Daily Devotional for November 14, 2016

Romans 1:8-12
First, I thank God in the name of Jesus Christ for all of you. I do this because people everywhere in the world are talking about your faith. God has seen how I never stop praying for you, while I serve him with all my heart and tell the good news about his Son.

In all my prayers, I ask God to make it possible for me to visit you. I want to see you and share with you the same blessings that God’s Spirit has given me. Then you will grow stronger in your faith. What I am saying is that we can encourage each other by the faith that is ours.

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

In the last 24 hours, I have referenced faith THREE TIMES in correspondence with friends who are concerned about the future.  I’ve prayed for loved ones and acquaintances that are in some difficult situations…and I’ve asked God to work as only He can.

The Apostle Paul speaks in this passage of wishing he could meet some of his loved ones and friends in person, so that they could encourage one another in the LORD face to face.  I know that when I am encouraging Timothy, Zola and Nathan, they sometimes need a hug and a smile to go with my words of hope.  And we adults are no different!

But let’s be real…we can’t be everywhere at once.  So we have the next best thing…correspondence!  We have letters, cards, e-mail messages, texts, FaceTime, Skype…and the telephone!  And we ALWAYS have prayer.  We really have no excuse for failing to encourage one another and sharing our faith in God to see us through every situation and circumstance.  If the Apostle Paul could do this so effectively from his jail cell…surely WE can do this from the comfort of our own home/school/workplace - or wherever we happen to find ourselves!

So here’s my message to you today…keep the faith!  We say we believe in God and trust Him to do all things…now is the time to demonstrate this!  Encourage your friends and neighbors.  If you are with them in person, smile and offer them a hug when they need it.  If you are using modern technology to correspond, include a hopeful emoji where appropriate.  Write a note…send a card…pick up the phone…PRAY!

Fill your heart and mind with the hope and faith that God is still in control – of EVERYTHING – and let others truly see this at work in you.  And let’s all get started today!

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 10, 2016

Matthew 4:1-4
Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, to be tempted there by Satan. For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. Then Satan tempted him to get food by changing stones into loaves of bread.

“It will prove you are the Son of God,” he said.

But Jesus told him, “No! For the Scriptures tell us that bread won’t feed men’s souls: obedience to every word of God is what we need.”

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

Excuses! Excuses!  We’ve all made them…

• “If I don’t look the other way, I’ll lose my job.”
• “If I make my kids behave, they won’t like me.”
• “If I speak out against racist remarks, I’ll lose my friends.”
• “If I don’t serve on high profile committees in my church, people will think I don’t love God.”
• “I don’t approve of this person, but if I don’t support him/her, things will be really tough for me.

You and I are often very hungry…for attention, for reassurance, for friendship, for acceptance and approval.  It’s as if we have been in the desert for 40 days without food, and the devil comes along and says, “Have all you can eat.  It comes with some ‘strings’ and some compromises, but they won’t really matter.  What’s important is how YOU feel…what this means for YOU in the short run.  I know what you’re going through…and only I can make you feel better!  So EAT!”

Here’s the thing…when we compromise our values or fall victim to the devil’s schemes – or when we succumb to his temptations, we lose big time.  Not only that…when we “eat” from Satan’s plate of lies, we totally deprecate our faith that God can handle things. We are often so fearful of what will happen to us if we stand up for what we KNOW God is telling us is the right thing that we completely turn our backs on Him.  Essentially we say, “LORD, I know You SAID you could handle anything, but I really don’t believe You!”

So where will you stand today?  Are you really ready to tell the devil to get lost - and trust God…for EVERYTHING?  Dare to say, “I have no clue what this may cost me in the short run…but I am willing to risk it to stay in Your will, LORD.”  God will make a way where you see none at all.  I know, because I have done this…more than once!

More than a few of us are “wandering in the desert” today…and we are starving.  The devil is standing before us with the most attractive and delectable offerings to tempt us over to his side.  But God is standing there, also…and I promise, what He offers makes Satan’s enticements look like ridiculous.

Don’t be fooled…and don’t make the mistake of choosing poorly.  TRUST GOD!  Allow HIM to feed you and meet your needs.  He can…and He will!  Are you ready to take a leap of faith?    

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 9, 2016

Psalm 46:10

Our God says, “Calm down,
    and learn that I am God!
    All nations on earth
    will honor me.”

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
    
There are so many things happening in our world today – especially in our own country – that have a lot of us feeling like the earth has spun off its axis.  And yet, this morning I shared with ten 5-and-6-year-olds the story of Moses and how he made excuses to God.  I encouraged them to learn to listen to God and follow His plans for their lives. I assured them that God DOES have a plan for each of them, and that over time, He will reveal His mission for them through such things as prayer and Bible study…and He will help them implement this plan. They will be tempted to make excuses, just as Moses was – and as we often are - but they should learn to trust God and carry forward with His commands.

It’s hard to convince children that this is true…especially in light of what is going on all around us these days.  But I am confident that God is still in charge…that His plans are still perfect…that all nations WILL honor Him.  So I am not going to make excuses – for others – or to God.   I am going to stay calm…to trust and believe…to “be still and know” that He is GOD.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 29, 2015

Joshua 1:9
I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
Last Christmas, I found a recipe for Cashew Brittle…a salty/sweet concoction of caramelized sugar and cashews.  I made several batches and shared with friends and family…but I have to say, I ate my fair share!  I wasn’t even a fan of cashews…until they were combined with this crunchy sweetness.  Then I could NOT stay away from the candy jar.  I knew that I should pace myself…that I needed to exercise will power and resolve and stay away from that delicious concoction. Hey, I knew better than to make it in the first place!  But I simply could not control myself…or maybe I allowed myself to be controlled by the thought – and taste – of that delicious treat.  If you have ever said to yourself or someone else, “I won’t rest until I’ve eaten the whole thing!”…you know exactly what I mean.

We do this very thing with our worries and fears.  We say we are going to give them to God.  And sometimes, we do let God handle these things – for a little while.  But in the back of our mind, the devil is saying, “You better pick those back up and fiddle with them for a while longer.  What if this?  What about that?  You should be concerned!”  Essentially, we are encouraged to return to the “Worry Candy Jar” - and keep going back as the “weight” of our troubles mounts.

