John 20:30-31
Jesus provided far more
God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are
written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of
God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way
he personally revealed it.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, seven second
and third graders studied the Book of James with me and my assistant,
Carie. We learned about trials and how God allows all of us to endure
trials and problems…and that even Jesus had trials. If we had no
problems or trials, we would not learn to depend on God. We talked
about how God wants us to study His word and talk to Him, so that we
know what to do…and learn how He gives us wisdom, perseverance, and joy –
even when things are going all wrong.
One of our exercises was
to pretend that we just got up and came to church without brushing our
teeth, combing our hair – or even changing out of our pajamas. A couple
of the children said, “It doesn’t matter how we look – God loves us
anyway, and the people at church will love us.” We all agreed that this
is true. But then I showed the children a mirror and asked, “Suppose
you looked in the mirror and saw that you were a wreck…that your hair
needed combing and your teeth needed brushing…but you put down the
mirror and didn’t do any of these things.”
We talked about how
God’s word is like a mirror that shows us where we could make changes or
improvements – and “clean up our act!” When we read the scriptures, we
see guidelines for how to handle certain situations…rules to live by…and
comfort and consolation when things don’t go so smoothly. If we don’t
pay any attention to what this “mirror” shows us, we are essentially
saying that we don’t need God – or believe in His word! And nothing
changes.
One of the points in today’s lesson was that it isn’t
enough to have faith in Jesus…we have to DO His work as well. We have
to take our own trials and use them to encourage and comfort others who
are going through similar experiences. We have to demonstrate how we
seek God’s wisdom and comfort through prayer and Bible study – and how
He builds our faith – so that others are encouraged to do the same
thing. This is discipleship in action!
How are you
handling the trials in your life? Do you trust God to show you how to
find joy and courage even in the midst of problems and adversity? Do
you demonstrate this faith to others? Do you pay attention to what God
shows you in His “mirror”…and make necessary adjustments and
improvements?
All of these things take work and effort…but they
are vital to furthering God’s Kingdom and serving well until He calls
you to your perfect, trial-free home in Heaven. It’s a lot to take
in…but we serve a BIG God who is more than able to help us make the most
of His word. I stressed to the children that there are answers in the
Bible for handling our questions and problems…but we have to open it and
dig in.
If God’s word sits on the shelf unopened, His message
may not reach us. Will this be the week that you open your Bible, dig in
and get busy? Don’t you think it should be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label trials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trials. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 16, 2014
March 16 ~ 1 Peter 1:6-7
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
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.
Once in a while, we crave a good steak. There is a restaurant in our town that specializes in steaks…and I have never been disappointed with a meal there. The meat is flavorful and tender…and while the “steak dinner” is pricey…the occasional treat is worth it! I don’t know how they prepare their steaks, but they have it down to a science! At home, I’ve learned that the secret to cooking tender beef, pork and chicken often lies in slow cooking. A chicken breast cooked quickly in just oil, salt and pepper may be filling…but it can also be dry and rather run-of-the-mill. The same cut of meat cooked in a slow cooker for several hours with a few seasonings can be melt-in-your-mouth tender and delectable. This goes for beef roasts and pork ribs, too.
It might seem like cooking meat for hours would be “cooking the life out of it” - and actually make it tough and hard to eat. But in truth, the exact opposite is true. The meat tenderizes and becomes saturated with flavor…and the end result is delicious and savory.
Peter uses the heat and purification of gold to demonstrate the trials of a Christian’s life. I am using a cooking analogy. Think of the tests and trials of your life like slow-cooking a beef roast. The meat is still edible if cooked quickly…just as you may feel you were getting along perfectly fine in life without troubles and challenges. But someday, you will look back at all you endured, and you will see that God was infusing you with “flavor”…character, strength, courage – and faith. He was “tenderizing” you…making your heart softer to His voice and to the needs and challenges of others. You will discover that God was refining one of His children into a person of incredible integrity, witness, and testimony…someone who could truly demonstrate the love and teachings of Christ to others.
