June 11 ~ Psalm 118:6
The LORD is on my side, and I am not afraid of what others can do to me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Suppose your friend posted something inappropriate on Facebook. What would you do? Would you ignore it? Would you “like” it? Would you say something? Suppose the comment were something that could get your friend into trouble, if someone saw it and misconstrued its meaning? Would you say something then? If you felt your friend would be mad at you, even if your intentions were totally honorable, would you still tell them? This happened to me recently. I saw a post on Facebook that I knew my friend would never post. It was really inappropriate. I assumed right away that her account had been hacked, and I sent a private message to tell her. She replied and thanked me… and the post disappeared.
Was I concerned that my friend would be upset, or even possibly block me for mentioning this? Maybe a little… but here’s what I did. I waited an hour or so before contacting her, and during this time, I asked God what I should do. I kept being drawn back to the computer and this post, so I felt God was saying, “Tell her. I’ll handle the rest.” So that’s what I did… and I am very glad that I listened.
I’ll be the first to tell you, I have not always handled things this way. I’ve not always entered into these situations prayerfully, which is a huge mistake. And I’ve also buried my head in the sand and failed to act because of what I thought others might think – or how they might react. We need to realize that God can use us for His purposes – even when we are afraid. And when we listen to God and only act when HE says to do so, He will always protect us. If we go off half-cocked and without consulting Him, we may have to suffer the consequences of our actions. I’m not saying God’s protection is conditional, necessarily… but to some extent it is. He will never desert us, but He may allow us to squirm a little in order to learn and grow.
So be brave and courageous. Stay in close communication with God at all times and about all things. When you feel He is telling you to make a move… don’t be afraid… don’t fear the consequences. Trust God to work out the details. Recognize His strength and power to work in - and through - you to accomplish His will in all circumstances.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label shield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shield. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 9, 2010
June 9 ~ Psalm 46:2
And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever gotten news that absolutely sent you into a tailspin? As soon as you heard it, your mind started racing… “Omigosh… what will happen next? How will this end? Will everyone be okay? What does this mean for me?” It seems that Satan has a tremendous ability to upset our apple cart with very little effort sometimes. All he has to do is plant a seed of doubt or fear in our mind, and we are off to the races!
The next time you get this feeling… the next time something rattles your cage even momentarily, remember Psalm 46:2… “and so, we won’t be afraid. Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.” Let the devil try his hardest to upset us and make us worry, shake, rattle and roll. But let God’s peace and power cover us! Stand up and say, “It will be okay. God will make it so! I am not going to let this concern me for even one minute!”
Psalm 46:10 says, “Our God says, ‘Calm down, and learn that I am God!’” Stop and rest in that for a while. Then thank Him for being so merciful… for blessing us with His power, grace and mercy. Thank God that you don’t have to operate in fear for even one minute… and kick that ole devil to the curb!
©2010 Debbie Robus
And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever gotten news that absolutely sent you into a tailspin? As soon as you heard it, your mind started racing… “Omigosh… what will happen next? How will this end? Will everyone be okay? What does this mean for me?” It seems that Satan has a tremendous ability to upset our apple cart with very little effort sometimes. All he has to do is plant a seed of doubt or fear in our mind, and we are off to the races!
The next time you get this feeling… the next time something rattles your cage even momentarily, remember Psalm 46:2… “and so, we won’t be afraid. Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.” Let the devil try his hardest to upset us and make us worry, shake, rattle and roll. But let God’s peace and power cover us! Stand up and say, “It will be okay. God will make it so! I am not going to let this concern me for even one minute!”
Psalm 46:10 says, “Our God says, ‘Calm down, and learn that I am God!’” Stop and rest in that for a while. Then thank Him for being so merciful… for blessing us with His power, grace and mercy. Thank God that you don’t have to operate in fear for even one minute… and kick that ole devil to the curb!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 3, 2010
June 3 ~ 2 Kings 6:16
"Don't be afraid," Elisha answered. "There are more troops on our side than on theirs."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Nobody likes to feel outnumbered. The good news is, in our Christian life, it may seem that way, but in truth, we have more “troops” on our side than we even realize! Truly, no weapon formed against us will prosper, if we are living within God’s will.
