Psalm 94:12-15
How blessed the man you train, God,
the woman you instruct in your Word,
Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil,
while a jail is being built for the wicked.
God will never walk away from his people,
never desert his precious people.
Rest assured that justice is on its way
and every good heart put right.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
For
more than a decade, I served as my paternal grandmother’s primary
caregiver/guardian. I handled her business affairs, paid her bills,
balanced her checkbook, ran her errands, and more. As my late friend
Mich (a gerontologist) often reminded me, there was a whole lot more
that went into “caregiving” than paperwork and running errands. For
some of her later years, Greg and I were also the frequent caregivers
for my little great-nephew, Timothy. So we became members of the
“Sandwich Generation”…those who balance the care of younger persons and
older persons – and try to maintain some semblance of a “normal” life in
between.
Today, I am 57 years old…and I feel like I have learned
a lot in more than five decades…about life in general – but more
importantly, about God’s love and care. There is no “manual” for a lot
of what happens to us in life. We can seek the counsel of others who
have “been there, done that”…but there are a lot of times when we have
to seemingly “fly by the seat of our pants”.
I distinctly
remember one day when I left my grandmother’s house feeling particularly
frustrated, confused and overwhelmed. I pulled into a parking space at
the grocery store and thought, “Who can I call or talk to about this?
Who will understand and be able to help me figure out what to do next?”
I drew a complete blank. So I sat in the car and asked God to show me
what to do. And the next thought I had was, “What would *I* tell
someone else who was going through this same thing?”
This was
my answer. I asked God to show me how to sort things out…to calm my
fears and frustrations and to clearly outline what I would indeed
suggest to someone else. And He did all of this for me. This was not
the last time I would have to have this sort of “conversation”…and I am
sure there will be many to follow.
In the last few years, I have
learned some incredibly valuable lessons. If you are a younger person
reading this message, maybe I can spare you some time, confusion and
frustration by sharing my “life lesson” here. The words of this
scripture passage are incredibly profound. Think of the water circling a
bath tub drain. It spirals downward – and sometimes even makes a loud
sucking noise as the liquid is pulled from the tub and into the tiny
pipe. That is just how we feel sometimes as the “clamor of evil” and
the forces of troubles and challenges in our lives pull at us from every
side. Our temptation is to panic…to throw up our hands and just let
the noisy current haul us away. And if we aren’t careful, this is
exactly what can happen!
But God stands ready to rescue us. He
provides a “circle of quiet” that can keep us calm, even as our very
lives seem to be “spiraling toward the drain”. He will never desert
us…God will never allow us to face more than we can handle with His help.
Notice I did not say that we would only be allowed what we can handle
by ourselves. But with God to walk alongside us, our strength and
capacity to manage things we thought were impossible increases
exponentially. And God always has the right answers.
I honestly
do not know how people get through life without a relationship with God
and His Holy Spirit. I cannot imagine how lonely and frustrating life
must be for those who are totally dependent on their own thoughts and
abilities…and those of other mere mortals. Don’t misunderstand me. God
has sent a lot of wonderful mentors and role models my way…friends to
whom I frequently turn for advice and “vent”. God gave me an amazing,
incredible husband who stands ever ready to help me with anything and
everything. I rely on these people greatly. But they are
God-ordained…Heaven sent…and this makes all the difference!
I
passed the street on which my grandmother used to live today, and for a
fleeting moment, I thought “I should go and visit Mam-ma Polly.” Then I
remembered that Mam-ma lives with Jesus now. But God still uses her
frequently to remind me of past lessons…and to show me which direction
to take. I see His hand in my life every day – in situations large and
small. And as I have grown in my faith and experiences, I have gotten
better at recognizing Him!
My prayer for you today is that you
would be in tune with God…that He would be your “go-to-Guy”…and that you
would realize it! I pray that you rest in the LORD even when there is
the noisy “clamor of evil” around you…that you trust Him to always be by
your side – and to mete out justice according to His will…and that you
would always recognize His voice. You are precious to God…He loves you
and wants to give you rest in Him. Do you know Him well enough to let
Him do exactly that?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label rest in the LORD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rest in the LORD. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 29, 2014
Psalm 4:8
I can lie down and sleep soundly
because you, Lord, will keep me safe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On the way home from church today, we discussed taking an afternoon nap. “Grandma E” said that she was going to have a nap. Uncle Greg and I both said we planned to take a nap. Timothy even said a nap sounded good to him. But 3-year-old Zola said, “I’m not napping! I’ve already napped today!” Most days, neither one of these children wants to take a nap! Like most little ones, they consider naps and sleep to be a total waste of their time and energy! They fail to see the rejuvenating benefits of rest and sleep. And if they happen to be afraid of nightmares - or as Timothy told me recently, “monsters who will attack me while I sleep”…they do not see anything safe and protective about even a brief slumber.
Several years ago, I was feeling restless, uncertain, frustrated…and weary. One day, I closed my eyes to pray…and as I did so, I pictured Jesus extending His arms to me. He was wearing the softest, silky white robe…and He beckoned me to come to Him… just as an adult would welcome a little child. I imagined myself sinking into his arms…felt the softness of the sleeves of His robe as He engulfed me with His arms…and nestled against His strong chest as He gently – but firmly – drew me against His body. I relaxed, rested, and “slept soundly” – if only in my mind – as Jesus soothed and protected me.
There was a fleeting recollection of being nuzzled and snuggled like this as a child…maybe not by someone in a flowing robe…but I could recall feeling safe and protected in the arms of a strong, loving presence all the same. Many of us probably felt the safety and security of a “grown-up’s” arms… or crawled into the lap of a beloved parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle and slept soundly.
But imagine the arms of Jesus welcoming you. Think of His strength and power intertwined with His gentleness and affection. Settle in for a while…rest and relax. Are you able to imagine this? Are you so comfortable and confident in your relationship with Jesus that you can envision taking a nap in His arms and allowing Him to protect you from anything and everything that is threatening or unpleasant? Can you refresh and rejuvenate in His presence and “awaken” feeling more confident in His wisdom and care?
Is the LORD truly your refuge…your place of shelter and rest? Even when “life is good” do you find yourself crawling into His lap for even a brief snuggle and visit? Can you lie down and sleep soundly, because you know that the LORD keeps you safe? Isn’t this the perfect day to “fall into the arms of Jesus” and relax? The time has come to crawl into Jesus’ lap and sleep well. Aren’t you ready for a nap?
©2014 Debbie Robus
I can lie down and sleep soundly
because you, Lord, will keep me safe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On the way home from church today, we discussed taking an afternoon nap. “Grandma E” said that she was going to have a nap. Uncle Greg and I both said we planned to take a nap. Timothy even said a nap sounded good to him. But 3-year-old Zola said, “I’m not napping! I’ve already napped today!” Most days, neither one of these children wants to take a nap! Like most little ones, they consider naps and sleep to be a total waste of their time and energy! They fail to see the rejuvenating benefits of rest and sleep. And if they happen to be afraid of nightmares - or as Timothy told me recently, “monsters who will attack me while I sleep”…they do not see anything safe and protective about even a brief slumber.
Several years ago, I was feeling restless, uncertain, frustrated…and weary. One day, I closed my eyes to pray…and as I did so, I pictured Jesus extending His arms to me. He was wearing the softest, silky white robe…and He beckoned me to come to Him… just as an adult would welcome a little child. I imagined myself sinking into his arms…felt the softness of the sleeves of His robe as He engulfed me with His arms…and nestled against His strong chest as He gently – but firmly – drew me against His body. I relaxed, rested, and “slept soundly” – if only in my mind – as Jesus soothed and protected me.
There was a fleeting recollection of being nuzzled and snuggled like this as a child…maybe not by someone in a flowing robe…but I could recall feeling safe and protected in the arms of a strong, loving presence all the same. Many of us probably felt the safety and security of a “grown-up’s” arms… or crawled into the lap of a beloved parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle and slept soundly.
But imagine the arms of Jesus welcoming you. Think of His strength and power intertwined with His gentleness and affection. Settle in for a while…rest and relax. Are you able to imagine this? Are you so comfortable and confident in your relationship with Jesus that you can envision taking a nap in His arms and allowing Him to protect you from anything and everything that is threatening or unpleasant? Can you refresh and rejuvenate in His presence and “awaken” feeling more confident in His wisdom and care?
Is the LORD truly your refuge…your place of shelter and rest? Even when “life is good” do you find yourself crawling into His lap for even a brief snuggle and visit? Can you lie down and sleep soundly, because you know that the LORD keeps you safe? Isn’t this the perfect day to “fall into the arms of Jesus” and relax? The time has come to crawl into Jesus’ lap and sleep well. Aren’t you ready for a nap?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 25, 2014
Proverbs 6:6-11
You lazy fool, look at an ant.
Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two.
Nobody has to tell it what to do.
All summer it stores up food;
at harvest it stockpiles provisions.
So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing?
How long before you get out of bed?
A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there,
sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?
Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life,
poverty your permanent houseguest!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When my Mam-ma Polly was still living at home, I would take her to the beauty shop on Friday afternoons right after lunch. I would do her grocery shopping and other errands while she was getting her hair “done”. It almost never failed…when I picked her up, she would ask, “Well…what have you done today?” In fact, she asked me that a lot of days – often by mid-morning! This was not just a way to “make conversation”…she truly wanted to hear a list of what I had done. Once I retired, I have to admit that there were days when the answer was an uncomfortable – if not embarrassing - ”not much!” But if I asked her what she had done, she would rattle off this list that almost defied logic…especially for a 90-something-year-old woman!
My grandmother would often start with a 6:00 a.m. walk, followed by a breakfast (usually home-made to include eggs, sausage and a biscuit!), then maybe doing some laundry that she hung on the line to dry, tidying her house, and canning or freezing a seasonal fruit or vegetable or making a pie or some cookies! And this would all transpire before 10:00 a.m.! She made me tired just to listen to her litany of completed tasks! Even after she moved into the Assisted Living Facility, she stayed incredibly busy for as long as physically possible. Breakfast, exercise class, and sometimes a singing group and/or craft filled her mornings. Usually she managed to squeeze a shower and cleaning her room – or perhaps a little gardening - into this time span, as well!
When I was young, my Mam-ma rose most mornings around 3:30 or 4:00 a.m. and cooked my Pap-pa a big hot breakfast, packed his lunch while he fed his cows, then saw him off to work at a job that started early and ran late. Then Mam-ma would dress and prepare for her workday - which started before 7:00 a.m. with driving a school bus…collecting the kids who lived in the countryside along her route to town. She then spent the day as a chair-side dental assistant before picking the kids up after school to return them to their homes.
Now most people would come home from that kind of day and plop down on the couch with a snack and “veg out” in front of the TV. But not my grandmother! She tended her garden, sewed or worked on a quilt, and cooked a big hot dinner for my grandfather. She did laundry and canned or froze fruits and vegetables. She took time to teach us how to sew and cook and work a garden and more.
It is important to note that my grandmother was even more diligent about her work for the LORD than her daily chores. Not only did she manage her household and her work away from the home…she cared for others. She cooked meals for those in need and served in various capacities in her church. She was a great “neighbor” – to people up and down the countryside. She took time to study her Bible…and to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus with others.
