2 Timothy 3:16-17
The whole Bible was given to us by
inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make
us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps
us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every
point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.
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 friend posed the
question, ” Just as the greeting card companies ‘created’ holidays...I
think Facebook has created this whole ‘last day of school’ pic. I don't
ever recall my mom taking a picture of me on the last day. First
day...sure, but last day? Meh.” She added that she felt that technology
as a whole…Facebook, Pinterest, and more…has contributed to the
documentation of so many activities and “memories” that were never
captured before. Several friends acknowledged that before the age of
digital photos and social media, there were indeed fewer photos taken.
I’ve
been scanning my parents’ old photo albums recently, and there is a
photo of me on my first day of kindergarten, maybe a couple from first
grade, and after that, it’s pretty well a birthday party or a Christmas
here and there. And so far, I have not unearthed any photos of my
sister and brother on their first days of school. The cost and hassle of
film, photo development, and more most certainly kept these efforts at
“memory making” to a minimum!
Someone made the comment that our
parents and grandparents had their own version of Facebook and other
social media for such documentation. She said, “…they're called
scrapbooks, and parents have been doing them probably since the
beginning of cameras. Technology has only made it easier for preserving
memories and sharing!” The advances in technology have perhaps allowed
us to document too much – as my friend suggested – but this has also
provided a vehicle for us to stay in touch with relatives and friends
near and far…to allow them to keep up with family members and stay “in
the loop.”
If we look at the Bible as a whole…most of us would
agree that some of the Old Testament laws and rituals no longer have
relevance, now that we have Jesus. We no longer have to sacrifice
animals to atone for sins. We’re not too worried that touching a pig
skin will make us unclean these days…or whether certain situations
require us to perform a “purification ritual.” But we must not “throw
the baby out with the bathwater.” Even the passages in Leviticus that
outline all of the “rules and rites” for serving God have meaning for us
today – if only to remind us of all that Jesus has done for us…how He
removed all of the rigmarole and simplified our faith, in many regards.
There
is “meat” in the Psalms and Proverbs…wisdom, comfort and healing in the
words of the kings and psalmists. The stories of great rulers and
soldiers, prophets, parents, families and strong men and women
illustrate that there is truly nothing under the sun…that struggles have
been around since Creation. We talk a lot about how bad things are
now…how much worse they are! Read the Old Testament…you’ll find plenty
of accounts of physical and mental abuse, alcoholism and drug abuse,
abductions, murder, sexual immorality, incest, poverty, gluttony, crime
and even “celebrities” of sorts.
If you read the Old Testament
alongside the New Testament, you will clearly see how much Jesus has
done for us. You will better understand how we got here, and why
Salvation in Jesus is SO important…and such a blessing! You will grow
in courage and strength as you read the sagas of many who struggled so
mightily – yet remained so faithful to God. They didn’t have the
opportunity to know a Savior who could redeem them, once and for all,
like we do. Still, they persevered.
Sometimes we have to look
back at how things were…how far we’ve come…to appreciate what we have
today. Just as with the new technologies that have at least enhanced –
if not improved – our daily living…we can see that Jesus has made
everything better. God has always been with us…we have always had the
opportunity to know Him and serve Him…but Jesus is the ultimate
“technological advancement” that allows us to live Godly lives with
relative ease. We can more readily share God’s love, grace, mercy, and
forgiveness with others now. We can reach more people, because Jesus
showed us how to live unencumbered by our sins…to love others in His
name…to serve God at every turn…to forget about our own desires and
focus on His.
Jesus showed us how to make a difference, instead
of just a point. God’s Word is our “scrapbook” of sorts that outlines
where we’ve been…and illustrates where we are headed. And every page of
it is important. Each of us has the opportunity to share our own
testimony as we live and serve in Jesus’ name. Will your story be one
of faith and progress? What sort of “memories” will you contribute?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label seeking answers in God's word. Show all posts
Showing posts with label seeking answers in God's word. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 18, 2015
Matthew 5:17-18
“Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a man named Jerry - one of my parents’ lifelong friends. His children have been MY friends since childhood, and Jerry was even a pallbearer at my dad’s funeral nearly 16 years ago. During the service, the pastor read from Ecclesiastes 3, where King Solomon talks about “seasons” of life – and a purpose for each one. He made the comment that sometimes things happen in life that seem perfectly horrible…terrible, painful, gut-wrenching things occur that we cannot fully understand. But we see later that they were a “set-up” of sorts to prepare us to handle something else. Had we not experienced the first situation, we would not have been adequately equipped to handle what happened next – or we might have missed out on understanding the joy and blessings of the latter event.
