Daily Devotional for December 29, 2016

1 Corinthians 1:2-9
To: The Christians in Corinth, invited by God to be his people and made acceptable to him by Christ Jesus. And to: All Christians everywhere—whoever calls upon the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and theirs.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you all of his blessings, and great peace of heart and mind.

I can never stop thanking God for all the wonderful gifts he has given you, now that you are Christ’s: he has enriched your whole life. He has helped you speak out for him and has given you a full understanding of the truth; what I told you Christ could do for you has happened! Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing his will are yours during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. And he guarantees right up to the end that you will be counted free from all sin and guilt on that day when he returns. God will surely do this for you, for he always does just what he says, and he is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, even Christ our Lord.

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

For months, our 4-year-old nephew, Nathan, has been talking about a toy he wanted for Christmas…a Batbot. This remote-controlled toy transforms from a robot into an “armored” tank.  Nathan never wavered.  This was what he wanted…and he was certain that it was waiting for him under the Christmas tree.  Every box that even remotely looked like it could be the right size, he would say, “That’s probably a Batbot!”  Christmas Eve, as his mother helped him open a box of assorted colors of Play-doh®, he asked her, “Is that my Batbot?”

Nathan DID get the Batbot on Christmas morning…and I am sure he has spent countless happy hours playing with it since then.  Now, can you imagine if his parents told him that he had to give it back to them?  I cannot even think about what would happen if they told him that he had to take his prized toy back to the store. He would be devastated…and his entire vision of Christmas and the hope and excitement that surround this season would probably be destroyed.  Thankfully, I don’t know anyone who rescinds their child’s Christmas gifts…or any other gifts for that matter.

I cannot imagine living with the idea that Jesus could revoke my salvation at any moment…that my “friendship” with Him teetered so precariously and could vanish in a heartbeat. One of the great joys of Christian faith is living with the childlike hope and confidence that Jesus truly will deliver the grace, blessings, gifts and power that He promised…and we get to keep them forever!

While I don’t have to consciously think about this night and day, I also cannot grow complacent or take Jesus’ gifts for granted.  If you stop and think about it, we tell our children that they have to…“be good, or Santa won’t come and bring you what you asked for.”  Jesus does NOT operate like Santa Claus...efforts on our part to “be good” do not have a direct correlation to His gift of Salvation and Eternal Life.

But we should want to do everything we can to honor Jesus’ gifts and blessings - precisely because we cannot earn them. We are offered Salvation and all of the benefits of a life in Christ – forever and ever – in spite of our ugly, egotistical, sinful selves.  Jesus knows that we are undeserving…but He loves us and generously lavishes these gifts upon us anyway.  There is no “naughty or nice list”…at least not in the way we envision with Santa Claus.  And aren’t we glad?!

I thank God every day for Jesus…for the grace, blessings, gifts, and power that are mine because HE is my Redeemer. I thank God that many people I know and love share in these same blessings and gifts…though NONE of us deserves them or can ever “earn” them. Because I know that Salvation and the abundance of a life in Christ are available to any and all who will accept His invitation, I am doing all I can to lead as many people into this relationship as I possibly can…and I hope you are with me!

If you have not accepted Jesus’ invitation, please do so today.  If you are living in His abundance and blessings already, what are you doing to show your gratitude and respect – and give others a reason to accept this invitation for themselves?  Will this be the day that you begin to answer this question?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 8, 2016

Mark 16:15
Then he told them:

Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.

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

I Googled “Your mission, should you choose to accept it,” and I actually got about 77,700,000 results!  If you do not know this phrase, you’ve probably never seen a “Mission Impossible” movie or television show, because this is how they all begin…with a message to the agent about his assignment - and this phrase.

If you go back and read Mark 16:14, you will see that Jesus is talking to His disciples.  In fact, Jesus has just given them “what-for” because some of them did not believe those who saw Him after He was raised to life. He appears to the disciples and lays out their “mission”…to “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.”  And this is OUR mission, too.  Jesus follows this with an admonition in verse 16 that...”Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.” 

The message is quite clear…but just in case you have any questions about what Jesus said, let’s break this down a bit.  First, we are called to believe in Jesus, even though we have never seen Him.  We are to surrender our heart, mind and soul to a God we have never seen in the flesh…to trust that He is the ultimate Authority in our lives…and to surrender completely to Him.  Then, we are to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ and what He did for us with everyone we encounter. We are to demonstrate our faith, behave in a way that honors His teachings to love others and treat them as we wish to be treated, and to trust God to handle every aspect of our daily living according to His will and in perfect fashion.

There are also a couple of things this passage does NOT say.  First, Jesus does not say that we must be baptized in order to be saved.  Yes, in verse 16, He says that those who believe in Him and are “baptized” will be saved, but those who refuse to believe in Him will be condemned.  But let’s be clear…this does not necessarily mean a “water baptism.”  If it did, the thief on the cross would not have been promised an Eternity with Jesus in heaven.  I believe that the word “baptized” in this context means that we must die to our sins and old way of life and be “washed clean” (or baptized), in the blood of Jesus.

