Daily Devotional for February 1, 2014

Matthew 5:9
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.”
 
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.
 
Go to any organized sporting event, and you will see coaches, players and fans who conduct themselves with poise…who never seem to get frustrated or lose their temper...who enjoy the game and their “role” in it with dignity and decorum.  They don’t overreact to “bad” calls or poor plays.  They let the event unfold and revel in their participation…whatever it may be.  Still others rant and rave and “show out” – and sometimes cause a scene.  Honestly, there have been nights lately when I told Greg that the opposing high school basketball teams’ coaches were more entertaining than the game itself!  You have to wonder who these people really are off the court.  What sort of student/teacher/parent are they?  How do they treat others when no winning score or title is on the line?
 
You are probably familiar with this scripture passage as part of a group of verses from Matthew known as “The Beatitudes”.  In many familiar translations of the Bible, Matthew 5:9 begins… “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”  In his book The Sermon on the Mount*, author Emmet Fox suggests that the “peacemakers” Jesus refers to in this scripture are actually “those who make or bring about this true peace, or serenity, in their own souls, for it is they who surmount limitation and become actually, and not merely potentially, the children of God.”
 
Fox maintains that each time we offer a prayer, we return to our true communion with God.  As we pray, our character is changed, and we begin to get a more real awareness of the presence of God.  He further suggests that it is hard to be a “peacemaker” in the usual sense of the word, because we often interject our own opinions and/or make things worse.  Frequently, what we create is more a “compromise” than true peace and resolution.  But…Fox contends that once we discover the true power of prayer, we can really heal quarrels and make a difference…often without saying a word!  How is this possible?  Fox says it is because we allow the power of God to penetrate hearts, change minds, invoke wisdom and love, and create true forgiveness and understanding.
 
Think about it.  Consider those you know who seem to have a calming, loving presence. Think of the coaches, players, and fans who seem to be on an even keel pretty much all of the time…win or lose.  Contrast them with those who are “high-strung” and always up for a fight or a conflict of some sort…the coaches and parents who burst from their seat and yell at the referees or players…and the players who seem ready to challenge every call or pick a fight with their opponent.  Which ones strike you as having more peace and serenity in their heart?
 
This is not a judgment.  I am not suggesting that an excitable, unruly coach, parent, fan or player does not have true communion with God.  But it would seem logical that the two cannot fully co-exist.  When our head and heart are full of conflict and confrontation…or we are “carrying a chip on our shoulder” about something… it seems like there would be very little room left for the serenity of God.
 
So what can we do?  How can we become more “peaceful”?  I think Fox has given us the perfect starting point - prayer.  He admits that we will not achieve complete serenity overnight…or even with our first conversations with God.  Ours is a relationship that must be cultivated over several dialog exchanges.  The more we pray, the more the presence of God will permeate our heart and soul…and the more peaceful and serene we will become.  Those who achieve this level of contentment and confidence in the power of God Almighty are the ones who can best offer His compassion, understanding, and peace of mind to others.
 
Don’t you want to be one of the “peacemakers”?  Don’t you want to have that level of peace in your own heart and mind… and be able to convey this serenity to others – sometimes by your mere presence?  Are you ready to reach the point where God’s power flowing in and through you is so commanding that you can bring about peaceful resolutions simply by your prayers and calming influence? Are you ready to fully operate as a child of God?  Will this be the day you open the dialog and get started?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

*The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life ©1934,1935, 1938 by Emmet Fox ~HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY

Daily Devotional for June 19, 2103

2 Thessalonians 5:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
Every day, we are each faced with situations that can disrupt any semblance of peace in our lives.  We may get cut off in traffic… we may stress out over a test or an upcoming competition…illness may be plaguing us or someone we know and love…we can have money troubles or relationship challenges… there can be problems with our job… our computer can crash or get a virus… or some sort of emergency may arise that sends us scrambling to deal with a myriad of questions/issues we were not anticipating.  Life is hard, and the devil delights in making it even harder for us each and every day!
 
I would be willing to bet that you would have a hard time finding someone who says, “I want chaos in my life… I thrive on illness, accidents, calamity and discord.”  We all want tranquility… contentment… serenity… for things in our life to go well… and for the devil to leave us alone!  But sometimes, it seems like this is totally out of the realm of possibilities.  Why can’t we simply have peace and quiet in our lives?
 
