2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
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.
On NBC’s The Biggest Loser, there is a lot of discussion about what is taking place with contestants… both “on the outside” and internally. The coaches will readily point out that a mental shift is as important to permanent weight loss as the physical work. So when a contestant exercises vigorously all week and eats a careful diet… and then shows a very small reduction on the scale – or sometimes no weight loss at all – the coach is quick to note that we cannot always “see” the success that is taking place. Progress may still have been made… particularly in the form of an attitude adjustment. The primary focus is not on how many pounds are lost in any given week… but on what will be the final – and hopefully lasting – result. And the hope of making great strides in the long term is what keeps everyone from giving up.
In my lifetime, there have been many situations where I felt like things were falling apart on the outside… but I could not see the “new life” God was creating on the inside. When I taught a junior high Sunday school class, I came home discouraged most Sundays. I felt as if the kids didn’t understand what I was sharing with them… or care. People told me over and again, “You may never know the seeds you have planted.” There were similar feelings with some of my kindergarten and first grade students. Did I really teach them anything? Did God really use me to make a difference in their lives? Over time, I am realizing that the answer is a resounding… “YES!”
Some of the “results” are still questionable… while others are readily visible. I’ve reconnected with many of my students in recent years, particularly via Facebook. To see all that they have accomplished…to witness how they have developed into productive, upstanding, faith-filled adults... to hear them say, “I remember when you taught us this or that – or when we did such-and-such”… to hear a student say, “I was incredibly blessed to have a Sunday school teacher who cared so much for me and my classmates”…this tells me that something went right. God’s grace unfolds before me as I see how He has worked in these young lives.
In other situations, I am still waiting on answers and results… and I bet you are, too. Not everything in life will turn out like we anticipate or in the timetable we desire… and there will be plenty of times when we want to throw up our hands and say, “I simply cannot take this anymore.” But we must never give up! We must keep on listening for God’s wisdom and guidance… and doing what He wants us to do. We must trust Him to make the difference… to turn these “small potatoes hard times” into lavish good times through His amazing grace. We must have hope… and we must have it abundantly!
If we never physically “see” results from our efforts, we must have confidence that they still exist. If the scale never shows that we have lost an ounce, yet we are more fit and healthy than ever - and working hard to stay that way - we must trust that God’s not done with us yet. We must hope and wait on Him… and trust that what we can’t see is most certainly in the works – and built to last forever. Do you have this kind of hope in God’s power and promises? I'm not giving up... are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label staying on course. Show all posts
Showing posts with label staying on course. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 20, 2013
Proverbs 10:9
People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.
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 the beautiful Arkansas Ozarks where we live, there are dozens of hiking trails, scenic vistas, and breathtaking landscapes. And the only way to enjoy many of them involves a hike! In the immediate area surrounding my community, there are at least three designated hiking areas that lead to some incredible scenery… much of it along bluffs and steep trails. As long as you stay on the designated - and well-worn - pathways, you should have no problem. But more than one person has decided to make his/her own way… and more than a few accidents have resulted.
At one particular landmark, there is a crevice in a steep rock formation commonly known as “Fat Man’s Squeeze.” The rocks have been worn slick by the thousands of climbers who have traversed them over time. Still, this is the recognized path to the top of “Sugarloaf Mountain.” But there will be those who decide to find another route to the top. This may be the result of arrogance, a sense of daring and adventure, or ignorance. But more than one person has fallen… there have been broken bones, and no doubt more than few bumps, scrapes and/or harrowing experiences.
I grew up visiting many of these local landmarks. People who were older and wiser than I showed me the safest paths to take… and how to navigate them successfully. As I visit these places now, I often wonder how those unfamiliar with this area manage to visit safely. Who shows them the ropes? Who tells them which crevice is “Fat Man’s Squeeze” (because there is more than one crevice!) and who reminds them to stay on the worn footpaths to avoid slipping and sliding? How do they know that there are potential dangers and pitfalls along the less-worn trails that lead to nowhere?
In our daily living, we need the same sort of guidance. There are designated pathways… but there are also potential dangers and pitfalls. Who shows us the ropes? And who will show others? Are we people of integrity who walk safely… or are we on crooked paths that leave us subject to a fall? Are we paying attention to the signs and operating in honesty, morality and faithfulness? Are we treating others as we would like to be treated? Are we setting the best example possible in our daily living? Or are we on a collision course with disaster… wandering willy-nilly through life doing as we please and hoping for the best?
God put these beautiful vistas and scenic landmarks in our midst for us to enjoy…just as He wants us to enjoy our life in general. But He also gave us clear pathways to follow… a moral compass… Biblical guidelines and Jesus’ example of how to conduct our lives and walk safely. It is up to us to pay attention and stay on course. How are you doing? Are you safely walking on the path to integrity… or are you headed up a crooked trail toward destruction? Now is the time to turn around… to alter your course and get back on track. Don’t risk your neck – physically, emotionally, or spiritually – for a thrill, a whim, or an attempt to exercise your independence! Stay on the pathway…walk safely in all matters… and see what amazing vistas God shows you!
©2013 Debbie Robus
People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.
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 the beautiful Arkansas Ozarks where we live, there are dozens of hiking trails, scenic vistas, and breathtaking landscapes. And the only way to enjoy many of them involves a hike! In the immediate area surrounding my community, there are at least three designated hiking areas that lead to some incredible scenery… much of it along bluffs and steep trails. As long as you stay on the designated - and well-worn - pathways, you should have no problem. But more than one person has decided to make his/her own way… and more than a few accidents have resulted.
At one particular landmark, there is a crevice in a steep rock formation commonly known as “Fat Man’s Squeeze.” The rocks have been worn slick by the thousands of climbers who have traversed them over time. Still, this is the recognized path to the top of “Sugarloaf Mountain.” But there will be those who decide to find another route to the top. This may be the result of arrogance, a sense of daring and adventure, or ignorance. But more than one person has fallen… there have been broken bones, and no doubt more than few bumps, scrapes and/or harrowing experiences.
I grew up visiting many of these local landmarks. People who were older and wiser than I showed me the safest paths to take… and how to navigate them successfully. As I visit these places now, I often wonder how those unfamiliar with this area manage to visit safely. Who shows them the ropes? Who tells them which crevice is “Fat Man’s Squeeze” (because there is more than one crevice!) and who reminds them to stay on the worn footpaths to avoid slipping and sliding? How do they know that there are potential dangers and pitfalls along the less-worn trails that lead to nowhere?
In our daily living, we need the same sort of guidance. There are designated pathways… but there are also potential dangers and pitfalls. Who shows us the ropes? And who will show others? Are we people of integrity who walk safely… or are we on crooked paths that leave us subject to a fall? Are we paying attention to the signs and operating in honesty, morality and faithfulness? Are we treating others as we would like to be treated? Are we setting the best example possible in our daily living? Or are we on a collision course with disaster… wandering willy-nilly through life doing as we please and hoping for the best?
God put these beautiful vistas and scenic landmarks in our midst for us to enjoy…just as He wants us to enjoy our life in general. But He also gave us clear pathways to follow… a moral compass… Biblical guidelines and Jesus’ example of how to conduct our lives and walk safely. It is up to us to pay attention and stay on course. How are you doing? Are you safely walking on the path to integrity… or are you headed up a crooked trail toward destruction? Now is the time to turn around… to alter your course and get back on track. Don’t risk your neck – physically, emotionally, or spiritually – for a thrill, a whim, or an attempt to exercise your independence! Stay on the pathway…walk safely in all matters… and see what amazing vistas God shows you!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 18, 2013
March 18 ~ Job 31:4-8
Doesn’t he see everything I do and every step I take? “Have I lied to anyone or deceived anyone? Let God weigh me on the scales of justice, for he knows my integrity. If I have strayed from his pathway, or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen, or if I am guilty of any other sin, then let someone else eat the crops I have planted. Let all that I have planted be uprooted.
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.
It is a well-documented fact in the world of caregiving that the person receiving care often “bites the hand that feeds them.” In other words, the primary caregiver bears the brunt of this person’s frustrations, unkind comments and gestures, and more. It’s not that the person receiving care is necessarily ungrateful. Experts say this happens because he/she knows that the primary caregiver probably cannot – or will not – desert them…so they feel safe to “vent” or treat them however they please. I’ve heard more than one caregiver say, “I can do nothing right… but let XYZ come to visit, and the heavens seem to open!” Or a distant relative will show up for a day or two and get the royal treatment… and maybe the family heirlooms… then be gone like a vapor!