I will be honest… I didn’t really understand this when I was a teenager and young adult. And I now see just how generous God’s grace was over me during those years. I still remember being laughed at because I didn’t smoke cigarettes and wouldn’t try marijuana or other drugs. I still recall the sting of not being included in trips to the lake or other outings because I wasn’t allowed to wear a bikini bathing suit or the crop tops and low-rise jeans my girlfriends were wearing. I’ve heard the names… “prude,” “goody two-shoes,” and more. And I admit…at the time, these things really hurt. They made me feel like I was an outsider… like I was outnumbered, and everyone else was having more fun and laughing at me. And honestly, Satan delighted in this… and he could have so easily won me over, had God’s grace not covered me.
See, I didn’t realize it then, but for every temptation Satan hurled at me, God stood back, arms folded, watching His angels surround me and give me the resolve and courage I needed to muddle through each situation. It wasn’t easy, and I don’t have a spotless record! But now I see so clearly that I was I just didn’t realize Who had my back… I was never outnumbered! And neither are you!
God has a army of angels surrounding each of us, ready to fight off Satan’s attackers. We can call on them any hour of the night or day. All we have to do is say, “Lord, I need you. I’m upset, and I’m about to say something that I know I will regret later.” Or, “Lord, everyone else is doing this… I really, really want to fit in… can you help me?” Or, “Father, I don’t think I can fight this disease and the ailments of aging any more. Can you please give me strength and peace?”
When I sleepily rock our nephew Timothy in the middle of the night, and he will not settle down, I have prayed for God to give him rest and relaxation. I’ve envisioned him surrounded by angels who lovingly soothe him and calm him as he returns to sleep in his crib. I have felt the presence of angels in a hospital room as my dad lay dying, and I have acknowledged that they were far more powerful than the demons of his illness and suffering. I have been tempted to lash out in anger and frustration at someone when I felt they were mistreating me, and I’ve asked God to surround me with legions of angels to protect me – and my intended target. And always… ALWAYS… God answers when I call on Him. AND… He will do the very same thing for you. Nothing is too big or too small for God… and we do not have to operate one second more in fear.
Are you calling on God and His army of angels to calm your fears and give you courage – and encouragement? Do you recognize the enemy and confront him headlong by calling on The Great Commander? Isn’t it time we stopped giving in, compromising and declaring defeat unnecessarily? We need recognize that we are never outnumbered as Christians. Help is only a prayer away. I wish I had used them more often when I was younger, but I am making up for lost time now! God is truly my ultimate “lifeline” – is He yours?
©2010 Debbie Robus
"Don't be afraid," Elisha answered. "There are more troops on our side than on theirs."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Nobody likes to feel outnumbered. The good news is, in our Christian life, it may seem that way, but in truth, we have more “troops” on our side than we even realize! Truly, no weapon formed against us will prosper, if we are living within God’s will.
I will be honest… I didn’t really understand this when I was a teenager and young adult. And I now see just how generous God’s grace was over me during those years. I still remember being laughed at because I didn’t smoke cigarettes and wouldn’t try marijuana or other drugs. I still recall the sting of not being included in trips to the lake or other outings because I wasn’t allowed to wear a bikini bathing suit or the crop tops and low-rise jeans my girlfriends were wearing. I’ve heard the names… “prude,” “goody two-shoes,” and more. And I admit…at the time, these things really hurt. They made me feel like I was an outsider… like I was outnumbered, and everyone else was having more fun and laughing at me. And honestly, Satan delighted in this… and he could have so easily won me over, had God’s grace not covered me.
See, I didn’t realize it then, but for every temptation Satan hurled at me, God stood back, arms folded, watching His angels surround me and give me the resolve and courage I needed to muddle through each situation. It wasn’t easy, and I don’t have a spotless record! But now I see so clearly that I was I just didn’t realize Who had my back… I was never outnumbered! And neither are you!
God has a army of angels surrounding each of us, ready to fight off Satan’s attackers. We can call on them any hour of the night or day. All we have to do is say, “Lord, I need you. I’m upset, and I’m about to say something that I know I will regret later.” Or, “Lord, everyone else is doing this… I really, really want to fit in… can you help me?” Or, “Father, I don’t think I can fight this disease and the ailments of aging any more. Can you please give me strength and peace?”
When I sleepily rock our nephew Timothy in the middle of the night, and he will not settle down, I have prayed for God to give him rest and relaxation. I’ve envisioned him surrounded by angels who lovingly soothe him and calm him as he returns to sleep in his crib. I have felt the presence of angels in a hospital room as my dad lay dying, and I have acknowledged that they were far more powerful than the demons of his illness and suffering. I have been tempted to lash out in anger and frustration at someone when I felt they were mistreating me, and I’ve asked God to surround me with legions of angels to protect me – and my intended target. And always… ALWAYS… God answers when I call on Him. AND… He will do the very same thing for you. Nothing is too big or too small for God… and we do not have to operate one second more in fear.
