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
took the children to swim at our community’s Aquatic Center. The local
swim team was practicing in the lanes adjacent to the open pool area
where we were swimming. The children were so impressed. They knew some
of the team members from church, and I encouraged them to “race” in our
section of the pool “like the swim team.” Timothy eagerly said, “Okay,
okay…and you be our coach!”
I lined the three children up along
one wall of the pool and then backed away some 15 feet into the deeper
water. I would say, “Ready, set, GO!” and have them swim to me. All
three children would start out working hard, but about three or four
feet into the swim, Zola would stop dead in her tracks and start to try
to cry! “I can’t go!” she would say. “You’re not trying,” I would
tell her. “Kick your legs and pull with your arms and hands.” “But I
can’t!” she would wail.
Meanwhile, Timothy and Nathan would have
happily reached me, both excitedly squealing that “I won! I won!” They
did not give up. Even when a sibling moved into their path and blocked
them temporarily…they skirted around and kept swimming.
This is
what we are being told to do in James 1:12…keep swimming. Don’t give up
when things get tough. When you get stuck “dead in the water” for a
brief moment, don’t just throw up your hands and try to squeeze out a
few tears of defeat. Keep swimming! Keep trying, and stay faithful. I
held out my hands and encouraged Zola to “Come on! Keep coming to me.
I’m right here.” And you know what? That is exactly what God is
saying. “Come on…hang on just a little longer…I am right here with
you.”
This verse says that those who remain faithful and do not
quit will be rewarded with “a glorious life.” And I will agree with
you that there are days and circumstances in this earthly life that seem
anything but glorious. Some are downright hard and unpleasant –
and we want to run screaming into the night and say, “ENOUGH! I am
DONE!” But here’s the thing…God understands this…and He’s not going
anywhere. He can make even the lousiest day or circumstances
bearable…He will ultimately deliver us and give us joy and peace again.
And when we learn to remain faithful and trust God even in the worst
times, we discover that the rewards increase exponentially - in ways we
never ever dreamed.
So keep swimming. Stay focused on God and
trust His promises. Propel yourself forward toward His outstretched
hands. You can’t begin to imagine how He will bless you…but He surely
will. And in the end, you will also shout, “I won! I won!” Today is
the day…Ready…Set…GO!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label staying faithful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label staying faithful. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 11, 2013
Micah 7:7
But me, I’m not giving up.
I’m sticking around to see what God will do.
I’m waiting for God to make things right.
I’m counting on God to listen to me.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, I opened a letter from a friend who lives about 3 hours away, and she said she wished we lived close to each other so that we could share coffee, tea, and conversation. I replied that maybe someday that will happen… but we will surely do so in heaven! I’ll be honest… I’ve been thinking a lot about heaven lately. Maybe it’s the sudden passing of several friends close to my age. Or perhaps it’s the posts on Facebook from friends who are grieving the loss of their husbands, siblings and parents – and trying to figure out how to move forward without them. They are wondering what to do with their confusion, loneliness and sorrow.
While I assured my friend that we surely will share coffee and conversation in heaven someday, we are charged in the meantime with doing whatever God calls us to do in order to gather as many people as possible to join us there! And that is the message of hope I glean from this passage today. I know… I know… talk is cheap. If I suddenly lost Greg or my mother or mother-in-law…or a sibling or one of the children so dear to me… would I be as hopeful? I certainly trust that I would! But at the same time, I know that we are human… suffering and grief are real! So if you are one of those who is finding it hard today to move forward or find joy, I certainly understand… and more importantly, God empathizes with your pain!
For every person who is experiencing a time of tremendous joy, there is someone who is in the middle of a desperate heartache or a time of worry and distress. You may not have enough money to give your kids a “decent” Christmas – or even put food on the table. You may be stressing over finals and afraid you have wasted the entire semester. You may be recovering from an illness or surgery…anticipating the birth of a new baby…or trying to figure out how to save your marriage or another relationship. You might be battling an addiction, struggling with obesity, or simply trying to cope with the challenges of aging. And in each of these situations, the temptation might be to throw up your hands, crawl back into bed, and hide under the covers.
Hear God’s words through Micah again… “I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do. I’m waiting for God to make things right.” Call on Him to help you, and believe that He truly is listening. Trust this promise…”I’m counting on God to listen to me.” And know that there are plenty of fellow believers who stand ready, willing, and able to support you… to surround you with the love of Christ… to pray with you, encourage you, and help you rebuild your hope and confidence.
Will this be the day that you reach out to God… and to one of His disciples? Will you invite someone to “share coffee and conversation” and infuse you with courage through the hope and promises of Jesus? God is listening… He will make things right, if only you will call on Him and trust His word. Don’t give up! I pray that you will remain hopeful… and stick around to see what God does next!
©2013 Debbie Robus
But me, I’m not giving up.
I’m sticking around to see what God will do.
I’m waiting for God to make things right.
I’m counting on God to listen to me.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, I opened a letter from a friend who lives about 3 hours away, and she said she wished we lived close to each other so that we could share coffee, tea, and conversation. I replied that maybe someday that will happen… but we will surely do so in heaven! I’ll be honest… I’ve been thinking a lot about heaven lately. Maybe it’s the sudden passing of several friends close to my age. Or perhaps it’s the posts on Facebook from friends who are grieving the loss of their husbands, siblings and parents – and trying to figure out how to move forward without them. They are wondering what to do with their confusion, loneliness and sorrow.
While I assured my friend that we surely will share coffee and conversation in heaven someday, we are charged in the meantime with doing whatever God calls us to do in order to gather as many people as possible to join us there! And that is the message of hope I glean from this passage today. I know… I know… talk is cheap. If I suddenly lost Greg or my mother or mother-in-law…or a sibling or one of the children so dear to me… would I be as hopeful? I certainly trust that I would! But at the same time, I know that we are human… suffering and grief are real! So if you are one of those who is finding it hard today to move forward or find joy, I certainly understand… and more importantly, God empathizes with your pain!
For every person who is experiencing a time of tremendous joy, there is someone who is in the middle of a desperate heartache or a time of worry and distress. You may not have enough money to give your kids a “decent” Christmas – or even put food on the table. You may be stressing over finals and afraid you have wasted the entire semester. You may be recovering from an illness or surgery…anticipating the birth of a new baby…or trying to figure out how to save your marriage or another relationship. You might be battling an addiction, struggling with obesity, or simply trying to cope with the challenges of aging. And in each of these situations, the temptation might be to throw up your hands, crawl back into bed, and hide under the covers.
Hear God’s words through Micah again… “I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do. I’m waiting for God to make things right.” Call on Him to help you, and believe that He truly is listening. Trust this promise…”I’m counting on God to listen to me.” And know that there are plenty of fellow believers who stand ready, willing, and able to support you… to surround you with the love of Christ… to pray with you, encourage you, and help you rebuild your hope and confidence.
