Daily Devotional for November 12, 2016

Revelation 1:1-7
This is what God showed to Jesus Christ, so that he could tell his servants what must happen soon. Christ then sent his angel with the message to his servant John. And John told everything that he had seen about God’s message and about what Jesus Christ had said and done.

God will bless everyone who reads this prophecy to others, and he will bless everyone who hears and obeys it. The time is almost here.

From John to the seven churches in Asia.

I pray that you will be blessed with kindness and peace from God, who is and was and is coming. May you receive kindness and peace from the seven spirits before the throne of God. May kindness and peace be yours from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness. Jesus was the first to conquer death, and he is the ruler of all earthly kings. Christ loves us, and by his blood he set us free from our sins. He lets us rule as kings and serve God his Father as priests. To him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen. Look! He is coming with the clouds. Everyone will see him, even the ones who stuck a sword through him. All people on earth will weep because of him. Yes, it will happen! Amen.

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

Let me begin by saying that I respect the Book of Revelation, but I am by no means an “End Times” scholar.  Frankly, I am not worried about what will happen when Jesus returns, because I know where I am headed!  At the same time, I read these words today and considered them in light of what is happening in our world.  I also read the entries in Jesus Calling* for November 11th and 12th, and a very clear message emerged…one of hope and promise - and kindness!

In the November 11th entry, I read that Jesus knows what our days will contain – both difficulties and blessings – and He empowers us according to how willing we are to rely on Him for help AND how difficult the circumstances may be.  We are encouraged to look at challenges as “opportunities to receive more of My Power than usual.”  We are to receive His kindness and peace…and share this with others.

In today’s entry, the speaker talks of how we have trudged through weeks (and maybe months) of challenges and difficulties…and now, we are enjoying a season of abundance and blessings.  Maybe you don’t feel like you are “there” yet!  But as I look at my own life over the last several months, I see how a lot of what I have experienced was akin to trudging through a deep, dark forest with heavy underbrush…and now I am somewhat emerging into the openness of “lush meadows drenched in warm sunshine.”

I feel Jesus with me.  I know that He has my best interests at heart.  This entry says that we often fail to receive all that Jesus wants to give us because we decide that we are unworthy.  Let me assure you, NONE OF US are worthy!  We did nothing…we can do nothing…to deserve Jesus and all that He has sacrificed for us. There is no logical reason for Him to return for us…much less prepare a place for us with Him for all Eternity.  These are GIFTS…and when we don’t readily accept and receive them, He is insulted – and heartbroken.

So I will take the gifts that Jesus is offering.  I will gratefully thank Him for bringing me through dark times and bathing me in His light and blessings.  I will share His kindness and peace with others and encourage them along the way.  I look forward to the day when I can sit at Jesus’ feet all the time and bask in His glory – forever and ever.  I am not afraid…of anything, past, present or future.  I am empowered by the Savior of the World…and He will never desert me.

Emboldened by the power of Jesus Christ, I look at the challenges and difficulties of this world and say…“Bring it on!”  Are you with me?

©2016 Debbie Robus

*Jesus Calling – http://jesuscalling.com

Daily Devotional for February 23, 2016

Luke 22:31-32
“Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.”

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.

Yesterday, three-year-old Nathan came to me and said, “I’m thirsty.”  “I’ll get you something in a minute,” I told him.  “But I’m THIRSTY!” he wailed.  He gave me his most pitiful pouting lip, big crocodile tears, and the repetitive “fit” of a toddler as he pled his case. Patience is not the strong suit of three-year-olds!  The other day as I told Nathan “no” about something, he muttered, “You don’t like me…you don’t love me anymore.”  Oh, the pity parties children can throw!

My passage from Jesus Calling* this morning was about self-pity.  It said in part, “When you are weary or unwell, this demonic trap is the greatest danger you face.”  WOW!  This echoed in my head as I read the words of Jesus…”Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me…”  In recent months, I feel like Satan has tried very hard to separate Greg and me from Jesus.  He has pretty well “thrown the book at us” with the sudden deaths of Greg’s brother and my mother…an upper respiratory virus that sapped our health and strength for a few weeks during all of this turmoil…the general stresses and energy drains of the holidays…and more.  It would be so easy to stay in bed, pull the covers over our heads, and let the world pass us by as we feel so very sorry for ourselves and all that has befallen us.  But then the devil would win…and we simply cannot have that!

I was reminded in Jesus Calling that “…the closer you live to Me, the more distance there is between you and the pit.”  In this passage from Luke, we hear Jesus tell Simon that HE has prayed for him.  Can you imagine it…Jesus praying for us?!  That took my breath! With this in mind, how could we possibly cave in and succumb to the devil’s insistence that all is lost?  Do you see how important it is that we turn to Jesus and focus on Him rather than on our situation?  If He is praying for us, how on earth can we possibly continue to wallow in self-pity?