This scripture from Joshua is incredibly powerful and profound. In these words, we pretty well have a sum total of what it means to live and breathe in Christian faith.  We have the perfect recipe for how to walk in peace and confidence with God.  “…be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” 

Today, let’s make a concerted effort to “let go and let God” – in every situation.  Let God handle your worries and fears.  Let God heal you and give you peace.  Let God comfort you in grief and encourage you in challenges and stressful situations.  Let God be God and do the heavy lifting.  Be strong and brave – and confident that He is in complete and perfect control.  And stay away from that “candy jar” of worries and lies from the devil. 

I cannot promise that I won’t make Cashew Brittle this year…or something equally delectable and tempting.  But I am trusting God to give me strength and will power to manage even this enticement in my life.  With God, ALL things are possible…even the ability to “just say no!” during the holidays!  Are you ready to let Him have complete control of your worries, fears and temptations?  Don’t you think it’s time you were?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 28, 2015

John 16:33     
I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.”

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of TyndalePublishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I will tell you, I have almost stopped watching the news.  Everywhere you turn, there are heartbreaks and heartaches…wars, mistreatment of others, and injustice and indignities that at least ought to curl our hair!  Just in the last few days, I have learned of the death of two 15-year-old football players in a nearby town – the result of a car accident that left four others injured (some critically).  I’ve heard about several people who have cancer or serious illnesses and injuries, the incredible mistreatment of a misbehaving teenage girl in a South Carolina classroom, and the ravages of war in the Middle East. 

It’s enough to make us nauseous…to cause us to throw up our hands and ask, “LORD…where have You gone?”  And the short answer is, “Nowhere!  I’m still right here.”  So this begs the question…”Why?”  And John 16:33 provides the answer.  Jesus has overcome the world.  The things that rattle our cages and upset us…the words and actions that dare to rip out our hearts and cause us to doubt and become discouraged…are all part and parcel of this earthly – and often evil – world.  And Jesus overcame them all.  He died on the cross and took sin upon Himself, so that we have the chance to leave all of this behind someday…and bask in His glory in Paradise.

I don’t mean to sound the “Gloom and Doom Alarm!”  There ARE good things happening in this earthly life.  We just have to dig a little deeper sometimes to find them.  Just today, I attended the adoption hearing for a toddler placed in foster care with a family who is “like family” to Greg and me.  In his closing statements, the judge noted that he and his co-workers see and hear terrible things in the courtroom…stories of abuse, neglect and horrific injustices.  And he stated that days like these are a joy to them.  To see a child who is so obviously loved and well-attended…who is thriving in her new environment and has every prospect of a wonderful and happy life…gives them hope and renews their efforts to serve all children.

And so it is with us. This verse in John 16 should serve to bolster our courage and our hope. Our faith should be renewed, and we should be reminded to worry less and pray more - to allow the Savior who has conquered this world to handle it and the challenges that are offered…because He truly can! 

I cannot say that I am not affected by the trials and sorrows of this earthly life, because as a human being, I simply am.  But I can give them to God to handle and trust Him to do so.  I can live in faith and joy that my future – the one that really matters – is secure, peaceful and perfect.  I can cheer up…and spread the Good News.  And so can you!

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 16, 2015

Isaiah 26:3
He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!

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

In her book, For the Love*, author/speaker Jen Hatmaker says [paraphrasing] that “I suspect ‘getting it right’ isn’t God’s highest order.”  She maintains that not one human has ever stood before God having “gotten it all right”…that “some of the rightest rights turned out wrong.” Hatmaker proposes that when we get to heaven and discover some of God’s most “mysterious ways,” we will be genuinely shocked.

I share this to say that I am a good example of someone who doesn’t fit the legalistic mode of Christian faith…but that does not mean that I am lacking in this department.  I don’t kneel at the side of my bed to pray each evening before retiring.  Some days, my prayers are more like an… “Oh, yeah, God…I almost forgot…please bless this one and that one”…or a quick, “LORD, please help me with this situation that I’m facing right now.”  Other days, I spend hours talking to God about what is on my heart…and praising Him for all that He has done for me.

Still, my faith is strong.  I have trusted God in some pretty big things (well, big for me!)…and He has never failed me.  And the more I trust…the more He shows up - and the more I grow in peace.

People have said to me recently, “I know you are so upset over your mother’s cancer diagnosis.”  Well, yes…I am upset…but I am also “eerily calm,” as one faith-filled cousin described it.  I’m frustrated – and heartsick that my mother is ill. But I know that God is in control…and I am trusting His “mysterious ways” and believing that they will be manifested perfectly. 

I am believing for others who are sick, suffering, and struggling in some manner…confident that God is the ultimate “fixer”!  I am trusting that God will protect a former Sunday school student - and father to a toddler and newborn - who has just been deployed to Afghanistan for a year as a Black Hawk pilot for the National Guard.  I am trusting God to surround all of the precious children in our lives with angels who watch over them each and every second and provide a hedge of protection against the devil’s evil tactics.  I am trusting God to care for us as a nation…to keep us safe - and to equip us with the physical and mental capabilities to solve our differences and become even stronger.  I am believing that God is still in the church – that His body of believers is a refuge for weary souls and an encouragement for each of us as brothers and sisters in Christ.

As I go about my day, it may seem to some that some of us are disconnected.  We want to look at others and wonder why they don’t wring their hands and cry out in frustration and protest.  And the simple answer may be that they are living in the peace of trusting God…that their thoughts are on Him.  It is a wonderful thing to hand your burdens to someone else…but when that “Someone” is God Almighty, the peace is indescribable. 

I wish I could say that I never pick my worries back up and massage them for awhile…but I’m learning to see the foolishness in that.  I want to be one of those people who operate in the perfect peace of trusting God…for everything.  What about you?
     
©2015 Debbie Robus   
   
* For The Love - ©2015  Thomas Nelson Books for HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.  ~  http://www.amazon.com/Love-Fighting-Grace-Impossible-Standards/dp/0718031822/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441913947&sr=8-1&keywords=for+the+love+hatmaker

Daily Devotional for April 23, 2015

Psalms 80:1
O Shepherd of Israel who leads Israel like a flock; O God enthroned above the Guardian Angels, bend down your ear and listen as I plead. Display your power and radiant glory.

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

How often do you plead with God about something?  If you are like most people, the answer is…”Pretty often!”  Now here’s the bigger question…how often do you trust Him to answer?  I mean REALLY BELIEVE that God will hear your prayer and act on it.  Notice I didn’t say that He will hear and do whatever you asked…because often what we ask for is not what is really needed.