Here’s the thing…my grandmother lived 100 years and 123 days. I have to believe that a big part of her longevity was due to her work ethic. But her goal was not to live a certain number of days…not even to that magical age of 100 years! My grandmother’s intention was to live a “rich” life…and I mean “rich” in the things that truly matter. Yes, it was important to my Mam-ma that we not sit around and do nothing and be “lazy bums”…but it was more important that we learn to love others and minister to them. She wanted us to meet a new next-door neighbor and immediately invite them in for a meal and ask, “Where do y’all go to church?”…to be ready to help with a ministry at the church - to prepare food for someone who was sick or grieving…or to pray for others.
My grandparents enjoyed their lives…they fished and played cards with friends and belonged to a “supper club”. After my grandfather died, Mam-ma traveled a little, enjoyed afternoon dominoes games with friends, and danced three nights a week! But she knew how to distinguish between leisure and laziness. And the latter didn’t have any place in her life.
We’re all “lazy” from time to time. We take vacations. We get a “day off”. But when this becomes a way of life for us – physically and/or spiritually – it can be a slippery slope. Yes, God wants us to rest…He is the GIVER of rest. But He wants us to figure out the difference between resting for rejuvenation…and making a “career” of it!
What is your ultimate goal? Are you determined to do all that God calls you to…physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Do you trust Him to give you the strength and stamina for this…and to help you to rest and refresh when needed? Or have you decided to do the bare minimum…to work only as much as necessary to get by…then prop up your feet the rest of the time and hope someone else picks up the slack? Are you stockpiling blessings in Heaven by your earthly service…or are your “Heavenly cupboards” going to be pretty bare?
Are you living a “rich” life…or one that is dirt poor? Is your “rest” one of rejuvenation and renewal in God’s strength…or an ongoing festival on the couch that is getting you nowhere? At the end of your life, where – and how – will you have “rested”?
©2014 Debbie Robus
You lazy fool, look at an ant.
Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two.
Nobody has to tell it what to do.
All summer it stores up food;
at harvest it stockpiles provisions.
So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing?
How long before you get out of bed?
A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there,
sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?
Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life,
poverty your permanent houseguest!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When my Mam-ma Polly was still living at home, I would take her to the beauty shop on Friday afternoons right after lunch. I would do her grocery shopping and other errands while she was getting her hair “done”. It almost never failed…when I picked her up, she would ask, “Well…what have you done today?” In fact, she asked me that a lot of days – often by mid-morning! This was not just a way to “make conversation”…she truly wanted to hear a list of what I had done. Once I retired, I have to admit that there were days when the answer was an uncomfortable – if not embarrassing - ”not much!” But if I asked her what she had done, she would rattle off this list that almost defied logic…especially for a 90-something-year-old woman!
My grandmother would often start with a 6:00 a.m. walk, followed by a breakfast (usually home-made to include eggs, sausage and a biscuit!), then maybe doing some laundry that she hung on the line to dry, tidying her house, and canning or freezing a seasonal fruit or vegetable or making a pie or some cookies! And this would all transpire before 10:00 a.m.! She made me tired just to listen to her litany of completed tasks! Even after she moved into the Assisted Living Facility, she stayed incredibly busy for as long as physically possible. Breakfast, exercise class, and sometimes a singing group and/or craft filled her mornings. Usually she managed to squeeze a shower and cleaning her room – or perhaps a little gardening - into this time span, as well!
When I was young, my Mam-ma rose most mornings around 3:30 or 4:00 a.m. and cooked my Pap-pa a big hot breakfast, packed his lunch while he fed his cows, then saw him off to work at a job that started early and ran late. Then Mam-ma would dress and prepare for her workday - which started before 7:00 a.m. with driving a school bus…collecting the kids who lived in the countryside along her route to town. She then spent the day as a chair-side dental assistant before picking the kids up after school to return them to their homes.
Now most people would come home from that kind of day and plop down on the couch with a snack and “veg out” in front of the TV. But not my grandmother! She tended her garden, sewed or worked on a quilt, and cooked a big hot dinner for my grandfather. She did laundry and canned or froze fruits and vegetables. She took time to teach us how to sew and cook and work a garden and more.
It is important to note that my grandmother was even more diligent about her work for the LORD than her daily chores. Not only did she manage her household and her work away from the home…she cared for others. She cooked meals for those in need and served in various capacities in her church. She was a great “neighbor” – to people up and down the countryside. She took time to study her Bible…and to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus with others.
Here’s the thing…my grandmother lived 100 years and 123 days. I have to believe that a big part of her longevity was due to her work ethic. But her goal was not to live a certain number of days…not even to that magical age of 100 years! My grandmother’s intention was to live a “rich” life…and I mean “rich” in the things that truly matter. Yes, it was important to my Mam-ma that we not sit around and do nothing and be “lazy bums”…but it was more important that we learn to love others and minister to them. She wanted us to meet a new next-door neighbor and immediately invite them in for a meal and ask, “Where do y’all go to church?”…to be ready to help with a ministry at the church - to prepare food for someone who was sick or grieving…or to pray for others.
My grandparents enjoyed their lives…they fished and played cards with friends and belonged to a “supper club”. After my grandfather died, Mam-ma traveled a little, enjoyed afternoon dominoes games with friends, and danced three nights a week! But she knew how to distinguish between leisure and laziness. And the latter didn’t have any place in her life.
We’re all “lazy” from time to time. We take vacations. We get a “day off”. But when this becomes a way of life for us – physically and/or spiritually – it can be a slippery slope. Yes, God wants us to rest…He is the GIVER of rest. But He wants us to figure out the difference between resting for rejuvenation…and making a “career” of it!
What is your ultimate goal? Are you determined to do all that God calls you to…physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Do you trust Him to give you the strength and stamina for this…and to help you to rest and refresh when needed? Or have you decided to do the bare minimum…to work only as much as necessary to get by…then prop up your feet the rest of the time and hope someone else picks up the slack? Are you stockpiling blessings in Heaven by your earthly service…or are your “Heavenly cupboards” going to be pretty bare?
Are you living a “rich” life…or one that is dirt poor? Is your “rest” one of rejuvenation and renewal in God’s strength…or an ongoing festival on the couch that is getting you nowhere? At the end of your life, where – and how – will you have “rested”?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 24, 2014
Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ 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.
On June 9th, a post was shared on Facebook titled “5 Minutes in a Mom’s Head”*…written by Bunmi Laditan, who describes herself as “a writer and social-media obsessed female human…and author of The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Life.” Laditan lives in rural Quebec, by way of California, with her three children and husband…and she contributes to The Huffington Post, Mommyish, Parenting and other websites.
In her “5 Minutes” piece, Laditan says in part:
The thing to remember is that NOTHING is silly or trivial to God! He cares about whether your car is gassed up and your house is decluttered – if that matters to you! He cares whether you are undergoing chemotherapy for a disease that is ravaging your body just as much as the cough or sniffle that has you laid up for a few days. He is concerned about your lack of sleep – regardless of the cause. God wants to handle any – and ALL of your burdens…and exchange them for His inexplicable peace. He wants to give you a heart and mind that is completely at rest in Him.
I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking maybe I should have this scripture passage tattooed on my forearm, where I would be sure to see it several times a day! I need a constant reminder of God’s desire to fill me with peace…always…in ALL WAYS! And maybe you need this reminder, too! It’s normal…human…to worry and fret and have a heart and mind cluttered with all kinds of thoughts and concerns in today’s busy, hectic world. But it’s also totally unnecessary.
I am so thankful that God wants to give us a rest that defies logic…a peace that cannot be rationalized - but is completely real, just the same. And it all starts with a prayer…and a release of our thoughts and cares into His capable hands (followed by a profuse expression of gratitude for His amazing grace and mercy!). What do you think would happen if each morning, you replaced the first five minutes of “pillow talk” in your head with a conversation with God about your day and your concerns? What if you continued to talk to Him throughout the day about each issue that arose – no matter how great or small? Isn’t it worth a try?
Are you ready to experience God’s “peace that passes understanding”? Are you ready for some real rest and stress relief? Have you spoken to Him about this today? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bunmi-laditan/5-minutes-in-a-moms-head_b_5445948.html
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ 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.
On June 9th, a post was shared on Facebook titled “5 Minutes in a Mom’s Head”*…written by Bunmi Laditan, who describes herself as “a writer and social-media obsessed female human…and author of The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Life.” Laditan lives in rural Quebec, by way of California, with her three children and husband…and she contributes to The Huffington Post, Mommyish, Parenting and other websites.
In her “5 Minutes” piece, Laditan says in part:
“What time is it? What day is it? Oh gosh this bed feels so good. Why can't I just stay here all day. That would be the perfect vacation.Sound familiar? Even if you are not a mom, you may be one of “those people” whose mind races…especially when your head hits the pillow. Your thoughts and your heart are anything but quiet! Substitute your worries and concerns for those of this mom, and you totally “get” her! “But I have real problems…not the silly, trivial worries she talks about…things far more important than dust mites on Teddy bears and getting organized!” Yeah…but a lot of us worry about those “silly, trivial” things right along with the big issues…like school, work, bills, health, and relationships, and war and peace!
What are they [the kids] fighting about? ...I should probably wash their stuffed animals. What if they're full of dust mites.
What do I need to do today... return calls, answer emails, return texts from days ago... people probably think I'm so rude. I need to get organized. I need to organize this whole house. This room is a mess. I need to declutter.
OK, if I don't get up now we're going to be late. Oh man, I have to stop for gas. I'm on empty. Why do I always wait until the last minute? Because I was rushing home to make dinner.”
The thing to remember is that NOTHING is silly or trivial to God! He cares about whether your car is gassed up and your house is decluttered – if that matters to you! He cares whether you are undergoing chemotherapy for a disease that is ravaging your body just as much as the cough or sniffle that has you laid up for a few days. He is concerned about your lack of sleep – regardless of the cause. God wants to handle any – and ALL of your burdens…and exchange them for His inexplicable peace. He wants to give you a heart and mind that is completely at rest in Him.
I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking maybe I should have this scripture passage tattooed on my forearm, where I would be sure to see it several times a day! I need a constant reminder of God’s desire to fill me with peace…always…in ALL WAYS! And maybe you need this reminder, too! It’s normal…human…to worry and fret and have a heart and mind cluttered with all kinds of thoughts and concerns in today’s busy, hectic world. But it’s also totally unnecessary.
I am so thankful that God wants to give us a rest that defies logic…a peace that cannot be rationalized - but is completely real, just the same. And it all starts with a prayer…and a release of our thoughts and cares into His capable hands (followed by a profuse expression of gratitude for His amazing grace and mercy!). What do you think would happen if each morning, you replaced the first five minutes of “pillow talk” in your head with a conversation with God about your day and your concerns? What if you continued to talk to Him throughout the day about each issue that arose – no matter how great or small? Isn’t it worth a try?
Are you ready to experience God’s “peace that passes understanding”? Are you ready for some real rest and stress relief? Have you spoken to Him about this today? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bunmi-laditan/5-minutes-in-a-moms-head_b_5445948.html
Daily Devotional for June 19, 2014
Mark 6:30-34
The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.
So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
We’re all aware of the adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Such was the case in 1959, when then 14-year-old Linda Balough was working a shift in a small franchised shoe store in Owensboro, Kentucky. She recalled this day for the June 2014 issue of AARP Bulletin. One Saturday during a local tobacco market, a disheveled, rather dirty family of five came into the Kentucky shoe store where Linda worked, and none of the employees would wait on them. Linda was operating the cash register and noticed that her colleagues looked the other way. One of them actually said to her that this family smelled of coal and had on clothing that indicated that they would not purchase anything, and that serving them would be a total waste of time. So Linda grabbed her foot-measuring device and approached the mother of the family – and asked her shoe size.