Additionally, Jesus is not telling us that we have to go around the world as missionaries.  When He says to share His GOOD NEWS with the world…I believe He uses that word collectively.  Your “world” and mine may not be the same.  You may travel for recreation or work and encounter people, quite literally, around the world.  You may go on mission trips for this specific purpose.  Or you may be like me - pretty well a “homebody” who does not venture out of her community often…so your “world” is your own backyard.  I also feel blessed to be able to share Jesus with “the world” via the Internet and any and all who may read these devotionals.  Each one of us has a different “world,” and this is where Jesus has called us to share His message.

Ultimately, Jesus’ commission is for us to live out our faith - wherever we are and whoever we encounter.  Frankly, I’ve been concerned lately about how some of us are doing in this area.  As we become more aggressive and assertive in expressing our thoughts and opinions, I fear we are losing sight of Jesus’ message to us.  We are confusing the “mission” to share the Good News with our desire to impose our attitudes and judgments on others.  So we are comfortable with name calling – and accepting those who seem to effortlessly throw barbs, criticisms and judgments – and we claim the name of Jesus while acting like downright jerks and bullies at times!

We give people in our “world” the impression that “I’m right, you’re wrong,” and God said so!  We behave badly, laugh at ugly jokes and remarks, and give our children (and others who are watching), the impression that this is all okay – that this is how “good Christians” act.  And surely God must hang His head in shame at how His children attempt to carry out the “mission.”

• Let’s stop and take a hard look at what Jesus called us to do. 
• Let’s renew our commitment to love Him wholeheartedly and serve Him according to His will – not our own. 
• Let’s surrender our sins to Him and ask for baptism in His cleansing blood.
• Let’s resolve to carry out Jesus’ mission – not our own…and to behave in a manner that is befitting of our “station” as His precious and redeemed children. 
• Let’s share the GOOD NEWS with those in our “world” and make every effort to never contaminate this message with our words or actions.

Let’s demonstrate true Christian faith and discipleship to everyone God puts in our path…and bring honor and glory to His Kingdom at every turn.  And let’s begin today.

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 11, 2016

Isaiah 25:7-8
At that time he will remove the cloud of gloom, the pall of death that hangs over the earth; he will swallow up death forever. The Lord God will wipe away all tears and take away forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken—he will surely do it!
   
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 brought home all of my mother’s photo albums, and two LARGE containers of loose photos.  I’ve been sorting through these pictures…and scanning several.  A lot of them are not labeled, so I’ve shared some on Facebook…in hopes that friends and acquaintances in my area will recognize someone and help me put names with faces. Many of these photos are from the 1940-1950 era, and some from the 1960-70 time period.  Feedback is incredibly positive.  People LOVE to look at old photos and reminisce about “the good ole days.”  I joked lately that these photos are “the best thing on Facebook” right now!

All you have to do is listen to the nightly news to hear about people trading insults, mocking one another…or someone seeking revenge against a person who has “done him/her wrong.”  As a friend jokingly said recently, we’ve learned to “ask forgiveness instead of permission.”  And we have made a habit of justifying our actions to suit our personal agendas.

I admit, I am frequently dismayed these days by reports of how we are treating one another.  I have all but stopped listening to nightly news…and I skim the newspaper each day for accounts that interest me.  I slide right on past horrific “news stories” on my Facebook wall.  It’s not that I want to live in a bubble and pretend these things don’t happen.  But I simply feel I cannot become bogged down in the misery and disgust of some of these “human” behaviors and actions.

Is this naïve and apathetic on my part?  I don’t think so.  I prefer to dwell on positive stories…to spend my time encouraging others and offering them hope and joy.  I would rather share a happy photo from 40 years ago than to look at pictures of brutalized puppies or “the people of Walmart.”  I would rather read comments and recollections about my great-grandmother and her contemporaries than to hear about the latest round of name-calling between politicians.

I would rather spend my time thinking about how God pours out His grace and mercy on each of us…and how He will honor every promise He has made to “wipe away all tears and take away forever all insults and mockery against his land and people.”  I would rather share the Good News of Jesus with others - and assure them that He will make a way where none seems evident - than to wallow in the pit of frustration and anger over anything for even a second.

I don’t think this is immature or disingenuous on my part.  I believe God has promised to set all things right…and He is counting on us to demonstrate faith in His promise to others.  And we can start by living more positively…by stepping away from participation in much of the ugliness that is perpetuated in every arena of life – from the disgruntled parents on the little league fields to the bickering of politicians to the “Christians” who want to refuse the rights of ordinary citizens to do everything from voting to using a bathroom or sitting at a lunch counter.