I don’t think I am all that different from a lot of people, and I know that there have been many times that I begged and pleaded with God to DO SOMETHING (translation: make this work out like I want it to, LORD!)…but I didn’t really expect any results.

The time has come for us to stop offering hollow prayers.  God may not answer us immediately…or in the way that we expect or desire…but He will answer.  He does hear us, and if we earnestly call on Him to display His power and radiant glory, He will do so!

I am learning to talk to God about everything…to give Him my burdens and my desires…and to WAIT on Him to answer.  I know that He will…and that He will answer YOU, also.  Are you ready to pray expectantly - with faith and intention…or will you just keep telling God your problems and hoping He fixes them?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 25, 2015

Jeremiah 29:11-14
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

“When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.

“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me.

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.

Anyone who knows me very well knows that I am a “git-r-done” kind of woman.  Okay, some would translate this as “impatient”…and I will admit, it’s in my genes to act quickly and with determination!  But over the years I have discovered the merits of waiting and exercising patience.  And this wisdom has been particularly valuable in matters that involve a major decision – or challenge my faith!

I am a work in progress, but I know more than ever that God’s timing is precious – and perfect.  So as I talk to Him about situations – over and over – and nothing seems to change…I try not to get discouraged or frustrated.  I remind myself that He must be working on something really good!  After all, God has promised that He has it all planned out – our care AND our future.  God assures us in this passage that He IS listening, and that when we look for Him, we will find Him.

Not only do we like to ask God “Why?”…we also spend a lot of time asking Him “When?”  My challenge for all of us today is that we would hear God’s words in this passage – and hear them well.  “I know what I am doing,” He tells us.  “I have it all planned out!”

We’ve read this passage – and others in which God assures us of His presence and power – a zillion times.  Now it’s time for us to move out of the way and let Him work!  I’m pretty sure we will be blown away by the results!  Are you with me?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 14, 2015

Luke 8:15-17
People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”
 
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.
 
One of Timothy’s first books was called Inside Noah’s Ark* by Charles Reasoner.  My mom bought this “board book” for him, and it didn’t take long for Timothy to learn the rhyming phrases on each page.  “Load the animals, two by two – here on Noah’s floating zoo”, the first lines say…and we “loaded” the ark countless times. I read other “God books” to Timothy…simple prayers for children, Bible stories, and a particularly special book that explored the question, “Where is God?”
 
I have always marveled at Timothy’s acceptance of God.  He has asked a few insightful questions about why we cannot see God…and where is He, really?...but he readily accepts that God is everywhere – that He lives in our hearts and is with us at all times.  I believe he truly loves God as much as any five-year-old can.  He is learning about the importance of living in a way that pleases God…and it appears to be important to him to do this.  We’ve read stories about Jonah and others who did not obey God and suffered the consequences.  I feel like Timothy and his siblings are developing a very good grasp of just how much God loves them…and they are developing a desire to honor and obey Him.
 
The question seems to be…when do we lose this innocence and purity of heart?  At what age/life stage do we start to really question God’s authenticity…and His presence?  More importantly, WHY do we do this? There are dozens of answers, ranging from the development of an intellect that causes us to question everything to peer pressure to a heightened sense of ego and self-sufficiency that can often lead to rebellion…or some catastrophic event that kicks us in the gut and leaves us feeling “punished” or abandoned by God.
 
Regardless of the causes, the bottom line is that we need to return to “child-like faith” and trust God more readily.  It’s okay to have questions…God welcomes them, and He will provide the answers if/when we are willing to seek His guidance.  It’s okay to be confident and believe in yourself – to a point.  But rather than criticize or demean those who seem to rely on God and follow His lead with something akin to “wild abandon,” we would do well to “let go and let God” a little more and adapt their approach.
 
Sometimes, reverting to your childhood can be a good thing…and when it comes to your faith in God and the attitudes of your heart, it’s most definitely good to be a kid again.  Are you ready to trust God with the simplicity of a child?  Will this be the day that you begin?
 
©2015 Debbie Robus
 
*http://www.amazon.com/dp/0843148853/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=ICIIN9FURNLT&coliid=I1AX4856YA4WRD

Daily Devotional for October 14, 2014

Malachi 4:2-3
But for you that honor my name, victory will shine like the sun with healing in its rays, and you will jump around like calves at play. When I come to bring justice, you will trample those who are evil, as though they were ashes under your feet. I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken!

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

In 2005, former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood received a Grammy Award for the Best Female Country Vocal Performance of “Before He Cheats*”.  The lyrics to this song say in part...

I dug my key into the side
of his pretty little souped up 4 wheel drive,
carved my name into his leather seats...

I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights,
slashed a hole in all 4 tires...
Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.

Maybe you haven’t felt like taking a key to someone’s car, slashing the seats and tires, or smashing in the headlights.  But let’s be honest...we’ve all been irritated about something or someone at one time or another - and at least secretly wished that “someday, he/she will be sorry.”  At the end of the day, we are human – and sinful...which means we all will eventually seek “revenge” of some kind...even if it is to delight in a “tit for tat” bad call during a ballgame – or to take comfort in the thought that one of these days, another person will have to answer for his/her “sins” and missteps.  Our victorious “jumping around like calves at play” is often somewhat misguided!

I found this passage rich with message and meaning on several levels:

• When you drill it all down, we don’t have to worry about the other guy – God will handle him/her.
• All we are called to do is honor the name of God - every day, in all things.
• Doing the right thing will be its own reward...God will fill us with joy and a lightness of heart and mind that has us practically leaping in the air with delight.
• God is in complete control.  This should “lighten our load”.  We should feel calmer...more peaceful, collected and confident as we leave our worries and concerns in God’s hands and focus only on loving and serving Him in everything.

God will deal with those who are evil.  Even though this passage says that when Christ returns, we will trample those who do evil under our feet like ashes and dirt...this “word” is truly for another day and time.  It should not be our main focus today.  Thoughts of revenge really shouldn’t even be on our radar.  We shouldn’t care about whether someone “thinks before he cheats”.  We should be focused on our own lives and making sure that we operate fully in God’s will.

If only we could learn to operate more in the joy of the LORD and focus on pleasing Him.  If only we could learn to more fully trust His power to handle our worries and concerns...to heal our heartaches just as surely as He heals our wounds and diseases...we would surely be more effective disciples – with contented souls!  I am so ready to “let go and let God”...to trust that He’s got my back – now and for all eternity.  I’m ready to focus less on the other guy and more on Jesus.  I’m ready to bask in the healing rays of God’s sunshine – and to feel my heart leaping with joy like young calves at play.  Aren’t you?