The truth of the matter is that we can have peace and quiet… but we often fail to recognize what real peace looks like - and how to get it!  See, you have to study this passage again.  It doesn’t say, “May the Lord of peace himself give you everything you asked for and make your life hunky-dory every single day.”  It says, “May the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.  The Lord be with you all.”  There is a difference… do you see it?
 
Let’s look a little closer.  Jesus is “the Lord of peace himself,” which means that He operates in perfect peace at all times.  He doesn’t worry, stew, fret, become excited or agitated, wring His hands, or throw a hissy fit!  He trusts God to walk with Him and be with Him at all times…to make the bad times tolerable and manageable… and the good times great… to give Him peace in all circumstances.  When we learn to operate in God’s peace… the peace of mind that He is in control and available in every minute to help us with whatever we are experiencing…we can have the kind of “peace and quiet” that we envision.  When God settles things for me, I have a calm and serenity that I cannot even explain.  In fact, I have asked before, “Why am I so calm about this?”  The only explanation is that I gave the situation to God and allowed Him to work… I gave Him room to handle things, and He gave me peace and quiet in return.
 
Think about the events of even this day… how you may have hurried and worried, fretted and stressed.  Consider all that has challenged you, and ask yourself whether you tried to handle these things on your own… or whether you allowed God to cover you with His peace.  Your answer matters.  If you are content to try to find your own peace, the devil will surely be busy giving you anything but that!  If you want to operate in calm and serenity, confidence and security… you need a hefty dose of Jesus!  Ask Him to bring you peace.  Release your burdens and even the most insignificant of issues to Him.
 
Let Jesus show you how to walk in faith that He’s got this… and feel the weight lift from your shoulders.  Truly discover what it means to allow the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. And may the Lord truly be with you all.
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 12, 2013

1 Peter 5:6-7
Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes.  God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.
 
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
A few weeks ago, we had a very strong storm come through our county.  Some even said there was a tornado in the storm, although I cannot confirm this.  At any rate, a young family we know escaped disaster when a tree was blown over onto their sun porch… narrowly missing their bedroom and the room where their two young daughters slept.  We all know that porches can be replaced…people cannot.  So our friends were grateful – as were we – that their lives were spared.  Still, renovating the house was not in their current budget, so I am certain this was a cause of worry and concern for them.
 
I know this young couple to be people of faith who trust God with their worries.  Today, one of them posted this on Facebook: 

Ways God has blessed me today (aside from health, good job, roof over my head, etc.):

1. After looking for 2 days for my engagement ring, in my final panic I dropped a peppermint out of my purse, bent over to pick it up...and BOOM! Ring right under the kitchen cabinet!
2. After stressing over this room addition and IF we would be able to finish the siding on the rest of the house...BOOM! [Our carpenter] finds perfectly intact cedar lap siding under the nasty white vinyl during his demo today!

This is a perfect example of how God cares for us and will honor us when we turn our cares and concerns over to Him.  Human nature dictates that we wring our hands, curse the world, stomp around and/or pout for a while.  What we really need to do is stop and spend some time with God… tell Him our concerns (even though He knows them already!), and humbly “cast all our cares” on Him.  Think of a time when someone said to you…“Don’t worry about a thing… I’ll handle this!”  This is what God tells us each and every day… we just don’t always hear Him – or believe him!
 
God knows our concerns… and He knows how to handle them.  The question is… do we truly believe that He can – and will?  Do we honestly trust God to meet our needs in any and all circumstances?  Do we operate in peace and confidence that He will do this… or are we continually anxious and distressed over our worries?  Isn’t it time to “cast all your cares upon the LORD” and let Him do what He has promised?  Aren’t you ready to see how He will bless you and meet your needs? Don’t you long for some genuine peace and quiet in your life?  Will you trust God to provide this?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 29, 2010

June 29 ~ 1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

If someone were robbing you, and they said, “Give me all your money,” would you keep a little in your back pocket? Probably not! You would give this complete stranger everything you could think of – and quickly – hoping the robber wasn’t going to harm you! So why is it that we withhold some of our worries and cares from God, when we know that He is going to take care of us? Why do we doubt God so readily, which is exactly what we do when we withhold our concerns and burdens from Him?

