cling to if they came back from the dead…wouldn’t you?! So it’s no surprise that Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ Aunt Mary did this. They had suffered so much…they were so grief stricken…and all of a sudden, an angel had told them that He was alive – and then they SAW Him standing in the roadway. I would imagine that they were struck speechless…there was probably little else they could do but run to Him and fall on His feet! And I am quite certain they never, ever wanted to let go of Him again.
I honestly don’t think we fully grasp the concept of death…until someone is truly gone and does not come back. Even when we sit and hold vigil with a loved one who is critically ill…someone we have been told cannot possibly recover medically…we don’t fully comprehend the finality of death until the very moment they draw their last breath. In my own personal experiences, I have been so happy for the person who was ushered into heaven at that very moment…but the enormity of just how final death truly is has hit me like a ton of bricks.
So when someone says to you, “You’re never ready”…this is what they mean. No one can prepare for that moment when the angels of death come, Heaven’s gates open, and a person’s soul departs from his/her body. And here’s the thing…the only One who will ever return from this is Jesus, which makes His story all the more precious! Jesus is the only “human” the grave cannot hold. Jesus is the only One who is bigger and more powerful than death. And I am here to tell you, Jesus is ALIVE! He is walks among those of us who believe in Him each and every day!
The words of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” are just as powerful for us now…”Don’t be afraid.” Because of Jesus, we have no need to fear. Because of His crucifixion and death on the cross, our sins are forgiven. All we have to do is ask Him to include us…just like the thief who hung beside him…and it will be so forever and ever. Because the tomb is empty, we are assured of our place in Heaven with Christ someday…when God sends His angels for us. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we are promised new life in Him…and an eternity in His presence.
It’s been quite a week…from the jubilation and triumph of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem…to the “Last Supper” and the arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane…to Christ’s mutilation, crucifixion, and death…and now His resurrection. And this truly IS the BEST day…we have received the GOOD NEWS that He is Risen!
We will celebrate Jesus today. We will dress up and attend worship services and sing His praises. And then many of us will go right back to our old lives on Monday…if not as soon as Sunday afternoon. Don’t let this happen to you. Don’t forget what happened on “Holy Week” so long ago. Remember every minute of it…savor every single thing Jesus did for you…and for me…and for all who will believe in Him. Thank Him each and every day for the incredible sacrifices He made…for loving us with such abandon. And never – NEVER – forget that He is RISEN…the devil could not tempt Him…the tomb could not hold Him…and we WILL see Him again.
There is an old hymn, written in 1875 by Philip P. Bliss, called “Hallelujah, What a Savior”…or sometimes it is referred to as “Man of Sorrows.” In the hymn, the story of Holy Week is outlined…but the last line of each verse is…”Hallelujah, What a Savior!” Please take time to read this hymn. Think about the words and what they mean to you. Christ is Risen! He will come again for you…and for me. Hallelujah! What a Savior we serve! What a glorious day this is! Have a blessed Easter!
The Sabbath was over, and it was almost daybreak on Sunday when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord’s angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards shook from fear and fell down, as though they were dead.
The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. He isn’t here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would. Come, see the place where his body was lying. Now hurry! Tell his disciples that he has been raised to life and is on his way to Galilee. Go there, and you will see him. That is what I came to tell you.”
The women were frightened and yet very happy, as they hurried from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and greeted them. They went near him, held on to his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid! Tell my followers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It almost never fails. When we go to see our nieces and nephews, Timothy and Zola run to us and cling to our legs. They are always delighted to see us…and they hold on as if to say, “I’m never going to let you go!” And honestly, there are several people who I would probably cling to if they came back from the dead…wouldn’t you?! So it’s no surprise that Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ Aunt Mary did this. They had suffered so much…they were so grief stricken…and all of a sudden, an angel had told them that He was alive – and then they SAW Him standing in the roadway. I would imagine that they were struck speechless…there was probably little else they could do but run to Him and fall on His feet! And I am quite certain they never, ever wanted to let go of Him again.
I honestly don’t think we fully grasp the concept of death…until someone is truly gone and does not come back. Even when we sit and hold vigil with a loved one who is critically ill…someone we have been told cannot possibly recover medically…we don’t fully comprehend the finality of death until the very moment they draw their last breath. In my own personal experiences, I have been so happy for the person who was ushered into heaven at that very moment…but the enormity of just how final death truly is has hit me like a ton of bricks.
So when someone says to you, “You’re never ready”…this is what they mean. No one can prepare for that moment when the angels of death come, Heaven’s gates open, and a person’s soul departs from his/her body. And here’s the thing…the only One who will ever return from this is Jesus, which makes His story all the more precious! Jesus is the only “human” the grave cannot hold. Jesus is the only One who is bigger and more powerful than death. And I am here to tell you, Jesus is ALIVE! He is walks among those of us who believe in Him each and every day!
The words of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” are just as powerful for us now…”Don’t be afraid.” Because of Jesus, we have no need to fear. Because of His crucifixion and death on the cross, our sins are forgiven. All we have to do is ask Him to include us…just like the thief who hung beside him…and it will be so forever and ever. Because the tomb is empty, we are assured of our place in Heaven with Christ someday…when God sends His angels for us. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we are promised new life in Him…and an eternity in His presence.
It’s been quite a week…from the jubilation and triumph of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem…to the “Last Supper” and the arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane…to Christ’s mutilation, crucifixion, and death…and now His resurrection. And this truly IS the BEST day…we have received the GOOD NEWS that He is Risen!
We will celebrate Jesus today. We will dress up and attend worship services and sing His praises. And then many of us will go right back to our old lives on Monday…if not as soon as Sunday afternoon. Don’t let this happen to you. Don’t forget what happened on “Holy Week” so long ago. Remember every minute of it…savor every single thing Jesus did for you…and for me…and for all who will believe in Him. Thank Him each and every day for the incredible sacrifices He made…for loving us with such abandon. And never – NEVER – forget that He is RISEN…the devil could not tempt Him…the tomb could not hold Him…and we WILL see Him again.
There is an old hymn, written in 1875 by Philip P. Bliss, called “Hallelujah, What a Savior”…or sometimes it is referred to as “Man of Sorrows.” In the hymn, the story of Holy Week is outlined…but the last line of each verse is…”Hallelujah, What a Savior!” Please take time to read this hymn. Think about the words and what they mean to you. Christ is Risen! He will come again for you…and for me. Hallelujah! What a Savior we serve! What a glorious day this is! Have a blessed Easter!
©2014 Debbie RobusHallelujah! What a Savior!
Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Daily Devotional for April 18, 2014
Matthew 27:27-29; 31-40; 45-56
The governor’s soldiers led Jesus into the fortress and brought together the rest of the troops. They stripped off Jesus' clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. They made a crown out of thorn branches and placed it on his head, and they put a stick in his right hand. The soldiers knelt down and pretended to worship him. They made fun of him and shouted, “Hey, you king of the Jews!” Then they spit on him. They took the stick from him and beat him on the head with it.
When the soldiers had finished making fun of Jesus, they took off the robe. They put his own clothes back on him and led him off to be nailed to a cross. On the way they met a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross.
They came to a place named Golgotha, which means “Place of a Skull.” There they gave Jesus some wine mixed with a drug to ease the pain. But when Jesus tasted what it was, he refused to drink it.
They came to a place named Golgotha, which means “Place of a Skull.” There they gave Jesus some wine mixed with a drug to ease the pain. But when Jesus tasted what it was, he refused to drink it.
The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross and gambled to see who would get his clothes. Then they sat down to guard him. Above his head they put a sign that told why he was nailed there. It read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” The soldiers also nailed two criminals on crosses, one to the right of Jesus and the other to his left.
People who passed by said terrible things about Jesus. They shook their heads and shouted, “So you’re the one who claimed you could tear down the temple and build it again in three days! If you are God’s Son, save yourself and come down from the cross!”
At noon the sky turned dark and stayed that way until three o’clock. Then about that time Jesus shouted, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” Some of the people standing there heard Jesus and said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” One of them at once ran and grabbed a sponge. He soaked it in wine, then put it on a stick and held it up to Jesus. Others said, “Wait! Let’s see if Elijah will come and save him.” Once again Jesus shouted, and then he died.
At once the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and rocks split apart. Graves opened, and many of God’s people were raised to life. Then after Jesus had risen to life, they came out of their graves and went into the holy city, where they were seen by many people. The officer and the soldiers guarding Jesus felt the earthquake and saw everything else that happened. They were frightened and said, “This man really was God’s Son!”