Are you calling on God and His army of angels to calm your fears and give you courage – and encouragement? Do you recognize the enemy and confront him headlong by calling on The Great Commander? Isn’t it time we stopped giving in, compromising and declaring defeat unnecessarily? We need recognize that we are never outnumbered as Christians. Help is only a prayer away. I wish I had used them more often when I was younger, but I am making up for lost time now! God is truly my ultimate “lifeline” – is He yours?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 1, 2010
June 1 ~ Deuteronomy 3:21-22
Then I told Joshua, " You saw how the LORD our God helped us destroy King Sihon and King Og. So don't be afraid! Wherever you go, the LORD will fight on your side and help you destroy your enemies."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s just about summertime! We will be scattering in a zillion directions… vacations, summer camps, Boys State and Girls State, football practice, baseball and softball tournaments, swimming lessons, and much more. Some of you will be getting ready to head to college… or possibly Basic Training for the military. Some may be retiring or changing jobs… or getting married…having a baby, or moving to another city - or just to another apartment!
At every turn, our lives are filled with changes and new situations… and often, fears of the unknown. But if we stop and look around, we see that people have been going through these same things for years and doing just fine – with God’s help! Sometimes when I face something new or different and think it seems daunting, I remind myself of two things: 1) God is with me and will help me; and 2) plenty of other people have done this with His help - and so can I!
The message for today, this first day of a new month is… “You can do it… whatever ‘it’ is, because God will fight on your side and help you destroy any and all enemies.” God will see you through your challenges and obstacles - and even the new and exciting adventures that seem a little scary. Nothing is too big for God! Have a wonderful summer, and keep always Him close!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Then I told Joshua, " You saw how the LORD our God helped us destroy King Sihon and King Og. So don't be afraid! Wherever you go, the LORD will fight on your side and help you destroy your enemies."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s just about summertime! We will be scattering in a zillion directions… vacations, summer camps, Boys State and Girls State, football practice, baseball and softball tournaments, swimming lessons, and much more. Some of you will be getting ready to head to college… or possibly Basic Training for the military. Some may be retiring or changing jobs… or getting married…having a baby, or moving to another city - or just to another apartment!
At every turn, our lives are filled with changes and new situations… and often, fears of the unknown. But if we stop and look around, we see that people have been going through these same things for years and doing just fine – with God’s help! Sometimes when I face something new or different and think it seems daunting, I remind myself of two things: 1) God is with me and will help me; and 2) plenty of other people have done this with His help - and so can I!
The message for today, this first day of a new month is… “You can do it… whatever ‘it’ is, because God will fight on your side and help you destroy any and all enemies.” God will see you through your challenges and obstacles - and even the new and exciting adventures that seem a little scary. Nothing is too big for God! Have a wonderful summer, and keep always Him close!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 7, 2010
May 7 ~ Psalm 91:3-8
The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. You won't need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. And you won't fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon. You will not be harmed, though thousands fall all around you. And with your own eyes you will see the punishment of the wicked.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In 2004, while teaching a junior High Sunday School class at our church, I searched for a way to get the kids to read their Bible. I asked them to write down twelve issues that they struggled with or had questions about… and they listed school, family, peer pressure, love, friends, possessions, and more. I searched the Bible for scriptures to fit each topic and developed an outline… “devos” for each month. I printed them out each week as a hand-out for the students on Sundays, and several began using them to study their Bible.
In 2005, Susan Miles, the wife of our pastor at that time, came to me and said, “We need something for our “in-betweeners” – those who have graduated from high school but are not quite adults. It needs to be something we could e-mail them – like a daily devotional. Would you help me do this?” I shared with her the year-long set of daily devos that I had written, and Susan used a list of e-mail addresses – mostly youth in our church who had graduated, along with those I worked with in Jr/Sr High Sunday School classes and S.P.A.M. small groups – to send the “devos” each day, beginning in August when school resumed. When we had used all of the devotionals for that year, I started writing more… and I’ve written them ever since.