Will this be the day that you reach out to God… and to one of His disciples? Will you invite someone to “share coffee and conversation” and infuse you with courage through the hope and promises of Jesus? God is listening… He will make things right, if only you will call on Him and trust His word. Don’t give up! I pray that you will remain hopeful… and stick around to see what God does next!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 1, 2013
Revelation 13:10
Anyone who is destined for prison
will be taken to prison.
Anyone destined to die by the sword
will die by the sword.
This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.
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.
I often end these devotionals with the question… “What are you waiting for?” Today, I want to pose this question again… but not in the context of “What is taking you so long?”… but rather, “What are you waiting for?” Some of us are waiting for a life event… a wedding, the birth of a baby… or even the death of a loved one. Still others are waiting on a new job, a new house, or that high school or college diploma. Even more are waiting on something less tangible…a relationship change… the loss of that last few pounds or inches… or even the check in the mail from a major sweepstakes that we know isn’t really coming (but we dream big anyway!).
We are all waiting on something, whether we realize it or not. Along the way, “life” happens… joys, sorrows, seasons of growth and great prosperity… and those of illness, despair, and deep despondency. There are times when we wonder, “Why is this happening to me?” – or even “Where is God?” There are times when everything seems to go right, and we feel the presence and blessings of God so profoundly…and “Life is Good,” as the t-shirt proclaims. Then there are times when everything falls apart… when we may or may not feel God’s presence… and life seems anything but good. And many of us give up – at least temporarily – on God.
Regardless of the “season,” our job as Christians is to keep on waiting… to continue to call on God to draw near to us, guide our steps and protect our course… and to keep believing that He will do exactly this. On any given day, you or I could find ourselves at the top of the heap, so to speak… or buried at the bottom. We could feel incredibly protected and euphoric… or persecuted and disheartened. But still… we wait.
We wait for God to come to us… to show us His perfect wisdom and designs for our life. We trust that He will never leave us… we remain faithful to Him and believe in His power as our God of answered prayers and fulfilled promises. This week, a lifelong friend of mine buried his father. At the funeral, he said his dad had compared his future to that of the Apostle Paul… if he stayed on this earth and got to enjoy his children and grandchildren – great! If God called him to heaven to be with his wife, parents, and others who preceded him… to sit daily at the feet of Jesus for the rest of eternity – even better! Either way, he was a winner. And so he waited. And with perfect timing and precision, God called him home a few days ago.
So my question today is once again, “What are you waiting for?” What are you anticipating… how are you meeting the challenges and the “ups and downs” of each and every minute of the day? Do you “count it all gain” like the Apostle Paul and my friend’s dad? Or do you find that you often question the events that shape your day? Are you waiting on God’s answers? Are you eagerly anticipating how He will create beauty out of chaos… and basking in the blessings He gives you on a “good day?” Again I ask… “What are you waiting for?” How you answer makes all the difference.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Anyone who is destined for prison
will be taken to prison.
Anyone destined to die by the sword
will die by the sword.
This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.
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.
I often end these devotionals with the question… “What are you waiting for?” Today, I want to pose this question again… but not in the context of “What is taking you so long?”… but rather, “What are you waiting for?” Some of us are waiting for a life event… a wedding, the birth of a baby… or even the death of a loved one. Still others are waiting on a new job, a new house, or that high school or college diploma. Even more are waiting on something less tangible…a relationship change… the loss of that last few pounds or inches… or even the check in the mail from a major sweepstakes that we know isn’t really coming (but we dream big anyway!).
We are all waiting on something, whether we realize it or not. Along the way, “life” happens… joys, sorrows, seasons of growth and great prosperity… and those of illness, despair, and deep despondency. There are times when we wonder, “Why is this happening to me?” – or even “Where is God?” There are times when everything seems to go right, and we feel the presence and blessings of God so profoundly…and “Life is Good,” as the t-shirt proclaims. Then there are times when everything falls apart… when we may or may not feel God’s presence… and life seems anything but good. And many of us give up – at least temporarily – on God.
Regardless of the “season,” our job as Christians is to keep on waiting… to continue to call on God to draw near to us, guide our steps and protect our course… and to keep believing that He will do exactly this. On any given day, you or I could find ourselves at the top of the heap, so to speak… or buried at the bottom. We could feel incredibly protected and euphoric… or persecuted and disheartened. But still… we wait.
We wait for God to come to us… to show us His perfect wisdom and designs for our life. We trust that He will never leave us… we remain faithful to Him and believe in His power as our God of answered prayers and fulfilled promises. This week, a lifelong friend of mine buried his father. At the funeral, he said his dad had compared his future to that of the Apostle Paul… if he stayed on this earth and got to enjoy his children and grandchildren – great! If God called him to heaven to be with his wife, parents, and others who preceded him… to sit daily at the feet of Jesus for the rest of eternity – even better! Either way, he was a winner. And so he waited. And with perfect timing and precision, God called him home a few days ago.
So my question today is once again, “What are you waiting for?” What are you anticipating… how are you meeting the challenges and the “ups and downs” of each and every minute of the day? Do you “count it all gain” like the Apostle Paul and my friend’s dad? Or do you find that you often question the events that shape your day? Are you waiting on God’s answers? Are you eagerly anticipating how He will create beauty out of chaos… and basking in the blessings He gives you on a “good day?” Again I ask… “What are you waiting for?” How you answer makes all the difference.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 9, 2013
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.
This morning, I read a post on Facebook from the mother of two small children, both of whom are very sick. One is in the PICU at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock… the other is at home with his dad, battling pneumonia. These two 4-year-olds have literally fought for their lives since birth. Their sister didn’t make it to her first birthday and spent all 10 months of her life in the hospital. In the last few days, one of these children lost some teeth and had a visit from the tooth fairy. Both siblings now attend “school”… their name for Mother’s Day Out. Life was starting to feel a little “normal” for this family… now things have changed drastically in a matter of days.
As I thought about this family, I was reminded of another mother whose adult son is undergoing radiation treatments following the removal of a cancerous brain tumor. This woman balances daily 60-mile-round-trip shuttles of her son to his radiation treatments with the care of herself, her husband, and her household. I know another woman who is struggling with decisions about the future of her elderly mother… and wrestling with the possibility of placing her in a skilled care facility. I know from personal experience that this is a daunting test of faith.
Just a few days ago, I read about a friend on Facebook whose dog has gone blind and appeared to be in constant pain, so they took him to have his eyes removed. There are all sorts of things that test our faith each and every day. I know that you can probably tell me half a dozen stories of your own. Like those whose situations I have described, I hope the people you call to mind have not given up. On any particular day, our tests can seem more than a little overwhelming.
