James 1:16-18
So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A friend of mine recently had to surrender the 4-month-old foster child she and her family had nurtured since he was just seven days old. The court apparently determined that it was in this baby’s best interest to be placed with another family who had adopted his older sibling. Imagine this couple’s anguish as they counted off the days until the precious child that they had hoped to possibly adopt was set to leave their home…probably forever. I am sure that they pled with God to change this. I have no doubt that they hoped that even at the eleventh hour, they would get a phone call and learn that this was all a mistake…that they could keep “their” baby. But in the end, the child was taken from their home and placed in the care of another family.
It would be easy to question God on this one…to wring hands and cry out, “Why, LORD…WHY?” There are plenty of situations and circumstances where we are tempted to ask God, “Why?”…
- When a relationship is “circling the drain” or a loved one is terminally ill…
- When you are bullied or cannot find a job and the bill collectors are at your door like wolves…
- When you cannot a handle on the balance of studies, work, and extracurricular life…
- When you cannot seem to lose those last pounds and inches despite your best efforts…or you have health issues and can’t seem to get well and stay that way…
- When children of all ages get Ebola in an African country and die…
- When pets and people are abused and neglected…
- When people in your own community are homeless and hungry…
This scripture passage reminds us to “keep the faith” and “stay the course”! We may not see desirable and beneficial gifts coming out of heaven like rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light…but they are there, all the same. We may not understand God’s thought process - or His methods. He may seem to be fickle and two-faced…aloof and apathetic. But nothing could be further from the truth.
God loves us…always and forever. He wants nothing but His very best for us…we just don’t always know what that is! When God allows us to experience a heartache or a challenge, it isn’t because He wants to hurt us. God wants us to lean on Him…to trust Him in all things…to understand that He can work anything and everything together for His good purposes.
This is so hard…I wouldn’t for a minute suggest that there is anything easy about hurtful or difficult situations of any kind – nor diminish what you are experiencing in any way. But I can tell you from personal experience that even in your worst pain, God is working. He is preparing gifts and blessings for you that you cannot even imagine. The outcome may not be at all what you had hoped or planned…but it will be perfect – and it might just be better! Ultimately, God will prevail and bring about His flawlessness. If we can just trust in this and continue to believe in Him, we will see this displayed in our own lives.
We can find it incredibly hard to be grateful in times of trouble, hardship and suffering. But these are the times when we should double our efforts to thank God for His amazing love and care. He will meet our needs and bless us in this more than we can ever imagine. Where is God working for your good in a potentially hurtful or hopeless situation? Have you thanked Him for His presence and precision? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This is mid-term Election Day in America. If early voter turnout is any indication, a lot of people have strong convictions one way or the other and recognize the importance of these results for our country. Tomorrow, a lot of people will be pleased with the outcome…and more than a few will not be. For many, the results will bring a mixture of pleasure and disappointment.
But here’s the thing…God is still in control – and with Him, all things are possible. Jesus Christ is still the King of Kings and LORD of Lords! Whether your candidates win the election or not…regardless of the amendments that pass or don’t…we will survive. Some of you may not have lived long enough – or voted in enough elections to believe this, but I can tell you with confidence, that you will live through whatever happens. Will things be “hunky-dory”? Possibly…but probably not. Will there be struggles and times of difficulty? Perhaps. But God can “make a way” as it says in Isaiah 43:19 (“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” NIV)
I encourage you to pick up your Bible and read Isaiah 43 in its entirety. Spend some time with God and talk to Him about your thoughts, your worries and concerns - about the election and everything else - and then THANK HIM...over and over and over for His amazing and perfect love and care. Thank God for “making a way in the wilderness”…for “doing new things” and working all things together for His purposes – and for our good.
Above all else, remember the words of the Apostle Paul to the people of Thessalonica…and “be cheerful no matter what. Pray all the time and thank God – no matter what happens” – because Jesus is ALIVE…and we can count on Him to always take care of our every need. The very thought of Jesus’s love for us should cause us to smile…to be filled with joy, peace and a sense of calm. Our little Timothy recently reminded us that…”I just turn that frown upside down and smile!” Which direction is your “frown” pointing today? Are you demonstrating confidence and hope in Jesus Christ through your attitude and body language? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Jeremiah 44:22
So that the Lord could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I know it’s hard to believe, but there will be “Christians” who crawl out of the woodwork and use this scripture and the surrounding verses of Jeremiah 44 to claim that the devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma this week were a result of God’s impatience with His people. Nothing could be farther from the truth! For starters… we have to consider all Scripture in context. This was an Old Testament declaration…before God sent Jesus to live among us and die on the cross for our sins. Things were different before Jesus arrived. God used a variety of methods to get the attention of His people… and there were dozens of rituals and sacraments required to demonstrate love and loyalty to our Heavenly Father. And on more than one occasion, God had to use incredibly drastic measures to get the attention of His people. ALL of that changed with the coming of Jesus.
We cannot pick and choose which verses we will utilize in order to make a point. As Christians, we have been given a new life in Christ. He took our sin and changed the Spiritual landscape forever. Does this mean that God doesn’t grow impatient – even angry – with us from time to time? Absolutely not! Are we accountable for our actions and disobedience? Most certainly! But God has plenty of ways for dealing with us. While He could very well wipe all of us out in a tornado, earthquake, or other natural disaster, this is not how He operates!