Many women had come with Jesus from Galilee to be of help to him, and they were there, looking on at a distance. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of James and John were some of these women.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I just watched a video of a kindergarten program in which the daughter of one of MY kindergarten students portrayed a “cloud”. It was adorable, and amazingly, all of the “raindrops”, “clouds”, and other characters performed well. No one had a meltdown or left the stage…and the children even sang on key for the most part in front of a packed house!
I’ve been to dance recitals and other events where one or more of the participants did not fare so well. Children screamed and cried…teenagers and adults forgot their lines or “froze” on stage, as the crowd looked on…sometimes sympathetically, and other times with laughs, heckling, or ridicule. Recently, someone even threw a shoe at former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as she gave a public speech!
I also heard lately that the reason public executions were outlawed in America is because they drew large crowds that were difficult to manage. Apparently, we humans are natural-born gawkers…for anything and everything. And sadly, sometimes the gorier the event, the better - in the eyes of many!
So it should come as no surprise that a crowd gathered to see Jesus persecuted and crucified… to witness His public humiliation and mutilation…to mock Him, taunt Him, and yes – to spit on Him. In He Chose the Nails, pastor-author Max Lucado writes about how spitting on someone doesn’t physically hurt them… it is purely an act to “degrade the soul”. And many apparently felt the need to degrade Jesus that day.
Imagine how it must have felt to be stripped and beaten before the masses, including your mother and your closest friends and family members – both male and female. Imagine having to watch their anguish as you suffered. It wasn’t bad enough to be flogged and tortured…some felt the need to try to trick Him with “water” that was a mix of wine and vinegar. Imagine how that liquid must have stung as it touched Jesus’ open wounds. I encourage you to read the account of the crucifixion in all four Gospels…Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19. One of these reports indicates that the soldiers broke the legs of the criminals on either side to hasten their death. But when they came to Jesus, He appeared to have already died…so they left his legs intact. But they pierced his side with a spear and caused the blood and water to pour out of him. And I’m sure many in the crowd cheered at this sight.
All of this decimated our LORD’s body…and degraded His soul. And those who taunted Him and suggested that He climb down and save Himself were right about one thing...Jesus could have chosen to do exactly that! But He stayed… He suffered…He endured. Because your name…and mine…and the names of millions of others were on His tongue and etched into His heart. He loves us so much that He could not succumb to the devil’s final attempt to entice Him.
In the darkness of that horrific day…in the brutality and loneliness of this revolting, gruesome, ghastly, incomprehensibly inhuman abuse…Jesus stayed on that cross…for me…and for you. No One else could have done what He did. No One else will ever love you this much. What have you done for Him lately?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 15, 2014
Matthew 16:21-28
Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!”
But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
“Don’t be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendor of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You’ll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory.”
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.
Two months ago, a high school sophomore in our community named Cody was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He subsequently underwent surgery to remove the tumor, and for days and weeks afterward, things looked very bleak. His mother reflected on this journey in a post on Facebook:
Don’t misunderstand me…there is no shame in calling on God for help and/or deliverance. God WANTS us to petition Him for these things. But He also wants us to trust His answers…to operate in the confidence that He will carry us through even the “valley of Death”. God wants us to understand that suffering for Him builds strength and character…and demonstrates our commitment to serving as a disciple of Christ. God doesn’t relish our suffering. It anguishes Him just as surely as He was tormented over the atrocities that befell Jesus on Calvary.
Cody is due to be released from the hospital very soon. He has lost his hearing…for now. His mother says the damage is at the brain stem, and they are waiting – and hoping – for “the good LORD to reconnect and re-fire neurons.” She explains that the issue is in processing sound within the brain itself. In the meantime they are learning basic sign language and lip reading. Cody’s mother also noted that “What a horrible, terrifying, beautiful ride it has been and continues to be. He grows stronger every, EVERY day. We have [seen]... YOU have seen the hand of God.”
Are you allowing God to work in and through your “sufferings”? Have you truly seen His hand at work in your life and in the lives of others? What could you ever trade your soul for? Are you willing to follow Jesus to the cross and embrace His suffering on your behalf? Are you ready to follow Him and find your true self? Will Holy Week be just another holiday to you… or will this be the year that you “embrace the suffering of Jesus” and claim your seat at His table? Will you be one who sees the Son of Man in kingdom glory?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!”
But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
“Don’t be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendor of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You’ll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory.”
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.
Two months ago, a high school sophomore in our community named Cody was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He subsequently underwent surgery to remove the tumor, and for days and weeks afterward, things looked very bleak. His mother reflected on this journey in a post on Facebook:
I vowed that in this, the second greatest storm of my life, I would not make the same mistake as the first...I would not turn away from our Creator. This time, I would stand…no matter where this road took us. I am now in total understanding that the Holy Spirit was responsible for that firm resolution. He knew [that] Cody would die without it, so a measure of faith was poured out to me.“You have no idea how God works.” As we move one day closer to Good Friday, the day when we remember Jesus’ suffering on the cross for the sins of the world, we don’t understand what is happening. We are like Peter…we want Jesus to hold up His hands and say, “Whoa, wait a minute! This isn’t happening!” But we don’t understand that this is yet one more temptation by the devil. If Satan can get us to doubt…if he can persuade us to cry out to God and tell Him that “I give in…this is too much to manage!”…he has won – and we have handed him the victory.
Through some of the darkest days when I couldn't see, all I could do was pray and post. I'd scroll through your responses, and in them I would find strength. People who didn't have to came up beside me and walked with me. Together, we watched as my son walked through the valley of Death, as doctors gave us severe news after severe news…as nurses looked at me with empathy that would make me cringe, because I'd given those looks to patient families when my medical brain knew their future. As I leaned over my very intubated, very much unstable child, I recited "strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord."
Don’t misunderstand me…there is no shame in calling on God for help and/or deliverance. God WANTS us to petition Him for these things. But He also wants us to trust His answers…to operate in the confidence that He will carry us through even the “valley of Death”. God wants us to understand that suffering for Him builds strength and character…and demonstrates our commitment to serving as a disciple of Christ. God doesn’t relish our suffering. It anguishes Him just as surely as He was tormented over the atrocities that befell Jesus on Calvary.
Cody is due to be released from the hospital very soon. He has lost his hearing…for now. His mother says the damage is at the brain stem, and they are waiting – and hoping – for “the good LORD to reconnect and re-fire neurons.” She explains that the issue is in processing sound within the brain itself. In the meantime they are learning basic sign language and lip reading. Cody’s mother also noted that “What a horrible, terrifying, beautiful ride it has been and continues to be. He grows stronger every, EVERY day. We have [seen]... YOU have seen the hand of God.”
Are you allowing God to work in and through your “sufferings”? Have you truly seen His hand at work in your life and in the lives of others? What could you ever trade your soul for? Are you willing to follow Jesus to the cross and embrace His suffering on your behalf? Are you ready to follow Him and find your true self? Will Holy Week be just another holiday to you… or will this be the year that you “embrace the suffering of Jesus” and claim your seat at His table? Will you be one who sees the Son of Man in kingdom glory?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 4, 2014
Matthew 18:6-7
“But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don’t have to make it worse—and it’s doomsday to you if you do.
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 was about two years old, I wandered into my grandmother’s bathroom one day, opened a bottle of rubbing alcohol she had left sitting on the back of her toilet…and apparently, I took a drink. I can still see the doctor and nurses in the ER, wrapping me tightly in a bed sheet, so that they could insert a tube into my nose and down my throat to pump out my stomach. To this day, I do not like anything tight – clothing, small spaces, or even the thought of being confined.
My grandmother did not do this to hurt me. I’m sure it never even occurred to her that I would notice that container – or be intrigued by it…certainly not enough to take a swig! But at the same time, as a toddler, I trusted her to keep me safe. Let’s face it…children get into enough on their own without us making it easy for them!
Now think about your life as a Christian. Where have YOU left something potentially damaging “out on the counter” for others? Have you inadvertently tempted someone with a “do as I say…not as I do” attitude or action? Do you qualify gossip with “I’m only telling YOU this…” or “Don’t tell anyone else” hope that this person truly won’t perpetuate your “information”? Are you hypocritical…treating others kindly in person – then criticizing them to friends and acquaintances? Do you pretend to be one person at church, at school, or in your community…then act differently when you are “among friends” out on the lake, at a party… or away at school?
Do you encourage others and strengthen them in their faith walk… or are you divisive? Do you build up relationships with your comments, actions and attitudes…or do you tear them down? Most of us would never dream of smoking in front of someone who is trying to quit… or taking an alcoholic out for drinks. But in essence, we do insensitive – and potentially harmful – things like this all the time with our words, actions, and relationships.