If you ever wonder why sometimes the devo seems slanted toward younger people, this is the reason. As years have passed, people have shared the devos with friends and family who said, “I want to be on the list,” and now I send the daily devotional to over 120 e-mail addresses for people whose ages range from early teens to late 80’s. I have no idea how many people actually see each devo, because I know some of you share them with family and friends… and that’s wonderful. I also post them on my blog… http://auntdebsattic.blogspot.com. Since I started writing the devos, I have truly come to appreciate God’s protection. I have used personal experiences and current events to show you how God’s word is real for our lives every day – and at every age… and how He is always working on our behalf. I’ve shared with you the struggles and joys of the journey of a little boy named Job, who received a lung transplant in 2007 - and just celebrated his 12th birthday, by the way! (www.caringbridge.org/ar/job) I’ve tried to always write what God wants me to say and not what I want to share. And I’ll tell you, the days when I feel that my words are not that great are often when I hear from more of you – things like “That was just what I needed today!” See…God spoke, not me… and what He wanted said was sent to you that day. What is really cool is a day when several of you write and say, “That was just for me!” How amazing it is to realize that God uses the same message for so many individuals. My prayer is to send out what God wants said each and every day!
So today, know that God is protecting you and caring for you – each step of every day. He knows your joys, your sorrows, your fears, your thrills, your illnesses, and your good health. He cares about everything that has to do with you… and He stands ready to shield you from all of Satan’s slings and arrows. I do hope you believe this… and that you are trusting God to keep you safe. I pray that you will find encouragement and answers in these daily devotionals. As long as God keeps giving me words to share, I will keep writing. If you know someone who would be interested in receiving the devos each day, they can send their e-mail address to me, and I will add them to the list. I’m so happy to be able to share with you my insights on how God’s word works for us today. I pray you feel Him at work in your life this day – and always.
©2010 Debbie Robus
The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. You won't need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. And you won't fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon. You will not be harmed, though thousands fall all around you. And with your own eyes you will see the punishment of the wicked.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In 2004, while teaching a junior High Sunday School class at our church, I searched for a way to get the kids to read their Bible. I asked them to write down twelve issues that they struggled with or had questions about… and they listed school, family, peer pressure, love, friends, possessions, and more. I searched the Bible for scriptures to fit each topic and developed an outline… “devos” for each month. I printed them out each week as a hand-out for the students on Sundays, and several began using them to study their Bible.
In 2005, Susan Miles, the wife of our pastor at that time, came to me and said, “We need something for our “in-betweeners” – those who have graduated from high school but are not quite adults. It needs to be something we could e-mail them – like a daily devotional. Would you help me do this?” I shared with her the year-long set of daily devos that I had written, and Susan used a list of e-mail addresses – mostly youth in our church who had graduated, along with those I worked with in Jr/Sr High Sunday School classes and S.P.A.M. small groups – to send the “devos” each day, beginning in August when school resumed. When we had used all of the devotionals for that year, I started writing more… and I’ve written them ever since.
If you ever wonder why sometimes the devo seems slanted toward younger people, this is the reason. As years have passed, people have shared the devos with friends and family who said, “I want to be on the list,” and now I send the daily devotional to over 120 e-mail addresses for people whose ages range from early teens to late 80’s. I have no idea how many people actually see each devo, because I know some of you share them with family and friends… and that’s wonderful. I also post them on my blog… http://auntdebsattic.blogspot.com. Since I started writing the devos, I have truly come to appreciate God’s protection. I have used personal experiences and current events to show you how God’s word is real for our lives every day – and at every age… and how He is always working on our behalf. I’ve shared with you the struggles and joys of the journey of a little boy named Job, who received a lung transplant in 2007 - and just celebrated his 12th birthday, by the way! (www.caringbridge.org/ar/job) I’ve tried to always write what God wants me to say and not what I want to share. And I’ll tell you, the days when I feel that my words are not that great are often when I hear from more of you – things like “That was just what I needed today!” See…God spoke, not me… and what He wanted said was sent to you that day. What is really cool is a day when several of you write and say, “That was just for me!” How amazing it is to realize that God uses the same message for so many individuals. My prayer is to send out what God wants said each and every day!