There is an old song called “Pick Yourself Up**” – written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields 1936 for the movie “Swing Time.”  One phrase says:

“Nothing's impossible, I have found
For when my chin is on the ground.
I pick myself up, dust myself off
And start all over again.”

This is exactly what Jesus is commanding us to do.  We are not to give the devil any satisfaction.  We are to recognize that Jesus is fighting for us…petitioning God on our behalf…guiding and caring for us through His Holy Spirit.  We are to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, start over…and help others do the same.

We are not self-absorbed three-year-olds…and we should not act like them.  Regardless of how badly we want to stomp our feet, stick out our lower lip and throw a fit…this is not what those who trust in Jesus do when the chips are down! The choice is ours completely…but to choose to spend even a little while in self-pity doesn’t seem like a viable option to me.  What about you?
   
©2016 Debbie Robus

*www.jesuscalling.com
**©Copyright 1936 T.B. Harms & Company Incorporated

Daily Devotional for November 6, 2015

Philippians 4:13
…for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.

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’ve been working on a lesson for 4th and 5th graders for this Sunday, and the objective is that “Jesus still has the power to perform miracles today as we pray.”  There are several activities that we will conduct during the class to demonstrate how there are things that we cannot do under our own power – and how Jesus can “make a way where we see none.”   I’m not necessarily talking about physical actions, like walking on water…but more the miracles and “intangible” thoughts and experiences that Jesus helps us with each day.

In our lifetimes, we will all encounter situations and circumstances that seem impossible to handle…setbacks, illnesses, the death of loved ones, disappointments.  We will all face challenges…from how to get up and speak in front of a group when we are scared stiff to trepidation about traveling in bad weather…to passing that chemistry test that has us worried sick or surviving a baby’s bout with colic on little to no sleep…to starting a new job, class, or small group.  There will be times when we have no clue about how we are to proceed – or what decision is the right one.  There will be nights when sleep doesn’t come…and days that we think won’t ever end.  And Jesus can help us with all of them.

Sunday, I hope that the children will learn more about the power of prayer and how to keep Jesus close at all times.  We will hopefully gain a better understanding of his strength and power…and a key point in this scripture - that Jesus strengthens and empowers us to do all that God desires for us.  In other words, there will be times when we do not get the wishes of our heart…because they don’t line up with God’s plans.  But when we learn to trust Jesus’ answers and recognize that His guidance is perfect, we confidently operate in His power and find lasting peace.

This is one of my favorite Bible verses.  I know that God’s plans for my life are perfect.   When I listen for His voice and follow His lead, I know that the power of Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit will always guide me to the right answers - and protect me perfectly.  With Christ’s strength and power, I truly can do everything that God asks me to do.  What about you?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 3, 2015

Matthew 11:28-30
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

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.
       
There was a story on CBS This Morning about how couples are leaving traditional religion, particularly with regard to weddings.  Instead of marrying in the church, they are asking friends and acquaintances to officiate at their nuptials.  Many of those who are presiding at such weddings are getting their “ordination papers” online.  Yes, YOU can become an ordained minister and perform your friends’ ceremonies.

But that’s not the part of the story that resonated with me.  The reporter noted that Millenials (those who reached young adulthood around the year 2000) are leaving the organized church in record numbers…and “seeking a different path.  She noted that Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) seem to be growing in their faith – and that many claim to “pray every day.”

I have to tell you…while I do not discount such reports, they do dishearten me.  Yes, I am a “Baby Boomer” – and yes, I pray every day.  I have grown to know the power and strength of a life lived under the yoke of Jesus rather than the burden of my own worries and fears.

What I want to say to people of any age is this...don’t “throw the baby out with the bath water.”  If you have not found a corporate worship setting (or church family) that is right for you, don’t stop looking!  Most certainly, do not give up on Jesus…because I can assure you that He has not given up on YOU!  There will be plenty of situations and circumstances in life that have us all scratching our heads at best – and often wringing our hands in desperation.  And Jesus can help us handle all of them.  None of our burdens  or concerns are too insignificant – or too heavy – for Jesus to bear.

Trade your “yoke” for that of Jesus.  Let Him do the heavy lifting and carry the big stuff…and let Him help you with the smaller issues, also.  Even if “church” has left you burned out, discouraged and/or disillusioned, don’t walk away from Jesus!  Get away with Him and really get to know Him.  Rest in His gentle rhythms of grace – and surrender to His strength. 

Jesus is calling, “Come to me, and I will give you rest.”  Aren’t you ready to take Him up on His offer?  Wouldn’t this be a good day to get started?

©2015 Debbie Robus