Someday, God is going to wipe away every tear and settle every dispute in the lives of each of us. This may happen when He calls us to Heaven…or we may still be around for the return of Jesus.  Either way, it WILL happen!  Meanwhile, we have work to do as His disciples…and we need to get busy!  There is no time to waste on pettiness and disillusionment about things beyond our control.  We either trust God to handle these for us…or we don’t.  Which way are you leaning these days?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 27, 2016

Acts 2:29-32   
My friends, it is right for me to speak to you about our ancestor David. He died and was buried, and his tomb is still here. But David was a prophet, and he knew that God had made a promise he would not break. He had told David that someone from his own family would someday be king.

David knew this would happen, and so he told us that Christ would be raised to life. He said that God would not leave him in the grave or let his body decay. All of us can tell you that God has raised Jesus to life!

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

This morning, I awoke to a beautiful sunrise over the valley outside our window.  My first thought was one of great comfort and joy…“Jesus is Risen!” I looked around the room at all of the preparations that had been made for this day.  The table was set to serve lunch to eleven, and the ham and side dishes were in the oven.  There were “Easter sacks” on the hearth filled with gifts for Timothy, Zola and Nathan.  The children had new outfits to wear today, and there were plenty of gifts and “new” things from others, as well.

This also signaled a new chapter in the life of our family…our first holiday dinner since my mother died.  She is spending this Easter Sunday in Heaven with Jesus… my dad and brother, her own parents and in-laws, and countless cousins and other relatives and friends.  No doubt, theirs will be a huge meal, with all of the “family favorites”…and the fellowship will be unbelievable.  I cannot wrap my brain around literally sharing “family dinners” with Jesus…but I look forward to the day when I can!

The message of Easter is not death…but life! We sometimes miss this!  We get so bogged down in the events that led up to this day…and they are important.  But a friend shared a blog post yesterday in which the writer aptly reminded us that Jesus rose from the grave and spent the next 40 days telling us how to spread the Good News.  He didn’t talk about Heaven…Jesus talked about how we were to go…preach…love others…share the Gospel…and “make disciples.”

So as you attend worship today, enjoy a sumptuous meal, hide and hunt the eggs, and eat far more candy than one person ought to consume…consider WHY Jesus rose from the grave. Think of what He has called us to do…and all that this week means for us.  He saved us, cleansed us of our sins…and called us to do great things in His name.  All parts of this equation are important. 

We cannot accept salvation in Jesus, then sit down and wait to die.  We must get up and get going!  Jesus is Risen…what about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 23, 2016

Acts 1:6-8
When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?”

He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”

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.

“Now can we have a prize?” This is the question our children asked me after they had played together nicely for a few minutes earlier this week.  I explained that we had the whole day to spend together…and if they continued to behave well, I would indeed bring out the prize basket at some point.  The kids didn’t know when this would happen…but they knew what they had to do to earn a treat or toy!  And for the most part, they waited patiently and got along.  When they least expected it, I brought out the prize basket and let them choose a reward.

Okay, so this is a really simplified illustration to unpack the return of Jesus.  But there ARE some parallels.  1) We don’t know the hour or day for Christ’s return.  It could happen before you finish reading this devotional, or it could happen centuries from now.  We simply do not know. 2) We have been given a purpose…the “Great Commission” to witness for Jesus to all people throughout the world.  This is not a command for you to hop on a plane and travel to Africa to become a missionary.  It is a call for us to serve wherever and whenever God provides us with opportunities…to “be the hands and feet of Jesus” on this earth until He returns or calls us Home.

I’ve thought a lot about timing lately.  None of us knows how long we will be on this earth…or what the day will bring.  If you had told me three months ago what all would happen in our family alone, I’m pretty sure I would not have believed you.  Life is filled with surprises…and none of us is promised tomorrow…or even the next hour!

But what we ARE promised is that Jesus has sent His Holy Spirit to be with us every step of the way! We are promised Eternity in His presence, if we surrender our heart and our sins to Him.  We are offered the ultimate “prize”…and in the scheme of things, very little is required in return.  The question becomes, “Why wouldn’t we want to share this Good News with others?”  I don’t serve Jesus because I have to…but because I want to do this!  It seems like a no-brainer to me in light of Who He is in my life and the way that He cares for me every single minute!

My prayer this week is that you would take a hard look at what Jesus did…and what He DOES for you every single day.  Think about all that He has sacrificed just so we can be with Him forever…free of guilt and shame, sin and sickness.  How can we not share His message with others?  How can we not strive to live as He designed each and every day – and serve Him with our whole heart? 

How can we “celebrate” Holy Week and not understand what it means to truly be Christ’s disciple…and demonstrate this to the world – or our little corner of it?  Are YOU “all in” this week before Easter?  Will you continue to serve after the eggs and bunnies are packed away?  The question the Disciples asked Jesus about His return could be asked of us in regard to our Christian service.  So I ask you today…”Is this the time?”  Don’t you think it should be?
   
©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 22, 2016

John 5:20-23
“But you haven’t seen the half of it yet, for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses. Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out. The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son so that the Son will be honored equally with the Father. Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father, for it was the Father’s decision to put the Son in the place of honor."

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.
 
