December 6 ~ Psalm 1:1-6
God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night. They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do.
That isn’t true of those who are evil, because they are like straw blown by the wind. Sinners won’t have an excuse on the day of judgment, and they won’t have a place with the people of God.
The Lord protects everyone who follows him, but the wicked follow a road that leads to ruin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine purchased a personalized item for Christmas, and when she went to pick it up, the business had misspelled one of the names on the item. Of course, my friend was disappointed. She had paid a lot of money for this item, and the name of one of her children was spelled incorrectly. The store owner offered my friend a $10 coupon good on her next purchase as compensation. Afraid she might say something ugly, my friend left quickly. However, she voiced her frustration on Facebook, and her friends responded in large numbers with all sorts of advice. More importantly, many asked for the name of the business so that they could avoid patronizing that particular store.
In fairness, the store owner thought better of her offer and called later to say she would replace the tray with a new one – spelled correctly. So in the end, she did the right thing. To have done otherwise would have been incredibly damaging to her business, because word of things like this travels quickly. But she probably still did major harm to her business by the initial response. And it does make one stop and wonder… “Why was there any hesitation?” In business, the motto that “The customer is always right” should have applied here… and that store owner should have immediately offered to replace the item.
This is sort of a loose illustration of how we don’t always do what is right… with regrettable consequences. It is important that we stay awake and alert… on our toes… and that doing the right thing becomes our second nature. I don’t know if this person was momentarily caught off guard and became defensive… or if she was thinking selfishly and decided that she was not going to “eat” her profit… or if her bottom line was so tight that she simply felt like she could not afford to forfeit this sale. But I do know that sometimes, doing the right thing seems expensive on the surface. Let me assure you, it’s always worth any perceived trouble.
There will be people who will lie, cheat, and steal… and appear to get ahead by doing so. But someday, the jig will be up! They will have to answer... if not to other mere mortals… to God Almighty. Everyone who has stepped on the backs of others to become “successful”… those who have been abusive and unkind – or just downright deceptive - will have to answer for their insults and indiscretions. And God will not be lenient!
It’s frustrating to see others operate in dishonesty and deception… and to watch them seem to breeze by doing so. It’s hard to feel like you did the right thing… gave your very best… and you were slapped down and penalized for it. But I can assure you, God will bless your efforts. It may take a long time… or seem like it’s taking forever… but He will do this. God measures success by a far different ruler… and His is the only one that matters.
Do the right thing. Avoid evil, deception, lying, cheating and stealing. Any “quick-fix” or shortcut that involves these behaviors will never be worth it in the end. Plant your roots firmly in the promises of God… trust Him to make things right on your behalf… and delight in pleasing Him. The goal is to hear God say, “Well done!” What will He say to you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label success. Show all posts
Showing posts with label success. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 4, 2012
Philippians 3:7-11
But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
How do you measure success? When I was a little girl, I thought I wanted to be a nurse. (I didn’t realize that I don’t do well with needles – shots, IVs, etc.) My grandmother said, “If you’re going to be a nurse, become a doctor instead… they make more money!” My other grandmother said, “Marry a rich man!” To a large extent, both women viewed success in terms of dollars and cents. And that is not an uncommon opinion. Just turn on the television and look at how success is portrayed… fancy houses, sports cars, diamonds and designer clothes, jobs that pay six figures, and a high public profile.
Did it ever occur to you that when we talk to someone about his/her goals in life, we don’t encourage them to “Be the most humble, faithful servant of Christ you can be” – as if that were a noble calling? We may toss it casually into the conversation along with, “You need to get a college degree,” and “Pick a career that has good earning potential.” We don’t encourage others to pursue a degree or career in an area that will serve others – unless it pays well. We don’t look at what God might be able to do with a coach or teacher in a low-paying position… the social worker who works for the local welfare office or juvenile court… or the nurses’ aides who care for the elderly in a skilled care facility. When we go on vacation, we want our hotel room to be spotlessly clean, but we don’t consider the people who will make sure this is how we find it… or the wait staff who serves us at our favorite restaurant! We often fail to recognize the importance of stay-at-home moms or the daycare workers who nurture our children.
Maybe… just maybe… the people who serve others in low-paying, thankless jobs are right where God wanted them to be. Maybe they have discovered that the things the world thinks are important are like garbage compared to the joy of seeking and serving Christ in all things. Is it possible that the most successful people on earth are not necessarily those with tons of money… but rather, those who spend their time and energy getting closer to God and belonging totally to Him? It’s that old adage, “Bloom where you are planted” in action, coupled with a hefty challenge to get our priorities straight!
This is not to say that everyone in a low-paying, or blue collar job is there because he/she wants to be – or feels that this is where God wants them to serve. This also doesn’t mean you can’t get close to God and be well-educated, highly paid, popular, and prestigious. But wealth and status should not be the ultimate goals of a Christian disciple who has humbly committed himself/herself to Jesus and His service.
Regardless of your stage and station in life, it is never too late to stop and take stock… to re-evaluate your goals and aspirations. You may find that you have lost your passion for the things that once held such allure and excitement for you. If you are ready to really serve Jesus and be more like Him, you will probably find that your priorities are changing. And this could be the beginning of a total redefinition of your idea of success… one with Eternal and everlasting results. Make Jesus your passion… serve Him first and foremost… and see where He takes you. Get ready to be amazed at how “successful” you truly are.
©2012 Debbie Robus
But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
How do you measure success? When I was a little girl, I thought I wanted to be a nurse. (I didn’t realize that I don’t do well with needles – shots, IVs, etc.) My grandmother said, “If you’re going to be a nurse, become a doctor instead… they make more money!” My other grandmother said, “Marry a rich man!” To a large extent, both women viewed success in terms of dollars and cents. And that is not an uncommon opinion. Just turn on the television and look at how success is portrayed… fancy houses, sports cars, diamonds and designer clothes, jobs that pay six figures, and a high public profile.
Did it ever occur to you that when we talk to someone about his/her goals in life, we don’t encourage them to “Be the most humble, faithful servant of Christ you can be” – as if that were a noble calling? We may toss it casually into the conversation along with, “You need to get a college degree,” and “Pick a career that has good earning potential.” We don’t encourage others to pursue a degree or career in an area that will serve others – unless it pays well. We don’t look at what God might be able to do with a coach or teacher in a low-paying position… the social worker who works for the local welfare office or juvenile court… or the nurses’ aides who care for the elderly in a skilled care facility. When we go on vacation, we want our hotel room to be spotlessly clean, but we don’t consider the people who will make sure this is how we find it… or the wait staff who serves us at our favorite restaurant! We often fail to recognize the importance of stay-at-home moms or the daycare workers who nurture our children.
