2 Peter 2:1-2
But there were also lying prophets
among the people then, just as there will be lying religious teachers
among you. They’ll smuggle in destructive divisions, pitting you against
each other—biting the hand of the One who gave them a chance to have
their lives back! They’ve put themselves on a fast downhill slide to
destruction, but not before they recruit a crowd of mixed-up followers
who can’t tell right from wrong.
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.
Suppose
I told you that in order to belong to a certain church in your
community, you had to support a particular political candidate or social
issue. No one would openly discuss this, but it would be understood by
everyone that this person was the “Christian” choice - or this social
issue was “black and white” with a clear right and wrong side. And
these were GOD’s choices. To support anyone else – or the opposite side
of said issue – would be the equivalent of saying, “I’m not really a
Christian…and I am more than a little wrong!”
In small groups
and other church activities, there would be little to no open, direct
discussion of this candidate and/or social issue. But there would be
enough “What is the world coming to?” and “God is punishing us” talk
that everyone would get the message loudly and clearly. And there would
be an “us vs. them” undercurrent within the church. If anyone
questioned the general “stance” of this church body, the reply would be
that the majority was operating on God’s behalf…and the “tone” would be
that these tenets were not to be questioned.
You think this
doesn’t happen in our churches today? Think again! Do you feel that I
am exaggerating? Let’s get real for a moment. There are a lot of
churches that operate along party lines – with membership that is both
liberal and conservative and a clear and deep underlying divide along
these “sides”. Less common, but more troubling, are extreme pockets of
“church folk” who have gone so far as to create autonomous leaders who
can do as they please…even if that means “marrying” 14-year-old girls
and fathering children with them – or putting little boys in the fields
to do manual labor to support the church body at large. Just watch the
story at http://abc.go.com/shows/2020/listing/2015-05/08-2020-050815-flds-a-house-divided.
The
thing you and I have to be most concerned with is the little inroads
that the devil tries to make in our daily lives “in the name of God.”
We have to be very careful that we are not sucked into this deceit…that
we focus on Jesus’ commands to “Love one another” and to love others as
He loves us. This means we must love and serve unconditionally,
inclusively and without discrimination. We must learn to express our
opinions without an ounce of judgment or superiority…leaving room for
others to make up their own minds about things like politics and social
issues. It is one thing to say, “I support XYZ”…but quite another to
say, “If you love God, you will support XYZ.”
We must focus on
cultivating deep and abiding, intimate relationship with God, so that we
KNOW when we are hearing from Him…and when we are listening to outside
forces. We have to guard our hearts and minds against becoming so
caught up in being right (if only in our own minds) that
we pick a fight with anyone who challenges us, rather than recognizing
that Satan and his agents are having a heyday!
I know this may
seem like a threatening or even fearful message. But this is where we
need to truly get honest about faithful discipleship and what it means
to be a Christian. We need to be busy listening for God’s voice. We must
be steeped in His word and digging deeply to find out what HE is
telling us, rather than those who have an agenda. We should be going to
God in prayer for answers and opinions and considering how outside
opinions and influences “stack up” against them – or they don’t. We
need to learn to be comfortable in our own “skin” – the New Life in
Christ Jesus that He has so graciously given us. We need to weigh
everything against His standards and make sure that all thoughts, words
and actions line up accordingly. If we do these things, we have nothing
to fear.
False prophets live among us…but we don’t have to
fall into their camp – or even give them the time of day! Who are you
listening to these days? Are you able to tell right from wrong? Have
you opened the door even slightly for the devil? It’s time to close
that door, lock it…and throw away the key! Wouldn’t this be the perfect
day to get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label staying awake and alert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label staying awake and alert. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for April 12, 2015
Romans 12:1-2
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
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 few days ago, I flipped on the television while preparing our lunch, and a daytime soap opera was just ending. I wasn’t paying close attention, but I caught enough of a glimpse of the program that I actually checked the channel to make sure I wasn’t actually on a “cable” channel. I admit, a few decades ago I watched soap operas every day…but it’s been awhile…and things have obviously changed! I could not believe what I was seeing in this “bedroom scene” on a local television station during the early afternoon!
Along the same lines, I was discussing suitable television channels for children with the nursery workers at church this morning, and they pointed out quite a few “cartoon channels” that are now airing all sorts of programs that are not suitable for little ones. Certain four-letter words that would NEVER have been uttered in public even a few years ago are now commonplace on television and movie screens…across social media…and in the general public.
I say all of this to illustrate that many of us have indeed become so well-adjusted to our culture that we fit into it without even thinking. And the key words here are “fit into it.” Nobody wants to be considered different. Certainly none of us want others to think of us as pious. But you don’t have to be condescending or condemning toward others in order to take a stand for God. You don’t have to make a show of “going against the grain”, so to speak, in order to please God and live for Him.
If we focus on living for God…listening for His voice and acting as He directs, we won’t have to worry about any of this…it won’t even be on our radar. People who pepper their language with obscenities and foul words will fade from our “circles”. We’ll turn the TV off – or change the channel – more often. We will thoughtfully choose everything from our words to our company to our clothing and extracurricular activities. And the world will notice…maybe not that we don’t participate in the things that others do…so much as they will see that there is something different about us - but in a good way.
We must tune into God’s word and will for our lives. We must be more awake and alert – for God’s presence, and for the everyday things of our culture that we are absorbing and accepting without truly giving them consideration. Whatever we must do to be able to operate more clearly and consciously aware in each moment…let’s do it! Let’s ask God to show us how to live for Him…to grow in His wisdom and maturity...to care less about fitting in and more about pleasing Him. We can do this! Are you ready?
©2015 Debbie Robus
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
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 few days ago, I flipped on the television while preparing our lunch, and a daytime soap opera was just ending. I wasn’t paying close attention, but I caught enough of a glimpse of the program that I actually checked the channel to make sure I wasn’t actually on a “cable” channel. I admit, a few decades ago I watched soap operas every day…but it’s been awhile…and things have obviously changed! I could not believe what I was seeing in this “bedroom scene” on a local television station during the early afternoon!
Along the same lines, I was discussing suitable television channels for children with the nursery workers at church this morning, and they pointed out quite a few “cartoon channels” that are now airing all sorts of programs that are not suitable for little ones. Certain four-letter words that would NEVER have been uttered in public even a few years ago are now commonplace on television and movie screens…across social media…and in the general public.
I say all of this to illustrate that many of us have indeed become so well-adjusted to our culture that we fit into it without even thinking. And the key words here are “fit into it.” Nobody wants to be considered different. Certainly none of us want others to think of us as pious. But you don’t have to be condescending or condemning toward others in order to take a stand for God. You don’t have to make a show of “going against the grain”, so to speak, in order to please God and live for Him.
If we focus on living for God…listening for His voice and acting as He directs, we won’t have to worry about any of this…it won’t even be on our radar. People who pepper their language with obscenities and foul words will fade from our “circles”. We’ll turn the TV off – or change the channel – more often. We will thoughtfully choose everything from our words to our company to our clothing and extracurricular activities. And the world will notice…maybe not that we don’t participate in the things that others do…so much as they will see that there is something different about us - but in a good way.
We must tune into God’s word and will for our lives. We must be more awake and alert – for God’s presence, and for the everyday things of our culture that we are absorbing and accepting without truly giving them consideration. Whatever we must do to be able to operate more clearly and consciously aware in each moment…let’s do it! Let’s ask God to show us how to live for Him…to grow in His wisdom and maturity...to care less about fitting in and more about pleasing Him. We can do this! Are you ready?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 15, 2015
Habakkuk 1:12-13
God, you’re from eternity, aren’t you? Holy God, we aren’t going to die, are we? God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work? Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline? But you can’t be serious! You can’t condone evil! So why don’t you do something about this? Why are you silent now? This outrage! Evil men swallow up the righteous and you stand around and watch!
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.
If ever there were a scripture passage that seemed timely, this is it. I listened to the latest “worldwide caution” issued by the State Department earlier today…as well as warnings from several “experts” on terrorism who say we should all be expecting an attack at some point…that there will be more confrontations and acts of violence committed against innocent people...that we need to be careful, and stay alert for anything amiss.
Does this mean we should adopt an attitude of fear and suspicion of every person or situation we encounter that seems a little “off” or different? I don’t think so. These alerts are not meant to make us leery of anyone who doesn’t look like us – or worship as we do. It is not a license to discriminate and operate in rigidity and intolerance toward any person or group – all in the name of “safety”.
The bigger question many may be asking is, “Why, God…WHY?” Many may be wondering why God is allowing evil men to do evil things…and to hurt innocent people in the bargain. It’s a logical question…and the answer is not that this fulfills some Biblical prophecy! Please…let’s NOT go THERE!
I believe that God wants us pay careful attention to the details of our lives. I don’t think that He intends for us to deliberately put ourselves in harmful situations. Yet, some of us do this by the very words we use when posting social media comments and talking amongst our “friends” about other people - using derogatory terms and suggesting that those who are not like us in some manner should all be locked up, tortured, or even killed.
God calls us to mind our words and our actions. Should we encounter an evil situation, this will be our “Daniel moment"…our opportunity to stand up for what we believe – and for WHOM we serve. If we are injured or killed in the process, the “bad guys” have not truly won.
We need to get a grip…to put this into perspective…to pray for the families and friends of those slain in Paris - and around the world – by the evil factions who wish to do us harm. And we need to prepare in the most important way – by making sure that we have a right relationship with Jesus Christ…that we are ready to meet Him face-to-face at a moment’s notice.
God will deal with evil – in His time and in His manner. This is not our worry. His heart breaks over their deeds, and He will attend to their punishment in due time. Meanwhile, we believers in Jesus Christ truly are safe…in His powerful and loving arms. Nothing and no one can harm us there. And this should be our primary focus. Are you truly prepared in the way that matters most? Isn’t it time you were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
God, you’re from eternity, aren’t you? Holy God, we aren’t going to die, are we? God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work? Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline? But you can’t be serious! You can’t condone evil! So why don’t you do something about this? Why are you silent now? This outrage! Evil men swallow up the righteous and you stand around and watch!
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.
If ever there were a scripture passage that seemed timely, this is it. I listened to the latest “worldwide caution” issued by the State Department earlier today…as well as warnings from several “experts” on terrorism who say we should all be expecting an attack at some point…that there will be more confrontations and acts of violence committed against innocent people...that we need to be careful, and stay alert for anything amiss.
Does this mean we should adopt an attitude of fear and suspicion of every person or situation we encounter that seems a little “off” or different? I don’t think so. These alerts are not meant to make us leery of anyone who doesn’t look like us – or worship as we do. It is not a license to discriminate and operate in rigidity and intolerance toward any person or group – all in the name of “safety”.
The bigger question many may be asking is, “Why, God…WHY?” Many may be wondering why God is allowing evil men to do evil things…and to hurt innocent people in the bargain. It’s a logical question…and the answer is not that this fulfills some Biblical prophecy! Please…let’s NOT go THERE!
I believe that God wants us pay careful attention to the details of our lives. I don’t think that He intends for us to deliberately put ourselves in harmful situations. Yet, some of us do this by the very words we use when posting social media comments and talking amongst our “friends” about other people - using derogatory terms and suggesting that those who are not like us in some manner should all be locked up, tortured, or even killed.
God calls us to mind our words and our actions. Should we encounter an evil situation, this will be our “Daniel moment"…our opportunity to stand up for what we believe – and for WHOM we serve. If we are injured or killed in the process, the “bad guys” have not truly won.
