Proverbs 20:24
The very steps we take come from GOD; otherwise how would we know where we're going?
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.
A few weeks ago, Timothy and his family moved to Texas, so we didn’t see our little guy for seven weeks. Now, you may be saying that this is not such a long time, but for us, it seemed like seven years. I was reminded to cherish every moment with him. Now that he is here for an extended stay, I’m doing just that! If he doesn’t take a nap when I want, I try to enjoy watching him wind down – even if he’s fussy. When he wakes me at 4:45 a.m. and says “Jack!” as in “Jack’s Big Music Show,” I try to realize that 2-year-olds have no clock, and he has no clue that grownups are still trying to sleep at this hour!
All too soon, this little guy will be too old for his Aunt DebDeb and Uncle Greg, and our chances to nurture and dote on him will be greatly diminished. We will never get back the cute giggles… the day he first started stringing sentences together… or all of those wonderful, sticky hugs and kisses he has for us now. And it’s not just little ones… last week my grandmother tearfully said to me, “Things are changing.” At nearly 99, she sees her time slipping away, and so do we. Before you know it, she will be off to heaven, and we will no longer have the opportunity to benefit from her presence – and her wisdom and wit.
My point is that God has numbered our steps. If it weren’t for God showing us the way and guiding us, we wouldn’t have a clue how to act or what to do… and for most of us, the results would be disastrous! I believe that God is calling us to slow down, to quit dreaming that hot summer days would give way to fall. I believe He is saying, “Don’t wish it were winter… or next week or next year! Enjoy the day I have given you… this day… this hour. Do what I am calling you to do in this time frame - whether it’s playing with a toddler, spending time with an elderly loved one, or standing in line at the grocery store.”
I believe God wants us to be more present in the moment… to be awake and alert for His blessings and opportunities to serve in His name at all times… not just when it’s convenient, we’re rested, and all of the stars align in the universe!
How are you living these days? Are you aware Who numbers your steps? Are you wishing your life away and rushing through things, or are you truly present in the moment… serving God and praising Him for each second of the day? How do you know where you are going?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label using time wisely. Show all posts
Showing posts with label using time wisely. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 5, 2011
1 Samuel 15:16-23
"Enough!" interrupted Samuel. "Let me tell you what GOD told me last night."
Saul said, "Go ahead. Tell me." And Samuel told him. "When you started out in this, you were nothing— and you knew it. Then GOD put you at the head of Israel—made you king over Israel. Then GOD sent you off to do a job for him, ordering you, 'Go and put those sinners, the Amalekites, under a holy ban. Go to war against them until you have totally wiped them out.' So why did you not obey GOD? Why did you grab all this loot? Why, with GOD's eyes on you all the time, did you brazenly carry out this evil?"
Saul defended himself. "What are you talking about? I did obey GOD. I did the job GOD set for me. I brought in King Agag and destroyed the Amalekites under the terms of the holy ban. So the soldiers saved back a few choice sheep and cattle from the holy ban for sacrifice to GOD at Gilgal—what's wrong with that?"
Then Samuel said, “Do you think all GOD wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what GOD tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around GOD is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to GOD's command, he says No to your kingship.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I have to laugh at some of the people in the public eye these days who claim that they are “not in it for the publicity.” Clearly some of the stories we are hearing over and over again in our news are nothing more than publicity stunts… attempts to get people to “look at me!” Many of the “candidates” for public office who made us think they were going to run have already withdrawn… but they left us talking about them! Others are still at it… milking the media for every last ounce of attention.
A lot of these people grabbing the headlines are multi-millionaires. They could afford to send thousands of dollars – if not a million or more – to devastated areas like Joplin, Missouri, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They could build orphanages and create clean water supplies in Third World countries. And some of them do this. But many of them spend their money on lavish homes and cars, mega-parties, and gargantuan empires of “toys” and “stuff” – and more media buzz!