Perhaps YOU are struggling with a situation in your own life. Maybe your challenge is not of a physical nature… but more a test of character and emotional fortitude. Maybe you are dealing with an overbearing professor or a relationship issue… and your feelings are raw. Perhaps someone has disappointed or betrayed you. Forgiveness may seem like the last thing you want to consider… but to fail to do so would be the same as giving up. And I’ll be honest…some days, this seems like a good option! But we know better… and scripture tells us that we must press on toward the mark…look to Jesus… trust Him to number our steps, and love Him for making a way where we can see none.
Forgiveness takes courage… and often requires a lot of faith. Today may very well bring tests of both for you... how well will you perform?
©2013 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.
This morning, I read a post on Facebook from the mother of two small children, both of whom are very sick. One is in the PICU at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock… the other is at home with his dad, battling pneumonia. These two 4-year-olds have literally fought for their lives since birth. Their sister didn’t make it to her first birthday and spent all 10 months of her life in the hospital. In the last few days, one of these children lost some teeth and had a visit from the tooth fairy. Both siblings now attend “school”… their name for Mother’s Day Out. Life was starting to feel a little “normal” for this family… now things have changed drastically in a matter of days.
As I thought about this family, I was reminded of another mother whose adult son is undergoing radiation treatments following the removal of a cancerous brain tumor. This woman balances daily 60-mile-round-trip shuttles of her son to his radiation treatments with the care of herself, her husband, and her household. I know another woman who is struggling with decisions about the future of her elderly mother… and wrestling with the possibility of placing her in a skilled care facility. I know from personal experience that this is a daunting test of faith.
Just a few days ago, I read about a friend on Facebook whose dog has gone blind and appeared to be in constant pain, so they took him to have his eyes removed. There are all sorts of things that test our faith each and every day. I know that you can probably tell me half a dozen stories of your own. Like those whose situations I have described, I hope the people you call to mind have not given up. On any particular day, our tests can seem more than a little overwhelming.
Perhaps YOU are struggling with a situation in your own life. Maybe your challenge is not of a physical nature… but more a test of character and emotional fortitude. Maybe you are dealing with an overbearing professor or a relationship issue… and your feelings are raw. Perhaps someone has disappointed or betrayed you. Forgiveness may seem like the last thing you want to consider… but to fail to do so would be the same as giving up. And I’ll be honest…some days, this seems like a good option! But we know better… and scripture tells us that we must press on toward the mark…look to Jesus… trust Him to number our steps, and love Him for making a way where we can see none.
Forgiveness takes courage… and often requires a lot of faith. Today may very well bring tests of both for you... how well will you perform?
©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 6, 2012
Hebrews 11:1-4, 7, 13-16
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That’s what God noticed and approved as righteous. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice.
By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.
Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.
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 always think about my dad this time of year. He died on October 9, 1999, following a two-year illness that began with a “simple” diagnostic procedure for his heart one morning that led to a near-fatal exploratory surgery that night. The surgeons discovered this procedure had triggered the onset of renal failure. Two years later, Daddy suffered a paralyzing stroke the day after undergoing surgery to repair a hernia… and he died a few hours later from a massive heart attack. Talk about “turning points!”
Renal failure really does a number on your body – and your mind. My dad had to have daily dialysis to clean the impurities from his body, because his kidneys no longer functioned properly. This caused all sorts of problems, from sensitivity to smells (especially food) to almost constant itching, a continual sense of not feeling well, and general fatigue. Understandably, Daddy sank into a deep, deep depression. We all prayed for healing and a reprieve from the torment of this disease, just as we had prayed for my brother to be healed of liver disease the previous year. And ultimately, healing came… just not in the form we wanted or expected.
And this is the point of today’s passage. The writer cites several Old Testament examples of people who were faithful and obedient to God… who expected Him to deliver on His promises to them. And God did exactly this… but not necessarily in the way that was anticipated. Many of these faithful followers never experienced the fulfillment of God’s promises in their earthly lifetime. But I am sure they now walk the streets of gold in Heaven. They may have had bodies that betrayed them on this earth, but now they are healthy and whole. Their examples give the phrases, “Hang in there,” and “Keep the faith!” all new meaning!
What does this mean for you and me? I believe that God has tremendous blessings and favor for each of us. I also believe that a life lived in faith and trust does not ensure that we will have a continual “bed of roses” on this earth. Healing does not always come in the form we expect. Blessings are not always immediate… or clearly visible. One of the mysteries of God and our relationship with Him is that we don’t understand everything – and we are not supposed to! But one of the truths of our Christian faith is that God will deliver on His promises. We simply don’t know when, where or how this will happen.
So the next time you wonder, “When is it my turn?” or “When will my healing come?”… the next time you ask God to show you how He is fulfilling His promises to you… remember that faith is our “handle on what we can’t see.” God will surely deliver. He will answer - when the time is right and in the most perfect way. Once we begin to fully operate in faith – to believe with every confidence that God is working things out perfectly, we turn the corner. And everything becomes clearer. We settle in and serve with a little more patience – and confidence that serving faithfully will be so worth the effort.
I don’t know how, when, or where God will work in your life…but I know that He will. Our job is to live in anticipation of His favor… to make pleasing God and serving Him our focus… and to know that when He does answer, it will be perfectly. How strong is your faith? Do you have a solid “handle on what you can’t see?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That’s what God noticed and approved as righteous. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice.
By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.
Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.
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 always think about my dad this time of year. He died on October 9, 1999, following a two-year illness that began with a “simple” diagnostic procedure for his heart one morning that led to a near-fatal exploratory surgery that night. The surgeons discovered this procedure had triggered the onset of renal failure. Two years later, Daddy suffered a paralyzing stroke the day after undergoing surgery to repair a hernia… and he died a few hours later from a massive heart attack. Talk about “turning points!”
Renal failure really does a number on your body – and your mind. My dad had to have daily dialysis to clean the impurities from his body, because his kidneys no longer functioned properly. This caused all sorts of problems, from sensitivity to smells (especially food) to almost constant itching, a continual sense of not feeling well, and general fatigue. Understandably, Daddy sank into a deep, deep depression. We all prayed for healing and a reprieve from the torment of this disease, just as we had prayed for my brother to be healed of liver disease the previous year. And ultimately, healing came… just not in the form we wanted or expected.
And this is the point of today’s passage. The writer cites several Old Testament examples of people who were faithful and obedient to God… who expected Him to deliver on His promises to them. And God did exactly this… but not necessarily in the way that was anticipated. Many of these faithful followers never experienced the fulfillment of God’s promises in their earthly lifetime. But I am sure they now walk the streets of gold in Heaven. They may have had bodies that betrayed them on this earth, but now they are healthy and whole. Their examples give the phrases, “Hang in there,” and “Keep the faith!” all new meaning!