The family ended up purchasing 10 pair of shoes. The father explained that this was the time of year when he and his family brought their tobacco to sell at market…and they outfitted everyone with shoes for the entire year. He thanked Linda for being so respectful and helpful. As it turns out…this was one of the store’s largest sales - of.the.year!
Timing is everything. There are times when we should be bold…and times when we need to take a step backward. There are times when we need to rest…and times when we need to get the work done, no matter how tired we may be. There are times when we are busy and cannot drop what we are doing…and times when we need to totally change course – or our preconceived notions about a person or situation – and meet that immediate need.
Jesus knew that His disciples were tired and needed a break. I am sure He longed to get away with them for a while…to rest and hear their accounts of their ministries. But in the middle of all of this, Jesus noticed a group of people who needed Him. No doubt, some were dirty and disheveled. There were probably little kids and crying babies in the crowd, as well as rowdy teenagers and a few people who might have seemed like “unsavory characters” who were a “total waste of time”. I’m sure it was a noisy, chaotic scene as these people rushed to the beach. For whatever reason, they were coming to see Jesus…and He sensed the urgency in the needs of many of them. So Jesus stayed and ministered to the crowd…teaching, healing, and feeding bodies and souls.
Where have we put our own desires above the ministries of Jesus? Have we judged someone in an instant and deemed them unworthy of our time and attention – and missed an opportunity to share Christ’s love in the process? Are there times when we are so dead-set on doing what we want that we leave someone who is truly in need without an ally? Are our priorities just a little out of whack on many occasions?
There are times when it is important to say “No!”…to take time for ourselves…to focus on our own rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. But often, we choose this option selfishly…without giving any consideration to what God is showing us or where He is leading. Essentially, we say, “Not now, LORD…it’s MY turn,” or “LORD, surely you can’t mean for me to associate with this person or situation!” In both cases, we miss valuable opportunities for discipleship and ministry…and for the blessings that God has in store for us.
I am sure that the 14-year-old Kentucky girl who made one of the store’s largest sales of the year was delighted – and received accolades from management for her astute salesmanship. But the fact that Linda recounts this story with such clarity some 55 years later tells me that the impact on her life went far beyond dollars and cents - and a “job-well-done” pat on the back. This young girl saw people who were in need, and she dropped what she was doing – and any judgments – and met them right where they were.
Where do we need to open our eyes and ears to what God is calling us to do? Are we so in tune with His voice that we know when to rest…and when to get busy serving others in Jesus’ name? Are we blinded by judgment and our own selfishness…or do we able to discern when God calls us to action – and go? Isn’t it time we learned to tell the difference? What is God calling you to do today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.
So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
We’re all aware of the adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Such was the case in 1959, when then 14-year-old Linda Balough was working a shift in a small franchised shoe store in Owensboro, Kentucky. She recalled this day for the June 2014 issue of AARP Bulletin. One Saturday during a local tobacco market, a disheveled, rather dirty family of five came into the Kentucky shoe store where Linda worked, and none of the employees would wait on them. Linda was operating the cash register and noticed that her colleagues looked the other way. One of them actually said to her that this family smelled of coal and had on clothing that indicated that they would not purchase anything, and that serving them would be a total waste of time. So Linda grabbed her foot-measuring device and approached the mother of the family – and asked her shoe size.
The family ended up purchasing 10 pair of shoes. The father explained that this was the time of year when he and his family brought their tobacco to sell at market…and they outfitted everyone with shoes for the entire year. He thanked Linda for being so respectful and helpful. As it turns out…this was one of the store’s largest sales - of.the.year!
Timing is everything. There are times when we should be bold…and times when we need to take a step backward. There are times when we need to rest…and times when we need to get the work done, no matter how tired we may be. There are times when we are busy and cannot drop what we are doing…and times when we need to totally change course – or our preconceived notions about a person or situation – and meet that immediate need.
Jesus knew that His disciples were tired and needed a break. I am sure He longed to get away with them for a while…to rest and hear their accounts of their ministries. But in the middle of all of this, Jesus noticed a group of people who needed Him. No doubt, some were dirty and disheveled. There were probably little kids and crying babies in the crowd, as well as rowdy teenagers and a few people who might have seemed like “unsavory characters” who were a “total waste of time”. I’m sure it was a noisy, chaotic scene as these people rushed to the beach. For whatever reason, they were coming to see Jesus…and He sensed the urgency in the needs of many of them. So Jesus stayed and ministered to the crowd…teaching, healing, and feeding bodies and souls.
Where have we put our own desires above the ministries of Jesus? Have we judged someone in an instant and deemed them unworthy of our time and attention – and missed an opportunity to share Christ’s love in the process? Are there times when we are so dead-set on doing what we want that we leave someone who is truly in need without an ally? Are our priorities just a little out of whack on many occasions?
There are times when it is important to say “No!”…to take time for ourselves…to focus on our own rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. But often, we choose this option selfishly…without giving any consideration to what God is showing us or where He is leading. Essentially, we say, “Not now, LORD…it’s MY turn,” or “LORD, surely you can’t mean for me to associate with this person or situation!” In both cases, we miss valuable opportunities for discipleship and ministry…and for the blessings that God has in store for us.
I am sure that the 14-year-old Kentucky girl who made one of the store’s largest sales of the year was delighted – and received accolades from management for her astute salesmanship. But the fact that Linda recounts this story with such clarity some 55 years later tells me that the impact on her life went far beyond dollars and cents - and a “job-well-done” pat on the back. This young girl saw people who were in need, and she dropped what she was doing – and any judgments – and met them right where they were.
Where do we need to open our eyes and ears to what God is calling us to do? Are we so in tune with His voice that we know when to rest…and when to get busy serving others in Jesus’ name? Are we blinded by judgment and our own selfishness…or do we able to discern when God calls us to action – and go? Isn’t it time we learned to tell the difference? What is God calling you to do today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 17, 2014
Leviticus 23:23-25
The Lord told Moses to say to the people of Israel:
The first day of the seventh month must be a day of complete rest. Then at the sound of the trumpets, you will come together to worship and to offer sacrifices on the altar.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One September morning, the mother of one of my students came into my classroom and told me that her son would be absent from class for a few days later that week. The family would be celebrating their church’s “Feast of the Trumpets”. I will admit, I had never heard of this…but it was obviously a big deal to this family and their fellow church members in the Church of God – a Christian denomination. If you read all of Leviticus 23, you will see that there are several “Bible feasts” and celebrations throughout the year that were to be observed with certain rituals, foods, and periods of rest from all labors…and this student’s family attended many of them.
The “Feast of the Trumpets” is commonly known today as the Jewish New Year – or Rosh Hashanah. However, some Christian denominations still celebrate this and other “Bible feasts” marked in Leviticus 23. I honestly do not know what these entail fully…or whether celebrants literally forego all work during each of these celebrations. But the Apostle Paul referenced these events in Colossians 2:16-27…referring to them as a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ. To paraphrase Paul…”Jesus is real and here with us…we don’t necessarily need to celebrate these rituals now.”
Do not misunderstand me. This doesn’t mean that we Christians shouldn’t have rituals, ceremonies and celebrations. I believe that these events serve to enhance our faith and fellowship…and often cause us to focus more specifically on Jesus and our relationship with Him. My particular denomination does not celebrate all of these “Feasts of the Bible”, but we do participate in Sunday worship services, Holy Communion, Advent, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and other Easter week services, to name a few.
The thing that struck me as I read the verses of Leviticus 23 was that the Old Testament Jews were pretty busy observing these festivals! During each one of these events, everyone was expected to stop all work and participate…and/or rest – and sometimes abstain from eating! Can you imagine us doing this today? “People weren’t as busy back then,” you may say. Really? Do you honestly think that the workload was lighter in a time without electricity, running water, motorized vehicles, computers, telephones, home appliances, and other modern conveniences we all take for granted? Yet these faithful people stopped what they were doing and rested…they made these celebrations to honor God a priority.
I wonder…do we make God a priority? Do we shift gears and set aside time to “rest in the LORD”? I’m not necessarily talking about literal, physical “rest”…I’m talking about something far more refreshing and renewing. I’ll be the first to tell you that I don’t always make time to attend such services at my church as Ash Wednesday or Maundy Thursday. But when I do attend such a time of worship, I always come away profoundly affected…feeling closer to God…more “centered” in my faith. The time that I spend in Bible study and working on these daily devotionals is precious to me and helps me to align my thoughts and my focus for the day. When I take extended time to talk with God…to sit and listen for His voice…I am refreshed and energized - as if I had taken a two-hour nap! These “rests” often help me “get my head on straight”!
It amazes me that in spite of all of our technological advances, we seem to have become busier than ever! I still cannot get over how people can’t seem to pry themselves from a hand-held device long enough to share a meal with family or friends, watch their children participate in some activity…or have a genuine conversation with another human being. And this has more than carried over into our spiritual life. We’ve become so caught up in the “busyness” of life that we no longer have time to rest and celebrate Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him!
I’m not suggesting that we go back to the Old Testament rituals found in Leviticus…or that we completely rearrange our schedules to accommodate extended periods of worship, Bible study and prayer. I fully realize that we cannot always attend every event held at our church…or stop everything to sit for an hour in prayer and Bible study. But I do think there is room for us to seek a happy medium…a compromise of sorts (and that seems a silly word to use when we talk about Jesus!)… a way to incorporate periods of celebration, worship, rest and renewal in the LORD into our everyday lives.
Jesus IS alive and real…and here with us. Are we stopping long enough to acknowledge His presence? How long has it been since you really “rested” with Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The Lord told Moses to say to the people of Israel:
The first day of the seventh month must be a day of complete rest. Then at the sound of the trumpets, you will come together to worship and to offer sacrifices on the altar.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One September morning, the mother of one of my students came into my classroom and told me that her son would be absent from class for a few days later that week. The family would be celebrating their church’s “Feast of the Trumpets”. I will admit, I had never heard of this…but it was obviously a big deal to this family and their fellow church members in the Church of God – a Christian denomination. If you read all of Leviticus 23, you will see that there are several “Bible feasts” and celebrations throughout the year that were to be observed with certain rituals, foods, and periods of rest from all labors…and this student’s family attended many of them.
The “Feast of the Trumpets” is commonly known today as the Jewish New Year – or Rosh Hashanah. However, some Christian denominations still celebrate this and other “Bible feasts” marked in Leviticus 23. I honestly do not know what these entail fully…or whether celebrants literally forego all work during each of these celebrations. But the Apostle Paul referenced these events in Colossians 2:16-27…referring to them as a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ. To paraphrase Paul…”Jesus is real and here with us…we don’t necessarily need to celebrate these rituals now.”
Do not misunderstand me. This doesn’t mean that we Christians shouldn’t have rituals, ceremonies and celebrations. I believe that these events serve to enhance our faith and fellowship…and often cause us to focus more specifically on Jesus and our relationship with Him. My particular denomination does not celebrate all of these “Feasts of the Bible”, but we do participate in Sunday worship services, Holy Communion, Advent, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and other Easter week services, to name a few.