At the same time, I know people who barely get buy each month on a fixed income… yet they find a way to visit the sick and the needy… to cook food for those who are hungry… to rescue a stray dog or cat that doesn’t have a home… and much more. They spend their time and energy lifting others in the name of Jesus… and yes, they probably sent drinking water, toothpaste, soap and more in the truckload of goods that our church or another local group delivered to one of the tornado-ravaged areas.
A lot of the media seekers will stand at the microphone and thank God for blessing them and guiding their steps and decisions. But talk is cheap. God would rather they do something with the blessings He has given them and listen to Him when He says, “Use what I have given you to bless and care for others in my name.” He would rather they be obedient servants than celebrity seekers who are filled with hot air.
What about you? Do you “talk a good game?” Do you tell others how much God has done for you, show up on Sunday at church… and maybe even during the week for a youth service, prayer meeting or Bible study… and then return to your cushy life of focusing on yourself? Or do you ask God, “Where do you want me to serve today? How do You want me to use the blessings You have given me? What is YOUR plan for me this day?”
Selfishness and failure to listen to God cost Saul the kingship… what might it be costing you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
"Enough!" interrupted Samuel. "Let me tell you what GOD told me last night."
Saul said, "Go ahead. Tell me." And Samuel told him. "When you started out in this, you were nothing— and you knew it. Then GOD put you at the head of Israel—made you king over Israel. Then GOD sent you off to do a job for him, ordering you, 'Go and put those sinners, the Amalekites, under a holy ban. Go to war against them until you have totally wiped them out.' So why did you not obey GOD? Why did you grab all this loot? Why, with GOD's eyes on you all the time, did you brazenly carry out this evil?"
Saul defended himself. "What are you talking about? I did obey GOD. I did the job GOD set for me. I brought in King Agag and destroyed the Amalekites under the terms of the holy ban. So the soldiers saved back a few choice sheep and cattle from the holy ban for sacrifice to GOD at Gilgal—what's wrong with that?"
Then Samuel said, “Do you think all GOD wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what GOD tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around GOD is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to GOD's command, he says No to your kingship.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I have to laugh at some of the people in the public eye these days who claim that they are “not in it for the publicity.” Clearly some of the stories we are hearing over and over again in our news are nothing more than publicity stunts… attempts to get people to “look at me!” Many of the “candidates” for public office who made us think they were going to run have already withdrawn… but they left us talking about them! Others are still at it… milking the media for every last ounce of attention.
A lot of these people grabbing the headlines are multi-millionaires. They could afford to send thousands of dollars – if not a million or more – to devastated areas like Joplin, Missouri, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They could build orphanages and create clean water supplies in Third World countries. And some of them do this. But many of them spend their money on lavish homes and cars, mega-parties, and gargantuan empires of “toys” and “stuff” – and more media buzz!
At the same time, I know people who barely get buy each month on a fixed income… yet they find a way to visit the sick and the needy… to cook food for those who are hungry… to rescue a stray dog or cat that doesn’t have a home… and much more. They spend their time and energy lifting others in the name of Jesus… and yes, they probably sent drinking water, toothpaste, soap and more in the truckload of goods that our church or another local group delivered to one of the tornado-ravaged areas.
A lot of the media seekers will stand at the microphone and thank God for blessing them and guiding their steps and decisions. But talk is cheap. God would rather they do something with the blessings He has given them and listen to Him when He says, “Use what I have given you to bless and care for others in my name.” He would rather they be obedient servants than celebrity seekers who are filled with hot air.
What about you? Do you “talk a good game?” Do you tell others how much God has done for you, show up on Sunday at church… and maybe even during the week for a youth service, prayer meeting or Bible study… and then return to your cushy life of focusing on yourself? Or do you ask God, “Where do you want me to serve today? How do You want me to use the blessings You have given me? What is YOUR plan for me this day?”