So today, know that God is protecting you and caring for you – each step of every day. He knows your joys, your sorrows, your fears, your thrills, your illnesses, and your good health. He cares about everything that has to do with you… and He stands ready to shield you from all of Satan’s slings and arrows. I do hope you believe this… and that you are trusting God to keep you safe. I pray that you will find encouragement and answers in these daily devotionals. As long as God keeps giving me words to share, I will keep writing. If you know someone who would be interested in receiving the devos each day, they can send their e-mail address to me, and I will add them to the list. I’m so happy to be able to share with you my insights on how God’s word works for us today. I pray you feel Him at work in your life this day – and always.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 5, 2010
May 5 ~ Psalm 46:1-3
God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble. And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea. Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, we’ve had a lot of serious storms come through our state. Tornadoes, floods, high winds, lightning strikes and more have ravaged many communities. Some have even lost their lives. One stormy night, my grandmother phoned me and asked, “What do you think about this weather?” I told her we were watching the warnings on television. At age 97+, my Mam-ma is no longer able to venture to her backyard storm cellar if the tornado sirens sound, so she said she had fixed a spot for herself in an interior closet of her house. I offered – three times - to come and get her and let her ride out the storms with us. She declined, and tearfully she said, “The Lord is gonna take care of me.” While I know that she knows this to be true, she was not convincing me she was confident at that moment! I assured her that this was true… the Lord would take care of her… but I would still come get her if she wished. The storms moved out, and Mam-ma stayed put, and we all slept soundly in our own beds that evening.
How often – in so many circumstances – are we just like my Mam-ma? How often do we know deep in our heart that God will protect us, yet we panic and wring our hands and worry? I’m not talking about just when we get storm warnings. I have to admit, I grew up running to a storm cellar, and tornado warnings still agitate me and set me on edge. I know that I should be calmer and more confident… but I also know that God gave us tornado warnings to protect us by getting us to take cover!
What I’m really talking about are the “storms” of life that upend our world. How do we handle these? Do we rest in the knowledge and confidence that God is our mighty fortress – always ready to help us when troubles come? Do we allow fear (a tool of the devil) to overcome us, or do we settle in and say, “Bring it on, Mister… God will protect me!”? We need to learn to lean on God more. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our part. When the “storm warnings” are issued, we need to pay attention – and take cover when necessary. But we also need to remember WHO numbers our steps… and call on Him for guidance and protection! God IS our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble… are you ready to rest in His strength?
©2010 Debbie Robus
God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble. And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea. Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, we’ve had a lot of serious storms come through our state. Tornadoes, floods, high winds, lightning strikes and more have ravaged many communities. Some have even lost their lives. One stormy night, my grandmother phoned me and asked, “What do you think about this weather?” I told her we were watching the warnings on television. At age 97+, my Mam-ma is no longer able to venture to her backyard storm cellar if the tornado sirens sound, so she said she had fixed a spot for herself in an interior closet of her house. I offered – three times - to come and get her and let her ride out the storms with us. She declined, and tearfully she said, “The Lord is gonna take care of me.” While I know that she knows this to be true, she was not convincing me she was confident at that moment! I assured her that this was true… the Lord would take care of her… but I would still come get her if she wished. The storms moved out, and Mam-ma stayed put, and we all slept soundly in our own beds that evening.
How often – in so many circumstances – are we just like my Mam-ma? How often do we know deep in our heart that God will protect us, yet we panic and wring our hands and worry? I’m not talking about just when we get storm warnings. I have to admit, I grew up running to a storm cellar, and tornado warnings still agitate me and set me on edge. I know that I should be calmer and more confident… but I also know that God gave us tornado warnings to protect us by getting us to take cover!
What I’m really talking about are the “storms” of life that upend our world. How do we handle these? Do we rest in the knowledge and confidence that God is our mighty fortress – always ready to help us when troubles come? Do we allow fear (a tool of the devil) to overcome us, or do we settle in and say, “Bring it on, Mister… God will protect me!”? We need to learn to lean on God more. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our part. When the “storm warnings” are issued, we need to pay attention – and take cover when necessary. But we also need to remember WHO numbers our steps… and call on Him for guidance and protection! God IS our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble… are you ready to rest in His strength?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 4, 2010
March 4 ~ Psalm 32:10
All kinds of troubles will strike the wicked, but your kindness shields those who trust you, LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about common cold medicine. When you have a runny nose and stuffy head, you trust this drug to help alleviate your symptoms and make you feel better. But in the wrong hands, the same ingredients can be utilized to create something more sinister – a “recreational drug” that can steal your health and ruin lives. When you use the can of cooking spray in your cabinet to coat a dish or pan, you trust that whatever you cook will not stick. But that same can of cooking spray could have a far more serious – even lethal – use as a “recreational inhalant.” It’s a bit like playing Russian Roulette.
Do you see where I am going? When we focus on doing the will of God and place our trust in Him, He shields us. When we focus on serving ourselves - or something/someone other than God - trouble strikes. The difference in the outcome resides solely in our choices. We are like the cold medicine or the can of cooking spray. Used for the right purposes, all goes well. Used for the wrong purposes, serious consequences can result.