All of this is enough to make caregivers throw up their hands and say, I’m done! I’m no longer going to care as much, visit as often, or be as nice! In your world, this may translate to, “Why should I work so hard in school when Jim never has to do anything, and he seems to get by?” Or maybe you feel like it doesn’t matter how much work you do in your job or your church, someone else is going to receive the accolades or be the “favorite.” Maybe you have been diligent to work hard, pay your bills on time, and follow the letter of the law, and you know someone who skirts the edge of all of these things and seems to breeze through life driving a nicer car, wearing better clothes, and living in a bigger house… seemingly living “the good life.” You may wonder, “What’s the point?” I know there have been times when I have observed others and said, “If I did what they were doing, I would have been bankrupt and in the ‘pokey’ years ago!”
I get it… this is enough to make us crazy at times…to frustrate us that we try so hard to do all we are supposed to do, and those who snub their nose at convention sometimes seem to get a free pass. But here’s the deal… it’s all about integrity. We can sum up the reason to “keep on keepin’ on” in the first line of this scripture passage… “Doesn’t He see everything I do and every step I take?” The professor may not ever know you cheated on a test… the police officer may not catch you speeding… the bill collectors may write off your debt… your friends may never know you lied to them or betrayed them to others… but God will know all of this – and more.
The question becomes… “Who do you serve?” Are you concerned with getting away with things or doing just enough to get by? Are you proud of the fact that you duped the system, your friends or family members and “they didn’t even know what hit them?” Or are you willing to say, “I have done what God asked of me… I have lived in a way that honors Him and my commitment to serve as a disciple of Christ. I have worked hard and earned everything I have received ‘the old fashioned way.’ If God can find fault with how I did this, He is welcome to give all I have to someone else!”?
At the end of the day, our goal should be to walk in the confidence that we have served faithfully, honestly, and earnestly. It should not matter what the other guy is doing or how he/she is or isn’t behaving. Integrity is a hallmark in the life of a committed, faith-filled Christian. God will give us the strength and courage to conduct our lives with honor, if we will only ask Him and trust His lead. You are not accountable to God for anyone else…and accountability to God is really all that matters. How are you doing? When God sees everything you do and every step you take, is He pleased? Are you a person of true integrity? Shouldn’t you be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Doesn’t he see everything I do and every step I take? “Have I lied to anyone or deceived anyone? Let God weigh me on the scales of justice, for he knows my integrity. If I have strayed from his pathway, or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen, or if I am guilty of any other sin, then let someone else eat the crops I have planted. Let all that I have planted be uprooted.
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.
It is a well-documented fact in the world of caregiving that the person receiving care often “bites the hand that feeds them.” In other words, the primary caregiver bears the brunt of this person’s frustrations, unkind comments and gestures, and more. It’s not that the person receiving care is necessarily ungrateful. Experts say this happens because he/she knows that the primary caregiver probably cannot – or will not – desert them…so they feel safe to “vent” or treat them however they please. I’ve heard more than one caregiver say, “I can do nothing right… but let XYZ come to visit, and the heavens seem to open!” Or a distant relative will show up for a day or two and get the royal treatment… and maybe the family heirlooms… then be gone like a vapor!
All of this is enough to make caregivers throw up their hands and say, I’m done! I’m no longer going to care as much, visit as often, or be as nice! In your world, this may translate to, “Why should I work so hard in school when Jim never has to do anything, and he seems to get by?” Or maybe you feel like it doesn’t matter how much work you do in your job or your church, someone else is going to receive the accolades or be the “favorite.” Maybe you have been diligent to work hard, pay your bills on time, and follow the letter of the law, and you know someone who skirts the edge of all of these things and seems to breeze through life driving a nicer car, wearing better clothes, and living in a bigger house… seemingly living “the good life.” You may wonder, “What’s the point?” I know there have been times when I have observed others and said, “If I did what they were doing, I would have been bankrupt and in the ‘pokey’ years ago!”
I get it… this is enough to make us crazy at times…to frustrate us that we try so hard to do all we are supposed to do, and those who snub their nose at convention sometimes seem to get a free pass. But here’s the deal… it’s all about integrity. We can sum up the reason to “keep on keepin’ on” in the first line of this scripture passage… “Doesn’t He see everything I do and every step I take?” The professor may not ever know you cheated on a test… the police officer may not catch you speeding… the bill collectors may write off your debt… your friends may never know you lied to them or betrayed them to others… but God will know all of this – and more.
The question becomes… “Who do you serve?” Are you concerned with getting away with things or doing just enough to get by? Are you proud of the fact that you duped the system, your friends or family members and “they didn’t even know what hit them?” Or are you willing to say, “I have done what God asked of me… I have lived in a way that honors Him and my commitment to serve as a disciple of Christ. I have worked hard and earned everything I have received ‘the old fashioned way.’ If God can find fault with how I did this, He is welcome to give all I have to someone else!”?
At the end of the day, our goal should be to walk in the confidence that we have served faithfully, honestly, and earnestly. It should not matter what the other guy is doing or how he/she is or isn’t behaving. Integrity is a hallmark in the life of a committed, faith-filled Christian. God will give us the strength and courage to conduct our lives with honor, if we will only ask Him and trust His lead. You are not accountable to God for anyone else…and accountability to God is really all that matters. How are you doing? When God sees everything you do and every step you take, is He pleased? Are you a person of true integrity? Shouldn’t you be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 14, 2013
Ephesians 4:1-3
In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
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.
Yesterday, we celebrated the life of my grandmother, Willie Dove “Polly” Chandler… all 100 years, 123 days of it. My grandmother was by no means perfect, but if you could have heard all of the wonderful things said about her and how she served others, you would be tempted to argue this point! She was described by one speaker as a “Proverbs 31” woman (go look it up!)… and by many who passed by her casket as “such a loving, giving person who always had a smile and a word of encouragement for others.” She didn’t just walk down the road God called her to travel… she ran!
I learned so much from my grandmother… and emulating her will be no small challenge! Of all the things she taught me, the most important were summed up in one of her favorite mantras… “The LORD will take care of me” …and He did. Was her life easy? Absolutely not! I can’t begin to tell you everything she saw and did in more than a century, but I know the LORD took care of her through the abandonment by her father at around age 12… the loss of her first baby, who died at birth…the loss of her older brother in a car accident when he was about 18…the death of her mother and all of her other siblings, her husband, her only living son, and her grandson, as well as countless friends and relatives… the loss of virtually all of her earthly belongings in a house fire when she was in her early 70s… numerous surgeries, illnesses and physical challenges – including a wreck when she was driving the school bus that left her with whiplash and put her in a cervical collar and traction for months. Still… the LORD took care of her through each of these things… and many more.
My grandmother grew up with virtually nothing, and for most of her adult life, she lived meagerly on the modest earnings she and my grandfather were able to produce from working more than one job and growing almost all of their own food (and selling the excess). Still, the LORD took care of her, and she faithfully presented a regular tithe to her church. When I took over managing her affairs, I marveled at how her dollars could stretch… and I made sure to make her tithe the first check I wrote each month!
Yes, the LORD took good care of her. And my grandmother quickly gave Him all the credit. When she met someone new, she would ask, “Can you stay for dinner (lunch) or supper?” …followed quickly by “Where do y’all go to church?” If the answer was not satisfactory, she would invite them to join her – at her table… and for services the following Sunday. Hers was a life rich in the things of the LORD… not necessarily material objects or monetary wealth. Her focus was firmly fixed on a heavenly home, where I know she is dancing and shouting today… and feasting at the LORD’s table. You see…He is still taking good care of her!
What about us? What is our focus? Which road are we traveling, and at what speed? Are we quick to serve the LORD… and to trust Him to take care of us? Do we depend upon Him even when things get rough… or tragedy strikes? Or do we fold up and turn to take another path? What is our ultimate focus… where are we headed?