The thing that struck me as I read the verses of Leviticus 23 was that the Old Testament Jews were pretty busy observing these festivals! During each one of these events, everyone was expected to stop all work and participate…and/or rest – and sometimes abstain from eating! Can you imagine us doing this today? “People weren’t as busy back then,” you may say. Really? Do you honestly think that the workload was lighter in a time without electricity, running water, motorized vehicles, computers, telephones, home appliances, and other modern conveniences we all take for granted? Yet these faithful people stopped what they were doing and rested…they made these celebrations to honor God a priority.
I wonder…do we make God a priority? Do we shift gears and set aside time to “rest in the LORD”? I’m not necessarily talking about literal, physical “rest”…I’m talking about something far more refreshing and renewing. I’ll be the first to tell you that I don’t always make time to attend such services at my church as Ash Wednesday or Maundy Thursday. But when I do attend such a time of worship, I always come away profoundly affected…feeling closer to God…more “centered” in my faith. The time that I spend in Bible study and working on these daily devotionals is precious to me and helps me to align my thoughts and my focus for the day. When I take extended time to talk with God…to sit and listen for His voice…I am refreshed and energized - as if I had taken a two-hour nap! These “rests” often help me “get my head on straight”!
It amazes me that in spite of all of our technological advances, we seem to have become busier than ever! I still cannot get over how people can’t seem to pry themselves from a hand-held device long enough to share a meal with family or friends, watch their children participate in some activity…or have a genuine conversation with another human being. And this has more than carried over into our spiritual life. We’ve become so caught up in the “busyness” of life that we no longer have time to rest and celebrate Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him!
I’m not suggesting that we go back to the Old Testament rituals found in Leviticus…or that we completely rearrange our schedules to accommodate extended periods of worship, Bible study and prayer. I fully realize that we cannot always attend every event held at our church…or stop everything to sit for an hour in prayer and Bible study. But I do think there is room for us to seek a happy medium…a compromise of sorts (and that seems a silly word to use when we talk about Jesus!)… a way to incorporate periods of celebration, worship, rest and renewal in the LORD into our everyday lives.
Jesus IS alive and real…and here with us. Are we stopping long enough to acknowledge His presence? How long has it been since you really “rested” with Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 14, 2014
John 14:27
I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Greg and I do not “go out to eat” very often. We take the children to a local restaurant or fast food place after church on Sundays…and we get “take-out” a few times a month. But for the most part, I’m pretty content to prepare our meals at home…and bless his heart, Greg always eats them – even when I experiment on us with a new Pinterest recipe!
But once in a while, we get hungry for steak. And while we have tried the offerings at several restaurants, there is only one that truly satisfies us – and it comes from a tiny “mom-and-pop” restaurant in our community known as “Chuck’s”. We’ve eaten at Chuck’s off and on for decades, because for a span of several years, the owners closed the restaurant and pursued another business venture. Boy, were we ever happy when they re-opened their steak house a few years ago!
Like I said, we’ve tried steaks at several establishments…from franchises to those privately owned. And none compare to Chuck’s. We are never disappointed there…the meal always satisfies and leaves us filled to the brim - and happy (albeit often needing a nap!). Did I mention their rolls? Those little pillows of deliciousness are more akin to a cupcake than a piece of bread…and we enjoy every morsel. In case you have not eaten a steak dinner lately, these are not the cheapest offerings on most menus. So when I hand over that kind of money for one meal, I want it to be the best thing I have put in my mouth in a long, long time! And that’s always the case when we eat steak at Chuck’s!
Okay…commercial over! But here’s the thing. There are lots of experiences in life that give us pleasure. Plenty of things will satisfy us for a little while…good food, the company of others, exhilarating encounters and “thrills” of all kinds. We can find joy in the victory of our favorite sports team over their opponent…and comfort in the happiness of a long and fruitful marriage or relationship. We can relish a job that we love – or a home that provides us with all of the “creature comforts”…or the peace and tranquility of visiting a beautiful lake, forest, or National Park. We can be cozy and content to attend worship on Sunday and fellowship with family and friends…and we can revel in the pleasures of the community in which we live.
But for the long haul, there is only one “meal” that truly satisfies and never disappoints…and that is the “Bread of Life”. The peace of Jesus Christ cannot be found in this world. No one else can give us this peace and gratification. And while Jesus’ gift of salvation is totally free, the “cost” of being His faithful follower can sometimes seem a little high. We may face tests and trials…it may seem that we “lose” some people who don’t agree with us…we may be ridiculed and challenged. But in the end, the peace and rest we find in Jesus is the only kind that is worth the price.
So if you are dabbling with other avenues to peace…if you have “tried out other restaurants”, so to speak…I encourage you to come back to Jesus. He never closes…He will never “go out of business”…and He will never disappoint. If you want true, perpetual, everlasting, quenching peace and rest…Jesus is your answer. The time has come to stop wasting your Spiritual “dining experiences” and receive the “meal” that satisfies like no other. From now on...Who will feed your soul?
©2014 Debbie Robus
I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Greg and I do not “go out to eat” very often. We take the children to a local restaurant or fast food place after church on Sundays…and we get “take-out” a few times a month. But for the most part, I’m pretty content to prepare our meals at home…and bless his heart, Greg always eats them – even when I experiment on us with a new Pinterest recipe!
But once in a while, we get hungry for steak. And while we have tried the offerings at several restaurants, there is only one that truly satisfies us – and it comes from a tiny “mom-and-pop” restaurant in our community known as “Chuck’s”. We’ve eaten at Chuck’s off and on for decades, because for a span of several years, the owners closed the restaurant and pursued another business venture. Boy, were we ever happy when they re-opened their steak house a few years ago!
Like I said, we’ve tried steaks at several establishments…from franchises to those privately owned. And none compare to Chuck’s. We are never disappointed there…the meal always satisfies and leaves us filled to the brim - and happy (albeit often needing a nap!). Did I mention their rolls? Those little pillows of deliciousness are more akin to a cupcake than a piece of bread…and we enjoy every morsel. In case you have not eaten a steak dinner lately, these are not the cheapest offerings on most menus. So when I hand over that kind of money for one meal, I want it to be the best thing I have put in my mouth in a long, long time! And that’s always the case when we eat steak at Chuck’s!
Okay…commercial over! But here’s the thing. There are lots of experiences in life that give us pleasure. Plenty of things will satisfy us for a little while…good food, the company of others, exhilarating encounters and “thrills” of all kinds. We can find joy in the victory of our favorite sports team over their opponent…and comfort in the happiness of a long and fruitful marriage or relationship. We can relish a job that we love – or a home that provides us with all of the “creature comforts”…or the peace and tranquility of visiting a beautiful lake, forest, or National Park. We can be cozy and content to attend worship on Sunday and fellowship with family and friends…and we can revel in the pleasures of the community in which we live.
But for the long haul, there is only one “meal” that truly satisfies and never disappoints…and that is the “Bread of Life”. The peace of Jesus Christ cannot be found in this world. No one else can give us this peace and gratification. And while Jesus’ gift of salvation is totally free, the “cost” of being His faithful follower can sometimes seem a little high. We may face tests and trials…it may seem that we “lose” some people who don’t agree with us…we may be ridiculed and challenged. But in the end, the peace and rest we find in Jesus is the only kind that is worth the price.
So if you are dabbling with other avenues to peace…if you have “tried out other restaurants”, so to speak…I encourage you to come back to Jesus. He never closes…He will never “go out of business”…and He will never disappoint. If you want true, perpetual, everlasting, quenching peace and rest…Jesus is your answer. The time has come to stop wasting your Spiritual “dining experiences” and receive the “meal” that satisfies like no other. From now on...Who will feed your soul?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 13, 2014
John 14:1-4
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A few days ago, I saw a report on my Facebook feed about a house in Whitney, Texas, that sat on Lake Whitney (located between Ft. Worth and Waco). The home was, quite literally, falling into the lake. The 75-foot high limestone cliff near this structure had cracked and given way…and a large section of the house – and all of its back yard – were now gone…kaput…hugging the floor of the lake below! Today, authorities stuffed the garage of the house with hay bales soaked in diesel fuel...and burned it to the ground. This was deemed to be the safest method of removing the home…the ground was not secure enough to risk the weight of bulldozers.
This $700,000 home was constructed in 2007, and purchased in 2012 by Robert and Denise Webb, who also own a home in Miami Beach, Florida. The Webbs insist that inspectors and geologists had assured them that the 4,000-square-foot house was perfectly safe. A few weeks ago, they noticed large cracks along the walls and determined that the bluff near the house was breaking away and causing their house to collapse. So they moved out, shortly before a section did indeed fall into the lake below.
One news reporter indicated that the Webb’s insurance policy will not cover this disastrous event…that they will be financially responsible for the demolition and cleanup. The couple says they planned to leave the home to their grandchildren, and while they know it is just a house, there is a lot of sadness surrounding these events.
Honestly, I would feel the same way. No one wants to think of their home being destroyed, by any means. But if events like this one – and the April 27th tornado that ravaged central Arkansas – and other devastating events have taught us anything, we should surely know by now that “it’s just stuff”…that our earthly “mansions” are only temporary anyway. Frankly, Jesus made it pretty clear that anything we can create with our mortal hands pales in comparison to the amazing homes that await us in Heaven.
While we are scrambling to create earthly homes that range from compact and cozy to magnificent mansions, we often misplace our focus. We get so caught up in what we have or don’t have that we miss out on the true joy that comes from serving God. We get so worked up over “things” and earthly situations that we bring on everything from restlessness and exhaustion – to poor health and physical destruction.
I am very sorry for the loss that the Webbs have suffered. No one should have to endure that kind of physical, mental, emotional, and financial hardship. But I hope they know where their true “mansion” awaits them…and where to find genuine rest and comfort. If they place their trust in God…if they serve Him with their whole hearts…if they are focused on Eternity and the “bigger picture” of their lives in Christ…this will be a mere blip on the screen.
When crises come in your life and your “house” begins to crumble into the water, where do you turn? Is your focus on the “mansion” that awaits you with Jesus – and serving Him until your rooms are ready? Or are you busy building up “earthly mansions”…and running yourself ragged in the process? Do you notice the “cracks in the wall” that signal trouble on the horizon? Have you convinced yourself that your foundation is secure…even while you see your “backyard” crumbling and falling over the side of the cliff? Aren’t you ready to take a deep breath and rest in the LORD? Isn’t this a good time to evaluate your priorities and see where you may need to make some adjustments…or even a move of sorts? Which “mansion” has your attention these days?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A few days ago, I saw a report on my Facebook feed about a house in Whitney, Texas, that sat on Lake Whitney (located between Ft. Worth and Waco). The home was, quite literally, falling into the lake. The 75-foot high limestone cliff near this structure had cracked and given way…and a large section of the house – and all of its back yard – were now gone…kaput…hugging the floor of the lake below! Today, authorities stuffed the garage of the house with hay bales soaked in diesel fuel...and burned it to the ground. This was deemed to be the safest method of removing the home…the ground was not secure enough to risk the weight of bulldozers.
This $700,000 home was constructed in 2007, and purchased in 2012 by Robert and Denise Webb, who also own a home in Miami Beach, Florida. The Webbs insist that inspectors and geologists had assured them that the 4,000-square-foot house was perfectly safe. A few weeks ago, they noticed large cracks along the walls and determined that the bluff near the house was breaking away and causing their house to collapse. So they moved out, shortly before a section did indeed fall into the lake below.