We need to get a grip…to put this into perspective…to pray for the families and friends of those slain in Paris - and around the world – by the evil factions who wish to do us harm. And we need to prepare in the most important way – by making sure that we have a right relationship with Jesus Christ…that we are ready to meet Him face-to-face at a moment’s notice.
God will deal with evil – in His time and in His manner. This is not our worry. His heart breaks over their deeds, and He will attend to their punishment in due time. Meanwhile, we believers in Jesus Christ truly are safe…in His powerful and loving arms. Nothing and no one can harm us there. And this should be our primary focus. Are you truly prepared in the way that matters most? Isn’t it time you were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 23, 2014
Mark 13:33-37
So watch out and be ready! You don’t know when the time will come. It is like what happens when a man goes away for a while and places his servants in charge of everything. He tells each of them what to do, and he orders the guard to keep alert. So be alert! You don’t know when the master of the house will come back. It could be in the evening or at midnight or before dawn or in the morning. But if he comes suddenly, don’t let him find you asleep. I tell everyone just what I have told you. Be alert!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“Are you ready for Christmas?” This is the question of the day! And if you are like many people, the answer is a resounding…”NO!” There are still last-minute presents to wrap...turkeys, hams and pies to bake...rooms to be prepared for guests…and so much more! And smack in the middle of it all…anything could happen! A friend posted on Facebook that her mother was admitted to the hospital with Type A flu. I’m reminded of a childhood Christmas when my sister, brother and I got a stomach virus…and we could have cared less about Santa – much less eating anything! Three years ago on Christmas Eve, my Mam-ma Polly stepped out of my mom’s car, fell on our driveway, and hit her head…resulting in a concussion and a two-day hospital stay. She never made it into the house for our holiday celebration!
So “life” happens, and we don’t know what lies around the next bend…or even what the next hour will hold! But more importantly, Jesus “happens”…all around us – and we never know where or how He will show up…but I assure you, He IS coming! So we must be awake and alert, as the scripture tells us.
Just as Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, kings and others did not know when the baby Jesus would arrive…we have no clue when He will show up in the flesh again. We just know that it will happen. Meanwhile, Jesus arrives every day in some way, shape or form…and in this regard, “Christmas” comes all the time. Do you recognize Him? Are YOU always and forever “ready for Christmas?” Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
So watch out and be ready! You don’t know when the time will come. It is like what happens when a man goes away for a while and places his servants in charge of everything. He tells each of them what to do, and he orders the guard to keep alert. So be alert! You don’t know when the master of the house will come back. It could be in the evening or at midnight or before dawn or in the morning. But if he comes suddenly, don’t let him find you asleep. I tell everyone just what I have told you. Be alert!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“Are you ready for Christmas?” This is the question of the day! And if you are like many people, the answer is a resounding…”NO!” There are still last-minute presents to wrap...turkeys, hams and pies to bake...rooms to be prepared for guests…and so much more! And smack in the middle of it all…anything could happen! A friend posted on Facebook that her mother was admitted to the hospital with Type A flu. I’m reminded of a childhood Christmas when my sister, brother and I got a stomach virus…and we could have cared less about Santa – much less eating anything! Three years ago on Christmas Eve, my Mam-ma Polly stepped out of my mom’s car, fell on our driveway, and hit her head…resulting in a concussion and a two-day hospital stay. She never made it into the house for our holiday celebration!
So “life” happens, and we don’t know what lies around the next bend…or even what the next hour will hold! But more importantly, Jesus “happens”…all around us – and we never know where or how He will show up…but I assure you, He IS coming! So we must be awake and alert, as the scripture tells us.
Just as Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, kings and others did not know when the baby Jesus would arrive…we have no clue when He will show up in the flesh again. We just know that it will happen. Meanwhile, Jesus arrives every day in some way, shape or form…and in this regard, “Christmas” comes all the time. Do you recognize Him? Are YOU always and forever “ready for Christmas?” Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 13, 2014
Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius Caesar, a message came from God to John (the son of Zacharias), as he was living out in the deserts. (Pilate was governor over Judea at that time; Herod, over Galilee; his brother Philip, over Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, over Abilene; and Annas and Caiaphas were high priests.) Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had turned to God and away from their sins, in order to be forgiven.
In the words of Isaiah the prophet, John was “a voice shouting from the barren wilderness, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord to travel on! Widen the pathway before him! Level the mountains! Fill up the valleys! Straighten the curves! Smooth out the ruts! And then all mankind shall see the Savior sent from God.’”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A few days ago, I was invited to Timothy’s kindergarten class to sing Christmas carols with the children. Before I went, my mother reminded me to enjoy this activity, because these moments pass all too quickly. And she is right…we will blink, and the children will be grown! Too often, we wish away our lives in anticipation of “big events” and fail to recognize the joy and blessings of each and every day.
Most of us are incredibly busy right now as we prepare for Christmas Day. And in doing so, I am afraid that many of us are missing “Christmas”! We’re so busy “preparing the road”, “filling up the valleys” and “straightening out the curves” that the true joy of the Christmas season will pass right by us…and we won’t even notice! We’ll look up and find that it is December 26th…Christmas Day has come and gone…and we pretty much missed it!
It is one thing to miss the real celebration of the entire Christmas season…but it’s quite another to miss Jesus altogether. And I’m afraid we do this, too. We are often so focused on the “doing” that we totally miss the real intention of John’s message…and Jesus’ teachings. We are looking ahead…to the next miracle…to where God is leading us…to what God has planned for us in the future…or even to the joys of heaven and eternity in His presence - and we miss Jesus here…now…today…in this moment.
Prepare the road for Jesus…but don’t miss Him when He walks right up to you! Don’t look up to realize that Christmas came and went – and you didn’t fully enjoy the season. More importantly, don’t miss the presence of Jesus in the everyday moments of your life. Widen the pathway and level the mountains if you must…but stop to look into Christ’s face and acknowledge His love…this Christmas season, and all year long.
©2014 Debbie Robus
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius Caesar, a message came from God to John (the son of Zacharias), as he was living out in the deserts. (Pilate was governor over Judea at that time; Herod, over Galilee; his brother Philip, over Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, over Abilene; and Annas and Caiaphas were high priests.) Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had turned to God and away from their sins, in order to be forgiven.
In the words of Isaiah the prophet, John was “a voice shouting from the barren wilderness, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord to travel on! Widen the pathway before him! Level the mountains! Fill up the valleys! Straighten the curves! Smooth out the ruts! And then all mankind shall see the Savior sent from God.’”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A few days ago, I was invited to Timothy’s kindergarten class to sing Christmas carols with the children. Before I went, my mother reminded me to enjoy this activity, because these moments pass all too quickly. And she is right…we will blink, and the children will be grown! Too often, we wish away our lives in anticipation of “big events” and fail to recognize the joy and blessings of each and every day.
Most of us are incredibly busy right now as we prepare for Christmas Day. And in doing so, I am afraid that many of us are missing “Christmas”! We’re so busy “preparing the road”, “filling up the valleys” and “straightening out the curves” that the true joy of the Christmas season will pass right by us…and we won’t even notice! We’ll look up and find that it is December 26th…Christmas Day has come and gone…and we pretty much missed it!
It is one thing to miss the real celebration of the entire Christmas season…but it’s quite another to miss Jesus altogether. And I’m afraid we do this, too. We are often so focused on the “doing” that we totally miss the real intention of John’s message…and Jesus’ teachings. We are looking ahead…to the next miracle…to where God is leading us…to what God has planned for us in the future…or even to the joys of heaven and eternity in His presence - and we miss Jesus here…now…today…in this moment.
Prepare the road for Jesus…but don’t miss Him when He walks right up to you! Don’t look up to realize that Christmas came and went – and you didn’t fully enjoy the season. More importantly, don’t miss the presence of Jesus in the everyday moments of your life. Widen the pathway and level the mountains if you must…but stop to look into Christ’s face and acknowledge His love…this Christmas season, and all year long.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 13, 2014
Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and you will be given what you ask for. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened."
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Five years ago today, my niece Jasmine gave birth to the first of her three children. Entering the world at a weight of 8 pounds, 5 ounces, with 20¾” of length, Timothy Michael was a bright-eyed bundle of delight from the very beginning. I’ve learned a lot of lessons from this little guy in the last five years. But the biggest lesson God has demonstrated to me through him is the power and truth of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:7. In many situations, I have asked, sought, and knocked…and God has opened the door and answered my petitions.
I find it no small coincidence that just this morning, I read in Anne Graham-Lotz’s book, Just Give Me Jesus, about the night that Jesus took His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He begged the disciples to stay awake and pray with Him…Jesus pled with Peter to wake up and sit with Him. When the soldiers came, and Peter realized what was happening – and how dire the situation was – he panicked and cut off the ear of the soldier, Malchus.
Lotz maintains that the real reason that Peter reacted in this way was from his failure to pray. Had Peter stayed awake with Jesus and prayed, he would have possibly had a better understanding of the unfolding events. Had he sought God’s presence and wisdom, Peter might have essentially “knocked at the door”…and God would have answered and revealed many truths to him. This would not have prevented the crucifixion, but it might have given Peter a different perspective and changed his reaction.
I also opened another devotional book today – a recent gift from my mother titled Jesus Calling. Today’s “message” was to look for areas where we need to let go and leave things in the capable hands of Jesus. Boy, do I ever need to internalize this message! If we could learn to ask, seek, knock, and receive…then “let go and let God” have control, we would see such a difference in every aspect of our lives.
Clearly, God is sending me a message…one that is appropriate for all of us. We cannot find Him if we are “asleep” or inattentive. We won’t hear from God if we don’t ask, seek, and knock. If we will pray about everything, seek God’s will, and listen for His voice, He will open the door and answer…through a newborn baby, the daily events of our life, the anointed words of a devotional or inspirational book or song, and certainly through the fervent diligence of ongoing prayer.
When we stay awake and alert for God’s voice…when we petition Him with sincerity, humility, and persistence, He “answers the door”. Better still…He takes our requests and desires to heart…sifts and sorts them to find the perfect match with His will…and answers perfectly. It sounds like a simple formula…but I can tell you firsthand that it is not. We are stubborn know-it-alls who often think we should tell God how things ought to go! But if we will surrender control… if we will ask, seek, and knock…God will open the door and answer.
Where do you find yourself today…are you “asleep” in the garden…or are you poised at God’s door? Your answer could be life-changing. How will you respond?
©2014 Debbie Robus
“Ask, and you will be given what you ask for. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened."
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Five years ago today, my niece Jasmine gave birth to the first of her three children. Entering the world at a weight of 8 pounds, 5 ounces, with 20¾” of length, Timothy Michael was a bright-eyed bundle of delight from the very beginning. I’ve learned a lot of lessons from this little guy in the last five years. But the biggest lesson God has demonstrated to me through him is the power and truth of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:7. In many situations, I have asked, sought, and knocked…and God has opened the door and answered my petitions.
I find it no small coincidence that just this morning, I read in Anne Graham-Lotz’s book, Just Give Me Jesus, about the night that Jesus took His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He begged the disciples to stay awake and pray with Him…Jesus pled with Peter to wake up and sit with Him. When the soldiers came, and Peter realized what was happening – and how dire the situation was – he panicked and cut off the ear of the soldier, Malchus.
Lotz maintains that the real reason that Peter reacted in this way was from his failure to pray. Had Peter stayed awake with Jesus and prayed, he would have possibly had a better understanding of the unfolding events. Had he sought God’s presence and wisdom, Peter might have essentially “knocked at the door”…and God would have answered and revealed many truths to him. This would not have prevented the crucifixion, but it might have given Peter a different perspective and changed his reaction.