What does this mean for you and me? I believe that God has tremendous blessings and favor for each of us. I also believe that a life lived in faith and trust does not ensure that we will have a continual “bed of roses” on this earth. Healing does not always come in the form we expect. Blessings are not always immediate… or clearly visible. One of the mysteries of God and our relationship with Him is that we don’t understand everything – and we are not supposed to! But one of the truths of our Christian faith is that God will deliver on His promises. We simply don’t know when, where or how this will happen.
So the next time you wonder, “When is it my turn?” or “When will my healing come?”… the next time you ask God to show you how He is fulfilling His promises to you… remember that faith is our “handle on what we can’t see.” God will surely deliver. He will answer - when the time is right and in the most perfect way. Once we begin to fully operate in faith – to believe with every confidence that God is working things out perfectly, we turn the corner. And everything becomes clearer. We settle in and serve with a little more patience – and confidence that serving faithfully will be so worth the effort.
I don’t know how, when, or where God will work in your life…but I know that He will. Our job is to live in anticipation of His favor… to make pleasing God and serving Him our focus… and to know that when He does answer, it will be perfectly. How strong is your faith? Do you have a solid “handle on what you can’t see?”
©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 24, 2012
James 1:12-15
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
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.
Do you understand the difference between a test and a temptation? Let’s say you decide to lose twenty pounds by practicing portion control and exercising five days a week. It will be a test of your determination to stick with the routine and develop the habit of eating less and working out regularly. If someone invites you to go out for an all-you-can-eat-buffet dinner or encourages you to skip a workout to do something you consider more fun, these would be thought of as temptations.
In Spiritual terms, how you meet challenges and trials that come along could be considered a test of your faith in God. He allows us to endure certain troubles and hardships to see if we will truly operate in faith and courage… if we will rely on Him to equip us to handle whatever burdens we face. God doesn’t cause these situations, but He can use them to see how fully we trust Him to meet our needs. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our hardships that we throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” We turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling or spending money we don’t have… we drive too fast and take unnecessary risks, spend too much money on things we don’t need, stop studying - or quit school altogether - or we give up on getting fit and healthy, go back to eating whatever we please, and stop exercising.
When we do this, we have succumbed to temptation. And we have no one to blame for the outcome but ourselves. We have given in to evil and the lure of Satan, and we are operating in sin. Understand the difference. It is one thing to say that, “God is testing me,” and quite another to state that “God is trying to trip me up.” The last statement simply is not true.
When we start to understand that God doesn’t operate in temptation, we realize that to succumb to the devil’s wiles and seduction disavows our faith in God. We are denying His ability to strengthen and equip us to meet any and all challenges. In other words, when we give in to temptation, we fail the test.
I don’t ever want to dishonor God. I most certainly don’t want to grieve Him. I’ll be the first to admit that some of His tests are really, really hard! But the rewards are so worth the effort. God’s love, grace and mercy will overcome any and all obstacles to achieving success. So the question for all of us today is this… “Are we operating in faith and stepping up to the plate to accept God’s tests… or have we yielded to the temptations of the devil?”
Tests and temptations are NOT the same thing. Be certain you know the difference… and always make the right choices.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
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.
Do you understand the difference between a test and a temptation? Let’s say you decide to lose twenty pounds by practicing portion control and exercising five days a week. It will be a test of your determination to stick with the routine and develop the habit of eating less and working out regularly. If someone invites you to go out for an all-you-can-eat-buffet dinner or encourages you to skip a workout to do something you consider more fun, these would be thought of as temptations.
In Spiritual terms, how you meet challenges and trials that come along could be considered a test of your faith in God. He allows us to endure certain troubles and hardships to see if we will truly operate in faith and courage… if we will rely on Him to equip us to handle whatever burdens we face. God doesn’t cause these situations, but He can use them to see how fully we trust Him to meet our needs. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our hardships that we throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” We turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling or spending money we don’t have… we drive too fast and take unnecessary risks, spend too much money on things we don’t need, stop studying - or quit school altogether - or we give up on getting fit and healthy, go back to eating whatever we please, and stop exercising.
When we do this, we have succumbed to temptation. And we have no one to blame for the outcome but ourselves. We have given in to evil and the lure of Satan, and we are operating in sin. Understand the difference. It is one thing to say that, “God is testing me,” and quite another to state that “God is trying to trip me up.” The last statement simply is not true.
When we start to understand that God doesn’t operate in temptation, we realize that to succumb to the devil’s wiles and seduction disavows our faith in God. We are denying His ability to strengthen and equip us to meet any and all challenges. In other words, when we give in to temptation, we fail the test.
I don’t ever want to dishonor God. I most certainly don’t want to grieve Him. I’ll be the first to admit that some of His tests are really, really hard! But the rewards are so worth the effort. God’s love, grace and mercy will overcome any and all obstacles to achieving success. So the question for all of us today is this… “Are we operating in faith and stepping up to the plate to accept God’s tests… or have we yielded to the temptations of the devil?”
Tests and temptations are NOT the same thing. Be certain you know the difference… and always make the right choices.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 23, 2012
Hebrews 11:11
Even when Sarah was too old to have children, she had faith that God would do what he had promised, and she had a son.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was reading a story in Good Housekeeping magazine about a woman named Angie Hernandez, whose young adult son, Ryan, was in the end stages of kidney failure as a result of Goodpasture’s syndrome - a rare disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack the lungs and kidneys. With hopes of receiving a kidney transplant dwindling, 23-year-old Ryan told his mother that he didn’t know how much longer he could hold out. He was tired and unsure he could live long enough to get the transplant.
If you know anything about kidney disease and dialysis, you understand the toll it takes on the patient – and family members and friends. The daily struggle just to stay alive can be physically and emotionally draining. It’s not hard to see how someone in this position would long for the peace and healing of heaven and an end to this earthly suffering… especially if that person is a believer in Christ and anticipates eternity in His presence.
Like any mother, Angie Hernandez was not ready to lose her son. A cousin had created a three-minute video montage of Ryan’s life, set it to music, and posted it on YouTube. Angie asked her Facebook friends to share the video on their Walls… and to solicit potential kidney donors in doing so. Amazingly, Angie’s half-sister, whom she had not seen in more than a decade, contacted the family and offered to help. Her kidney was a match! Today, Ryan has recovered, and the splintered family has reconnected… blessings have multiplied!
The slant of this article is how social media is helping in many arenas, like the solicitation of medical information and organ donors. The article does not discuss Christian faith… and I am left to assume that this mother surely must have prayed and believed for a miracle. I can’t imagine enduring something like this without a constant conversation with God… and faith in Him to keep His promises to handle all of our worries and cares.
My point in sharing this story is that this mother did not give up. Abraham’s elderly wife, Sarah, did not give up… and neither should we! When everything seems impossible… when we do not understand the “whys and wherefores” of a situation, God does… and He has promised to handle everything for us. Our job is to trust Him… to believe in Him… and to never give up!