I could go into my ideas on why we do this… but they really don’t matter. What matters is that we need to STOP! We need to give all our cares to God… from the small, seemingly silly ones all the way to the gigantic ones that seem insurmountable.

The lyrics to “Cast All Your Cares,” a song by Christian artist Gary Oliver, say, “When troubles come… all you have to do is call Him. When sickness comes… call Him… for He cares for you, and He knows what you’re going through. Why don’t you cast all your cares upon the Lord.” If you want to listen to the song, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxABJT59Vhk and hear this song in its entirety. Then make an effort to cast all your cares upon the Lord. God even wants those you feel would be small and ridiculous to anyone else. Those you feel there is no way they can be resolved… God wants them, too! Let’s give our cares to God and expect Him to handle them, according to His will. I believe we will be amazed, astounded, and totally blown away by His grace and mercy – and how well He truly does care for us in every way! What have you got to lose? Cast all your cares upon the Lord today, and watch what happens!

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 17, 2010

May 17 ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

“What in the world have I gotten myself into?” Have you ever asked this question? Have you ever accepted a job or a particular task – or agreed to serve on a committee or spearhead some project – and then second-guessed yourself? Maybe you wondered, “What was I thinking?” Often when we try something new, we have moments of doubt. “Can I really do this? Am I qualified? How will I get it all done? What will other people think?” All of these are questions we may ask. And many among us have asked some of these same questions – or similar ones – when it came to living the life of a Christian.

We worry about our past. We wonder how we can measure up to others we consider to be strong, faith-filled witnesses. “How can I serve alongside so-and-so? What can I bring to the table? Will people believe me if they know where I’ve been and what I’ve done?”

The truth is… God does not care about your past, your fears, your insecurities and your apprehensions, because He doesn’t see them. He sees His child, equipped with everything needed to serve Him and witness to others… because He gave you these things! So be confident in your faith. Step up and out and do whatever He calls you to do. And trust God to help you with the things of this world, too… from that project at school or work to how you will manage your new baby and the demands of a job and a family. God has given you the power, love, and self-control you must exercise in every situation. Be bold in your usage of His gifts and see where they can take you.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 16, 2010

May 16 ~ Isaiah 41:13
I am the LORD your God. I am holding your hand, so don't be afraid. I am here to help you.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

My sister and I are only eleven months apart in age. When we were toddlers, my grandmother had cribs in her bedroom for each of us, and she positioned my sister’s next to her bed. The only way Grandmother could get my sister to sleep at night was to hold her hand until she fell asleep. For some reason, there is something very comforting about someone holding our hand, particularly when we are in a stressful or uncomfortable situation. I have found myself standing over Timothy’s crib and holding his hand to encourage him to fall asleep… and it often is all that is needed.

Now we see a scriptural reference to hand holding. If it makes you feel better to have your grandma, your great-aunt, a significant other, or just a good friend hold your hand, imagine how great it will feel to hold GOD’s hand! He is already on the job, doing just that… all we have to do is recognize Him. So the next time you need a hand to hold, remember GOD is there to help you, and He is holding your hand all the way. Don’t you feel better already?!

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 13, 2010

May 13 ~ Psalm 27:14
Trust the LORD! Be brave and strong and trust the LORD.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

At the completion of a Walk to Emmaus event, the participants are told, “You have changed… the world to which you return has not.” I can tell you from my own experience at a Walk to Emmaus, this was a daunting thought. While the Walk to Emmaus is a life-changing experience for most everyone who attends, many who never go on a Walk experience similar challenges. When you truly surrender your heart and soul to Jesus, you change… but the world does not. And it is daunting. No one wants to be thrust into a situation where others will potentially see them as “different.” No one wants to risk ridicule, or being ostracized from their group of friends and acquaintances. Nobody wants to hear someone say to them sarcastically, “You’ve changed!” Everyone wants to fit in – to be loved and accepted.