Selfishness and failure to listen to God cost Saul the kingship… what might it be costing you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 16, 2010
Hebrews 3:1
My friends, God has chosen you to be his holy people. So think about Jesus, the one we call our apostle and high priest!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
WWJD – What Would Jesus Do – this phrase has circulated for years. We see it on key chains, wrist bands, t-shirts, and more… and with good reason! What would Jesus do in many of the circumstances we encounter? How would He react?
God chose us to be His holy people. He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, as a model for holy behavior. So the question… “What would Jesus do?”… is always appropriate. Any time you wonder – even slightly – about a choice, what you are speaking, doing, sharing, participating in, or even thinking… think of Jesus. Ask yourself what He would do in the situation… and adjust your own thoughts/actions/words accordingly.
Jesus is our apostle and high priest… our ultimate role model… think about Him and see how well you are following His lead.
©2010 Debbie Robus
My friends, God has chosen you to be his holy people. So think about Jesus, the one we call our apostle and high priest!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
WWJD – What Would Jesus Do – this phrase has circulated for years. We see it on key chains, wrist bands, t-shirts, and more… and with good reason! What would Jesus do in many of the circumstances we encounter? How would He react?
God chose us to be His holy people. He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, as a model for holy behavior. So the question… “What would Jesus do?”… is always appropriate. Any time you wonder – even slightly – about a choice, what you are speaking, doing, sharing, participating in, or even thinking… think of Jesus. Ask yourself what He would do in the situation… and adjust your own thoughts/actions/words accordingly.
Jesus is our apostle and high priest… our ultimate role model… think about Him and see how well you are following His lead.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 10, 2010
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my own people will humbly pray and turn back to me and stop sinning, then I will answer them from heaven. I will forgive them and make their land fertile once again.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, God has been dealing with me about what it truly means to be a Christian. Giving our heart to Jesus and becoming a new creature in Him is not the end… it is the beginning! But sometimes we get bogged down in one thing or another and forget the bigger picture. We fail to recognize what it means to truly be a Christian… Christ’s disciple. I assure you, this is no small thing… and the responsibility that comes with it is enormous! But God equips us with all we need – and more – and we have nothing to fear.
So I have created an outline, based on the word CHRISTIAN. For the next two months or more, we will look at scriptures that outline the new life we have in Christ. With prayerful consideration and study, I have come up with the following outline:
Truly, there is no way we can begin to experience anything remotely close to the suffering of Christ. Yet there will be times when sacrifice, weariness, persecution from others, and more will be extremely uncomfortable and give us room to question our faith. As we study and grow, we will learn to handle these feelings and work through them… to the glory of Christ.
We will never be perfect Christians… but we can be better! I pray you will stick with me for this study and see where God takes us. Any time God is showing us new things, it’s gonna be great!
©2010 Debbie Robus
If my own people will humbly pray and turn back to me and stop sinning, then I will answer them from heaven. I will forgive them and make their land fertile once again.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, God has been dealing with me about what it truly means to be a Christian. Giving our heart to Jesus and becoming a new creature in Him is not the end… it is the beginning! But sometimes we get bogged down in one thing or another and forget the bigger picture. We fail to recognize what it means to truly be a Christian… Christ’s disciple. I assure you, this is no small thing… and the responsibility that comes with it is enormous! But God equips us with all we need – and more – and we have nothing to fear.
So I have created an outline, based on the word CHRISTIAN. For the next two months or more, we will look at scriptures that outline the new life we have in Christ. With prayerful consideration and study, I have come up with the following outline:
- C - Christ chose us… and died for our sins.
- H - Healing begins… and we become new creatures.
- R - We are restored to right living – rescued and redeemed.
- I - We have been instilled with the Holy Spirit and Christ’s power to reach others.
- S - We are called to share the Good News of Christ… and God’s love.
- T - We are called to teach by example… to emulate Christ to others.
- I - We are called to imitate Jesus… and be His hands and feet to others.
