Daily Devotional for September 17, 2013

Isaiah 30:19-21
O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem,
    you will weep no more.
He will be gracious if you ask for help.
    He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.
Though the Lord gave you adversity for food
    and suffering for drink,
he will still be with you to teach you.
    You will see your teacher with your own eyes.
Your own ears will hear him.
    Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
    whether to the right or to the left.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
“You can teach yourself to type.”  That’s what several people told me when I was in high school.  I really thought I would save the time block allotted for typing class and take something else in its place.  I got a manual – maybe from the local library, and I practiced over the summer.  This was long before the Internet, and so long ago that I’ve forgotten some of the details.  Suffice it to say that when the school year rolled around, I decided I needed to take the class…I needed the teacher’s help.  I can still remember her hovering over me as I typed… giving me instruction about not only how to type, but also how to care for the typewriter itself.
 
Since I type every single day, I am so grateful that I chose to take that class and learn the proper technique.  Typing served both Greg and me very well through college… and it certainly played a huge role in our publishing business!  I think of my grandfather and how he “hunted and pecked” as he typed information onto insurance and real estate forms, and I am thankful for every struggle… every minute of frustration and boredom as I learned how to type properly.
 
Could I have learned to type on my own?  Probably.  Would I have been good at it, in my own way?  Possibly. But knowing that I had an expert standing behind me to whisper, “Do this” or “Don’t do that” made a difference.  I know that now… just as I know that I can’t make it on my own without help from the LORD.  Believe me, there have been plenty of times when I have tried.  But there have been more when I’ve cried out for help… and received it.
 
People ask why God allows us to go through trials.  Why are we challenged?  A friend posted on Facebook today… “I need a book or a course on how to not let "frustrating" customers annoy the bajeepers out of me and drain me of life.”  I responded…”Not to sound trite or "preachy", but I know a GOOD ONE! Start with Philippians 4:9... ‘Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.’ Philippians 4:13 is a good ‘mantra’ to repeat when frustrated... ‘For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.’”
 
A lot of what happens to us in life boils down to a choice… whether to try to handle things on our own – or to “let go and let God.”  I don’t know about you, but I’m not up for living life via the “hunt and peck” method.  I’m ready to ask for God’s help… and to listen to His reply.  Are you?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 16, 2013

Hebrews 11:24-28
By faith, Moses, when grown, refused the privileges of the Egyptian royal house. He chose a hard life with God’s people rather than an opportunistic soft life of sin with the oppressors. He valued suffering in the Messiah’s camp far greater than Egyptian wealth because he was looking ahead, anticipating the payoff. By an act of faith, he turned his heel on Egypt, indifferent to the king’s blind rage. He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept right on going. By an act of faith, he kept the Passover Feast and sprinkled Passover blood on each house so that the destroyer of the firstborn wouldn’t touch them.
 
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.
 
I still remember when a lifelong friend of mine telephoned his wife from another state, where he had traveled on business, to tell her that he was quitting his lucrative job as a sales manager for a five-state area in order to return to college and earn a teaching degree.  He became a second grade teacher… one of the best I’ve ever known.  He took a lot of flak for this decision, but quite frankly, we don’t have enough male teachers in elementary classrooms, where many children need a strong, positive masculine influence.
 
I recall the words of 17-year-old Cassie Bernall, a senior at Columbine High School, who was reportedly asked, “Do you believe in God?” by one of two deranged shooters who killed 15 people and injured twenty-four more.  Observers report that when Bernall answered, “Yes,” she was shot and killed.  Some claim that several students were asked this same question - not just Bernall - but the story of her supposed encounter and response has circulated the world and caused more than one person to choose to follow Jesus.
 
We are not all called to make noble sacrifices.  We will not all be faced with choosing to stay stuck in a career we don’t enjoy or “changing gears” and going in a different direction.  Most of us will not face the decision of whether to sign up to serve our country in the military, as countless men and women have before us – and more will in the future.  I pray that none of us will ever be asked at gunpoint whether we love Jesus.  But we will each face choices and decisions that frame our lives and define us... and how we respond will have lifelong - if not eternal - impact.
 
If you have not chosen a life partner and/or spouse, you probably will.  You may be faced with the decision to have children – or not… to change majors – or universities… to change jobs or move to another area of the country (or another country altogether)…to end – or drastically alter – friendships, lifestyles, and more.  At every turn, we face choices… and there will be plenty of people just like the Egyptian king who are unhappy with your decisions – if not reduced to blind rage, as this scripture mentions.  Not every choice we make will be popular, and we will have to endure the ramifications and consequences.  Just because we listen to God and choose to do what He directs does not ensure smooth sailing.
 
As this scripture passage indicates, this all comes down to a matter of faith.  When we trust God and listen to His voice, our choices may be difficult… they may raise eyebrows among family and friends…and they may cause our heart to race as we commit to God and believe in Him for the desired outcome.  But like Moses, we will be looking ahead to a bigger payoff… we will have our eye on the One no eye can see.  And HE will make the ultimate difference.
 
Whatever decisions you face today, prayerfully consider your options and LISTEN for God’s voice.  Follow His direction…trust His plans… choose faithfully… and trust Him to handle the rest.
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 10, 2011

John 12:24-26
I tell you for certain that a grain of wheat that falls on the ground will never be more than one grain unless it dies. But if it dies, it will produce lots of wheat. If you love your life, you will lose it. If you give it up in this world, you will be given eternal life. If you serve me, you must go with me. My servants will be with me wherever I am. If you serve me, my Father will honor you.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I was cleaning my desk this morning (those of you who know me can start laughing now), and I came across a note I had made that said, “Sidewalk Prophets – The Words I Would Say.” I Googled the phrase and found the YouTube video for this song. I had heard it on Christian radio one day and noted the names of the song and artist. This morning, I listened to it again and bookmarked it for future listening.

I had already found my scripture passage for today… the words practically leapt off the page at me. The message I received loud and clear is that life will not be easy or pleasant for us every single day just because we invite Jesus to be LORD of our life. If everything were hunky-dory every day, most of us would decide we really didn’t need a Savior, wouldn’t we?!

In order to truly prove to God that we are with Him 100%, we have to endure some bumps in the road… set our own personal agendas aside… and follow Him completely. We may have to work at a job we don’t particularly enjoy. We may have to get up at 3:00 a.m. with a sick baby or miss a party because our mom or grandma needs our help. We may have to tell our friends, “I’m sorry, but I can’t come with you,” as they get in a car and head for the liquor store and an all-nighter. We may have to speak up and share our disapproval to the person who makes unkind comments toward someone of another ethnicity, religious belief or lifestyle choice that differs from his/hers.

Recently I made the comment that I have had to do things in the past that did not make me happy… but they were the right thing to do – and I know God was guiding my steps. We don’t always get to have things our way, particularly if we are genuine Disciples of Christ. But the rewards and blessings far outweigh any momentary unhappiness we might encounter.

I encourage you to click on the video at the end of this post and listen to “The Words I Would Say.” If you don’t care to listen, take a look at the lyrics I’ve provided. Let Jesus speak to you through them today. Hear Him tell you to be strong in Him… never give up hope… don’t live life in fear and don’t forget why you are here! God’s got His hand on you… come find peace in the Father.

©2011 Debbie Robus

The Words I Would Say
©2009 Sidewalk Prophets – These Simple Truths
http://www.sidewalkprophets.com/

Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say