While I do not believe that God directly causes natural disasters to befall us, I believe that there are times when He allows these horrific tragedies to occur. Why? Is God punishing us for our sins? I don’t think so! This is my own interpretation, but here’s how I see it… I envision Satan and his armies stirring the pot… twisting the winds, aggravating the bowels of the earth to cause earthquakes and tsunamis, drying out the land in a catastrophic drought – or flooding it with a seemingly unending water supply. And all the while, he is saying, “Look, people! God is punishing you! Look what He is doing!”
Meanwhile, I believe that God is twice as busy… orchestrating blessings and positive outcomes…sparing countless lives, bringing people together in ways they never imagined, drawing attention to the needs and burdens of others, and creating beauty out of chaos. We’re seeing that already in the news reports…as the focus shifts from the horror of the tragedy to the wonders and strength of the human spirit, the love and kindness of neighbors and strangers, and the grace of God as people recover and rebuild. I know you may ask, "Why were some allowed to perish?" And I honestly don't know. But I know that God did not allow this without a purpose - whether we ever readily see it or not.
In the days to come, you will no doubt hear someone suggest that God did this… that He caused this latest natural disaster. Don’t believe it! I urge you to combat such thinking by speaking positively about the present and future results. Share stories of hope and courage… how and where God is at work! Donate to the Red Cross and other service organizations and speak of reconstruction and the power of God to bring about blessings in the midst of such tragedy. We’ve already seen residents of Moore, Oklahoma - and the entire state - on camera stating that “we’ll be back.” The news reporters have acknowledged that some of the first people on the scene were church members. I heard two well-known national news anchors note that even before FEMA representatives arrived, the “Baptist Men” were there passing out meals!
I firmly believe that God will someday look at all of us and ask, “What did you do to help?” He will mete out his impatience with us by withholding blessings and opportunities… and He might even allow our home to be knocked off its foundation. But God will show us how to overcome any and all adversities… and He will help us every step of the way. At the end of our lives when we stand before Him as born-again Christians, God will not ask us to account for our sins any more than He will want to know how we handled challenges and adversity as His disciples. He will hold us accountable for how we dealt with anything and everything the devil threw our way… including physical and material destruction, mental and emotional exasperation, and even loss of life.
God will allow our faith and patience to be tested. He wants to see whether we are “all in” for Him… or just along for the ride. He’s looking for growth and increased strength through patient endurance… Christians who pick themselves up by the bootstraps, dust themselves off, and become better Disciples because of their experiences – and their faith in Him to persevere. When your day of judgment arrives… what will you have to say for yourself? How will you answer when God reviews your life? Isn’t it time to start trusting Him and recognizing His power and presence? Will you allow this latest disaster to drag you down… or strengthen your faith? Will this day in your Discipleship be one of tragedy… or triumph?
©2013 Debbie Robus
March 28 ~ Psalm 25:19-21
Do you see how many people
Have it in for me?
How viciously they hate me?
Keep watch over me and keep me out of trouble;
Don’t let me down when I run to you.
Use all your skill to put me together;
I wait to see your finished product.
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.
Nearly all of us have written a term paper at some point. If you were taught as I was, you began with an outline. You thought of the things you wanted to include… and you made notes and lists of the points you planned to cover. Honestly, for a while, the whole thing may have looked like quite a jumble of confusion. You might have even said, “The devil is having fun here… this paper is a mess!” But over time, things came together, and what seemed unconquerable at the outset became something you were proud to present to your instructor… or at least relieved to have finished!
A couple of months ago, I was not paying close attention as I cut the sleeves off a ladies knit shirt to make pants for my niece, Zola. I realized that I had cut the fabric in a way that I had two right legs – or was it two left legs?! At any rate, the outcome was not going to be a wearable pair of pants! I was in trouble. I felt I had wasted a really cute shirt, and naturally I blamed the devil for distracting me and causing me to cut the material incorrectly! But I was determined not to let him win. You can call me silly, but I began to pray… “LORD, what can I do with this? How can I take these pieces and create something useful – and cute – from them?” (I really do pray over mundane things like how to salvage a thrift-store shirt!)
I began to move the pieces of fabric around. “What if I used this piece this way?” I would ask myself. “Suppose I turned those mismatched ‘pant legs’ into sleeves?” And soon, everything was coming together to create a darling dress and matching accessories… all of which looked adorable on Zola and was one of her mother’s favorite outfits to date! God used all of His skill to help me use my skills to pull together a wonderful finished product.
So often, we throw up our hands and say, “So-and-so is out to get me,” or “I can’t win for losing… the odds are just not in my favor.” What we fail to recognize is how God has our back... if only we will keep our chin up and do what He expects. If we will continue to take the high road… if we will stay focused and maintain a positive attitude… if we will trust Him for an outcome… God will put us together into an incredible finished product!
I firmly believe this. I have full confidence that God can make lemonade from “lemons” like us! I am quite certain that operating with integrity brings about positive results…and amazing finished products! You can let the devil and his agents have their way in your life… or you can choose to live for God - and trust His outcomes. It’s totally your call… what do you say?
©2013 Debbie Robus
December 11 ~ Philippians 4:13
Christ gives me the strength to face anything.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In his book, Become a Better You, Joel Osteen admonishes us to quit putting ourselves down… that doesn’t do us any good. Forget the past… it’s over and done and can’t be changed. If we continue feel guilty about the past, we will lack the strength to live victoriously today – and beyond.” I’m paraphrasing here, but Pastor Osteen makes a very important point.
While Christ gives us the strength to face anything, a lot of us are pretty busy counteracting that strength at every turn by living in the past, wallowing in guilt and shame over something that happened ten years ago, or blaming our childhood for the mistakes we make today! We need to recognize that we are all human. We all have moments that we regret… something we said that was not so kind, a poorly made choice. Who among us hasn’t said (if only to ourselves), “You didn’t do your best on that test… you should have studied more,” or “You should pray more… longer… harder…” or “I can’t believe you gave such a lousy performance – on the court, the field, or in the concert. You should have practiced more”… or even “You are a lousy mom/dad/grandparent/friend. How could you treat this person so badly”?