We are all tempted to ask, “Why is this happening to me?” We want to question, “When will it be enough, LORD?” We wonder whether God has forgotten us. But the truth is that God knows everything that is happening…and He is right there in the trenches with us. He will never leave us to stumble around and flail in confusion and despair – even if that is how it seems. He will use the time in which we experience difficulties to develop our Christian “flavor and tenderness” – if only we will let Him.
Today during our Burger King® lunch, Zola was trying to eat some ice cream. At almost three years of age, she is very strong-willed and independent. The ice cream was all over her face, hands, and even on the front of her coat and her sleeve. I tried to help her, and she wrestled with me for possession of the spoon. I explained that I was not planning to feed her…I just wanted to clean up the mess and put a reasonable “bite” of ice cream on the spoon for her – then she could do the rest. In The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren says that our pain is often God’s megaphone. In other words, while we are so intent on having things our way or wallowing in our suffering and frustration, He is saying, “Let me have the spoon for a minute, and I’ll help you out of this mess!”
Where is God molding and refining you? How is He shaping you for ministry…equipping you to share His love and compassion with others? Where is He trying to direct your efforts, while you effectively “grip the spoon” and try to do things all by yourself? Are you staying in communication with God – even when you feel like He has deserted you? Are you listening to His voice – even when things get rough?
Are you willing to settle for the mediocrity of a “quick-fired” effort…or are you willing to endure the “slow-cooking” needed to truly tenderize your heart? Do you trust that God knows what He is doing…and that better days and brighter outcomes are ahead? Are you operating in faith that joyful days await those whom God tests and refines? Will you be one of them?
©2014 Debbie Robus
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
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.
Once in a while, we crave a good steak. There is a restaurant in our town that specializes in steaks…and I have never been disappointed with a meal there. The meat is flavorful and tender…and while the “steak dinner” is pricey…the occasional treat is worth it! I don’t know how they prepare their steaks, but they have it down to a science! At home, I’ve learned that the secret to cooking tender beef, pork and chicken often lies in slow cooking. A chicken breast cooked quickly in just oil, salt and pepper may be filling…but it can also be dry and rather run-of-the-mill. The same cut of meat cooked in a slow cooker for several hours with a few seasonings can be melt-in-your-mouth tender and delectable. This goes for beef roasts and pork ribs, too.
It might seem like cooking meat for hours would be “cooking the life out of it” - and actually make it tough and hard to eat. But in truth, the exact opposite is true. The meat tenderizes and becomes saturated with flavor…and the end result is delicious and savory.
Peter uses the heat and purification of gold to demonstrate the trials of a Christian’s life. I am using a cooking analogy. Think of the tests and trials of your life like slow-cooking a beef roast. The meat is still edible if cooked quickly…just as you may feel you were getting along perfectly fine in life without troubles and challenges. But someday, you will look back at all you endured, and you will see that God was infusing you with “flavor”…character, strength, courage – and faith. He was “tenderizing” you…making your heart softer to His voice and to the needs and challenges of others. You will discover that God was refining one of His children into a person of incredible integrity, witness, and testimony…someone who could truly demonstrate the love and teachings of Christ to others.
We are all tempted to ask, “Why is this happening to me?” We want to question, “When will it be enough, LORD?” We wonder whether God has forgotten us. But the truth is that God knows everything that is happening…and He is right there in the trenches with us. He will never leave us to stumble around and flail in confusion and despair – even if that is how it seems. He will use the time in which we experience difficulties to develop our Christian “flavor and tenderness” – if only we will let Him.
Today during our Burger King® lunch, Zola was trying to eat some ice cream. At almost three years of age, she is very strong-willed and independent. The ice cream was all over her face, hands, and even on the front of her coat and her sleeve. I tried to help her, and she wrestled with me for possession of the spoon. I explained that I was not planning to feed her…I just wanted to clean up the mess and put a reasonable “bite” of ice cream on the spoon for her – then she could do the rest. In The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren says that our pain is often God’s megaphone. In other words, while we are so intent on having things our way or wallowing in our suffering and frustration, He is saying, “Let me have the spoon for a minute, and I’ll help you out of this mess!”