Every family has traditional meals or foods…”family favorites”…signature dishes.  My mother had her share – many given to her by my grandmothers, other relatives, and friends.  She passed these along to me and my sister…and to my niece, Jasmine – her grand-daughter.  Just this morning, Jasmine told me of finding a recipe book this weekend at my Mother’s that was clearly meant for her.  It was filled with hand-written recipes – many with notations as to who shared them or how they were specially prepared.  There were even hand-written recipe cards from my grandmothers tucked in between the pages.

My sister and I also have recipe books from my mother – a Christmas gift several years ago.  I treasure the hand-written recipes and the notes about a favorite dessert for my grandmother to serve to her coffee klatch – or a dish that Mother remembered her grandmother serving at holiday time.  We will save these books – and prepare the dishes – and make sure that our little ones know about them and create them for generations to come.  There are no “secret recipes” in this collection.  We will gladly share every one of them with anyone who asks.

Here’s where I am headed with this.  God gave Jesus the authority to give Eternal life to anyone He chooses…to judge who has truly committed to follow Him… and to create new Disciples to carry on the work of furthering God’s Kingdom.  When we share the Good News of Jesus, we are carrying out the desires of God and perpetuating His message to future generations.  In a manner of speaking, God left us a “recipe book” for how to live and follow Him – through Jesus Christ.  We are to share these “recipes” with the world at large.

There are to be no secrets…we are not to stockpile the Good News of Jesus for ourselves.  Eternal Life is available to all who call on the name of Jesus and carry His Holy Spirit in their hearts.  We should be ready, willing and able to tell anyone who asks us about Jesus and what He has done for us.  We should be prepared to demonstrate His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion at a moment’s notice.  True Christian disciples should have no trouble showing others how to walk in faith – or offering them hope in the promises of God through His Son, Jesus.

The other day, I made my grandmother’s “Orange Refrigerator Cake” recipe.  My mother prepared this countless times for us when I was growing up.  With every bite, I was transported back in time.  Childhood memories of life with relatively few cares or worries flooded my mind and heart…and I was reminded of how much I was loved. As we love others with the love of Christ and “feed His sheep,” we are reminded of how much God loves us.  We are flooded with hope and joy – peace and comfort – and assurance that Heaven will be a glorious place!

Are you doing your part to share the love of Jesus with others?  Are you perpetuating the “traditions” and sharing the “recipe” for Eternal Life in Christ?  Are you “feeding His sheep”…or are you selfishly keeping His Good News to yourself?  Will this be the day that you start “making memories” and “sharing recipes” for Eternal Life with others?  Don’t you think it should be?
 
©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 5, 2015

Acts 10:34-36
Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.
 
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.
 
Greg and I have enjoyed watching the Arkansas Razorbacks teams play – particularly football and basketball – for several decades.  Over the years, we have not really had “favorites” on the teams.  But I have to say, this year, I am pretty fond of sophomore basketball forward Bobby Portis.  This kid is 6'11”, 242 pounds of pure awesomeness on the court.  The reports from his coaches are that he is a hard worker who spends endless hours perfecting his skills…and it shows.  As of December 23, Portis was the only player in the SEC in the top 4 in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage.
 
But what impressed me the most about Bobby Portis was his off-court story.  In an article published December 30, 2014, on ESPN.go.com*, writer Myron Medcalf tells of how Portis defended himself and his mother against her drunken, abusive boyfriend.  He also tells how Portis and his family came home – more than once during his teenage years – to find all of their belongings on the lawn in front of an apartment from which they had been kicked out.  At one point, Portis even slept on the floor of a 2-bedroom residence that served as “home” to nine people.
 
Now, Portis plays basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks and seems destined for a career in the NBA.  He credits former Arkansas Razorback stand-out and NBA forward Corliss Williamson, who coached this young man’s AAU basketball team, with giving him more than just good instruction and encouragement on the court.  Portis says that Williamson “gave me love” – and that were it not for Williamson, he doesn’t know what he would have done.
 
There are a lot of people in this world who need love and encouragement.  They may not all possess the athletic ability of Bobby Portis…but that doesn’t matter – or make them any less important.  Let’s make this the year that we look around and reach out to those who need love and encouragement…people who desperately need to know how much God loves them.  Let’s open our hearts and minds – and our arms – to the ones in our midst who need to feel our acceptance and inclusion. Let’s share the Good News that Jesus offers to each and every one of us – and truly give others the idea that THEY are just as significant to Him as the next person.
 
God plays no favorites…and neither should we.  His door is open to everyone who wants a relationship with Him.  Are you as tolerant and welcoming?  Isn’t it time you were?
 
©2015 Debbie Robus
 
*http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12092388/arkansas-bobby-portis-overcomes-poverty-violence-prosper

Daily Devotional for December 19, 2014

December 19 ~ John 9:4-5
Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world’s Light.”
 
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.
 
