Showing posts with label stepping out of our comfort zone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stepping out of our comfort zone. Show all posts

Daily Devotional for August 15, 2015

James 2:21-24
Don’t you remember that even our father Abraham was declared good because of what he did when he was willing to obey God, even if it meant offering his son Isaac to die on the altar? You see, he was trusting God so much that he was willing to do whatever God told him to; his faith was made complete by what he did—by his actions, his good deeds. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say, that Abraham trusted God, and the Lord declared him good in God’s sight, and he was even called “the friend of God.” So you see, a man is saved by what he does, as well as by what he believes.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Yesterday, Timothy wanted me to play “Spiderman” with him.  What this amounted to was that I pretended that a “villain” was after me…and Timothy pretended to be Spiderman and rescued me with his “webs” that he “shot” from his hands to capture the bad guy.  He thought of several villains for me to pretend were attacking…and then he said, “Now, you think of one.”  I chose Cat Woman.  He said, “No, no!  Cat Woman goes with Batman.  Well, okay…I’ll be Batman.”

So Timothy pretended to be Batman (and he changed his “voice” to fit the character). I told him that Cat Woman was bothering me, and he looked a little frustrated and said, “Well…she’s kinda my wife, so I can’t really do anything about that!  But I guess I could talk to her and see if she will leave you alone.”

So often, we are like the Timothy/Batman character.  We tell God…I hear you calling for me to do XYZ…but my hands are tied.  There’s really not much I can do.  (Insert excuses here!)  We claim weakness of some sort…lack of time…desire to pursue other interests…feelings of inferiority, and more.  We blame our family, our job, and our studies. Sometimes, we like how things are going…even when we know that what we are doing is not really what God wants. And sometimes, we just simply are not willing to do what God asks, whether we readily admit this or not.

Do these sound like the actions of someone who has unwavering faith in God to handle every single detail?  Does this reflect the confidence of someone who truly believes that when God calls us to do something, He will adjust our schedules, smooth out the rough spots, and fully equip us to do it?  Is our trust in God as strong as that of Abraham?  Could we place our child upon an altar, draw a sharp knife, and prepare to sacrifice him/her because we “heard” or “felt” an unseen God tell us to do this?

Just how big is our faith, anyway?!  When we claim to trust in God for all things, are we making a point…or are we making a difference?  Do our words and actions demonstrate our confidence and obedience…or have we tailored a Christian “faith” that suits our timetable and personal desires?  Do our excuses sound about as lame as those of a six-year-old “Batman” who claims he has little control over a villain?

Look…true Christian faith is scary sometimes.  God calls us to step up – and out – and to do some pretty daunting things.  Speaking up is hard for some of us, while others find it a stretch to give up control – of lots of things!  But all we have to do is think about Jesus…how He obeyed God…how he suffered and sacrificed – and stood up for you and me, in amazing, incomprehensible ways. 

Now I ask you again…how big is your faith…and are you ready to show it?
 

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 12, 2014

Hebrews 13:13-15
So let us go out to him beyond the city walls (that is, outside the interests of this world, being willing to be despised) to suffer with him there, bearing his shame.  For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.
 
With Jesus’ help we will continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of his name.
 
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
In one way or another, we Christians have probably all stepped “outside of the box” at one time or another.  Maybe you paid the bill of the person behind you in the line at McDonald’s…or maybe you stepped up to serve on a committee when you weren’t sure you had adequate knowledge and expertise – but you felt led to do so anyway.  Maybe you intervened in a situation where many would have said…”Not my circus; not my monkeys.”  Maybe you loaned someone money when others said, “Don’t do it.” Or perhaps you stepped up to someone you didn’t know very well and asked, “Have you met Jesus?”
 
The point is that there will be times in all of our lives when God will call on us to do something daring…unconventional…maybe even a little bit crazy – and most certainly daunting or uncomfortable!  He will ask us to step over the line and stand on His side, rather than the world’s.  God will essentially ask us, “Are you really with me?  Do you trust me?  Do you genuinely appreciate what I have done for you…enough to demonstrate it with courage and just a bit of abandon?
 
How we answer will say a lot about our level of faith…and our gratitude.  Do we really have confidence in God to stand in the gap and make the difference between our perceived abilities and circumstances – and what He can do with the least of our efforts?  Are we honestly grateful for what God has done in our lives…and what He promises to do in the days/weeks/years/eternity yet to be?  Will we “cross the line” of faith and thankfulness and demonstrate to God - and to others - just how much our salvation means to us?
 