Where is God molding and refining you? How is He shaping you for ministry…equipping you to share His love and compassion with others? Where is He trying to direct your efforts, while you effectively “grip the spoon” and try to do things all by yourself? Are you staying in communication with God – even when you feel like He has deserted you? Are you listening to His voice – even when things get rough?
Are you willing to settle for the mediocrity of a “quick-fired” effort…or are you willing to endure the “slow-cooking” needed to truly tenderize your heart? Do you trust that God knows what He is doing…and that better days and brighter outcomes are ahead? Are you operating in faith that joyful days await those whom God tests and refines? Will you be one of them?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 5, 2014
James 1:3
You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I didn’t die. I thought I might…but I didn’t. When a high school classmate chased me one day during lunch hour with what turn out to be a dead snake - and I fell to the ground while running and my dress flew over my head – I wanted to die of embarrassment. But I didn’t. When a principal badgered and bullied me during my first year of teaching, and there seemed to be no recourse, I thought I couldn’t handle it. But I did. When my father-in-law died… then my brother and my own dad left us within the span of 13 months…I thought with each passing that I could not bear the grief…that surely it would swallow me. And when Greg and I lost our first beloved pets, I was quite sure that I could not survive without them. But here I am.
During illnesses, surgeries and injuries when the doctor would say, “You cannot do XYZ for a certain length of time…you cannot put any weight on your foot for six weeks or more…you cannot drive until this heals…if you don’t regain your range of motion in the next few weeks, you will lose it forever”…we were, at best, frustrated. We had place to go…things to do…and certainly no time to be sick, crippled or incapacitated. When Greg and I grew frustrated and weary from maintaining two properties and hoping that our "farm" would sell, we prayed that God would either send us a buyer...or show us what we were supposed to do. The property sat on the market for so long that we contemplated selling our "city" home and moving back to the "farm."
But God always healed our hearts and our bodies...and a buyer for our "farm" property came along at just the right time. God answered each and every time we were tested. We survived every challenge, heartache, and frustration. And with each successive “test”, we grew stronger and more faithful.
Do we have it completely figured out? Are we “there” yet? Absolutely not! But I can see that each test has strengthened us. We can see God’s hand in our lives…and we recognize that we are where we are today because of Him. Without our faith, we would have folded a long, long time ago. And I suspect many of you would have, as well.
Let’s be clear…I do not relish the thought of future tests and trials. But I know they are inevitable. More importantly, I know that God will never leave me. He will never give me more than He can equip me to handle. I may feel like I am going to die… or that I would rather die! But I know that I won’t – until God is ready for me to come to Him in heaven. Meanwhile, I can use my “lessons” to encourage others. I can say to them… “I survived this…and you can, too.” I can offer hope, love, compassion and understanding. And in doing so, I can demonstrate God’s love and power…and give Him all the glory.
Whatever you are going through today…however rough and unbearable your life seems…no matter how excruciating the heartache may feel…God is with you. He will lift you up and cradle you in His arms and carry you through the toughest times. Several years ago, I began to mentally picture Jesus stretching out His arms toward me. In this image, I run to Him and snuggle against His chest in the silky-soft folds of His flowing white robe. Jesus wraps His arms around me, and I discharge a heavy sigh of relief. I am safe…I am at home…Jesus has me.
When you are tested, frustrated, grieved and heartbroken, picture yourself in the arms of Jesus. Let His strong - yet gentle - arms engulf you. Nuzzle against His chest and feel the steady rhythm of His breathing. And know that you are safe…that you will survive this…that all is well in the LORD. Share this with others who are experiencing similar difficulties (and we all know someone who is going through something!)…and let them know that all things are possible with God.