What we have to realize is that following the ways of the world doesn’t keep us “in the loop.” Caving in and falling into old patterns and bad habits doesn’t make us fit in better with our friends – and it really doesn’t satisfy for very long. I know what you are thinking… “I want to be brave and strong and trust the LORD, but it’s not that easy.” And you are exactly right – it’s not easy, which is why it involves trust! You have to trust God to do what He says He will do. You have to trust God to protect you and elevate you above any potential ridicule or rejection. You have to trust God to build you up and take you to new levels of joy and confidence, through His grace, mercy, love, and power! And He will do just this! The world may not have changed, but if you trust in the Lord to guide your steps each day, you will be changed – and that’s a great thing!

Who are you trusting? Do you have the courage and strength to take a leap of faith and believe that God can change you for the better and surround you with His love and protection? You’ll never know until you try… who are you trusting?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 10, 2010

May 10 ~ Romans 8:12-17
My dear friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God's Spirit you say "No" to your desires. Only those people who are led by God's Spirit are his children. God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. God's Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

God has a funny sense of humor. I am a person with little to no will power when it comes to certain things… such as chocolate. I could never keep chocolate chips on hand for baking. Once the bag was opened, they seemed to methodically disappear over the course of just a few days. Cookies and candy, especially around Halloween, Christmas and Easter, may have well been wrapped in neon signs that said, “Come and get it!” So I asked God to help me control my love for chocolate, and He did… He allowed me to develop an allergy to it! I KNOW – I told you He had a sense of humor!

I have heard it all… “Life isn’t worth living without chocolate!” “That has to be the worst allergy in the world!” “How on earth do you survive?” Let me tell you something… there is a whole lot more to life than chocolate! I know some of you find that hard to believe, but there is… and there are worse things than an allergy to it! See, in some ways, I was a slave to chocolate. If it was near me, I felt I had to eat some. Now, I can bake brownies and not even lick the pan. I can be offered a box of assorted truffles or a bag of M&Ms and say, “No thank you.” Oh, sure, it smells great, and I would love to partake… until I think about the hives and the swelling, and the ITCHING… and then I’m over it! I could look at this as a huge inconvenience – or a huge blessing. I am choosing the latter.

Sometimes in our Spiritual life, we hold out on total surrender to God and His will for our lives, because we think we will have to sacrifice something we really love. Who wants to live without the “sinful chocolate” that we all seem to have? For some of us it is a partying lifestyle. For others, it’s a lack of involvement with a church family and getting up off our rears and going to church on Sunday. For others, it’s something we don’t even want to talk about… an addiction of some sort, or a habit we cannot break - or even something we cannot seem to shake… like racial bias or an unloving attitude toward someone else or a particular group of people.

What we fail to realize is that if we wait until we have all of our “issues” resolved, we’ll never find our way to God. And that’s not what He expects anyway. God doesn’t want us to try to fix ourselves… that’s His job – and He does what we cannot. Total surrender to God doesn’t make you God’s slave… it frees you to be the person He called you to be! Don’t wait another day. Don’t try to fix a single other thing yourself. Give up your “sinful chocolate” and embrace the freedom life without it can bring. Acknowledge God as your Father and truly become His child – and discover the fullness of His plans for your life, both now and for all Eternity.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 6, 2010

May 6 ~ Psalm 91:1-2
Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful. Then you will say to the LORD, "You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you."

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Have you ever seen a nature show on television where a storm was brewing, and a mother bird lifted her wings and gathered the babies underneath them. There the little baby birds rested in the shelter and safety of their mother, who was the most formidable being in their universe. It sometimes helps us grasp a concept if we can create a related visual image. Several years ago, I began to create a mental image of Jesus as He sits in heaven. He is wearing the softest, silkiest flowing robe – creamy white – and it smells like fresh air and clean laundry. His arms are extended, and He is welcoming me to fall into His arms. In my imagery, I do just that…drinking in the clean fragrance and feeling strong arms engulfed in silky soft fabric wrap around me. I am home… I am safe… I am in the presence of the most formidable Being in the universe.

We’ve all stood out in bright sunlight and felt its warmth – or in some cases, heat that quickly became uncomfortable, or even unbearable! We’ve all experienced the relief of stepping into the shade of a tree or building and escaping the heat and glare of the sunlight. God is like the shade of the tree or the building… ready to shield us from the glare and heat of sin and strife. His arms are like those of the mother bird…ready to shelter us from the “storms” of life. His love and power are like the strong, welcoming arms of Jesus, shrouded in a fragrant silky robe… ready to engulf us and provide us with a place of safety and comfort.