In the mornings when I wake up, I have a routine that includes walking through our house and turning on lights.  Right now, there are quite a few extra strands for the holidays…on the Christmas tree(s), in a couple of lighted holiday decorations, and even in a few unexpected locations.  Lights adorn our front porch and some yard ornaments…and “candles” illuminate each dormer window.  As each switch is turned or plug is inserted into an outlet, the rooms come alive with the bright sparkle of the tiny white lights…and a sense of warmth and coziness settle over me.  These lights say to me, “Welcome!  There is love in this house!”
 
Jesus is the world’s Light.  God sent Him to earth to accomplish many things, including our salvation through His death on the cross.  The light of His love and care wafts over us like an everlasting coat of warmth and coziness.  Do you feel it?  Do you recognize Jesus’ existence in your life?  Is He an ever-present illumination?  Do you allow Jesus to work in and through you to share His GOOD NEWS with others…and in turn, do you offer them the same brightness, confidence and hope that you enjoy because of Him?
 
Are the lights of the Christmas season a symbol to you of the amazing power and grace of Jesus…or merely another sparkly trinket to enjoy for a month and then pack away until next year?  Isn’t it time we started sharing Jesus’ light all year long…saying, “Welcome!  Jesus has enough love for all of us!”…and wouldn’t this be a great season in which to begin?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 18, 2014

Isaiah 40:9-11
O crier of good news, shout to Jerusalem from the mountaintops! Shout louder—don’t be afraid—tell the cities of Judah, “Your God is coming!”  Yes, the Lord God is coming with mighty power; he will rule with awesome strength. See, his reward is with him, to each as he has done. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will carry the lambs in his arms and gently lead the ewes with young.
 
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.
 
This morning, I shared a video on Facebook of Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end Trey Flowers completing a 55” “box jump”.  A box jump is a plyometric exercise that involves standing in front of a sturdy “box” and vertically jumping atop it in a single motion…with no assistance.  This exercise uses multiple joints and muscles and requires tremendous leg strength.  Flowers swung his arms about 3 times, bent his knees into a quarter-squat, and jumped more than 55” into the air – and landed atop the “box”.  The onlookers cheered and applauded.
 
This video was an “announcement” of sorts. A few days after Christmas, the Arkansas Razorbacks will take on the Texas Longhorns in the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl.  There is a decades-old rivalry between these two universities and their sports programs.  This was one way of announcing to the good people of Texas that “The Razorbacks are coming!  We have mighty power and awesome strength!  We’re coming to Houston to garner a win and carry the trophy home to our fans!”
 
To be clear, I do not mean to compare any of the Arkansas Razorbacks football team members to Jesus.  But my point is that we are all about heralding big events…letting people know who we are and what we plan to accomplish.  Our “bravado” and confidence are never higher than when we anticipate an exciting victory over a lifelong “enemy” in a sporting competition.  Why do we not herald Jesus with equal exuberance?
 
This is the question we must ask today.  Jesus has come…Jesus is coming again.  His strength and power over the devil and his agents are incomparable…and paradoxically, His tender love and care for us are undeniable.
 
We don’t have a “box jump” video of Jesus…but we can use our words and actions to spread His message!  Jesus has come!  Don’t be afraid to shout this to the world and be the crier of this GOOD NEWS!  Jesus has come…victory is ours!  Who will you tell today?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 10, 2014

Acts 10:4-6
Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.
 
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.
 
This morning, a Facebook friend posted a “video” about a man who died and was summoned for judgment by God.  To his horror and shame, his life and all of the mistakes he had made – every sin he had committed - was reviewed.  Then an angel looked in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and the man’s name was nowhere to be found. The man was thrown into the "lake of fire" known as Hell. 
 
The video concluded with a look at how things could have gone, had the man only surrendered his heart to Jesus and asked for His forgiveness.  2 Corinthians 5:17 reminded us that…”Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new.”  And the words of Isaiah 1:18 were presented to assure us…”This is God’s Message: ‘If your sins are blood-red, they’ll be snow-white.  If they’re red like crimson, they’ll be like wool.’”
 
My friend accompanied this post with these words…”Powerful, hopefully by sharing this I can inspire someone, just as I was!!!”  I hope so, too…because the real message of Christmas is not found in the tinsel and the garlands, the packages and the parties.  The true message of Christmas lies in the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ…our promise and hope that God sent to earth in the form of a tiny baby.  The message of Christmas really lies in the story of Easter…the crucifixion, death and resurrection of the Christ Child – all to pay for OUR sins and mistakes.
 
The real gift of Christmas is the anticipation of eternity spent in the presence of God.  This gift is open to all of us who will freely choose to follow Jesus.  As we read Peter’s words to the church in Acts, we are reminded that the door is open to any and ALL who choose to accept this gift.  God plays no favorites, indeed!  If you have received the gift of salvation in Jesus, every other gift is just fluff…something nice to tide you over until heaven – but made all the more enjoyable because of that confidence.
 
What is the message of Christmas for you this year?  Have you received the ultimate Gift?  Jesus is standing at the door…holding it open for you to enter into an eternal relationship with Him and live in His presence forever.  Aren’t you ready to cross the threshold?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 13, 2014

Ephesians 5:8-10
You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.

