Daily Devotional for November 6, 2016

Matthew 6:24-27    
“You cannot serve two masters: God and money. For you will hate one and love the other, or else the other way around.

“So my counsel is: Don’t worry about things—food, drink, and clothes. For you already have life and a body—and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food—for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?"

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

Timmy and Nathan LOVE Legos®.  Zola can take ‘em or leave ‘em…but she will occasionally play with them, too.  If you have priced Lego® sets, you know they are not cheap! A simple “erector set” that creates a figure only a few inches square can cost almost $20.  And as the saying goes among adults with kids…”You can never have too many Legos®!”  So we have searched for ways to add to our collection without breaking the bank.  We will occasionally buy a brand-new set…but we “shop around” for the best deal and lowest price whenever possible.

Lately, I discovered several eBay sellers who offer Legos® by the pound…cleaned, sanitized used pieces that can spark the imagination of any junior creator and offer hours of fun.  For $20, I can get up to two pounds of these pieces and mini figures…literally thousands of new Legos®! I divide these up into plastic bags…and once in a while, I will surprise the boys (or reward good behavior) with a new assortment!

Today, Zola went to church with friends, so we just had Timmy and Nathan with us. When we got home from church, I gave each boy a bag of “new” Legos® to open while I prepared lunch.  You should have seen them!  They were beyond excited.  It was like Christmas Day.  They squealed with excitement as they discovered crystals, swords and other neat accessories…along with a couple of new, cool “mini-figs.”  They created characters and counted their “loot” and showed their Uncle Greg the neat things they were making.  They could not have cared less that these were not “boxed sets.”  They did not even ask whether these were new pieces or not.  They used their imagination rather than a booklet of instructions, and they had a great time!

When the children come to our house, they never worry that there won’t be food, toys, and plenty of fun and love. Occasionally they will see a commercial for some toy that they tell us they simply MUST have…but it’s rare.  They are generally worry-free…and life is great!  Do you remember those carefree days?

Sometimes, I think we need to return to the simplicity of our childhood.  I know we can’t really do this - that we have jobs to do…bills to pay…people counting on us for all sorts of things.  But we DO still have a Heavenly Father who is ready, willing and able to meet many of the needs that we waste time worrying about on a regular basis.

Lately, I’ve done my fair share of “working” my prayers…and turning them over and over in my mind.  This is completely ridiculous, and I know it.  But sometimes, we can’t seem to let go and trust God…and the devil absolutely DANCES when we do this!  I can almost feel God’s disappointment, as He politely stands in the corner and wonders why on earth I won’t trust Him.  I’m here to tell you, I am so ready to do this!!!

Stop and ask yourself what worries you these days.  Then consider if this is really how God wants you to expend your energy.  Isn’t it time you stopped worrying about so many things that are not really ours to handle…and let God have complete control?  Isn’t it time we got serious about operating in Christian faith?  We CAN be a carefree kid again in so many ways…God’s kid!  Will this be the day that we begin?

©2016 Debbie Robus 

Daily Devotional for October 29, 2016

Matthew 5:48
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

This fall as I have been spending time at the elementary school with Timmy and Zola – and in the Sunday school classes at our church -  I’ve realized that these classrooms are microcosms of the world at large…filled with many of the social issues and concerns that trouble the world at large.  I’ve observed children who are struggling (if only subconsciously) with discrimination because of their race, socio-economic level, or intellect. There are children in foster homes, broken homes, and homes that where the family dynamic is disintegrating.  There are children with special needs…and plenty of “drama” between both boys and girls.  This is all on top of the academic challenges that the children face each week in their classrooms!

These little lives and the struggles that befall them parallel those of their adult counterparts in many ways.  And I am reminded of how this broke my heart and troubled me when I left teaching 30 years ago.  I brought a lot of the heartaches home with me at night and “massaged” them over and over. I am trying not to do that now - and here’s why…I am making every effort to live out my faith.

“But wait a minute!” you might say.  “If you are living out your faith, shouldn’t you be concerned for these children?”  Absolutely…but I am confident that God is watching over them.  I ask Him to do this every day…and I trust that He will answer, because I know they are precious to Him.  This frees me to pass out love, hugs and encouragement…to smile and laugh with the children and to let them know how important they are to me – and especially to God. MY JOB as a Christian disciple is not to worry.  It is to live generously and graciously toward others and try my hardest to always give them a glimpse of God and how HE lives toward us.

I hope that I have learned a thing or two in the last few decades.  I’d like to say that I have grown up…but I am sure I still have work to do.  Still, I am doing my best to live like a Kingdom Subject…to quit wringing my hands and worrying over every little thing that happens in this world…to move past the drama, let go, and let God handle the details. This is my God-created identity…and I am trying to honor His gracious and generous gift.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 18, 2015

Psalm 55:22
Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them. He will not permit the godly to slip or fall.