I’ll be honest…the “glue” that held my family together - our matriarch - has gone to be with Jesus, and we’re all just a little lost. But I can already hear my grandmother saying, “Dry it up (the tears) and get up from there! You’ve got work to do and there’s no sense wasting time. The LORD will take care of you… you just need to let Him. Get on, now! They’s lots worse things than dying.” And she is right. So c’mon… we’ve got work to do… let’s work on this together and stay on the right path until the LORD calls us to heaven. I’m in… are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
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 learned so much from my grandmother… and emulating her will be no small challenge! Of all the things she taught me, the most important were summed up in one of her favorite mantras… “The LORD will take care of me” …and He did. Was her life easy? Absolutely not! I can’t begin to tell you everything she saw and did in more than a century, but I know the LORD took care of her through the abandonment by her father at around age 12… the loss of her first baby, who died at birth…the loss of her older brother in a car accident when he was about 18…the death of her mother and all of her other siblings, her husband, her only living son, and her grandson, as well as countless friends and relatives… the loss of virtually all of her earthly belongings in a house fire when she was in her early 70s… numerous surgeries, illnesses and physical challenges – including a wreck when she was driving the school bus that left her with whiplash and put her in a cervical collar and traction for months. Still… the LORD took care of her through each of these things… and many more.
My grandmother grew up with virtually nothing, and for most of her adult life, she lived meagerly on the modest earnings she and my grandfather were able to produce from working more than one job and growing almost all of their own food (and selling the excess). Still, the LORD took care of her, and she faithfully presented a regular tithe to her church. When I took over managing her affairs, I marveled at how her dollars could stretch… and I made sure to make her tithe the first check I wrote each month!
Yes, the LORD took good care of her. And my grandmother quickly gave Him all the credit. When she met someone new, she would ask, “Can you stay for dinner (lunch) or supper?” …followed quickly by “Where do y’all go to church?” If the answer was not satisfactory, she would invite them to join her – at her table… and for services the following Sunday. Hers was a life rich in the things of the LORD… not necessarily material objects or monetary wealth. Her focus was firmly fixed on a heavenly home, where I know she is dancing and shouting today… and feasting at the LORD’s table. You see…He is still taking good care of her!
What about us? What is our focus? Which road are we traveling, and at what speed? Are we quick to serve the LORD… and to trust Him to take care of us? Do we depend upon Him even when things get rough… or tragedy strikes? Or do we fold up and turn to take another path? What is our ultimate focus… where are we headed?
I’ll be honest…the “glue” that held my family together - our matriarch - has gone to be with Jesus, and we’re all just a little lost. But I can already hear my grandmother saying, “Dry it up (the tears) and get up from there! You’ve got work to do and there’s no sense wasting time. The LORD will take care of you… you just need to let Him. Get on, now! They’s lots worse things than dying.” And she is right. So c’mon… we’ve got work to do… let’s work on this together and stay on the right path until the LORD calls us to heaven. I’m in… are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 26, 2013
Galatians 6:1
My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. But watch out, and don’t be tempted yourself.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy is watching a new series on NickJr. – Peter Rabbit – based on the beloved children’s books written by Beatrix Potter. Now let’s be clear… Peter Rabbit is a stinker! He steals from Mr. McGregor’s garden, and he is incredibly conniving. He’s not above involving his fellow rabbits, Lily Bobtail and Benjamin Bunny in his escapades, either! But Peter Rabbit is also encouraging and positive. He looks for the good in each situation and leads his friends with optimism and confidence. One of the friends said, “If Peter says he can do it, he can do it!”
What does this have to do with us… and with this scripture passage? Let’s be honest… we’re all stinkers! In our own ways, we lie, cheat and steal…although we may “pretty up” these actions with names like “coloring the truth” and “figuring out a way to make things work to our advantage.” But at the end of the day, we all have our moments.
As Christians, we are called to leave these things behind… to “walk away from Mr. McGregor’s garden,” so to speak. And we are to take our friends with us! The Apostle Paul reminds us that this is not always easy. The temptation is there to step back into our old ways. We must stay awake and alert…“prayed up” for strength and courage to be tough and resilient in our faith.
Helping another person get their life back on track is not easy. We must be extremely careful that in doing so, we do not come across as arrogant or superior. We must also avoid enabling the person… or worse yet, sliding right in alongside them and reverting to our old ways. We must stay faithful, close to God, and confident that He will give us the strength and courage to walk in His wisdom and will. With God’s help and power behind us, we will be able to say with confidence and surety, “I can do this… and so can YOU!”
I’m amazed at how and where God reveals Himself to me… even in a children’s story like Peter Rabbit. I am thankful that He is keeping me on my toes, and I am working hard to always be aware of His presence in each and every situation. With God’s help, I can “stay out of Mr. McGregor’s garden and away from the wolf (Satan) who wants to have me for dinner”…and I can encourage others to do the same. What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. But watch out, and don’t be tempted yourself.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy is watching a new series on NickJr. – Peter Rabbit – based on the beloved children’s books written by Beatrix Potter. Now let’s be clear… Peter Rabbit is a stinker! He steals from Mr. McGregor’s garden, and he is incredibly conniving. He’s not above involving his fellow rabbits, Lily Bobtail and Benjamin Bunny in his escapades, either! But Peter Rabbit is also encouraging and positive. He looks for the good in each situation and leads his friends with optimism and confidence. One of the friends said, “If Peter says he can do it, he can do it!”
What does this have to do with us… and with this scripture passage? Let’s be honest… we’re all stinkers! In our own ways, we lie, cheat and steal…although we may “pretty up” these actions with names like “coloring the truth” and “figuring out a way to make things work to our advantage.” But at the end of the day, we all have our moments.
As Christians, we are called to leave these things behind… to “walk away from Mr. McGregor’s garden,” so to speak. And we are to take our friends with us! The Apostle Paul reminds us that this is not always easy. The temptation is there to step back into our old ways. We must stay awake and alert…“prayed up” for strength and courage to be tough and resilient in our faith.
Helping another person get their life back on track is not easy. We must be extremely careful that in doing so, we do not come across as arrogant or superior. We must also avoid enabling the person… or worse yet, sliding right in alongside them and reverting to our old ways. We must stay faithful, close to God, and confident that He will give us the strength and courage to walk in His wisdom and will. With God’s help and power behind us, we will be able to say with confidence and surety, “I can do this… and so can YOU!”
I’m amazed at how and where God reveals Himself to me… even in a children’s story like Peter Rabbit. I am thankful that He is keeping me on my toes, and I am working hard to always be aware of His presence in each and every situation. With God’s help, I can “stay out of Mr. McGregor’s garden and away from the wolf (Satan) who wants to have me for dinner”…and I can encourage others to do the same. What about you?
©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 March 24, 2012
Proverbs 4:23-27
Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.
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.
Each August, residents up and down Arkansas Highway 64 have a garage sale that lasts several days over one weekend. They call it “Bargains Galore on 64.” One year, my husband and I traveled this highway from Beebe to Conway and took in the sales along that part of the route. My husband drove, and I watched for signs and scouted the sales to determine whether or not it would be worth our time to stop. As the day wore on and the crowds thickened, this became a bit of a risky adventure! Drivers were paying more attention to the sales than their driving. Many either didn’t have a “navigator” to assist them…or that person was busy gawking, too… because there was more than one near-miss collision as we motored along!
I would venture to say you could call these sales something of a “sideshow distraction.” Highway 64 is a relatively busy thoroughfare, particularly as you get closer to the larger communities. Add in some traffic that is stopping and starting – often with little to no warning – and you have a recipe for potential disaster!
This is a good example of how many of us maneuver through life. We are busy gawking at the “sideshow distractions,” and we fail to pay attention to the importance of our main focus… navigating the path of our Christian faith. Daily living is fraught with challenges aplenty without taking detours and becoming preoccupied with such things as other people’s business, temptations, and our selfish desires to fit in or “be somebody!” These behaviors lead to the “white lies,” excuses, gossip, and careless banter that can wreak such havoc with our Christian witness and daily living.
In some respects, God is our “Navigator” as we travel the highways of life. He shows us what distractions and detours are worth our time and trouble… and He frees us to remain focused on the road ahead. He protects us from a collision course. Our job is to make every effort to be a “good driver”… to keep our heart and motives pure… and to listen to His advice.
I love a good yard sale as much as the next person… and I have to admit, I am often easily distracted. But I am asking God to strengthen my focus… to purify my motives – and my thoughts and actions – and to leave evil in the dust. Who is your Navigator these days? Are you a on a smooth stretch of road - or have you made a detour of sorts? Ask God to set you back on the right course… and to give you everything necessary to keep you there!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.
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.
Each August, residents up and down Arkansas Highway 64 have a garage sale that lasts several days over one weekend. They call it “Bargains Galore on 64.” One year, my husband and I traveled this highway from Beebe to Conway and took in the sales along that part of the route. My husband drove, and I watched for signs and scouted the sales to determine whether or not it would be worth our time to stop. As the day wore on and the crowds thickened, this became a bit of a risky adventure! Drivers were paying more attention to the sales than their driving. Many either didn’t have a “navigator” to assist them…or that person was busy gawking, too… because there was more than one near-miss collision as we motored along!