I didn’t die…and neither will you…because Someone watches over me and handles my tests and troubles. This is very good news, indeed…news we must share with others. How has your faith been strengthened by trials and challenges? Who needs to hear the “good news” of your “faith story” today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I didn’t die. I thought I might…but I didn’t. When a high school classmate chased me one day during lunch hour with what turn out to be a dead snake - and I fell to the ground while running and my dress flew over my head – I wanted to die of embarrassment. But I didn’t. When a principal badgered and bullied me during my first year of teaching, and there seemed to be no recourse, I thought I couldn’t handle it. But I did. When my father-in-law died… then my brother and my own dad left us within the span of 13 months…I thought with each passing that I could not bear the grief…that surely it would swallow me. And when Greg and I lost our first beloved pets, I was quite sure that I could not survive without them. But here I am.
During illnesses, surgeries and injuries when the doctor would say, “You cannot do XYZ for a certain length of time…you cannot put any weight on your foot for six weeks or more…you cannot drive until this heals…if you don’t regain your range of motion in the next few weeks, you will lose it forever”…we were, at best, frustrated. We had place to go…things to do…and certainly no time to be sick, crippled or incapacitated. When Greg and I grew frustrated and weary from maintaining two properties and hoping that our "farm" would sell, we prayed that God would either send us a buyer...or show us what we were supposed to do. The property sat on the market for so long that we contemplated selling our "city" home and moving back to the "farm."
But God always healed our hearts and our bodies...and a buyer for our "farm" property came along at just the right time. God answered each and every time we were tested. We survived every challenge, heartache, and frustration. And with each successive “test”, we grew stronger and more faithful.
Do we have it completely figured out? Are we “there” yet? Absolutely not! But I can see that each test has strengthened us. We can see God’s hand in our lives…and we recognize that we are where we are today because of Him. Without our faith, we would have folded a long, long time ago. And I suspect many of you would have, as well.
Let’s be clear…I do not relish the thought of future tests and trials. But I know they are inevitable. More importantly, I know that God will never leave me. He will never give me more than He can equip me to handle. I may feel like I am going to die… or that I would rather die! But I know that I won’t – until God is ready for me to come to Him in heaven. Meanwhile, I can use my “lessons” to encourage others. I can say to them… “I survived this…and you can, too.” I can offer hope, love, compassion and understanding. And in doing so, I can demonstrate God’s love and power…and give Him all the glory.
Whatever you are going through today…however rough and unbearable your life seems…no matter how excruciating the heartache may feel…God is with you. He will lift you up and cradle you in His arms and carry you through the toughest times. Several years ago, I began to mentally picture Jesus stretching out His arms toward me. In this image, I run to Him and snuggle against His chest in the silky-soft folds of His flowing white robe. Jesus wraps His arms around me, and I discharge a heavy sigh of relief. I am safe…I am at home…Jesus has me.
When you are tested, frustrated, grieved and heartbroken, picture yourself in the arms of Jesus. Let His strong - yet gentle - arms engulf you. Nuzzle against His chest and feel the steady rhythm of His breathing. And know that you are safe…that you will survive this…that all is well in the LORD. Share this with others who are experiencing similar difficulties (and we all know someone who is going through something!)…and let them know that all things are possible with God.
I didn’t die…and neither will you…because Someone watches over me and handles my tests and troubles. This is very good news, indeed…news we must share with others. How has your faith been strengthened by trials and challenges? Who needs to hear the “good news” of your “faith story” today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 24, 2012
James 1:12-15
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Do you understand the difference between a test and a temptation? Let’s say you decide to lose twenty pounds by practicing portion control and exercising five days a week. It will be a test of your determination to stick with the routine and develop the habit of eating less and working out regularly. If someone invites you to go out for an all-you-can-eat-buffet dinner or encourages you to skip a workout to do something you consider more fun, these would be thought of as temptations.