Maybe… just maybe… the people who serve others in low-paying, thankless jobs are right where God wanted them to be. Maybe they have discovered that the things the world thinks are important are like garbage compared to the joy of seeking and serving Christ in all things. Is it possible that the most successful people on earth are not necessarily those with tons of money… but rather, those who spend their time and energy getting closer to God and belonging totally to Him? It’s that old adage, “Bloom where you are planted” in action, coupled with a hefty challenge to get our priorities straight!
This is not to say that everyone in a low-paying, or blue collar job is there because he/she wants to be – or feels that this is where God wants them to serve. This also doesn’t mean you can’t get close to God and be well-educated, highly paid, popular, and prestigious. But wealth and status should not be the ultimate goals of a Christian disciple who has humbly committed himself/herself to Jesus and His service.
Regardless of your stage and station in life, it is never too late to stop and take stock… to re-evaluate your goals and aspirations. You may find that you have lost your passion for the things that once held such allure and excitement for you. If you are ready to really serve Jesus and be more like Him, you will probably find that your priorities are changing. And this could be the beginning of a total redefinition of your idea of success… one with Eternal and everlasting results. Make Jesus your passion… serve Him first and foremost… and see where He takes you. Get ready to be amazed at how “successful” you truly are.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 12, 2010
Psalm 4:3
The LORD has chosen everyone who is faithful to be his very own, and he answers my prayers.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Often we are selected for certain committees, posts, organizations, and more... and given promises of great rewards. But there are catches. In order to receive these “rewards,” we must act a certain way or deliver a certain level of effort and energy. With God, there are no “catches” … there is nothing we can do to earn His love and the right to ask Him for anything in prayer. He does ask us to be faithful to Him… and in return, He answers our prayers, according to His will. But working extra hard or trying to be an “Uber Christian” doesn’t elevate our status in His eyes.
Bottom line: Being a child of God is the ultimate honor and privilege. We can take anything to God in prayer, and He will hear us. He deserves our faithfulness.
This is really a no-brainer! Are you giving Him your best these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
The LORD has chosen everyone who is faithful to be his very own, and he answers my prayers.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
- “Congratulations! You have been chosen to serve on the outreach team at your church! This team is responsible for delivering support and nurture to all church members, as well as prospective members. Only those who have exhibited unwavering faith in God and a ‘glowing aura’ of the Holy Spirit were selected for this honor. In exchange for your service, God will give you special favor. You can ask Him anything, and He will push your requests to the top of the list.”
Often we are selected for certain committees, posts, organizations, and more... and given promises of great rewards. But there are catches. In order to receive these “rewards,” we must act a certain way or deliver a certain level of effort and energy. With God, there are no “catches” … there is nothing we can do to earn His love and the right to ask Him for anything in prayer. He does ask us to be faithful to Him… and in return, He answers our prayers, according to His will. But working extra hard or trying to be an “Uber Christian” doesn’t elevate our status in His eyes.
Bottom line: Being a child of God is the ultimate honor and privilege. We can take anything to God in prayer, and He will hear us. He deserves our faithfulness.
This is really a no-brainer! Are you giving Him your best these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 3, 2010
Psalm 31:24
All who trust the LORD, be cheerful and strong.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Is life getting you down these days? Do you feel like you don’t have what it takes to keep going? Then you need to hear about Charlsie Baldridge Little, a woman who had plenty of reasons to give up and let life get her down. Mrs. Little died on June 30, at the age of 102. She was a single mother and a "career woman" long before either of those terms was commonly applied to women. On “Pearl Harbor Day” – December 7, 1941 - her husband James was helping fight a fire at the GEM theater in Heber Springs, when a wall collapsed. James was critically injured and died, leaving Charlsie with two young sons to rear alone. She was a school teacher, and her salary was only $100 a month.
Mrs. Little managed to save enough money from her meager salary to take the boys on summer vacations and to attend cultural events, such as operas and plays. Her son Jack tells of traveling by bus to Little Rock to hear his first opera at the Robinson Auditorium when he was a small boy. In the summers, Mrs. Little left her boys with their grandparents, while she attended Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, and obtained a Master’s Degree in education. She taught in schools throughout the state of Arkansas and ultimately became an elementary principal and college supervisor of teachers before she retired in 1973. But Mrs. Little did not retire from education completely. She helped to establish the Cleburne County Historical Society and served as the editor of its member publication. Later, she wrote a book, Upon this Rock, chronicling the history of the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs. For this she traveled to Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia to gather information.
Throughout all of her life, Mrs. Little was pragmatic – always sensible and strong. She trusted God to see her through every trial and difficulty, and she met them head-on. Her daughter-in-law, Barbara, described her as “a force to be reckoned with” – and indeed, she was, in her matter-of-fact, no-nonsense manner. In recent years, she buried her son, Jim, who died suddenly of a heart attack, and after that, grandson Aaron, who had cancer. She endured the loss of brothers and other family members. And anyone who lives 102 years just sees a lot of challenges and hardships along the way. But Mrs. Little met them with dignity and courage, and she served as a tremendous influence and role model for countless people, particularly women. At her funeral, the pastor said, “Charlsie showed young women that they can have a career and be successful.” She also modeled strength and faith in God for each person she encountered.
Hardships and struggles are nothing new. Ours just seem worse because they are our own! But the God who met Charlsie Little’s needs is the same God who can carry our burdens and give us new joys. With God, all things are possible – even those that seem so very hard. Trust Him… be strong and of good cheer. Take a good look at faithful men and women like Charlsie Little, and be encouraged and inspired… and keep trying. At Mrs. Charlsie’s funeral, we sang “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” and “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” In the latter hymn, the chorus says in part, “Morning by morning new mercies I see… All I have needed Thy hand hath provided… Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.” This is a good “mantra” for all of us… all that we need God HAS provided… and his faithfulness toward us is indeed great.