- A - We are called to address the needs of others in Christ’s name.
- N - We are called to nurture one another.
Truly, there is no way we can begin to experience anything remotely close to the suffering of Christ. Yet there will be times when sacrifice, weariness, persecution from others, and more will be extremely uncomfortable and give us room to question our faith. As we study and grow, we will learn to handle these feelings and work through them… to the glory of Christ.
We will never be perfect Christians… but we can be better! I pray you will stick with me for this study and see where God takes us. Any time God is showing us new things, it’s gonna be great!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 25, 2010
April 25 ~ Proverbs 15:13-15
Happiness makes you smile; sorrow can crush you. Anyone with good sense is eager to learn more, but fools are hungry for foolishness. The poor have a hard life, but being content is as good as an endless feast.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Life is a series of doors and windows. One closes – another opens. As a high school freshman, I planned on majoring in music in college (concert pianist, perhaps?). In the summer after my sophomore year, I worked with preschool children at Vacation Bible School. I loved the children, the art projects, the music – the “whole ball of wax,” and I realized… I needed to incorporate all of that into a profession – teaching! I knew I would never make a huge salary as a teacher, but that didn’t matter. Other teachers managed, and so would I.
Teaching made me happy, but the “red tape” did not. After nine years in the classroom, the door closed. I turned a needlework hobby into a business. The skills I developed creating a newsletter and needlework patterns prepared me with experience in printing, which lent a solid base to our publishing business. My husband closed the door on his profession in Park Administration, and his “people skills” and expertise in the areas of parks and recreation were put into play as we developed a business that was focused on RVers. For the next eighteen years, we were magazine publishers, and then the door closed on that chapter of our lives.
Several years ago, I began writing daily devotionals. I also wrote articles for our magazine, and soon I realized that I really liked to write! Today, the door has opened for me to utilize pieces of all of my “careers” to knit together articles and information for several publications and “PR” projects. I am blessed to be able to pursue something that brings me such happiness. And while our business ventures were successful, there have been times when life wasn’t all that hard, but we were counting our pennies and budgeting carefully. And those may have been our happiest years of all.
The point is… money doesn’t buy happiness. People can’t make you happy. Things won’t last – or satisfy. But doing what you love – being with people you love – appreciating the simplest things and places – truly experiencing a daily walk with God – these things make you genuinely happy! If you are traveling down any other road – if you are chasing dreams and ideas that aren’t your own or you know are bad for you – turn around! There is a saying that “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” Find your “doors and windows” and don’t be afraid to ask God to help you go through them. If He guides your steps, you’ll make the right choices – and you will always find joy on the other side.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Happiness makes you smile; sorrow can crush you. Anyone with good sense is eager to learn more, but fools are hungry for foolishness. The poor have a hard life, but being content is as good as an endless feast.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Life is a series of doors and windows. One closes – another opens. As a high school freshman, I planned on majoring in music in college (concert pianist, perhaps?). In the summer after my sophomore year, I worked with preschool children at Vacation Bible School. I loved the children, the art projects, the music – the “whole ball of wax,” and I realized… I needed to incorporate all of that into a profession – teaching! I knew I would never make a huge salary as a teacher, but that didn’t matter. Other teachers managed, and so would I.
Teaching made me happy, but the “red tape” did not. After nine years in the classroom, the door closed. I turned a needlework hobby into a business. The skills I developed creating a newsletter and needlework patterns prepared me with experience in printing, which lent a solid base to our publishing business. My husband closed the door on his profession in Park Administration, and his “people skills” and expertise in the areas of parks and recreation were put into play as we developed a business that was focused on RVers. For the next eighteen years, we were magazine publishers, and then the door closed on that chapter of our lives.
Several years ago, I began writing daily devotionals. I also wrote articles for our magazine, and soon I realized that I really liked to write! Today, the door has opened for me to utilize pieces of all of my “careers” to knit together articles and information for several publications and “PR” projects. I am blessed to be able to pursue something that brings me such happiness. And while our business ventures were successful, there have been times when life wasn’t all that hard, but we were counting our pennies and budgeting carefully. And those may have been our happiest years of all.