In Spiritual terms, how you meet challenges and trials that come along could be considered a test of your faith in God. He allows us to endure certain troubles and hardships to see if we will truly operate in faith and courage… if we will rely on Him to equip us to handle whatever burdens we face. God doesn’t cause these situations, but He can use them to see how fully we trust Him to meet our needs. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our hardships that we throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” We turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling or spending money we don’t have… we drive too fast and take unnecessary risks, spend too much money on things we don’t need, stop studying - or quit school altogether - or we give up on getting fit and healthy, go back to eating whatever we please, and stop exercising.
When we do this, we have succumbed to temptation. And we have no one to blame for the outcome but ourselves. We have given in to evil and the lure of Satan, and we are operating in sin. Understand the difference. It is one thing to say that, “God is testing me,” and quite another to state that “God is trying to trip me up.” The last statement simply is not true.
When we start to understand that God doesn’t operate in temptation, we realize that to succumb to the devil’s wiles and seduction disavows our faith in God. We are denying His ability to strengthen and equip us to meet any and all challenges. In other words, when we give in to temptation, we fail the test.
I don’t ever want to dishonor God. I most certainly don’t want to grieve Him. I’ll be the first to admit that some of His tests are really, really hard! But the rewards are so worth the effort. God’s love, grace and mercy will overcome any and all obstacles to achieving success. So the question for all of us today is this… “Are we operating in faith and stepping up to the plate to accept God’s tests… or have we yielded to the temptations of the devil?”
Tests and temptations are NOT the same thing. Be certain you know the difference… and always make the right choices.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Do you understand the difference between a test and a temptation? Let’s say you decide to lose twenty pounds by practicing portion control and exercising five days a week. It will be a test of your determination to stick with the routine and develop the habit of eating less and working out regularly. If someone invites you to go out for an all-you-can-eat-buffet dinner or encourages you to skip a workout to do something you consider more fun, these would be thought of as temptations.
In Spiritual terms, how you meet challenges and trials that come along could be considered a test of your faith in God. He allows us to endure certain troubles and hardships to see if we will truly operate in faith and courage… if we will rely on Him to equip us to handle whatever burdens we face. God doesn’t cause these situations, but He can use them to see how fully we trust Him to meet our needs. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our hardships that we throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” We turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling or spending money we don’t have… we drive too fast and take unnecessary risks, spend too much money on things we don’t need, stop studying - or quit school altogether - or we give up on getting fit and healthy, go back to eating whatever we please, and stop exercising.
When we do this, we have succumbed to temptation. And we have no one to blame for the outcome but ourselves. We have given in to evil and the lure of Satan, and we are operating in sin. Understand the difference. It is one thing to say that, “God is testing me,” and quite another to state that “God is trying to trip me up.” The last statement simply is not true.
When we start to understand that God doesn’t operate in temptation, we realize that to succumb to the devil’s wiles and seduction disavows our faith in God. We are denying His ability to strengthen and equip us to meet any and all challenges. In other words, when we give in to temptation, we fail the test.
I don’t ever want to dishonor God. I most certainly don’t want to grieve Him. I’ll be the first to admit that some of His tests are really, really hard! But the rewards are so worth the effort. God’s love, grace and mercy will overcome any and all obstacles to achieving success. So the question for all of us today is this… “Are we operating in faith and stepping up to the plate to accept God’s tests… or have we yielded to the temptations of the devil?”
Tests and temptations are NOT the same thing. Be certain you know the difference… and always make the right choices.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 7, 2012
May 7 ~ 2 Corinthians 1:4-7
He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble. We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort he gives. We suffer in the hope that you will be comforted and saved. And because we are comforted, you will also be comforted, as you patiently endure suffering like ours. You never disappoint us. You suffered as much as we did, and we know that you will be comforted as we were.
James 1:12
God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Anyone who has ever spent time “hospital sitting” will understand me when I say that my faith has been tested, and I we’ve been in trouble more than once this week. Last night, my grandmother muttered, “I’m worried about you.” I reminded her of the scripture from Galatians 6 and Isaiah 41 in yesterday’s devotional… how God has his arms around us – and as long as I am doing what I am supposed to in caring for her and helping her, He will help me. “You believe that, don’t you?” I asked. “Yes,” she nodded.