You can fill in the blanks with your own litany of criticisms. But the point is that we are wasting valuable time living in guilt, shame and resentment and frustration instead of saying, “LORD, I have all of the strength I need because of You… help me to focus my thoughts and actions in a positive direction. Forgive me for the things I’ve done… and help me to do better.” This is what God asks of us… that we humbly admit our shortcomings and disappointments – then try to do better moving forward.
We must remember that God knows what flawed creatures we are… and He loves us anyway. He wants us to succeed… to be happy, productive, hopeful servants. And He has equipped us with everything we need. OUR JOB is to recognize His power within us… and to embrace it!
I’m not suggesting that we limp along in life, make mistakes, then throw up our hands and say, “Oh, well!” We must take responsibility for our actions… and our faults. But we serve a God who stands ready to pick us up and deliver us into a better day… if only we will receive His gifts of wisdom, hope, forgiveness – and strength.
We have a choice today… we can continue to wallow in the past and let the devil remind us about the mistakes we have made – or we can invite Christ Jesus to fill us with His Holy Spirit and give us all the strength we will ever need… and more. We can stay stuck in our rut… or we can let Jesus propel us into a hopeful, productive future. Which way will you decide to go?
©2012 Debbie Robus
John 16:33
I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
If you want to give the devil fits, just get comfortable with God! The closer you draw to Him, the more minor irritations and frustrations Satan will throw your way. It’s like he’s saying, “Oh yeah? Well what about THIS one?”! I have to laugh as I picture him, hands on his hips, growling and perturbed because his latest rant or scheme did not put me out of commission. But this has not always been the case… and I will be the first to admit that I still let the devil get to me and rattle my cage far too often!
This is “Thanksgiving Week” in the USA… a time when we are supposed to stop and make an extra effort to count our blessings. I know I have more than my share… and I am so grateful to God for all He does for me every minute of the day. I am incredibly thankful that He has conquered the world and I can live deeply at peace… unshaken and assured, even when momentary difficulties arise. I cannot imagine surviving all the things that come our way in even an “ordinary day” without the power of Jesus behind me.
I am surrounded by people who inspire me with their examples of tremendous faith in the midst of great challenge… a mother whose son is undergoing treatments for cancer wrote that if she could make a chain of daily blessings in their lives, it would stretch around the house, and then some… a young newlywed whose husband is battling a sinister and most-certainly terminal brain cancer, journals of the wonderful hiking trip they had to a local mountainous area and the joy of daily routines like soccer practice for their little boys… the mother of two four-year-olds who spent their first year of life in Arkansas Children’s hospital, lost their third sibling along the way, and wakes up with a new physical “issue” almost every day – yet reports that her son fell and knocked out three front teeth, and she was glad that it was just a “normal little-boy accident/injury” and not something more major! Now that’s faith in action!
I could go on and on… but I think you get the picture. One of my former Sunday school students posted on Facebook that ““For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” You could easily insert the words frustrated, irritated, distressed, or hopeless and have the same result. And the whole point is that, while these are normal human reactions, they serve no purpose in the life of a Christian.
In the words of an old song called “Pick Yourself Up” by Jerome Kern…”pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!” Recognize that God has already sent the devil packing, so we have no business letting him back into our neighborhood, so to speak. Kick him to the curb for good. When you start to feel frustrated, irritated, angry, or hopeless, shake Satan from your shoulder and say, “No way! I serve the Most High God, who has conquered the world! I am unshaken and assured that He has my back, and I am at peace!” Then do.it!
Be confident and faithful… a living example for others. Difficulties will come, but they do not define us. Cast ALL of your cares on God, for He truly does care for you in every way.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Romans 7:21-23
It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
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.
You know me and my “reality TV” hobby… I was watching a show called “My 600-lb. Life” on TLC, and this morbidly obese man, Henry, had gastric bypass surgery. Initially weighing in at 715 lbs., Henry ultimately lost 500 pounds over the course of five years. Some of this came in the form of cosmetic surgery to remove excessive skin… but most was a result of eating less and burning body fat. However, this was a very difficult journey for Henry, as it is for so many… in large part because of the temptations that surrounded him.
Henry’s family continued to eat all the wrong things – in excessive quantities – directly in front of him. Once, when he returned home after a month in the hospital for “skin” surgery, his sister said something to the effect of… “We’ve got to stop and get Momma something to eat on the way home. She said she was hungry and not to come home without a sandwich or something.” The next scene was all of Henry’s family, chowing down on burgers, fries and more, while he looked on pitifully. He admitted that sometimes he wanted to throw up his hands and just go back to eating. The man who had overcome so much… lost at least two persons in body weight… acquired an entirely new, much smaller wardrobe – even down to underwear, socks and shoes… and rekindled his relationship with the love of his life… still wanted to eat whatever and whenever he pleased.
Surely this passage has it right… there are times when parts of us covertly rebel and take charge. And like Henry, this is when we have to stand up and leave the room or do whatever it takes to strengthen our resolve to stay on course. This is when we truly have to “speak of things that be not as though they are!” We must use our mouth to call on God to rescue us… and we must do so with confidence that He will do exactly this!