One news reporter indicated that the Webb’s insurance policy will not cover this disastrous event…that they will be financially responsible for the demolition and cleanup. The couple says they planned to leave the home to their grandchildren, and while they know it is just a house, there is a lot of sadness surrounding these events.
Honestly, I would feel the same way. No one wants to think of their home being destroyed, by any means. But if events like this one – and the April 27th tornado that ravaged central Arkansas – and other devastating events have taught us anything, we should surely know by now that “it’s just stuff”…that our earthly “mansions” are only temporary anyway. Frankly, Jesus made it pretty clear that anything we can create with our mortal hands pales in comparison to the amazing homes that await us in Heaven.
While we are scrambling to create earthly homes that range from compact and cozy to magnificent mansions, we often misplace our focus. We get so caught up in what we have or don’t have that we miss out on the true joy that comes from serving God. We get so worked up over “things” and earthly situations that we bring on everything from restlessness and exhaustion – to poor health and physical destruction.
I am very sorry for the loss that the Webbs have suffered. No one should have to endure that kind of physical, mental, emotional, and financial hardship. But I hope they know where their true “mansion” awaits them…and where to find genuine rest and comfort. If they place their trust in God…if they serve Him with their whole hearts…if they are focused on Eternity and the “bigger picture” of their lives in Christ…this will be a mere blip on the screen.
When crises come in your life and your “house” begins to crumble into the water, where do you turn? Is your focus on the “mansion” that awaits you with Jesus – and serving Him until your rooms are ready? Or are you busy building up “earthly mansions”…and running yourself ragged in the process? Do you notice the “cracks in the wall” that signal trouble on the horizon? Have you convinced yourself that your foundation is secure…even while you see your “backyard” crumbling and falling over the side of the cliff? Aren’t you ready to take a deep breath and rest in the LORD? Isn’t this a good time to evaluate your priorities and see where you may need to make some adjustments…or even a move of sorts? Which “mansion” has your attention these days?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 12, 2014
John 10:6-10
Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.
Jesus said: I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep. Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.
A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ll be the first to admit that there are times when I read a scripture passage and ask, “What does this mean?” Thank goodness for commentaries and the Internet search engines! So let me see if I can give a quick synopsis of what I believe Jesus means in these verses from the Book of John.
In New Testament times, sheep were prized possessions. They provided wool for clothing and blankets – and milk and meat to feed the family. Sheep have been characterized as less than intelligent animals…subject to wandering away from the flock and getting lost. Each shepherd took his sheep out into the pastures to graze during the day, but at night, many shepherds housed their flocks together in a common, walled area where they could rest safely…known as a sheepfold.
As dumb as sheep could be, they did have one particularly important knack…they could discern their shepherd’s voice from that of any other person. So when the shepherds came each morning to gather their flock, all they had to do was speak, and their particular sheep would assemble around them.
The sheepfold had thick stone walls and only one gate, which was guarded overnight by a doorkeeper – sometimes known as a “porter”. This was a good system, unless the porter fell asleep. Robbers and thieves would scale the wall and steal the sheep…and carry them back over the wall.
Commentaries suggest that Jesus is comparing the Jewish leaders to the thieves who came in the night – men who have created their own religion and tried to infiltrate through a back way to acquire followers. Jesus represents the gate…the One Way in and out for genuine nurture and rest. The thieves are not interested in the sheep…other than for their own personal gain…and the sheep certainly do not recognize the voices of these robbers. So they do not “follow” of their own volition. Jesus suggested that the Jewish leaders convinced people (the “sheep”) to follow them with clever lies and deceptions.
By now you are probably wondering what this has to do with us. After all, we are not sheep…at least not in a literal sense. But here’s the thing…too many of us are easily swayed by outside influences. I read a news report just today about a 4-year-old boy in a very small northwest Arkansas community who was approached by two men in a mini-van. They offered the child an ice cream sandwich. Thankfully, this little boy had been taught what to do in such situations, and he loudly yelled, “NO!” This brought his mother running from around the corner of the house! Police have compared this incident with other recent events that bear striking similarities, and they have determined that someone is in the area who is dead-set on abducting children.
While this is a tangible example…there are plenty of subtle situations that occur in our lives to which we fall victim out of either ignorance, peer pressure, apathy, or a lack of due diligence. In essence, we are either like the porter who falls asleep – or the sheep who are captivated and/or captured by the robber – or both. Often, we never even saw it coming! So we fall prey to warped ideas about religion and morality…we are tempted to participate in sinful activities…we are convinced that this or that conversation or activity is really not that bad – or that nobody is looking, so it doesn’t matter. And in some instances, we actually can be persuaded that there is more than one “Gate”…that salvation through Jesus Christ is not necessary in order to be considered one of God’s children…or to secure a place in His Kingdom.
Often we know these things are not coming from our Shepherd…that the voice we hear is not God’s…but we follow along anyway. Other times, we are so out of touch with God…so blind, deaf and dumb to His wisdom and instruction…that we are “easy pickin’s” for the devil and his band of robbers and their propaganda!
Just as I encourage my friends who are parents of young children to review “stranger danger” rules with their little ones, I believe we need to essentially do the same. We need to stay awake and alert to attempts to be lured “over the wall” and into sinful behaviors. We must listen for our Shepherd’s voice, and stay near to Him. We must recognize that there is only ONE WAY into the “sheepfold” of God’s Kingdom – and it ain’t over the wall! Remembering this should make it easier to recognize and identify the “thieves and robbers” in our lives.
Jesus stands at the gate and beckons us to come in and rest. He calls on us to learn His voice – and learn it well…to know when it is He who calls to us, and when the thieves and robbers are near. This is a good day for all of us to review our “stranger danger” rules…whether they are the guidelines for keeping young children safe or those that guard our hearts and our souls. When the devil’s thieves and robbers attempt to scale the walls of your heart, do you know what to do? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.
Jesus said: I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep. Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.
A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ll be the first to admit that there are times when I read a scripture passage and ask, “What does this mean?” Thank goodness for commentaries and the Internet search engines! So let me see if I can give a quick synopsis of what I believe Jesus means in these verses from the Book of John.
In New Testament times, sheep were prized possessions. They provided wool for clothing and blankets – and milk and meat to feed the family. Sheep have been characterized as less than intelligent animals…subject to wandering away from the flock and getting lost. Each shepherd took his sheep out into the pastures to graze during the day, but at night, many shepherds housed their flocks together in a common, walled area where they could rest safely…known as a sheepfold.
As dumb as sheep could be, they did have one particularly important knack…they could discern their shepherd’s voice from that of any other person. So when the shepherds came each morning to gather their flock, all they had to do was speak, and their particular sheep would assemble around them.
The sheepfold had thick stone walls and only one gate, which was guarded overnight by a doorkeeper – sometimes known as a “porter”. This was a good system, unless the porter fell asleep. Robbers and thieves would scale the wall and steal the sheep…and carry them back over the wall.
Commentaries suggest that Jesus is comparing the Jewish leaders to the thieves who came in the night – men who have created their own religion and tried to infiltrate through a back way to acquire followers. Jesus represents the gate…the One Way in and out for genuine nurture and rest. The thieves are not interested in the sheep…other than for their own personal gain…and the sheep certainly do not recognize the voices of these robbers. So they do not “follow” of their own volition. Jesus suggested that the Jewish leaders convinced people (the “sheep”) to follow them with clever lies and deceptions.
By now you are probably wondering what this has to do with us. After all, we are not sheep…at least not in a literal sense. But here’s the thing…too many of us are easily swayed by outside influences. I read a news report just today about a 4-year-old boy in a very small northwest Arkansas community who was approached by two men in a mini-van. They offered the child an ice cream sandwich. Thankfully, this little boy had been taught what to do in such situations, and he loudly yelled, “NO!” This brought his mother running from around the corner of the house! Police have compared this incident with other recent events that bear striking similarities, and they have determined that someone is in the area who is dead-set on abducting children.
While this is a tangible example…there are plenty of subtle situations that occur in our lives to which we fall victim out of either ignorance, peer pressure, apathy, or a lack of due diligence. In essence, we are either like the porter who falls asleep – or the sheep who are captivated and/or captured by the robber – or both. Often, we never even saw it coming! So we fall prey to warped ideas about religion and morality…we are tempted to participate in sinful activities…we are convinced that this or that conversation or activity is really not that bad – or that nobody is looking, so it doesn’t matter. And in some instances, we actually can be persuaded that there is more than one “Gate”…that salvation through Jesus Christ is not necessary in order to be considered one of God’s children…or to secure a place in His Kingdom.
Often we know these things are not coming from our Shepherd…that the voice we hear is not God’s…but we follow along anyway. Other times, we are so out of touch with God…so blind, deaf and dumb to His wisdom and instruction…that we are “easy pickin’s” for the devil and his band of robbers and their propaganda!
Just as I encourage my friends who are parents of young children to review “stranger danger” rules with their little ones, I believe we need to essentially do the same. We need to stay awake and alert to attempts to be lured “over the wall” and into sinful behaviors. We must listen for our Shepherd’s voice, and stay near to Him. We must recognize that there is only ONE WAY into the “sheepfold” of God’s Kingdom – and it ain’t over the wall! Remembering this should make it easier to recognize and identify the “thieves and robbers” in our lives.
Jesus stands at the gate and beckons us to come in and rest. He calls on us to learn His voice – and learn it well…to know when it is He who calls to us, and when the thieves and robbers are near. This is a good day for all of us to review our “stranger danger” rules…whether they are the guidelines for keeping young children safe or those that guard our hearts and our souls. When the devil’s thieves and robbers attempt to scale the walls of your heart, do you know what to do? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 10, 2014
Jeremiah 31:25
For I have given rest to the weary and joy to all the sorrowing.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Rick Warren, (author of The Purpose Driven Life* and pastor at Saddleback Church) spoke to the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference at the Baltimore Convention Center recently and shared his personal story of heartbreak in the death by suicide of his son, Matthew, the week after Easter Sunday, 2013. Warren noted that 27-year-old Matthew had struggled with depression and mental illness most of his life. When he was seventeen, Matthew came to Rick Warren and said, ““Why can’t I just go to heaven? Why can’t I just go now?” Warren’s son was tired and in need of some serious rest.
According to a newspaper account of Warren’s convention speech, he said that Matthew coped with his weariness by reaching out to others – that he seemed to have a heightened sense of which person in the room was in the most pain – and encouraged him/her. But in the days after Easter Sunday, as Warren preached a series of sermons on hope, Matthew’s hope and energy ran out…and he chose to take his own life and enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father.
Warren’s message to the pastors at this annual convention was about rest. He told them, “God has a plan for relief...and it's not just on the other side of eternity. How do you choose joy when your world is falling apart? Use the pain to draw closer to God. When something bad happens, we always want to ask, 'Why did this happen?' Explanations never comfort. What comforts is the glory of God." He continued… "If you want the blessing of God on your life, if you want the power of God on your words, if you want the anointing of God on your ministry, you must be willing to suffer. What Jesus promised was trials, tribulations, testing, temptation and thorns. Because pain is God's megaphone, there is no testimony without a test. There is no message without a mess. There is no impact without criticism."