We wonder why suffering is allowed… why such challenges are given to us… but truly, we just don’t see what God is doing behind the scenes. As I think back to the nurse’s aide who gleaned information from my sister about getting a Health Information Services degree… to the R.N. who shared her concern over rearing her grandson while also taking her mother for a scan today to see if she is cancer-free following surgery and treatment… to the friends we met who also had loved ones hospitalized, I realize that God used us to help others even as others helped us! So many people were blessed by my grandmother’s smile and gentle spirit. Housekeepers stopped by just to hold her hand for a few minutes. Doctors marveled at her long life and how so many people love and care for her.
My grandmother has been blessed with a glorious life. There have been challenges… and times when I’m sure her faith has been tested. She has suffered terribly at times. But she has been comforted, and she has not given up. Now, at nearly 100 years of age, she asks why it is taking so long to get to heaven, and I tell her that maybe God is still working on a mega-mansion for her!
I know that many of you are facing enormous challenges. As nurses and medical staff have passed through my grandmother’s room, I’ve picked up little snippets of information – enough to know that EVERYBODY has issues and struggles… some of them pretty huge! My prayer is that your faith is as big as your challenges… that even when you struggle, you do not give up. Remember Jesus and His sufferings… and that He is with you in your own trials. Hold fast to the promise of better days and the wonderful comfort of One who counts each of your tears and stores them in a bottle (Psalm 56:8). Remember to “Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort.” May He give you comfort and renew your faith today… and always.
©2012 Debbie Robus
He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble. We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort he gives. We suffer in the hope that you will be comforted and saved. And because we are comforted, you will also be comforted, as you patiently endure suffering like ours. You never disappoint us. You suffered as much as we did, and we know that you will be comforted as we were.
James 1:12
God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Anyone who has ever spent time “hospital sitting” will understand me when I say that my faith has been tested, and I we’ve been in trouble more than once this week. Last night, my grandmother muttered, “I’m worried about you.” I reminded her of the scripture from Galatians 6 and Isaiah 41 in yesterday’s devotional… how God has his arms around us – and as long as I am doing what I am supposed to in caring for her and helping her, He will help me. “You believe that, don’t you?” I asked. “Yes,” she nodded.
We wonder why suffering is allowed… why such challenges are given to us… but truly, we just don’t see what God is doing behind the scenes. As I think back to the nurse’s aide who gleaned information from my sister about getting a Health Information Services degree… to the R.N. who shared her concern over rearing her grandson while also taking her mother for a scan today to see if she is cancer-free following surgery and treatment… to the friends we met who also had loved ones hospitalized, I realize that God used us to help others even as others helped us! So many people were blessed by my grandmother’s smile and gentle spirit. Housekeepers stopped by just to hold her hand for a few minutes. Doctors marveled at her long life and how so many people love and care for her.
My grandmother has been blessed with a glorious life. There have been challenges… and times when I’m sure her faith has been tested. She has suffered terribly at times. But she has been comforted, and she has not given up. Now, at nearly 100 years of age, she asks why it is taking so long to get to heaven, and I tell her that maybe God is still working on a mega-mansion for her!
I know that many of you are facing enormous challenges. As nurses and medical staff have passed through my grandmother’s room, I’ve picked up little snippets of information – enough to know that EVERYBODY has issues and struggles… some of them pretty huge! My prayer is that your faith is as big as your challenges… that even when you struggle, you do not give up. Remember Jesus and His sufferings… and that He is with you in your own trials. Hold fast to the promise of better days and the wonderful comfort of One who counts each of your tears and stores them in a bottle (Psalm 56:8). Remember to “Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort.” May He give you comfort and renew your faith today… and always.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 20, 2011
John 13:36-38
Simon Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "You can't go with me now, but later on you will." Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I go with you now? I would die for you!" "Would you really die for me?" Jesus asked. "I tell you for certain that before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't even know me."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If an emergency arises on an airplane, adult passengers traveling with a child are told to put on their oxygen masks first before they mask their children. This is to ensure that they have the capability to assist their little ones. In other words, they have to save themselves first in order to be able to save anyone else.