Quite often, we are not careful about our talk or our “walk”…we don’t stop to think about how what we are doing affects others. And the Bible is clear that to cause another person to succumb to temptation – or sin - can have serious consequences. But even more than this, to cause another person to question his/her faith…to discourage someone or “kick them when they are down” …is equally disappointing to God. We’d just as well tie a big rock around our necks and jump into the lake!
None of us would never intentionally harm a child. So we must remember to think of others as God’s children…and treat them accordingly. Let’s examine our hearts and our minds… our words and our actions… and see where we need to “clear the counter”. Let’s act with integrity, sincerity and genuine care and compassion. Let’s be the true disciples Jesus called us to be. I’m in…are you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
“But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don’t have to make it worse—and it’s doomsday to you if you do.
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 was about two years old, I wandered into my grandmother’s bathroom one day, opened a bottle of rubbing alcohol she had left sitting on the back of her toilet…and apparently, I took a drink. I can still see the doctor and nurses in the ER, wrapping me tightly in a bed sheet, so that they could insert a tube into my nose and down my throat to pump out my stomach. To this day, I do not like anything tight – clothing, small spaces, or even the thought of being confined.
My grandmother did not do this to hurt me. I’m sure it never even occurred to her that I would notice that container – or be intrigued by it…certainly not enough to take a swig! But at the same time, as a toddler, I trusted her to keep me safe. Let’s face it…children get into enough on their own without us making it easy for them!
Now think about your life as a Christian. Where have YOU left something potentially damaging “out on the counter” for others? Have you inadvertently tempted someone with a “do as I say…not as I do” attitude or action? Do you qualify gossip with “I’m only telling YOU this…” or “Don’t tell anyone else” hope that this person truly won’t perpetuate your “information”? Are you hypocritical…treating others kindly in person – then criticizing them to friends and acquaintances? Do you pretend to be one person at church, at school, or in your community…then act differently when you are “among friends” out on the lake, at a party… or away at school?
Do you encourage others and strengthen them in their faith walk… or are you divisive? Do you build up relationships with your comments, actions and attitudes…or do you tear them down? Most of us would never dream of smoking in front of someone who is trying to quit… or taking an alcoholic out for drinks. But in essence, we do insensitive – and potentially harmful – things like this all the time with our words, actions, and relationships.
Quite often, we are not careful about our talk or our “walk”…we don’t stop to think about how what we are doing affects others. And the Bible is clear that to cause another person to succumb to temptation – or sin - can have serious consequences. But even more than this, to cause another person to question his/her faith…to discourage someone or “kick them when they are down” …is equally disappointing to God. We’d just as well tie a big rock around our necks and jump into the lake!
None of us would never intentionally harm a child. So we must remember to think of others as God’s children…and treat them accordingly. Let’s examine our hearts and our minds… our words and our actions… and see where we need to “clear the counter”. Let’s act with integrity, sincerity and genuine care and compassion. Let’s be the true disciples Jesus called us to be. I’m in…are you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 6, 2013
Joel 3:1-2
In those days, yes, at that very time when I put life back together again for Judah and Jerusalem, I’ll assemble all the godless nations.
I’ll lead them down into Judgment Valley and put them all on trial, and judge them one and all because of their treatment of my own people Israel.
They scattered my people all over the pagan world and grabbed my land for themselves.
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.
We are entering that time of the year where everyone seems to go a little nuts with food and drink. It starts with Halloween and continues straight through Christmas and into winter. “I’ll only have a couple of pieces of candy… after all, it is Halloween!” we tell ourselves. But two pieces becomes twenty during the weeks of November (or maybe even sooner for some!). On Thanksgiving Day, we justify piling our plate high with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (with marshmallows, of course!), hot rolls and more. No tossed salad for us… but bring on the congealed ones laden with all sorts of rich deliciousness! Hey, it’s only Jello® and Cool Whip®… right? And we simply must try a slice of each kind of pie on the buffet... to resist the whipped cream on top would be downright unpatriotic!
This gets us to the first of December, where each day brings one cookie and/or piece of candy after the next… parties galore… rich finger foods, eggnog and all sorts of tantalizing drinks, and of course - hot cocoa! By the time New Year’s arrives, many of us will have added extra poundage… not to mention how sluggish and cranky we will feel! So we’ll make our resolutions to take off the weight and “get ready for swimsuit season!” We’ll ride a roller coaster of workouts and diets and winter nights with hot cocoa and a good movie… and in the end, we may or may not regain our health and drop the weight.
Over time, I can tell you that this will have a cumulative effect. And while you may be young and able to somewhat handle this yo-yo approach to life…there may come a day when you sit across the desk from a doctor who tells you that you have diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease… or you may find yourself in the back of an ambulance headed for the ER after suffering a stroke due to high blood pressure. You may develop arthritis and hip/knee problems because you have taxed your body’s capacity for bearing weight. Or if you manage to avoid these “judgments”, you may spend a good chunk of your adulthood battling the scales, struggling with your willpower, and trying to squeeze into the too-small clothes in your closet!
I’ve watched enough seasons of NBC’s The Biggest Loser and heard the stories of a sufficient number of the contestants to see that many people in this country reach a point where God steps in and gives them a wake-up call. In essence, He says, “It’s time to stop the madness!”… and He offers them an opportunity to reclaim their life – and their health. He gives them a chance to do the necessary work to come back into alignment (physically, mentally, and emotionally)… and to build a truly healthy life – in every sense of the word.
Not everyone will respond successfully… some will choose to continue down a destructive path. But many will make permanent life changes. They will develop a vital respect for God’s desire for them to be completely healthy and well. They will trust Him to help them learn balance… and how to confidently say “No!” where necessary. God will guide them back into a right relationship with food and good health… and they will enter subsequent holiday seasons with His protection and support as they exercise willpower and resolve!
If you are one of those for whom the temptations of the holiday offerings are not a problem…congratulations! But here’s the thing… we all encounter temptations and missteps in our lives. Your “issue” may not be food... but I bet there is some area of your life in which you struggle to maintain balance. And that’s where God comes into the equation. The scriptures tell us that God will bring all of His people together again someday and judge each of us. He will hold us accountable for how we respected Him and all that He gave us… and that includes our bodies, our thoughts, and our actions.
In the meantime, God won’t let us continue down the wrong path forever with a vow to “play now and pay later”. I firmly believe that God sends “wake-up calls” to His children… and in some instances, He calls them home sooner than later in order to put a halt to their irresponsibility and disrespect. While I am ready for heaven - and I hope you are, also - I don’t want to live in a way that frustrates God and disrespects all that He has done for me. I want to give everything I have every single day… to serve and honor Him in each word and action.
Just as each of us will slip up from time to time and eat more cookies than we know we should… or slack off on our workouts once in a while… I know that I will make plenty of mistakes, even as I try my hardest to give God my very best. When God gathers us together for judgment, I want Him to smile at me and see far more that pleases Him than He does mistakes and disappointments. Don’t you? What are you doing about this? Have you asked God to help you… to equip you with the fortitude and determination you need to make healthy decisions – in every area of your life? Are you showing God the respect He deserves? Isn’t it time you did? Will this be the “season” that you get off the roller coaster and start truly living well? Are you ready to get started?
©2013 Debbie Robus
In those days, yes, at that very time when I put life back together again for Judah and Jerusalem, I’ll assemble all the godless nations.
I’ll lead them down into Judgment Valley and put them all on trial, and judge them one and all because of their treatment of my own people Israel.
They scattered my people all over the pagan world and grabbed my land for themselves.
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.
We are entering that time of the year where everyone seems to go a little nuts with food and drink. It starts with Halloween and continues straight through Christmas and into winter. “I’ll only have a couple of pieces of candy… after all, it is Halloween!” we tell ourselves. But two pieces becomes twenty during the weeks of November (or maybe even sooner for some!). On Thanksgiving Day, we justify piling our plate high with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (with marshmallows, of course!), hot rolls and more. No tossed salad for us… but bring on the congealed ones laden with all sorts of rich deliciousness! Hey, it’s only Jello® and Cool Whip®… right? And we simply must try a slice of each kind of pie on the buffet... to resist the whipped cream on top would be downright unpatriotic!