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.

A childhood friend of mine who teaches 3rd grade said that one of her students asked her if she has a disco ball at her house.  She asked, “How does he know what a disco ball is…and do I look like I have a disco ball at my house?”  Friends began to tease her about it, of course, and I told her and a mutual friend that there is no going back now…we all know what they really do together on “movie night”!

Of course, we were all having some harmless fun at my friends’ expense.  But this scripture passage did remind me once again that we truly do not know what goes on “behind closed doors”.  And for the most part, we should remind ourselves that as Christians, the “bright light of Christ” is always “on”…and people are watching!  Someone commented to the Facebook post and said that at one time, she truly did own a disco ball…but it she gave it away because she heard it could cause seizures.  Here’s the good news… the light of Christ is in no way harmful!  When you walk in Jesus’ light, you are not only “out in the open”…but you have no reason for stumbling around.  His light will direct your path in the best possible way.  You can count on Jesus’ love and light to illuminate the perfect plan for you…to show you how and where to serve Him, and what actions are appropriate.

I’m 99% sure my friend doesn’t really own a disco ball.  But if she does, I hope she dances to her heart’s content, because I know it would all be in harmless fun.  But I also hope that we will all stop and take a look at what is revealed in the bright light of Christ that illuminates our lives.  Do we represent Jesus well?  Do we share His love and compassion with others?  Do we tell them the Good News about salvation in Jesus and the opportunity to spend Eternity in His presence?  Are we caring, kind, honest, fair, merciful, gracious, forgiving, respectful, honest and genuine?  Do we show others an example of what pleases Jesus in our “walk” and our “talk”?

Isn’t it time we remembered that Jesus pulled us out of the murk and darkness of sin…and started acting like “children of the Light”?  Will this be the day that you begin?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 19, 2014

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

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.

In a January 3, 2014, report for the DailyMail.com, correspondent Melissa Kite describes donning a “fat suit” made in the United States for the Peterborough City Hospital in England, to the tune of over $1600US.  Kite, a svelte 119 pounds (8½ stone in British terms), donned a “bariatric suit” that elevated her weight to 40 stone…or 560 pounds.  The hospital is using this suit to help provide nurses with empathy for the obese patients they treat in their facility.  Hite points out that over a million people are classified as “morbidly obese” in Great Britain.  Given the added health risks that come with obesity, it’s a sure bet that more than handful of these folks will visit the hospital for some sort of treatment.  I encourage you to read this thought-provoking report for yourself.*

I chose a fairly “mainstream” example of “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes”…but only because this is one we can physically imagine and envision.  We can also visualize simulating homelessness for a weekend, restraining an arm or leg or wearing a blindfold and trying to imagine what it would be like to function without a limb or our eyesight.  But how do we gain insight into the more “invisible” lives - and burdens - of others?  Are we able to imagine what it would be like to be bullied?  Can we truly understand the emotional anguish of someone who has suffered the loss of a child? Do you know what it feels like to be mistreated because of the color of your skin, your sexual orientation, something that happened to you in the past, your ethnicity, or your social status?

Can you possibly imagine what it is like to suffer from some form of mental illness?  Have you considered the challenges that come to the family members of those who do? Are you able to truly understand what it is to wake up hungry every day… and go to bed wondering whether you will survive another?  Can you relate to the terminally ill person who is facing his/her own mortality, and all of the worries and concerns for those left behind?  Do you have any idea the mental and emotional torment that may plague an addict, adulterer, prostitute, gang member, or psychopath?  Do you know firsthand the heartache of parents who are filled with worry and anguish over delinquent children or a child with mental, physical or emotional issues?  Have you personally been charged with responsibilities of caring for an aging loved one…and had to make difficult “life decisions” in the process?

I do not believe that Paul is calling on us to literally become one of these people…even for a short term experience.  But in essence, He is telling us to stop for just a minute and try to envision their world…to “put on their fat suit” in our minds and hearts…and to see what – and who – God sees.  Then…and only then…will we have a shot at truly sharing the compassion – and Good News – of Christ with them.  There is an adage that is attributed to several people that essentially says, “People don’t care what you know…until they know that you care.”  This is what Paul is trying to share with us in this passage of scripture.  So my question today for all of us is…do people know that we care?  Isn’t it time they did?

©2014 Debbie Robus
 
*Wearing fat suits can make you sympathise with the obese...

Daily Devotional for December 25, 2012

Revelation 21:6-7
Everything is finished! I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give water from the life-giving fountain to everyone who is thirsty. All who win the victory will be given these blessings. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

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

My husband went out to check on a few folks this morning, and he stopped by my niece’s house to leave some things they had forgotten last night at our house. The children were dancing around amidst all of their Christmas gifts and the surprises Santa Claus left for them. Timothy stopped suddenly, commanded everyone’s attention and said, “I need to tell everybody… Grandma and Grandpa are bringing more presents!” My sister says that when they arrived and “more presents” were opened, Timothy was like virtually every other kid in the world on Christmas morning… he announced, “We need more presents!”

