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
Showing posts with label stepping up to the plate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stepping up to the plate. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for April 12, 2013
April 12 ~ Exodus 4:10-17
Moses raised another objection to God: “Master, please, I don’t talk well. I’ve never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer.”
God said, “And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn’t it I, God? So, get going. I’ll be right there with you—with your mouth! I’ll be right there to teach you what to say.”
He said, “Oh, Master, please! Send somebody else!”
God got angry with Moses: “Don’t you have a brother, Aaron the Levite? He’s good with words, I know he is. He speaks very well. In fact, at this very moment he’s on his way to meet you. When he sees you he’s going to be glad. You’ll speak to him and tell him what to say. I’ll be right there with you as you speak and with him as he speaks, teaching you step by step. He will speak to the people for you. He’ll act as your mouth, but you’ll decide what comes out of it. Now take this staff in your hand; you’ll use it to do the signs.”
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 lot of Bible scholars believe that Moses stuttered. I KNOW! The man who said to Pharaoh, “Let my people go!” had a speech impediment! So when God commanded Him to lead the Israelites, this was his excuse for not stepping up to the plate. And God’s answer was, in essence, “Okay then… I’ll tell you what to say, and you have your brother, Aaron, say it for you!” You cannot outsmart God!
You and I have all sorts of excuses for not taking on any number of projects or tasks… some God-designed, and some created by mere mortals. You might even say that more than a few of us have become fairly expert at tossing around excuses. We’ve covered our tracks and bowed out of agreements and commitments for so long that we don’t even have to think about it these days…our justifications simply roll right off the tongue! And a few of them might work with regular folk. We might be able to talk our way out of serving on a committee or going to a party that we don’t care to attend. We can probably come up with a “good enough” reason for skipping a workout or eating that extra slice of pie. And everyone might have a good laugh over it… as in “I’m not fat… I’m just short for my height!”
But I’m willing to bet that God has nudged you to do something at least once or twice in your life, and you have made excuses to Him. Maybe He has whispered, “You need to call Tom or Sue…” and you said, “I wouldn’t know what to say,” or “I’ll do it later.” Perhaps God has created an opportunity for you to witness to someone and share the Good News of Jesus Christ… and you “froze” and reasoned that “I might embarrass this person,” or “This is not really the time and place…” Or maybe God has convicted your heart that what you are participating in – physically or verbally – is wrong, but you continued, with the defense that you would rather not risk ridicule, call attention to yourself, or suffer a temporary embarrassment.
Like I said, we all have our reasons for the things we do… and most of us feel fairly confident that they are sound. But we haven’t asked God what He thinks, because deep down, we know that there are a lot of holes in our alibis… our explanations are fairly flimsy… and our excuses are exactly that - a dodge and deception. We can make all of the apologies in the world… as if that makes the situation better or more plausible. But at the end of the day, God knows the truth. And if you care anything at all about what God thinks of you… or what He knows about you… then you have to admit that our excuses are completely ridiculous and unacceptable.
When God calls us to do something, we need to be front and center – asking “Where, when, and how?” We need to fully believe that whatever God calls us to do…He will equip us to handle. He may send an “Aaron” to help us… or He may provide us with strength and abilities we had no idea we possessed (and didn’t without Supernatural assistance!). Regardless of how the tasks are accomplished, we must be ready and willing to accept God’s assignments. What about you? Are you ready to step up – and out – for God… or are you still busy making excuses?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Moses raised another objection to God: “Master, please, I don’t talk well. I’ve never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer.”
God said, “And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn’t it I, God? So, get going. I’ll be right there with you—with your mouth! I’ll be right there to teach you what to say.”
He said, “Oh, Master, please! Send somebody else!”
God got angry with Moses: “Don’t you have a brother, Aaron the Levite? He’s good with words, I know he is. He speaks very well. In fact, at this very moment he’s on his way to meet you. When he sees you he’s going to be glad. You’ll speak to him and tell him what to say. I’ll be right there with you as you speak and with him as he speaks, teaching you step by step. He will speak to the people for you. He’ll act as your mouth, but you’ll decide what comes out of it. Now take this staff in your hand; you’ll use it to do the signs.”
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 lot of Bible scholars believe that Moses stuttered. I KNOW! The man who said to Pharaoh, “Let my people go!” had a speech impediment! So when God commanded Him to lead the Israelites, this was his excuse for not stepping up to the plate. And God’s answer was, in essence, “Okay then… I’ll tell you what to say, and you have your brother, Aaron, say it for you!” You cannot outsmart God!