©2010 Debbie Robus
All who trust the LORD, be cheerful and strong.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Is life getting you down these days? Do you feel like you don’t have what it takes to keep going? Then you need to hear about Charlsie Baldridge Little, a woman who had plenty of reasons to give up and let life get her down. Mrs. Little died on June 30, at the age of 102. She was a single mother and a "career woman" long before either of those terms was commonly applied to women. On “Pearl Harbor Day” – December 7, 1941 - her husband James was helping fight a fire at the GEM theater in Heber Springs, when a wall collapsed. James was critically injured and died, leaving Charlsie with two young sons to rear alone. She was a school teacher, and her salary was only $100 a month.
Mrs. Little managed to save enough money from her meager salary to take the boys on summer vacations and to attend cultural events, such as operas and plays. Her son Jack tells of traveling by bus to Little Rock to hear his first opera at the Robinson Auditorium when he was a small boy. In the summers, Mrs. Little left her boys with their grandparents, while she attended Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, and obtained a Master’s Degree in education. She taught in schools throughout the state of Arkansas and ultimately became an elementary principal and college supervisor of teachers before she retired in 1973. But Mrs. Little did not retire from education completely. She helped to establish the Cleburne County Historical Society and served as the editor of its member publication. Later, she wrote a book, Upon this Rock, chronicling the history of the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs. For this she traveled to Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia to gather information.
Throughout all of her life, Mrs. Little was pragmatic – always sensible and strong. She trusted God to see her through every trial and difficulty, and she met them head-on. Her daughter-in-law, Barbara, described her as “a force to be reckoned with” – and indeed, she was, in her matter-of-fact, no-nonsense manner. In recent years, she buried her son, Jim, who died suddenly of a heart attack, and after that, grandson Aaron, who had cancer. She endured the loss of brothers and other family members. And anyone who lives 102 years just sees a lot of challenges and hardships along the way. But Mrs. Little met them with dignity and courage, and she served as a tremendous influence and role model for countless people, particularly women. At her funeral, the pastor said, “Charlsie showed young women that they can have a career and be successful.” She also modeled strength and faith in God for each person she encountered.
Hardships and struggles are nothing new. Ours just seem worse because they are our own! But the God who met Charlsie Little’s needs is the same God who can carry our burdens and give us new joys. With God, all things are possible – even those that seem so very hard. Trust Him… be strong and of good cheer. Take a good look at faithful men and women like Charlsie Little, and be encouraged and inspired… and keep trying. At Mrs. Charlsie’s funeral, we sang “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” and “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” In the latter hymn, the chorus says in part, “Morning by morning new mercies I see… All I have needed Thy hand hath provided… Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.” This is a good “mantra” for all of us… all that we need God HAS provided… and his faithfulness toward us is indeed great.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 25, 2010
April 25 ~ Proverbs 15:13-15
Happiness makes you smile; sorrow can crush you. Anyone with good sense is eager to learn more, but fools are hungry for foolishness. The poor have a hard life, but being content is as good as an endless feast.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Life is a series of doors and windows. One closes – another opens. As a high school freshman, I planned on majoring in music in college (concert pianist, perhaps?). In the summer after my sophomore year, I worked with preschool children at Vacation Bible School. I loved the children, the art projects, the music – the “whole ball of wax,” and I realized… I needed to incorporate all of that into a profession – teaching! I knew I would never make a huge salary as a teacher, but that didn’t matter. Other teachers managed, and so would I.
Teaching made me happy, but the “red tape” did not. After nine years in the classroom, the door closed. I turned a needlework hobby into a business. The skills I developed creating a newsletter and needlework patterns prepared me with experience in printing, which lent a solid base to our publishing business. My husband closed the door on his profession in Park Administration, and his “people skills” and expertise in the areas of parks and recreation were put into play as we developed a business that was focused on RVers. For the next eighteen years, we were magazine publishers, and then the door closed on that chapter of our lives.
Several years ago, I began writing daily devotionals. I also wrote articles for our magazine, and soon I realized that I really liked to write! Today, the door has opened for me to utilize pieces of all of my “careers” to knit together articles and information for several publications and “PR” projects. I am blessed to be able to pursue something that brings me such happiness. And while our business ventures were successful, there have been times when life wasn’t all that hard, but we were counting our pennies and budgeting carefully. And those may have been our happiest years of all.
The point is… money doesn’t buy happiness. People can’t make you happy. Things won’t last – or satisfy. But doing what you love – being with people you love – appreciating the simplest things and places – truly experiencing a daily walk with God – these things make you genuinely happy! If you are traveling down any other road – if you are chasing dreams and ideas that aren’t your own or you know are bad for you – turn around! There is a saying that “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” Find your “doors and windows” and don’t be afraid to ask God to help you go through them. If He guides your steps, you’ll make the right choices – and you will always find joy on the other side.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Happiness makes you smile; sorrow can crush you. Anyone with good sense is eager to learn more, but fools are hungry for foolishness. The poor have a hard life, but being content is as good as an endless feast.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Life is a series of doors and windows. One closes – another opens. As a high school freshman, I planned on majoring in music in college (concert pianist, perhaps?). In the summer after my sophomore year, I worked with preschool children at Vacation Bible School. I loved the children, the art projects, the music – the “whole ball of wax,” and I realized… I needed to incorporate all of that into a profession – teaching! I knew I would never make a huge salary as a teacher, but that didn’t matter. Other teachers managed, and so would I.
Teaching made me happy, but the “red tape” did not. After nine years in the classroom, the door closed. I turned a needlework hobby into a business. The skills I developed creating a newsletter and needlework patterns prepared me with experience in printing, which lent a solid base to our publishing business. My husband closed the door on his profession in Park Administration, and his “people skills” and expertise in the areas of parks and recreation were put into play as we developed a business that was focused on RVers. For the next eighteen years, we were magazine publishers, and then the door closed on that chapter of our lives.
Several years ago, I began writing daily devotionals. I also wrote articles for our magazine, and soon I realized that I really liked to write! Today, the door has opened for me to utilize pieces of all of my “careers” to knit together articles and information for several publications and “PR” projects. I am blessed to be able to pursue something that brings me such happiness. And while our business ventures were successful, there have been times when life wasn’t all that hard, but we were counting our pennies and budgeting carefully. And those may have been our happiest years of all.