I have found this to be so true in my own life. And if a specific experience did not help me directly…I was able to use it to help someone else at a later point. As I read this scripture passage and Jesus’ claim that He did not come to negate what God had already said and done – but rather to enhance it – I thought of the words from yesterday’s service. If we don’t understand the rituals and “living sacrifices” of the Old Testament…we cannot fully appreciate how Jesus’ death on the cross settled that for us – once and for all. If we don’t grasp how God guided and cared for those who loved Him in the time before Jesus came to earth, we cannot begin to comprehend Jesus’ love and care for people He had never even met…like you and me!
There is something profound that happens in the life of a Christian when he/she begins to realize how completely God orchestrates everything…from the first day of our lives to the last – and beyond. When we start to really understand how He “pulls it all together” – how today’s challenges and heartaches prepare us for tomorrow’s successes and joys – we begin to experience the fullness of God in a new way. His constant presence becomes more real to us…and we are far more cognizant of how truly alive Jesus is…here…now…today…and always!
Yesterday, I sat between my mother and a dear “other mother figure”…and I considered the pastor’s words about our life experiences and “seasons”. I thought of Jerry and these ladies…and other dear souls who were in attendance…and I was reminded of how this has “played out” in their lives over and again. The same God who has guided and tended to these dear people of faith is doing these things in your life and mine. Do you recognize His work? Do you feel His presence? Don’t you want to?
Spend some time today talking to God about this. Think over the events of your life and see if you don’t recognize some distinct circumstances where He has knit together the bigger picture for a blessed outcome. Recognize God’s constant presence in your heart and mind…and trust Him to orchestrate each “season” perfectly.
©2015 Debbie Robus
“Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a man named Jerry - one of my parents’ lifelong friends. His children have been MY friends since childhood, and Jerry was even a pallbearer at my dad’s funeral nearly 16 years ago. During the service, the pastor read from Ecclesiastes 3, where King Solomon talks about “seasons” of life – and a purpose for each one. He made the comment that sometimes things happen in life that seem perfectly horrible…terrible, painful, gut-wrenching things occur that we cannot fully understand. But we see later that they were a “set-up” of sorts to prepare us to handle something else. Had we not experienced the first situation, we would not have been adequately equipped to handle what happened next – or we might have missed out on understanding the joy and blessings of the latter event.
I have found this to be so true in my own life. And if a specific experience did not help me directly…I was able to use it to help someone else at a later point. As I read this scripture passage and Jesus’ claim that He did not come to negate what God had already said and done – but rather to enhance it – I thought of the words from yesterday’s service. If we don’t understand the rituals and “living sacrifices” of the Old Testament…we cannot fully appreciate how Jesus’ death on the cross settled that for us – once and for all. If we don’t grasp how God guided and cared for those who loved Him in the time before Jesus came to earth, we cannot begin to comprehend Jesus’ love and care for people He had never even met…like you and me!
There is something profound that happens in the life of a Christian when he/she begins to realize how completely God orchestrates everything…from the first day of our lives to the last – and beyond. When we start to really understand how He “pulls it all together” – how today’s challenges and heartaches prepare us for tomorrow’s successes and joys – we begin to experience the fullness of God in a new way. His constant presence becomes more real to us…and we are far more cognizant of how truly alive Jesus is…here…now…today…and always!
Yesterday, I sat between my mother and a dear “other mother figure”…and I considered the pastor’s words about our life experiences and “seasons”. I thought of Jerry and these ladies…and other dear souls who were in attendance…and I was reminded of how this has “played out” in their lives over and again. The same God who has guided and tended to these dear people of faith is doing these things in your life and mine. Do you recognize His work? Do you feel His presence? Don’t you want to?