Healing may not come on this earth, but it will come. Our answers may not be evident in this lifetime… but someday, we will have them. Even when we cannot see, hear, or feel God at work… He is still on the clock, meeting our every need. Don’t give up! Don’t stop believing in God’s promises… never underestimate His power in your life and the lives of others.
In The Message*, Hebrews 11:11-12 says, “By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That's how it happened that from one man's dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.” God may not give you millions of children, but He will meet your needs and fulfill His promises for your life. What do you believe God for today? Are you holding on and expecting Him to fulfill His promises? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
*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.
Even when Sarah was too old to have children, she had faith that God would do what he had promised, and she had a son.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was reading a story in Good Housekeeping magazine about a woman named Angie Hernandez, whose young adult son, Ryan, was in the end stages of kidney failure as a result of Goodpasture’s syndrome - a rare disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack the lungs and kidneys. With hopes of receiving a kidney transplant dwindling, 23-year-old Ryan told his mother that he didn’t know how much longer he could hold out. He was tired and unsure he could live long enough to get the transplant.
If you know anything about kidney disease and dialysis, you understand the toll it takes on the patient – and family members and friends. The daily struggle just to stay alive can be physically and emotionally draining. It’s not hard to see how someone in this position would long for the peace and healing of heaven and an end to this earthly suffering… especially if that person is a believer in Christ and anticipates eternity in His presence.
Like any mother, Angie Hernandez was not ready to lose her son. A cousin had created a three-minute video montage of Ryan’s life, set it to music, and posted it on YouTube. Angie asked her Facebook friends to share the video on their Walls… and to solicit potential kidney donors in doing so. Amazingly, Angie’s half-sister, whom she had not seen in more than a decade, contacted the family and offered to help. Her kidney was a match! Today, Ryan has recovered, and the splintered family has reconnected… blessings have multiplied!
The slant of this article is how social media is helping in many arenas, like the solicitation of medical information and organ donors. The article does not discuss Christian faith… and I am left to assume that this mother surely must have prayed and believed for a miracle. I can’t imagine enduring something like this without a constant conversation with God… and faith in Him to keep His promises to handle all of our worries and cares.
My point in sharing this story is that this mother did not give up. Abraham’s elderly wife, Sarah, did not give up… and neither should we! When everything seems impossible… when we do not understand the “whys and wherefores” of a situation, God does… and He has promised to handle everything for us. Our job is to trust Him… to believe in Him… and to never give up!
Healing may not come on this earth, but it will come. Our answers may not be evident in this lifetime… but someday, we will have them. Even when we cannot see, hear, or feel God at work… He is still on the clock, meeting our every need. Don’t give up! Don’t stop believing in God’s promises… never underestimate His power in your life and the lives of others.
In The Message*, Hebrews 11:11-12 says, “By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That's how it happened that from one man's dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.” God may not give you millions of children, but He will meet your needs and fulfill His promises for your life. What do you believe God for today? Are you holding on and expecting Him to fulfill His promises? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
*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.
Daily Devotional for October 11, 2011
John 12:28-38
A voice from heaven then said, "I have already brought glory to myself, and I will do it again!" When the crowd heard the voice, some of them thought it was thunder. Others thought an angel had spoken to Jesus.
Then Jesus told the crowd, "That voice spoke to help you, not me. This world's people are now being judged, and the ruler of this world is already being thrown out! If I am lifted up above the earth, I will make everyone want to come to me." Jesus was talking about the way he would be put to death. The crowd said to Jesus, "The Scriptures teach that the Messiah will live forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus answered, "The light will be with you for only a little longer. Walk in the light while you can. Then you won't be caught walking blindly in the dark. Have faith in the light while it is with you, and you will be children of the light."
After Jesus had said these things, he left and went into hiding.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever been to my house, you know that I use miniature twinkling lights to decorate several corners of our home. I put them on the fireplace mantle and above the cabinets in our kitchen. At Christmas time I add more lights on the TV cabinet, and of course, on the Christmas trees. We even have some twinkling lights on our back porch to illuminate the railings when we sit outside at night. After Christmas, I always buy a lot of extra boxes of these lights when they are reduced for quick sale. These strands of lights are fragile… a sudden power surge… or several weeks of use… can cause them to malfunction – or fail.
I can usually tell when these lights are about to burn out, because for a day or so, they will burn more brightly. I know that sounds weird, but it’s true. And as I replaced a strand of lights this morning, I thought about this scripture passage and our lives as Christians. See, we are somewhat like the strand of Christmas lights. We burn for Christ for a while… and maybe we even burn brightly for a season… but we tend to fizzle out at some point, needing a replacement or “recharge.” We are children of the light, okay… but we’re not always very reliable!
Jesus, on the other hand, burns brightly forever. Yes, He physically left this earth… the light of His human presence was extinguished for a time. But He continues to shine brightly in Heaven – and to send His light to us, so that we can continue His work on this earth. AND… someday, Jesus will return to earth for His church, and the Bible tells us His light will be so incredibly bright that it will almost be more than we can handle!
The next time I see a strand of twinkling lights burning extra brightly, I will think of this passage. I will remember that we must strive to stay faithful and in communication with God, so that our “light” does not burn brightly and then fizzle. I will also be reminded that Jesus’ light and love cannot be extinguished. He lives in and through me… and I have work to do on His behalf.
What about you? What sort of “child of the Light” are you these days? Is your light for Christ burning strongly… or is it on the verge of a fizzle? Do what you must today to reconnect with Jesus and keep His light burning strongly within you… and never get caught in the dark!
©2011 Debbie Robus
A voice from heaven then said, "I have already brought glory to myself, and I will do it again!" When the crowd heard the voice, some of them thought it was thunder. Others thought an angel had spoken to Jesus.
Then Jesus told the crowd, "That voice spoke to help you, not me. This world's people are now being judged, and the ruler of this world is already being thrown out! If I am lifted up above the earth, I will make everyone want to come to me." Jesus was talking about the way he would be put to death. The crowd said to Jesus, "The Scriptures teach that the Messiah will live forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus answered, "The light will be with you for only a little longer. Walk in the light while you can. Then you won't be caught walking blindly in the dark. Have faith in the light while it is with you, and you will be children of the light."
After Jesus had said these things, he left and went into hiding.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever been to my house, you know that I use miniature twinkling lights to decorate several corners of our home. I put them on the fireplace mantle and above the cabinets in our kitchen. At Christmas time I add more lights on the TV cabinet, and of course, on the Christmas trees. We even have some twinkling lights on our back porch to illuminate the railings when we sit outside at night. After Christmas, I always buy a lot of extra boxes of these lights when they are reduced for quick sale. These strands of lights are fragile… a sudden power surge… or several weeks of use… can cause them to malfunction – or fail.