©2014 Debbie Robus

*Before He Cheats ~ ©2005 ~ written by Chris Tompkins & Josh Kear ~ Performed by Carrie Underwood for Arista Nashville Records ~ Sony Music Nashville (US)  www.aristanashville.com

Daily Devotional for October 13, 2014

Malachi 3:6
“For I am the Lord—I do not change. That is why you are not already utterly destroyed, for my mercy endures forever."

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

Have you ever watched a boxing match in which one opponent keeps getting pulverized by his opponent...yet he gets back up and goes at it again? You have to wonder why he doesn’t just lie down and let the referee count him out.  But there he goes again...up and ready for another blow – perhaps hoping that this time it will be different and he might even get in a good jab of his own! 

We all know someone who is in a situation where others are asking, “Why does he/she put up with that?”  Maybe YOU are that person today!  There are times when it seems that people are “down for the count” – or should be...times when a person or circumstance in life has beaten him/her to a pulp, and it seems pointless to keep standing up to receive another dose.  We “sideline quarterbacks” may even tell this person to “cut your losses”...to move in a different direction.

Sometimes, this is good advice.  But there are situations where God wants us to stay and continue to fight.  Consider this...Jesus could have taken Himself down from the cross at any second.  He could have said, “That’s enough...none of these people are worth this suffering and torture.  I’m done.”  But He didn’t.  He stayed to the bloody end – quite literally.  And as we see in Malachi 3:6, God has NEVER given up on us...even when we gave Him every reason to do so.

There will be times when God tells you...”That’s enough. Throw in the towel and move on.” In the words of Luke 9:2 (paraphrased)...”shake the dust from your shoes and get on with your life.”  But there will also be times when God says, “Hang on just a little longer.  I’m working on something here.  Keep the faith and give me just a little more time to pull this all together as I designed.  I promise you...it’s going to be worth the wait!” 

How do we know the difference?  It’s not always easy!  I have found that when I am in doubt about which way to move...I should just sit still for a while.  Sometimes, God wants us to watch, wait, be patient, and listen for His voice. He will honor your “reverent pause”...God delights when we act with restraint and do not operate in impulsivity!  The more you listen and operate in His will, the more you will know in your gut when you are truly supposed to move – or stay.

One more thing...sometimes, God says to us, “I’ll handle this now...I need you somewhere else.”  Just because God moves us does not mean that He has deserted the person(s) involved. God doesn’t change...He is not easily deterred...He gives each of us every possible chance to turn to Him. God’s love and mercy are beyond our comprehension!  He will do whatever it takes to rescue us and bring us to a right relationship with Him!

This is GOOD NEWS!  The God who loves us beyond all we can imagine is always working on our behalf and in every situation.  Spend some time with Him today and ask Him where He wants you to serve. Is He calling you to “get up off the mat and go another round” in your present circumstances?  Or have you been “reassigned”?  Either way, He is with you...and that will never change.

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 10, 2014

October 10 ~ Luke 8:49-56
While he was still talking, someone from the leader’s house came up and told him, “Your daughter died. No need now to bother the Teacher.”

Jesus overheard and said, “Don’t be upset. Just trust me and everything will be all right.” Going into the house, he wouldn’t let anyone enter with him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s parents.

Everyone was crying and carrying on over her. Jesus said, “Don’t cry. She didn’t die; she’s sleeping.” They laughed at him. They knew she was dead.

Then Jesus, gripping her hand, called, “My dear child, get up.” She was up in an instant, up and breathing again! He told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were ecstatic, but Jesus warned them to keep quiet. “Don’t tell a soul what happened in this room.”

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.

• “When pigs fly!” 
• “That will never happen!” 
• “Fat chance!” 
• “I’ll believe it when I see it!” 
• “No way!”

These are just a few of the phrases we utter about a myriad of situations and circumstances - skeptics and cynics that we are.  I could almost hear this girl’s father, Jairus, speaking these things to Jesus and His disciples.  His daughter was dead already. He and everyone else knew it.  Yet after Jesus and the disciples went in to see her, she emerged alive, well...and hungry!

There are a lot of thoughts on why Jesus warned everyone not to speak of what had happened.  People would probably not have believed them in the first place...and those who were convinced would probably assume that witchcraft or some sort of sorcery was involved - and come after Jesus and His followers.  Jesus knew that this was not “His time” to be apprehended...that there was still work to be done...miracles to be performed...lessons to be taught. And while we are called to share the Good News of Jesus...we’ve never been commissioned to brag.

There are several lessons for us in this passage.  The first seems pretty obvious – nothing is impossible with Jesus.  Now I don’t mean to imply that He is going to bring our loved ones back to life when they pass from this earth.  But He surely could if it fit into His plans.  The bigger “take-away” from these verses seems to be that we are not to underestimate the power of Jesus to do anything and everything.  We are to be less skeptical and cynical...and more positive and optimistic.  We are to trust that God is in full control...and we are to walk in this confidence.

When we receive word that things are bad...when we hear about dire circumstances, a bad diagnosis, or some sort of trial or tragedy...we are not to wring our hands and throw a pity party.  We are to seek Jesus...to “follow Him into the room” and watch and listen as He works...then emerge with the confidence that He is handling the situation.  Remember the story of David in 2 Samuel 12:22-23, where he answers those who question why he emerged from his chambers after the death of his baby with Bathsheba.  People are appalled that he is dressed and hungry – and actually sits down to eat a meal.  “While the child was alive,” he tells them, “I fasted and wept, thinking God might have mercy on me and the child would live. But now that he’s dead, why fast? Can I bring him back now? I can go to him, but he can’t come to me.”

The lesson for us is that we have a job to do...we are to trust in God and believe in His wisdom and healing power – in all situations.  We are to “follow Jesus into the room” and serve Him as He works in our lives and the lives of others.  Then we are to step out into the world and live with confidence and assurance.  We don’t need to brag...we shouldn’t need to be constantly announcing to those around us that we are Christians – and we certainly should never imply that God has given us special treatment or that we are better than anyone else.  It is one thing to say, “God has done amazing things in my life”...but it is quite another to act as if you did anything special to merit these blessings – or that you are “all that and a bag of chips!”

What God has done for us, He will gladly do for any and all who trust in Him.  Jesus died on the cross that we might all be raised from the death of our sins.  The sad thing is that a lot of us still don’t fully believe this.  We underestimate God’s healing power...His desire to rescue us...His incredible, unconditional and unending love for us.  So like Jairus and his friends, we essentially say, “It’s too late” or “I have serious doubts.”