I also opened another devotional book today – a recent gift from my mother titled Jesus Calling. Today’s “message” was to look for areas where we need to let go and leave things in the capable hands of Jesus. Boy, do I ever need to internalize this message! If we could learn to ask, seek, knock, and receive…then “let go and let God” have control, we would see such a difference in every aspect of our lives.
Clearly, God is sending me a message…one that is appropriate for all of us. We cannot find Him if we are “asleep” or inattentive. We won’t hear from God if we don’t ask, seek, and knock. If we will pray about everything, seek God’s will, and listen for His voice, He will open the door and answer…through a newborn baby, the daily events of our life, the anointed words of a devotional or inspirational book or song, and certainly through the fervent diligence of ongoing prayer.
When we stay awake and alert for God’s voice…when we petition Him with sincerity, humility, and persistence, He “answers the door”. Better still…He takes our requests and desires to heart…sifts and sorts them to find the perfect match with His will…and answers perfectly. It sounds like a simple formula…but I can tell you firsthand that it is not. We are stubborn know-it-alls who often think we should tell God how things ought to go! But if we will surrender control… if we will ask, seek, and knock…God will open the door and answer.
Where do you find yourself today…are you “asleep” in the garden…or are you poised at God’s door? Your answer could be life-changing. How will you respond?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 19, 2014
Matthew 27:57-66
Late in the afternoon a wealthy man from Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, arrived. His name was Joseph. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate granted his request. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linens, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance. Then he went off. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed, sitting in plain view of the tomb.
After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. They said, “Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will be raised.’ We’ve got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There’s a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, ‘He’s risen from the dead.’ Then we’ll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first.”
Pilate told them, “You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can.” So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards.
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.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In John 19:30 (NLT), we read…”When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.” But it was not “finished”…the literal act of dying is never the end. I remember distinctly when my grandmother died last year...on a Friday night. The coroner and his deputy happened to be dear friends who loved Mam-ma Polly like their own grandmother. They came and got her body and took it to the funeral home for embalming and preparation. I knew in my heart that each task they performed…every touch of their hands…would be a loving gesture. I believe it was the same for Joseph of Arimathea…one of Jesus’ followers. I know it was that way for Mary Magdalene, and Mary – Jesus’ aunt. I know that they waited…hoping to have a chance to add their own “touches” to what Joseph had done as he wrapped Jesus’ body in oil-laden linen strips.
I remember that the day after my Mam-ma Polly died was a whirlwind of appointments to make funeral arrangements, visits with family members and friends, and time spent at my computer collecting information and photos for the obituary and funeral service. I don’t remember every minute detail of that day and the days after…but I know they were full and left me little time to think and “stew”. It felt like I was on “auto-pilot” as others around me did the things that provided the supporting structure, while I focused on just getting things done and making it through the day.
In the midst of their grief and sorrow, I know that even Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ Aunt Mary wanted to stay “busy”…I get that. It helps to have something to do in those next few hours/days…making arrangements, greeting those who come to extend condolences, and more. Many people really don’t want to be alone in their thoughts…at least not initially. It’s often far too painful. I believe the “busyness” that comes after someone dies is in some way God’s design to shield and shelter us from the profound grief that would overcome us otherwise. So Mary Magdalene and his Aunt Mary got busy…they focused on waiting and watching near the tomb. They made it their mission to supervise – as best they could – every single facet of Jesus’ burial. They involved themselves in the details.
Today, as you reflect on the crucifixion and the events of “yesterday” – Good Friday – think about the day after the crucifixion and all of the people who were ministering to Jesus and his family members in ways great and small. More importantly, think about how God cares about every minute detail of your life…even the “busy work”. Thank Him for loving us in such a way that even in our deepest sorrow or on our worst day, He orchestrates the particulars of our life and pulls everything together. In the most profound way, God is always with us to support us and keep us from collapsing under the weight of our burdens and challenges. Nothing is ever too big for God to handle.
And so today - the day after Good Friday - we sit by the tomb and wait. We go about our day with a Supernatural strength and courage…an inexplicable and unspoken assurance that all is well…and a confidence that “joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). As you “sit by the tomb” today, think of all that God does for you…from the largest sacrifices of Jesus on the cross to the tiniest unrecognized gestures of each and every day…and be eternally grateful for such unimaginable, unconditional, inexplicable love and care. It’s only Saturday…the best is yet to come! Are you watching and waiting?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Late in the afternoon a wealthy man from Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, arrived. His name was Joseph. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate granted his request. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linens, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance. Then he went off. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed, sitting in plain view of the tomb.
After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. They said, “Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will be raised.’ We’ve got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There’s a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, ‘He’s risen from the dead.’ Then we’ll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first.”
Pilate told them, “You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can.” So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards.
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.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In John 19:30 (NLT), we read…”When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.” But it was not “finished”…the literal act of dying is never the end. I remember distinctly when my grandmother died last year...on a Friday night. The coroner and his deputy happened to be dear friends who loved Mam-ma Polly like their own grandmother. They came and got her body and took it to the funeral home for embalming and preparation. I knew in my heart that each task they performed…every touch of their hands…would be a loving gesture. I believe it was the same for Joseph of Arimathea…one of Jesus’ followers. I know it was that way for Mary Magdalene, and Mary – Jesus’ aunt. I know that they waited…hoping to have a chance to add their own “touches” to what Joseph had done as he wrapped Jesus’ body in oil-laden linen strips.
I remember that the day after my Mam-ma Polly died was a whirlwind of appointments to make funeral arrangements, visits with family members and friends, and time spent at my computer collecting information and photos for the obituary and funeral service. I don’t remember every minute detail of that day and the days after…but I know they were full and left me little time to think and “stew”. It felt like I was on “auto-pilot” as others around me did the things that provided the supporting structure, while I focused on just getting things done and making it through the day.
In the midst of their grief and sorrow, I know that even Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ Aunt Mary wanted to stay “busy”…I get that. It helps to have something to do in those next few hours/days…making arrangements, greeting those who come to extend condolences, and more. Many people really don’t want to be alone in their thoughts…at least not initially. It’s often far too painful. I believe the “busyness” that comes after someone dies is in some way God’s design to shield and shelter us from the profound grief that would overcome us otherwise. So Mary Magdalene and his Aunt Mary got busy…they focused on waiting and watching near the tomb. They made it their mission to supervise – as best they could – every single facet of Jesus’ burial. They involved themselves in the details.
Today, as you reflect on the crucifixion and the events of “yesterday” – Good Friday – think about the day after the crucifixion and all of the people who were ministering to Jesus and his family members in ways great and small. More importantly, think about how God cares about every minute detail of your life…even the “busy work”. Thank Him for loving us in such a way that even in our deepest sorrow or on our worst day, He orchestrates the particulars of our life and pulls everything together. In the most profound way, God is always with us to support us and keep us from collapsing under the weight of our burdens and challenges. Nothing is ever too big for God to handle.
And so today - the day after Good Friday - we sit by the tomb and wait. We go about our day with a Supernatural strength and courage…an inexplicable and unspoken assurance that all is well…and a confidence that “joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). As you “sit by the tomb” today, think of all that God does for you…from the largest sacrifices of Jesus on the cross to the tiniest unrecognized gestures of each and every day…and be eternally grateful for such unimaginable, unconditional, inexplicable love and care. It’s only Saturday…the best is yet to come! Are you watching and waiting?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 17, 2014
Matthew 26:36-48
Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, and he said to them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.”
Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.”
He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.”
Again Jesus went to pray and said, “My Father, if there is no other way, and I must suffer, I will still do what you want.”
Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open. He left them and prayed the same prayer once more.
Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. Get up! Let’s go. The one who will betray me is already here.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I read this passage today about the disciples falling asleep in the garden, I totally got it. I’m terrible about falling asleep while watching television or a movie…especially after a big meal. Greg says he thinks it is funny…but it’s embarrassing to me that I cannot stay awake. I suppose I see it as a sign of weakness.
But I also understood how Jesus felt. It used to be a running game in my family to guess who would fall asleep the fastest after a big dinner…and I have several pictures of relatives “laid out” in recliners and sleeping on couches as evidence that we are pretty good at this! I understand that feeling of looking around in a group and realizing that virtually everyone else is asleep. It’s not the end of the world…but it IS something of an odd feeling - a sense of loneliness, and sometimes even a perception of insignificance or unimportance to those who could not stay awake in your company!
There were a lot of disappointments for Jesus on “Maundy Thursday”. The word “Maundy” is thought to derive from the Latin word “mandatum”…as in “A new commandment I give to you...” -the “mandate” spoken by Jesus that we are to love one another. Others think it comes from the English word “maund”, which is a derivative of the Latin word “mendicare” or the French word “mendier”...meaning “to beg”. Jesus did plead with His disciples to stay awake. He pled with God to take the cup of torture and crucifixion from Him. And when He realized that the disciples could not even stay awake and pray with Him - knowing how anguished and concerned He was - He must have felt terribly sad and lonely. Worse yet, when Jesus realized that God was not going to remove this suffering - that He would indeed have to endure the cross - He had to have experienced incredible despair.
So as we think about “Maundy Thursday” and Jesus’ journey to the cross, let’s stay awake and alert. Let’s join together in prayer today and ask God to give us the strength and courage we need for whatever He has in store for us. More importantly, let’s ask God to protect us from the devil’s temptations…to give us the fortitude to resist the persuasion to deny Jesus and conform to the world’s ways…to take the easy way out. Let’s thank God for the indescribable sacrifice of Jesus…and for the assurance that He has never left us for even one minute.
Take some time today to consider the significance of the Last Supper, as well. Recognize the significance of Jesus’ words…“This is my body…this is my blood.” When you eat the bread of Holy Communion, think about Jesus’ body – beaten, brutalized and mutilated…for YOU. Remember that this tiny bite of bread signifies your sins…taken from you by Jesus. His flesh was broken and demolished so that we could be whole and complete…perfectly without blemish before God.
The juice or wine in which you dip your bread – or drink from a cup – signifies Jesus’ blood pouring out and literally washing away every one of your sins. By His grace, we will never know that level of suffering…because of His amazing love, we never have to face such indignation. Because of the cross, we don’t ever have to face the darkness of hell.
At times, it may seem like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders…that your body has been bruised and battered – even mutilated…that your friends or loved ones have “fallen asleep”, denied your existence, or literally betrayed you in some manner. You may even feel like God has turned His back on you. When these feelings arise, think of the cross. Think of “the bread and the cup” and what they represent. Remind yourself how much Jesus loves you…how much He sacrificed and took upon Himself – for YOU. Hear His plea to stay awake… to stick by Him. It’s the least we can do for the One who did EVERYTHING for us.
We’re getting closer to "Black Friday"…and these are dark, desperate days. But hang on…Easter is coming! It is important to remember how we get there, for today. But rest assured that this is not the end of the “story” – it’s only the beginning. May you feel Jesus’ presence – and His amazing love on this day…and may you stay awake and alert as our journey takes us even nearer to the cross.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, and he said to them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.”
Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.”
He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.”
Again Jesus went to pray and said, “My Father, if there is no other way, and I must suffer, I will still do what you want.”
Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open. He left them and prayed the same prayer once more.
Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. Get up! Let’s go. The one who will betray me is already here.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I read this passage today about the disciples falling asleep in the garden, I totally got it. I’m terrible about falling asleep while watching television or a movie…especially after a big meal. Greg says he thinks it is funny…but it’s embarrassing to me that I cannot stay awake. I suppose I see it as a sign of weakness.