I can usually tell when these lights are about to burn out, because for a day or so, they will burn more brightly. I know that sounds weird, but it’s true. And as I replaced a strand of lights this morning, I thought about this scripture passage and our lives as Christians. See, we are somewhat like the strand of Christmas lights. We burn for Christ for a while… and maybe we even burn brightly for a season… but we tend to fizzle out at some point, needing a replacement or “recharge.” We are children of the light, okay… but we’re not always very reliable!
Jesus, on the other hand, burns brightly forever. Yes, He physically left this earth… the light of His human presence was extinguished for a time. But He continues to shine brightly in Heaven – and to send His light to us, so that we can continue His work on this earth. AND… someday, Jesus will return to earth for His church, and the Bible tells us His light will be so incredibly bright that it will almost be more than we can handle!
The next time I see a strand of twinkling lights burning extra brightly, I will think of this passage. I will remember that we must strive to stay faithful and in communication with God, so that our “light” does not burn brightly and then fizzle. I will also be reminded that Jesus’ light and love cannot be extinguished. He lives in and through me… and I have work to do on His behalf.
What about you? What sort of “child of the Light” are you these days? Is your light for Christ burning strongly… or is it on the verge of a fizzle? Do what you must today to reconnect with Jesus and keep His light burning strongly within you… and never get caught in the dark!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 29, 2011
Psalm 90:16-17
Do wonderful things for us, your servants, and show your mighty power to our children. Our Lord and our God, treat us with kindness and let all go well for us. Please let all go well!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You may have heard the story of Will Norton, a teenager who graduated from Joplin High School on Sunday afternoon, May 22nd, then headed home with his dad. As Will drove, the EF-5 tornado struck, and he and his dad were picked up in their SUV and swirled and tossed violently around in the air. Will’s dad clung desperately to him as the tornado literally pulled him through the vehicle’s sunroof. Will’s dad was badly injured and was taken to a Joplin hospital. Will was nowhere to be found.
For days, hundreds of volunteers, family members and friends searched the rubble of Joplin for Will Norton. Hospitals as far away as Kansas City, Tulsa, and Hot Springs, Arkansas, were queried to see if perhaps Will had been taken there. And on Friday night, May 27th, Will’s body was found in Joplin – in a pond. He had not survived.
Will’s dad reported that as the tornado pulled him from the SUV, he continually quoted scripture verses. His Aunt Tracey posted on a Facebook page, “…another night, but now one with the peace of knowing where Will is. Sadness in my heart for those that have lost so much. May God guide them to peace.” Earlier in the week, Will’s Aunt Tracey had been interviewed by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, and while on camera, she turned to comfort Will’s sister, saying, “We’ll be okay, baby… we’ll be okay.” And while their hearts are broken and they are devastated by the loss of this young man… who from all accounts was a pretty amazing kid… their prayer has been answered… and all has gone [relatively] well.
This family, like many who have endured suffering and anguish because of the tornado, knows the love and kindness of total strangers who have come from all parts of the country – just to help. They know the prayers of people from around the world that God would lead them to their loved one – dead or alive – and give them peace and some sense of closure. They know that, in the days ahead, God will send people to minister to them – and they will in turn minister to others out of their grief… and all will be well.
Do you have this peace and comfort? Do you feel the power and presence of God in your life in such a way that you know that… no matter what is hurled your way… all will go well? Can you claim, with confidence, that even if a tornado sucked you into the air and through the sunroof, you would be at peace… maybe even have the ability to quote the word of God as you rose to meet Him? As Christians, we need to know God in such a way that we are fully confident that all will go well, regardless of our situation. We must strive to develop the kind of relationship that gives us the continual “peace that passes all understanding.”
I’m sure that in the days to come, many will look at Will Norton’s family and question how and why they can appear so peaceful in the midst of such a horrific tragedy. I’m sure some will question their grieving process and how they can possibly think that all is going well. And I am equally sure they have their private moments when all is anything but well in their world. However, they understand that God is using this tragedy for His glory… and He has not even begun to show them all the ways that He can bring good out of such an ugly, devastating event.
For now, these families who are enduring this destruction with such dignity are my new heroes. They truly are living the faith that with God, all is going well… and I want to be just like them… don’t you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Do wonderful things for us, your servants, and show your mighty power to our children. Our Lord and our God, treat us with kindness and let all go well for us. Please let all go well!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You may have heard the story of Will Norton, a teenager who graduated from Joplin High School on Sunday afternoon, May 22nd, then headed home with his dad. As Will drove, the EF-5 tornado struck, and he and his dad were picked up in their SUV and swirled and tossed violently around in the air. Will’s dad clung desperately to him as the tornado literally pulled him through the vehicle’s sunroof. Will’s dad was badly injured and was taken to a Joplin hospital. Will was nowhere to be found.
For days, hundreds of volunteers, family members and friends searched the rubble of Joplin for Will Norton. Hospitals as far away as Kansas City, Tulsa, and Hot Springs, Arkansas, were queried to see if perhaps Will had been taken there. And on Friday night, May 27th, Will’s body was found in Joplin – in a pond. He had not survived.
Will’s dad reported that as the tornado pulled him from the SUV, he continually quoted scripture verses. His Aunt Tracey posted on a Facebook page, “…another night, but now one with the peace of knowing where Will is. Sadness in my heart for those that have lost so much. May God guide them to peace.” Earlier in the week, Will’s Aunt Tracey had been interviewed by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, and while on camera, she turned to comfort Will’s sister, saying, “We’ll be okay, baby… we’ll be okay.” And while their hearts are broken and they are devastated by the loss of this young man… who from all accounts was a pretty amazing kid… their prayer has been answered… and all has gone [relatively] well.
This family, like many who have endured suffering and anguish because of the tornado, knows the love and kindness of total strangers who have come from all parts of the country – just to help. They know the prayers of people from around the world that God would lead them to their loved one – dead or alive – and give them peace and some sense of closure. They know that, in the days ahead, God will send people to minister to them – and they will in turn minister to others out of their grief… and all will be well.
Do you have this peace and comfort? Do you feel the power and presence of God in your life in such a way that you know that… no matter what is hurled your way… all will go well? Can you claim, with confidence, that even if a tornado sucked you into the air and through the sunroof, you would be at peace… maybe even have the ability to quote the word of God as you rose to meet Him? As Christians, we need to know God in such a way that we are fully confident that all will go well, regardless of our situation. We must strive to develop the kind of relationship that gives us the continual “peace that passes all understanding.”
I’m sure that in the days to come, many will look at Will Norton’s family and question how and why they can appear so peaceful in the midst of such a horrific tragedy. I’m sure some will question their grieving process and how they can possibly think that all is going well. And I am equally sure they have their private moments when all is anything but well in their world. However, they understand that God is using this tragedy for His glory… and He has not even begun to show them all the ways that He can bring good out of such an ugly, devastating event.