How do you envision God? Do you see Him as your protector… your fortress… your safe haven? Do you trust Him to provide you with all of these things – and more? Who gives you shelter in times of trouble? Who is providing your shadow these days?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 3, 2010

May 3 ~ Psalm 23:1-6
You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe.

You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, LORD.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

When things start to fall apart in your life… when you are frightened or worried or frustrated… where do you turn? Do you throw up your hands or kick and scream? Do you wallow in self-pity? Do you call on God and demand that He help you? None of these things are really harmful… and certainly calling on God is a good thing. But look at the first verse of this passage… “You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.” Imagine yourself saying these words when a troubling or upsetting situation arises.

Imagine really acknowledging God’s presence and power in your life – and resting in this. “You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.” Of course, the rest of this Psalm explains all the many ways that God cares for us and nurtures us. But some of the most important words are those in the first verse. When you find yourself in a situation that you cannot handle on your own – when life becomes a burden or a challenge, think on these words. Say them out loud – and internalize their meaning for your life. Take consolation in knowing that the LORD truly IS our shepherd, and we will never be in need. Let this promise rest in your heart and give you peace and comfort.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 2, 2010

May 2 ~ Psalm 16:5-6
You, LORD, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

If you have ever been to Baskin-Robbins or a similar ice cream store, you know that the choices are endless. If you are like me, the decision is hard… so many flavors, and they all sound delicious! It’s tempting to eat more than you should – a scoop of this and a scoop of that, and before you know it, you have three or four hefty scoops going in your cup! At home, most of us only have one, possibly two flavors of ice cream in our freezer. Most likely, you have your favorite flavor on hand… and as long as you have no outside distractions, you are pretty comfortable with just that flavor.

In life, we are bombarded with choices and options and lots and lots of “flavors.” It’s hard to stay focused and on track. But if we will make the right choice – God – and stay close to Him, we will not be distracted and misdirected by other influences. Just like extra flavors at the ice cream store, not all of the distractions and other choices are necessarily bad ones… but they simply are not right for us. They don’t make us content and keep our life pleasant… they complicate life in ways we do not need.

If you want true contentment… if you want peace and safety and pleasantness in your life, dial down the choices on your “flavors.” Stick to the One who can satisfy you best. Choose a bright future with God… make Him all you want and need… and see how peaceful and happy your life can become.

©2010 Debbie Robus

April 28 ~ Proverbs 17:1
A dry crust of bread eaten in peace and quiet is better than a feast eaten where everyone argues.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

A few months ago, my husband and I were shopping in North Little Rock, and we decided to have a nice lunch at one of our favorite restaurants. We were seated in a booth that was tucked into one of the back corners of the establishment, and it appeared we would have a wonderful, quiet lunch. However, there were two women seated in the booth next to us who were having a loud and energetic conversation, and we couldn’t help but be distracted by them… especially when we heard them mention our home town! They took phone calls, they talked and laughed, and clearly they were having a good time and enjoying their meal.

Our meal was delicious, but I have to tell you… I’ve enjoyed a tuna sandwich eaten on our back porch on a warm spring or fall day more than I did dining next to those two women. Somehow the “noise” of birds and squirrels chirping trumps the enthusiastic conversation of complete strangers in my book!

This scripture passage is about so much more than eating a meal in solitude. It is about turning down the “noise” in our lives and creating “balance.” So many of us are caught up in always being busy – always going places and doing things – and we don’t know how to sit and simply “be.” We don’t know how to enjoy the quiet solitude of an hour spent sitting and listening to the sounds of nature. We surely don’t have the capacity to spend quiet time alone with God! We want action, adventure, people – and lots of “noise!” But this verse is telling us that “less is more!”

We need to “turn down the volume.” We need to realize that constant stimulation in the form of activity and action and noise does not always spell contentment! Try turning off the television, cancelling an activity or two, and sitting quietly for a while. Whether you eat a sandwich on your back step or just sit on your couch and meditate on your blessings, I’m betting you will find yourself refreshed and more contented when you rise. Less really can be more… try it… you might just be surprised at the results!

©2010 Debbie Robus