But I also understood how Jesus felt. It used to be a running game in my family to guess who would fall asleep the fastest after a big dinner…and I have several pictures of relatives “laid out” in recliners and sleeping on couches as evidence that we are pretty good at this! I understand that feeling of looking around in a group and realizing that virtually everyone else is asleep. It’s not the end of the world…but it IS something of an odd feeling - a sense of loneliness, and sometimes even a perception of insignificance or unimportance to those who could not stay awake in your company!
There were a lot of disappointments for Jesus on “Maundy Thursday”. The word “Maundy” is thought to derive from the Latin word “mandatum”…as in “A new commandment I give to you...” -the “mandate” spoken by Jesus that we are to love one another. Others think it comes from the English word “maund”, which is a derivative of the Latin word “mendicare” or the French word “mendier”...meaning “to beg”. Jesus did plead with His disciples to stay awake. He pled with God to take the cup of torture and crucifixion from Him. And when He realized that the disciples could not even stay awake and pray with Him - knowing how anguished and concerned He was - He must have felt terribly sad and lonely. Worse yet, when Jesus realized that God was not going to remove this suffering - that He would indeed have to endure the cross - He had to have experienced incredible despair.
So as we think about “Maundy Thursday” and Jesus’ journey to the cross, let’s stay awake and alert. Let’s join together in prayer today and ask God to give us the strength and courage we need for whatever He has in store for us. More importantly, let’s ask God to protect us from the devil’s temptations…to give us the fortitude to resist the persuasion to deny Jesus and conform to the world’s ways…to take the easy way out. Let’s thank God for the indescribable sacrifice of Jesus…and for the assurance that He has never left us for even one minute.
Take some time today to consider the significance of the Last Supper, as well. Recognize the significance of Jesus’ words…“This is my body…this is my blood.” When you eat the bread of Holy Communion, think about Jesus’ body – beaten, brutalized and mutilated…for YOU. Remember that this tiny bite of bread signifies your sins…taken from you by Jesus. His flesh was broken and demolished so that we could be whole and complete…perfectly without blemish before God.
The juice or wine in which you dip your bread – or drink from a cup – signifies Jesus’ blood pouring out and literally washing away every one of your sins. By His grace, we will never know that level of suffering…because of His amazing love, we never have to face such indignation. Because of the cross, we don’t ever have to face the darkness of hell.
At times, it may seem like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders…that your body has been bruised and battered – even mutilated…that your friends or loved ones have “fallen asleep”, denied your existence, or literally betrayed you in some manner. You may even feel like God has turned His back on you. When these feelings arise, think of the cross. Think of “the bread and the cup” and what they represent. Remind yourself how much Jesus loves you…how much He sacrificed and took upon Himself – for YOU. Hear His plea to stay awake… to stick by Him. It’s the least we can do for the One who did EVERYTHING for us.
We’re getting closer to "Black Friday"…and these are dark, desperate days. But hang on…Easter is coming! It is important to remember how we get there, for today. But rest assured that this is not the end of the “story” – it’s only the beginning. May you feel Jesus’ presence – and His amazing love on this day…and may you stay awake and alert as our journey takes us even nearer to the cross.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 21, 2014
1 Thessalonians 5:13-28
Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.
May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!
Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the followers of Jesus there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don’t leave anyone out.
The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!
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 new “group” has been started on Facebook for people in my “neck of the woods” who wish to share photos and information about the history of this area. It’s been a lot of fun to look at old pictures and reminisce…to see the ancestors of others – and to discover in some instances that we are connected “down the line” in some manner. And as with all things of this sort, there have been some mislabeled photos…some “data” that was not quite accurate…and more than one case of mistaken identity.
This page has sparked some new “friendships”, and for the most part it has been cordial. On a similar site, someone asked the simple question, “Which of you are truly ‘from’ our city?” This caused a firestorm of hurt feelings among people who were not truly “native”…but felt a deep connection to this community, nonetheless. This was unfortunate and something that we must try to avoid. Furthermore, these pages have somewhat rekindled my decades-long interest in family history.
I mentioned to my mom that I was considering spending the “big bucks” to rejoin a well-known genealogy website and get serious about this. She asked, “Isn’t much of the info on that site dependent on the input of others?” And she is right! So for now, I am going to glean what I can from friends and family members via Facebook and other avenues…ask questions…be cordial, and share my own info in the spirit of “good will”…and do my best to operate in accuracies, joy and encouragement of others. At least we are all talking about something positive on Facebook, for a change…which is incredibly refreshing!
What does this have to do with the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians? This “group” on Facebook is a microcosm of the world at large. I do not know every person who is participating. I do not recognize all of the family names presented…and many of the photographs are portraits of people I’ve never heard of or seen. But they are important to someone…namely, the person who posted the photo!
Everything I say - and everything I post on this page – represents who I am as a person – and a Christian. I must do all I can to get along with others…to make my comments positive, polite and pleasant – even when questioning someone’s sources or the accuracy of his/her data. I must respond to others’ questions and posts with kindness and respect. I must remind myself that each interaction is an opportunity to witness to others…to represent God and demonstrate my love for Jesus Christ. And I must courteously and gently ask questions to ensure that we all exchange accurate information – for ourselves and for future generations.
In our daily living, we encounter people we know well…and those we only know casually. But each one is important to someone…and especially to God - just as we are. It is important that we treat others with love, compassion, and genuine kindness. Whatever our circumstances or the challenges we are facing on any given day, we can offer a smile – and where appropriate, a hug - to someone else. We can treat them with respect and convey to them a sense of value and worth. We can ask ourselves, “How would Jesus treat me if we were chatting on Facebook or met at school, in church – or even at Wal-Mart? How would He respond to me if He saw me at a restaurant – or a mutual friend introduced us? How would I want Him to respond?” THIS is the answer to how we should treat others!
Occasionally, I am contacted by someone who read one of these devotionals or saw something I posted on one of my blogs or Facebook. I’m not talking about those annoying “spammers” who sometimes contact us pretending to be someone they aren’t. God wants us to be cautious… to be able to determine when we are in danger of being scammed or mistreated. It’s okay to block these people…or to politely cut conversations short and avoid interaction with those you feel reasonably certain are pursuing you to further their own advantage - or with underhanded motives.
I’m talking about real, honest-to-goodness people who are seeking encouragement or compassion…young people who are wrestling with the challenges of daily life… caregivers who are struggling to deal with a relative who is aging…a grandma who is looking for cute sewing ideas for her grandchildren…someone who is grieving and truly having a difficult time coping with his/her feelings. I believe that God creates such encounters in order to provide us with an opportunity to share His love with others…and to give those whom we bless in His name the “good things” that they need to remain encouraged. Each time I respond to one of these people or situations, I am representing my faith in God and how He has blessed me. I am being obedient to God’s directives via Paul’s message in this scripture passage. It matters greatly what I say, how I say it, and the attitude and demeanor I convey in the process. And the same is true for you!
God never wastes an opportunity…and neither should we! Let’s double our efforts to be vigilant in sharing His love, compassion, kindness and encouragement with others. And let’s make sure that we do so with a smile, a hug or pat on the back when appropriate, accuracy, a kind word, and a positive attitude. Let’s be guardedly friendly…and do our part to bring out the best in others. In many cases, we will never truly realize the impact we have on those we encounter – both positively and negatively. Make every effort to be a whole, holy and fit creation of God…and to make each and every gesture really count for Him!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.
May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!
Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the followers of Jesus there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don’t leave anyone out.
The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!
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 new “group” has been started on Facebook for people in my “neck of the woods” who wish to share photos and information about the history of this area. It’s been a lot of fun to look at old pictures and reminisce…to see the ancestors of others – and to discover in some instances that we are connected “down the line” in some manner. And as with all things of this sort, there have been some mislabeled photos…some “data” that was not quite accurate…and more than one case of mistaken identity.
This page has sparked some new “friendships”, and for the most part it has been cordial. On a similar site, someone asked the simple question, “Which of you are truly ‘from’ our city?” This caused a firestorm of hurt feelings among people who were not truly “native”…but felt a deep connection to this community, nonetheless. This was unfortunate and something that we must try to avoid. Furthermore, these pages have somewhat rekindled my decades-long interest in family history.
I mentioned to my mom that I was considering spending the “big bucks” to rejoin a well-known genealogy website and get serious about this. She asked, “Isn’t much of the info on that site dependent on the input of others?” And she is right! So for now, I am going to glean what I can from friends and family members via Facebook and other avenues…ask questions…be cordial, and share my own info in the spirit of “good will”…and do my best to operate in accuracies, joy and encouragement of others. At least we are all talking about something positive on Facebook, for a change…which is incredibly refreshing!
What does this have to do with the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians? This “group” on Facebook is a microcosm of the world at large. I do not know every person who is participating. I do not recognize all of the family names presented…and many of the photographs are portraits of people I’ve never heard of or seen. But they are important to someone…namely, the person who posted the photo!
Everything I say - and everything I post on this page – represents who I am as a person – and a Christian. I must do all I can to get along with others…to make my comments positive, polite and pleasant – even when questioning someone’s sources or the accuracy of his/her data. I must respond to others’ questions and posts with kindness and respect. I must remind myself that each interaction is an opportunity to witness to others…to represent God and demonstrate my love for Jesus Christ. And I must courteously and gently ask questions to ensure that we all exchange accurate information – for ourselves and for future generations.
In our daily living, we encounter people we know well…and those we only know casually. But each one is important to someone…and especially to God - just as we are. It is important that we treat others with love, compassion, and genuine kindness. Whatever our circumstances or the challenges we are facing on any given day, we can offer a smile – and where appropriate, a hug - to someone else. We can treat them with respect and convey to them a sense of value and worth. We can ask ourselves, “How would Jesus treat me if we were chatting on Facebook or met at school, in church – or even at Wal-Mart? How would He respond to me if He saw me at a restaurant – or a mutual friend introduced us? How would I want Him to respond?” THIS is the answer to how we should treat others!
Occasionally, I am contacted by someone who read one of these devotionals or saw something I posted on one of my blogs or Facebook. I’m not talking about those annoying “spammers” who sometimes contact us pretending to be someone they aren’t. God wants us to be cautious… to be able to determine when we are in danger of being scammed or mistreated. It’s okay to block these people…or to politely cut conversations short and avoid interaction with those you feel reasonably certain are pursuing you to further their own advantage - or with underhanded motives.
I’m talking about real, honest-to-goodness people who are seeking encouragement or compassion…young people who are wrestling with the challenges of daily life… caregivers who are struggling to deal with a relative who is aging…a grandma who is looking for cute sewing ideas for her grandchildren…someone who is grieving and truly having a difficult time coping with his/her feelings. I believe that God creates such encounters in order to provide us with an opportunity to share His love with others…and to give those whom we bless in His name the “good things” that they need to remain encouraged. Each time I respond to one of these people or situations, I am representing my faith in God and how He has blessed me. I am being obedient to God’s directives via Paul’s message in this scripture passage. It matters greatly what I say, how I say it, and the attitude and demeanor I convey in the process. And the same is true for you!
God never wastes an opportunity…and neither should we! Let’s double our efforts to be vigilant in sharing His love, compassion, kindness and encouragement with others. And let’s make sure that we do so with a smile, a hug or pat on the back when appropriate, accuracy, a kind word, and a positive attitude. Let’s be guardedly friendly…and do our part to bring out the best in others. In many cases, we will never truly realize the impact we have on those we encounter – both positively and negatively. Make every effort to be a whole, holy and fit creation of God…and to make each and every gesture really count for Him!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 11, 2014
1 Peter 5:8-11
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
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 as I enjoyed a cup of coffee on my back deck in 66-degree sunshine, I thought of the two big frozen blobs of sleet that still sit in our front flower beds. I reminded myself that less than a week ago, we were experiencing day-time high temps in the teens and low twenties – and wind-chill factors close to zero!