The point is… money doesn’t buy happiness. People can’t make you happy. Things won’t last – or satisfy. But doing what you love – being with people you love – appreciating the simplest things and places – truly experiencing a daily walk with God – these things make you genuinely happy! If you are traveling down any other road – if you are chasing dreams and ideas that aren’t your own or you know are bad for you – turn around! There is a saying that “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” Find your “doors and windows” and don’t be afraid to ask God to help you go through them. If He guides your steps, you’ll make the right choices – and you will always find joy on the other side.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 12, 2010
April 12 ~ Ecclesiastes 4:6
Yet a very little food eaten in peace is better than twice as much earned from overwork and chasing the wind.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Back in the 1980’s, when my grandparents, our dads, my brother, cousins and other relatives were still alive, we used to have fairly regular family dinners. Any day was a holiday somewhere, so from impromptu weiner roasts at one of the Corps parks on a Sunday afternoon to elaborate potlucks at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and more… we loved to get together and eat. We worked hard to prepare food. I think back to my childhood and my mom’s Christmas morning breakfasts – cookies for us kids and bacon and eggs with all the trimmings for the “menfolk” – followed a mere four hours later with the lavish turkey lunch and all the accompanying side dishes. I wonder, “What was she thinking, and how did she and my grandmothers and the other adult women in the family do this?” When I became an adult, it was all I could do to prepare my two or three potluck dishes and get to the lunch on time! Forget breakfast – we were lucky to get a piece of toast!
So one time, my mom had a rather spur-of-the-moment family get-together, and instead of a big hoopie-do dinner, she fixed tuna fish and pimiento cheese sandwiches. I think someone made some brownies or something, and another made baked beans, and we all got together and ate what was, for us, a simple meal. But the fellowship and the visiting was just as good… maybe even better. Instead of spending an hour dividing up leftovers and putting away food and washing dishes, we spent more time as a group having fun and reminiscing. We were not overworked and chasing the wind. As my cousin Eddie left Mom’s house he said, “You know… this was great! We don’t have to have a fancy meal, but it sure was good to get together.”
Now that much of my family is gone or scattered across multiple cities/states, we find it very hard to get together. I honestly couldn’t even tell you the last time either my extended family or my husband’s was together long enough to share a meal where everyone was there. For a lot of reasons, it seems it has become very hard for us to throw together some pimiento cheese or tuna fish and a loaf of bread, so to speak, and say, “Come on over!”
Let’s look at this from a Christian perspective… how hard would it be to toss on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and head to church to worship God on Sunday morning? I promise, He doesn’t care if you’re wearing designer clothing or thrift shop rejects. When was the last time you dropped everything to go see about a friend who was sick or in need? You might have to miss a TV show (although with DVR, that’s highly improbable these days) – or you might have to get out of your sweats and put on something a little nicer, but that wouldn’t be the end of the world, would it?! When was the last time you picked up the phone and called someone you’ve meant to talk to for a long time… or stopped in to see the shut-in whose house you drive past every day?
How long has it been since you slowed down and stopped chasing the wind, and enjoyed the peace of God that fellowship and sharing His love with others bring? Isn’t it about time we all did just that?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Yet a very little food eaten in peace is better than twice as much earned from overwork and chasing the wind.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Back in the 1980’s, when my grandparents, our dads, my brother, cousins and other relatives were still alive, we used to have fairly regular family dinners. Any day was a holiday somewhere, so from impromptu weiner roasts at one of the Corps parks on a Sunday afternoon to elaborate potlucks at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and more… we loved to get together and eat. We worked hard to prepare food. I think back to my childhood and my mom’s Christmas morning breakfasts – cookies for us kids and bacon and eggs with all the trimmings for the “menfolk” – followed a mere four hours later with the lavish turkey lunch and all the accompanying side dishes. I wonder, “What was she thinking, and how did she and my grandmothers and the other adult women in the family do this?” When I became an adult, it was all I could do to prepare my two or three potluck dishes and get to the lunch on time! Forget breakfast – we were lucky to get a piece of toast!