You and I have all sorts of excuses for not taking on any number of projects or tasks… some God-designed, and some created by mere mortals. You might even say that more than a few of us have become fairly expert at tossing around excuses. We’ve covered our tracks and bowed out of agreements and commitments for so long that we don’t even have to think about it these days…our justifications simply roll right off the tongue! And a few of them might work with regular folk. We might be able to talk our way out of serving on a committee or going to a party that we don’t care to attend. We can probably come up with a “good enough” reason for skipping a workout or eating that extra slice of pie. And everyone might have a good laugh over it… as in “I’m not fat… I’m just short for my height!”
But I’m willing to bet that God has nudged you to do something at least once or twice in your life, and you have made excuses to Him. Maybe He has whispered, “You need to call Tom or Sue…” and you said, “I wouldn’t know what to say,” or “I’ll do it later.” Perhaps God has created an opportunity for you to witness to someone and share the Good News of Jesus Christ… and you “froze” and reasoned that “I might embarrass this person,” or “This is not really the time and place…” Or maybe God has convicted your heart that what you are participating in – physically or verbally – is wrong, but you continued, with the defense that you would rather not risk ridicule, call attention to yourself, or suffer a temporary embarrassment.
Like I said, we all have our reasons for the things we do… and most of us feel fairly confident that they are sound. But we haven’t asked God what He thinks, because deep down, we know that there are a lot of holes in our alibis… our explanations are fairly flimsy… and our excuses are exactly that - a dodge and deception. We can make all of the apologies in the world… as if that makes the situation better or more plausible. But at the end of the day, God knows the truth. And if you care anything at all about what God thinks of you… or what He knows about you… then you have to admit that our excuses are completely ridiculous and unacceptable.
When God calls us to do something, we need to be front and center – asking “Where, when, and how?” We need to fully believe that whatever God calls us to do…He will equip us to handle. He may send an “Aaron” to help us… or He may provide us with strength and abilities we had no idea we possessed (and didn’t without Supernatural assistance!). Regardless of how the tasks are accomplished, we must be ready and willing to accept God’s assignments. What about you? Are you ready to step up – and out – for God… or are you still busy making excuses?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 12, 2012
Judges 4:14
Deborah shouted, “Barak, it’s time to attack Sisera! Because today the Lord is going to help you defeat him. In fact, the Lord has already gone on ahead to fight for you.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl learning to sew, my grandmother would often get a garment started for me, and then say, “Now, you finish it.” Perhaps you have had someone “make a few calls for you” in regard to a job search or getting into the college of your choice. Maybe you have a relative or friend who has “gone to bat” for you and defended your character, co-signed on a loan, or actually “sponsored” you in some way.
This person’s confidence in your ability to follow through and get the job done should never be taken lightly. When someone is willing to put their own money, time, or reputation on the line for us, we should honor this commitment with one of our own… a determination to do the very best we can to live up to the other person’s expectations or hype!
As Christians, we often fail to recognize that God “goes to bat” for us each and every day. He steps out ahead of us and “gets the garment started.” He vouches for us. He does more than co-sign our loan… He has already paid our debt! So when it is time to fight for Him… when we need to step up and serve with honor and gratitude… nothing less than our best is acceptable.
Our salvation was the biggest turning point we will ever experience, because in that single moment when we gave our hearts to Jesus, everything changed – forever! Our debts are paid… God walks ahead of us forevermore. He fights for us and paves the way for our success and blessings in all things. There will be other defining moments in our lives… other crossroads… but none will be more profound and impactful than this one.
Few among us would want to disappoint someone who vouched for us… to come up short or fail to honor this person’s commitment to us. So why do we do this to God? Why do we fail to step up and finish the fight He starts on our behalf? Why don’t we eagerly serve Him? Why don’t we ask, “What next?” instead of “Why now, LORD?” If we are earnest about our life as a Christian, we need to take a hard look at how we treat God and His tremendous gifts in our lives. We need to ask ourselves, “Was my salvation truly a turning point… or am I merely playing around at my Christian faith and witness like it’s some sort of game?”
The time has come to get serious… to say, “I’m in this all the way. I will fight for my God and serve Him as He wishes. He has paved the way for my redemption… He has paid ALL of my debts. Now it’s my turn to share His love, grace and mercy with others. I can’t work long, hard or fast enough to ever repay Him… but I can die trying!” Are you ready to step to the front of the line and fight for the God who fought – and won – for you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Deborah shouted, “Barak, it’s time to attack Sisera! Because today the Lord is going to help you defeat him. In fact, the Lord has already gone on ahead to fight for you.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl learning to sew, my grandmother would often get a garment started for me, and then say, “Now, you finish it.” Perhaps you have had someone “make a few calls for you” in regard to a job search or getting into the college of your choice. Maybe you have a relative or friend who has “gone to bat” for you and defended your character, co-signed on a loan, or actually “sponsored” you in some way.