We can choose to trust God and rest in the knowledge that He will guide our steps. Or we can go it alone and take our chances. I don’t know about you, but this seems like a “no-brainer” to me. Live with the “right purposes.” Trust God and rest under the kindness of His shield. Focus on serving Him and enjoy the blessings that will follow.
©2009 Debbie Robus
All kinds of troubles will strike the wicked, but your kindness shields those who trust you, LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about common cold medicine. When you have a runny nose and stuffy head, you trust this drug to help alleviate your symptoms and make you feel better. But in the wrong hands, the same ingredients can be utilized to create something more sinister – a “recreational drug” that can steal your health and ruin lives. When you use the can of cooking spray in your cabinet to coat a dish or pan, you trust that whatever you cook will not stick. But that same can of cooking spray could have a far more serious – even lethal – use as a “recreational inhalant.” It’s a bit like playing Russian Roulette.
Do you see where I am going? When we focus on doing the will of God and place our trust in Him, He shields us. When we focus on serving ourselves - or something/someone other than God - trouble strikes. The difference in the outcome resides solely in our choices. We are like the cold medicine or the can of cooking spray. Used for the right purposes, all goes well. Used for the wrong purposes, serious consequences can result.
We can choose to trust God and rest in the knowledge that He will guide our steps. Or we can go it alone and take our chances. I don’t know about you, but this seems like a “no-brainer” to me. Live with the “right purposes.” Trust God and rest under the kindness of His shield. Focus on serving Him and enjoy the blessings that will follow.
©2009 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 24, 2010
February 24 ~ Psalms 35:1-3
Fight my enemies, LORD! Attack my attackers! Shield me and help me. Aim your spear at everyone who hunts me down, but promise to save me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As I read this passage, I couldn’t help but envision action figures, ready to strike... Batman, Spiderman… even Indiana Jones! Okay, so maybe I’ve watched one too many adventure movies! But imagine God as the Ultimate Superhero! He takes on all attackers… He shields us from every sling and arrow. He hunts down the devil and his agents and destroys them before they can harm a hair on our heads!
Now, think about your action figure “superheroes” for a minute. What had to happen before they could strike? They had to be summoned! Someone had to let them know that their help was needed. Batman got the “Bat Signal.” Spiderman has a “sixth sense” when danger is near. Indiana Jones ends up in situations that call for faith and courage, and bravado…to save himself and those around him.
I know this is a bit of a stretch, but stick with me… we have to call on God (through prayer) to fight our enemies. Sure, He already knows we need help, but remember… He wants to hear from us. He wants us to voice our needs. He wants us to recognize Him as our Redeemer and call upon Him to avenge us.
Let’s be honest… the Bible is the best “action adventure” ever created. God really is the Ultimate Superhero. And He stands ready to fight for us at every turn… all we have to do is give Him the signal and believe in His power. Superheroes of the comics and movies may be figments of our imagination, but God is REAL and reigns forever. Are YOU trusting Him to save you today?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Fight my enemies, LORD! Attack my attackers! Shield me and help me. Aim your spear at everyone who hunts me down, but promise to save me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As I read this passage, I couldn’t help but envision action figures, ready to strike... Batman, Spiderman… even Indiana Jones! Okay, so maybe I’ve watched one too many adventure movies! But imagine God as the Ultimate Superhero! He takes on all attackers… He shields us from every sling and arrow. He hunts down the devil and his agents and destroys them before they can harm a hair on our heads!
Now, think about your action figure “superheroes” for a minute. What had to happen before they could strike? They had to be summoned! Someone had to let them know that their help was needed. Batman got the “Bat Signal.” Spiderman has a “sixth sense” when danger is near. Indiana Jones ends up in situations that call for faith and courage, and bravado…to save himself and those around him.
I know this is a bit of a stretch, but stick with me… we have to call on God (through prayer) to fight our enemies. Sure, He already knows we need help, but remember… He wants to hear from us. He wants us to voice our needs. He wants us to recognize Him as our Redeemer and call upon Him to avenge us.
Let’s be honest… the Bible is the best “action adventure” ever created. God really is the Ultimate Superhero. And He stands ready to fight for us at every turn… all we have to do is give Him the signal and believe in His power. Superheroes of the comics and movies may be figments of our imagination, but God is REAL and reigns forever. Are YOU trusting Him to save you today?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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