So one time, my mom had a rather spur-of-the-moment family get-together, and instead of a big hoopie-do dinner, she fixed tuna fish and pimiento cheese sandwiches. I think someone made some brownies or something, and another made baked beans, and we all got together and ate what was, for us, a simple meal. But the fellowship and the visiting was just as good… maybe even better. Instead of spending an hour dividing up leftovers and putting away food and washing dishes, we spent more time as a group having fun and reminiscing. We were not overworked and chasing the wind. As my cousin Eddie left Mom’s house he said, “You know… this was great! We don’t have to have a fancy meal, but it sure was good to get together.”
Now that much of my family is gone or scattered across multiple cities/states, we find it very hard to get together. I honestly couldn’t even tell you the last time either my extended family or my husband’s was together long enough to share a meal where everyone was there. For a lot of reasons, it seems it has become very hard for us to throw together some pimiento cheese or tuna fish and a loaf of bread, so to speak, and say, “Come on over!”
Let’s look at this from a Christian perspective… how hard would it be to toss on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and head to church to worship God on Sunday morning? I promise, He doesn’t care if you’re wearing designer clothing or thrift shop rejects. When was the last time you dropped everything to go see about a friend who was sick or in need? You might have to miss a TV show (although with DVR, that’s highly improbable these days) – or you might have to get out of your sweats and put on something a little nicer, but that wouldn’t be the end of the world, would it?! When was the last time you picked up the phone and called someone you’ve meant to talk to for a long time… or stopped in to see the shut-in whose house you drive past every day?
How long has it been since you slowed down and stopped chasing the wind, and enjoyed the peace of God that fellowship and sharing His love with others bring? Isn’t it about time we all did just that?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 8, 2010
April 8 ~ 1 Timothy 6:6-8
And religion does make your life rich, by making you content with what you have. We didn't bring anything into this world, and we won't take anything with us when we leave. So we should be satisfied just to have food and clothes.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I recently watched an episode of The History Channel’s “American Pickers,” about two men from Iowa who trek across the country in search of “one man’s junk” that can be recycled and restored and turned into another man’s “treasure.” On the episode I viewed, the men visited a gentleman who has an incredible collection that includes a turn-of-the-century wood rim bicycle and a high-wheeler from the 1880’s. At every turn, the two men asked the owner, “How much for this?” The man’s standard reply was, “Oh… a couple thousand.” In other words, he didn’t want to sell! He even remarked, “I am going to have to buy a really big casket to take all this with me!”
The truth is, we won’t take any of our “stuff” with us when we die, and a lot of it isn’t adding much to our lives in the present! I know, I know… I have closets full of things I don’t need, too. But sadly, for a lot of us, we fill our lives with things we don’t even want out of some deep-seated idea that we can gain satisfaction with “stuff!” The truth is that what we really need is more of JESUS!
Many people are trying to fill a void with things, people, trips and activities, drugs, alcohol and more… and there is never enough. If you just had one more car, video game or pair of shoes… that would be enough. If you could just go to Europe or take a cruise one more time, your life would be complete. Have you ever seen the Kohler bath commercial where the Italian grandma is dying, and she is saying that her life is complete… she accomplished and experienced everything she could possibly want – until the door opens to show a beautiful woman running her hands through the water that fills a bath tub in a spa-like setting. The grandma utters a curse word and dies, regretting that this was the one thing she missed.