I would venture to say you could call these sales something of a “sideshow distraction.” Highway 64 is a relatively busy thoroughfare, particularly as you get closer to the larger communities. Add in some traffic that is stopping and starting – often with little to no warning – and you have a recipe for potential disaster!
This is a good example of how many of us maneuver through life. We are busy gawking at the “sideshow distractions,” and we fail to pay attention to the importance of our main focus… navigating the path of our Christian faith. Daily living is fraught with challenges aplenty without taking detours and becoming preoccupied with such things as other people’s business, temptations, and our selfish desires to fit in or “be somebody!” These behaviors lead to the “white lies,” excuses, gossip, and careless banter that can wreak such havoc with our Christian witness and daily living.
In some respects, God is our “Navigator” as we travel the highways of life. He shows us what distractions and detours are worth our time and trouble… and He frees us to remain focused on the road ahead. He protects us from a collision course. Our job is to make every effort to be a “good driver”… to keep our heart and motives pure… and to listen to His advice.
I love a good yard sale as much as the next person… and I have to admit, I am often easily distracted. But I am asking God to strengthen my focus… to purify my motives – and my thoughts and actions – and to leave evil in the dust. Who is your Navigator these days? Are you a on a smooth stretch of road - or have you made a detour of sorts? Ask God to set you back on the right course… and to give you everything necessary to keep you there!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 27, 2011
John 7:14-19
With the Feast already half over, Jesus showed up in the Temple, teaching. The Jews were impressed, but puzzled: "How does he know so much without being schooled?"
Jesus said, "I didn't make this up. What I teach comes from the One who sent me. Anyone who wants to do his will can test this teaching and know whether it's from God or whether I'm making it up. A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn't tamper with reality. It was Moses, wasn't it, who gave you God's Law? But none of you are living it. So why are you trying to kill 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.
Friends on Facebook have been contributing to a page about recollections of our home town when we were kids. More than one has remembered Whitaker Drug Store, were we could sit at the counter and order fountain sodas and other treats. And many have remembered getting a drink there called a “suicide.” Basically, the ladies behind the counter put in a little bit of every syrup available and added carbonated water for “fizz.” I don’t remember if I ever drank a “suicide,” but I know plenty of times that I – and others – have tried to create our own culinary concoction with less than stellar results!
I will experiment a little here and there when cooking, but I’ve pretty well learned from a few mistakes in the kitchen. Now I mostly stick to the recipe and leave the tampering to someone more adventuresome! I am content to have people enjoy my cooking, and I will gladly give the credit to whatever cookbook author or good cook willing to share recipes deserves the recognition. And hopefully, people are comfortable eating what I prepare… confident that I’ve not made things up as I went along! I never went to culinary school… but I had good teachers who taught me how to navigate the kitchen and produce a tasty meal.
Now if I were to continually strike out and create dishes of my own invention, would I have the right to be mad at Julia Child, Betty Crocker, or the Southern Living cooks because my results were poor? Would it make sense to be angry at someone who shared a recipe with me if I changed the ingredients and didn’t follow the cooking directions… and the result was inedible? So why do we think we can study God’s word and receive His guidance and instruction, then “have it our way?”
Why are we persuaded by sinful friends and acquaintances who clearly are not behaving in a Christ-like manner? Why do we choose “Spiritual suicide” when we already know that the results are going to leave a bad taste in our mouth and have horrendous consequences? What right do we have to be mad at God when things don’t go the way we want?
When will we learn? When will we begin to recognize the power and authority of God Almighty? When will we see that God sent Jesus to show us how to live… how to conduct ourselves in all sorts of situations… how to resist temptation… how to love others in His name… how to spread the Gospel and model Christ-like behavior for others? When will we realize that fakes and phonies are a dime a dozen… but Jesus is the Real Deal?
Remember John 3:16 – God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, so that we could live – forever! All we have to do is believe in Him… all we have to do is acknowledge that Jesus is truly who He said He was, ever since “back in the day”… and commit our heart and soul to living for Him continually in the “now!” Jesus brought us the recipe for success, joy, and Eternal Life! Are you ready to follow Him?
©2011 Debbie Robus
With the Feast already half over, Jesus showed up in the Temple, teaching. The Jews were impressed, but puzzled: "How does he know so much without being schooled?"
Jesus said, "I didn't make this up. What I teach comes from the One who sent me. Anyone who wants to do his will can test this teaching and know whether it's from God or whether I'm making it up. A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn't tamper with reality. It was Moses, wasn't it, who gave you God's Law? But none of you are living it. So why are you trying to kill 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.
Friends on Facebook have been contributing to a page about recollections of our home town when we were kids. More than one has remembered Whitaker Drug Store, were we could sit at the counter and order fountain sodas and other treats. And many have remembered getting a drink there called a “suicide.” Basically, the ladies behind the counter put in a little bit of every syrup available and added carbonated water for “fizz.” I don’t remember if I ever drank a “suicide,” but I know plenty of times that I – and others – have tried to create our own culinary concoction with less than stellar results!
I will experiment a little here and there when cooking, but I’ve pretty well learned from a few mistakes in the kitchen. Now I mostly stick to the recipe and leave the tampering to someone more adventuresome! I am content to have people enjoy my cooking, and I will gladly give the credit to whatever cookbook author or good cook willing to share recipes deserves the recognition. And hopefully, people are comfortable eating what I prepare… confident that I’ve not made things up as I went along! I never went to culinary school… but I had good teachers who taught me how to navigate the kitchen and produce a tasty meal.
Now if I were to continually strike out and create dishes of my own invention, would I have the right to be mad at Julia Child, Betty Crocker, or the Southern Living cooks because my results were poor? Would it make sense to be angry at someone who shared a recipe with me if I changed the ingredients and didn’t follow the cooking directions… and the result was inedible? So why do we think we can study God’s word and receive His guidance and instruction, then “have it our way?”
Why are we persuaded by sinful friends and acquaintances who clearly are not behaving in a Christ-like manner? Why do we choose “Spiritual suicide” when we already know that the results are going to leave a bad taste in our mouth and have horrendous consequences? What right do we have to be mad at God when things don’t go the way we want?
When will we learn? When will we begin to recognize the power and authority of God Almighty? When will we see that God sent Jesus to show us how to live… how to conduct ourselves in all sorts of situations… how to resist temptation… how to love others in His name… how to spread the Gospel and model Christ-like behavior for others? When will we realize that fakes and phonies are a dime a dozen… but Jesus is the Real Deal?
Remember John 3:16 – God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, so that we could live – forever! All we have to do is believe in Him… all we have to do is acknowledge that Jesus is truly who He said He was, ever since “back in the day”… and commit our heart and soul to living for Him continually in the “now!” Jesus brought us the recipe for success, joy, and Eternal Life! Are you ready to follow Him?
©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 23, 2011
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This time of year, we sometimes have trouble planning too many things because of our weather. One day it’s sunny and in the upper 40s or low 50s, and the next, we have four or five inches of snow on the ground and our streets are icy. The weather can change quickly. I’ve seen tornadoes come through one evening, and a big snow follow the next day. We preface a lot of our plans with, “If it snows…” or “If the roads don’t get icy.” Let’s face it, weather is ever changing, and we have to adjust our own lives accordingly.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that God doesn’t change like the weather? Don’t you find comfort in knowing that you can always count on God to be the same… yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The only thing that really changes is how we respond and react to Him. When we pull away, it feels like God changed… but in truth, we were the ones who moved. When everything seems to be going very well in our lives, we are right there to thank God for the changes.
What we have to recognize is that changes in our life may be orchestrated or influenced by God and/or our relationship with Him. But HE never, ever, ever changes. God is always with us. God is always guiding us and working things together for His good. God is always ready to help us and make a way, even where we see none. God’s love never fails… never falters… never hesitates. His care never ceases.