In many ways, a lot of us could say that everything is finished this Christmas. But in the most important way of all, this truly is the beginning rather than the end. We do need more - of Jesus - and we can have more of Him each and every day. Jesus truly is the Alpha and the Omega… for each believer, everything begins and ends with Him. But we’re by no means done! For us, every day is Christmas – or should be… a new beginning… another chance to share the Good News of Christ with others and to serve as His hands and feet on this earth.

So celebrate Christmas today. Open gifts, have an extra cookie or piece of pie, enjoy family and friends - and maybe watch a ballgame or two on TV or a holiday movie. But remember that we are not finished! Jesus will return someday. In the meantime, we have work to do. We must keep Him in our hearts every single day and share His message with others. We may not say “Merry Christmas” again for another eleven months or so… but we must share the Christmas spirit all year long.

Jesus is bringing more presents… freedom, victory and blessings for each of us…are you ready to receive them? Is your “Christmas” finished… or has it just begun?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 8, 2012

2 Peter 1:3-4
Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.

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.

In the 1980s and 1990s, my mom and dad went on several FAM tours. According to a document at www.latour.lsu.edu, a FAM tour is “a free or reduced-rate trip offered to travel professionals to acquaint them with what a destination, attraction or supplier has to offer.” In my mom’s case, these destinations and attractions (like resorts, theme parks and more) hoped that she would write a favorable review of their offerings for the magazines and newspapers in which her articles were published.

In the mid-1990s, my mother was offered a free cruise aboard The Big Red Boat… a “Looney Tunes”-themed cruise ship sailing from Florida to the Bahamas. For the cruise, my mom was told she could not only bring my dad… but also her children! Even though my siblings and I were grown, Mom invited me, my sister, and my niece to join them… and we did!

Because of my mother’s association with certain editors and publishers, she was invited to enjoy this opportunity. And because she passed on the invitation to us, we could enjoy this 4-day cruise, as well. My mother established this relationship and her reputation as a writer, and she enjoyed trips to several major cities and resorts… the nicest rooms, tickets to top events, gourmet meals, and much more. She and my dad could easily have taken the cruise by themselves, but they graciously extended an invitation to us to join them. Once we accepted the invitation, we had to purchase our own plane tickets and fly to Florida to meet them and board the boat. But once we got there, everything else was provided.

Do you see where I’m headed with this? God sent Jesus to earth with an offer of salvation – forgiveness of our sins and Eternal life – as well as blessings we can’t even count in this lifetime. All we have to do is accept the invitation… and agree to serve Him and share His Good News with others. And the best part is that we can bring others along with us! We can tell those we encounter about Jesus and invite them to enjoy the same promises and blessings that God has offered us.

Those who offer FAM tours have no guarantee that the attendees will produce glowing reviews and write dozens of articles that drum up plenty of new business. Yet they continue to offer the tours. And God offers His gift of salvation and Eternal Life, knowing that many of us will accept His invitation to follow… and then do the bare minimum as Christian believers. Still… He offers.

I’m not sure why so many of us are reluctant to operate in the lavish blessings of God. I can’t explain why we treat the One who has given us EVERYTHING so poorly… or with such ambivalence. I’m certainly not sure why He wants to bless such an ungrateful lot like us… but He does. The invitation from God is better than any FAM tour or free cruise. Accepting and showing appreciation should be a no-brainer.

Have you said “Yes!” to God’s invitation? How are you treating Him in return? Are you living in a way that glorifies and honors this lavish gift… and have you shared God’s invitation through Jesus Christ with others? Isn’t it about time you did?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 21, 2011

Psalm 147:1-6
Hallelujah! It's a good thing to sing praise to our God; praise is beautiful, praise is fitting. God's the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who regathers Israel's scattered exiles. He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and assigns each a name. Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we'll never comprehend what he knows and does. God puts the fallen on their feet again and pushes the wicked into the ditch.

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

We can’t talk about the joy and celebration of Christmas without talking about the difficulty of this season for so many. You may know someone who has recently lost a loved one and is grieving. Many are out of work and cannot afford to “celebrate” in the conventional sense of the word. Still others are sick and suffering, separated from family and friends by long distances, or struggling with personal issues that color every aspect of their lives.

In this season of such joy and festivity, we need to remind ourselves that the person standing next to us in line at Wal-Mart may be hurting or struggling to put one foot in front of the other. The whole point of Christmas should be to share God’s continual love and care in a profound way. We need to offer a smile, a handshake or a hug… or simply speak a kind word that might encourage.

So many people need to get the message of this scripture passage this week. They need to know that God loves them with limitless strength and stands ready to put them back on their feet. They need to comprehend that the same God who names every star loves them just as much. Where the future looks bleak and hopeless, they need to see a God who has endless possibilities on the horizon. And all of this begins with you and me.