This gets us to the first of December, where each day brings one cookie and/or piece of candy after the next… parties galore… rich finger foods, eggnog and all sorts of tantalizing drinks, and of course - hot cocoa! By the time New Year’s arrives, many of us will have added extra poundage… not to mention how sluggish and cranky we will feel! So we’ll make our resolutions to take off the weight and “get ready for swimsuit season!” We’ll ride a roller coaster of workouts and diets and winter nights with hot cocoa and a good movie… and in the end, we may or may not regain our health and drop the weight.
Over time, I can tell you that this will have a cumulative effect. And while you may be young and able to somewhat handle this yo-yo approach to life…there may come a day when you sit across the desk from a doctor who tells you that you have diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease… or you may find yourself in the back of an ambulance headed for the ER after suffering a stroke due to high blood pressure. You may develop arthritis and hip/knee problems because you have taxed your body’s capacity for bearing weight. Or if you manage to avoid these “judgments”, you may spend a good chunk of your adulthood battling the scales, struggling with your willpower, and trying to squeeze into the too-small clothes in your closet!
I’ve watched enough seasons of NBC’s The Biggest Loser and heard the stories of a sufficient number of the contestants to see that many people in this country reach a point where God steps in and gives them a wake-up call. In essence, He says, “It’s time to stop the madness!”… and He offers them an opportunity to reclaim their life – and their health. He gives them a chance to do the necessary work to come back into alignment (physically, mentally, and emotionally)… and to build a truly healthy life – in every sense of the word.
Not everyone will respond successfully… some will choose to continue down a destructive path. But many will make permanent life changes. They will develop a vital respect for God’s desire for them to be completely healthy and well. They will trust Him to help them learn balance… and how to confidently say “No!” where necessary. God will guide them back into a right relationship with food and good health… and they will enter subsequent holiday seasons with His protection and support as they exercise willpower and resolve!
If you are one of those for whom the temptations of the holiday offerings are not a problem…congratulations! But here’s the thing… we all encounter temptations and missteps in our lives. Your “issue” may not be food... but I bet there is some area of your life in which you struggle to maintain balance. And that’s where God comes into the equation. The scriptures tell us that God will bring all of His people together again someday and judge each of us. He will hold us accountable for how we respected Him and all that He gave us… and that includes our bodies, our thoughts, and our actions.
In the meantime, God won’t let us continue down the wrong path forever with a vow to “play now and pay later”. I firmly believe that God sends “wake-up calls” to His children… and in some instances, He calls them home sooner than later in order to put a halt to their irresponsibility and disrespect. While I am ready for heaven - and I hope you are, also - I don’t want to live in a way that frustrates God and disrespects all that He has done for me. I want to give everything I have every single day… to serve and honor Him in each word and action.
Just as each of us will slip up from time to time and eat more cookies than we know we should… or slack off on our workouts once in a while… I know that I will make plenty of mistakes, even as I try my hardest to give God my very best. When God gathers us together for judgment, I want Him to smile at me and see far more that pleases Him than He does mistakes and disappointments. Don’t you? What are you doing about this? Have you asked God to help you… to equip you with the fortitude and determination you need to make healthy decisions – in every area of your life? Are you showing God the respect He deserves? Isn’t it time you did? Will this be the “season” that you get off the roller coaster and start truly living well? Are you ready to get started?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 1, 2013
1 Corinthians 10:13
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
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.
A few weeks ago, I bought a stack of vintage linens at an estate sale. I carefully selected what I thought were “good” linens… or those that still had useful embroidery or details. After washing everything, I discovered that a few were pretty tattered. In particular, there was a pair of embroidered pillowcases that I really wanted to use to make little girls’ dresses. I decided that I could cut around the bad spots on one pillowcase and create a cute little blouse for our niece, Zola. There was almost the same scenario with a pair of pale pink pillowcases… and I decided I could use the “best” one to make a pair of pants to match Zola’s blouse.
I began to sew the blouse together, and about two-thirds of the way into the project, I tugged on the fabric to pull it taught… and it ripped. The fabric was so old and fragile that it gave way under stress. “No worries,” I thought…”I’ll stitch a decorative flower over that spot! After all, this is vintage fabric!” Then another spot tore…and another. I was almost ready to give up. This was too much. I had spent a couple of hours on the garment at this point. The temptation to cut my losses was there… did I dare succumb to it? In the end, I decided to keep going…to reinforce the torn spots with sturdy stitching and cover them in fabric flower enhancements. If Zola only wore this blouse one time and it fell apart in the wash, so be it!
The end result was darling… and then I experienced virtually the same thing when I made the pants. The fabric tore as I stitched the waistband! I added a little more sturdy “over-stitching”…and I was done. Again, the temptation was to throw in the towel and start another project. But I was able to work through this and finish both garments. I know there will be times when it is right to change directions and leave a project unfinished. But the lesson I learned from this experience and others is that God will tell me when that time comes. Until then, I am to persevere. I know that God will help me handle all of my temptations.
Every day, EVERY ONE of us tempted in one way or another, just as this scripture declares. No one is immune to this. Temptations go far beyond food, alcohol, nicotine and drugs, which are some of the ones that generally come to mind first.
Do we really think so little of God that we cannot trust Him to help us handle temptation? Is the choice really so tantalizing that we cannot resist with His help? Every day we have choices to make… and temptations to resist. God stands ready – and able – to help us in this. The only temptation we should entertain is the one to accept His help and care in all things. When impulses and decisions arise in your life… how – and WHO – will you choose to handle them? Will you opt to give up, give in… or let God guide your choices?
©2013 Debbie Robus
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
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.
A few weeks ago, I bought a stack of vintage linens at an estate sale. I carefully selected what I thought were “good” linens… or those that still had useful embroidery or details. After washing everything, I discovered that a few were pretty tattered. In particular, there was a pair of embroidered pillowcases that I really wanted to use to make little girls’ dresses. I decided that I could cut around the bad spots on one pillowcase and create a cute little blouse for our niece, Zola. There was almost the same scenario with a pair of pale pink pillowcases… and I decided I could use the “best” one to make a pair of pants to match Zola’s blouse.
I began to sew the blouse together, and about two-thirds of the way into the project, I tugged on the fabric to pull it taught… and it ripped. The fabric was so old and fragile that it gave way under stress. “No worries,” I thought…”I’ll stitch a decorative flower over that spot! After all, this is vintage fabric!” Then another spot tore…and another. I was almost ready to give up. This was too much. I had spent a couple of hours on the garment at this point. The temptation to cut my losses was there… did I dare succumb to it? In the end, I decided to keep going…to reinforce the torn spots with sturdy stitching and cover them in fabric flower enhancements. If Zola only wore this blouse one time and it fell apart in the wash, so be it!
The end result was darling… and then I experienced virtually the same thing when I made the pants. The fabric tore as I stitched the waistband! I added a little more sturdy “over-stitching”…and I was done. Again, the temptation was to throw in the towel and start another project. But I was able to work through this and finish both garments. I know there will be times when it is right to change directions and leave a project unfinished. But the lesson I learned from this experience and others is that God will tell me when that time comes. Until then, I am to persevere. I know that God will help me handle all of my temptations.
Every day, EVERY ONE of us tempted in one way or another, just as this scripture declares. No one is immune to this. Temptations go far beyond food, alcohol, nicotine and drugs, which are some of the ones that generally come to mind first.
- We are tempted to quit our job or give up on relationships.
- We are tempted to drop out of school or a class that seems too difficult.
- We are tempted to stop caring and trying with loved ones and friends who reject us.
- We are tempted to give up on exercise when results are slow in materializing.
- We are tempted to leave the church when we disagree with fellow members… someone is critical of us… or we experience a conflict of some sort.
- We are tempted to give others a piece of our mind when we are irritated.
- We are tempted to stick our noses in where they don’t belong.
- We are tempted to drink too much, dress too provocatively, curse, tell off-color jokes, and agree with derogatory slurs in order to fit in with the crowd.
- We are tempted to criticize or put down the other guy in order to make ourselves look more important or special.
- We are tempted to spend too much and acquire more “stuff” than we will ever need or use.
- We are tempted to fall apart when grief and/or tragedy strikes.
- We are tempted to pull the covers over our head and never get out of bed again!