Our house sits in a relatively wooded – and shaded – neighborhood. The home of one of my cousins has a similar setting. She remarked to me that for several days last week, she thought the whole world was as “iced in” as she was, because she could not see beyond her neighborhood, where major streets and thoroughfares had been cleared, salted and sanded. We felt much the same way. Just a couple of blocks away from our house, a major highway was “passable”, while our streets and driveway were completely covered in sleet and ice.
So we were lulled into a sense that the world was “sleeping” for a few days until the weather cleared…while in reality, life was continuing somewhat as usual just a few yards from our doorstep! Indeed, about a 3-hour drive east of us, motorists were stranded for as much as 48 hours on interstate highways in our state. As most of the world carried on “as usual”, these motorists sat motionless, hungry, weary and away from family, friends, important appointments, and more.
This seems like the perfect analogy to demonstrate how we operate as Christians. There are times when things happen in our lives, and we feel like the whole world has stopped…or should! We experience illness, the death of a friend or loved one, trouble at home or in the workplace, stress at school, a pile of bills to be paid, accidents, uncontrollable weather events…and so much more. Whether these circumstances were beyond our control, or the devil caught us napping…”life” happens! And the thing is…this happens to all of us!
For every challenge and circumstance you have experienced…someone else has “been there, done that”. This ought to give us renewed courage as we see how God has worked in the lives of others – how He has gotten them through the rough spots, put them together and set them back on their feet for good. This also should give us courage and motivation to share with others out of our own personal witness to God’s great plans for us. I am not diminishing the importance – or severity – of anything that has happened in your life. In fact, I have expressed heartfelt compassion and empathy to many of you whom I know personally. I have shared with you in these devotionals how God has “had the last word” in my life on many occasions…and how my faith has been strengthened through these experiences.
So my question to you today is, “What are you doing with the circumstances and events of your life?” Are you awake and alert? Or are you napping while the “weather” clears…or burying your head in the sand because things just seem too hard to bear? Either one of the latter leaves you vulnerable to the devil. And Peter is right…Satan stands ready and waiting to pounce like a cat watching a bug or a bird in the yard! Whatever you are going through…whatever has happened to you…God can use it to strengthen your faith – and to demonstrate His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion to others. Will you be one of His agents in this…or one of the devil’s victims? The choice is totally up to you.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
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 as I enjoyed a cup of coffee on my back deck in 66-degree sunshine, I thought of the two big frozen blobs of sleet that still sit in our front flower beds. I reminded myself that less than a week ago, we were experiencing day-time high temps in the teens and low twenties – and wind-chill factors close to zero!
Our house sits in a relatively wooded – and shaded – neighborhood. The home of one of my cousins has a similar setting. She remarked to me that for several days last week, she thought the whole world was as “iced in” as she was, because she could not see beyond her neighborhood, where major streets and thoroughfares had been cleared, salted and sanded. We felt much the same way. Just a couple of blocks away from our house, a major highway was “passable”, while our streets and driveway were completely covered in sleet and ice.
So we were lulled into a sense that the world was “sleeping” for a few days until the weather cleared…while in reality, life was continuing somewhat as usual just a few yards from our doorstep! Indeed, about a 3-hour drive east of us, motorists were stranded for as much as 48 hours on interstate highways in our state. As most of the world carried on “as usual”, these motorists sat motionless, hungry, weary and away from family, friends, important appointments, and more.
This seems like the perfect analogy to demonstrate how we operate as Christians. There are times when things happen in our lives, and we feel like the whole world has stopped…or should! We experience illness, the death of a friend or loved one, trouble at home or in the workplace, stress at school, a pile of bills to be paid, accidents, uncontrollable weather events…and so much more. Whether these circumstances were beyond our control, or the devil caught us napping…”life” happens! And the thing is…this happens to all of us!
For every challenge and circumstance you have experienced…someone else has “been there, done that”. This ought to give us renewed courage as we see how God has worked in the lives of others – how He has gotten them through the rough spots, put them together and set them back on their feet for good. This also should give us courage and motivation to share with others out of our own personal witness to God’s great plans for us. I am not diminishing the importance – or severity – of anything that has happened in your life. In fact, I have expressed heartfelt compassion and empathy to many of you whom I know personally. I have shared with you in these devotionals how God has “had the last word” in my life on many occasions…and how my faith has been strengthened through these experiences.
So my question to you today is, “What are you doing with the circumstances and events of your life?” Are you awake and alert? Or are you napping while the “weather” clears…or burying your head in the sand because things just seem too hard to bear? Either one of the latter leaves you vulnerable to the devil. And Peter is right…Satan stands ready and waiting to pounce like a cat watching a bug or a bird in the yard! Whatever you are going through…whatever has happened to you…God can use it to strengthen your faith – and to demonstrate His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion to others. Will you be one of His agents in this…or one of the devil’s victims? The choice is totally up to you.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 25, 2013
1 Thessalonians 5:1-8
I don’t think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master’s coming can’t be posted on our calendars. He won’t call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody’s walking around complacently, congratulating each other—“We’ve sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!”—suddenly everything will fall apart. It’s going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.
But friends, you’re not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You’re sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let’s not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we’re creatures of Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.
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.
I still remember the afternoon that our doorbell rang, and there stood my grandmother and two of my dad’s cousins from Texas. They had come to visit… and their timing could not have been worse. That didn’t faze my grandmother – or the cousins. They marched right into the house and proceeded to stay for more than an hour. I laughingly told them that I was not “dressed to receive guests”… I was getting ready to work out, had on grubby clothes and no makeup. Greg was equally busy and not “cleaned up” for company, either. I had nothing prepared to offer them…a pitcher of iced tea or a soft drink. This didn’t seem to bother our guests… but it bothered us. We had been “taken off guard”!
I am sure you can name countless times that someone dropped in unexpectedly. And if you are like me, you’ve probably caught others unprepared to “receive guests” as well. Let’s be honest, if the worst that ever happens is that someone drops by to visit and catches you looking a little grubby or disheveled, this is certainly not the end of the world. But in the spiritual realm, the last thing we ever want is for Jesus to find us unprepared.
Look at it this way… if you are told that “the cable guy” is coming to your house “somewhere between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.”…you will sit at home and wait on him – right? You’ll get up early and dress and prepare for his arrival… and you will wait – sometimes all day long – in anticipation of his visit. Why would you prepare any less for Jesus’ return? The “cable guy” may fix your television reception… but Jesus is offering us Eternal Life! How could we ever fail to prepare for the day we meet Him face-to-face?
The bottom line is that those of us who truly believe in Jesus Christ…who have given our hearts to Him and promised to serve as His disciples…have no excuse for operating in anything less than “preparedness mode.” We have the hope of salvation and an eternity in Heaven on our side. Isn’t this worth guarding?
How ready are you to meet Jesus in person? Are you on guard…”dressed up”… awake… alert? Do you have faith, hope and confidence that you will meet Him someday? We cannot possibly know what hour or day that will happen. So the question is…”Are you ready to receive Him?”
©2013 Debbie Robus
I don’t think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master’s coming can’t be posted on our calendars. He won’t call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody’s walking around complacently, congratulating each other—“We’ve sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!”—suddenly everything will fall apart. It’s going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.
But friends, you’re not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You’re sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let’s not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we’re creatures of Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.
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.
I still remember the afternoon that our doorbell rang, and there stood my grandmother and two of my dad’s cousins from Texas. They had come to visit… and their timing could not have been worse. That didn’t faze my grandmother – or the cousins. They marched right into the house and proceeded to stay for more than an hour. I laughingly told them that I was not “dressed to receive guests”… I was getting ready to work out, had on grubby clothes and no makeup. Greg was equally busy and not “cleaned up” for company, either. I had nothing prepared to offer them…a pitcher of iced tea or a soft drink. This didn’t seem to bother our guests… but it bothered us. We had been “taken off guard”!
I am sure you can name countless times that someone dropped in unexpectedly. And if you are like me, you’ve probably caught others unprepared to “receive guests” as well. Let’s be honest, if the worst that ever happens is that someone drops by to visit and catches you looking a little grubby or disheveled, this is certainly not the end of the world. But in the spiritual realm, the last thing we ever want is for Jesus to find us unprepared.
Look at it this way… if you are told that “the cable guy” is coming to your house “somewhere between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.”…you will sit at home and wait on him – right? You’ll get up early and dress and prepare for his arrival… and you will wait – sometimes all day long – in anticipation of his visit. Why would you prepare any less for Jesus’ return? The “cable guy” may fix your television reception… but Jesus is offering us Eternal Life! How could we ever fail to prepare for the day we meet Him face-to-face?
The bottom line is that those of us who truly believe in Jesus Christ…who have given our hearts to Him and promised to serve as His disciples…have no excuse for operating in anything less than “preparedness mode.” We have the hope of salvation and an eternity in Heaven on our side. Isn’t this worth guarding?
How ready are you to meet Jesus in person? Are you on guard…”dressed up”… awake… alert? Do you have faith, hope and confidence that you will meet Him someday? We cannot possibly know what hour or day that will happen. So the question is…”Are you ready to receive Him?”
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 8, 2012
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.
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.
I’m trying very hard to keep the same “rules” at our house that Timothy and Zola (and someday, their baby brother Nathan) have at home. So even though I hung my least fragile Christmas ornaments on the lower 3 feet of my tree, I reminded the children today to… “Remember, we look, but we don’t touch.” I find myself thinking… “It wouldn’t really hurt anything if they touched those ornaments.” But I know we must be consistent, so we don’t allow this.
Toddlers and three-year-olds (and sometimes older “children”) do not understand why they hear the word “No!” so much. It’s hard to explain to them that our reasons are sound. Often, they try to pull the wool over our eyes… and sometimes, they succeed. They have no idea how much we love them… and that we will never stop!
My husband took a picture of me today sitting under the tree with Zola… an almost exact replica of a pose I have with Zola’s mother, when she was just a few months older than Zola is now. And while I know that Timmy and Zola’s mother did not understand all of our rules (I still remember a Christmas when she insisted she had to open her gifts on December 23rd because “I just can’t stand to wait any longer!)… we stuck by them. Still, we’ve never stopped loving her… and we never will.
As faith-filled Christians, God wants us to follow the Apostle Paul’s advice to the Corinthians and stay awake and alert to those who would try to deceive us… to stand up for our convictions and “stick to our guns”… to always give all we have as His disciples… and to never stop loving – Him and one another. That’s a tall order… but then, so is being a Christian!
I know that God has modeled all of this in my life… and in yours, as well. We can’t fool God…even though many of us have tried – or will someday. He is always “awake and alert!” God has stuck to His word and upheld His promises… given EVERYTHING (including His Only Son)…loved us unconditionally…and never faltered. That’s “amazing grace” in action! This should give us tremendous hope and courage. Here is our perfect example of how to live – and serve – well. Are you modeling these traits in your own life? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.
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.
I’m trying very hard to keep the same “rules” at our house that Timothy and Zola (and someday, their baby brother Nathan) have at home. So even though I hung my least fragile Christmas ornaments on the lower 3 feet of my tree, I reminded the children today to… “Remember, we look, but we don’t touch.” I find myself thinking… “It wouldn’t really hurt anything if they touched those ornaments.” But I know we must be consistent, so we don’t allow this.