Hear this...it is never too late with God.  As long as you draw breath, there is opportunity to be healed and restored through Jesus Christ.  Will you trust Him do work in your life?  Will you “emerge from the room”...alive, healed and hungry?  Isn’t it time you did just that?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 9, 2014

Luke 8:43-48
As they went a woman who wanted to be healed came up behind and touched him, for she had been slowly bleeding for twelve years, and could find no cure (though she had spent everything she had on doctors). But the instant she touched the edge of his robe, the bleeding stopped.

“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, so many are crowding against you. . . . ”

But Jesus told him, “No, it was someone who deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.”

When the woman realized that Jesus knew, she began to tremble and fell to her knees before him and told why she had touched him and that now she was well.

“Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

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

A lot of people joke that they can look at pictures of food and gain weight...as if the pounds are transferred from the images to the body by osmosis.  We all know that there is a step in the middle of that process...one that results from a significant action by us! Our weight gain generally comes from what we put in our mouth – and what we do afterward to burn the ingested calories.

The healing touch of Jesus comes from a form of “osmosis”...the mingling or absorption of His presence in our hearts and minds. We are not necessarily required to physically do anything to receive this blessing. Merely “touching the hem of His garment” is sufficient to get Jesus’ attention.

Do not miss the profound message of this passage!

Imagine being in a crowd of people when Jesus and His entourage pass by you.  Just as Jesus gets past you, you reach out and brush the hem of His robe with your fingertips.  And immediately, you feel the spark of “electricity” surge through your body.  You know in a split second that something has changed...that you are no longer the same person you were less than a minute ago.

Now think about your daily living. Have you ever had a “God moment”?  Think about the times when something happened, and you instantly felt blessed or changed...a kind word, gesture or message from someone that generated a deep emotional response...an event that could only be explained as the work of God...a time when you were spared a heartache or even physical injury. Maybe you said, “The angels were with me.”  Or perhaps you thought...”Wow! I really needed that!”  Who do you think sent those “angels” or whatever it was that you so desperately needed in that moment?

When we minister to others...or when we receive a blessing ourselves...we have felt the touch of Jesus.  And by our faith alone...and a whispered prayer for Jesus to draw near to us...we have essentially “touched the hem of His garment”.  My point is that nothing physically has to transpire between us and Jesus to experience His healing power. He does not have to come to us in the flesh and lay His hands upon us. We don’t have to take a pill or perform a ritual of some sort.  All we have to do is to believe that Jesus can meet our every need...then reach out and “touch His hem.”  Jesus will do the rest.

I am also struck by Jesus’ words that He felt the healing power leave His body. When we serve others in His name, Jesus’s blessed anointing flows through us to those who receive our ministry.  Stop and think about this...haven’t you felt Jesus’ power “leave you” as you shared blessings with others?  Maybe as you felt the urge to pray for another or express love and care for them in some manner, you experienced a deep sense of calm and peace in your own life.  Or perhaps your “mission work” left you bone weary – but energized at the same time.  This is the power of Jesus working in and through you.

The healing power of Jesus is all around us. In effect, Jesus “passes by us” many times a day. Will we recognize Him?  Will we trust Jesus so profoundly that we “reach out and touch His hem” with the confidence that His healing, love and care will flow into us...and through us to others as we minister in His name?  Isn’t it time we did?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 5, 2014

Jeremiah 33:6-9
Nevertheless the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s damage and give her prosperity and peace. I will rebuild the cities of both Judah and Israel and restore their fortunes. And I will cleanse away all their sins against me and pardon them. Then this city will be an honor to me, and it will give me joy and be a source of praise and glory to me before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see the good I do for my people and will tremble with awe!

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

One of my favorite TV shows is called “Rehab Addict”.  It features Nicole Curtis, a young woman who buys really old, run-down houses in Detroit and Minneapolis...and completely restores them.  Her specialty is using restoration hardware and vintage materials that she reclaims from other old homes – or purchases at a local salvage yard and thrift stores. She repairs old hardwood floors...light fixtures...stained glass windows...claw-footed bath tubs and vintage kitchen sinks...and so much more...and creates comfortable modern homes with a vintage feel.

Many of the houses that Curtis purchases were scheduled for condemnation.  Some have windows that have been boarded up...graffiti that defaces the interior and exterior walls...and crumbling sidewalks and porches.  Nothing seems to be too difficult for Curtis and her team to tackle...and when the program did show an old home that was too far gone being demolished, she was standing on the sidelines with tears pouring down her face.

Nicole Curtis is one of many restoration and renovation experts who have a vision.  They see beauty and purpose where most of us would see something that needed to go. They have the foresight and ability to clean away the grime, sand and polish the years of wear and tear, and turn back time.

Most of us are a lot like those houses.  We’ve become worn with time and “life”...and maybe stained with our sins and wrongdoings.  Some of us are downright sick from all of it and in need of a profound healing and restoration.  And God offers us exactly this!  He has the vision of who and what we are supposed to be...what He intended for us.  God also has the ability to restore us to our former purpose...to cleanse us of the stains of our sins and heal us where the gaping wounds of our bad choices and wrong paths have left us scarred and worn.

If you’re like me, you know at least one person of whom you have said, “If God can fix So-and-so, He can fix ANYBODY!”  And maybe that “So-and-So” is YOU!  The point is that God does not desire that a single one of us be “torn down and piled into the dumpster”.  He sees us as He designed us...and He can get us back into prime condition.  Aren’t you ready for a spiritual renovation and restoration...even if all you need is just a “light refreshing”?  Isn’t this the perfect time to humble yourself before God and ask Him to “do a good work in you”?  Will this be the day that you begin?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 19, 2014

Acts 5:15-16
Sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow would fall across some of them as he went by! And crowds came in from the Jerusalem suburbs, bringing their sick folk and those possessed by demons; and every one of them was healed.

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

This morning on ABC’s The View, I watched Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal present a tribute to their dear friend, Robin Williams, who left this earth two months ago.  Essentially, both comics described a person who “lit up a room” when he entered.  Just the mention of the name - “Robin Williams” – evokes memories of hilarious routines, a favorite movie or television episode, “Nanu! Nanu!”, and more.  I am sure you have your favorites...but it’s safe to assume that when you hear Robin Williams’ name, you can’t help but smile.  His effect on people was like that of a healing balm.