The point is that life is hard… there are always going to be challenges, and Satan is NEVER going away. The minute we think we have it all together is the very moment he will show up full force to try to derail us. We must speak against anything that comes between us and living in God’s will. We must declare that we will not give in – or fold up. We will persevere by the strength of God Almighty, and we will come out on top. You may only have 5 pounds you wish to lose, but temptations still abound. You may have a “habit” you are trying to kick, and temptations keep trying to reel you back in.
You may be working toward a goal, like a college degree, training for a job promotion, or just getting your life on track in general… and roadblocks may keep appearing. Don’t give up! Keep on working toward whatever God is trying to give you. Call on Him to help you – and declare that you know He is going to deliver!
We know that when we get on track, challenges are going to show up almost like clockwork. By God’s grace, we are bigger than those challenges… and we have His full force behind us. Tell whatever part of you that is listening to Satan to get on board or move over, because you are committed to God, and He will not allow you to fail! This is great news! This is worthy of a shout! Praise God… with Him all things are possible… with God, we cannot be defeated!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Psalm 134
Everyone who serves the LORD, come and offer praises. Everyone who has gathered in his temple tonight, lift your hands in prayer toward his holy place and praise the LORD.
The LORD is the Creator of heaven and earth, and I pray that the LORD will bless you from Zion.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For some, this will be a very difficult week. It’s hard to be thankful and lift your hands in praise when you are sad and lonely, sick and suffering, struggling in some manner, or grieving the loss of a loved one. For those who will face the first Thanksgiving Day celebration without a family member or friend, their job, or a place to call home, being joyful and offering praise to God may seem almost like an oxymoron.
But one of the marks of a faith-filled Christian is the ability to praise God even when “the chips are down.” When you come to a point where you can lift your hands and praise God even when challenges and sorrows seem to rain down from the sky, you are truly “getting there” in your faith walk.
Do you know someone who seems to always be smiling and behaving in a positive manner, even when you know for a fact they are hurting or facing extreme difficulties? Do you ever wonder how they do this… and wish you had this ability? You can! God knows what is happening in our lives. He appreciates the fact that we can celebrate Him even when we are not in the mood to do so. He understands that we grieve, get sick, lose our jobs, struggle in school and our personal relationships, and more... and He totally “gets it!” He also delights in the praise and gratitude of those who seem to have every reason not to be thankful, but offer their prayers nonetheless.
This holiday season, we must be conscious of those around us who are sad, suffering, challenged and stressed. We must encourage them and show God’s love for them whenever and wherever we can. But we must also demonstrate great faith in God to sustain us through all “seasons” of life by lifting our hands and giving Him our praise and thanks. We find thanksgiving an easy topic this week… but it should be in our hearts and on our minds every week of the year. Have you given God your praise lately? Isn’t this a great time to begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Psalm 100
Shout praises to the LORD, everyone on this earth. Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the LORD! You know the LORD is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture. Be thankful and praise the LORD as you enter his temple. The LORD is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently I visited my grandmother at the retirement center where she now lives. It was time for lunch, and I visited with the ladies at her table while they waited to be served… all women I’ve known most, if not all, of my life. The ladies were all excited about their lunch – chicken livers! But when the meals were served, they each had a boneless chicken breast… and they were not happy. It seems that they had misunderstood… they were served the “daily lunch special.” Chicken livers was an option for those who didn’t want the “special.” But the ladies got it backwards… and they were very disappointed.
The food the ladies were served looked delicious, and I encouraged them to give it a try. And later, when I phoned my grandmother, we talked about how fortunate these seniors are to have such a wonderful, comfortable, safe place to live… a place where they have great care, delicious food, air conditioning in summer and heat in winter… and so much more. And I began to think about how often we are so busy complaining about something that is wrong that we fail to recognize all that is right!
It should be enough that we belong to God… that we are His people and the sheep in His pasture. Just knowing that we belong to God and He is caring for our every need should fill us with joy and make us want to “shout praises to the LORD!” But we – and I am right smack in the middle of this group – tend to find the glass half empty and stew about the things that are wrong in our little worlds. We should be busy listing our blessings and thanking God for all He does for us.
There is an e-mail message that circulates from time to time that starts off: "If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.” I do not know who to credit for these comments. But they are great thoughts.
We have so many reasons to be thankful and to give God praise… and truly, so very little about which to complain. Yet we are often far more eager to tell anyone who will ask what is wrong with our lives than what is right. It’s time to change this! We need to be busy counting our blessings and praising God for all He does for us.
We need to be thankful for the house that needs cleaning… the less-than-restful night of sleep in a clean, warm bed and the clothing on our backs that may have come from a thrift store… because even when things are not up to our “standards” or desires, we are still incredibly blessed. And when we finally get our “chicken liver dinner,”… as the ladies at the retirement center did the next day… we need to thank God for blessing us even when we gripe!
What has been your “chicken liver dinner” lately? What will you praise God for today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Luke 21:34-36
"But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it's going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don't go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man."
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.
“Live for today!” “Seize the moment!” “Life is not a dress rehearsal!” “You only get one chance, so go for it!” “Just do it!” We’ve all heard these clichés and others. And there is some truth in each of them. A lot of people waste time procrastinating or waiting for someone to sweep them off their feet or their “ship to come in” – and they totally miss out on some of life’s best moments!
But there are also those who have a bad day, so they go shopping and pay with plastic for things they cannot afford and really don’t need, because it makes them feel better temporarily. Others party and go crazy and plan to settle down later. They even call it “sowing wild oats.” Still others figure, “My life is down the tubes anyway, so why bother?!” And all of these philosophies are simply “stinkin’ thinkin’!”