If you sense a change, examine your life and see where and how YOU moved. If the change was positive, thank God for helping you to find your way toward that outcome. If the change was not a good one, ask God for help to restore you on the right path. Thank God for being constant… for never changing or waffling in our lives. Give Him glory for his steadfast love and care… and ask Him to keep you on the right path, so that all of your changes are ones that draw you closer to Him. Check your “Spiritual weather” today and make sure the forecast is one that reflects clear skies and a God-filled relationship.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This time of year, we sometimes have trouble planning too many things because of our weather. One day it’s sunny and in the upper 40s or low 50s, and the next, we have four or five inches of snow on the ground and our streets are icy. The weather can change quickly. I’ve seen tornadoes come through one evening, and a big snow follow the next day. We preface a lot of our plans with, “If it snows…” or “If the roads don’t get icy.” Let’s face it, weather is ever changing, and we have to adjust our own lives accordingly.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that God doesn’t change like the weather? Don’t you find comfort in knowing that you can always count on God to be the same… yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The only thing that really changes is how we respond and react to Him. When we pull away, it feels like God changed… but in truth, we were the ones who moved. When everything seems to be going very well in our lives, we are right there to thank God for the changes.
What we have to recognize is that changes in our life may be orchestrated or influenced by God and/or our relationship with Him. But HE never, ever, ever changes. God is always with us. God is always guiding us and working things together for His good. God is always ready to help us and make a way, even where we see none. God’s love never fails… never falters… never hesitates. His care never ceases.
If you sense a change, examine your life and see where and how YOU moved. If the change was positive, thank God for helping you to find your way toward that outcome. If the change was not a good one, ask God for help to restore you on the right path. Thank God for being constant… for never changing or waffling in our lives. Give Him glory for his steadfast love and care… and ask Him to keep you on the right path, so that all of your changes are ones that draw you closer to Him. Check your “Spiritual weather” today and make sure the forecast is one that reflects clear skies and a God-filled relationship.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 8, 2011
Ecclesiastes 1:4
People come, and people go, but still the world never changes.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl, I had a small circle of close friends. I was friendly with other kids in my class and at church, but four girls – Becky, Carla, Martha and Robin – were especially dear. I didn’t have bridesmaids when we married, so these girls served cake and punch at our wedding. After high school, we did a fairly good job of staying in touch for several years… often getting together for brunch during Christmas break. But over time, we got together less often. We all married and moved in different directions… and as husbands and babies came along and lives got busy, we grew apart in some ways.
But the bond never left. We all grieved when breast cancer took Becky from us a few years ago… and when Robin’s daughter was tragically killed in a car wreck. We supported Carla through the illnesses and subsequent deaths of her parents. We celebrated the accomplishments of each other’s children along the way … and the birth of Becky’s grand-daughter and namesake.
On Christmas Eve, my friend Carla dropped in at our house to purchase a copy of a book my mother has written. We quickly snapped a couple of photos, not knowing when we will see each other again. I keep up with Robin on Facebook… and Martha sent a Christmas card with a photo of her two teenage sons. We don’t see each other very often any more, but I still feel a bond with these women. I have witnessed the ebb and flow of similar relationships between my mother and some of her childhood friends… and the underlying bond that remains.
We tend to romanticize the friendships of our childhood. We fondly remember long days spent playing together or working on a class project. We build up the conflicts and clashes, and they become epic events that forever shape our personalities. As we mature, we come to recognize that friends come and go in our lives. Some of my closest friends now are childhood friends with whom I lost touch for a number of years and have reconnected. Other people with whom I developed friendships as an adult have, for the moment, gone in different directions, and we seldom – if ever – communicate.
The thing is… we often treat our relationship with God like a friendship. And while Jesus is our “Forever Friend,” as we tell our children, the relationship we have with God and His Holy Spirit should not change. There should be no periods of distance… no need for reconnection. We should work hard to keep in constant touch with God, regardless of our circumstances… because I assure you, HE has not gone anywhere! Nothing has changed on God’s end… but we allow the things of this world to get in the way and affect our relationship.
If you need to reconnect with God today, I urge you to make this change. Rekindle your relationship with Him… rebuild your friendship… and NEVER, EVER move away again. People come and people go, but GOD is always there. The question is… where are YOU?
©2010 Debbie Robus
People come, and people go, but still the world never changes.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl, I had a small circle of close friends. I was friendly with other kids in my class and at church, but four girls – Becky, Carla, Martha and Robin – were especially dear. I didn’t have bridesmaids when we married, so these girls served cake and punch at our wedding. After high school, we did a fairly good job of staying in touch for several years… often getting together for brunch during Christmas break. But over time, we got together less often. We all married and moved in different directions… and as husbands and babies came along and lives got busy, we grew apart in some ways.
But the bond never left. We all grieved when breast cancer took Becky from us a few years ago… and when Robin’s daughter was tragically killed in a car wreck. We supported Carla through the illnesses and subsequent deaths of her parents. We celebrated the accomplishments of each other’s children along the way … and the birth of Becky’s grand-daughter and namesake.
On Christmas Eve, my friend Carla dropped in at our house to purchase a copy of a book my mother has written. We quickly snapped a couple of photos, not knowing when we will see each other again. I keep up with Robin on Facebook… and Martha sent a Christmas card with a photo of her two teenage sons. We don’t see each other very often any more, but I still feel a bond with these women. I have witnessed the ebb and flow of similar relationships between my mother and some of her childhood friends… and the underlying bond that remains.
We tend to romanticize the friendships of our childhood. We fondly remember long days spent playing together or working on a class project. We build up the conflicts and clashes, and they become epic events that forever shape our personalities. As we mature, we come to recognize that friends come and go in our lives. Some of my closest friends now are childhood friends with whom I lost touch for a number of years and have reconnected. Other people with whom I developed friendships as an adult have, for the moment, gone in different directions, and we seldom – if ever – communicate.
The thing is… we often treat our relationship with God like a friendship. And while Jesus is our “Forever Friend,” as we tell our children, the relationship we have with God and His Holy Spirit should not change. There should be no periods of distance… no need for reconnection. We should work hard to keep in constant touch with God, regardless of our circumstances… because I assure you, HE has not gone anywhere! Nothing has changed on God’s end… but we allow the things of this world to get in the way and affect our relationship.
If you need to reconnect with God today, I urge you to make this change. Rekindle your relationship with Him… rebuild your friendship… and NEVER, EVER move away again. People come and people go, but GOD is always there. The question is… where are YOU?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 26, 2010
Hosea 6:3
Let's do our best to know the LORD. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl, the day after Christmas was sort of a “regrouping” day in our house. We put away our Christmas gifts… exchanged our old toothbrushes for the new ones Santa left in our stocking (our grandmother worked for a dentist!), and my dad carried out the crispy-critter Christmas tree. We put away the holiday décor and the card tables and extra chairs that we had used to accommodate family and friends the day before. We put things back in order and, in some ways, renewed ourselves.
As kids, we still had a week or so of vacation time left, but it felt good to start a new chapter, so to speak… to switch gears from the excitement and anticipation of Christmas to focusing on having fun and looking ahead to the New Year. We were certain that another Christmas was only 364 days away… and there many fun times and new adventures that awaited us in the meantime.
On the night of December 25th, someone wrote on Facebook, “The day we wait for all year long has come and gone.” For some, the day after Christmas is something of a letdown. The hoopla is over… the food that looked so inviting a few days ago now doesn’t look so tasty…everyone has gone home or back to work… and we’re left with a mess to clean up, decorations to pack away, and a mountain of trash to carry to the curb.
If this describes you, please read Hosea 6:3 again. The day after Christmas is not a time for letdown. The day after Christmas is when the story really begins. The day of Jesus’ birth is important… but the days after are what really matter. If the story ended with December 25th (or whatever day is really the birthday of our Savior), there wouldn’t be much of a story. But this is not the case.
We need to dig deeply and truly get to know the Lord. We need to study and understand every nuance of our Jesus… His teachings… His sacrifices on our behalf… and His directives for us as servants and disciples. We need to bask in the afterglow of Christmas, confident that Jesus’ love for us – and His return some day – are as certain as the next sunrise – or the next Christmas Day. Yes, Christmas is important… but what happens the day afterward – and in the days that follow – is where we get to truly shine for Jesus.
What will you do today? Will the next few days be a time of “letdown” for you, or will you hitch up your britches and get busy for Jesus? When others look at you, will they see someone who carries the message and spirit of Christmas throughout the year, or are you a “one-month wonder”? Do your best to get to know Jesus… and to serve Him well every day of the year… not just the first twenty-five days of December. Bask in the promise of what lies ahead as you live for Him… and be renewed and refreshed this day!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Let's do our best to know the LORD. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl, the day after Christmas was sort of a “regrouping” day in our house. We put away our Christmas gifts… exchanged our old toothbrushes for the new ones Santa left in our stocking (our grandmother worked for a dentist!), and my dad carried out the crispy-critter Christmas tree. We put away the holiday décor and the card tables and extra chairs that we had used to accommodate family and friends the day before. We put things back in order and, in some ways, renewed ourselves.