Toddlers and three-year-olds (and sometimes older “children”) do not understand why they hear the word “No!” so much. It’s hard to explain to them that our reasons are sound. Often, they try to pull the wool over our eyes… and sometimes, they succeed. They have no idea how much we love them… and that we will never stop!
My husband took a picture of me today sitting under the tree with Zola… an almost exact replica of a pose I have with Zola’s mother, when she was just a few months older than Zola is now. And while I know that Timmy and Zola’s mother did not understand all of our rules (I still remember a Christmas when she insisted she had to open her gifts on December 23rd because “I just can’t stand to wait any longer!)… we stuck by them. Still, we’ve never stopped loving her… and we never will.
As faith-filled Christians, God wants us to follow the Apostle Paul’s advice to the Corinthians and stay awake and alert to those who would try to deceive us… to stand up for our convictions and “stick to our guns”… to always give all we have as His disciples… and to never stop loving – Him and one another. That’s a tall order… but then, so is being a Christian!
I know that God has modeled all of this in my life… and in yours, as well. We can’t fool God…even though many of us have tried – or will someday. He is always “awake and alert!” God has stuck to His word and upheld His promises… given EVERYTHING (including His Only Son)…loved us unconditionally…and never faltered. That’s “amazing grace” in action! This should give us tremendous hope and courage. Here is our perfect example of how to live – and serve – well. Are you modeling these traits in your own life? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 16, 2012
Matthew 25:1-13
“God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.
“In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bride-groom’s here! Go out and greet him!’
“The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’
“They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’
“They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.
“Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’
“He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’
“So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive."
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.
One of the greatest inventions to come along for me is the DVR. So often, I sit down to watch a program, only to wake a few minutes to an hour later and realize I missed much of it. I have to admit that I’ve backed up and tried to watch the same several-minute stretch several times before, because each time I would fall asleep again! If you are laughing, it’s either because you have “been there, done that,” or you think this is nuts. If you fall into the latter category, you’ll understand all too soon!
With the DVR, I can back up and replay what I missed. In life, we don’t get “do-overs” like this. So we miss a lot of important moments. We are not awake and alert, so we miss the opportunity to offer to lend a hand to a friend. We don’t catch that someone is smiling on the outside but hurting deeply internally. We don’t feel that gentle nudge from God to take action that could have profound and lasting impact in our life and the lives of others.
Some of us get a “wake-up call” that jolts us into paying closer attention. More than a few of us need this sort of reminder. I know several people who have been bounced into a more acute sense of awareness by the death of a loved one. And often, someone will speak at the funeral of a friend or family member and urge others who are in attendance to turn to Jesus or change their way of living in some fashion. It shouldn’t have to take a death to awaken us to listening more closely for God’s voice. But God will use whatever He can to get our attention.
On some level, it would be great to have a DVR in our daily living… and especially in our life as a Christian. But then, we wouldn’t have to lean on God nearly as much – or listen carefully for His voice. God wants us to pay attention… to stay tuned in to His message and directives… and to be awake and alert for Him at all times. Have you been caught napping?
©2012 Debbie Robus
“God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.
“In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bride-groom’s here! Go out and greet him!’
“The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’
“They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’
“They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.
“Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’
“He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’
“So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive."
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.
One of the greatest inventions to come along for me is the DVR. So often, I sit down to watch a program, only to wake a few minutes to an hour later and realize I missed much of it. I have to admit that I’ve backed up and tried to watch the same several-minute stretch several times before, because each time I would fall asleep again! If you are laughing, it’s either because you have “been there, done that,” or you think this is nuts. If you fall into the latter category, you’ll understand all too soon!
With the DVR, I can back up and replay what I missed. In life, we don’t get “do-overs” like this. So we miss a lot of important moments. We are not awake and alert, so we miss the opportunity to offer to lend a hand to a friend. We don’t catch that someone is smiling on the outside but hurting deeply internally. We don’t feel that gentle nudge from God to take action that could have profound and lasting impact in our life and the lives of others.
Some of us get a “wake-up call” that jolts us into paying closer attention. More than a few of us need this sort of reminder. I know several people who have been bounced into a more acute sense of awareness by the death of a loved one. And often, someone will speak at the funeral of a friend or family member and urge others who are in attendance to turn to Jesus or change their way of living in some fashion. It shouldn’t have to take a death to awaken us to listening more closely for God’s voice. But God will use whatever He can to get our attention.
On some level, it would be great to have a DVR in our daily living… and especially in our life as a Christian. But then, we wouldn’t have to lean on God nearly as much – or listen carefully for His voice. God wants us to pay attention… to stay tuned in to His message and directives… and to be awake and alert for Him at all times. Have you been caught napping?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 2, 2012
Ezekiel 37:7-10
I did what the Lord said, but before I finished speaking, I heard a rattling noise. The bones were coming together! I saw muscles and skin cover the bones, but they had no life in them.
The Lord said: Ezekiel, now say to the wind, “The Lord God commands you to blow from every direction and to breathe life into these dead bodies, so they can live again.”
As soon as I said this, the wind blew among the bodies, and they came back to life! They all stood up, and there were enough to make a large army.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Ellen DeGeneres is well-known for her hidden camera pranks. For instance, she once sent one of her writers, Amy, to a supermarket disguised as a produce manager. She told Amy what to say to customers, and Amy had to say and do whatever Ellen told her. At one point, Ellen told Amy to ask a customer what she was buying, and then to ask her, “Do you have any cats?” Then she told Amy to yell out, “I have two cats!” Ellen got more ridiculous with the prank, and Amy the writer had people looking at her like she was insane.
It was all in good fun… and Amy was a good sport. She said and did everything Ellen commanded. At one point, a customer pushed her cart past Amy. Ellen told Amy to yell "TURNIP!” and then start tap dancing. Amy did exactly this! Finally, Amy was allowed to tell the customer that she was with the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and they were on hidden camera… and everything ended well.
There were a few tense moments when Ellen told Amy to do something, and Amy looked somewhat shocked and reluctant… as in, “Are you kidding me?!” And I have a feeling this is how we often react when God speaks to us – if we even recognize His voice in the first place! Unlike Ellen’s writer Amy, I’d be willing to bet that we have ignored God more than a few times… or disobeyed Him. And unlike the harmless prank that Ellen DeGeneres was pulling for her television show, the consequences of ignoring God can be life changing!
Just look at what happened to Ezekiel. Imagine if he had ignored God’s commands about the dry bones. What if he had failed to command the winds on God’s behalf? I must tell you, our failure to do what God commands us is every bit as critical! We must be awake, alert, and completely in tune with God and His will, so that when He speaks to us, we answer swiftly and obediently.
If God told you to yell “TURNIP!” and start tap dancing in a grocery store, would you do it? Would you hear His voice, recognize HE was speaking, and obey His command? I doubt seriously that God will ever tell any of us to do this. But we must be ready, willing and able to answer when He does speak… and to do whatever He tells us. Are you prepared to answer obediently? When God speaks to you, how do you respond?
©2012 Debbie Robus
I did what the Lord said, but before I finished speaking, I heard a rattling noise. The bones were coming together! I saw muscles and skin cover the bones, but they had no life in them.
The Lord said: Ezekiel, now say to the wind, “The Lord God commands you to blow from every direction and to breathe life into these dead bodies, so they can live again.”
As soon as I said this, the wind blew among the bodies, and they came back to life! They all stood up, and there were enough to make a large army.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Ellen DeGeneres is well-known for her hidden camera pranks. For instance, she once sent one of her writers, Amy, to a supermarket disguised as a produce manager. She told Amy what to say to customers, and Amy had to say and do whatever Ellen told her. At one point, Ellen told Amy to ask a customer what she was buying, and then to ask her, “Do you have any cats?” Then she told Amy to yell out, “I have two cats!” Ellen got more ridiculous with the prank, and Amy the writer had people looking at her like she was insane.
It was all in good fun… and Amy was a good sport. She said and did everything Ellen commanded. At one point, a customer pushed her cart past Amy. Ellen told Amy to yell "TURNIP!” and then start tap dancing. Amy did exactly this! Finally, Amy was allowed to tell the customer that she was with the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and they were on hidden camera… and everything ended well.
There were a few tense moments when Ellen told Amy to do something, and Amy looked somewhat shocked and reluctant… as in, “Are you kidding me?!” And I have a feeling this is how we often react when God speaks to us – if we even recognize His voice in the first place! Unlike Ellen’s writer Amy, I’d be willing to bet that we have ignored God more than a few times… or disobeyed Him. And unlike the harmless prank that Ellen DeGeneres was pulling for her television show, the consequences of ignoring God can be life changing!
Just look at what happened to Ezekiel. Imagine if he had ignored God’s commands about the dry bones. What if he had failed to command the winds on God’s behalf? I must tell you, our failure to do what God commands us is every bit as critical! We must be awake, alert, and completely in tune with God and His will, so that when He speaks to us, we answer swiftly and obediently.
If God told you to yell “TURNIP!” and start tap dancing in a grocery store, would you do it? Would you hear His voice, recognize HE was speaking, and obey His command? I doubt seriously that God will ever tell any of us to do this. But we must be ready, willing and able to answer when He does speak… and to do whatever He tells us. Are you prepared to answer obediently? When God speaks to you, how do you respond?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 17, 2012
James 5:7-8
Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.
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.
I will be the first to admit that waiting is not my strong suit. Last week, I walked out on our back porch and found a hummingbird, belly up in the seat of one of our patio chairs. I told my husband, “There is a dead hummingbird on our back porch… what should I do?” He replied, “Leave it alone.” The next morning, the bird was gone. I wondered aloud to my husband, “What kind of ‘critter’ took that bird?” He surmised… “It was probably just stunned… that’s why you leave them alone for a while.”
Birds fly into our picture windows all the time and fall to the ground in a temporary stupor. Hours later, they are gone. I’m amazed at their resilience. I’m also frustrated by my impatience and impulsiveness. So often, we shoot ourselves in the foot, so to speak… or we make things much harder and more complicated than they need to be… because we do not wait patiently.
For several months now, my grandmother has been indicating to me that she is ready to die. I can see that she is miserable… trapped in a body that no longer responds in the ways she wishes, with a severely limited ability to speak that leaves her frustrated and isolated. I have watched lately as young people who appeared to have so much to live for were called to heaven, while obedient, faithful, elderly servants linger – and often appear to suffer in the process. I admit… I am sorely tempted to question God, even though I know He has reasons I will never understand in this lifetime.
I have prayed for lives to be changed and trusted God to do exactly this… and then asked Him, “When, LORD… WHEN?” I have prayed with countless others for the drought to end this summer, knowing full well that God knew people were hurting, losing their crops and livelihood, facing higher prices at the store as a result, and suffering in dozens of other ways. I have wondered why this was allowed…and when it would end. And in His timing, God has answered with refreshing restorative rainfall. I know that God will answer my other requests… when the time is perfect.
I have waited... but only because there was nothing else I could do, in most cases. The lesson of the hummingbird is that there is purpose in waiting. Our job is to remain faithful, awake, and alert… because we truly do not know when or how God will answer – only that He will. My challenge for all of us is to wait patiently – and confidently… to trust that God is in control and will show up at exactly the right moment. We must prepare… stay strong… and be ready for God’s appearance. What about you? Do you wait on God faithfully and expectantly… or because you feel you have no other choice? Exactly how prepared are you for God to show up in your life? How well are you waiting?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.
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.
I will be the first to admit that waiting is not my strong suit. Last week, I walked out on our back porch and found a hummingbird, belly up in the seat of one of our patio chairs. I told my husband, “There is a dead hummingbird on our back porch… what should I do?” He replied, “Leave it alone.” The next morning, the bird was gone. I wondered aloud to my husband, “What kind of ‘critter’ took that bird?” He surmised… “It was probably just stunned… that’s why you leave them alone for a while.”