The point is… money doesn’t buy happiness. People can’t make you happy. Things won’t last – or satisfy. But doing what you love – being with people you love – appreciating the simplest things and places – truly experiencing a daily walk with God – these things make you genuinely happy! If you are traveling down any other road – if you are chasing dreams and ideas that aren’t your own or you know are bad for you – turn around! There is a saying that “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” Find your “doors and windows” and don’t be afraid to ask God to help you go through them. If He guides your steps, you’ll make the right choices – and you will always find joy on the other side.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 8, 2010
April 8 ~ 1 Timothy 6:6-8
And religion does make your life rich, by making you content with what you have. We didn't bring anything into this world, and we won't take anything with us when we leave. So we should be satisfied just to have food and clothes.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I recently watched an episode of The History Channel’s “American Pickers,” about two men from Iowa who trek across the country in search of “one man’s junk” that can be recycled and restored and turned into another man’s “treasure.” On the episode I viewed, the men visited a gentleman who has an incredible collection that includes a turn-of-the-century wood rim bicycle and a high-wheeler from the 1880’s. At every turn, the two men asked the owner, “How much for this?” The man’s standard reply was, “Oh… a couple thousand.” In other words, he didn’t want to sell! He even remarked, “I am going to have to buy a really big casket to take all this with me!”
The truth is, we won’t take any of our “stuff” with us when we die, and a lot of it isn’t adding much to our lives in the present! I know, I know… I have closets full of things I don’t need, too. But sadly, for a lot of us, we fill our lives with things we don’t even want out of some deep-seated idea that we can gain satisfaction with “stuff!” The truth is that what we really need is more of JESUS!
Many people are trying to fill a void with things, people, trips and activities, drugs, alcohol and more… and there is never enough. If you just had one more car, video game or pair of shoes… that would be enough. If you could just go to Europe or take a cruise one more time, your life would be complete. Have you ever seen the Kohler bath commercial where the Italian grandma is dying, and she is saying that her life is complete… she accomplished and experienced everything she could possibly want – until the door opens to show a beautiful woman running her hands through the water that fills a bath tub in a spa-like setting. The grandma utters a curse word and dies, regretting that this was the one thing she missed.
What are you missing? If we truly search our hearts, I think most of us would find we are missing more of Jesus. We are missing a deeper sense of trust, a stronger faith, a more intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. I recently commented to my mom that if I spent adequate time praying over the people and concerns on my prayer list these days, I would be in prayer all day… and then we both laughed. We both realized the absurdity of what I had just said, because this obviously is not the priority in my life it should be. See, I’ve let “things” get in the way of spending time with God, and I suspect you may have, too. I could give up a couple of mindless television shows per day to pray. I could walk an extra loop on my exercise route and talk to God a little longer. Instead of surfing the Internet shopping for my next purchase, I could be covering someone in prayer who has deep needs… or finding out what God wants me to do with the next few hours/minutes/days of my life.
We need to realize what is really important. It’s okay to have nice things… to live full lives and go places and do things. But it is not okay to give these first place in our lives. Priorities matter… GOD matters. We can’t take it with us when we die… and we wouldn’t want to anyway. Where are your priorities? What are your treasures?
Leland's Cafe. (2010). The History Channel website. Retrieved 3:33, April 6, 2010, from http://www.history.com/shows/american-pickers/episodes/american-pickers-episodes#slide-2.
©2010 Debbie Robus
And religion does make your life rich, by making you content with what you have. We didn't bring anything into this world, and we won't take anything with us when we leave. So we should be satisfied just to have food and clothes.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I recently watched an episode of The History Channel’s “American Pickers,” about two men from Iowa who trek across the country in search of “one man’s junk” that can be recycled and restored and turned into another man’s “treasure.” On the episode I viewed, the men visited a gentleman who has an incredible collection that includes a turn-of-the-century wood rim bicycle and a high-wheeler from the 1880’s. At every turn, the two men asked the owner, “How much for this?” The man’s standard reply was, “Oh… a couple thousand.” In other words, he didn’t want to sell! He even remarked, “I am going to have to buy a really big casket to take all this with me!”
The truth is, we won’t take any of our “stuff” with us when we die, and a lot of it isn’t adding much to our lives in the present! I know, I know… I have closets full of things I don’t need, too. But sadly, for a lot of us, we fill our lives with things we don’t even want out of some deep-seated idea that we can gain satisfaction with “stuff!” The truth is that what we really need is more of JESUS!
Many people are trying to fill a void with things, people, trips and activities, drugs, alcohol and more… and there is never enough. If you just had one more car, video game or pair of shoes… that would be enough. If you could just go to Europe or take a cruise one more time, your life would be complete. Have you ever seen the Kohler bath commercial where the Italian grandma is dying, and she is saying that her life is complete… she accomplished and experienced everything she could possibly want – until the door opens to show a beautiful woman running her hands through the water that fills a bath tub in a spa-like setting. The grandma utters a curse word and dies, regretting that this was the one thing she missed.
What are you missing? If we truly search our hearts, I think most of us would find we are missing more of Jesus. We are missing a deeper sense of trust, a stronger faith, a more intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. I recently commented to my mom that if I spent adequate time praying over the people and concerns on my prayer list these days, I would be in prayer all day… and then we both laughed. We both realized the absurdity of what I had just said, because this obviously is not the priority in my life it should be. See, I’ve let “things” get in the way of spending time with God, and I suspect you may have, too. I could give up a couple of mindless television shows per day to pray. I could walk an extra loop on my exercise route and talk to God a little longer. Instead of surfing the Internet shopping for my next purchase, I could be covering someone in prayer who has deep needs… or finding out what God wants me to do with the next few hours/minutes/days of my life.
We need to realize what is really important. It’s okay to have nice things… to live full lives and go places and do things. But it is not okay to give these first place in our lives. Priorities matter… GOD matters. We can’t take it with us when we die… and we wouldn’t want to anyway. Where are your priorities? What are your treasures?
Leland's Cafe. (2010). The History Channel website. Retrieved 3:33, April 6, 2010, from http://www.history.com/shows/american-pickers/episodes/american-pickers-episodes#slide-2.
©2010 Debbie Robus
January 2010 Devotionals - Week 2
January 14 ~ Isaiah 32:7-8
Cruel people tell lies-- they do evil things, and make cruel plans to destroy the poor and needy, even when they beg for justice.
But helpful people can always be trusted to make helpful plans.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
What a contrast I saw on Facebook today! On one hand, some of my “friends” are being contacted by another supposed “friend” who claims to be stranded in London and needs money wired to them immediately. It’s a scam… these Facebook “friends” have been hacked. This particular scam has gone around for a few months now, and some people (no one I know personally) have actually sent the money. Trust me, NOBODY is stranded in London and needing your help, much less your money!