Do we really think so little of God that we cannot trust Him to help us handle temptation? Is the choice really so tantalizing that we cannot resist with His help? Every day we have choices to make… and temptations to resist. God stands ready – and able – to help us in this. The only temptation we should entertain is the one to accept His help and care in all things. When impulses and decisions arise in your life… how – and WHO – will you choose to handle them? Will you opt to give up, give in… or let God guide your choices?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 1, 2013
2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood beside me. He gave me the strength to tell his full message, so that all Gentiles would hear it. And I was kept safe from hungry lions.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy was a lion for Halloween. I found a little “lion suit” at the consignment store, and I made him a mask out of a paper plate, some felt, fleece fringe, and scraps from my fabric bin. He told me just last week about how the lions were after him, but because he was wearing his lion suit… “they didn’t get me.” Timothy talks a lot about the lions being after him… undoubtedly the result of some movie he has watched. I always assure him that the lions cannot get him… that he is safe with us and his family… that we will protect him. In essence, we give him strength to be the happiest three-year-old boy he can be… and we keep him safe from the “hungry lions” of the world. And apparently, he has decided that his “lion suit” from Halloween has some magical power and strength in the face of his adversaries.
Can I tell you something? There are “hungry lions” after every single one of us. They are not necessarily the four-legged kind with a mane and a tail… but their “teeth” are just as menacing. The devil sends these beasts to frighten us… to nip at our heels and cause us to worry and tremble. They come in every form imaginable… from stress about classes and workloads to dissention with family members, friends and co-workers - to concerns over how to pay bills and handle the effects of the “fiscal cliff.” When you are sad over the loss of a friend or loved one, the devil can take advantage of your grief to drag you down even further and steal your joy. When you are disappointed, discouraged or frustrated, Satan steps in to say, “See, life is lousy… things never truly work out like you envisioned.”
When you are sick or injured, the devil will tell you that you are weak and don’t deserve to be well. When you find yourself in a situation that is uncertain, he will send “lions” to roar that you are not smart enough and don’t deserve to do better. When you are lonely, his “lions” will do all they can to assure you that you are not worthy of companionship.
But GOD will keep us safe from all of these “lions” and more… if only we will call on Him. He will never leave our side. God will lift us, encourage us, and assure us that by His strength and power, we can do and be anything! God will fill in the gaps and raise us out of depression, disappointment, and fear. He will embolden us to learn new things… and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others.
We have a choice… we can put on the “lion suit” of God’s armor and fight the devil on a more-than-level playing field… or we can let the devil’s “lions” devour us. I know which I am choosing…do you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
But the Lord stood beside me. He gave me the strength to tell his full message, so that all Gentiles would hear it. And I was kept safe from hungry lions.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy was a lion for Halloween. I found a little “lion suit” at the consignment store, and I made him a mask out of a paper plate, some felt, fleece fringe, and scraps from my fabric bin. He told me just last week about how the lions were after him, but because he was wearing his lion suit… “they didn’t get me.” Timothy talks a lot about the lions being after him… undoubtedly the result of some movie he has watched. I always assure him that the lions cannot get him… that he is safe with us and his family… that we will protect him. In essence, we give him strength to be the happiest three-year-old boy he can be… and we keep him safe from the “hungry lions” of the world. And apparently, he has decided that his “lion suit” from Halloween has some magical power and strength in the face of his adversaries.
Can I tell you something? There are “hungry lions” after every single one of us. They are not necessarily the four-legged kind with a mane and a tail… but their “teeth” are just as menacing. The devil sends these beasts to frighten us… to nip at our heels and cause us to worry and tremble. They come in every form imaginable… from stress about classes and workloads to dissention with family members, friends and co-workers - to concerns over how to pay bills and handle the effects of the “fiscal cliff.” When you are sad over the loss of a friend or loved one, the devil can take advantage of your grief to drag you down even further and steal your joy. When you are disappointed, discouraged or frustrated, Satan steps in to say, “See, life is lousy… things never truly work out like you envisioned.”
When you are sick or injured, the devil will tell you that you are weak and don’t deserve to be well. When you find yourself in a situation that is uncertain, he will send “lions” to roar that you are not smart enough and don’t deserve to do better. When you are lonely, his “lions” will do all they can to assure you that you are not worthy of companionship.
But GOD will keep us safe from all of these “lions” and more… if only we will call on Him. He will never leave our side. God will lift us, encourage us, and assure us that by His strength and power, we can do and be anything! God will fill in the gaps and raise us out of depression, disappointment, and fear. He will embolden us to learn new things… and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others.
We have a choice… we can put on the “lion suit” of God’s armor and fight the devil on a more-than-level playing field… or we can let the devil’s “lions” devour us. I know which I am choosing…do you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 27, 2012
1 Corinthians 10:13
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.
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 watched Ken Burn’s documentary, The Dust Bowl, about the tragic situation man created in the Great Plains of America in the 1930s by turning the grasslands into wheat farms. When a drought ensued, huge storm clouds of dust were created as the winds whipped across the Plains. Much of the land in four or five states was buried beneath the soil. Cattle, crops and homes were destroyed and/or buried. Families gave up and moved away… many to California. Still others stayed and toughed it out… some became so despondent that they committed suicide. One woman who was interviewed told of her mother walking away one day and never returning. The woman was just a tiny girl at the time. That was the last time she ever saw her mother.
Burns interviewed a number of survivors who experienced the Dust Bowl as small children. The pervading story they told was one of perseverance… and of faith. One man told of being at church with his sister when a particular storm hit. Others spoke of parents and grandparents who were “religious sorts” or had a strong faith [in God] that sustained them.
What struck me profoundly as I watched this film was that all of the troubles and tribulations we face today are certainly nothing new… financial woes, sick and hungry children and family members, natural disasters, loss of jobs and relationships, homelessness, depression and despondency. I was reminded that God never left the people of the Great Plains… and He will never leave us. Sure, many succumbed to temptations… or lost their lives to such things as dust pneumonia, getting buried in a dust storm – or even suicide. But many hung on and survived. And I have to believe that a good number of them recognized God’s presence by their side.
I don’t know what you are facing today. I don’t know what tempts or troubles you. I have no idea what challenges you face each day… or whether you feel discouraged – or even hopeless. But I am here to tell you that God is still with you. He has not left… and He will not desert you. If you will only call on Him, you can feel Him lifting you out of the dirt and saying, “I’m gonna help you… we’ve got this!” You are not alone… you are not experiencing anything that God has not helped countless others survive already… and He will do the same for you. Have you asked Him to help? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.
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 watched Ken Burn’s documentary, The Dust Bowl, about the tragic situation man created in the Great Plains of America in the 1930s by turning the grasslands into wheat farms. When a drought ensued, huge storm clouds of dust were created as the winds whipped across the Plains. Much of the land in four or five states was buried beneath the soil. Cattle, crops and homes were destroyed and/or buried. Families gave up and moved away… many to California. Still others stayed and toughed it out… some became so despondent that they committed suicide. One woman who was interviewed told of her mother walking away one day and never returning. The woman was just a tiny girl at the time. That was the last time she ever saw her mother.
Burns interviewed a number of survivors who experienced the Dust Bowl as small children. The pervading story they told was one of perseverance… and of faith. One man told of being at church with his sister when a particular storm hit. Others spoke of parents and grandparents who were “religious sorts” or had a strong faith [in God] that sustained them.
What struck me profoundly as I watched this film was that all of the troubles and tribulations we face today are certainly nothing new… financial woes, sick and hungry children and family members, natural disasters, loss of jobs and relationships, homelessness, depression and despondency. I was reminded that God never left the people of the Great Plains… and He will never leave us. Sure, many succumbed to temptations… or lost their lives to such things as dust pneumonia, getting buried in a dust storm – or even suicide. But many hung on and survived. And I have to believe that a good number of them recognized God’s presence by their side.
I don’t know what you are facing today. I don’t know what tempts or troubles you. I have no idea what challenges you face each day… or whether you feel discouraged – or even hopeless. But I am here to tell you that God is still with you. He has not left… and He will not desert you. If you will only call on Him, you can feel Him lifting you out of the dirt and saying, “I’m gonna help you… we’ve got this!” You are not alone… you are not experiencing anything that God has not helped countless others survive already… and He will do the same for you. Have you asked Him to help? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 12, 2012
James 4:7-10
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I learned a valuable lesson when Timothy visited us last month. For him, chocolate and sugar are tools of the devil! They turn him into a “spinning top”… a whirling dervish who is cranky, irritable and erratic. The two times he was allowed to have a hefty snack of chocolate milk and chocolate cookies, we all paid the price! Once he “bottomed out” from his chocolate/sugar high, he slept… and slept… and slept for what became an almost three-hour nap!
It didn’t take me long to figure out that I needed to divert Timmy’s attention… to encourage him to put chocolate milk and cookies out of his mind and focus on something else… another food, a toy or game, or some other activity. More than once, there were tears and wails of “But I want chocolate! I need chocolate!” We had to get really serious about our efforts to resist this temptation.