As kids, we still had a week or so of vacation time left, but it felt good to start a new chapter, so to speak… to switch gears from the excitement and anticipation of Christmas to focusing on having fun and looking ahead to the New Year. We were certain that another Christmas was only 364 days away… and there many fun times and new adventures that awaited us in the meantime.
On the night of December 25th, someone wrote on Facebook, “The day we wait for all year long has come and gone.” For some, the day after Christmas is something of a letdown. The hoopla is over… the food that looked so inviting a few days ago now doesn’t look so tasty…everyone has gone home or back to work… and we’re left with a mess to clean up, decorations to pack away, and a mountain of trash to carry to the curb.
If this describes you, please read Hosea 6:3 again. The day after Christmas is not a time for letdown. The day after Christmas is when the story really begins. The day of Jesus’ birth is important… but the days after are what really matter. If the story ended with December 25th (or whatever day is really the birthday of our Savior), there wouldn’t be much of a story. But this is not the case.
We need to dig deeply and truly get to know the Lord. We need to study and understand every nuance of our Jesus… His teachings… His sacrifices on our behalf… and His directives for us as servants and disciples. We need to bask in the afterglow of Christmas, confident that Jesus’ love for us – and His return some day – are as certain as the next sunrise – or the next Christmas Day. Yes, Christmas is important… but what happens the day afterward – and in the days that follow – is where we get to truly shine for Jesus.
What will you do today? Will the next few days be a time of “letdown” for you, or will you hitch up your britches and get busy for Jesus? When others look at you, will they see someone who carries the message and spirit of Christmas throughout the year, or are you a “one-month wonder”? Do your best to get to know Jesus… and to serve Him well every day of the year… not just the first twenty-five days of December. Bask in the promise of what lies ahead as you live for Him… and be renewed and refreshed this day!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 13, 2010
Psalm 52:3
You would rather do evil than good, and tell lies than speak the truth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know someone who seems to love to argue? This person is always picking a fight, bringing up a controversial topic for discussion, and generally trying to “get a rise” out of others. He/she may not be deliberately trying to be evil or stir up trouble. More likely, this individual has gotten comfortable with such behavior… and even a little lazy.
It may seem like doing good and telling the truth are boring. But actually, it takes more energy and brain power. Haven’t you heard people say, “It was easier to go along than argue.”? Don’t you know people who avoid confrontation at all costs… even to the point of lying for a friend or relative, or doing something they know is wrong just to avoid a conflict? Friends don’t want to anger or upset one another, so they “cover” for them. Parents bail their children out of messes to avoid embarrassment and unpleasantness for all concerned. People embezzle from their workplace to manage their debts… while others offer bribes to smooth over the rough spots and make troubles go away.
Owning up to our mistakes, saying “No!” when we know something isn’t right, and taking responsibility for our lives and the messes we sometimes get into is often much more difficult. This takes our time, energy, and sometimes… our money. It can cost us friendships and more. But at the end of the day, our honesty and integrity are intact… and we know from other scriptures that these are traits that God desires for us.
Additionally, if we start operating more in honesty and “doing good,” we will find that the opportunities and temptations for lying and participating in evil behavior actually diminish. Staying in a close relationship with God greatly eliminates opportunities – and our desire - for lies, cheating and deception. And when problems do arise, we have a ready Source of strength and wisdom to whom we can turn.
We are in a season that is full of opportunities to do good… to speak the truth and share the blessings of a life in Christ with others. This is a great time to stop our “busyness” and spend some time in communion with God, seeking His guidance and wisdom. We can begin today to operate in truths and making a habit of doing good. We can make a conscious effort to choose to do what is right, no matter how hard it may seem. We can stand up and say, “With God, all things are possible,” and dare to prove it through our words and actions. Are you up to the challenge?
©2010 Debbie Robus
You would rather do evil than good, and tell lies than speak the truth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know someone who seems to love to argue? This person is always picking a fight, bringing up a controversial topic for discussion, and generally trying to “get a rise” out of others. He/she may not be deliberately trying to be evil or stir up trouble. More likely, this individual has gotten comfortable with such behavior… and even a little lazy.
It may seem like doing good and telling the truth are boring. But actually, it takes more energy and brain power. Haven’t you heard people say, “It was easier to go along than argue.”? Don’t you know people who avoid confrontation at all costs… even to the point of lying for a friend or relative, or doing something they know is wrong just to avoid a conflict? Friends don’t want to anger or upset one another, so they “cover” for them. Parents bail their children out of messes to avoid embarrassment and unpleasantness for all concerned. People embezzle from their workplace to manage their debts… while others offer bribes to smooth over the rough spots and make troubles go away.
Owning up to our mistakes, saying “No!” when we know something isn’t right, and taking responsibility for our lives and the messes we sometimes get into is often much more difficult. This takes our time, energy, and sometimes… our money. It can cost us friendships and more. But at the end of the day, our honesty and integrity are intact… and we know from other scriptures that these are traits that God desires for us.
Additionally, if we start operating more in honesty and “doing good,” we will find that the opportunities and temptations for lying and participating in evil behavior actually diminish. Staying in a close relationship with God greatly eliminates opportunities – and our desire - for lies, cheating and deception. And when problems do arise, we have a ready Source of strength and wisdom to whom we can turn.
We are in a season that is full of opportunities to do good… to speak the truth and share the blessings of a life in Christ with others. This is a great time to stop our “busyness” and spend some time in communion with God, seeking His guidance and wisdom. We can begin today to operate in truths and making a habit of doing good. We can make a conscious effort to choose to do what is right, no matter how hard it may seem. We can stand up and say, “With God, all things are possible,” and dare to prove it through our words and actions. Are you up to the challenge?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 30, 2010
Proverbs 23:19
Listen to me, my children! Be wise and have enough sense to follow the right path.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently some former schoolmates of mine were having a discussion on Facebook about climbing Sugar Loaf. One of them said she had never made the climb, and she had heard it is quite dangerous. The rest of us remarked that yes, the climb could possibly be dangerous if you took the wrong path or tried to ascend to the top in the wrong divide in the rocks.
Honestly, the path is pretty clear. There is very little room for error… until you get to the rock outcropping. If you venture too far, you’ll find yourself at a crevice that is too steep and treacherous to climb… and there is a faint path that leads in this direction (probably from those who have so frequently gone too far!). We suggested to this friend that she take someone with her who is familiar with the mountain and has made the climb… a seasoned guide who can “show her the ropes.”
I know you see where I’m going with this. The path to living for Jesus is pretty clear, but there are times we need a Guide to help us with the more difficult areas or to keep us on the right course… and we have One! All we have to do is listen to God… to follow His lead and stay on the path He shows us, and we will “ascend to the top” safely and with relative ease. But so often, we are not sensible. We listen to the voice of the devil whispering in our ear that “our way is better, or more fun, faster, or easier.” And the next thing you know, we’ve made a huge mess of things.
We need to learn to listen to God. We need to pay attention to His guidance and stick to His pathway. He will NEVER steer us wrong. He will ALWAYS keep us safe. And as a bonus, the “views at the Top” are amazing! Who are you listening to these days? Do you have enough sense to follow the right path?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Listen to me, my children! Be wise and have enough sense to follow the right path.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently some former schoolmates of mine were having a discussion on Facebook about climbing Sugar Loaf. One of them said she had never made the climb, and she had heard it is quite dangerous. The rest of us remarked that yes, the climb could possibly be dangerous if you took the wrong path or tried to ascend to the top in the wrong divide in the rocks.
Honestly, the path is pretty clear. There is very little room for error… until you get to the rock outcropping. If you venture too far, you’ll find yourself at a crevice that is too steep and treacherous to climb… and there is a faint path that leads in this direction (probably from those who have so frequently gone too far!). We suggested to this friend that she take someone with her who is familiar with the mountain and has made the climb… a seasoned guide who can “show her the ropes.”
I know you see where I’m going with this. The path to living for Jesus is pretty clear, but there are times we need a Guide to help us with the more difficult areas or to keep us on the right course… and we have One! All we have to do is listen to God… to follow His lead and stay on the path He shows us, and we will “ascend to the top” safely and with relative ease. But so often, we are not sensible. We listen to the voice of the devil whispering in our ear that “our way is better, or more fun, faster, or easier.” And the next thing you know, we’ve made a huge mess of things.