On the same day on Facebook, the United Methodist Church announced that plans are already in place through their relief program, UMCOR, to help those in Haiti who have been devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.
These are excellent examples of cruel people telling lies and doing evil things to try and destroy others versus helpful people who are making helpful plans. And these are two isolated examples. Every day, we have the chance to make helpful plans in ways great and small. And nearly every day, we have opportunities to make choices and plans that are less noble, if not downright cruel and/or evil. It comes down to a choice.
How will you spend your days? Will you look for ways to help others and to plan helpful activities? Or will you fold and follow a less noble path – even for a day or two? The choice is pretty clear in my mind. Remember John Wesley’s admonition to do all the good you can in all the places you can for all the people you can for as long as you can (I’m paraphrasing). God expects no less from His children… how are you doing so far?
©2009 Debbie Robus
------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 13 ~ Isaiah 25:1
You, LORD, are my God! I will praise you for doing the wonderful things you had planned and promised since ancient times.
|Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Lately, I’ve spent some time sitting at the window watching the songbirds feast on black sunflower seeds from our feeders. I have become fascinated with how intricate the color patterns are on their feathers… how each feather has to sit just right aside another in order to create the stripes, dots, and distinct markings. And more than that, every single bluejay has the same feathers in exactly the same places. Each hairy woodpecker has the same white dots on a black back and the exact same pattern of red across the back of his head! Each female cardinal is a muddy mix of browns and reds, in contrast to her bright red male counterpart. And God took time to plan all of these details “in the beginning.”
When I think of the many things God planned… down to the details in the feathers of birds or how a “walking stick” insect really does look like a walking stick and all babies develop on approximately the same timeline for their particular species – and much more… I can’t help but be astounded. I can’t help but stop and thank God for being so detail oriented… so thoughtful… so careful and caring toward all of his creatures.
As bad and destructive as the recent heavy rains and flooding were for some people, did you stop to think that God promised in Genesis that He would never again wipe out the entire earth with a flood? In Hebrews 4:16, God promises to be there whenever we need Him. In Psalm 23, God promises to be with us even in the shadow of death. God promised to send a Savior… and He did! God promises those of us who believe in Him that we will spend Eternity in His presence!
If we stop and think for a while, we can all list ways God has fulfilled His promises in our own lives. But so often, we fail to take time to thank Him and praise Him for such intricate, detailed plans – and His power to work them out for each of us. So today, thank God for His perfect plans. Praise Him for the details and how intricate and incredible they are. Tell Him how astounded you are by the amazing love He must have for us that He would be so careful about even the smallest details, such as freckles on our noses and feathers on a woodpecker’s back! Acknowledge God’s power – and His grace for those of us who often take Him for granted. Promise to do better! Promise to pay closer attention to God’s plans for your life… and ask for His sgrace and mercy in the process.
©2009 Debbie Robus
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 12 ~ 2 Isaiah 14:24
The LORD All-Powerful has made this promise: Everything I have planned will happen just as I said.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about the plans we make every day. How many of them get changed? Maybe you plan to go somewhere with friends, and you wake up feeling sick and have to stay home instead. My husband and I once drew up house plans and were within a week of breaking ground when a flooding rainstorm occurred, and we realized that the water runoff would all go right through our garage! We had to start over and totally redesign our house plans to accommodate potential heavy rains. More than one of us has “planned” one career, only to end up doing something totally different. And almost all of us have had to change seemingly less significant plans at one time or another.
One of the biggest lessons of life is that nothing is certain, and we must learn to be flexible with our plans. If we set everything in concrete, we are going to be disappointed. And often, this is because our plans don’t line up with God’s! I cannot stress enough that His ways are perfect and sure… ours are not. Because we are human – and because Satan is always busy working on us – we have a really hard time accepting this.
Don’t misunderstand me… when you wake up sick and unable to do what you planned that day, God didn’t make you sick. But He may have allowed you to miss out on your plans in order to prepare you for what He has in store. God is not in the business of causing wars, failed marriages and relationships, illness, job loss, destruction, and heartache. That’s the devil’s domain! But God will take circumstances and changes in plans and work them into His plans. If God had not shown my husband the results of the flooding rains that were washing across our yard, we would have built a house that could have been a frequent source of problems and headaches.
Lately, I asked God, “Why on earth did you let certain things happen in my life? And how can you bless me so much after the ways I disappoint you?” I was amazed by His answer. First, He reminded me that it is okay to question Him… to ask Him anything that is on our mind or in our heart. Beyond that, He showed me that He uses my failings and misgivings for His glory. He turns the mistakes and shortcomings around and uses them to draw me closer to Him – to deepen our relationship, and to witness to others. We plan for the short-term; God plans for Eternity. He knows how everything will work throughout our lives, according to His purposes.
So when our short-term plans are changed, we would do well to ask God, “What do you have in store for me? What are you trying to tell me?” We should ask, “Where did my plan not fit in with yours?” God’s plans are exciting… because they are perfect. I’m learning rest in that…confident that whenever He changes my plans, it is for my benefit. And just maybe, something bigger and better is around the corner! Are you resting in God’s plans for your life?
©2009 Debbie Robus
-------------------------------------------------------------
January 11 ~ Proverbs 24:27
Get your fields ready and plant your crops before starting a home.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I have moved several times in 35 years and sold more than one house in the process. One of the things we learned is how important it is to get your house ready to sell before you advertise. This isn’t always fun – it may take a while, and it often requires minor (or major) repairs, possibly some paint and improvements, and certainly a lot of cleaning and scrubbing. But getting the house in tip-top shape for potential buyers and doing the necessary “field work” is essential.
By the same token, we have built a few houses, and this process cannot be hurried, either. The temptation is there to skip a few steps… to go ahead and move in before the painting is all finished or the exterior covering (like brick or siding) are all attached. In our last home, my husband and I had to delay our move for a week or so until the concrete finishers could pour our driveway. For a lot of reasons, it made no sense to move in before this was completed.
Life offers us lots of situations where we must “prepare our fields” before we move into the home. If you are a student, you probably wish school were over and you could get on with your life. But the “field work” is important – and necessary. If you are starting a new relationship, you may feel like this person is “the one!” But it takes time to get to know someone well enough to make a long-term commitment. Preparing for a career takes time, education and training... and maybe an internship or two!