This is an over-simplification of our own inner struggle… or maybe it’s not. So often, the first step in resisting the devil is to divert our focus. Sure, those cookies in the cabinet call our name. Yes, many of us want another cigarette or one more drink. Of course we miss our friends and the old “fun” we used to have. It’s hard to stop peppering our language with four-letter words after years of doing so… especially if “everyone else is doing it.” And the very thing you think will be hardest to hand over to God may be the easiest. The devil is incredibly crafty! It’s the littlest things that will trip you up! After all, one of the most difficult things for me to resist was sweet tea!
We all “play the field” in a variety of ways. God wants us to surrender to Him… to RUN to Him in everything from our diet and health to bad habits, gossip, lying, cheating, and illicit or immoral behaviors… and even the temptation to overindulge in chocolate milk and cookies! It won’t be easy. James tells us to cry our eyes out and be sad… mourn our old ways, if we have to. But in the end, we must give them to God.
As more time elapsed without chocolate, Timmy adjusted and quit asking for the milk and cookies. It helped that I put them away where he couldn’t see them. You may have to do this with your own temptations. Put them out of view… move away from the crowd who entices you to behave in a way that is harmful or sinful…divert your attention and focus on things that are Godly, healthy, and pure. Do what it takes to get serious… really serious! Concentrate on seeking God’s will… and finding it! Allow Him to work in and through you… to change you from the inside out.
I’m not saying that our cravings for the things that are bad for us will ever completely disappear. In fact, I’m pretty sure they won’t, because Satan is never going away. But neither is God… and I know WHO ultimately wins! Are you ready to fall to your knees and hit “rock bottom” so that you can be set upright on your feet? It’s time to get serious… to leave the devil in the dust and whisper God’s name… to call on Him to draw near and work His will. We all must renew our resolve to operate in the serious surety of a life in Christ… instead of the fun and games uncertainty the devil offers. I’m ready to do this. Are you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I learned a valuable lesson when Timothy visited us last month. For him, chocolate and sugar are tools of the devil! They turn him into a “spinning top”… a whirling dervish who is cranky, irritable and erratic. The two times he was allowed to have a hefty snack of chocolate milk and chocolate cookies, we all paid the price! Once he “bottomed out” from his chocolate/sugar high, he slept… and slept… and slept for what became an almost three-hour nap!
It didn’t take me long to figure out that I needed to divert Timmy’s attention… to encourage him to put chocolate milk and cookies out of his mind and focus on something else… another food, a toy or game, or some other activity. More than once, there were tears and wails of “But I want chocolate! I need chocolate!” We had to get really serious about our efforts to resist this temptation.
This is an over-simplification of our own inner struggle… or maybe it’s not. So often, the first step in resisting the devil is to divert our focus. Sure, those cookies in the cabinet call our name. Yes, many of us want another cigarette or one more drink. Of course we miss our friends and the old “fun” we used to have. It’s hard to stop peppering our language with four-letter words after years of doing so… especially if “everyone else is doing it.” And the very thing you think will be hardest to hand over to God may be the easiest. The devil is incredibly crafty! It’s the littlest things that will trip you up! After all, one of the most difficult things for me to resist was sweet tea!
We all “play the field” in a variety of ways. God wants us to surrender to Him… to RUN to Him in everything from our diet and health to bad habits, gossip, lying, cheating, and illicit or immoral behaviors… and even the temptation to overindulge in chocolate milk and cookies! It won’t be easy. James tells us to cry our eyes out and be sad… mourn our old ways, if we have to. But in the end, we must give them to God.
As more time elapsed without chocolate, Timmy adjusted and quit asking for the milk and cookies. It helped that I put them away where he couldn’t see them. You may have to do this with your own temptations. Put them out of view… move away from the crowd who entices you to behave in a way that is harmful or sinful…divert your attention and focus on things that are Godly, healthy, and pure. Do what it takes to get serious… really serious! Concentrate on seeking God’s will… and finding it! Allow Him to work in and through you… to change you from the inside out.
I’m not saying that our cravings for the things that are bad for us will ever completely disappear. In fact, I’m pretty sure they won’t, because Satan is never going away. But neither is God… and I know WHO ultimately wins! Are you ready to fall to your knees and hit “rock bottom” so that you can be set upright on your feet? It’s time to get serious… to leave the devil in the dust and whisper God’s name… to call on Him to draw near and work His will. We all must renew our resolve to operate in the serious surety of a life in Christ… instead of the fun and games uncertainty the devil offers. I’m ready to do this. Are you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 24, 2012
James 1:12-15
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
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.
Do you understand the difference between a test and a temptation? Let’s say you decide to lose twenty pounds by practicing portion control and exercising five days a week. It will be a test of your determination to stick with the routine and develop the habit of eating less and working out regularly. If someone invites you to go out for an all-you-can-eat-buffet dinner or encourages you to skip a workout to do something you consider more fun, these would be thought of as temptations.
In Spiritual terms, how you meet challenges and trials that come along could be considered a test of your faith in God. He allows us to endure certain troubles and hardships to see if we will truly operate in faith and courage… if we will rely on Him to equip us to handle whatever burdens we face. God doesn’t cause these situations, but He can use them to see how fully we trust Him to meet our needs. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our hardships that we throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” We turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling or spending money we don’t have… we drive too fast and take unnecessary risks, spend too much money on things we don’t need, stop studying - or quit school altogether - or we give up on getting fit and healthy, go back to eating whatever we please, and stop exercising.
When we do this, we have succumbed to temptation. And we have no one to blame for the outcome but ourselves. We have given in to evil and the lure of Satan, and we are operating in sin. Understand the difference. It is one thing to say that, “God is testing me,” and quite another to state that “God is trying to trip me up.” The last statement simply is not true.
When we start to understand that God doesn’t operate in temptation, we realize that to succumb to the devil’s wiles and seduction disavows our faith in God. We are denying His ability to strengthen and equip us to meet any and all challenges. In other words, when we give in to temptation, we fail the test.
I don’t ever want to dishonor God. I most certainly don’t want to grieve Him. I’ll be the first to admit that some of His tests are really, really hard! But the rewards are so worth the effort. God’s love, grace and mercy will overcome any and all obstacles to achieving success. So the question for all of us today is this… “Are we operating in faith and stepping up to the plate to accept God’s tests… or have we yielded to the temptations of the devil?”
Tests and temptations are NOT the same thing. Be certain you know the difference… and always make the right choices.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
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.
Do you understand the difference between a test and a temptation? Let’s say you decide to lose twenty pounds by practicing portion control and exercising five days a week. It will be a test of your determination to stick with the routine and develop the habit of eating less and working out regularly. If someone invites you to go out for an all-you-can-eat-buffet dinner or encourages you to skip a workout to do something you consider more fun, these would be thought of as temptations.
In Spiritual terms, how you meet challenges and trials that come along could be considered a test of your faith in God. He allows us to endure certain troubles and hardships to see if we will truly operate in faith and courage… if we will rely on Him to equip us to handle whatever burdens we face. God doesn’t cause these situations, but He can use them to see how fully we trust Him to meet our needs. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our hardships that we throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” We turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling or spending money we don’t have… we drive too fast and take unnecessary risks, spend too much money on things we don’t need, stop studying - or quit school altogether - or we give up on getting fit and healthy, go back to eating whatever we please, and stop exercising.
When we do this, we have succumbed to temptation. And we have no one to blame for the outcome but ourselves. We have given in to evil and the lure of Satan, and we are operating in sin. Understand the difference. It is one thing to say that, “God is testing me,” and quite another to state that “God is trying to trip me up.” The last statement simply is not true.
When we start to understand that God doesn’t operate in temptation, we realize that to succumb to the devil’s wiles and seduction disavows our faith in God. We are denying His ability to strengthen and equip us to meet any and all challenges. In other words, when we give in to temptation, we fail the test.
I don’t ever want to dishonor God. I most certainly don’t want to grieve Him. I’ll be the first to admit that some of His tests are really, really hard! But the rewards are so worth the effort. God’s love, grace and mercy will overcome any and all obstacles to achieving success. So the question for all of us today is this… “Are we operating in faith and stepping up to the plate to accept God’s tests… or have we yielded to the temptations of the devil?”