Do you remember a few weeks ago when air traffic controllers went to sleep on the job, and the result was some very scary near-misses by a few planes in the air… and a couple that were trying to land? Jesus is telling us “Don’t go to sleep at the switch.” We cannot get caught up in living for the moment and our own interests so much that we lose focus on Him and what He desires from us – and for us. We must put God first… then ask Him to show us how to prioritize everything – and everyone else – on our list.
Please understand… God wants us to fully enjoy our lives. He wants us to “seize the moment” and live every minute like it was our last. But He wants to show us how we can best accomplish this… how to live with no regrets, so that when He returns or calls us home, we can stand proudly before Him and hear, “You lived and served well.” All it takes is a shift in attitude on our part… moving a step closer to Him and away from our own selfish interests. Life isn’t a dress rehearsal… are you making the most of your shot at it?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Psalm 66:16-20
All who worship God, come here and listen; I will tell you everything God has done for me. I prayed to the Lord, and I praised him. If my thoughts had been sinful, he would have refused to hear me. But God did listen and answered my prayer. Let's praise God! He listened when I prayed, and he is always kind.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When we see a friend or family member and ask, “What’s new?”… we often get an earful. People are ready to share their latest ailments, challenges, mishaps, and more… and I am as guilty as the next person. Wouldn’t we be surprised if we asked “What’s new?” and someone replied, “God is meeting all my needs… He blessed me with a good night’s rest and I’m feeling great. All of my bills are paid and I have plenty to eat… and best of all, He’s got a mansion waiting for me when I get to heaven!”?!
Honestly, we would probably 1) take a step backward, and 2) wonder if the person speaking was thinking clearly! We are just not accustomed to hearing such good news… people simply do not express their blessings as frequently as they detail their misfortunes and the negative aspects of their lives. It’s as if we think people either won’t be interested in hearing that we have no complaints… or they will think we are bragging.
The truth is that we have no basis for this thinking… because most of us have never tried speaking positively – at least not without peppering in negative comments, as well. The late TV broadcaster Paul Eells said that he tried to make every person he encountered feel like they were the only person in the room. He did this, in part, by focusing on that person and his/her needs rather than his own. And I can’t help but believe that when Paul did share about himself with others, it was more often positive in nature than negative.
We really do need to change our attitude in this area. We need to start making a concerted effort to speak positively… to share Good News and talk about the great things God is doing for us each and every minute of the day. This is not a denial that you have problems… everyone does! But what if instead of sharing your problem… you shared how God is solving it?! The difference is simply a shift in attitude. Surely our great God deserves this… and more. Isn’t it time we started speaking of His power and how He answers our prayers? Are you willing to give this a try?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Matthew 10:21-23
When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don't quit. Don't cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you've run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the book of Genesis, the story is told of Joseph being left for dead in an abandoned well. Years later the brothers find themselves in great need… and their families in danger of starving. They travel to Egypt, where they meet a man who gives them food. They do not recognize their long-lost brother, Joseph, and when he reveals his identity, they are nearly scared to death! They figure Joseph is going to enact some sort of revenge on them for their dastardly deeds.
But Joseph tells his brothers that they need not fear. He explains that he feels God orchestrated all of this for a greater good… namely so that he would be in a position to offer the families food throughout a five-year famine. What these men intended for evil, God used for the greater good. The beauty is that Joseph recognized God – and His hand in all of this.
So often, we feel we are “victims of circumstances” – and we may quite literally feel the wrath of our family members and friends… particularly if they do not agree with our stance. It’s tough to stand up for our faith sometimes. It’s hard to tell your parents that their comments around the dinner table about someone of another race or lifestyle are unkind and ungodly. Choosing to help someone in need when your spouse is telling you not to spend the money can be difficult. Helping family members or friends who are in dire straits when everyone around you says, “You’re wasting your time, energy… and money,” takes guts.
Standing up and saying, “I’m not going to that party… and I wish you wouldn’t go, either,” may make you the butt of ridicule and jokes, but you still may have no business caving in and going to the party. Taking a friend’s keys and telling him/her, “You will not drive after you’ve been drinking” may take a lot of nerve, but it’s the right call. Choosing to foster children in your home because God led you to this decision… even when people are questioning your sanity… will lead to honor and blessings in the end. I think you get my point.
God never called us to an easy life… although when we rest in Him and let Him have our burdens, the load does lighten. Many times, choosing to follow the lead of our Heavenly Father will seem to “cost us” in this earthly realm. And often, the very people who claim to be followers of Jesus are the ones who hate and spew the most anger and venom. This is not because they don’t love you… or even that they don’t approve of what you are doing. Often it is because these people fear choosing for themselves what you have discovered to be true life in Christ!
I have often been amazed at how people who claim to love God and desire an abiding relationship with Him can be so negative, angry, bigoted, unkind, jealous, and narrow-minded. While I don’t mean to judge, I’ve about decided many of them either caved in to the pressure from others… or what they believe they have with God is far more superficial than they realize.
Don’t let this happen to you. Be a survivor. “Stand up, stand up for Jesus,” as the hymn says. Listen to God and follow His lead. Rest in his arms and the comfort of knowing you are honoring Him with your choices. Figure out where you need to become more like Him, and make the necessary changes. Remember Joseph… remember how God turned his situation around. Be assured that God is on your side, as well. Keep your faith, and remember that serving well will all be worth it in the end.
©2011 Debbie Robus
2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home. We want to put it on like clothes and not be naked.
These tents we now live in are like a heavy burden, and we groan. But we don't do this just because we want to leave these bodies that will die. It is because we want to change them for bodies that will never die. God is the one who makes all of this possible. He has given us his Spirit to make us certain that he will do it. So always be cheerful!