This person’s confidence in your ability to follow through and get the job done should never be taken lightly. When someone is willing to put their own money, time, or reputation on the line for us, we should honor this commitment with one of our own… a determination to do the very best we can to live up to the other person’s expectations or hype!
As Christians, we often fail to recognize that God “goes to bat” for us each and every day. He steps out ahead of us and “gets the garment started.” He vouches for us. He does more than co-sign our loan… He has already paid our debt! So when it is time to fight for Him… when we need to step up and serve with honor and gratitude… nothing less than our best is acceptable.
Our salvation was the biggest turning point we will ever experience, because in that single moment when we gave our hearts to Jesus, everything changed – forever! Our debts are paid… God walks ahead of us forevermore. He fights for us and paves the way for our success and blessings in all things. There will be other defining moments in our lives… other crossroads… but none will be more profound and impactful than this one.
Few among us would want to disappoint someone who vouched for us… to come up short or fail to honor this person’s commitment to us. So why do we do this to God? Why do we fail to step up and finish the fight He starts on our behalf? Why don’t we eagerly serve Him? Why don’t we ask, “What next?” instead of “Why now, LORD?” If we are earnest about our life as a Christian, we need to take a hard look at how we treat God and His tremendous gifts in our lives. We need to ask ourselves, “Was my salvation truly a turning point… or am I merely playing around at my Christian faith and witness like it’s some sort of game?”
The time has come to get serious… to say, “I’m in this all the way. I will fight for my God and serve Him as He wishes. He has paved the way for my redemption… He has paid ALL of my debts. Now it’s my turn to share His love, grace and mercy with others. I can’t work long, hard or fast enough to ever repay Him… but I can die trying!” Are you ready to step to the front of the line and fight for the God who fought – and won – for you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 10, 2011
John 5:1-9
Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem.
Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, "Do you want to get well?"
The sick man said, "Sir, when the water is stirred, I don't have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in."
Jesus said, "Get up, take your bedroll, start walking." The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off.
That day happened to be the Sabbath. The Jews stopped the healed man and said, "It's the Sabbath. You can't carry your bedroll around. It's against the rules."
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 may remember seeing this scripture passage recently. I used it for a devo on July 29th. However, I recently heard Joyce Meyer preach from this passage, and her “take-away” from the scriptures was so good that I wanted to share it. See, I think God can use the same passage in scripture to speak to us in one way one day – and in another the next… according to what we need. It’s not that one “interpretation” is right and another is wrong... God uses His word to meet our needs for each day in a truly unique manner. This is why the Bible is such a rich and vital resource in successful daily living for each of us!
As Joyce Meyer explained it, this sick man had come to the pool at Bethesda every day for 38 years. Each time the water was stirred by the angels, one person was able to dip his/her foot and be healed. Apparently this man was so sick or crippled that he had never made it to the pool ahead of the others who gathered. Joyce’s comment was something to the effect of… “Surely in 38 years this man could have scooted close enough to be the first in line to dip a toe!” What she heard in this scripture was Jesus rather impatiently saying to the man, “Don’t you want to be well?” In other words, “What have you been waiting on? Get up and get going!”
Where my message a few days ago was “be patient,” Joyce’s message was “get up and get on with it!” And both are appropriate messages. There may be a lot of us who are stuck in a rut of some sort… often of our own making… and God is telling us to get up and get going! We have all sorts of excuses… I’m too young – or too old… I need to lose 10 pounds first – or I’m not strong enough… I need to get my own life in order before I can help someone else… I don’t have enough money… I’m not smart enough or brave enough – or holy enough!
To all of these excuses… and many others… Jesus says, “Don’t you want to be well?” In other words, “Get up and get going!” Patience is a great virtue… one most of us could use more of in a healthy dose! But there is also something to be said for picking ourselves up and putting one foot in front of the other… being proactive… stepping up and out on faith in Jesus Christ – and letting Him handle the details.
So my question today for each of us is, “Don’t we want to be well? Isn’t it time we scooted closer to the pool and stuck in our toe?”
©2011 Debbie Robus
Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem.
Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, "Do you want to get well?"
The sick man said, "Sir, when the water is stirred, I don't have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in."
Jesus said, "Get up, take your bedroll, start walking." The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off.
That day happened to be the Sabbath. The Jews stopped the healed man and said, "It's the Sabbath. You can't carry your bedroll around. It's against the rules."