We are God’s vehicles of hope. We can bless, comfort and encourage others – not just this month, but all throughout the year. And we are called to do exactly this! If we understand anything about the true meaning of Christmas, we must understand that we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. He came to earth and demonstrated how to love others in His name… now it’s our turn. We find it easy to do for others in the Christmas season – and there’s nothing wrong with a good hearty practice session. But unless we keep the Spirit of Christmas in our hearts all year long and share it with others, we can’t truly claim to understand Christmas in the first place.

The next few days as you are out and about, look around and see who needs a smile, a word of encouragement, a hug… or a helping hand. Speak less of the parties, gifts and trappings of Christmas and more about the love of Christ. Remember your neighbors and friends, even if it’s with a simple card or e-mail message to say, “I’m glad God brought us together.” Take time to visit the elderly or to do something for someone who is ill or in need. Smile at that sad looking person behind you in line at the check-out. Offer to return a shopping cart to the store or the parking lot collection area. Offer to help your mom, dad, grandparent, spouse, sibling, or friend with holiday preparations. Then after Christmas, keep doing this! Remember to praise God for restoring us from even the greatest sorrows and hardships and helping us to find joy and hope once again. And in doing so, remind others that He will restore them, as well.

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 8, 2011

John 10:14
I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life for my sheep. I have other sheep that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them together too, when they hear my voice. Then there will be one flock of sheep and one shepherd.

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

On a recent episode of Project Runway, a contestant lost her money for materials somewhere in the fabric store. She had nothing to purchase her fabric, thread and other materials with… and her advisor said, “You can use muslin from the workroom.” Muslin is a very plain, unbleached cotton material… usually used for linings and to shape a garment – not as actual fabric. The contestant was crying and upset, and another contestant who did not spend all of his money gave her what he had left… $11 and some change.

The contestant took the money and bought a little fabric and a zipper. Then she dyed muslin and added it to her small amount of fabric to construct a garment. In the end, she won the competition for the week! Ironically, the next week, when another contestant asked if she had any leftover fabric she could share, this person lied and said she did not. “After all,” she said, “this is a competition. At this stage of the game, I don’t feel I should be helping someone else.”

I’m afraid we are often just like this contestant. We’re all about helping others when it is convenient or feels good. And surely we want God to help us when we call on Him. But once we have what we want, we’re often done. We don’t think about ministering to others and sharing with them what God has done for us. We never consider that there are people who don’t know about the love, grace and mercy of Jesus… and that we must tell them – and witness to them!

This is what I believe Jesus means when he says I have other sheep not in the pen… and I must bring them together, too. We are all in this together. We must seek out those in need and help them. We must live in such a way that any who are “not in the pen” see how God is working in and through us… and want to join us and experience a life in Christ for themselves.

Unlike Project Runway, Christian life is not a competition. The stakes are high… but not in the same way. How will you participate? Are you one of Jesus’ sheep in the pen? Are you helping Him gather others to join you by your examples and ministries? Are you striving to emulate the Good Shepherd? Shouldn’t you?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 28, 2011

John 1:6-8
God sent a man named John, who came to tell about the light and to lead all people to have faith. John wasn't that light. He came only to tell about the light.

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

Have you ever tried to ask someone a question, and the person totally went off in another direction with their answer? They missed the point completely! Or maybe you have said something to someone, and what they heard was altogether different. You gave one message… the person received another!

We do this a lot in our faith walk. We get all hung up on one little phrase in a scripture verse… or we focus on something that is really pretty insignificant… and we miss the bigger picture. And a lot of people got mixed up and thought that John was God’s “Chosen One,” when in reality, he was the messenger. John was anointed by God and chosen to prepare the way… and he did lead many to develop a faith in Jesus and a relationship with our Heavenly Father. But John was not Jesus, and he never claimed to be.

So often, we get a little pious – somewhat high and mighty – and we tend to think better of ourselves than we should! Just because we have a relationship with Jesus and are covered in His blood – heirs to the Throne of Grace – doesn’t mean we can lord it over others! This is not a license to judge and condemn them for what we consider sinful or wrong behavior. We are not entitled to claim to do great things under our own power. The only power we have comes from Jesus Christ working in and through us!

With the power of Jesus, we can spread the Good News of His salvation. With the power of Jesus, we can tell all about the light and lead people to a faith in Christ for themselves. We cannot judge sin… we cannot heal sickness… we cannot save anyone. Only God can do this through the blood of Jesus Christ. But we can deliver the message. We can live in a manner that shows others what a faith in Jesus can do for them. We can love others and share grace, mercy, and forgiveness… modeling Christ-like behaviors. And we must do this!

When it comes to modeling Christian behavior, John was a pioneer! He showed others the way to walk in faith and shared the Good News of the coming of Jesus. We can take our cue from John… we can walk in faith, and we can share with others how Jesus sacrificed His very life for each of us on the cross. It is our turn to tell about the Light. How are you doing?

©2011 Debbie Robus