For now, these families who are enduring this destruction with such dignity are my new heroes. They truly are living the faith that with God, all is going well… and I want to be just like them… don’t you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 3, 2011
Psalm 68:19-20
We praise you, Lord God! You treat us with kindness day after day, and you rescue us. You always protect us and save us from death.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few years ago, friends of ours purchased a house we were selling. Aside from needing more space, the couple told us that their present home was located on a busy city street, and their young 2½-year-old-son – then just a little older than our Timothy is now – was apt to dash out into the street to chase a ball or toy… or simply running with abandon. In order to keep their children safe… to protect them and save them from death… this couple made the necessary efforts to take measures to ensure their safety. The health, safety and well-being of their children was (and is) their chief concern day after day.
This is what good parents do. They put the needs of their children first… and they love them unconditionally with kindness… and protection. And as our Heavenly Father, this is what God does for each of us. He treats us with more kindness than we could ever deserve… and He protects us and keeps us safe from death. I’m not talking about physical death… although there are certainly instances where God rescues us from that, as well. But God puts obstacles… people, wisdom, discernment… angels… in our path to protect us from Spiritual death. For all of the sins we commit… for every mess we get ourselves into… God steers us away from the chance for dozens more out of His kindness and protection.
So if God is our protector, why do bad things happen? We’ve been over this! Tests and challenges lead to growth and deeper faith. They build the relationship as we learn to rely more on God’s strength and power and less upon our own. But God NEVER stops loving us… and He never stops looking out for our best interests. And for this He deserves our utmost praise.
Have you thanked God lately for all He does in your life?
©2011 Debbie Robus
We praise you, Lord God! You treat us with kindness day after day, and you rescue us. You always protect us and save us from death.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few years ago, friends of ours purchased a house we were selling. Aside from needing more space, the couple told us that their present home was located on a busy city street, and their young 2½-year-old-son – then just a little older than our Timothy is now – was apt to dash out into the street to chase a ball or toy… or simply running with abandon. In order to keep their children safe… to protect them and save them from death… this couple made the necessary efforts to take measures to ensure their safety. The health, safety and well-being of their children was (and is) their chief concern day after day.
This is what good parents do. They put the needs of their children first… and they love them unconditionally with kindness… and protection. And as our Heavenly Father, this is what God does for each of us. He treats us with more kindness than we could ever deserve… and He protects us and keeps us safe from death. I’m not talking about physical death… although there are certainly instances where God rescues us from that, as well. But God puts obstacles… people, wisdom, discernment… angels… in our path to protect us from Spiritual death. For all of the sins we commit… for every mess we get ourselves into… God steers us away from the chance for dozens more out of His kindness and protection.
So if God is our protector, why do bad things happen? We’ve been over this! Tests and challenges lead to growth and deeper faith. They build the relationship as we learn to rely more on God’s strength and power and less upon our own. But God NEVER stops loving us… and He never stops looking out for our best interests. And for this He deserves our utmost praise.
Have you thanked God lately for all He does in your life?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 22, 2011
Jeremiah 17:7-8
But I will bless those who trust me. They will be like trees growing beside a stream -- trees with roots that reach down to the water, and with leaves that are always green. They bear fruit every year and are never worried by a lack of rain.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This is the time of year when we start to think about planting things and watching them grow. Everywhere you look, blooms are bursting open… green leaves are sprouting… the yards are filled with carpets of little white/yellow/purple flowers. Despite our harsh (by Arkansas standards) winter, the roots run deep to nurture plants and trees, and now many are bearing fruit. Even though we are still technically near drought conditions in our state, things are rising from the earth and “greening up” – taking nourishment from deep within the ground.
In my sun-room is a peace lily I have had for almost thirteen years… a gift from friends when my brother died. I have to admit, I am not the best “gardener” in the world, and I sorely neglect this plant. I’ve made a “Google reminder” to water my plants, but sometimes I still find this one drooped and sagging from lack of water. But without fail, a few cups of water (it’s a BIG plant) result in beautiful leaves – and cyclic blooms – that spring upward a few hours later. I can almost hear the plant heave a sigh… “Ahhhhhhhhhhh!”
If we stop and think about it, we Christians are the “plants”… and God is the “Gardener.” When we trust God to reign in our life, we enjoy the benefits of deep roots. Because we have a strong core relationship with God, when bumps in the road bring us what seems like a “drought,” God continues to meet our needs and nourish us. And just like my peace lily plant or the dormant flowers and trees of winter, when we return to him and fully bask in His counsel and blessings, our “stems” are strong and sturdy… everything reaches upward or blooms… and welcomes the day!
There will be seasons to our life when it seems as if God has abandoned us… times when we don’t feel as close to Him, no matter how much we pray or study the scripture. These are normal, and God really hasn’t deserted us… but He will use these times to test our faith – to see how we react. If you are firmly rooted and confident in your relationship, you will continue doing what you believe God wants you to do… serving, studying, loving, witnessing, and staying faithful and positive. When God comes along with several cups of “Living Water” to refresh you, you will heave a big sigh of relief, take a deep breath, and say, “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
Isn’t it wonderful to live in the blessings of God?! Doesn’t it feel great to know your roots are deep and strong… that He is nurturing you from the bottom up and feeding you well… meeting every need with perfect care?! When I water my peace lily and it revives – or I look outside and see the foliage of spring practically popping open before my very eyes – I feel like the plants are saying, “Thank you!” and acknowledging my presence and care. It’s the same with God when we allow Him to nurture and refresh us, isn’t it?! Are you acknowledging His presence in your life? Have you thanked Him for establishing deep roots in your soul and nourishing you upward?
©2011 Debbie Robus
But I will bless those who trust me. They will be like trees growing beside a stream -- trees with roots that reach down to the water, and with leaves that are always green. They bear fruit every year and are never worried by a lack of rain.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This is the time of year when we start to think about planting things and watching them grow. Everywhere you look, blooms are bursting open… green leaves are sprouting… the yards are filled with carpets of little white/yellow/purple flowers. Despite our harsh (by Arkansas standards) winter, the roots run deep to nurture plants and trees, and now many are bearing fruit. Even though we are still technically near drought conditions in our state, things are rising from the earth and “greening up” – taking nourishment from deep within the ground.
In my sun-room is a peace lily I have had for almost thirteen years… a gift from friends when my brother died. I have to admit, I am not the best “gardener” in the world, and I sorely neglect this plant. I’ve made a “Google reminder” to water my plants, but sometimes I still find this one drooped and sagging from lack of water. But without fail, a few cups of water (it’s a BIG plant) result in beautiful leaves – and cyclic blooms – that spring upward a few hours later. I can almost hear the plant heave a sigh… “Ahhhhhhhhhhh!”