Spend some time today talking to God about this. Think over the events of your life and see if you don’t recognize some distinct circumstances where He has knit together the bigger picture for a blessed outcome. Recognize God’s constant presence in your heart and mind…and trust Him to orchestrate each “season” perfectly.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 6, 2015
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Before noon today, I had already searched the Internet for answers to a couple of questions…”Why isn’t my garbage disposal draining properly?” and “Is it safe to take OTC cold medication after the expiration date on the box?” Without a second thought, I find myself turning to Google to solve many questions that arise each day…and I bet you do, too! We have become accustomed to hearing “I saw this on Pinterest”…or “I learned how to do this on YouTube!”
Don’t you find it funny that for the really important questions in life, we often stumble around, wring our hands, and wonder what we should do? While the Internet has wonderful tools for answering virtually any question, a lot of the answers to issues of the heart and soul will point you back to a resource you have most likely had in your possession all along – God’s Word. Websites like http://biblegateway.com can help you find the scriptures that answer these questions more quickly…and I encourage you to use them. But at the end of the day, the response to many of our truly important questions…the guidance that will make us “well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone” is right in front of us – or on our desk, a nightstand, or bookshelf.
When Greg and I went to college, the Gideons handed gave each student a small Bible that contained the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. We still have those little Bibles today. Inside, there is an index for scriptures that address such things as…where to find help when afraid, anxious, backsliding, bereaved, faith fails, friends fail, leaving home, lonely, thankful, weary, worried…and many more. There is an index for scriptures on Christian virtues and character that leads to passages on everything from abundant life and cleanliness to honesty, labor, obedience, perseverance, sincerity, and victory.
Even with the Internet, I still find this “hand-held device” to be invaluable. I cannot count the number of times I have used this little “Gideon Bible” to find God in a specific set of circumstances. I encourage you to pick up a Bible – or to use one of the Bible resources online – and see for yourself how God answers the questions of your day.
You can argue whether the Bible is literally the word of God…or His inspiration through those who wrote it. For me, the answer that matters is that God uses the words of this Book to guide my daily living. I may not figure out how to unclog my disposal or plan a Valentine party …but He will show me how to find the answers to these questions – and so much more – with grace, patience, and confidence. The ultimate “Search Engine” is right in front of you. Isn’t it time you opened the Book and discovered God’s answers for your life?
©2015 Debbie Robus
The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Before noon today, I had already searched the Internet for answers to a couple of questions…”Why isn’t my garbage disposal draining properly?” and “Is it safe to take OTC cold medication after the expiration date on the box?” Without a second thought, I find myself turning to Google to solve many questions that arise each day…and I bet you do, too! We have become accustomed to hearing “I saw this on Pinterest”…or “I learned how to do this on YouTube!”
Don’t you find it funny that for the really important questions in life, we often stumble around, wring our hands, and wonder what we should do? While the Internet has wonderful tools for answering virtually any question, a lot of the answers to issues of the heart and soul will point you back to a resource you have most likely had in your possession all along – God’s Word. Websites like http://biblegateway.com can help you find the scriptures that answer these questions more quickly…and I encourage you to use them. But at the end of the day, the response to many of our truly important questions…the guidance that will make us “well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone” is right in front of us – or on our desk, a nightstand, or bookshelf.
When Greg and I went to college, the Gideons handed gave each student a small Bible that contained the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. We still have those little Bibles today. Inside, there is an index for scriptures that address such things as…where to find help when afraid, anxious, backsliding, bereaved, faith fails, friends fail, leaving home, lonely, thankful, weary, worried…and many more. There is an index for scriptures on Christian virtues and character that leads to passages on everything from abundant life and cleanliness to honesty, labor, obedience, perseverance, sincerity, and victory.
Even with the Internet, I still find this “hand-held device” to be invaluable. I cannot count the number of times I have used this little “Gideon Bible” to find God in a specific set of circumstances. I encourage you to pick up a Bible – or to use one of the Bible resources online – and see for yourself how God answers the questions of your day.
You can argue whether the Bible is literally the word of God…or His inspiration through those who wrote it. For me, the answer that matters is that God uses the words of this Book to guide my daily living. I may not figure out how to unclog my disposal or plan a Valentine party …but He will show me how to find the answers to these questions – and so much more – with grace, patience, and confidence. The ultimate “Search Engine” is right in front of you. Isn’t it time you opened the Book and discovered God’s answers for your life?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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