John 17:1-5
When Jesus had finished saying all these
things he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come.
Reveal the glory of your Son so that he can give the glory back to you.
For you have given him authority over every man and woman in all the
earth. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is
the way to have eternal life—by knowing you, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth! I brought glory to you here on
earth by doing everything you told me to. And now, Father, reveal my
glory as I stand in your presence, the glory we shared before the world
began.
The Living Bible
copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights
reserved.
My Mam-ma Polly used to say, “I don’t know
why I’m living so long.” I would remind her that God had work for her
to do – and when that work was finished, He would have her “room”
ready. We agreed that her “purpose” might not be clear a lot of the
time…especially as her physical body declined and she lost her ability
to speak. But she could still smile…she could still pray…she could
demonstrate a spirit of courage, determination, and perseverance. She
could still represent God to countless people in her midst…and she did
so to her dying breath.
As I look back through prayer journals, I
see numerous entries where I asked God, “Can’t she come Home yet?” I
always added that I wanted HIS will in this…not mine. But haven’t you
known of people and situations where you asked God, “Why are they still
here? What is the point of their suffering and hardship?” And in this
passage, we are able to get a handle on the answer.
God sends
each of us to earth for a purpose…much like He sent Jesus. When our
work on His behalf is done, He will call us Home. If we have given our
heart to Jesus, this will mean Eternity in Heaven. Meanwhile, God is
with us. We are His vessels on earth for sharing the Good News of Jesus
Christ – for demonstrating love, grace, kindness, mercy, forgiveness,
compassion, acceptance, humility, courage and encouragement…and so much
more.
Until God determines that our “work” is done…that we have
fulfilled our purpose…He will keep us here. I also believe that God
gives unbelievers every chance to turn to Jesus and fulfill their
purpose…that He is present and patient with ALL of us…to a point.
Let’s be honest…no one has ever suffered more on this earth than Jesus
did. Understanding that God is with us through everything –
and that He has a perfect plan and timetable for each of us – has
helped me to answer the question, “Why is he/she living so long – or
suffering so much?” Understand that God does not cause
the suffering and hardships…but He sometimes allows them for a greater
outcome…and He NEVER leaves us – not even for a single minute.
Search
your heart this day and see if you understand your purpose…the “What on
earth am I hear for?” question. Ask yourself, “Am I aware of God’s
presence in my life in every circumstance…and am I busy doing the work
He designed for me?” When we learn to surrender to God’s “rhythms and
reasons”, we truly begin to give the glory back to Him – and to prepare
for our Heavenly destination. Do you feel God’s presence today? Are you
patiently “doing the work” He has set out for you? Isn’t it time you
did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label serving where God sends you. Show all posts
Showing posts with label serving where God sends you. Show all posts
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
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
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