Birds fly into our picture windows all the time and fall to the ground in a temporary stupor. Hours later, they are gone. I’m amazed at their resilience. I’m also frustrated by my impatience and impulsiveness. So often, we shoot ourselves in the foot, so to speak… or we make things much harder and more complicated than they need to be… because we do not wait patiently.
For several months now, my grandmother has been indicating to me that she is ready to die. I can see that she is miserable… trapped in a body that no longer responds in the ways she wishes, with a severely limited ability to speak that leaves her frustrated and isolated. I have watched lately as young people who appeared to have so much to live for were called to heaven, while obedient, faithful, elderly servants linger – and often appear to suffer in the process. I admit… I am sorely tempted to question God, even though I know He has reasons I will never understand in this lifetime.
I have prayed for lives to be changed and trusted God to do exactly this… and then asked Him, “When, LORD… WHEN?” I have prayed with countless others for the drought to end this summer, knowing full well that God knew people were hurting, losing their crops and livelihood, facing higher prices at the store as a result, and suffering in dozens of other ways. I have wondered why this was allowed…and when it would end. And in His timing, God has answered with refreshing restorative rainfall. I know that God will answer my other requests… when the time is perfect.
I have waited... but only because there was nothing else I could do, in most cases. The lesson of the hummingbird is that there is purpose in waiting. Our job is to remain faithful, awake, and alert… because we truly do not know when or how God will answer – only that He will. My challenge for all of us is to wait patiently – and confidently… to trust that God is in control and will show up at exactly the right moment. We must prepare… stay strong… and be ready for God’s appearance. What about you? Do you wait on God faithfully and expectantly… or because you feel you have no other choice? Exactly how prepared are you for God to show up in your life? How well are you waiting?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 27, 2012
James 1:22-25
Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it. If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know if you do this or not, but sometimes when I watch television, I see and hear what is on the screen, but it doesn’t process. Often the problem is that I am distracted… trying to do something on my laptop or talking to my husband… and sometimes I fall asleep! Thank goodness for a DVR! I can back up and play the program again to get what I missed! And I have to do this quite often, it seems!
We have a bad habit of hearing God without really hearing Him… or as this scripture passage puts it… hearing and forgetting. We don’t internalize what God is saying to us and take His words to heart. God tells us what to do… how to handle certain situations in our life… which path to choose. But if we are not listening carefully and obediently, we might just as well be asleep. We do not have the luxury – or crutch – of a DVR with God. When He talks to us, we are expected to listen – and listen well. It’s not that God doesn’t offer second chances… He often does! But God wants us to hear what He is saying the first time… and He blesses our attentiveness and obedience to His word in amazing ways.
Let’s redouble our efforts to listen to God. Work hard at not only hearing what God is telling you… but remembering and acting on His word. Obey His message… and live in the blessings of a life that reflects compliance and respect for the perfection of God’s word. Make it a priority in your daily living to hear what He has to say – the first time.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it. If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know if you do this or not, but sometimes when I watch television, I see and hear what is on the screen, but it doesn’t process. Often the problem is that I am distracted… trying to do something on my laptop or talking to my husband… and sometimes I fall asleep! Thank goodness for a DVR! I can back up and play the program again to get what I missed! And I have to do this quite often, it seems!
We have a bad habit of hearing God without really hearing Him… or as this scripture passage puts it… hearing and forgetting. We don’t internalize what God is saying to us and take His words to heart. God tells us what to do… how to handle certain situations in our life… which path to choose. But if we are not listening carefully and obediently, we might just as well be asleep. We do not have the luxury – or crutch – of a DVR with God. When He talks to us, we are expected to listen – and listen well. It’s not that God doesn’t offer second chances… He often does! But God wants us to hear what He is saying the first time… and He blesses our attentiveness and obedience to His word in amazing ways.
Let’s redouble our efforts to listen to God. Work hard at not only hearing what God is telling you… but remembering and acting on His word. Obey His message… and live in the blessings of a life that reflects compliance and respect for the perfection of God’s word. Make it a priority in your daily living to hear what He has to say – the first time.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 7, 2012
Revelation 2:2-3
I know everything you have done, including your hard work and how you have endured. I know you won’t put up with anyone who is evil. When some people pretended to be apostles, you tested them and found out that they were liars. You have endured and gone through hard times because of me, and you have not given up.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I am not sure there are more people who pretend to be someone or something they are not in this day and time than any other era… perhaps we just know more about them. With today’s technology, we have little problem finding out virtually anything and everything about another person… particularly if he/she has elected to take a spot center stage in the public eye. So we at least know and hear a lot more about those who “fall from grace,” so to speak… or whose claims are overstated.
We also live in a time where any one of us can be brought into public view on any given day and criticized for what we say or do… even if we are innocent of the charges. There is plenty of room for misinterpretation. This is a slippery slope… do we remain silent and have people conclude that we agree with the opinions of others? Or do we voice our own sentiments and risk ridicule and attack from those who disagree? I have a few friends who have expressed their viewpoint on social media outlets and suffered greatly via responses (and downright attacks) from other “friends” - many who claim that their own viewpoints represent the “Christian” perspective. I have to wonder how they think some of the unkind and disrespectful comments these responders post help their case – or truly represent a life modeled after the teachings of Jesus!
I don’t want to be guilty of using this scripture passage – or any other – out of context… and you may be asking how these two verses from Revelation are relevant for us today. There are three things I believe we can take away from this passage…
©2012 Debbie Robus
I know everything you have done, including your hard work and how you have endured. I know you won’t put up with anyone who is evil. When some people pretended to be apostles, you tested them and found out that they were liars. You have endured and gone through hard times because of me, and you have not given up.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I am not sure there are more people who pretend to be someone or something they are not in this day and time than any other era… perhaps we just know more about them. With today’s technology, we have little problem finding out virtually anything and everything about another person… particularly if he/she has elected to take a spot center stage in the public eye. So we at least know and hear a lot more about those who “fall from grace,” so to speak… or whose claims are overstated.
We also live in a time where any one of us can be brought into public view on any given day and criticized for what we say or do… even if we are innocent of the charges. There is plenty of room for misinterpretation. This is a slippery slope… do we remain silent and have people conclude that we agree with the opinions of others? Or do we voice our own sentiments and risk ridicule and attack from those who disagree? I have a few friends who have expressed their viewpoint on social media outlets and suffered greatly via responses (and downright attacks) from other “friends” - many who claim that their own viewpoints represent the “Christian” perspective. I have to wonder how they think some of the unkind and disrespectful comments these responders post help their case – or truly represent a life modeled after the teachings of Jesus!
I don’t want to be guilty of using this scripture passage – or any other – out of context… and you may be asking how these two verses from Revelation are relevant for us today. There are three things I believe we can take away from this passage…
- God can use these verses to show us that what we say and do matters. We must be tolerant of the other guy and his opinions… but we must also be careful and alert. We must weigh carefully all comments and actions - and prayerfully consider how they line up with what God is showing us through His word and our daily communication with Him.
- Many good bakers will tell you to “sift twice” when you are measuring dry ingredients. In Spiritual terms, we would also do well to vigilantly sift what we assimilate. We must be very careful to speak fairly… to treat all comments with kindness and respect… and to always sift through the nonsense and concisely state the facts. And when unkind and disrespectful comments are wielded in our direction, we must not waver… nor retaliate.
- People are watching. More importantly, GOD is watching. He knows our heart… and our motives. He takes notice of how we treat others… and how we react to their treatment of us.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 22, 2012
Luke 6:26-30
"There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.
"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
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.
The glass-topped coffee table on our back porch holds a potted begonia, some wrought-iron candleholders, and a decorative bird house. This house is presently the home of a rather ugly-looking, spotted Great Plains Toad, who I have named Frodo. Most of the day, Frodo sits in the birdhouse, draping his head out of the hole. At night, he often attaches himself to one of our windows and feasts on bugs drawn to the lamplight there.
I’ve kinda grown attached to Frodo. He’s cute, in an ugly sort of way. But I did my homework… he is also poisonous! Behind his eyes are glands that secrete a protective (to him) milky solution that could be toxic to dogs or cats who might find him fun to pursue. This substance can even cause some serious harm to a human, if one were to handle the frog and not wash your hands thoroughly afterward. My research indicates that Frodo may have come to this abode because his regular haunt – warm, damp ground in which to burrow – is not available right now. Ditto for his traditional fare of grubs, which he digs from the moist earth! So I will be kind to Frodo and allow him to stay in the birdhouse. I will “live generously” where he is concerned. But I will also see him for the potential scoundrel that he is… I’m aware of his truth!
There is a lesson here for all of us in our daily living. There are “scoundrels” among us… people who are a bit of a chameleon at best… changing with the wind or whatever best suits their desires at the moment. And while I don’t like to think I have any actual “enemies,” I know that there are people who only want what they feel I can give them… those who are nice enough to me when necessary but don’t actually give a hoot about my feelings or wellbeing. I recognize these people (most of the time)… and I hope I treat them generously in spite of their behavior - because God calls me to do so. I urge you to do the same.
I also ask that we would never be the scoundrel… that we would not treat others in a dishonest or disrespectful way or use them to get ahead or for our own benefit. I pray that we would operate in honesty and truth… love and genuine big-heartedness. God is calling us to be the real deal… to be sincere and authentic with others… but also to be charitable – even when we are being treated anything but kindly. It’s a tall order… but as we have discussed many times, we Christians were never promised “easy!”
I’m going to continue to allow Frodo to inhabit our birdhouse… but I won’t be doing anything to antagonize him! As for the “scoundrels” I encounter in life, I pray that I will have the wisdom to recognize them, the strength and courage to handle whatever they deliver, and the ability to treat them generously. In doing this, I hope that God will allow my best to shine through for Him. What about you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
"There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.
"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
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.
The glass-topped coffee table on our back porch holds a potted begonia, some wrought-iron candleholders, and a decorative bird house. This house is presently the home of a rather ugly-looking, spotted Great Plains Toad, who I have named Frodo. Most of the day, Frodo sits in the birdhouse, draping his head out of the hole. At night, he often attaches himself to one of our windows and feasts on bugs drawn to the lamplight there.
I’ve kinda grown attached to Frodo. He’s cute, in an ugly sort of way. But I did my homework… he is also poisonous! Behind his eyes are glands that secrete a protective (to him) milky solution that could be toxic to dogs or cats who might find him fun to pursue. This substance can even cause some serious harm to a human, if one were to handle the frog and not wash your hands thoroughly afterward. My research indicates that Frodo may have come to this abode because his regular haunt – warm, damp ground in which to burrow – is not available right now. Ditto for his traditional fare of grubs, which he digs from the moist earth! So I will be kind to Frodo and allow him to stay in the birdhouse. I will “live generously” where he is concerned. But I will also see him for the potential scoundrel that he is… I’m aware of his truth!
There is a lesson here for all of us in our daily living. There are “scoundrels” among us… people who are a bit of a chameleon at best… changing with the wind or whatever best suits their desires at the moment. And while I don’t like to think I have any actual “enemies,” I know that there are people who only want what they feel I can give them… those who are nice enough to me when necessary but don’t actually give a hoot about my feelings or wellbeing. I recognize these people (most of the time)… and I hope I treat them generously in spite of their behavior - because God calls me to do so. I urge you to do the same.