So where does this leave us when we are drained…whether the fatigue is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual? Warren has highlighted the answer…”God has a plan for relief.” Rest is available for the weary…joy can be had by all who have experienced sorrow…and God offers each of us these things in abundance. Will God’s rest and joy come easily? Probably not! Does this mean that we will never have suffering or setbacks! Most definitely NOT! Will God allow tests and trials…temptation and “thorns”? Certainly! Will all of our tribulations be worth it? Absolutely!
I frequently receive prayer requests from friends and family members for all sorts of challenges and concerns that contribute to weariness. Not all of these involve illness, injury and loss of life. People are worn out over school years and courses of study that seem never-ending, jobs that don’t satisfy – or do not materialize in the first place, bills to pay, houses to buy and sell, moves to make, and relationships that are troubled…not to mention all kinds of daily activities that leave us bone-tired and in need of a serious break! It took author Charles Swindoll two book volumes to cover one of my favorite devotional Bible studies - Living Beyond the Daily Grind**! Many people wake up in the morning counting the minutes before they can crawl back into bed and pull up the covers!
I get it…I’ve been there…and some days, I’m STILL there! But I find rest in God’s word…in conversations with Him…and in fellowship with others who are also seeking His respite. And you can, too. It starts with a prayer…an invitation for God to join you and help you shoulder the load of your “daily grind”. The Bible is filled with examples of people who overcame tests and suffering…and rested in the joy of the LORD. There are countless believers who are more than willing to talk with you and offer you reassurance and encouragement…to let you know that you are not alone - or crazy!
So what are you waiting for? Throw back the covers…get up and get going…and find the rest and joy that God is longing to give you. God has a plan for relief to give you. Will this be the day that you take Him up on His offer?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://purposedriven.com/books/pdlbook/#purpose
** http://www.amazon.com/Living-Beyond-Daily-Charles-Swindoll/dp/0884863727
For I have given rest to the weary and joy to all the sorrowing.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Rick Warren, (author of The Purpose Driven Life* and pastor at Saddleback Church) spoke to the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference at the Baltimore Convention Center recently and shared his personal story of heartbreak in the death by suicide of his son, Matthew, the week after Easter Sunday, 2013. Warren noted that 27-year-old Matthew had struggled with depression and mental illness most of his life. When he was seventeen, Matthew came to Rick Warren and said, ““Why can’t I just go to heaven? Why can’t I just go now?” Warren’s son was tired and in need of some serious rest.
According to a newspaper account of Warren’s convention speech, he said that Matthew coped with his weariness by reaching out to others – that he seemed to have a heightened sense of which person in the room was in the most pain – and encouraged him/her. But in the days after Easter Sunday, as Warren preached a series of sermons on hope, Matthew’s hope and energy ran out…and he chose to take his own life and enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father.
Warren’s message to the pastors at this annual convention was about rest. He told them, “God has a plan for relief...and it's not just on the other side of eternity. How do you choose joy when your world is falling apart? Use the pain to draw closer to God. When something bad happens, we always want to ask, 'Why did this happen?' Explanations never comfort. What comforts is the glory of God." He continued… "If you want the blessing of God on your life, if you want the power of God on your words, if you want the anointing of God on your ministry, you must be willing to suffer. What Jesus promised was trials, tribulations, testing, temptation and thorns. Because pain is God's megaphone, there is no testimony without a test. There is no message without a mess. There is no impact without criticism."
So where does this leave us when we are drained…whether the fatigue is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual? Warren has highlighted the answer…”God has a plan for relief.” Rest is available for the weary…joy can be had by all who have experienced sorrow…and God offers each of us these things in abundance. Will God’s rest and joy come easily? Probably not! Does this mean that we will never have suffering or setbacks! Most definitely NOT! Will God allow tests and trials…temptation and “thorns”? Certainly! Will all of our tribulations be worth it? Absolutely!
I frequently receive prayer requests from friends and family members for all sorts of challenges and concerns that contribute to weariness. Not all of these involve illness, injury and loss of life. People are worn out over school years and courses of study that seem never-ending, jobs that don’t satisfy – or do not materialize in the first place, bills to pay, houses to buy and sell, moves to make, and relationships that are troubled…not to mention all kinds of daily activities that leave us bone-tired and in need of a serious break! It took author Charles Swindoll two book volumes to cover one of my favorite devotional Bible studies - Living Beyond the Daily Grind**! Many people wake up in the morning counting the minutes before they can crawl back into bed and pull up the covers!
I get it…I’ve been there…and some days, I’m STILL there! But I find rest in God’s word…in conversations with Him…and in fellowship with others who are also seeking His respite. And you can, too. It starts with a prayer…an invitation for God to join you and help you shoulder the load of your “daily grind”. The Bible is filled with examples of people who overcame tests and suffering…and rested in the joy of the LORD. There are countless believers who are more than willing to talk with you and offer you reassurance and encouragement…to let you know that you are not alone - or crazy!
So what are you waiting for? Throw back the covers…get up and get going…and find the rest and joy that God is longing to give you. God has a plan for relief to give you. Will this be the day that you take Him up on His offer?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://purposedriven.com/books/pdlbook/#purpose
** http://www.amazon.com/Living-Beyond-Daily-Charles-Swindoll/dp/0884863727
Daily Devotional for June 7, 2014
Isaiah 57:1-2
The good men perish; the godly die before their time, and no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to realize that God is taking them away from evil days ahead. For the godly who die shall rest in peace.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Do not stop reading. This is a message of life…not death – although death is very much a part of life. This is a message of hope for God’s children…for those who know Him as the “Giver of Rest”.
Many of us have seen the news reports in recent days about the 70th anniversary of D-Day…the amphibious invasion of France that took place on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Allied forces from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Free French Forces were the initial “troops on the ground”…joined soon by soldiers from Poland, Czechoslovakia, Greece, the Netherlands, and Belgium – and air support from Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. It has been noted that 2,499 Americans who died in Normandy on D-Day…more casualties than in ten years of war in Afghanistan.
Many of these soldiers were among “the godly who died before their time”. If you study interviews with veterans who survived D-Day – or any wartime experience – you realize that many of these soldiers were men and women who, in many cases, were barely out of their teens. They were placed in harm’s way, and countless numbers perished…leaving others to wonder why so many were taken from us so soon.
I read an account in a recent issue of the AARP Bulletin about letters written by soldiers to the folks back home during wartime. Many knew they were dying…some even as young as ages 15 and 18. But their letters were hopeful and comforting. They were at peace, because they knew that their passing would “take them away from evil days ahead”. They knew that God was in control and would give them rest.
We have plenty of opportunities in our lifetime to question “why”...and to feel as if no one seems to care – especially God. But in truth, God cares aplenty…and so do many others. The simple fact is that, while we do not always understand situations and circumstances, we cannot see how God is orchestrating the events of our lives. We cannot possibly fathom that what God allows in our lives might be far better – and less painful or difficult – than what would happen if He allowed our course to be altered.
We wonder why God allows us to get sick, suffer and die. We wonder why we graduate with honors from a prestigious college and cannot find a job. We wonder why our house doesn’t sell so that we can move to another city, take a better job, and become more productive and successful. We wonder why people slip and fall down stairways or off porches…why cars and motorcycles collide with other vehicles or inanimate objects…and why natural disasters destroy our home and our livelihood. We cry out and ask God why relationships fail...why jobs are lost and wars are fought…and so much more. And all the while, we grow more and more weary – if only from the asking of the question, “Why?”
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of asking…and wondering…and feeling restless and frustrated because I don’t have the answers. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time to rest in the LORD…to trust Him and believe that He knows a thing or two that I don’t! I am sure I won’t like everything that God allows. There will be sadness and sorrow and challenges galore. But they will strengthen me…if I will let them. If I will lean on God and trust Him to design the life that is perfect for me, He will do exactly that. If I will believe that even the things I do not understand may be part of a plan to protect me from something far more devastating – even when that seems impossible to fathom – I will have found true rest in this lifetime.
This week, a young father named Adam, who I’ve come to know only through his wife’s blog posts, succumbed to brain cancer. Adam’s wife, Beth, grew up in my hometown. On the day that Adam died, Beth posted a poem by the late Maya Angelou that seemed to sum up Adam’s earthly life. The poem is titled, “When Great Trees Fall”. I encourage you to search for it online and read the entire piece.* Angelou ends the poem this way…
As I read today’s scripture passage from Isaiah, this part of the poem came to mind. With God, we can be – and be better. We can rest in Him and trust His plans for our lives. We can exist – in Him, and because of Him. And once and for all, we can find rest.
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/281946-when-great-trees-fall-when-great-trees-fall-rocks-on
The good men perish; the godly die before their time, and no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to realize that God is taking them away from evil days ahead. For the godly who die shall rest in peace.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Do not stop reading. This is a message of life…not death – although death is very much a part of life. This is a message of hope for God’s children…for those who know Him as the “Giver of Rest”.
Many of us have seen the news reports in recent days about the 70th anniversary of D-Day…the amphibious invasion of France that took place on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Allied forces from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Free French Forces were the initial “troops on the ground”…joined soon by soldiers from Poland, Czechoslovakia, Greece, the Netherlands, and Belgium – and air support from Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. It has been noted that 2,499 Americans who died in Normandy on D-Day…more casualties than in ten years of war in Afghanistan.
Many of these soldiers were among “the godly who died before their time”. If you study interviews with veterans who survived D-Day – or any wartime experience – you realize that many of these soldiers were men and women who, in many cases, were barely out of their teens. They were placed in harm’s way, and countless numbers perished…leaving others to wonder why so many were taken from us so soon.
I read an account in a recent issue of the AARP Bulletin about letters written by soldiers to the folks back home during wartime. Many knew they were dying…some even as young as ages 15 and 18. But their letters were hopeful and comforting. They were at peace, because they knew that their passing would “take them away from evil days ahead”. They knew that God was in control and would give them rest.
We have plenty of opportunities in our lifetime to question “why”...and to feel as if no one seems to care – especially God. But in truth, God cares aplenty…and so do many others. The simple fact is that, while we do not always understand situations and circumstances, we cannot see how God is orchestrating the events of our lives. We cannot possibly fathom that what God allows in our lives might be far better – and less painful or difficult – than what would happen if He allowed our course to be altered.
We wonder why God allows us to get sick, suffer and die. We wonder why we graduate with honors from a prestigious college and cannot find a job. We wonder why our house doesn’t sell so that we can move to another city, take a better job, and become more productive and successful. We wonder why people slip and fall down stairways or off porches…why cars and motorcycles collide with other vehicles or inanimate objects…and why natural disasters destroy our home and our livelihood. We cry out and ask God why relationships fail...why jobs are lost and wars are fought…and so much more. And all the while, we grow more and more weary – if only from the asking of the question, “Why?”
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of asking…and wondering…and feeling restless and frustrated because I don’t have the answers. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time to rest in the LORD…to trust Him and believe that He knows a thing or two that I don’t! I am sure I won’t like everything that God allows. There will be sadness and sorrow and challenges galore. But they will strengthen me…if I will let them. If I will lean on God and trust Him to design the life that is perfect for me, He will do exactly that. If I will believe that even the things I do not understand may be part of a plan to protect me from something far more devastating – even when that seems impossible to fathom – I will have found true rest in this lifetime.