Are we truly willing to offer a sacrifice of praise to God by telling – and showing – others the glory of His name?  Isn’t it time we were?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 27, 2014

Colossians 1:9-12
Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
 
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 is embarking on a huge project to create a home for single mothers whose children were placed in foster care and are now transitioning back into a “traditional home” setting.  Many of these women need help developing the necessary skills to create a solid, stable family unit that can sustain them and their children.  It is hoped that a commitment to six months in this group home will equip these families to function well enough to stay out of the foster care system and “make a go of it”.  Is this project fraught with opportunities for difficulties – even failure?  Absolutely!  Does this mean that my friend should not pursue what she believes God has called her to do?  Absolutely not!
 
There are plenty of situations where we hesitate to get involved because we fear the outcome.  Will we offend the person we are trying to comfort?  Will we say the right things?  Will this endeavor work…or will it fail miserably?  Will all parties be left disappointed – even devastated?  If we cannot guarantee that our efforts and ministries will be successful – and fruitful – should we pursue them?  Read this scripture passage again…pay particular attention to the phrase that says “It is strength [the God-given glory-strength] that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy…”
 
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.”  There are a lot of situations where we will be called to pour out our hearts…to invest our physical, mental and emotional strength…and every indication will be that our attempts to share the compassion, mercy, love and grace of Jesus Christ were ineffective…rejected…a total waste of time.  But this is never the case.
 
We do not get to decide whether our service for Jesus was effective or not.  In fact, whether we have a visible, tangible result or not is totally unimportant.  What matters is that we are obedient…that we do what God leads us to do…that we make the effort and trust Him for the outcome.  So my friend feels that God is calling her to do this…and she is obediently serving.  Whether the desired outcome is achieved or not is totally up to God.  At the end of the day, all who were involved will know that they “worked hard in God’s orchard”…that they listened to His voice and operated in His strength.
 
Where is God calling you to step up and out today?  Who needs a hug…a hand…a word of encouragement…or whatever you feel God leading you to share as an act of mercy and compassion?  How are you offering God’s love to others…and how are you serving Him?  Are you obedient and eager to learn more about how to do His work?  Are you willing to accept the challenge…and the potential for “failure”?
 
God will not waste your efforts…you will not serve Him in vain – even if it seems that your offers of love and support have been rejected.  When we listen to God’s voice and serve Him obediently, He will make the difference…and we will be strengthened and blessed in the process.  Are you ready to discover this for yourself?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 28, 2014

Ephesians 5:21
Honor Christ and put others first.
 
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
One of my favorite television sitcoms is “The Big Bang Theory”.  It showcases four nerdy geeks who are geniuses in the scientific world…but almost literally cannot get in out of the rain in everyday life.  One of the nerdiest is a character named Sheldon Cooper.  According to a fan website… http://the-big-bang-theory.com - “Sheldon is the uber geek, he possesses a Master's degree and 2 PhDs, and conducts string theory research at Caltech.” Sheldon is also an egomaniac, and when he’s particularly proud of something he has said or done, he shouts, “Bazinga!”  Here are a few examples of “Sheldon quotes” from various episodes…
  • Sheldon: Why are you crying?
    Penny: Because I'm stupid!
    Sheldon: That's no reason to cry. One cries because one is sad. For example, I cry because others are stupid, and that makes me sad.
  • Sheldon: I assure you, you'll be sorry that you wasted your money on an iPod when Microsoft comes out with theirs.
    Rajesh: Do you have an opinion about everything?
    Sheldon: Yes.
    Howard: And you just assume you're right?

    Sheldon: It's not an assumption.
  • Sheldon: Howard, you know me to be a very smart man. Don't you think that if I were wrong, I'd know it?

You get the picture…it’s all about Sheldon – all the time.  And for the record, this character’s background includes a devoutly Christian mother from Texas - and Sheldon often makes references to his church upbringing.  While he sometimes cites moral dilemmas…such as claiming not to drink coffee because his mother admonished him “not to do drugs”, his focus does not appear to be on honoring Christ – and he most certainly would not choose to put others first!
 
