Daily Devotional for December 23, 2016

Proverbs 3:27-29
Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
    your hand is God’s hand for that person.
Don’t tell your neighbor “Maybe some other time”
    or “Try me tomorrow”
    when the money’s right there in your pocket.
Don’t figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor
    when he’s sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.

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.

Christmas Eve 2011, Greg and I were hosting our family for a mid-afternoon lunch.  Grandma E was here, and my sister and her husband were on their way.  My mother and her sister drove up at our front door with my Mam-ma Polly riding in the front passenger seat, and Greg went to the door to greet them.  I was busy in the kitchen when I heard my mother yell.  Mam-ma had stepped out of the car before anyone could get to her to assist her…and she had fallen.  I stopped what I was doing and rushed to the driveway, where my grandmother lay outside the car like a stunned little bird that had flown into a window.  She was motionless, and blood was pouring from her head - and running down our driveway.

Greg called 911 and ran to get towels, and I applied pressure to the wound while doing my best to keep my grandmother still. She had “come around” and was saying, “I need to get up.” I encouraged her not to move until the ambulance and EMTs arrived.

Needless to say, the dinner plans were changed in a split second.  Greg and I took turn sitting in the ER with my grandmother, while my mother and her sister finished preparing the almost-ready meal for the others, then cleaning the kitchen. My grandmother  was admitted to the hospital for a couple of days to treat a concussion, and trips back and forth to sit with her became our “Christmas.”  I would not have had it any other way.

Mam-ma tried to send me home a couple of times…but we both knew she needed me.  The tables had turned, and I was now the “parent”…and she was the “child.”  More to the point, she was God’s child, and I was in many ways His hand for her.  Earlier in the same month, my grandmother had spent about a week in the hospital for congestive heart failure.  While sitting with her, I wrote Christmas cards, greeted visitors, and attended to her needs in between doctor and nurse visits.

It would have been so easy to say, “I have things to do…a house to decorate, gifts to purchase and wrap, cookies to bake…” and much more.  But my grandmother needed help…and God sent me.

I wish I could say that I have always been as attentive to God’s nudge…that I have never said, “Not this time,” or “Maybe later.”  But I have promised visits to people and never gotten there…I’ve said “If I can help you, please let me know” and hoped the whole time that no one would call me. I’ve gritted my teeth and helped someone while wishing the whole time that God had sent someone else.

Don’t misunderstand me…there are times when we genuinely are not available…when we are too busy, not up to the task – or we sense that God is not telling us to get involved in something or offer to help with a particular task.  We must be careful not to step into someone else’s mission or ministry, and we must pay very close attention to where and how God is calling us to serve.  But when we know that God is putting us in a position to be His hand to someone else, we MUST comply – and serve gladly.

There were several times in the years that I cared for my grandmother that I grew weary and frustrated…but I did my best to listen to God’s voice and help her whenever and however I could.  I’m sure there were times I missed the mark completely…and there were plenty of times that SHE felt I fell short!  But I have no regrets…and lots of blessings and happy memories.  And I want that to be the case in every instance where my hand is God’s hand to another.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 1, 2014

Isaiah 58:4-11
Look, what good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. Is this what I want—this doing of penance and bowing like reeds in the wind, putting on sackcloth and covering yourselves with ashes? Is this what you call fasting?

No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute. Clothe those who are cold, and don’t hide from relatives who need your help.

If you do these things, God will shed his own glorious light upon you. He will heal you; your godliness will lead you forward, goodness will be a shield before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then, when you call, the Lord will answer. “Yes, I am here,” he will quickly reply. All you need to do is to stop oppressing the weak and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors!

Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

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

Police officers and the Prosecuting Attorney from Pulaski County, Arkansas, held a press conference on September 30, 2014, to discuss the death of 49-year-old realtor Beverly Carter, who was abducted and murdered while showing property in the county on September 25th. A reporter asked Sheriff Doc Holladay how the family received the news – and how they were holding up.  Holladay remarked that the Carter family was “obviously distressed, distraught and concerned...but I think they have a religious strength that a lot of people may not have, and in that, they are surrounded by the closest of their friends, their church family, and those kinds of things that help strengthen them to get through this process...” 

In the last 36+ hours of my grandmother’s life, many people came to stand with me...say a prayer over her...and even sing her a song. Greg barely left my side. The aides and staff at my grandmother’s assisted living facility went above and beyond any requirements of their job...some of them coming in on their day off to sit with her and kiss her “Good-bye.”  More than two dozen members of her church prepared a pre-funeral meal...then served it and handled all of the clean-up.  The only thing we had to lift was a fork to our faces!  A lot of these dear souls called and sent cards and continued to remember us with prayer and support for days and weeks afterward.

Many of these same people had stood with my family in “dark hours” before. Several of them spent the better part of several days at my mother’s home ministering to us on more than one occasion when loved ones passed. When I fell a few years ago and broke my ankle, some of these same folks were among the first to visit me and bring me get-well gifts, food and encouragement. 

Here’s the thing...I am not poor, sick, helpless, homeless, or destitute. I like to think that my faith is strong...that I trust God to see me through anything. But we all have needs at one time or another.  This passage speaks to those who have profound hardships...but it also speaks to those in our midst that appear to have it all together – or who don’t seem to have any necessities.  When we assume this to be the case, we often miss an opportunity to serve God and bless them...and receive a blessing in the bargain.

Do not misunderstand...we need to help the homeless...to work in the soup kitchens and visit those in prison...to reach out to the sick, infirm, elderly and housebound.  We need to be on the lookout for ways to lift up those who are destitute and desperate.  Bible studies, spiritual retreats and outreach ministries are important.  But we must be very careful not to be so swallowed up in the pride of “serving those less fortunate”...and pumping our chests at what good deeds we are performing for God...that we neglect our “next-door neighbor”. Just because you share a pew with someone every Sunday doesn’t mean that he/she doesn’t have tremendous challenges and heartaches. We need to remember that lifting each other within the body of Christ is equally important!

My challenge for all of us is to read this passage from Isaiah carefully...and then put it into action.  Look around...see who is sick, injured, hurting in some way – or just struggling to “keep all of the balls in the air.”  Do they need a helping hand...an understanding ear...a visit or phone call to say, “I’m in your corner?”  Are we so busy doing the “visible” ministries – or those that are “fun” or make us feel good that we are neglecting our brothers and sisters who are in our line of sight virtually every day?  Is there someone who used to attend your church that has “dropped off the radar”?  Have you reached out to them to find out what happened?

Never underestimate the needs within your own family of believers.  Never downplay your own challenges and hardships...or deny another believer the opportunity to minister to you.  When this passage tells us not to hide from relatives who need our help, this includes fellow brothers and sisters in Christ! God is calling us to help others...including those in our immediate “circle”.  Don’t “fail to see the forest for the trees”.  Ask God to show you how, who, and where to minister to others in His name...to offer His healing and help to them...and to heal yourself in the process.  Be part of the support group that rallies around others, regardless of who – or where – they are. 

Sheriff Holladay concluded his remarks about the family of Beverly Carter by saying that “they need support to continue”.  Who in your line of sight needs the same? Will you help those in trouble and allow your light to shine out from the darkness in service and glory to God?  Don’t you think it’s time you did?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 23, 2011

August 23 ~ John 6:43-46
Jesus said, "Don't bicker among yourselves over me. You're not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me—that's the only way you'll ever come. Only then do I do my work, putting people together, setting them on their feet, ready for the End. This is what the prophets meant when they wrote, 'And then they will all be personally taught by God.' Anyone who has spent any time at all listening to the Father, really listening and therefore learning, comes to me to be taught personally—to see it with his own eyes, hear it with his own ears, from me, since I have it firsthand from the Father. No one has seen the Father except the One who has his Being alongside the Father—and you can see me.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