What are you missing? If we truly search our hearts, I think most of us would find we are missing more of Jesus. We are missing a deeper sense of trust, a stronger faith, a more intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. I recently commented to my mom that if I spent adequate time praying over the people and concerns on my prayer list these days, I would be in prayer all day… and then we both laughed. We both realized the absurdity of what I had just said, because this obviously is not the priority in my life it should be. See, I’ve let “things” get in the way of spending time with God, and I suspect you may have, too. I could give up a couple of mindless television shows per day to pray. I could walk an extra loop on my exercise route and talk to God a little longer. Instead of surfing the Internet shopping for my next purchase, I could be covering someone in prayer who has deep needs… or finding out what God wants me to do with the next few hours/minutes/days of my life.
We need to realize what is really important. It’s okay to have nice things… to live full lives and go places and do things. But it is not okay to give these first place in our lives. Priorities matter… GOD matters. We can’t take it with us when we die… and we wouldn’t want to anyway. Where are your priorities? What are your treasures?
Leland's Cafe. (2010). The History Channel website. Retrieved 3:33, April 6, 2010, from http://www.history.com/shows/american-pickers/episodes/american-pickers-episodes#slide-2.
©2010 Debbie Robus
And religion does make your life rich, by making you content with what you have. We didn't bring anything into this world, and we won't take anything with us when we leave. So we should be satisfied just to have food and clothes.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I recently watched an episode of The History Channel’s “American Pickers,” about two men from Iowa who trek across the country in search of “one man’s junk” that can be recycled and restored and turned into another man’s “treasure.” On the episode I viewed, the men visited a gentleman who has an incredible collection that includes a turn-of-the-century wood rim bicycle and a high-wheeler from the 1880’s. At every turn, the two men asked the owner, “How much for this?” The man’s standard reply was, “Oh… a couple thousand.” In other words, he didn’t want to sell! He even remarked, “I am going to have to buy a really big casket to take all this with me!”
The truth is, we won’t take any of our “stuff” with us when we die, and a lot of it isn’t adding much to our lives in the present! I know, I know… I have closets full of things I don’t need, too. But sadly, for a lot of us, we fill our lives with things we don’t even want out of some deep-seated idea that we can gain satisfaction with “stuff!” The truth is that what we really need is more of JESUS!
Many people are trying to fill a void with things, people, trips and activities, drugs, alcohol and more… and there is never enough. If you just had one more car, video game or pair of shoes… that would be enough. If you could just go to Europe or take a cruise one more time, your life would be complete. Have you ever seen the Kohler bath commercial where the Italian grandma is dying, and she is saying that her life is complete… she accomplished and experienced everything she could possibly want – until the door opens to show a beautiful woman running her hands through the water that fills a bath tub in a spa-like setting. The grandma utters a curse word and dies, regretting that this was the one thing she missed.
What are you missing? If we truly search our hearts, I think most of us would find we are missing more of Jesus. We are missing a deeper sense of trust, a stronger faith, a more intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. I recently commented to my mom that if I spent adequate time praying over the people and concerns on my prayer list these days, I would be in prayer all day… and then we both laughed. We both realized the absurdity of what I had just said, because this obviously is not the priority in my life it should be. See, I’ve let “things” get in the way of spending time with God, and I suspect you may have, too. I could give up a couple of mindless television shows per day to pray. I could walk an extra loop on my exercise route and talk to God a little longer. Instead of surfing the Internet shopping for my next purchase, I could be covering someone in prayer who has deep needs… or finding out what God wants me to do with the next few hours/minutes/days of my life.
We need to realize what is really important. It’s okay to have nice things… to live full lives and go places and do things. But it is not okay to give these first place in our lives. Priorities matter… GOD matters. We can’t take it with us when we die… and we wouldn’t want to anyway. Where are your priorities? What are your treasures?