This week, a young father named Adam, who I’ve come to know only through his wife’s blog posts, succumbed to brain cancer. Adam’s wife, Beth, grew up in my hometown. On the day that Adam died, Beth posted a poem by the late Maya Angelou that seemed to sum up Adam’s earthly life. The poem is titled, “When Great Trees Fall”. I encourage you to search for it online and read the entire piece.* Angelou ends the poem this way…
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
As I read today’s scripture passage from Isaiah, this part of the poem came to mind. With God, we can be – and be better. We can rest in Him and trust His plans for our lives. We can exist – in Him, and because of Him. And once and for all, we can find rest.
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/281946-when-great-trees-fall-when-great-trees-fall-rocks-on
Daily Devotional for June 1, 2014
Exodus 33:14-17
The Lord said, "I will go with you and give you peace."
Then Moses replied, "If you aren't going with us, please don't make us leave this place. But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth."
So the Lord told him, "I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
"I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful one-hundred percent!"
In the Dr. Seuss book, Horton Hatches the Egg, an elephant named Horton is tricked by a lazy bird named Mayzie into sitting on an egg. Mayzie says she is taking a little break, but in actuality, she is irresponsible and flies away permanently to live in Palm Beach! Horton has promised to watch over this egg, despite all sorts of trials and tribulations. Ultimately, Horton and the nest are sent packing with a traveling circus, but he refuses to leave his post until the egg hatches. Mayzie visits the circus in Florida and demands to have her nearly-hatched egg back, but Horton refuses. Ultimately, he and the new "elephant bird" are returned to the jungle, and Mayzie's irresponsibility and disloyalty get her nothing in return.
Have you ever had someone give you "lip service"...pretend to go along with your ideas, plans or an activity, only to realize that their heart was not in it? Maybe you know someone who tells you what you want to hear and then does the exact opposite when your back is turned - or throws up his/her hands and walks away when things get a little rough. It's frustrating, to say the least...and often hurtful. Wouldn't you honestly rather know up front that this person is not with you...that you are not supported...that there is no spirit of kindness, allegiance or respect for you and/or the project?
If we are honest, sometimes we know this without having to be told...and we all limp along like everything is fine - even when we know it isn't. We "put on a good face". But in our hearts, we know the truth..and this can be a troublesome, even devastating reality that often leads to heartache.
Isn't it great to know that we don't have to worry about this with God...that He says what He means and means what He says?! Doesn't it feel amazing to know that God will never desert us...that even when things get rough - even if life gets so crazy that we feel like we've been sent packing with a traveling circus...God is still right there beside us? Aren't you glad to know that God would never agree with us to our faces and then stab us in the back when we weren't looking?
God is always open and honest with us. If we strike out on our own and try to do things our way - and we know in our gut that He does not agree or approve - we feel it! If we fail to be obedient...serve ourselves and let the devil guide our steps...we can sense God's distance. He doesn't make any secret of that! He never completely deserts us...but when we feel God standing in the wings as we venture ahead, we can be pretty sure that it's because He does not approve of where we are going!
The solution is simple. All we have to do is to listen for God's voice...follow His commands...serve Him obediently...and we can rest in the confidence that He will be right beside us, every step of the way. We won't have to wonder...we won't have to worry...we will know that He is there. We can rely on His strength, power, encouragement, and care to get us through the rough times and challenges...and to share in the joys and successes along the way. He will do the heavy lifting and support us through the mundane "nesting" if we are faithful like Horton. But if we run away or abuse His loyalty, like Mayzie, we will lose in the end.
I am grateful to know that I have such a loving, caring Heavenly Father...that I am always supported and encouraged by a Friend who will never ever leave me or give me "lip service". I hope that you are blessed with this same relationship - that my "Forever Friend" is yours, as well. He can be...all you have to do is ask. Each of us can enjoy a relationship with the One who always says what He means and means what He says...and I'm not talking about an elephant named Horton! Won't you ask God to come with you on life's journey...and give you peace? Aren't you ready for His restful friendship?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The Lord said, "I will go with you and give you peace."
Then Moses replied, "If you aren't going with us, please don't make us leave this place. But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth."
So the Lord told him, "I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
"I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful one-hundred percent!"
― Dr. Seuss, Horton Hatches the Egg
In the Dr. Seuss book, Horton Hatches the Egg, an elephant named Horton is tricked by a lazy bird named Mayzie into sitting on an egg. Mayzie says she is taking a little break, but in actuality, she is irresponsible and flies away permanently to live in Palm Beach! Horton has promised to watch over this egg, despite all sorts of trials and tribulations. Ultimately, Horton and the nest are sent packing with a traveling circus, but he refuses to leave his post until the egg hatches. Mayzie visits the circus in Florida and demands to have her nearly-hatched egg back, but Horton refuses. Ultimately, he and the new "elephant bird" are returned to the jungle, and Mayzie's irresponsibility and disloyalty get her nothing in return.
Have you ever had someone give you "lip service"...pretend to go along with your ideas, plans or an activity, only to realize that their heart was not in it? Maybe you know someone who tells you what you want to hear and then does the exact opposite when your back is turned - or throws up his/her hands and walks away when things get a little rough. It's frustrating, to say the least...and often hurtful. Wouldn't you honestly rather know up front that this person is not with you...that you are not supported...that there is no spirit of kindness, allegiance or respect for you and/or the project?
If we are honest, sometimes we know this without having to be told...and we all limp along like everything is fine - even when we know it isn't. We "put on a good face". But in our hearts, we know the truth..and this can be a troublesome, even devastating reality that often leads to heartache.
Isn't it great to know that we don't have to worry about this with God...that He says what He means and means what He says?! Doesn't it feel amazing to know that God will never desert us...that even when things get rough - even if life gets so crazy that we feel like we've been sent packing with a traveling circus...God is still right there beside us? Aren't you glad to know that God would never agree with us to our faces and then stab us in the back when we weren't looking?
God is always open and honest with us. If we strike out on our own and try to do things our way - and we know in our gut that He does not agree or approve - we feel it! If we fail to be obedient...serve ourselves and let the devil guide our steps...we can sense God's distance. He doesn't make any secret of that! He never completely deserts us...but when we feel God standing in the wings as we venture ahead, we can be pretty sure that it's because He does not approve of where we are going!
The solution is simple. All we have to do is to listen for God's voice...follow His commands...serve Him obediently...and we can rest in the confidence that He will be right beside us, every step of the way. We won't have to wonder...we won't have to worry...we will know that He is there. We can rely on His strength, power, encouragement, and care to get us through the rough times and challenges...and to share in the joys and successes along the way. He will do the heavy lifting and support us through the mundane "nesting" if we are faithful like Horton. But if we run away or abuse His loyalty, like Mayzie, we will lose in the end.
I am grateful to know that I have such a loving, caring Heavenly Father...that I am always supported and encouraged by a Friend who will never ever leave me or give me "lip service". I hope that you are blessed with this same relationship - that my "Forever Friend" is yours, as well. He can be...all you have to do is ask. Each of us can enjoy a relationship with the One who always says what He means and means what He says...and I'm not talking about an elephant named Horton! Won't you ask God to come with you on life's journey...and give you peace? Aren't you ready for His restful friendship?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 29, 2014
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”
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 April 27, 2014, the Center Hill, Arkansas, home of David and Karla Stracener was destroyed by a killer tornado. The couple huddled in a master bedroom closet with Karla’s elderly parents. When the storm passed, rescue workers dug the family from beneath the rubble that had moments earlier been a home built in 1945 by David Stracener’s grandfather. The Straceners stayed with David’s mother in the nearby town of Searcy until recently, when they moved into a temporary camper on the site of their former home.
If the story ended here, we would shake our heads and say, “That’s terrible. What an awful and devastating experience for this family.” But 13 days after the tornado struck, something even more tragic happened to the Straceners. Their son, Ben, had left his job in South Carolina as a fire truck safety feature inspector to return to Arkansas and help his parents in their recovery efforts. He and his girlfriend, Samantha Fowler, met with a pastor to receive pre-marital counseling. After they left this meeting, both Ben and Samantha were killed in a motorcycle accident. The pastor said that the couple were celebrating their future…which seemed full of promise. They were buried in the same grave a few days later.
David and Karla Stracener are in the process of rebuilding their home – and their lives. They note that when you lose everything – your home, your possessions, your vehicles…and most especially, your child – it’s hard to get going again. But they are determined to do this. They know that God is striding ahead of them and paving the way. Like other families who lost loved ones in this horrific storm…and those who have had to go on after the loss of a loved one – whether due to a dreadful accident or a lengthy illness - they can rest in the knowledge that God will never leave them.
Many of us face challenges and “storms”...experiences with the potential for devastation and loss, pain and heartache, or simply a lot of blood, sweat and tears. But we can all take courage in the confidence that we are not tackling these things alone. God is with us…taking the lead and providing strength, courage, wisdom and comfort. He picks up the slack and carries the heavier load when we think we can’t take another step. When we are spent, He allows us to rest in Him.
I pray that you never face the difficulties that have befallen David and Karla Stracener. We will never know why God allowed so much to happen to one family. But we can be assured that He is with them…that He numbers their steps and gives them all that they need to make it through this trial and conquer all that lies before them. Whatever you encounter today, God is right there with you. Do you feel His presence? Are you able to let go and trust Him…to rest in His capable hands and allow Him to do the heavy lifting? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”
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 April 27, 2014, the Center Hill, Arkansas, home of David and Karla Stracener was destroyed by a killer tornado. The couple huddled in a master bedroom closet with Karla’s elderly parents. When the storm passed, rescue workers dug the family from beneath the rubble that had moments earlier been a home built in 1945 by David Stracener’s grandfather. The Straceners stayed with David’s mother in the nearby town of Searcy until recently, when they moved into a temporary camper on the site of their former home.
If the story ended here, we would shake our heads and say, “That’s terrible. What an awful and devastating experience for this family.” But 13 days after the tornado struck, something even more tragic happened to the Straceners. Their son, Ben, had left his job in South Carolina as a fire truck safety feature inspector to return to Arkansas and help his parents in their recovery efforts. He and his girlfriend, Samantha Fowler, met with a pastor to receive pre-marital counseling. After they left this meeting, both Ben and Samantha were killed in a motorcycle accident. The pastor said that the couple were celebrating their future…which seemed full of promise. They were buried in the same grave a few days later.
David and Karla Stracener are in the process of rebuilding their home – and their lives. They note that when you lose everything – your home, your possessions, your vehicles…and most especially, your child – it’s hard to get going again. But they are determined to do this. They know that God is striding ahead of them and paving the way. Like other families who lost loved ones in this horrific storm…and those who have had to go on after the loss of a loved one – whether due to a dreadful accident or a lengthy illness - they can rest in the knowledge that God will never leave them.
Many of us face challenges and “storms”...experiences with the potential for devastation and loss, pain and heartache, or simply a lot of blood, sweat and tears. But we can all take courage in the confidence that we are not tackling these things alone. God is with us…taking the lead and providing strength, courage, wisdom and comfort. He picks up the slack and carries the heavier load when we think we can’t take another step. When we are spent, He allows us to rest in Him.
I pray that you never face the difficulties that have befallen David and Karla Stracener. We will never know why God allowed so much to happen to one family. But we can be assured that He is with them…that He numbers their steps and gives them all that they need to make it through this trial and conquer all that lies before them. Whatever you encounter today, God is right there with you. Do you feel His presence? Are you able to let go and trust Him…to rest in His capable hands and allow Him to do the heavy lifting? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 28, 2014
Acts 3:20-21
Then that time will come when the Lord will give you fresh strength. He will send you Jesus, his chosen Messiah. But Jesus must stay in heaven until God makes all things new, just as his holy prophets promised long ago.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There was a time when I cleaned our house every week…EVERY.WEEK. - from top to bottom. I dusted furniture, vacuumed floors, scrubbed bathrooms, and sometimes cleaned windows and did other “deep cleaning” jobs. At one house we lived in, we had an entry-way that I waxed and buffed to a high sheen. This wax had to be periodically stripped with ammonia and re-applied. What was I thinking?!