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 lifelong friend of mine watched her baby girl drive off for school this morning for the first time as the licensed operator of a motor vehicle.  I looked at the clock yesterday afternoon as a severe thunderstorm accompanied by a flash flood warning approached our community - and realized that our little Zola was on the school bus headed for home.  My mother will receive her third chemo treatment tomorrow.  The debate rages on about what to do about world issues, including the threats of terrorism and how to address the growing refugee crisis in Syria and other Middle Eastern countries.

This is only the tip of the iceberg.  Burdens, worries, and concerns abound for all of us.  And if that isn’t enough, let’s add the chaos and stress that surrounds the joy of the upcoming holidays!  How many are coming for Thanksgiving dinner?  What will we get Uncle Joe for Christmas? How can I be at the Christmas parties of three children when they are all being held at the same hour…and does that room mother really think I have time to make 30 Rudolph cupcakes?  Will I survive finals and the end of the semester and be able to enjoy a happy holiday break?  What will happen to all of the orphans, hungry and homeless who don’t have any hope of a Happy Thanksgiving or a Merry Christmas – or a stable life beyond the holiday season?

I often tell our children, “You have two choices…A or B.  But it’s your choice!”  And I am saying this to all of us today.  We have two choices…1) we can choose to live in worry, fear, dismay and despair, or 2) we can choose to trust God and give Him our burdens – ALL of them – and allow Him to orchestrate things according to His will.  It boils down to whether we want to demonstrate Christian faith – or not.

I don’t mean to be harsh…nor do I suggest that we toss caution to the wind and refrain from utilizing common sense.  I am careful to keep my doors locked.  I watch my purse when I shop.  I remind the children not to talk to strangers and to look both ways before crossing the street. I said a prayer for the safety of ALL who were trying to get home in the rain storm yesterday, and I pray continually for my mother and others who are ill, injured, grieving and/or suffering in some manner.  I am planning to enjoy the company around our table on Thanksgiving Day, whether the house is clean and the meal is perfectly cooked or not!  And I have vowed NOT to stress out over the hectic holiday schedule…and to focus on Jesus, family, and friends.

I want to be more present in the love, grace, mercy and protection of God…and less fearful, dubious, cynical and exclusive.  I want to look at others and recognize that God desires to carry THEIR burdens just as much as mine…and that He can – and WILL – do this!  I want to demonstrate more clearly what God is capable of in my life and the lives of others…and I want to operate in confidence that He’s always got my back.  And I’m starting here…now…today!  What about you?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 13, 2015

Psalm 37:1-2
Don’t be annoyed by anyone
who does wrong,
    and don’t envy them.
They will soon disappear
    like grass without rain.

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

There are probably few among us who haven’t said at some point of another person… “Man, he/she gets buy with murder!  If I did that, I’d be in jail!”  For the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone would envy a person who lies, cheats, steals, uses bad language,  speaks unkindly of others, or treats anyone poorly.  But this is essentially what we are doing when we make such a statement.

I will tell you, I’ve struggled with writing this devo today.  Perhaps this is partly because this “lesson” hits me squarely between the eyes.  I get exasperated with people who say and do things that are clearly wrong.  Sometimes, I gripe about them…and  sometimes, I turn and look the other way.  I will say, “He’s a good guy – he just can’t seem to control his mouth.”  Or I will say, “I don’t like this and that about a candidate…but he/she is the lesser of the evils, so I’ll vote for him/her anyway.”

The Bible tells us that we are not to judge…and as the second verse in this passage points out, those who “misbehave” don’t actually “win” in the end.  The day will come when we will all have to answer for what we have said and done.  Meanwhile, the misdeeds of others are really “not our circus – not our monkeys.”  And worrying about them doesn’t do any of us one bit of good.

Instead, let’s focus on ourselves.  There are times when we must speak out and say, “That is wrong”…or “I cannot condone this.”  But when we dwell on the poor choices of others and worry about them instead of focusing on our own words and actions, we have failed to trust God to handle all things. It really is a matter of “walking the walk” vs. “talking the talk!”

Look…on any given day, we have our hands full with our own thoughts and deeds.  Worrying about the other guy truly is a waste of our time and energy – and a demonstration of dishonor and mistrust toward God.  And none of us wants that…do we?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 8, 2015

Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

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

As I tucked Timothy into bed, he was fretting about going to sleep in the dark.  I told him, “You worry too much!”  “But I like to worry,” he replied.  “Well, trust me...” I answered. “It’s a waste of time!” 