As long as we are in these bodies, we are away from the Lord. But we live by faith, not by what we see. We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord. But whether we are at home with the Lord or away from him, we still try our best to please him. After all, Christ will judge each of us for the good or the bad that we do while living in these bodies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a child, there was a series of books that I loved about “The Boxcar Children”… described on Wikipedia.org as “the story of four orphaned children, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. They had been staying at a bakery but ran away when they heard the baker's wife say she will take all of them in but Benny, leaving Benny with no option but to go back to the orphanage. They create a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar in the forest.” I was reminded of these books as I watched an episode of Undercover Boss in which a woman who was clearly filled with joy told her boss, the undercover executive, how she had once been homeless. She had actually lived in a boxcar as a child, and she said her grandmother cared for her and siblings there… boiling water for their baths and other needs and keeping them warm and safe… until she was about 7 years of age.
Life has been hard for this woman. She now works as a part of a cleaning crew for a company that does home restoration after a fire, flood, or wind storm. The particular day this episode was filmed, the woman and her undercover boss were cleaning the smoke damage left from a kitchen fire at the home of an elderly woman. Later, when the boss revealed his true identity to this woman - who admitted to being uneducated and “not talking right” - he told her [paraphrasing]… “Don’t ever change. Always be the kind, loving, joy-filled person you are now.” He recognized that this woman was not who she appeared to be “on the outside.” Her appearance, language, demeanor and circumstances were all just the outward “tent.” The real person was within… and she radiated positive energy and love for her family, her life, other people. And while she didn’t speak it on camera, I suspect she has a deep abiding faith in God, as well.
While living in a boxcar as a child most assuredly affected this woman, she didn’t let it define her. She didn’t let her lack of education, the fact she was about to lose her home to foreclosure, or any other negative influences control her life. She is living now like she is already clothed by her heavenly home.
How are we living? Are we groaning from the heavy burden of our “earthly tents?” Have we let the circumstances of our lives get us down and make us less than we should be for Jesus? Do we lean on these circumstances like a crutch and say, “I would do better if it weren’t for this … or that… or something else.” Do we blame our childhood, our level of education, lack of income, where we live, or other outside factors for how we are serving (or not) in God’s army? What defines us… our “earthly tents” or our Heavenly home?
How we answer matters. If we are living only for Heaven and the day when we get “new clothes,” we’re missing the whole point. God wants us to do all we can in His name while we are alive. He wants us to be cheerful because of what lies ahead… and to share this joy and His Good News with other. For Christians, our life on earth is not the end… but we shouldn’t be just marking time, either. Our “earthly tent” may have some rips and tatters, but people should see joy, hope and faith inside. What do others see inside your “tent”?
©2011 Debbie Robus
2 Thessalonians 2:15-17
My friends, that's why you must remain faithful and follow closely what we taught you in person and by our letters. God our Father loves us. He is kind and has given us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope. We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father will encourage you and help you always to do and say the right thing.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In 1872, Christina Rosetti wrote the hymn “In the Bleak Midwinter” in response to a contest by Scribner’s Magazine for a Christmas poem. The first lines read:
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
We can’t know what the next couple of months will bring us… sunny warm days, or layers of fluffy white snow to cover our landscape. There will surely be days when we think spring has come early… and possibly days when we feel winter will never end. For many, the “bleak midwinter” is a time of sadness and depression. Some truly sink into a serious “funk” on days when we have no sunshine… and if this lasts for very long, these people can be seriously affected. It has even been suggested by some that spending time in front of a lamp that mimics natural sunlight can help. This disorder even has a name… “SADD” – Seasonal Affective Disorder Depression – and it is very real.
I know several people who appear to suffer from this. And maybe you are one of them. Feeling a little sad or melancholy in a dreary winter day is okay… but wallowing in it or allowing these feelings to overcome you is another. I would like to suggest that we take the bleak midwinter days of this year and use them to grow in our walk with Christ – to rest and restore our souls. Wouldn’t it be great if we could learn to anticipate cold dreary days with enthusiasm?
So how do we do this? There are the tried and true activities… curling up with a good book or watching movies… working a jigsaw puzzle or playing board games… sledding if there is a decent snowfall. But what about using the dreary days of winter to grow as a Christian? We could spend some time sitting at a window watching birds at a feeder – marveling at how God designed every single feather and made the color patterns integrate in such incredible ways.
We could take a walk or a drive and look at all that is laid bare in this season… the things we never see in the other three seasons because of the cover of foliage… the intricacy of tree branches… the beauty of blue cedar berries and other “colors” of winter… swans and other waterfowl swimming on a nearby lake. What if we made a steamy pot of hearty soup and invited friends or neighbors to share it… or we took a container to someone who was elderly or sick and in need of physical – and emotional – nourishment?
We could look around for an elderly neighbor who has trouble getting his/her garbage to the curb for trash day in the cold of winter. We could offer to fill bird feeders – or even shovel/sweep an icy sidewalk. We could at least make phone calls and send cards and notes to cheer our friends who are feeling blue… and we could include a scripture of encouragement.
The bottom line is that we must not allow the bleak midwinter to be our crutch for wallowing in sadness and self-pity. We must find the glory of the Lord even in the dreary days. It’s not a matter of looking ahead to spring… but rather, we must enjoy this season, which is also a gift from God. This is a time to sit back a little and focus on God’s creations and the needs of others instead of the “busyness” of our lives and the activities of spring/summer/fall. We don’t have to hibernate like bears, but we can slow down a bit and use this time to recharge our batteries.