Greg and I learned yesterday that a childhood friend of ours succumbed to cancer. Sherman was something of our own personal “Robin Williams”.  He entered the doorway telling a hilarious story, and he left everyone smiling – and sometimes shaking their heads in the context of “what just happened?!”  We can’t help but smile when we hear Sherman’s name.  Just the thought of our sweet friend makes us happy - even in his passing.

Here’s how this passage about healing relates to the recollections of these two men...we can easily understand how the thought of a brilliant, witty comedian or friend is enough to make us smile.  But we cannot comprehend how the “passing shadow” of one of Christ’s disciples could heal the sick and possessed.  We cannot fathom being so filled with Jesus that His healing power flows through us to the point that even our walking past someone who is sick or in need could result in their healing.  Furthermore, we can’t imagine a faith so strong that we would believe that falling underneath the shadow of such an anointed person could result in making us well.

But this is exactly what happened.

What does this all mean for us?  Are we to begin seeking anointed healers – or those who claim to be – and believing in their healing powers as agents of Jesus?  Are we to seek this power in our own lives?  I don’t believe that we will physically become able to heal the sick in Jesus’ name – although some would claim otherwise.  For me, this passage says two things:  1) do not underestimate Jesus’ ability and desire to use you as His disciple – in whatever way He sees fit; and 2) grow your faith in Christ’s “healing power” over your own life.  In other words, be ready and willing to reach out to others in Jesus’ name - wherever and whenever He sends you.  Trust in a God who is so powerful that His healing power can flow through the shadow of a mere mortal and restore another – if He so desires. 

Live in such a way that the mention of your name causes others to conjure a mental image of Jesus Christ and His love and care.  We can’t BE Jesus...but we can be more like Him!  And we can be servants that honor and glorify His name in all that we do.  Recognize the power of even a smile delivered to a stranger by someone whose heart is filled with Jesus. 

I thank God for the joy that was Robin Williams and our friend Sherman...for the happiness and brightness they brought to the lives of so many.  You can cast a “shadow” of the love of Christ over others...you really can - if you are closely attuned to His word and will for your life.  You can be the “healing balm” that brightens another person’s day and “soothes their soul” – if not their body. Time’s a wastin’!  None of us is promised tomorrow, so we need to get started!  Learn to recognize Jesus’ power and presence in your own life...discover how – and where – He wants you to represent His love and care...and go “light up a room” in His name!

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 8, 2014

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.

A childhood friend of mine named Suzanne decided to become a foster parent a few years ago.  I am not certain how many children Suzanne has fostered, but at one point, she was entrusted with the care of a 9½-month-old girl.  She fostered this child, as well as the baby’s 3-year-old brother, who subsequently joined them from another foster placement.  Ultimately, family members petitioned for custody, and won.  These children had been in foster care practically all of their lives, but Suzanne was mandated to drive them to the “meeting point” and leave them with virtual strangers...and return home alone.  She kept friends updated throughout this ordeal via e-mail and social media. 

I can tell you, Suzanne has grieved mightily over “her” children.  Given the green light, she would have adopted them in a heartbeat.  She wrote, “The past year has been one of intense grief and pain.  I felt betrayed and used, and as if the thousands of prayers I've prayed throughout my life for what it would be - who I would be - fell into nothing; it's as if trying to make this dream of parenthood come true cost me my faith.”

Many people have prayed for Suzanne and encouraged her not to give up...we’ve reminded her that God has a plan for her – we just didn’t know what it was.  This week, she sent out a group e-mail asking for prayers as she ventured several hours away from her home in Dallas to an adoption “match” event, where children ages 6-17 who are seeking a “forever home” would be on hand to meet with potential adoptive parents.  Suzanne admitted that she was afraid to have her heart broken and her hopes dashed again.  She was not sure she even had the courage to make the trip.  But she went anyway.

A “post-event” message from Suzanne revealed that she may have very well made a “match”.  She attended this event with the idea that she would seek the adoption of boy age 14 or older.  She had a long list of reasons for this choice.  Instead, she “clicked” with a 16-year-old girl.  The caseworker told Suzanne that the girl had asked if any potential parents liked her.  The caseworker said she could not discuss this, but she asked the girl if she was interested in any of the adults.  There was only one – Suzanne!  So she has authorized the go-ahead to get better acquainted with the 16-year-old.  Suzanne is cautiously optimistic... she hopes this is a good “fit”...and that God allows her to adopt at least one sibling.  There was also a “connection” with a 12-year-old girl who had a “blue mouth” from eating a sno-cone.  As Suzanne put it...“I might be on my way to being a mom.  And then, we can look into getting her some younger siblings!  Maybe a little [12-year-old, blue-mouthed] firecracker!”

I wrote to Suzanne and congratulated her on the successful trip...and the possibilities that lie ahead.  I told her...”I am continually amazed at what God can do when we step aside and let Him have control.  It sounds like He has a wonderful, exciting, ‘girlie’ plan for you!  Best wishes and prayers for the perfect outcome!” 

Here’s the thing...many of us undergo some pretty devastating experiences.  We endure hardships and challenges that are gut-wrenching...inexplicable...and at times, almost unbearably grieving. Like Suzanne, we are sometimes brought so low that we feel betrayed and used...and we almost lose our faith. But we see in this scripture passage that God uses these times to strengthen us...and He rewards our faithfulness.  I don’t know when, where or how...but He does.  Of this, I am totally convinced. 

I cannot say with certainty that this time next year, Suzanne will have a family that includes a teenager or two.  But I know that God is at work...and if she will stay faithful and obedient, whatever He has in store for her will be glorious and perfect.  That’s how God rolls...He is merciful and gracious...and generous beyond description.  When we trust Him, He delivers...sometimes even sno-cone-blue-mouthed tweenagers! 

How will you trust God in your circumstances today?  Are you ready for your own share of the “glorious life” that He offers? Will this be the day you surrender control and let Him handle things?  Isn’t it time you did?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 16, 2014

John 16:7
But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.

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

We took the kiddos to Pizza Hut for lunch after church yesterday.  When Greg went to pay the bill, Timothy wanted to go with him.  At first I told him to stay in his seat.  But Timothy persisted, and I could see Greg standing at the cash register…so I decided it was safe for Timmy to join him.  Plus, Timothy kept saying in a confident-but-not-bossy tone, “I’ll handle it!  I can handle it!”  So I let him go.  And several times in the 10 or 20-foot walk to his uncle, Timothy looked back with a smile and said, “I’ll handle it!”