I also ask that we would never be the scoundrel… that we would not treat others in a dishonest or disrespectful way or use them to get ahead or for our own benefit. I pray that we would operate in honesty and truth… love and genuine big-heartedness. God is calling us to be the real deal… to be sincere and authentic with others… but also to be charitable – even when we are being treated anything but kindly. It’s a tall order… but as we have discussed many times, we Christians were never promised “easy!”
I’m going to continue to allow Frodo to inhabit our birdhouse… but I won’t be doing anything to antagonize him! As for the “scoundrels” I encounter in life, I pray that I will have the wisdom to recognize them, the strength and courage to handle whatever they deliver, and the ability to treat them generously. In doing this, I hope that God will allow my best to shine through for Him. What about you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 2, 2012
James 1:12
God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I sat behind a friend of ours at church yesterday and watched her play with a six-month-old baby she and her family are fostering. I thought about our little nephew, Timothy, and how fun he was at that age… and how sad we were when he moved away with his family. As I watched this baby cling to my friend’s neck while she cuddled him, I could see her efforts to infuse him with as much love as possible. I prayed that she would savor every minute she spends with him – and trust God to multiply the effects of her nurture – and that of other family members.
When you stop and think about the ministry of foster families, remember that most of these situations are temporary. Thank God for the loving families who are willing to welcome children who have no other options into their homes. But also ask Him to comfort these families when the children leave. I can assure you, these families will become attached to the children they nurture. And when they leave, the families will experience sadness – even if this represents a positive step for the child.
My prayer is that these families trust God to give them strength and courage to handle this role – and a glorious life because of it. As their faith is tested - and it surely will be - I pray that He blesses them with confidence and wisdom… and that they savor every minute that God grants them. I pray that they stay awake and alert… and recognize the hand of God at every turn.
My daily quote for today was this joke: “A Sunday school teacher asked her little students as they were on the way to a church service, ‘And why should we be quiet in church?’ A little girl replied, ‘Because people are sleeping.’” This would describe many of us. We are “asleep” to the promises and blessings of God. We don’t recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit and how He is caring for us in even the most difficult circumstances. And as a result, we fail to realize the fullness of a glorious life in Christ. We focus on the test of our faith. We are asleep to the possibilities for God to bless us – especially in times of extreme challenge.
I used the example of foster families today because I am surrounded by friends who are currently opening their hearts and homes to these innocent children. The challenges, pain and heartache that comes with being a foster family is fresh on my mind. But many of us are facing all sorts of “faith tests” – illness, financial difficulties, relationship issues, the challenges of aging… even a need for rain and drought relief. If we can learn to stay awake to the promises and possibilities of God… if we can recognize the Holy Spirit’s presence and trust Him to meet our daily needs… we can live a glorious life each and every day - with the hope of even more to come!
I recently told a friend, “Hang on… keep believing. I don’t know how God is going to work in this… I just know He will.” This is my message to you today. Whatever you are experiencing… however your faith is being tested… stay strong. Believe that God will see you through this. Acknowledge the blessings in your life today… because there are blessings! Live with the confidence of having the Holy Spirit with you at all times… and the promise of something even more glorious yet to come. God is with you. Wake up – and live faithfully!
©2012 Debbie Robus
God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I sat behind a friend of ours at church yesterday and watched her play with a six-month-old baby she and her family are fostering. I thought about our little nephew, Timothy, and how fun he was at that age… and how sad we were when he moved away with his family. As I watched this baby cling to my friend’s neck while she cuddled him, I could see her efforts to infuse him with as much love as possible. I prayed that she would savor every minute she spends with him – and trust God to multiply the effects of her nurture – and that of other family members.
When you stop and think about the ministry of foster families, remember that most of these situations are temporary. Thank God for the loving families who are willing to welcome children who have no other options into their homes. But also ask Him to comfort these families when the children leave. I can assure you, these families will become attached to the children they nurture. And when they leave, the families will experience sadness – even if this represents a positive step for the child.
My prayer is that these families trust God to give them strength and courage to handle this role – and a glorious life because of it. As their faith is tested - and it surely will be - I pray that He blesses them with confidence and wisdom… and that they savor every minute that God grants them. I pray that they stay awake and alert… and recognize the hand of God at every turn.
My daily quote for today was this joke: “A Sunday school teacher asked her little students as they were on the way to a church service, ‘And why should we be quiet in church?’ A little girl replied, ‘Because people are sleeping.’” This would describe many of us. We are “asleep” to the promises and blessings of God. We don’t recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit and how He is caring for us in even the most difficult circumstances. And as a result, we fail to realize the fullness of a glorious life in Christ. We focus on the test of our faith. We are asleep to the possibilities for God to bless us – especially in times of extreme challenge.
I used the example of foster families today because I am surrounded by friends who are currently opening their hearts and homes to these innocent children. The challenges, pain and heartache that comes with being a foster family is fresh on my mind. But many of us are facing all sorts of “faith tests” – illness, financial difficulties, relationship issues, the challenges of aging… even a need for rain and drought relief. If we can learn to stay awake to the promises and possibilities of God… if we can recognize the Holy Spirit’s presence and trust Him to meet our daily needs… we can live a glorious life each and every day - with the hope of even more to come!
I recently told a friend, “Hang on… keep believing. I don’t know how God is going to work in this… I just know He will.” This is my message to you today. Whatever you are experiencing… however your faith is being tested… stay strong. Believe that God will see you through this. Acknowledge the blessings in your life today… because there are blessings! Live with the confidence of having the Holy Spirit with you at all times… and the promise of something even more glorious yet to come. God is with you. Wake up – and live faithfully!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 29, 2012
Proverbs 2:1-7
My child, you must follow and treasure my teachings and my instructions. Keep in tune with wisdom and think what it means to have common sense. Beg as loud as you can for good common sense. Search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to respect and to know the LORD God. All wisdom comes from the LORD, and so do common sense and understanding. God gives helpful advice to everyone who obeys him and protects all of those who live as they should.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, a friend of mine (who shall remain nameless) ran out of coffee filters one morning, so she tried using a paper plate as a substitute. I can only imagine the mess that ensued… and she readily admitted that this did not work. In north-central Arkansas, the aunt of little 4-year-old Caleb Linn told him to follow a dirt road alongside a wooded riverbank and catch up with cousins who had returned to camp, while she continued working to clear debris from a low-water bridge on the river. Little Caleb apparently got lost or lost his footing, and rescue workers searched for approximately four days before locating his lifeless body a half a mile down river.
I truly do not mean to judge the people in these examples. But in each case, there appears to be a clear lack of common sense. While the mess that resulted from the coffee pot fiasco was no fun to remedy, the ramifications of allowing this little child to wander down a dirt road unattended will be life-long for all who survive him.
My point for today is reinforced in this scripture passage… “Beg as loud as you can for good common sense.” We all have lapses in judgment… and I have plenty of what I call “blond moments.” As I have illustrated, some can be relatively harmless… while others change the course of our life forever. Underestimating the size of a container and pouring in too much liquid is one thing. Driving through flood waters that rush across a roadway can be something else entirely. Making a sudden turn that upends your purse or something else in the passenger seat of your car can cause a mess (think a soupy dish you are taking to a church supper or that jug of milk that overturns on the way home from the store). Reaching down to retrieve something that has spilled can cause a crash… and possible injury to you, your vehicle, and others in your path.
We’ve all seen the funny home videos of ridiculous things people have attempted… and lived to tell. But we’ve also heard news reports of people who attempted something they shouldn’t (think climbing onto a steep roof to hang Christmas lights) and suffered life-changing injuries – or even death. Pulling a harmless prank on a friend may not turn out as you hoped… and even result in some hurt feelings temporarily. Accepting a dare from your buddies to do something stupid could result in all kinds of trouble, personal injury, and damage to your reputation that follows you for decades.
The message for all of us is to seek God’s wisdom at all times… in all things. We need to beg Him every single day for good common sense. We should ask God to protect us… from the devil – and ourselves! Ask Him to speak to you when He sees you sliding off course… even in the small things. Then listen to that “still small voice” in your head that says, “Are you really sure you want to do this?” Take a moment to stop and ask God, “Is this a good idea? What are the potential pitfalls?”
I don’t believe that God causes the disasters (large and small) that result when we fail to exercise common sense. But I do think He uses them to teach us… to remind us to rely on Him more - and our own devices less. Often, we act – or react – in a split second… with little or no time to really think through what we are doing. This is where we truly need to depend on common sense - and God’s wisdom - to help us make the right choices. Today, let’s ask God to give us huge, healthy doses of His wisdom – AND common sense - and to help us respect these treasures… and to always pay close attention when He delivers them.
©2012 Debbie Robus
My child, you must follow and treasure my teachings and my instructions. Keep in tune with wisdom and think what it means to have common sense. Beg as loud as you can for good common sense. Search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to respect and to know the LORD God. All wisdom comes from the LORD, and so do common sense and understanding. God gives helpful advice to everyone who obeys him and protects all of those who live as they should.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, a friend of mine (who shall remain nameless) ran out of coffee filters one morning, so she tried using a paper plate as a substitute. I can only imagine the mess that ensued… and she readily admitted that this did not work. In north-central Arkansas, the aunt of little 4-year-old Caleb Linn told him to follow a dirt road alongside a wooded riverbank and catch up with cousins who had returned to camp, while she continued working to clear debris from a low-water bridge on the river. Little Caleb apparently got lost or lost his footing, and rescue workers searched for approximately four days before locating his lifeless body a half a mile down river.
I truly do not mean to judge the people in these examples. But in each case, there appears to be a clear lack of common sense. While the mess that resulted from the coffee pot fiasco was no fun to remedy, the ramifications of allowing this little child to wander down a dirt road unattended will be life-long for all who survive him.
My point for today is reinforced in this scripture passage… “Beg as loud as you can for good common sense.” We all have lapses in judgment… and I have plenty of what I call “blond moments.” As I have illustrated, some can be relatively harmless… while others change the course of our life forever. Underestimating the size of a container and pouring in too much liquid is one thing. Driving through flood waters that rush across a roadway can be something else entirely. Making a sudden turn that upends your purse or something else in the passenger seat of your car can cause a mess (think a soupy dish you are taking to a church supper or that jug of milk that overturns on the way home from the store). Reaching down to retrieve something that has spilled can cause a crash… and possible injury to you, your vehicle, and others in your path.
We’ve all seen the funny home videos of ridiculous things people have attempted… and lived to tell. But we’ve also heard news reports of people who attempted something they shouldn’t (think climbing onto a steep roof to hang Christmas lights) and suffered life-changing injuries – or even death. Pulling a harmless prank on a friend may not turn out as you hoped… and even result in some hurt feelings temporarily. Accepting a dare from your buddies to do something stupid could result in all kinds of trouble, personal injury, and damage to your reputation that follows you for decades.
The message for all of us is to seek God’s wisdom at all times… in all things. We need to beg Him every single day for good common sense. We should ask God to protect us… from the devil – and ourselves! Ask Him to speak to you when He sees you sliding off course… even in the small things. Then listen to that “still small voice” in your head that says, “Are you really sure you want to do this?” Take a moment to stop and ask God, “Is this a good idea? What are the potential pitfalls?”
I don’t believe that God causes the disasters (large and small) that result when we fail to exercise common sense. But I do think He uses them to teach us… to remind us to rely on Him more - and our own devices less. Often, we act – or react – in a split second… with little or no time to really think through what we are doing. This is where we truly need to depend on common sense - and God’s wisdom - to help us make the right choices. Today, let’s ask God to give us huge, healthy doses of His wisdom – AND common sense - and to help us respect these treasures… and to always pay close attention when He delivers them.
©2012 Debbie Robus
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