When the first days of “bleak midwinter” arrive, remember the eternal comfort and wonderful hope of God our Father. Bask in these promises… and find ways to share them with others. Spring will come again… and we will be rested and ready!
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/n/intbleak.htm
©2010 Debbie Robus
Isaiah 38:16-19
Your words and your deeds bring life to everyone, including me. Please make me healthy and strong again. It was for my own good that I had such hard times. But your love protected me from doom in the deep pit, and you turned your eyes none of those in the deep pit can hope for you to show them how faithful you are. Only the living can thank you, as I am doing today. Each generation tells the next about your faithfulness...
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I started following the story of Job McCully from Bigelow, Arkansas, (his name is pronounced “JOBE” – like the man whose story is recorded in the Bible) in 2006. Job was diagnosed with leukemia and received a bone marrow transplant in 2002, at the age of four. He went into remission until the following year, but then he developed RSV pneumonia and other lung issues, and subsequently, his lungs deteriorated to the point that the only hope was a lung transplant. In 2006, Job was treated in children’s hospitals from Little Rock to Houston to St. Louis, logging more than 365 consecutive days in the hospital.
More than once during this time, doctors told Job’s parents, “He won’t make it. Sign papers to remove life support if needed. This is it.” Every time, Job’s parents walked away. Job’s mother would politely say something to the effect of, “When God tells me to sign, I will… but He has not told me to do so.” Job suffered so much and was so weary and weak… his little body was poked and prodded, and I have to tell you, I began to wonder if it wouldn’t be better to let him go to heaven and be with Jesus. The faith of this child never wavered, unlike mine.
On December 11, 2007, Job received new lungs. Truly, the “eleventh hour” had come, and this was his only hope of survival. Job’s mother Tina kept a journal throughout his ordeal on a website called CaringBridge, and she often wrote such notes as this: Dear Lord, please have mercy and compassion on Job and heal his little body. Restore him to perfect health. In Jesus’ name I ask. AMEN. I have to believe that every person who read Tina’s posts – and those of Job’s grandmother (who was enduring her own battle with breast cancer) – were lifted and given renewed hope and faith in God’s promises. And I know that I was humbled by their steadfast belief that God would heal this little boy.
Since the transplant, Job has survived Histoplasmosis (a lung disease the doctors didn’t know was in his transplanted organs), CMV, Adenovirus… and now he is diabetic. He is taking treatments for bone density… his bones are so weak that a knee gave out as he walked down the hall at school, and his foot broke in three places. The ABC Extreme Home Makeover team built Job’s family a new, safe, mold-free house in 2008.
Job is twelve now and in the seventh grade. His family is recovering from their ordeal, and they continue to be a source of inspiration to others as they share their story – and their faith. I am moved to tears as I read the journal entries and remember all that this family has endured… and how their faith remained steadfast. If you want to read this remarkable story for yourself, go to www.caringbridge.org/ar/job. And the next time you decide that your problems are too big, think of Job. Remember that the God who delivered this precious boy… gave him new lungs and new hopes and dreams… the God who pulled him from the pit of death and despair… can deliver you, too. Nothing is too big for God. Until He says it’s finished, there’s always hope and a fight worth continuing.
Think of Job this December… thank God for using a now-12-year-old boy to show us how to escape the deep pits of our lives…and for continuing to use him as he lives out his faithfulness and shares the message of hope in Jesus for generations to come.
©2010 Debbie Robus
1 John 2:11
If we hate others, we are living and walking in the dark. We don't know where we are going, because we can't see in the dark.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most of us are never truly in the dark these days. Something is blinking or shining somewhere – smoke alarms, radon detectors, digital clocks, LED screens on electronics of all sorts. I heard an older person say “I turn out the lights, and I’m still not in the dark!”
I can remember when I was a child and my grandparents lived “out in the country” on a dirt road with thickly wooded forest on one side of their house and open pasture on the others. When they turned out the lights at night, it was DARK! Once we got in bed for the night, we didn’t dare move, because there was no way to see where we were going!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve grown accustomed to the “darkness” of this century. I had to stop and think about what the older woman said, because it had not really occurred to me in quite some time just how dark the nights were when I was a child spending time on that farm. I really like getting up in the night and having the comforting illumination of a glow-in-the-dark nightlight and our digital alarm clocks with the bright LED numerals giving me the time.
This passage is not literally about “hating others.” It speaks to much more than that. Hating others… harboring bitterness and resentment… always walking around griping and grumbling about this, that, or the other thing… having a negative attitude… “seeing the glass half empty” rather than half full… all of these things add up to walking and living in the dark. These things create an atmosphere of confusion and bumbling around… a lack of direction… no purpose. And that should not in any way, shape or form describe the life of a true Christian.
What about you? Have you “grown with the times” in your faith walk? As you have learned more about God, studied His word, spent time communicating with Him in prayer and fellowship, have “the lights come on” in your world? Have you found a way to love those who are hard to love, to tolerate those who think differently, to find the positive in each situation… or a solution to problems?
Jesus IS the Light of the World. If He lives in and through us, there can be no darkness. How light is your world these days? Are you done with the dark? Shouldn’t you be?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Romans 10:14-17
How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news. Yet not everyone has believed the message. For example, the prophet Isaiah asked, "Lord, has anyone believed what we said?"
No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It is said that some dogs recognize the hum of their owner’s car motor. And surely more than one of us has had a pet… particularly a dog… that seemed to know when we were arriving and ran to greet us. To them, we must be “a beautiful sight to see.” Think about how excited your pets are to see you… how glad they are to be in your presence. Think about how they trust you to see after their needs… to nurture them and love them unconditionally.