We need to learn to listen to God. We need to pay attention to His guidance and stick to His pathway. He will NEVER steer us wrong. He will ALWAYS keep us safe. And as a bonus, the “views at the Top” are amazing! Who are you listening to these days? Do you have enough sense to follow the right path?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 9, 2010
Mark 4:13-20
Jesus told them: If you don't understand this story, you won't understand any others. What the farmer is spreading is really the message about the kingdom. The seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message. But Satan soon comes and snatches it away from them. The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it right away. But they don't have any roots, and they don't last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up.
The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they start worrying about the needs of this life. They are fooled by the desire to get rich and to have all kinds of other things. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything. The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and welcome the message. They produce thirty or sixty or even a hundred times as much as was planted.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This passage is the last part of a parable Jesus told in which he talks about a farmer and what happened to seeds he scattered in various places – some eaten by birds, some falling on rocky ground, some that dried up from the scorching sun, some that fell into thorny bushes… and some that found fertile ground. Of course, Jesus wasn’t talking about a farmer and seeds at all. He was talking about us! GOD is the “farmer” – we are the “seeds!”
There is an old saying, “Bloom where you are planted.” But if you plant yourself in bad soil, among “thorns,” on rocky ground or out in the hot scorching sun, you don’t have much of a chance – if any – to “bloom!”
This means we must think about who we choose to be associated with – in all walks of life. We must choose our friends carefully – and our more significant relationship partners even more so. We must think about where we go, and what we say and do. It all counts! We must ask ourselves constantly if our choices are God’s choices … or Satan’s … and we need to pay attention to what we discover.
We need to wake up each morning and ask God to guide our thoughts, our choices, and our steps. And each night we need to thank Him for His guidance. We need to be sure that we are always firmly rooted in “good ground” – God’s ground. Don’t get caught off guard or in poor soil. Don’t wind up among the thorns or exposed to the elements. Stick with God, listen to His instruction, and ask Him to continually plant you where you can truly bloom for His glory!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Jesus told them: If you don't understand this story, you won't understand any others. What the farmer is spreading is really the message about the kingdom. The seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message. But Satan soon comes and snatches it away from them. The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it right away. But they don't have any roots, and they don't last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up.
The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they start worrying about the needs of this life. They are fooled by the desire to get rich and to have all kinds of other things. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything. The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and welcome the message. They produce thirty or sixty or even a hundred times as much as was planted.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This passage is the last part of a parable Jesus told in which he talks about a farmer and what happened to seeds he scattered in various places – some eaten by birds, some falling on rocky ground, some that dried up from the scorching sun, some that fell into thorny bushes… and some that found fertile ground. Of course, Jesus wasn’t talking about a farmer and seeds at all. He was talking about us! GOD is the “farmer” – we are the “seeds!”
There is an old saying, “Bloom where you are planted.” But if you plant yourself in bad soil, among “thorns,” on rocky ground or out in the hot scorching sun, you don’t have much of a chance – if any – to “bloom!”
This means we must think about who we choose to be associated with – in all walks of life. We must choose our friends carefully – and our more significant relationship partners even more so. We must think about where we go, and what we say and do. It all counts! We must ask ourselves constantly if our choices are God’s choices … or Satan’s … and we need to pay attention to what we discover.
We need to wake up each morning and ask God to guide our thoughts, our choices, and our steps. And each night we need to thank Him for His guidance. We need to be sure that we are always firmly rooted in “good ground” – God’s ground. Don’t get caught off guard or in poor soil. Don’t wind up among the thorns or exposed to the elements. Stick with God, listen to His instruction, and ask Him to continually plant you where you can truly bloom for His glory!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 18, 2010
2 Peter 1:10
My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all seen and heard a lot in the news lately about Lindsay Lohan. I don’t want to pick on this celebrity, because I truly to not know her heart. But from all appearances, she was given some chances to change – to clean up her act, stop partying, and overcome her addictions to alcohol and drugs. But she continued to “stumble and fall.”
So when she was sitting in a courtroom hearing the judge sentence her to sixty days in jail followed by probationary time, she acted as if she was completely baffled at the sentence. I heard her comment, “I’m 23… if I want to party at night with friends, I should be able to do this.” While she may be of legal age to have a drink in public, no one is legally allowed to drive while drinking…which is one of the things with which Lohan is charged.
My point is that we can’t say we are changed and continue to act the same. We can’t acknowledge that we are chosen by God and continue to live as we please, sin when it’s comfortable and fun, and serve our Heavenly Father only when it is convenient. It’s pretty much an all or nothing deal. But when we act like a chosen child of God… when we acknowledge Him and trust Him to guide our steps, we don’t have to worry about consequences for poor actions and choices. I’m not saying we never sin… because we all do… but when we focus on being who God called us to be, there are fewer chances for Satan to trip us up… and when we do fall short, we readily recognize our errors and quickly make an effort to correct them.
Being a Christian is not a free ride. Acknowledging that God has chosen us comes with responsibility to behave accordingly. We must be ready to serve, honor, and obey God. We must set high standards for ourselves in all areas of life. And in return we will be blessed. We can’t be like the Lindsay Lohans of the world… assuming that we can get by on our status and public popularity. Think of the old adage… “If you do the crime, you gotta do the time.” When it comes to God, there is a way to avoid the “crime” and the “time.” How well are you representing your status in Him these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all seen and heard a lot in the news lately about Lindsay Lohan. I don’t want to pick on this celebrity, because I truly to not know her heart. But from all appearances, she was given some chances to change – to clean up her act, stop partying, and overcome her addictions to alcohol and drugs. But she continued to “stumble and fall.”
So when she was sitting in a courtroom hearing the judge sentence her to sixty days in jail followed by probationary time, she acted as if she was completely baffled at the sentence. I heard her comment, “I’m 23… if I want to party at night with friends, I should be able to do this.” While she may be of legal age to have a drink in public, no one is legally allowed to drive while drinking…which is one of the things with which Lohan is charged.
My point is that we can’t say we are changed and continue to act the same. We can’t acknowledge that we are chosen by God and continue to live as we please, sin when it’s comfortable and fun, and serve our Heavenly Father only when it is convenient. It’s pretty much an all or nothing deal. But when we act like a chosen child of God… when we acknowledge Him and trust Him to guide our steps, we don’t have to worry about consequences for poor actions and choices. I’m not saying we never sin… because we all do… but when we focus on being who God called us to be, there are fewer chances for Satan to trip us up… and when we do fall short, we readily recognize our errors and quickly make an effort to correct them.
Being a Christian is not a free ride. Acknowledging that God has chosen us comes with responsibility to behave accordingly. We must be ready to serve, honor, and obey God. We must set high standards for ourselves in all areas of life. And in return we will be blessed. We can’t be like the Lindsay Lohans of the world… assuming that we can get by on our status and public popularity. Think of the old adage… “If you do the crime, you gotta do the time.” When it comes to God, there is a way to avoid the “crime” and the “time.” How well are you representing your status in Him these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 16, 2010
Hebrews 3:1
My friends, God has chosen you to be his holy people. So think about Jesus, the one we call our apostle and high priest!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
WWJD – What Would Jesus Do – this phrase has circulated for years. We see it on key chains, wrist bands, t-shirts, and more… and with good reason! What would Jesus do in many of the circumstances we encounter? How would He react?
God chose us to be His holy people. He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, as a model for holy behavior. So the question… “What would Jesus do?”… is always appropriate. Any time you wonder – even slightly – about a choice, what you are speaking, doing, sharing, participating in, or even thinking… think of Jesus. Ask yourself what He would do in the situation… and adjust your own thoughts/actions/words accordingly.
Jesus is our apostle and high priest… our ultimate role model… think about Him and see how well you are following His lead.
©2010 Debbie Robus
My friends, God has chosen you to be his holy people. So think about Jesus, the one we call our apostle and high priest!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
WWJD – What Would Jesus Do – this phrase has circulated for years. We see it on key chains, wrist bands, t-shirts, and more… and with good reason! What would Jesus do in many of the circumstances we encounter? How would He react?
God chose us to be His holy people. He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, as a model for holy behavior. So the question… “What would Jesus do?”… is always appropriate. Any time you wonder – even slightly – about a choice, what you are speaking, doing, sharing, participating in, or even thinking… think of Jesus. Ask yourself what He would do in the situation… and adjust your own thoughts/actions/words accordingly.