For starters, I was a good 20+ years younger and had more energy. These days, Greg laughs because I spend several days talking about cleaning before it ever gets done. I will say, “Today, I’m going to clean the house.” He smiles and says, “Yeah…okay.” Now, for the record, he doesn’t care if I clean the house or not. His take is, “If we’re not having company, why bother?!” And to some degree – okay, to a LARGE degree! – I’ve become comfortable with that philosophy!
But there comes a point where I cannot rest until my “house is in order” – quite literally. I honestly function better and have a more positive mood when the house is relatively clean and orderly. And if we are honest, we are this way with our spiritual relationship, too – or we should be!
We can rock along for a while and live in disorder. We can let our prayer life and regular Bible study (notice I didn’t say DAILY Bible study!) slide a bit. We can skip a few Sundays here and there at church and get involved in other activities on the weekends. Some of us take this even further and slide back into a few old, sinful habits. We let our “inner slob” take over, and I have to tell you…the devil thinks this is a hoot! Satan LOVES a “dirty house”!
Too many of us have postponed our “housecleaning” and set Jesus on the shelf. We know He will return for us someday – or that He will greet us in Heaven. So in the meantime, we just plug along, doing whatever we feel we can or that time will allow – or whatever feels best! We take Him for granted. And honestly, we grow more sluggish…more weary…and more run down, as outside forces work their way into our lives and vie for our time and attention.
Today, I am determined to get my house cleaned. More importantly, I am working on my heart – the “house” where Jesus lives in the form of His Holy Spirit. As I go about my scrubbing and dusting, I am talking to Him, reconnecting…letting His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and wisdom flood over me and refresh me like a Sunday-afternoon nap! I encourage you to do the same.
Company IS coming…His name is Jesus! Is your “house” in order? Are you rested and ready?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Then that time will come when the Lord will give you fresh strength. He will send you Jesus, his chosen Messiah. But Jesus must stay in heaven until God makes all things new, just as his holy prophets promised long ago.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There was a time when I cleaned our house every week…EVERY.WEEK. - from top to bottom. I dusted furniture, vacuumed floors, scrubbed bathrooms, and sometimes cleaned windows and did other “deep cleaning” jobs. At one house we lived in, we had an entry-way that I waxed and buffed to a high sheen. This wax had to be periodically stripped with ammonia and re-applied. What was I thinking?!
For starters, I was a good 20+ years younger and had more energy. These days, Greg laughs because I spend several days talking about cleaning before it ever gets done. I will say, “Today, I’m going to clean the house.” He smiles and says, “Yeah…okay.” Now, for the record, he doesn’t care if I clean the house or not. His take is, “If we’re not having company, why bother?!” And to some degree – okay, to a LARGE degree! – I’ve become comfortable with that philosophy!
But there comes a point where I cannot rest until my “house is in order” – quite literally. I honestly function better and have a more positive mood when the house is relatively clean and orderly. And if we are honest, we are this way with our spiritual relationship, too – or we should be!
We can rock along for a while and live in disorder. We can let our prayer life and regular Bible study (notice I didn’t say DAILY Bible study!) slide a bit. We can skip a few Sundays here and there at church and get involved in other activities on the weekends. Some of us take this even further and slide back into a few old, sinful habits. We let our “inner slob” take over, and I have to tell you…the devil thinks this is a hoot! Satan LOVES a “dirty house”!
Too many of us have postponed our “housecleaning” and set Jesus on the shelf. We know He will return for us someday – or that He will greet us in Heaven. So in the meantime, we just plug along, doing whatever we feel we can or that time will allow – or whatever feels best! We take Him for granted. And honestly, we grow more sluggish…more weary…and more run down, as outside forces work their way into our lives and vie for our time and attention.
Today, I am determined to get my house cleaned. More importantly, I am working on my heart – the “house” where Jesus lives in the form of His Holy Spirit. As I go about my scrubbing and dusting, I am talking to Him, reconnecting…letting His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and wisdom flood over me and refresh me like a Sunday-afternoon nap! I encourage you to do the same.
Company IS coming…His name is Jesus! Is your “house” in order? Are you rested and ready?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 21, 2013
Psalm 4:8
I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other night after her bath, our 2-year-old niece Zola got her favorite stuffed bear and sat down in a little wooden rocking chair… and she began to rock. I watched her eyelids grow heavy and her head start to bob – and then she would jerk upright and start the process all over again. I asked her, “Zola, are you getting sleepy?” “NO!” came the instant, adamant retort! But within a few minutes, her little head was almost in her lap, as she sank lower and lower and totally conked out in that chair. I told Greg… “The rocking chair has done my work for me!”
I find it ironic that I can sit down to watch television and almost instantly fall asleep… but when I go to bed, I toss and turn for quite a while before I succumb to slumber. Why is that?! For a lot of us, bedtime is when we get still and quiet…but our minds continue to race. We think of all we did… all that did not get done… what we have to do the next day/week/year…and more. Even little children often find it hard to settle down and sleep. In our case, they want “one more” - book, movie or TV show, glass of juice… anything that will keep them up and at ‘em a while longer.
For those of us who are older, the problem may also be trying to cram in one more activity before we sleep… but often, it’s more a case of some type of worry or busyness. We are unable to shut down and relax, because the devil keeps tapping on our shoulder and saying, “HELLOOOOOOOO!!! What are you planning to do about such-and-such?” He gets our mind reeling… and manages to keep it that way until we are so exhausted we can’t help but fall asleep… or so “wired” that sleep is completely out of the picture!
Can I be quite honest here? I have actually tossed and turned at night thinking about whether I’m going to turn leftover chicken into a salad or a stew… and should I get up and check the expiration date on that package of whatever to determine if I need to use it first before I choose some other ingredient?! I feel pretty silly the next morning when I think about it and tell myself, “There was no rush… it’s not like you were going to get up and cook a meal before you slept!” And if you are honest, I bet you have let your mind run away with you about a thing or two at one point or another.
Let’s all take a collective breath and read this passage again…”I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.” I have found that one thing that helps me to fall asleep quickly and soundly is to pray. I KNOW… sounds weird, huh?! Now, I’m not saying that prayer is boring… or that talking to God puts me to sleep – in that way! But what could be better than to fall asleep talking to God… to have conversation with Him as your last waking activity? We say “night-time prayers” with our little ones… why do you suppose we do this? Do you see that even without realizing it, we are preparing their hearts and minds – and their bodies – for perfect, sound sleep in the “safety” of God’s care?
When you think of the LORD keeping you safe as you sleep, don’t take this word so literally. Imagine that He is handling your schedule… your worries… your frustrations and your fears. God is the ultimate “Night Watchman” who handles everything… and knocks the devil off your shoulder… so that you can relax, refresh and renew - and REST peacefully. I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty awesome to me! Does this mean we will never toss and turn again… or that something is wrong with us if we do? Absolutely not! Everyone will have times when sleep eludes us… for a myriad of reasons. But this is not God’s design - or His desire. God wants us to experience His peace in all areas of our life… even when we are not awake.
So talk to God… thank Him for His amazing love and protection – and for the blessing of being able to sleep soundly in complete peace. Like the little wooden rocking chair that swayed our 2-year-old Zola to sleep, God will take away our every burden and concern – and rock us gently in His arms. Call on Him to do this. Make your last words of the night a prayer to God. Awaken refreshed, energized, calm and peaceful knowing that He heard you…that He guarded your every breath… and He is ready to help you face whatever the day will bring. Rest well in the LORD… and sleep like His baby, because you are!
©2013 Debbie Robus
I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other night after her bath, our 2-year-old niece Zola got her favorite stuffed bear and sat down in a little wooden rocking chair… and she began to rock. I watched her eyelids grow heavy and her head start to bob – and then she would jerk upright and start the process all over again. I asked her, “Zola, are you getting sleepy?” “NO!” came the instant, adamant retort! But within a few minutes, her little head was almost in her lap, as she sank lower and lower and totally conked out in that chair. I told Greg… “The rocking chair has done my work for me!”
I find it ironic that I can sit down to watch television and almost instantly fall asleep… but when I go to bed, I toss and turn for quite a while before I succumb to slumber. Why is that?! For a lot of us, bedtime is when we get still and quiet…but our minds continue to race. We think of all we did… all that did not get done… what we have to do the next day/week/year…and more. Even little children often find it hard to settle down and sleep. In our case, they want “one more” - book, movie or TV show, glass of juice… anything that will keep them up and at ‘em a while longer.
For those of us who are older, the problem may also be trying to cram in one more activity before we sleep… but often, it’s more a case of some type of worry or busyness. We are unable to shut down and relax, because the devil keeps tapping on our shoulder and saying, “HELLOOOOOOOO!!! What are you planning to do about such-and-such?” He gets our mind reeling… and manages to keep it that way until we are so exhausted we can’t help but fall asleep… or so “wired” that sleep is completely out of the picture!
Can I be quite honest here? I have actually tossed and turned at night thinking about whether I’m going to turn leftover chicken into a salad or a stew… and should I get up and check the expiration date on that package of whatever to determine if I need to use it first before I choose some other ingredient?! I feel pretty silly the next morning when I think about it and tell myself, “There was no rush… it’s not like you were going to get up and cook a meal before you slept!” And if you are honest, I bet you have let your mind run away with you about a thing or two at one point or another.
Let’s all take a collective breath and read this passage again…”I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.” I have found that one thing that helps me to fall asleep quickly and soundly is to pray. I KNOW… sounds weird, huh?! Now, I’m not saying that prayer is boring… or that talking to God puts me to sleep – in that way! But what could be better than to fall asleep talking to God… to have conversation with Him as your last waking activity? We say “night-time prayers” with our little ones… why do you suppose we do this? Do you see that even without realizing it, we are preparing their hearts and minds – and their bodies – for perfect, sound sleep in the “safety” of God’s care?
When you think of the LORD keeping you safe as you sleep, don’t take this word so literally. Imagine that He is handling your schedule… your worries… your frustrations and your fears. God is the ultimate “Night Watchman” who handles everything… and knocks the devil off your shoulder… so that you can relax, refresh and renew - and REST peacefully. I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty awesome to me! Does this mean we will never toss and turn again… or that something is wrong with us if we do? Absolutely not! Everyone will have times when sleep eludes us… for a myriad of reasons. But this is not God’s design - or His desire. God wants us to experience His peace in all areas of our life… even when we are not awake.
So talk to God… thank Him for His amazing love and protection – and for the blessing of being able to sleep soundly in complete peace. Like the little wooden rocking chair that swayed our 2-year-old Zola to sleep, God will take away our every burden and concern – and rock us gently in His arms. Call on Him to do this. Make your last words of the night a prayer to God. Awaken refreshed, energized, calm and peaceful knowing that He heard you…that He guarded your every breath… and He is ready to help you face whatever the day will bring. Rest well in the LORD… and sleep like His baby, because you are!
©2013 Debbie Robus
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