We are always in a hurry. We don’t like waiting and saving for everything from a new car to a family vacation or new home furnishings. We always want instant results, from transitioning out of school and into a career to healing from an illness or injury. We don’t have time for study, physical therapy, saving our money, or getting to know someone. But all of this “field work” is incredibly essential… and we all have seen examples of what happens when people rush through this process.
In our Spiritual life, there is also “field work” to be done. While Salvation is immediate when we give our heart to Jesus, becoming a faithful, committed disciple of Christ takes time and effort. If we want to be effective in serving God, we must study His word, spend time in prayer and meditation, and put our faith into practice by sharing the Good News with others. We can’t rush Heaven – our ultimate home as Christians. There is “field work” to be done first – there are “crops” to plant in the form of sharing the love of Christ with others.
The preparation is always worth the effort… in even the seemingly “small” things like saving for a new car or painting the house before you advertise it for sale. How well are you planning? Have you carefully prepared your “fields and crops?”
©2009 Debbie Robus
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 10 ~ Proverbs 24:8-9
No one but troublemakers think up trouble. Everyone hates senseless fools who think up ways to sin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As I thought about this passage and looked at it in other translations, I was reminded over and over of recent political and current events and how so many have schemed and planned to “bring down” the other party (on both sides of the aisle) or its members. Truly, many in this country and around the world lie awake at night thinking of ways to harm those who do not agree with them politically. I read posts on Facebook from those who are joining groups to “get rid” of politicians, and while I am not against political activism – or standing up for one’s convictions – I think we often skew the lines to suit our personal feelings rather than acting as responsible citizens, much less Christians.
John Wesley is quoted as saying… "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can." Somehow, I don’t see anything in that quote about forwarding unkind e-mails, providing links to vicious propaganda on the Internet about this politician or that political group. I don’t see anything that says it’s okay to make your living as a comedian by joking about the killing of Al Qaeda leaders or their families… or the downfall of the latest celebrity. These jokes, e-mails, links and more don’t just happen – someone plans and prepares them!
And we’re not immune on a local level, either. Even if you are not sending out these e-mails or joining the groups on Facebook or writing vile letters to your newspaper editor, you may be passing on the latest rumor in your town or school about the person down the street. “Did you hear about So-and-so?” is another form of trouble-making… and we are all guilty of the sin of gossip from time to time.
I’ve said many times that people are always watching – and taking notice of how we conduct ourselves. Do we want to be known as troublemakers who are always planning ways to perpetuate sin? Or do we want to be true disciples of Christ who follow the guidelines of John Wesley and do all the good we can wherever and whenever we can? Rise above troublemaking… ask God to help you do this. Honor Him by “taking the high road.” Voice your political opinion with your vote, not venom. Stop paying attention to celebrity – or even local – gossip, and for goodness’ sake, don’t share it with others! Live by positive example, not by causing trouble… and let others see the love and light of Christ in you.
©2009 Debbie Robus
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 9 ~ Proverbs 21:5
If you plan and work hard, you will have plenty; if you get in a hurry, you will end up poor.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever watched one of those cable television shows about people who won the lottery? If so, you may have noticed that many of them rose quickly and fell almost as fast. They ran through the money like water through a sieve, and soon they were worse off than before they ever purchased a ticket. Or consider the Camden, Arkansas, man who won $1000 in the Arkansas lottery recently, only to lose his SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits because he was now making money. He was granted a $20 “general exclusion,” but he lost $980 in benefits. His attempt to turn a few dollars for a scratch-off ticket into a fortune backfired.
I have heard people say, “Joe What’s-his-name is so lucky. He just always seems to do well.” Luck has nothing to do with it! Most likely, Joe plans well (and prayerfully) and works hard! I have seen countless people spend hours, days and weeks on “get-rich-quick” schemes, only to have their dreams dashed by the reality that there is no such thing. I’ve seen the pictures of boats and cars and fancy houses taped to refrigerators… and big “commission” checks waved in front of others with the assurance that “this is so easy – and you can make big money, too.”
Do not fall for this. Think about the wealthy celebrities we see in the news frequently. How many of them appear to be truly happy or successful? They can’t seem to get things right in their marriages and relationships. They develop dependencies on everything from alcohol and drugs to gambling and sex. They flit from one religion to another. This is not success!
I want you to remember two things… 1) money doesn’t always equal success or happiness; and 2) there is no substitute for a good plan and hard work. You can’t hurry success, but with God’s help, you can achieve it. You may never live in a big house or drive a fancy car. You may always live paycheck to paycheck. But if you are honest, caring, faithful, and serve God with your whole heart, you will be one of the most successful people in the world. Some of the poorest people I know have more money than they could ever spend. And some of the most successful barely get by each month, but somehow they always have plenty.
Where do you fit in this group? Are you working hard and planning well? Or are you looking for a quick and easy path to success? Plan to live well by planning to work hard and serve God with everything you have… and you will always have more than enough.
©2009 Debbie Robus
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 8 ~ Proverbs 16:9
We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several years ago, my husband and I built our “dream home” on forty acres east of town. We had purchased the land from my dad (who purchased it from his parents), and our home-based business was located there, also. We thought we would live on “the family farm” forever, so we really made the house special. And it was! We loved that home and the land on which it sat. Life there was great, and we have many fond memories of time spent with family and friends on that property!
But then a series of life-changing events occurred, and we realized that God was showing us another plan. He was moving us, even if we went somewhat kicking and screaming. Over time, we realized that we needed to leave our “dream home” and move to another. Now, two homes and a business sale later, we see how God has orchestrated every single detail of our lives – and our moves. And… we have learned that all of our plans are temporary… and must be flexible.
Do not misunderstand me… we need to make plans for our lives (with God’s help, of course). But we need to understand that God may change our plans at any time… and if/when He does, it will be the right move. Our plans are just a small part of God’s bigger plan! God may show us that we need to go in a different direction, but failure to follow through will almost always result in a missed blessing. Take it from one who knows… plans are important, as long as we keep an open mind (and open eyes and ears) toward God’s leadership. If you feel Him steering you in a different direction, pay attention! His plans are perfect, and His decisions are always the right ones.
©2009 Debbie Robus
Cruel people tell lies-- they do evil things, and make cruel plans to destroy the poor and needy, even when they beg for justice.