My sister and her husband and I attended a funeral visitation recently for Leon McAnear, the father of our lifelong friends, Lesa and Laura. There was a huge crowd of people who came to visit with this family and pay their respects to a wonderful, Godly man. My little great-nephew Timothy came with his grandparents, and he was in awe of all of the people. As we sat on pews in the funeral home chapel, Timothy snuggled into the relative safety of my lap and watched the crowd. And when someone would come by and speak, he would smile and maybe say “Hi!” or “Bye!” When they would laugh, he would laugh. When someone waved, he waved. He was drawn into the activity and made an attempt to fit in by mimicking the behaviors of others.

We all do this, to some degree. Most of us have a deep desire to fit in… to be a part of things. And we are naturally drawn to those who seem to exhibit characteristics we like… or who appear to have what we want. God sent Jesus to teach us about Him. Part of God’s plan is for us to be drawn to Jesus… to want what He has… to mimic His behavior. And as Disciples of Christ, we are in turn agents for our Heavenly Father.

We are to live in such a way that others see Jesus in us… that they want what we have. I don’t mean this in a materialistic sense… or even that others want to be like us in terms of personality, mannerisms, or even how we think in general. But God does want others to see the glory and salvation offered through Jesus Christ… He wants others to look at us and say, “If that’s living for Jesus, sign me up!” He wants us to model Christian behavior... not with Oscar-winning performances, but out of a deep, genuine love for Him and a desire to live out our faith every single day.

Leon McAnear was one of the most faithful Christians I ever knew. At his service, a friend and fellow church member spoke about Leon’s life and demeanor. He said that in recent months, Leon visited his office, and this friend said he knew Leon was not well, yet he seemed happy and upbeat. The friend asked, “Leon, how do you do it? I never see you down. I know you don’t feel well, yet you are always so happy.” Mr. McAnear replied, “I choose to count my blessings every day.” The friend concluded that we were better for having known this faithful servant of God.

My question is… are people better for having known you? Do you count your blessings every day? Do others see Jesus in you and desire to experience for themselves the same relationship with Him that you enjoy? Have you truly seen the Father through Jesus Christ… and do others see Him through you?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 20, 2011

Psalm 109:21-31
Be true to your name, LORD God! Show your great kindness and rescue me. I am poor and helpless, and I have lost all hope. I am fading away like an evening shadow; I am tossed aside like a crawling insect. I have gone without eating, until my knees are weak, and my body is bony. When my enemies see me, they say cruel things and shake their heads.

Please help me, LORD God! Come and save me because of your love. Let others know that you alone have saved me. I don't care if they curse me, as long as you bless me. You will make my enemies fail when they attack, and you will make me glad to be your servant. You will cover them with shame, just as their bodies are covered with clothes. I will sing your praises and thank you, LORD, when your people meet. You help everyone in need, and you defend them when they are on trial.

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

I watched an episode of “Oprah” recently about a young man in Indiana named Clayton, who was locked in a 2-ft by 2-ft closet, wrapped in wire fencing material and bound with chains. Sometimes he wasn’t fed for days. Clayton was only six years old when this happened. His abusers were his own mother and stepfather. They did unbelievably cruel, horrible things to this child. Police estimate this went on for three to six months.

Clayton’s 14-year-old stepsister was kind to him. When the parents would leave, she would sometimes let him out of the closet, feed him and rub lotion on his body wounds caused by the fencing and chains. At some point, the stepsister ran away to Kentucky, and when police found her, she told them everything. An astute policeman contacted the parents and told them he had their daughter, but they must come and get her. He was hoping they would bring Clayton. They did… and the officer insisted on speaking with him privately. It was a hunch – one that paid off.