I’ll be honest…there have been a couple of times in this little guy’s short life when letting him go was truly heart-rending.  Twice he came to visit his grandparents and us for extended stays, and then we returned him to Texas to live with his family.  We all knew that he needed to be with his parents and his siblings…and he would talk about “going home to Mom and Dad”.  But the head and heart are often in conflict – and these experiences were no exception!

We assured Timothy that even though he was separated from us by hundreds of miles, we would always love him…that he would forever be in our hearts.  We told him, “Look at the moon and remember that we are seeing the same moon…and we love you to the moon and back!”  When we would talk on the phone, we would ask him, “Did you see the moon?  Do you remember how much we love you?”  More importantly, we reminded him countless times of how much God loved him…and that God would never leave him, no matter where he went.  I truly believe this 5-year-old boy comprehends God’s presence, love and care - as much as a child can grasp any intangible concept!  He knows that God will “handle it”…no matter where he is or what happens.

Saying “Good-bye” is difficult sometimes…maybe even gut-wrenching…but often necessary.  It was important that Timothy return to his parents and siblings.  And it was necessary for Jesus to physically leave earth and return to Heaven.  Thankfully, Timothy and his family returned to Arkansas almost two years ago, so we have all been reunited in the same community and see each other often.  And someday, we believers will be reunited with Jesus.  But in the meantime, we can carry His Holy Spirit in our hearts.  We know that wherever we go…whatever we do…He is with us.  We can feel His love and presence and know that He is near.  Like the moon reminded a toddler that he was loved from afar, we have reminders of Christ’s love and care at every turn. 

I realize that not every “Good-bye” comes with the assurance that there will be a reunion…at least not an earthly one.  Many of us have said a necessary “Good-bye” to loved ones who have passed from this earthly life to a heavenly one…if only our “four-legged” family members.  We carry memories of them in our hearts and remind ourselves of their physical existence through photos, conversations with others, and thoughts of the times we shared together. For the most part, these give us comfort…and honestly, I believe these reminders are a gift from God…another way that He assures us that “I’ve got this!  This is how I’m helping you handle your grief and loss.”

As I look back over the events of my life, I can see that there are more times that God has handled things for me than I can count.  Every day, I realize even more just how near to me the Holy Spirit is…how often and effectively He works in and through me…and provides for my every need.  I can’t imagine anyone will be happier to meet Jesus face-to-face than I…but in the meantime, I know that I am never alone.  The Spirit has come to me…and every hour of my day, He says, “I’ll handle it!”…and He does!  Has the Holy Spirit come to your heart to handle things?  Don’t you think it’s time you invited Him to do just that?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 30, 2014

Hebrews 11:6
You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him.

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

I know that some of you are getting tired of reading about the tornado that devastated central Arkansas on Sunday, April 27th.  But please bear with me.  Yesterday, Greg and I drove Grandma “E” to a doctor’s appointment in Little Rock.  The route we took to get there carried us directly through the tornado’s path in El Paso, Arkansas, where a woman perished.  We returned via I-40 through Mayflower, and I cannot put into words what the tornado damage looks like there.  Pictures have not adequately portrayed how horrific it is…and Grandma “E” remarked, “Surely someone must have died right here in this.”  It didn’t seem possible that any living thing that was unfortunate enough to be in this area and above ground at the time could have possibly survived…although we know that many did.

My Facebook wall is still covered in posts regarding the tornado, and I know that the impact will keep these posts coming for quite some time.  By far, the most poignant post I’ve seen is from the blog of a young mother named Jessica Sowards, who lives in Vilonia, Arkansas.  Her dear friends and nearby neighbors, April and Daniel Smith, lost two sons in the tornado…8-year-old Cameron and his 7-year-old brother, Tyler.  If you don’t do another thing all day long, please read this blog post:

http://thehodgepodgedarling.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-cheerleader.html?m=1

If you have asked God “Why?” – about this tornado and/or any situation, ever – you need to read this post and hear the words of April Smith.  April is not okay with God allowing her two sons to be taken…but at the same time, she trusts that God is still in charge and has a bigger, more complicated – and perfect – plan than we can begin to see.  And so April trusts…she believes…and she waits for God to carry her through this. 

If you want to fully understand the words of Hebrews 11:6, read this post.  Hear the words of this woman and try to wrap your brain about the level of faith in Jesus that the mother of little Cameron and Tyler has.  I wish I could say that I am as trusting…but honestly, I am not sure that I could be so faithful and filled with peace, were I in her shoes. 

Believe me…I want to serve God at this level…because I know that this is where “the good stuff” really resides.  I know that to be so confident and filled with faith will equip me to handle anything and everything that the devil throws at me…and I so need that – don’t you?  Will this be the day that we begin to truly, fully walk in faith and depend on God – for everything?  Don’t you think it should?
   
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 25, 2014

Deuteronomy 4:29-31
In all of your troubles, you may finally decide that you want to worship only the Lord. And if you turn back to him and obey him completely, he will again be your God.  The Lord your God will have mercy—he won’t destroy you or desert you. The Lord will remember his promise, and he will keep the agreement he made with your ancestors.
 
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
Our five-year-old nephew, Timothy, plays this little game with me sometimes when we are at the park or out in the yard where he runs and expects me to chase him.  He will look back and say, “You can’t catch me!”  I often laugh and tease him, “I don’t want to catch you!” I’m fairly certain that he will not go very far…that he will double back pretty quickly and return to me.  Timothy will dart from tree to tree in the park, stopping to pick up a leaf or a stick.  Or he will amble along singing to himself and just basking in his “freedom”.   Once in a while I have to take a few steps toward him and reel him in a bit…but usually I simply stand back and watch…and allow him to find his way back to the playground or driveway.  I’m not about to let him get too close to the lake or run into the street…but I have let him wander far enough away that he couldn’t see me momentarily (I can always see him!)…and he gets a little concerned and returns pretty swiftly!
 
Timothy also seems to worry just a little about getting older.  He recently told his barber that his hair was growing fast because…“I’m just getting old.”  When we tell him that he is growing up and becoming such a big boy, he will quickly ask, “But I’m still your baby…right?”  It is very important to him to be reassured that we will always love him…always be here for him, no matter how old he gets or what happens.
 