But helpful people can always be trusted to make helpful plans.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
What a contrast I saw on Facebook today! On one hand, some of my “friends” are being contacted by another supposed “friend” who claims to be stranded in London and needs money wired to them immediately. It’s a scam… these Facebook “friends” have been hacked. This particular scam has gone around for a few months now, and some people (no one I know personally) have actually sent the money. Trust me, NOBODY is stranded in London and needing your help, much less your money!
On the same day on Facebook, the United Methodist Church announced that plans are already in place through their relief program, UMCOR, to help those in Haiti who have been devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.
These are excellent examples of cruel people telling lies and doing evil things to try and destroy others versus helpful people who are making helpful plans. And these are two isolated examples. Every day, we have the chance to make helpful plans in ways great and small. And nearly every day, we have opportunities to make choices and plans that are less noble, if not downright cruel and/or evil. It comes down to a choice.
How will you spend your days? Will you look for ways to help others and to plan helpful activities? Or will you fold and follow a less noble path – even for a day or two? The choice is pretty clear in my mind. Remember John Wesley’s admonition to do all the good you can in all the places you can for all the people you can for as long as you can (I’m paraphrasing). God expects no less from His children… how are you doing so far?
©2009 Debbie Robus
------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 13 ~ Isaiah 25:1
You, LORD, are my God! I will praise you for doing the wonderful things you had planned and promised since ancient times.
|Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Lately, I’ve spent some time sitting at the window watching the songbirds feast on black sunflower seeds from our feeders. I have become fascinated with how intricate the color patterns are on their feathers… how each feather has to sit just right aside another in order to create the stripes, dots, and distinct markings. And more than that, every single bluejay has the same feathers in exactly the same places. Each hairy woodpecker has the same white dots on a black back and the exact same pattern of red across the back of his head! Each female cardinal is a muddy mix of browns and reds, in contrast to her bright red male counterpart. And God took time to plan all of these details “in the beginning.”
When I think of the many things God planned… down to the details in the feathers of birds or how a “walking stick” insect really does look like a walking stick and all babies develop on approximately the same timeline for their particular species – and much more… I can’t help but be astounded. I can’t help but stop and thank God for being so detail oriented… so thoughtful… so careful and caring toward all of his creatures.
As bad and destructive as the recent heavy rains and flooding were for some people, did you stop to think that God promised in Genesis that He would never again wipe out the entire earth with a flood? In Hebrews 4:16, God promises to be there whenever we need Him. In Psalm 23, God promises to be with us even in the shadow of death. God promised to send a Savior… and He did! God promises those of us who believe in Him that we will spend Eternity in His presence!
If we stop and think for a while, we can all list ways God has fulfilled His promises in our own lives. But so often, we fail to take time to thank Him and praise Him for such intricate, detailed plans – and His power to work them out for each of us. So today, thank God for His perfect plans. Praise Him for the details and how intricate and incredible they are. Tell Him how astounded you are by the amazing love He must have for us that He would be so careful about even the smallest details, such as freckles on our noses and feathers on a woodpecker’s back! Acknowledge God’s power – and His grace for those of us who often take Him for granted. Promise to do better! Promise to pay closer attention to God’s plans for your life… and ask for His sgrace and mercy in the process.
©2009 Debbie Robus
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 12 ~ 2 Isaiah 14:24
The LORD All-Powerful has made this promise: Everything I have planned will happen just as I said.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about the plans we make every day. How many of them get changed? Maybe you plan to go somewhere with friends, and you wake up feeling sick and have to stay home instead. My husband and I once drew up house plans and were within a week of breaking ground when a flooding rainstorm occurred, and we realized that the water runoff would all go right through our garage! We had to start over and totally redesign our house plans to accommodate potential heavy rains. More than one of us has “planned” one career, only to end up doing something totally different. And almost all of us have had to change seemingly less significant plans at one time or another.
One of the biggest lessons of life is that nothing is certain, and we must learn to be flexible with our plans. If we set everything in concrete, we are going to be disappointed. And often, this is because our plans don’t line up with God’s! I cannot stress enough that His ways are perfect and sure… ours are not. Because we are human – and because Satan is always busy working on us – we have a really hard time accepting this.
Don’t misunderstand me… when you wake up sick and unable to do what you planned that day, God didn’t make you sick. But He may have allowed you to miss out on your plans in order to prepare you for what He has in store. God is not in the business of causing wars, failed marriages and relationships, illness, job loss, destruction, and heartache. That’s the devil’s domain! But God will take circumstances and changes in plans and work them into His plans. If God had not shown my husband the results of the flooding rains that were washing across our yard, we would have built a house that could have been a frequent source of problems and headaches.
Lately, I asked God, “Why on earth did you let certain things happen in my life? And how can you bless me so much after the ways I disappoint you?” I was amazed by His answer. First, He reminded me that it is okay to question Him… to ask Him anything that is on our mind or in our heart. Beyond that, He showed me that He uses my failings and misgivings for His glory. He turns the mistakes and shortcomings around and uses them to draw me closer to Him – to deepen our relationship, and to witness to others. We plan for the short-term; God plans for Eternity. He knows how everything will work throughout our lives, according to His purposes.
So when our short-term plans are changed, we would do well to ask God, “What do you have in store for me? What are you trying to tell me?” We should ask, “Where did my plan not fit in with yours?” God’s plans are exciting… because they are perfect. I’m learning rest in that…confident that whenever He changes my plans, it is for my benefit. And just maybe, something bigger and better is around the corner! Are you resting in God’s plans for your life?
©2009 Debbie Robus
-------------------------------------------------------------
January 11 ~ Proverbs 24:27
Get your fields ready and plant your crops before starting a home.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I have moved several times in 35 years and sold more than one house in the process. One of the things we learned is how important it is to get your house ready to sell before you advertise. This isn’t always fun – it may take a while, and it often requires minor (or major) repairs, possibly some paint and improvements, and certainly a lot of cleaning and scrubbing. But getting the house in tip-top shape for potential buyers and doing the necessary “field work” is essential.
By the same token, we have built a few houses, and this process cannot be hurried, either. The temptation is there to skip a few steps… to go ahead and move in before the painting is all finished or the exterior covering (like brick or siding) are all attached. In our last home, my husband and I had to delay our move for a week or so until the concrete finishers could pour our driveway. For a lot of reasons, it made no sense to move in before this was completed.