The officer in Kentucky really had no jurisdiction over a matter in Indiana. But he sat Clayton on his lap and fed him peanut butter and crackers. He said later to Clayton, “You ate a lot of peanut butter and crackers!” He realized quickly that Clayton loved his stepdad, in spite of the abuse… and even blamed himself for some of it. So the policeman said, “Your father wants you to tell me exactly what has happened.” Clayton replied, “He does?” The policeman does not regret the “white lie.” It worked. Clayton confirmed his stepsister’s story.

Clayton is now 18 years old. Since the rescue 12 years ago, he has been reared by a great-aunt, Patti, and her husband. The couple adopted Clayton and worked through the challenges of helping him overcome the nightmare of his confinement and abuse at the hands of his parents. Clayton’s stepfather and mother received the maximum sentence for their actions… four years each in prison. However, his mother only served two years and three months, and his stepfather was released from prison after 21 months. You can read more of Clayton’s story at http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Claytons-Survival-Story/7#ixzz1VXOutjdN

Clayton’s great-aunt, Patti, said she had married and moved away when Clayton was little, and she had no idea that any of this was happening. When she was told of it, she dropped to her knees in horror and despair. And I understood that completely… I can imagine how devastated I would be if something like this happened to a young child I loved. But at the same time, I began to count the ways God worked in this situation to conquer enemies and save the innocent.

God surely gave Clayton a stepsister who loved him enough to risk her own safety to let him out, tend his wounds, and feed him. I can’t help but believe that God gave that teenage girl the courage to run away and try to gain safety for herself… and for Clayton. God equipped the investigating officer with wisdom and quick thinking… and he was able to gain the confidence of the teenage sister – and then that of little Clayton. God gave Clayton to loving adoptive parents… his great-aunt Patti and her husband… and he gave them the wisdom, patience and courage to help Clayton overcome his experiences and become the productive, happy young man that he appears to be today.

Clayton has not seen his parents since he was rescued, but he has come to terms with his experiences – and grown from them. He says he tries to be especially kind to others as a result… to be better for what has happened to him. And I can’t help but believe that God orchestrated that, too.

I don’t know what you are enduring today. I don’t know what your “closet” is - or what may have caused you to lose hope. But I know Someone who can rescue you… Someone who is equipped to handle whatever you throw at Him – and He wants to do just that! I also am not going to dwell on why these horrible things happened to little Clayton. Instead, I am going to look at what God has done with this situation to bring about positive results… and how this can serve as a lesson for each of us.

Oprah first aired information about Clayton in 2000, but she didn’t use his name. She told his story, and at one point in the show, she looked into the camera and said something to the effect of, “If you or someone you know is being abused or mistreated, tell a parent. If you can’t tell a parent, go to school and tell a teacher.” A six-year-old girl who was watching did just that. She was being raped by her stepfather, and the next day, she told a teacher. The stepfather was prosecuted and sent to prison for his crime. Because of Clayton’s story – and Oprah’s sharing of it… this little girl was rescued.

My point is that God may be placing you in a situation to connect the dots about someone who is in trouble. It may not be child abuse… it could be some other form of abuse… or a struggle with alcoholism, drugs, or another addiction. Someone could be despondent or in deep trouble… desperately needing others to pick up on the signs and point them toward appropriate help. God may be counting on you to be the “stepsister in Indiana” or the “officer in Kentucky”… or you may be the “Aunt Patti.” The question is… are you paying attention? Are you tuned in to God and His calling for you? Are you ready and willing to do your part? Notice I didn’t say “able”… because if God wants you to do something, He will give you the necessary ability!

I know this message is long, but it is important that we recognize that God may be calling us to be His agents on this earth to bring about great changes… to rescue others from enemies we can’t even imagine. He may be giving us opportunities to physically demonstrate His amazing power and love… and to praise Him for the opportunity and the rescue afterward. Are you paying attention? Are you ready to do your part? Will you step up and be a rescuer in God’s name… and praise Him for the outcome?

©2011 Debbie Robus