Can I tell you something?  You will always be God’s baby! There very well may be a time in your life when you run from God…a time when you decide that you can do a better job of managing your life on your own.  You may conclude that you don’t like His “rules”…that Christian discipleship is just not your thing – or that it isn’t working well for you.  You might determine that life would be a whole lot more fun if you weren’t constantly worried about God looking over your shoulder.  And so you take off and run.  You dabble with this “leaf” or that “twig”…and you may actually think you have gotten out of God’s sight!
 
But you are only fooling yourself.  I promise you, for every minute of “fun” you think you are having in the devil’s world, you are missing out on real joy that comes from the freedom of living in God’s will.  Yes, I said freedom.  Because keeping God at the forefront of your life will provide you with the true liberation to fully live…to enjoy everything He has given you with abandonment.  No more looking over your shoulder to see if someone is judging you or poised to check you for your choices and behaviors.  No more worrying about whether you are doing the right thing…no more uneasiness that this might not be the best path to take. You know that you know that you know that you are living within God’s plan…that He is guiding each and every step and giving you all you need to enjoy your journey.
 
Does this mean everything will be easy and a bed of roses?  No…but it won’t matter, because you will know that God has your back!  Trust me…this makes a world of difference!  ABC News anchor Robin Roberts has written a new book titled Everybody’s Got Something…and she is exactly right.  But Roberts would be the first to tell you that when God is in charge of your life, you can handle anything with His help!
 
I know that I have to allow Timothy to try a few things…and to make his own mistakes along the way.  And this is what God does with us.  But He is always there…willing and waiting to welcome us back into His arms.  Don’t keep wandering farther and farther away.  Turn back to Him…sooner than later…and start experiencing all that He has to offer you.  God has not deserted you.  He is waiting for you to turn around and recognize Him…to return to Him – or maybe to call on Him for the first time ever. As the Nike slogan says, “Just do it!” You’re still God’s baby…turn around and come back to Him. Make this the day that you stop running from God…and really start to live!
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 18, 2014

Matthew 27:27-29; 31-40; 45-56

The governor’s soldiers led Jesus into the fortress and brought together the rest of the troops.  They stripped off Jesus' clothes and put a scarlet robe on him.  They made a crown out of thorn branches and placed it on his head, and they put a stick in his right hand. The soldiers knelt down and pretended to worship him. They made fun of him and shouted, “Hey, you king of the Jews!”  Then they spit on him. They took the stick from him and beat him on the head with it.

 

When the soldiers had finished making fun of Jesus, they took off the robe. They put his own clothes back on him and led him off to be nailed to a cross.  On the way they met a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross.
They came to a place named Golgotha, which means “Place of a Skull.” There they gave Jesus some wine mixed with a drug to ease the pain. But when Jesus tasted what it was, he refused to drink it.

 

The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross and gambled to see who would get his clothes.  Then they sat down to guard him.  Above his head they put a sign that told why he was nailed there. It read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” The soldiers also nailed two criminals on crosses, one to the right of Jesus and the other to his left.

 

People who passed by said terrible things about Jesus. They shook their heads and shouted, “So you’re the one who claimed you could tear down the temple and build it again in three days! If you are God’s Son, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

 

At noon the sky turned dark and stayed that way until three o’clock. Then about that time Jesus shouted, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?”  Some of the people standing there heard Jesus and said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” One of them at once ran and grabbed a sponge. He soaked it in wine, then put it on a stick and held it up to Jesus.  Others said, “Wait! Let’s see if Elijah will come and save him.” Once again Jesus shouted, and then he died.

 

At once the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and rocks split apart.  Graves opened, and many of God’s people were raised to life. Then after Jesus had risen to life, they came out of their graves and went into the holy city, where they were seen by many people. The officer and the soldiers guarding Jesus felt the earthquake and saw everything else that happened. They were frightened and said, “This man really was God’s Son!”

 

Many women had come with Jesus from Galilee to be of help to him, and they were there, looking on at a distance.  Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of James and John were some of these women.

 

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

 

I just watched a video of a kindergarten program in which the daughter of one of MY kindergarten students portrayed a “cloud”.  It was adorable, and amazingly, all of the “raindrops”, “clouds”, and other characters performed well.  No one had a meltdown or left the stage…and the children even sang on key for the most part in front of a packed house!

 

I’ve been to dance recitals and other events where one or more of the participants did not fare so well.  Children screamed and cried…teenagers and adults forgot their lines or “froze” on stage, as the crowd looked on…sometimes sympathetically, and other times with laughs, heckling, or ridicule.  Recently, someone even threw a shoe at former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as she gave a public speech!

 

I also heard lately that the reason public executions were outlawed in America is because they drew large crowds that were difficult to manage.  Apparently, we humans are natural-born gawkers…for anything and everything.  And sadly, sometimes the gorier the event, the better - in the eyes of many!

 

So it should come as no surprise that a crowd gathered to see Jesus persecuted and crucified… to witness His public humiliation and mutilation…to mock Him, taunt Him, and yes – to spit on Him.  In He Chose the Nails, pastor-author Max Lucado writes about how spitting on someone doesn’t physically hurt them… it is purely an act to “degrade the soul”.  And many apparently felt the need to degrade Jesus that day.

 

Imagine how it must have felt to be stripped and beaten before the masses, including your mother and your closest friends and family members – both male and female.  Imagine having to watch their anguish as you suffered.  It wasn’t bad enough to be flogged and tortured…some felt the need to try to trick Him with “water” that was a mix of wine and vinegar.  Imagine how that liquid must have stung as it touched Jesus’ open wounds.  I encourage you to read the account of the crucifixion in all four Gospels…Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19.  One of these reports indicates that the soldiers broke the legs of the criminals on either side to hasten their death.  But when they came to Jesus, He appeared to have already died…so they left his legs intact.  But they pierced his side with a spear and caused the blood and water to pour out of him. And I’m sure many in the crowd cheered at this sight.

 

All of this decimated our LORD’s body…and degraded His soul.  And those who taunted Him and suggested that He climb down and save Himself were right about one thing...Jesus could have chosen to do exactly that!  But He stayed… He suffered…He endured.  Because your name…and mine…and the names of millions of others were on His tongue and etched into His heart.  He loves us so much that He could not succumb to the devil’s final attempt to entice Him.

 

In the darkness of that horrific day…in the brutality and loneliness of this revolting, gruesome, ghastly, incomprehensibly inhuman abuse…Jesus stayed on that cross…for me…and for you.  No One else could have done what He did.  No One else will ever love you this much.  What have you done for Him lately?

 

©2014 Debbie Robus

 

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