Life offers us lots of situations where we must “prepare our fields” before we move into the home. If you are a student, you probably wish school were over and you could get on with your life. But the “field work” is important – and necessary. If you are starting a new relationship, you may feel like this person is “the one!” But it takes time to get to know someone well enough to make a long-term commitment. Preparing for a career takes time, education and training... and maybe an internship or two!
We are always in a hurry. We don’t like waiting and saving for everything from a new car to a family vacation or new home furnishings. We always want instant results, from transitioning out of school and into a career to healing from an illness or injury. We don’t have time for study, physical therapy, saving our money, or getting to know someone. But all of this “field work” is incredibly essential… and we all have seen examples of what happens when people rush through this process.
In our Spiritual life, there is also “field work” to be done. While Salvation is immediate when we give our heart to Jesus, becoming a faithful, committed disciple of Christ takes time and effort. If we want to be effective in serving God, we must study His word, spend time in prayer and meditation, and put our faith into practice by sharing the Good News with others. We can’t rush Heaven – our ultimate home as Christians. There is “field work” to be done first – there are “crops” to plant in the form of sharing the love of Christ with others.
The preparation is always worth the effort… in even the seemingly “small” things like saving for a new car or painting the house before you advertise it for sale. How well are you planning? Have you carefully prepared your “fields and crops?”
©2009 Debbie Robus
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 10 ~ Proverbs 24:8-9
No one but troublemakers think up trouble. Everyone hates senseless fools who think up ways to sin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As I thought about this passage and looked at it in other translations, I was reminded over and over of recent political and current events and how so many have schemed and planned to “bring down” the other party (on both sides of the aisle) or its members. Truly, many in this country and around the world lie awake at night thinking of ways to harm those who do not agree with them politically. I read posts on Facebook from those who are joining groups to “get rid” of politicians, and while I am not against political activism – or standing up for one’s convictions – I think we often skew the lines to suit our personal feelings rather than acting as responsible citizens, much less Christians.
John Wesley is quoted as saying… "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can." Somehow, I don’t see anything in that quote about forwarding unkind e-mails, providing links to vicious propaganda on the Internet about this politician or that political group. I don’t see anything that says it’s okay to make your living as a comedian by joking about the killing of Al Qaeda leaders or their families… or the downfall of the latest celebrity. These jokes, e-mails, links and more don’t just happen – someone plans and prepares them!
And we’re not immune on a local level, either. Even if you are not sending out these e-mails or joining the groups on Facebook or writing vile letters to your newspaper editor, you may be passing on the latest rumor in your town or school about the person down the street. “Did you hear about So-and-so?” is another form of trouble-making… and we are all guilty of the sin of gossip from time to time.
I’ve said many times that people are always watching – and taking notice of how we conduct ourselves. Do we want to be known as troublemakers who are always planning ways to perpetuate sin? Or do we want to be true disciples of Christ who follow the guidelines of John Wesley and do all the good we can wherever and whenever we can? Rise above troublemaking… ask God to help you do this. Honor Him by “taking the high road.” Voice your political opinion with your vote, not venom. Stop paying attention to celebrity – or even local – gossip, and for goodness’ sake, don’t share it with others! Live by positive example, not by causing trouble… and let others see the love and light of Christ in you.
©2009 Debbie Robus
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 9 ~ Proverbs 21:5
If you plan and work hard, you will have plenty; if you get in a hurry, you will end up poor.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever watched one of those cable television shows about people who won the lottery? If so, you may have noticed that many of them rose quickly and fell almost as fast. They ran through the money like water through a sieve, and soon they were worse off than before they ever purchased a ticket. Or consider the Camden, Arkansas, man who won $1000 in the Arkansas lottery recently, only to lose his SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits because he was now making money. He was granted a $20 “general exclusion,” but he lost $980 in benefits. His attempt to turn a few dollars for a scratch-off ticket into a fortune backfired.
I have heard people say, “Joe What’s-his-name is so lucky. He just always seems to do well.” Luck has nothing to do with it! Most likely, Joe plans well (and prayerfully) and works hard! I have seen countless people spend hours, days and weeks on “get-rich-quick” schemes, only to have their dreams dashed by the reality that there is no such thing. I’ve seen the pictures of boats and cars and fancy houses taped to refrigerators… and big “commission” checks waved in front of others with the assurance that “this is so easy – and you can make big money, too.”
Do not fall for this. Think about the wealthy celebrities we see in the news frequently. How many of them appear to be truly happy or successful? They can’t seem to get things right in their marriages and relationships. They develop dependencies on everything from alcohol and drugs to gambling and sex. They flit from one religion to another. This is not success!
I want you to remember two things… 1) money doesn’t always equal success or happiness; and 2) there is no substitute for a good plan and hard work. You can’t hurry success, but with God’s help, you can achieve it. You may never live in a big house or drive a fancy car. You may always live paycheck to paycheck. But if you are honest, caring, faithful, and serve God with your whole heart, you will be one of the most successful people in the world. Some of the poorest people I know have more money than they could ever spend. And some of the most successful barely get by each month, but somehow they always have plenty.
Where do you fit in this group? Are you working hard and planning well? Or are you looking for a quick and easy path to success? Plan to live well by planning to work hard and serve God with everything you have… and you will always have more than enough.
©2009 Debbie Robus
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 8 ~ Proverbs 16:9
We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several years ago, my husband and I built our “dream home” on forty acres east of town. We had purchased the land from my dad (who purchased it from his parents), and our home-based business was located there, also. We thought we would live on “the family farm” forever, so we really made the house special. And it was! We loved that home and the land on which it sat. Life there was great, and we have many fond memories of time spent with family and friends on that property!
But then a series of life-changing events occurred, and we realized that God was showing us another plan. He was moving us, even if we went somewhat kicking and screaming. Over time, we realized that we needed to leave our “dream home” and move to another. Now, two homes and a business sale later, we see how God has orchestrated every single detail of our lives – and our moves. And… we have learned that all of our plans are temporary… and must be flexible.
Do not misunderstand me… we need to make plans for our lives (with God’s help, of course). But we need to understand that God may change our plans at any time… and if/when He does, it will be the right move. Our plans are just a small part of God’s bigger plan! God may show us that we need to go in a different direction, but failure to follow through will almost always result in a missed blessing. Take it from one who knows… plans are important, as long as we keep an open mind (and open eyes and ears) toward God’s leadership. If you feel Him steering you in a different direction, pay attention! His plans are perfect, and His decisions are always the right ones.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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