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 may remember seeing this scripture passage recently. I used it for a devo on July 29th. However, I recently heard Joyce Meyer preach from this passage, and her “take-away” from the scriptures was so good that I wanted to share it. See, I think God can use the same passage in scripture to speak to us in one way one day – and in another the next… according to what we need. It’s not that one “interpretation” is right and another is wrong... God uses His word to meet our needs for each day in a truly unique manner. This is why the Bible is such a rich and vital resource in successful daily living for each of us!
As Joyce Meyer explained it, this sick man had come to the pool at Bethesda every day for 38 years. Each time the water was stirred by the angels, one person was able to dip his/her foot and be healed. Apparently this man was so sick or crippled that he had never made it to the pool ahead of the others who gathered. Joyce’s comment was something to the effect of… “Surely in 38 years this man could have scooted close enough to be the first in line to dip a toe!” What she heard in this scripture was Jesus rather impatiently saying to the man, “Don’t you want to be well?” In other words, “What have you been waiting on? Get up and get going!”
Where my message a few days ago was “be patient,” Joyce’s message was “get up and get on with it!” And both are appropriate messages. There may be a lot of us who are stuck in a rut of some sort… often of our own making… and God is telling us to get up and get going! We have all sorts of excuses… I’m too young – or too old… I need to lose 10 pounds first – or I’m not strong enough… I need to get my own life in order before I can help someone else… I don’t have enough money… I’m not smart enough or brave enough – or holy enough!
To all of these excuses… and many others… Jesus says, “Don’t you want to be well?” In other words, “Get up and get going!” Patience is a great virtue… one most of us could use more of in a healthy dose! But there is also something to be said for picking ourselves up and putting one foot in front of the other… being proactive… stepping up and out on faith in Jesus Christ – and letting Him handle the details.
So my question today for each of us is, “Don’t we want to be well? Isn’t it time we scooted closer to the pool and stuck in our toe?”
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 19, 2011
Matthew 27:18-19; 24-25
Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous. While Pilate was judging the case, his wife sent him a message. It said, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man. I have had nightmares because of him."
Pilate saw that there was nothing he could do and that the people were starting to riot. So he took some water and washed his hands in front of them and said, "I won't have anything to do with killing this man. You are the ones doing it!" Everyone answered, "We and our own families will take the blame for his death!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There often comes a time when we have done all we can do in a particular situation. We see things headed toward disaster… a “train wreck” in the making… and there is no way we can stop this. It’s like telling a toddler repeatedly, “Get down, or you’re going to fall.” Much as it hurts the child… and those who are watching… sometimes the child has to fall to really learn his/her lesson.
Sometimes, as in the case of Pontius Pilate, we see a huge mistake in the making, and rather than speak up and say, “This is wrong,” we merely step aside and “wash our hands” of the situation. In Pilate’s case, things had to happen as they did for God’s plan to be accomplished. But we are often not operating within God’s plan when we do this. We just don’t want to be “the bad guy,” suffer any ridicule or fallout, or get heavily involved in what could be a complicated situation.
How do you know “when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em,” as the song says? The only sure way to know you are making the right choice is to stay in constant communication with God. Be so in tune with His word and His will that you know whether to get involved or “wash your hands” of a particular situation or person. There is a time for both… the key is confidently discerning which is which! Only God can decide… and only when you know that He is behind the choice can you be sure you’ve made the right one.
There are times to step up and speak out… and there are times to step aside and let the chips fall where they may. Will you depend on God’s wisdom in your decision? Or will you be swayed by the people, like Pilate? Life is filled with choices… Who is helping you make yours?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous. While Pilate was judging the case, his wife sent him a message. It said, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man. I have had nightmares because of him."
Pilate saw that there was nothing he could do and that the people were starting to riot. So he took some water and washed his hands in front of them and said, "I won't have anything to do with killing this man. You are the ones doing it!" Everyone answered, "We and our own families will take the blame for his death!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There often comes a time when we have done all we can do in a particular situation. We see things headed toward disaster… a “train wreck” in the making… and there is no way we can stop this. It’s like telling a toddler repeatedly, “Get down, or you’re going to fall.” Much as it hurts the child… and those who are watching… sometimes the child has to fall to really learn his/her lesson.
Sometimes, as in the case of Pontius Pilate, we see a huge mistake in the making, and rather than speak up and say, “This is wrong,” we merely step aside and “wash our hands” of the situation. In Pilate’s case, things had to happen as they did for God’s plan to be accomplished. But we are often not operating within God’s plan when we do this. We just don’t want to be “the bad guy,” suffer any ridicule or fallout, or get heavily involved in what could be a complicated situation.
How do you know “when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em,” as the song says? The only sure way to know you are making the right choice is to stay in constant communication with God. Be so in tune with His word and His will that you know whether to get involved or “wash your hands” of a particular situation or person. There is a time for both… the key is confidently discerning which is which! Only God can decide… and only when you know that He is behind the choice can you be sure you’ve made the right one.
There are times to step up and speak out… and there are times to step aside and let the chips fall where they may. Will you depend on God’s wisdom in your decision? Or will you be swayed by the people, like Pilate? Life is filled with choices… Who is helping you make yours?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 9, 2011
Jeremiah 7:5
The LORD told me to stand by the gate of the temple and to tell the people who were going in that the LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel, had said: Pay attention, people of Judah! Change your ways and start living right, then I will let you keep on living in your own country. Don't fool yourselves! My temple is here in Jerusalem, but that doesn't mean I will protect you. I will keep you safe only if you change your ways. Be fair and honest with each other. Stop taking advantage of foreigners, orphans, and widows. Don't kill innocent people. And stop worshiping other gods. Then I will let you enjoy a long life in this land I gave your ancestors.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s all about who you know. Isn’t this how many of us operate? You get into certain organizations or events because you know “the guy” in charge… or your dad was a friend of someone who is involved. Or you vouch for someone because, “His brother is a friend of mine,” or “I know her mother.” A lot of people go through life playing the system and riding on the coat-tails of other people in this manner.
But this passage is telling us that we can’t do this with God. When it comes to our own Christianity, it doesn’t matter if our parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances are all faithful disciples of Christ. It’s not enough that your parents belong to such-and-such church or your wife goes to worship every Sunday. If you want God to bless you and protect you… if you want to get into heaven and spend Eternity with your Heavenly Father... YOU have to change your ways and make a commitment to serve Him. Nobody can do this for you… and you can’t stand in for anyone else.
God sees everything we do. He hears every word we speak and knows every thought we create. He knows our heart… when we are being sincere – and when we are playing a game. But our relationship with God is no game. We cannot manipulate the Holy Spirit – or expect Him to protect us when we merely “go through the motions.”
It’s time for us to renew our commitment to God. It’s time for us to forget about invoking the name of others or expecting anyone else to serve in our place. We need to get serious about our faith and make real and lasting changes. Are you ready to do this? Haven’t you played around with your relationship with God long enough? If you are willing to make the change, He is willing to meet you more than halfway. How can you refuse such an amazing offer… and why would you? Step out in faith today. Make the needed changes and face God with confidence in His promises… and His amazing protection.
©2010 Debbie Robus
The LORD told me to stand by the gate of the temple and to tell the people who were going in that the LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel, had said: Pay attention, people of Judah! Change your ways and start living right, then I will let you keep on living in your own country. Don't fool yourselves! My temple is here in Jerusalem, but that doesn't mean I will protect you. I will keep you safe only if you change your ways. Be fair and honest with each other. Stop taking advantage of foreigners, orphans, and widows. Don't kill innocent people. And stop worshiping other gods. Then I will let you enjoy a long life in this land I gave your ancestors.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s all about who you know. Isn’t this how many of us operate? You get into certain organizations or events because you know “the guy” in charge… or your dad was a friend of someone who is involved. Or you vouch for someone because, “His brother is a friend of mine,” or “I know her mother.” A lot of people go through life playing the system and riding on the coat-tails of other people in this manner.
But this passage is telling us that we can’t do this with God. When it comes to our own Christianity, it doesn’t matter if our parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances are all faithful disciples of Christ. It’s not enough that your parents belong to such-and-such church or your wife goes to worship every Sunday. If you want God to bless you and protect you… if you want to get into heaven and spend Eternity with your Heavenly Father... YOU have to change your ways and make a commitment to serve Him. Nobody can do this for you… and you can’t stand in for anyone else.
God sees everything we do. He hears every word we speak and knows every thought we create. He knows our heart… when we are being sincere – and when we are playing a game. But our relationship with God is no game. We cannot manipulate the Holy Spirit – or expect Him to protect us when we merely “go through the motions.”
It’s time for us to renew our commitment to God. It’s time for us to forget about invoking the name of others or expecting anyone else to serve in our place. We need to get serious about our faith and make real and lasting changes. Are you ready to do this? Haven’t you played around with your relationship with God long enough? If you are willing to make the change, He is willing to meet you more than halfway. How can you refuse such an amazing offer… and why would you? Step out in faith today. Make the needed changes and face God with confidence in His promises… and His amazing protection.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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