“Sheldon Cooper” is an extreme example…but don’t we all know some version of him?  Maybe you are even one of these people.  When someone is sick, you have to tell them about YOUR ailments rather than offer empathy for theirs.  It’s one thing to say, “I had that once, and it is miserable”… or “I remember how sad I felt when MY mother died…and I am so very sorry”…or “Losing my job was the catalyst for me to go back to school and start a new career...I am praying that you will find a new beginning, as well.”  It’s quite another to launch into a dissertation about your litany of illnesses and/or injuries, or to go on and on about how you are mired in your own grief…or to be flippant about a job loss, disappointment, or challenge.  It’s even worse to turn these into opportunities to toot your own horn – or to appeal to others for sympathy or commiseration on your own behalf.
 
I’ve quoted my pastor several times, but “there is a heartache on every pew”.  I am pretty sure for everything you and I think we are enduring in the course of a day…someone else has it worse!  Yes, we are important…our feelings matter – especially to God.  But the way we glorify God and demonstrate His love to others is to step outside of ourselves…and into the shoes of the other guy…and to focus on his/her needs.
 
Use the experiences of your life to minister to others.  If you’ve had the same illness, you know best how to encourage someone as he/she convalesces.  If you have lost a parent, grandparent, sibling or other loved one – or even a beloved pet – you can offer first-hand understanding and condolence to someone else enduring the same loss.  Whether it’s a happy occurrence or a tragic one, you have actual, personal familiarity with a variety of situations that equips you to minister to others in the same boat. And in doing so, you honor Christ.
 
There are an awful lot of “Sheldon Coopers” among us…people who have the intellect and capacity for showing compassion to others – and sharing the love of Christ in the bargain…but choose instead to place the focus of pretty much everything on themselves.  Don’t be one of these people.  Open your eyes and ears – and your heart – and see who needs you today.  Then get busy blessing them in Jesus’ name…and give God a reason to shout, “Bazinga!”

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 24, 2013

Luke 14:18-20
But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can’t come.’
 
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.
 
Every single day, we make countless excuses.  You may not even realize that you are doing this, but stop and think about your day.  One of the first I recall making today was to my mom.  We were talking on the phone, and I saw the mail lady bring a package to my door, so I said, “I need to hang up now… someone is at my door.”  I told my nephews and niece that I could not stay and visit with them this afternoon, because I had to go to Wal-Mart and shop.  I even told one of my cats that I couldn’t feed her… because it wasn’t time for her dinner yet!  All of these excuses were legitimate. But we make so many that are not.  Rather than be honest – for whatever reason – we make up what we hope is a plausible explanation and hope that the other guy will say, “That’s okay,” or “I understand.”
 
The problem is that we can easily get into a bad habit of making excuses, and pretty soon, we have an answer for everything!  We especially do this with God.  We can’t always excuse our way out of work, school, obligations to family and friends… but we are pretty sure we can get God to let us off the hook.  He’ll always love us… right?  We’re too busy to serve Him.  Our “free time” is too precious to spend in worship or doing mission work.  We are not talented, smart enough, or physically able to do the things that are asked of us.  God will sympathize… won’t He?
 
The short answer is, “No!  He will not!”  Understand this… God will always love us – but He will not accept our excuses.  If you expand your examination of Luke 14, you will see that Jesus clearly tells us that there is a cost for being a Christian… and for some, this price can seem quite high.  In order to fully follow Jesus Christ, some people will have to give up relationships with family members and friends.  Some will have to change jobs, kick old habits, and modify a lot of attitudes.  There will be Christians who risk their very lives in order to proclaim their discipleship.
 
Christians were never promised an easy or comfortable life.  And this is where so many of us get it wrong.  We expect life in Christ to be a cake walk… freely He gives us salvation, and “freely” we plan to take!  So when things get awkward, difficult, embarrassing, or unpleasant… when we are called to step out of the box and put our needs on the shelf, the excuses start to flow like a bubbling stream.  This doesn’t make us bad people… but it does speak to our level of commitment.  Too many of us want to be “a little bit Christian” – the part that gets us into heaven without having to make any sacrifices or step outside our comfort zone.
 
The time has come for us to stop playing around and making excuses.  It is time for us to get serious about our commitment to Christ… to literally take a “leap of faith” and go full in for Jesus.  Where will this leave you?  Will you have a new spouse, a crop to inspect, or pets and livestock to tend?  Or will you be ready to drop what you are doing and go wherever – and whenever – God calls you?  The choice is totally ours…how will you decide?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus