Daily Devotional for June 13, 2016

Acts 2:38
And Peter replied, “Each one of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this gift, the Holy Spirit.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I cannot count the number of times we have taken the children to the park to play.  The first few trips, Timothy and Zola would often run from us.  We would call to them to come back, and they would keep on running.  And I think I shared recently about taking the children to see the trumpeter swans on a small lake near our town last winter, and Timothy got caught up in hopping on some large rocks near the parking lot and would not return when I called to him. 

Almost all kids do this at some point.  It seems like a game to the children…and I’m sure they think it is fun.  But we adults are not at all amused.  We know the dangers that are lurking…traffic, strangers, a body of water, and more.  Children have to learn the importance of turning around when adults call to them!

You and I are pretty much like toddlers and young children much of the time.  In our grown-up bodies, we defy God and run from Him…sometimes with wild abandon.  We get caught up in the moment…or we think we are having SO MUCH FUN…or we just flat out do not want to “come when called.”  Whatever the reason, we fail to appreciate the consequences – and dangers – that await us when we behave so foolishly.  We thumb our noses, so to speak, at God’s love and protection in favor of our own desires.  And the results can be deadly… mentally, physically - and most certainly – spiritually.

In Acts 2:38, Peter is telling the crowd at Jerusalem – and us – to turn around and run toward God, as fast as we can!  He is reminding us that the gift of the Holy Spirit awaits us…that we are safe in God’s arms - and His calling is meant to bless, not restrain.  We must also realize that we are not small children…we know better, and we must do better.

So listen for God’s voice…turn around and fall on your knees and ask Him to forgive your arrogance and/or stupidity – and your false notion that you know what’s best!  Turn around and run to God and bask in His blessings and perfection. Embrace the Holy Spirit and let Him guide you at every turn. Be grateful for God’s mercy – and His gifts…and never ever take them for granted for even a minute!

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 28, 2015

Job 22:21
“Quit quarreling with God! Agree with him and you will have peace at last! His favor will surround you if you will only admit that you were wrong.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Greg and I watched a video this morning that someone shared on Facebook.  It was of a cockatoo named Maxwell whose owner told him that he had to go to the vet and get his nails clipped.  You can hear the owner telling Maxwell to get into his carrier…and then the rant starts.  Not only does the bird argue with his owner, but he swears at him.  I made out a couple of “four-letter phrases”…but mostly, we laughed at the tone the bird used as he muttered “under his breath”…and then as he squawked his protests.  Obviously, he mimicked his owners and behaviors and language that he has observed in the home – and it wasn’t pretty!

Too often, we are Maxwell the bird.  The protests and ugly things we say are not from God – but rather what we have observed in the world at large.  We have learned very well how to throw a little fit…and we are all good at giving God our best tantrum on occasion. 

• “WHY are You punishing me?” 
• “Where ARE You? – WHERE did You go?”
• “When will it be MY turn?”
• “How much longer do I have to suffer?”
• “What’s in this for ME?”
• “Do I HAVE to do this?”

Maxwell’s owner was calm.  He firmly told the bird to “get your butt in the cage,” and to stop using such ugly language. I don’ t know what he did after the camera stopped rolling…but on camera, he never forced Maxwell – or even really approached him with the intention to load him into his carrier.  And God will not force Himself on us either.  We have to “quit our bellyaching” and surrender to Him…and He will surround us with His favor – and His peace.

Aren’t you ready to “let go and let God”?  Aren’t you ready to agree with Him…to fully trust His plans and His timing…and to bask in His presence and provisions?  Wouldn’t today be the perfect time to begin? 

©2015 Debbie Robus