Sometimes there is a progression that must be followed in certain situations in order to obtain the desired outcome. Peter had to go through some things to strengthen his faith. Jesus knew this. He knew that Peter would ultimately be an amazing Apostle… and He referred to him as “the rock” in Matthew 16. That’s a pretty strong endorsement in my book! Yet Peter denied Jesus – three times!! - despite his insistence that this would never happen. And we often behave in much the same manner.
Who among us has not affirmed that we were faith-filled Christians who trust God to meet our every need… then whined, cried and wrung our hands over all sorts of issues both great and small? How many of us have claimed that God is our fortress… mighty and strong… then fallen apart and said, “I just can’t take this!”? Someone said to me recently, “I just want to be happy.” My response was that sometimes we have to be unhappy for a while in order to get to “happy!” And I think this is illustrated beautifully in this scripture passage. Jesus knew that Peter was going to have to suffer and go through some things in order to come out strong and truly dependent on Him for His strength and power.
None of us thinks we would blatantly deny Jesus Christ… yet we do this every day in many ways by wavering in our faith and wallowing in fear, self-pity, and impatience. We need to take a deep breath, say a heart-felt prayer, ask God to help us with whatever is challenging us in any way… then thank Him for answering according to His will. The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus is still with us when we emerge from our trials and tribulations… He never deserts us… and for this we should be incredibly grateful.
We may never be “rock star” Apostles for Jesus… but we can become the most humble, devoted servants possible and witness for Him in every circumstance. We may have to go through some things and be unhappy or uncomfortable in order to become the Disciple of Christ that God desires. Or, we can continue to deny Jesus… whether we realize we are doing so or not… and wallow in the misery of the pit that Satan has designed for us. The choice is ours… how will you decide?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Simon Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "You can't go with me now, but later on you will." Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I go with you now? I would die for you!" "Would you really die for me?" Jesus asked. "I tell you for certain that before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't even know me."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If an emergency arises on an airplane, adult passengers traveling with a child are told to put on their oxygen masks first before they mask their children. This is to ensure that they have the capability to assist their little ones. In other words, they have to save themselves first in order to be able to save anyone else.
Sometimes there is a progression that must be followed in certain situations in order to obtain the desired outcome. Peter had to go through some things to strengthen his faith. Jesus knew this. He knew that Peter would ultimately be an amazing Apostle… and He referred to him as “the rock” in Matthew 16. That’s a pretty strong endorsement in my book! Yet Peter denied Jesus – three times!! - despite his insistence that this would never happen. And we often behave in much the same manner.
Who among us has not affirmed that we were faith-filled Christians who trust God to meet our every need… then whined, cried and wrung our hands over all sorts of issues both great and small? How many of us have claimed that God is our fortress… mighty and strong… then fallen apart and said, “I just can’t take this!”? Someone said to me recently, “I just want to be happy.” My response was that sometimes we have to be unhappy for a while in order to get to “happy!” And I think this is illustrated beautifully in this scripture passage. Jesus knew that Peter was going to have to suffer and go through some things in order to come out strong and truly dependent on Him for His strength and power.
None of us thinks we would blatantly deny Jesus Christ… yet we do this every day in many ways by wavering in our faith and wallowing in fear, self-pity, and impatience. We need to take a deep breath, say a heart-felt prayer, ask God to help us with whatever is challenging us in any way… then thank Him for answering according to His will. The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus is still with us when we emerge from our trials and tribulations… He never deserts us… and for this we should be incredibly grateful.
We may never be “rock star” Apostles for Jesus… but we can become the most humble, devoted servants possible and witness for Him in every circumstance. We may have to go through some things and be unhappy or uncomfortable in order to become the Disciple of Christ that God desires. Or, we can continue to deny Jesus… whether we realize we are doing so or not… and wallow in the misery of the pit that Satan has designed for us. The choice is ours… how will you decide?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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