Who else is eager to see you? Are others glad to “see your feet coming?” Do you represent joy and peace and the love of Christ? Do you share how God has blessed you and spread His good news with others?
Consider this… if all others see of you is someone who is negative, griping, complaining, and “mad at the world,” do you suppose they get a good picture of the love of Jesus? Even if you think you are “sharing the Gospel,” if your message is continually one that tells others, “This world is coming to an end”… or speaking negatively about this group or that one… are you offering others a message of hope and faith?
See, what we say and how we say it matters. “But you can’t sugar coat the truth!” you may say. I agree. Satan is real. Sin is real. We live in a “fallen world.” But beating people over the head with this is not helping. In fact, don’t we all know people who cause us to cringe and want to hide when they approach, simply because we know that they are going to present a negative attitude or message?
Think about the image you are projecting. Think about what you are saying with your body language and your attitude. Consider the words you speak and how you say them. Are you someone whose very feet present a “beautiful sight to see” for Christ… or do you make others want to run in the opposite direction? We all need to be good witnesses for the Lord… but I honestly don’t think He’s sending us out to be grumps! It’s one thing to share the message of Christ with others… but it’s quite another to share it in a way that makes them want to listen!
How are you sharing your faith with others? What sort of image are you presenting? Are you a “beautiful sight to see” or a grump? Who wants to hear what you have to share these days? Are you living your faith in a way that honors Christ… or disheartens Him? Ask God to help you work on your Christian witness. Ask Him to grant you grace and mercy… and to make you a “beautiful sight to see” in His name.
©2010 Debbie Robus
1 Peter 3:10
Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Do you know someone who seems to enjoy constantly stirring up trouble? This person never seems to have anything kind or positive to say – about anything or anyone. And their “frankness” is often hurtful to those on the receiving end.
We’ve really gotten to a point as a culture where we run fast and loose with our criticism and sarcasm. From late night talk show hosts to the “fashion show” critics to, most certainly, the political analysts and commentators, everything seems to be “fair game.” Even the “judges” on the reality shows like “America’s Got Talent” and the sports commentators have come to feel they have a license to say whatever they think – or to try to be cute and witty – all at someone else’s expense.
We get so caught up in this that we don’t even realize when we start to blur the lines between truth and fiction. It’s much like the elderly people who tell others, “my kids never visit me,” when in fact, the person to whom they are speaking met the senior’s children in the doorway. At least these folks have old age and the onset of dementia for excuses! But we don’t have any excuse. Saying things that are unkind, cutting, sarcastic, and downright untrue at times – or constantly griping, grumbling and being disagreeable – does not please God.
I love the first lines of this passage and feel they bear repeating… “Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Don’t you want to be a blessing? Don’t you want to get a blessing? Then start today to bless – let all of the junk go by the wayside and focus on running after peace, cultivating good, and snubbing evil. You’ll be amazed as you watch your days “fill up with good” … and you will bask in the approving response of our loving God.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Colossians 3:15
Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It seems like everywhere I go these days, people are grumbling. As I bought groceries early one morning, I was greeted with a loud conversation between two stockers who were complaining about our government leaders and how bad they feel things are going in this country. Not once did they acknowledge how blessed they are to have a job. The “peace” of my early morning shopping trip was blasted by their agitated tirade … and they didn’t appear to be living peacefully themselves.
I hear others complain about everything from poor health to their lousy jobs or how much they hate school to how “foreigners” are overtaking our country, and more. Sadly, I don’t notice nearly as many people who are eager to share how blessed they are … how much God has done for them … how fortunate they feel to be able to get out of bed every morning and breathe fresh air. I don’t notice many people who answer the question, “How is work?” or “How is school?” with a response that indicates that they are grateful for the opportunity to have a job or the chance to obtain an education.
Back to the stockers at the grocery store – they peppered their conversation with references to a televangelist and other church “leaders” who are warning us about how bad things are. Frankly, their reference to this particular evangelist – who I consider to be a grumbler who operates in spreading fear – spoke volumes to me. They never once mentioned prayer for our nation, trusting God to help us through our struggles, or anything that was remotely related to experiencing the peace of Christ. And I had to ask myself … what does this say to others who hear them? Do people recognize them as part of the body of Christ, allowing Him to control their thoughts and give them peace? Do others see any sign that these people are grateful or walking in faith?
Or does our grumbling, complaining and negative body language give others the impression that we are fearful and pessimistic? Does our apparent lack of peace and confidence actually turn off others … especially those who are riding the fence about whether or not to trust Jesus for themselves?
What is wrong with us? Why have we allowed the devil to have such victory in this area of our lives? Why have we let him steal our peace? Why aren’t we talking with God and asking Him to show us how to get through the challenges of our day, then moving forward in the peace and comfort of feeling confident that He will do exactly this? Why aren’t we more grateful for how blessed we are?
I believe the devil makes it too easy and too “fun” to grumble and gripe. For many of us it has become our favorite pastime and hobby. But we need to take a good hard look at our behavior and kick this negativity to the curb. It’s time to start operating in positives. I’m not talking about being phony. If we truly are trusting God to control our thoughts and give us peace, behaving as if we are peaceful and grateful is authentic … and reflects our commitment to being an honorable member of the body of Christ.
I pray that we will each set aside some time this next week to examine our lives … our thoughts, speech, and actions. Let’s see where we need to make some changes. Let’s see where we need to trust God more … and operate in blessings and gratitude. Let’s kick Satan - and his negativity and dissention - to the curb and represent the body of Christ as we were chosen to do. Are you with me on this?
©2010 Debbie Robus