Jesus is our apostle and high priest… our ultimate role model… think about Him and see how well you are following His lead.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 14, 2010
Acts 26:16
“Now stand up. I have appeared to you, because I have chosen you to be my servant. You are to tell others what you have learned about me and what I will show you later."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you saw my house, you might not believe this, but I’m something of a stickler for neatness and cleanliness. And when it comes to Timothy, some would probably say I’m obsessive. If I know he is coming to visit, I vacuum the floors, disinfect his toys, change the linens in his crib, and make sure everything is in order. I consider it a great honor that my niece trusts us to care for her child, and I want to be sure I do everything necessary to ensure he is safe, loved, and nurtured when he is with us.
We all give attention to what is important to us. For some, it may be a prized vehicle. Maybe you wash your car several times a week and make sure it stays in tip-top running condition. Others may have a special collection… a sport they devote time and attention to… or even a gadget, such as an iPhone, laptop, or home theater. Whatever we value, we give care and attention.
Do we give this much care and attention to our relationship with God? Shouldn’t we? If God loves us so much that He chose us to be His servants, doesn’t this indicate how important we are to Him? Doesn’t this merit the care, attention, and nurturing of our relationship with Him? While you may feel you take pretty good care of your relationship with God, I assure you, none of us does enough. Ask Him to show you where you could step it up a level… then get busy doing so. We’ve been chosen to be Christ’s servants… it’s time to stand up and act like it!
©2010 Debbie Robus
“Now stand up. I have appeared to you, because I have chosen you to be my servant. You are to tell others what you have learned about me and what I will show you later."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you saw my house, you might not believe this, but I’m something of a stickler for neatness and cleanliness. And when it comes to Timothy, some would probably say I’m obsessive. If I know he is coming to visit, I vacuum the floors, disinfect his toys, change the linens in his crib, and make sure everything is in order. I consider it a great honor that my niece trusts us to care for her child, and I want to be sure I do everything necessary to ensure he is safe, loved, and nurtured when he is with us.
We all give attention to what is important to us. For some, it may be a prized vehicle. Maybe you wash your car several times a week and make sure it stays in tip-top running condition. Others may have a special collection… a sport they devote time and attention to… or even a gadget, such as an iPhone, laptop, or home theater. Whatever we value, we give care and attention.
Do we give this much care and attention to our relationship with God? Shouldn’t we? If God loves us so much that He chose us to be His servants, doesn’t this indicate how important we are to Him? Doesn’t this merit the care, attention, and nurturing of our relationship with Him? While you may feel you take pretty good care of your relationship with God, I assure you, none of us does enough. Ask Him to show you where you could step it up a level… then get busy doing so. We’ve been chosen to be Christ’s servants… it’s time to stand up and act like it!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 1, 2010
Colossians 1:21-23
You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. But his Son became a human and died. So God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent.
But you must stay deeply rooted and firm in your faith. You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news. It was preached to everyone on earth, and I myself have become a servant of this message.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently my mom floated the Buffalo River with her husband’s family, and at one “swimming hole,” people were climbing massive bluffs and jumping back into the river. Swimmers below were encouraging those jumping to “conquer your fears,” and telling them, “You can do it!” And Mom said most did just that – even those whose faces indicated they were scared silly! However, she said one or two climbed back down and accepted defeat… and in this instance, that was just fine.
In our spiritual life, “backing off” and “climbing down” are not okay. Defeat is not an option. The cost of our salvation was far too high. The price Jesus Christ paid to stand in the gap for us with God was just too costly for us to back down and stop fighting. We must keep trusting – keep believing – and keep holding on to the promises of God for us and others. And more than this, we must never give up on one another. We must become, as the Apostle Paul, “a servant of this message.” We must vigilantly remind others how precious they are to God. We must pray for them, encourage them, and never, never, EVER give up.
We can do it! We must “conquer our fears” – with the Lord’s help – and trust Him to honor His promises… to us and to others. We must stay deeply rooted and firm in our faith and be servants of God’s message to everyone around us. I say again… defeat is not an option when it comes to Jesus and our faith. How deeply are you rooted these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. But his Son became a human and died. So God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent.
But you must stay deeply rooted and firm in your faith. You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news. It was preached to everyone on earth, and I myself have become a servant of this message.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently my mom floated the Buffalo River with her husband’s family, and at one “swimming hole,” people were climbing massive bluffs and jumping back into the river. Swimmers below were encouraging those jumping to “conquer your fears,” and telling them, “You can do it!” And Mom said most did just that – even those whose faces indicated they were scared silly! However, she said one or two climbed back down and accepted defeat… and in this instance, that was just fine.
In our spiritual life, “backing off” and “climbing down” are not okay. Defeat is not an option. The cost of our salvation was far too high. The price Jesus Christ paid to stand in the gap for us with God was just too costly for us to back down and stop fighting. We must keep trusting – keep believing – and keep holding on to the promises of God for us and others. And more than this, we must never give up on one another. We must become, as the Apostle Paul, “a servant of this message.” We must vigilantly remind others how precious they are to God. We must pray for them, encourage them, and never, never, EVER give up.
We can do it! We must “conquer our fears” – with the Lord’s help – and trust Him to honor His promises… to us and to others. We must stay deeply rooted and firm in our faith and be servants of God’s message to everyone around us. I say again… defeat is not an option when it comes to Jesus and our faith. How deeply are you rooted these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 27, 2010
June 27 ~ Hebrews 13:6
That should make you feel like saying, "The Lord helps me! Why should I be afraid of what people can do to me?"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You may have heard of “tough love.” This is a behavior modification model that utilizes hard decisions and choices in order to force the other person to change his/her behavior. Examples would be parents who tell a son or daughter who is using drugs or drinking that he/she has to move out of their home until this behavior ceases. Or, a coach may be really stern with his/her players… forcing them to work hard, and using strong language and berating them with criticism on the court or field… but showing them much love and affection otherwise. Sometimes human beings get carried away with this approach, and their “tough love” becomes something far different.
We could argue that God operates in “tough love” sometimes – allowing us to go through things that are not all that pleasant for us – or maybe they challenge us greatly. In the end, they build our faith and strengthen us… and the bottom line is that God never left us… He was there to help us every step of the way. And this is important… because sometimes we go through situations where we have to risk our relationship with other people. We have to say to our friend or loved one, “I am concerned about how you are living. You are making poor choices, and it’s affecting everyone around you. Your behaviors are inappropriate. You need to grow up.” The other person may not appreciate your “concern” or your comments. This person may alienate you, try to discredit you to others, and/or lash out at you and try to hurt you. But if you feel God leading you to confront someone with “tough love,” you must do so.
We see in Hebrews 13:6 that “tough love” practiced under God’s guidance will carry God’s protection. In other words, if God tells you to be bold in your faith about anything toward anyone or any situation, He’s got your back! I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel 1000% better! I know that backlash, retribution, and alienation may still come… at least temporarily… but that’s where the faith comes into play. If we step out for God in faith, He will help us… no weapon formed against us will prosper… and ultimately, we will have nothing to fear.
©2010 Debbie Robus
That should make you feel like saying, "The Lord helps me! Why should I be afraid of what people can do to me?"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You may have heard of “tough love.” This is a behavior modification model that utilizes hard decisions and choices in order to force the other person to change his/her behavior. Examples would be parents who tell a son or daughter who is using drugs or drinking that he/she has to move out of their home until this behavior ceases. Or, a coach may be really stern with his/her players… forcing them to work hard, and using strong language and berating them with criticism on the court or field… but showing them much love and affection otherwise. Sometimes human beings get carried away with this approach, and their “tough love” becomes something far different.
We could argue that God operates in “tough love” sometimes – allowing us to go through things that are not all that pleasant for us – or maybe they challenge us greatly. In the end, they build our faith and strengthen us… and the bottom line is that God never left us… He was there to help us every step of the way. And this is important… because sometimes we go through situations where we have to risk our relationship with other people. We have to say to our friend or loved one, “I am concerned about how you are living. You are making poor choices, and it’s affecting everyone around you. Your behaviors are inappropriate. You need to grow up.” The other person may not appreciate your “concern” or your comments. This person may alienate you, try to discredit you to others, and/or lash out at you and try to hurt you. But if you feel God leading you to confront someone with “tough love,” you must do so.
We see in Hebrews 13:6 that “tough love” practiced under God’s guidance will carry God’s protection. In other words, if God tells you to be bold in your faith about anything toward anyone or any situation, He’s got your back! I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel 1000% better! I know that backlash, retribution, and alienation may still come… at least temporarily… but that’s where the faith comes into play. If we step out for God in faith, He will help us… no weapon formed against us will prosper… and ultimately, we will have nothing to fear.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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