Tests and temptations are NOT the same thing. Be certain you know the difference… and always make the right choices.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 21, 2012
Luke 11:4
Forgive our sins, as we forgive everyone who has done wrong to us. And keep us from being tempted.’”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Virtually everyone is thinking about the tragic shooting that occurred at Aurora, Colorado, yesterday. And how could you not? People are covering this story on every news media outlet – it’s all over social media. And the question of the day seems to be, “Why?” Why would someone do this? What drove them to such madness? How could someone who high school classmates described as an ordinary, albeit geeky nerd do such heinous things? What makes a seemingly brilliant student lose focus and become so dark and evil?
Before you jump straight to placing the blame on Satan, consider that it’s not quite that simple. I heard one analyst this morning describe this behavior as possibly being the result of “injustice collecting.” In other words, some people do not seem to react to “injustice” in their life… from what seems like the smallest insult to a much larger affront. Instead, these offenses build up… they are collected over time. Sometimes the person becomes sullen, withdrawn, and someone we might call an “angry old cuss.” But sometimes… this “collection” is so distressing that the person becomes totally unbalanced because of it… and he/she may react in a serious – if not violent – manner.
Either way, you can see that failure to forgive those who have wronged you can lead to some serious consequences. And yes, the devil will dance over this! We are all guilty of “injustice collecting” to some degree. There has been a point in all of our lives where we have said, “I’ve HAD it!” We’ve “blown our tops” and behaved disruptively… if only on a relatively small scale. But any time we do this, we have succumbed to the temptation to harbor our grudges or ill feelings – and allow them to fester.
This is a good time for all of us to stop and ask God to give us strength… to help us to operate in forgiveness… to let go of even the smallest offenses and grudges. Ask God to help you forgive quickly and move forward. Call on Him to remove any sense of irritation or unsettled feelings – and to help you operate in love and peace in every situation. Whenever you feel tempted to add an offense or injustice to your “collection,” stop and ask God to remove this desire. Never give the devil an inch – or a moment’s pleasure!
I will be the first in line to tell you that forgiveness is often hard. But there is no way we can ask God to pardon us if we are unwilling to do the same for others. I am so thankful that God doesn’t harbor my offenses toward Him. If I want His forgiveness – if I want to be more like Him - I can’t do this, either. What about you? Do you have an “injustice collection?” Isn’t this the perfect day to get rid of it?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Forgive our sins, as we forgive everyone who has done wrong to us. And keep us from being tempted.’”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Virtually everyone is thinking about the tragic shooting that occurred at Aurora, Colorado, yesterday. And how could you not? People are covering this story on every news media outlet – it’s all over social media. And the question of the day seems to be, “Why?” Why would someone do this? What drove them to such madness? How could someone who high school classmates described as an ordinary, albeit geeky nerd do such heinous things? What makes a seemingly brilliant student lose focus and become so dark and evil?
Before you jump straight to placing the blame on Satan, consider that it’s not quite that simple. I heard one analyst this morning describe this behavior as possibly being the result of “injustice collecting.” In other words, some people do not seem to react to “injustice” in their life… from what seems like the smallest insult to a much larger affront. Instead, these offenses build up… they are collected over time. Sometimes the person becomes sullen, withdrawn, and someone we might call an “angry old cuss.” But sometimes… this “collection” is so distressing that the person becomes totally unbalanced because of it… and he/she may react in a serious – if not violent – manner.
Either way, you can see that failure to forgive those who have wronged you can lead to some serious consequences. And yes, the devil will dance over this! We are all guilty of “injustice collecting” to some degree. There has been a point in all of our lives where we have said, “I’ve HAD it!” We’ve “blown our tops” and behaved disruptively… if only on a relatively small scale. But any time we do this, we have succumbed to the temptation to harbor our grudges or ill feelings – and allow them to fester.
This is a good time for all of us to stop and ask God to give us strength… to help us to operate in forgiveness… to let go of even the smallest offenses and grudges. Ask God to help you forgive quickly and move forward. Call on Him to remove any sense of irritation or unsettled feelings – and to help you operate in love and peace in every situation. Whenever you feel tempted to add an offense or injustice to your “collection,” stop and ask God to remove this desire. Never give the devil an inch – or a moment’s pleasure!
I will be the first in line to tell you that forgiveness is often hard. But there is no way we can ask God to pardon us if we are unwilling to do the same for others. I am so thankful that God doesn’t harbor my offenses toward Him. If I want His forgiveness – if I want to be more like Him - I can’t do this, either. What about you? Do you have an “injustice collection?” Isn’t this the perfect day to get rid of it?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 24, 2012
Proverbs 4:23-27
Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Each August, residents up and down Arkansas Highway 64 have a garage sale that lasts several days over one weekend. They call it “Bargains Galore on 64.” One year, my husband and I traveled this highway from Beebe to Conway and took in the sales along that part of the route. My husband drove, and I watched for signs and scouted the sales to determine whether or not it would be worth our time to stop. As the day wore on and the crowds thickened, this became a bit of a risky adventure! Drivers were paying more attention to the sales than their driving. Many either didn’t have a “navigator” to assist them…or that person was busy gawking, too… because there was more than one near-miss collision as we motored along!
I would venture to say you could call these sales something of a “sideshow distraction.” Highway 64 is a relatively busy thoroughfare, particularly as you get closer to the larger communities. Add in some traffic that is stopping and starting – often with little to no warning – and you have a recipe for potential disaster!
This is a good example of how many of us maneuver through life. We are busy gawking at the “sideshow distractions,” and we fail to pay attention to the importance of our main focus… navigating the path of our Christian faith. Daily living is fraught with challenges aplenty without taking detours and becoming preoccupied with such things as other people’s business, temptations, and our selfish desires to fit in or “be somebody!” These behaviors lead to the “white lies,” excuses, gossip, and careless banter that can wreak such havoc with our Christian witness and daily living.
In some respects, God is our “Navigator” as we travel the highways of life. He shows us what distractions and detours are worth our time and trouble… and He frees us to remain focused on the road ahead. He protects us from a collision course. Our job is to make every effort to be a “good driver”… to keep our heart and motives pure… and to listen to His advice.
I love a good yard sale as much as the next person… and I have to admit, I am often easily distracted. But I am asking God to strengthen my focus… to purify my motives – and my thoughts and actions – and to leave evil in the dust. Who is your Navigator these days? Are you a on a smooth stretch of road - or have you made a detour of sorts? Ask God to set you back on the right course… and to give you everything necessary to keep you there!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Each August, residents up and down Arkansas Highway 64 have a garage sale that lasts several days over one weekend. They call it “Bargains Galore on 64.” One year, my husband and I traveled this highway from Beebe to Conway and took in the sales along that part of the route. My husband drove, and I watched for signs and scouted the sales to determine whether or not it would be worth our time to stop. As the day wore on and the crowds thickened, this became a bit of a risky adventure! Drivers were paying more attention to the sales than their driving. Many either didn’t have a “navigator” to assist them…or that person was busy gawking, too… because there was more than one near-miss collision as we motored along!
I would venture to say you could call these sales something of a “sideshow distraction.” Highway 64 is a relatively busy thoroughfare, particularly as you get closer to the larger communities. Add in some traffic that is stopping and starting – often with little to no warning – and you have a recipe for potential disaster!
This is a good example of how many of us maneuver through life. We are busy gawking at the “sideshow distractions,” and we fail to pay attention to the importance of our main focus… navigating the path of our Christian faith. Daily living is fraught with challenges aplenty without taking detours and becoming preoccupied with such things as other people’s business, temptations, and our selfish desires to fit in or “be somebody!” These behaviors lead to the “white lies,” excuses, gossip, and careless banter that can wreak such havoc with our Christian witness and daily living.
In some respects, God is our “Navigator” as we travel the highways of life. He shows us what distractions and detours are worth our time and trouble… and He frees us to remain focused on the road ahead. He protects us from a collision course. Our job is to make every effort to be a “good driver”… to keep our heart and motives pure… and to listen to His advice.
I love a good yard sale as much as the next person… and I have to admit, I am often easily distracted. But I am asking God to strengthen my focus… to purify my motives – and my thoughts and actions – and to leave evil in the dust. Who is your Navigator these days? Are you a on a smooth stretch of road - or have you made a detour of sorts? Ask God to set you back on the right course… and to give you everything necessary to keep you there!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 20, 2012
James 4:7-10
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I once knew a high school student who was involved in more than a half dozen school activities. He maintained an incredibly hectic schedule of attending this practice or meeting… actual events and competitions. Additionally, he was a member of his church youth choir and participated in other activities with his congregation. I lovingly mentioned to him one day that I was concerned… and feared he was headed for an early burnout. I suggested he pick out one or two activities that he enjoyed the most… maybe ones in which he particularly excelled… and focus on being the best participant possible in those events. He protested… “But I love all of them. How could I ever choose?” He had also been told that getting involved in a lot of different activities would present him as “well-rounded” when he applied for colleges.