If we stop and think about it, we Christians are the “plants”… and God is the “Gardener.” When we trust God to reign in our life, we enjoy the benefits of deep roots. Because we have a strong core relationship with God, when bumps in the road bring us what seems like a “drought,” God continues to meet our needs and nourish us. And just like my peace lily plant or the dormant flowers and trees of winter, when we return to him and fully bask in His counsel and blessings, our “stems” are strong and sturdy… everything reaches upward or blooms… and welcomes the day!
There will be seasons to our life when it seems as if God has abandoned us… times when we don’t feel as close to Him, no matter how much we pray or study the scripture. These are normal, and God really hasn’t deserted us… but He will use these times to test our faith – to see how we react. If you are firmly rooted and confident in your relationship, you will continue doing what you believe God wants you to do… serving, studying, loving, witnessing, and staying faithful and positive. When God comes along with several cups of “Living Water” to refresh you, you will heave a big sigh of relief, take a deep breath, and say, “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
Isn’t it wonderful to live in the blessings of God?! Doesn’t it feel great to know your roots are deep and strong… that He is nurturing you from the bottom up and feeding you well… meeting every need with perfect care?! When I water my peace lily and it revives – or I look outside and see the foliage of spring practically popping open before my very eyes – I feel like the plants are saying, “Thank you!” and acknowledging my presence and care. It’s the same with God when we allow Him to nurture and refresh us, isn’t it?! Are you acknowledging His presence in your life? Have you thanked Him for establishing deep roots in your soul and nourishing you upward?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 25, 2011
Matthew 10:21-23
When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don't quit. Don't cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you've run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the book of Genesis, the story is told of Joseph being left for dead in an abandoned well. Years later the brothers find themselves in great need… and their families in danger of starving. They travel to Egypt, where they meet a man who gives them food. They do not recognize their long-lost brother, Joseph, and when he reveals his identity, they are nearly scared to death! They figure Joseph is going to enact some sort of revenge on them for their dastardly deeds.
But Joseph tells his brothers that they need not fear. He explains that he feels God orchestrated all of this for a greater good… namely so that he would be in a position to offer the families food throughout a five-year famine. What these men intended for evil, God used for the greater good. The beauty is that Joseph recognized God – and His hand in all of this.
So often, we feel we are “victims of circumstances” – and we may quite literally feel the wrath of our family members and friends… particularly if they do not agree with our stance. It’s tough to stand up for our faith sometimes. It’s hard to tell your parents that their comments around the dinner table about someone of another race or lifestyle are unkind and ungodly. Choosing to help someone in need when your spouse is telling you not to spend the money can be difficult. Helping family members or friends who are in dire straits when everyone around you says, “You’re wasting your time, energy… and money,” takes guts.
Standing up and saying, “I’m not going to that party… and I wish you wouldn’t go, either,” may make you the butt of ridicule and jokes, but you still may have no business caving in and going to the party. Taking a friend’s keys and telling him/her, “You will not drive after you’ve been drinking” may take a lot of nerve, but it’s the right call. Choosing to foster children in your home because God led you to this decision… even when people are questioning your sanity… will lead to honor and blessings in the end. I think you get my point.
God never called us to an easy life… although when we rest in Him and let Him have our burdens, the load does lighten. Many times, choosing to follow the lead of our Heavenly Father will seem to “cost us” in this earthly realm. And often, the very people who claim to be followers of Jesus are the ones who hate and spew the most anger and venom. This is not because they don’t love you… or even that they don’t approve of what you are doing. Often it is because these people fear choosing for themselves what you have discovered to be true life in Christ!
I have often been amazed at how people who claim to love God and desire an abiding relationship with Him can be so negative, angry, bigoted, unkind, jealous, and narrow-minded. While I don’t mean to judge, I’ve about decided many of them either caved in to the pressure from others… or what they believe they have with God is far more superficial than they realize.
Don’t let this happen to you. Be a survivor. “Stand up, stand up for Jesus,” as the hymn says. Listen to God and follow His lead. Rest in his arms and the comfort of knowing you are honoring Him with your choices. Figure out where you need to become more like Him, and make the necessary changes. Remember Joseph… remember how God turned his situation around. Be assured that God is on your side, as well. Keep your faith, and remember that serving well will all be worth it in the end.
©2011 Debbie Robus
When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don't quit. Don't cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you've run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the book of Genesis, the story is told of Joseph being left for dead in an abandoned well. Years later the brothers find themselves in great need… and their families in danger of starving. They travel to Egypt, where they meet a man who gives them food. They do not recognize their long-lost brother, Joseph, and when he reveals his identity, they are nearly scared to death! They figure Joseph is going to enact some sort of revenge on them for their dastardly deeds.
But Joseph tells his brothers that they need not fear. He explains that he feels God orchestrated all of this for a greater good… namely so that he would be in a position to offer the families food throughout a five-year famine. What these men intended for evil, God used for the greater good. The beauty is that Joseph recognized God – and His hand in all of this.
So often, we feel we are “victims of circumstances” – and we may quite literally feel the wrath of our family members and friends… particularly if they do not agree with our stance. It’s tough to stand up for our faith sometimes. It’s hard to tell your parents that their comments around the dinner table about someone of another race or lifestyle are unkind and ungodly. Choosing to help someone in need when your spouse is telling you not to spend the money can be difficult. Helping family members or friends who are in dire straits when everyone around you says, “You’re wasting your time, energy… and money,” takes guts.
Standing up and saying, “I’m not going to that party… and I wish you wouldn’t go, either,” may make you the butt of ridicule and jokes, but you still may have no business caving in and going to the party. Taking a friend’s keys and telling him/her, “You will not drive after you’ve been drinking” may take a lot of nerve, but it’s the right call. Choosing to foster children in your home because God led you to this decision… even when people are questioning your sanity… will lead to honor and blessings in the end. I think you get my point.
God never called us to an easy life… although when we rest in Him and let Him have our burdens, the load does lighten. Many times, choosing to follow the lead of our Heavenly Father will seem to “cost us” in this earthly realm. And often, the very people who claim to be followers of Jesus are the ones who hate and spew the most anger and venom. This is not because they don’t love you… or even that they don’t approve of what you are doing. Often it is because these people fear choosing for themselves what you have discovered to be true life in Christ!
I have often been amazed at how people who claim to love God and desire an abiding relationship with Him can be so negative, angry, bigoted, unkind, jealous, and narrow-minded. While I don’t mean to judge, I’ve about decided many of them either caved in to the pressure from others… or what they believe they have with God is far more superficial than they realize.
Don’t let this happen to you. Be a survivor. “Stand up, stand up for Jesus,” as the hymn says. Listen to God and follow His lead. Rest in his arms and the comfort of knowing you are honoring Him with your choices. Figure out where you need to become more like Him, and make the necessary changes. Remember Joseph… remember how God turned his situation around. Be assured that God is on your side, as well. Keep your faith, and remember that serving well will all be worth it in the end.
©2011 Debbie Robus
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