Leland's Cafe. (2010). The History Channel website. Retrieved 3:33, April 6, 2010, from http://www.history.com/shows/american-pickers/episodes/american-pickers-episodes#slide-2.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 11, 2010
February 11 ~ Ephesians 5:15-20
Act like people with good sense and not like fools. These are evil times, so make every minute count. Don’t be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I know you may think this is crazy, but I really like to wear clothing that has been ironed. And honestly, I don’t mind ironing itself… I just have trouble finding time to set up the ironing board, starch all of the clothing, and spend a few hours pressing everything. And maybe this is a poor use of my time… especially giving things like flannel pajamas a light starch and a steamy touch-up! On the other hand, I am not a big fan of house cleaning, although I love a clean house! I always feel like I could spend that time writing a devo or doing something else more “worthwhile.” But in reality, God wants us to live in clean houses and wear neat and clean clothing… and He blesses those who clean!
When this passage talks about making every minute count, people tend to think about “important” things, like careers and relationships and how we conduct ourselves in public. But actually, we Christians need to pay attention to the seemingly “mundane” areas of our life, too. Are we so busy cleaning house that we neglect our family and friends? Are we so wrapped up in spending time and energy on our appearance that we don’t have time for prayer and Bible study? I’m not saying we should never spend time on ourselves or keep things clean and organized. But we could all probably use a revamping of our priorities, to some degree.
The other thing that stuck out to me in this passage is thanking God in the name of Jesus. Now why would that be so important? Have you stopped and really considered what Jesus did for us - I mean really considered it? I can tell you that when I do this, it is almost more than I can bear. I am completely overwhelmed and humbled by the mercy, grace, and LOVE of Jesus. I can hardly comprehend that anyone could love me enough to do the things He did for me. So yes, I thank God in the name of His precious Son, for the blessings He bestows on me each day… and so should you. No one else will EVER love you like that. No one else will EVER go to bat for you on anything remotely near that level.
Jesus deserves our recognition… and our thanks. So I am going to make a concerted effort to call on His name when I thank God in prayer. Won’t you do the same? It won’t begin to repay Him for what He did, but it’s a start. And while you pray, you can clean your room or iron a shirt!
©2009 Debbie Robus
Act like people with good sense and not like fools. These are evil times, so make every minute count. Don’t be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I know you may think this is crazy, but I really like to wear clothing that has been ironed. And honestly, I don’t mind ironing itself… I just have trouble finding time to set up the ironing board, starch all of the clothing, and spend a few hours pressing everything. And maybe this is a poor use of my time… especially giving things like flannel pajamas a light starch and a steamy touch-up! On the other hand, I am not a big fan of house cleaning, although I love a clean house! I always feel like I could spend that time writing a devo or doing something else more “worthwhile.” But in reality, God wants us to live in clean houses and wear neat and clean clothing… and He blesses those who clean!
When this passage talks about making every minute count, people tend to think about “important” things, like careers and relationships and how we conduct ourselves in public. But actually, we Christians need to pay attention to the seemingly “mundane” areas of our life, too. Are we so busy cleaning house that we neglect our family and friends? Are we so wrapped up in spending time and energy on our appearance that we don’t have time for prayer and Bible study? I’m not saying we should never spend time on ourselves or keep things clean and organized. But we could all probably use a revamping of our priorities, to some degree.
The other thing that stuck out to me in this passage is thanking God in the name of Jesus. Now why would that be so important? Have you stopped and really considered what Jesus did for us - I mean really considered it? I can tell you that when I do this, it is almost more than I can bear. I am completely overwhelmed and humbled by the mercy, grace, and LOVE of Jesus. I can hardly comprehend that anyone could love me enough to do the things He did for me. So yes, I thank God in the name of His precious Son, for the blessings He bestows on me each day… and so should you. No one else will EVER love you like that. No one else will EVER go to bat for you on anything remotely near that level.
Jesus deserves our recognition… and our thanks. So I am going to make a concerted effort to call on His name when I thank God in prayer. Won’t you do the same? It won’t begin to repay Him for what He did, but it’s a start. And while you pray, you can clean your room or iron a shirt!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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