It saddens me to say that the pressure to keep up such a lofty schedule caught up with this person, and he ultimately (and reluctantly) did give up a few of the activities. The demands of trying to keep up with so much led to poor choices and even poorer decisions… and he eventually “hit rock bottom,” so to speak. I am happy to say that he did not stay there. In fact, he got serious… really serious, as this scripture says. He coupled wonderful support from family and friends with a renewed dedication to following God’s will. And today, he is thriving.
You and I are really no different from this student. We may not be busy with too many school activities. School may even be a distant memory for some of us. But we all have distractions and temptations… and it’s easy to fall into the trap of “playing the field” and spreading ourselves too thinly. We may try everything from self-help programs to the latest “hot” evangelist and his/her teachings. We may get so caught up in work or a hobby, possessions… or even another person or group of people… and we may let our focus on God take a back seat.
My prayer is that we won’t have to “hit rock bottom” or experience something that “pulls the rug out from under us” before we get serious about our relationship with God and raise it to the very forefront of our daily existence. I love how The Message says that we have to shout at the devil to get him to go away… but all we have to offer God is a gentle whisper, and He shows up immediately. We can rely on the devil to be persistent… but we can rely on God to keep His promises and truly meet our needs.
Aren’t you ready to send the devil and his distractions packing for good? Is today the day you shout and scream and kick him to the curb? God is waiting to set you on your feet… to restore you according to His will for your life. Will this be the day you fall to your knees and whisper His name? Are you ready to get really serious about God?
©2012 Debbie Robus
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I once knew a high school student who was involved in more than a half dozen school activities. He maintained an incredibly hectic schedule of attending this practice or meeting… actual events and competitions. Additionally, he was a member of his church youth choir and participated in other activities with his congregation. I lovingly mentioned to him one day that I was concerned… and feared he was headed for an early burnout. I suggested he pick out one or two activities that he enjoyed the most… maybe ones in which he particularly excelled… and focus on being the best participant possible in those events. He protested… “But I love all of them. How could I ever choose?” He had also been told that getting involved in a lot of different activities would present him as “well-rounded” when he applied for colleges.
It saddens me to say that the pressure to keep up such a lofty schedule caught up with this person, and he ultimately (and reluctantly) did give up a few of the activities. The demands of trying to keep up with so much led to poor choices and even poorer decisions… and he eventually “hit rock bottom,” so to speak. I am happy to say that he did not stay there. In fact, he got serious… really serious, as this scripture says. He coupled wonderful support from family and friends with a renewed dedication to following God’s will. And today, he is thriving.
You and I are really no different from this student. We may not be busy with too many school activities. School may even be a distant memory for some of us. But we all have distractions and temptations… and it’s easy to fall into the trap of “playing the field” and spreading ourselves too thinly. We may try everything from self-help programs to the latest “hot” evangelist and his/her teachings. We may get so caught up in work or a hobby, possessions… or even another person or group of people… and we may let our focus on God take a back seat.
My prayer is that we won’t have to “hit rock bottom” or experience something that “pulls the rug out from under us” before we get serious about our relationship with God and raise it to the very forefront of our daily existence. I love how The Message says that we have to shout at the devil to get him to go away… but all we have to offer God is a gentle whisper, and He shows up immediately. We can rely on the devil to be persistent… but we can rely on God to keep His promises and truly meet our needs.
Aren’t you ready to send the devil and his distractions packing for good? Is today the day you shout and scream and kick him to the curb? God is waiting to set you on your feet… to restore you according to His will for your life. Will this be the day you fall to your knees and whisper His name? Are you ready to get really serious about God?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 12, 2012
James 4:4-6
You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”
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.
On the reality TV show, “The Biggest Loser,” there are frequent “temptation” games. Often, the contestants will be presented with tables laden with their favorite foods… pizza, cheeseburgers, cupcakes, candy, ice cream and more. The challenge is offered… whichever team eats the most calories will win an advantage in the overall game. Then contestants are brought in one at a time and given a certain number of minutes to eat as much as they can.
Some contestants go nuts and cram high-calorie, fat-laden foods into their mouths as fast as possible for the allotted time. Others come into the room, fold their arms and say, “I’m not sabotaging my health and weight loss for this.” Some teams agree as a group not to cave in to the pressure… and none of them eat. Virtually every time this challenge is presented, at least one person will take the dare…often with dire consequences.
Usually, the rest of the team feels betrayed. In some instances, the “prize” involves the “winner” getting to make decisions that alter the course of the entire game – and the lives of those who are participating. More than once, this decision to “flirt with danger” and eat the tempting foods has had disastrous payoffs… from weight gain to alienation from the group to actually being ousted from the game by fellow contestants. The sense of separation cannot possibly be worth those brief times of satiation with the rich, delicious foods.
If you think about your Spiritual life in this context, you can readily see that a few minutes of flirting with the devil’s temptations can lead to heartbreaking results. Not only might your selfish choices cost you directly in some way… they can also lead to alienation and/or separation from other people – and worse yet, from God.
As much as it would pain me to experience the distance or rejection of my friends and family, I cannot bear to think of disappointing God. As a disciple of Christ, I know that God would never completely turn His back on me. But just the idea that the One who has done so much for me could be heartbroken over my choices – even temporarily – is not a thought I care to entertain… much less make a reality.
So I am choosing NOT to take the dare… to “step away from the table” of temptations of this world. I know it won’t be easy. I know that Satan is clever… and persistent… and we are weak human creatures. But I also know that I am made strong by the word and wisdom of the LORD… cleansed by the blood of Jesus… and equipped with His full armor to fight against whatever the devil throws in my face.
How is your armor… does it need a little polish and refreshing? Do you need to reconnect with God and give your resolve a bit of a facelift? When your turn comes at the “temptation table,” will you eat… or will you fold your arms and say “No thanks”? Will you operate in pride or humility? Who has your heart these days… the enticements of this world and all that Satan has to offer? Or are you trusting in God’s promises to bless you and meet your every need – both now, and for all eternity?
©2012 Debbie Robus
You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”
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.
On the reality TV show, “The Biggest Loser,” there are frequent “temptation” games. Often, the contestants will be presented with tables laden with their favorite foods… pizza, cheeseburgers, cupcakes, candy, ice cream and more. The challenge is offered… whichever team eats the most calories will win an advantage in the overall game. Then contestants are brought in one at a time and given a certain number of minutes to eat as much as they can.
Some contestants go nuts and cram high-calorie, fat-laden foods into their mouths as fast as possible for the allotted time. Others come into the room, fold their arms and say, “I’m not sabotaging my health and weight loss for this.” Some teams agree as a group not to cave in to the pressure… and none of them eat. Virtually every time this challenge is presented, at least one person will take the dare…often with dire consequences.
Usually, the rest of the team feels betrayed. In some instances, the “prize” involves the “winner” getting to make decisions that alter the course of the entire game – and the lives of those who are participating. More than once, this decision to “flirt with danger” and eat the tempting foods has had disastrous payoffs… from weight gain to alienation from the group to actually being ousted from the game by fellow contestants. The sense of separation cannot possibly be worth those brief times of satiation with the rich, delicious foods.
If you think about your Spiritual life in this context, you can readily see that a few minutes of flirting with the devil’s temptations can lead to heartbreaking results. Not only might your selfish choices cost you directly in some way… they can also lead to alienation and/or separation from other people – and worse yet, from God.
As much as it would pain me to experience the distance or rejection of my friends and family, I cannot bear to think of disappointing God. As a disciple of Christ, I know that God would never completely turn His back on me. But just the idea that the One who has done so much for me could be heartbroken over my choices – even temporarily – is not a thought I care to entertain… much less make a reality.
So I am choosing NOT to take the dare… to “step away from the table” of temptations of this world. I know it won’t be easy. I know that Satan is clever… and persistent… and we are weak human creatures. But I also know that I am made strong by the word and wisdom of the LORD… cleansed by the blood of Jesus… and equipped with His full armor to fight against whatever the devil throws in my face.
How is your armor… does it need a little polish and refreshing? Do you need to reconnect with God and give your resolve a bit of a facelift? When your turn comes at the “temptation table,” will you eat… or will you fold your arms and say “No thanks”? Will you operate in pride or humility? Who has your heart these days… the enticements of this world and all that Satan has to offer? Or are you trusting in God’s promises to bless you and meet your every need – both now, and for all eternity?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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