Even though he is only six, I have begun to encourage Timothy to pray about his worries.  I know that the sooner he learns to do this, the better.  And I speak from experience as a life-long, expert worrier!

These are the well-known “peace that passes understanding” scriptures in Philippians, and I love how this translation describes that peace as “a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good” to “come and settle you down.”  The more I learn to give my worries to God and rest in this promise, the better – and less stressful – life gets.  I’m working hard to instill this same assurance in our little ones…and I pray that it is so for you, as well.

Are you ready to give God your worries and live in His amazing and all-encompassing peace?  Don’t you think it’s time you were?

©2015 Debbie Robus 

Daily Devotional for November 1, 2015

Luke 12:22-31
Jesus said to his disciples:

I tell you not to worry about your life! Don’t worry about having something to eat or wear. Life is more than food or clothing. Look at the crows! They don’t plant or harvest, and they don’t have storehouses or barns. But God takes care of them. You are much more important than any birds. Can worry make you live longer? If you don’t have power over small things, why worry about everything else?

Look how the wild flowers grow! They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of these flowers. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. Won’t he do even more for you? You have such little faith!

Don’t keep worrying about having something to eat or drink. Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father knows what you need. But put God’s work first, and these things will be yours as well.

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

My first encounter with this directive from Jesus actually involved the account as recorded in Matthew 6:25-34.  Greg and I were engaged to be married in August 1974, and he was attending college in Little Rock.  I was set to join him there in the fall. But late in the spring semester, Greg realized that he wanted to make a change in his major field of study…one that was not offered at his present university.  He broke the news to me and showed me these verses from his pocket Gideon Bible.  And he explained that he was not worried…that this would all be okay.  The move to another university and city took a lot of work and finagling…but it also was the best plan for both of us.

Fast forward 13 years, and we once again considered a life-changing move - one that involved changing careers and cities.  And again, the words of Jesus echoed in our hearts and minds…”don’t worry about what you will eat, drink or wear.  God knows what you need, and He will see that you are cared for perfectly.”  And once again, this was the best plan for our lives.

I wish I could say that I have done a perfect job of trusting God with my worries…but none of us can say this.  We are all works in progress.  But I do find that it gets a little easier on any given day…and the times that I worry – and God shows me how powerful and capable He really is – I am embarrassed and humbled for doubting this for even one second!

So whatever is worrying you today, ask God to handle it.  Sometimes I simply say, “God, I cannot fix this, so you’re going to have to do it!”  I know fully well that this was His intention all along.  God needs to hear us say that we understand completely that He is in control…and we are not.  Won’t you ask Him to handle your worries and cares today…and start trusting Him to meet all of your needs, and more.  Isn’t this the perfect time to get started?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 31, 2015

Luke 10:41-42
But the Lord said to her, “Martha, dear friend, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her!”

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

My mother once gave me a book titled, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World*.  The premise was that we spend a lot of time worrying…and most of it is about things that are either insignificant – or low priority! Certain “worries” are rites of passage and part of growing up…like the litany of stresses that compile “teenage angst.”  But those who, like me, have lived a few decades can probably look back on several events and circumstances and say, “I wasted far too much time on that!”

“Woulda, shoulda, coulda”…these are all natural sentiments that most of us have experienced.  “I wish I would have studied more”…”I should have spent more time with this person or that one”…”I could have made more of an effort to get to know Jesus better at a younger age – and saved myself some heartache!”  Regrets and worry are a natural part of the human psyche.

But hear the words of Jesus in these verses…and go back and read all of the story in Luke 10, if you need to refresh your memory.  Stop and take a good look at what is concerning you these days…then ask, “Is this really what matters most?”  Is it more important that we spend time on the things that express our love - and the love of Jesus – for others…or do we really need that latest gizmo or new outfit we spent hours shopping for?  When someone drops by for a visit, will you worry about how your house looks – or enjoy their company? 

When your favorite television program is interrupted by a phone call from a friend or loved one who wants to visit, will you be irritated – or attentive?  Will you read to a child – or spend an hour surfing social media?  Will you be so self-absorbed or concerned about keeping up appearances that you miss the beauty of a crisp fall day…a few minutes spent in strengthening and encouraging conversation with God… or even His gift of a few hours of much-needed rest and renewal?

Worry steals our energy, our time, and our joy.  Misplaced priorities rob us of God’s blessings – and our true purpose as Christian disciples.  Will you spend some time today seeking God’s will and direction for your life…and syncing your agenda with His?  I probably need to get this book out and read it again, because worry has a way of creeping into our lives in ways that we don’t even notice!  Will this be the day that you start becoming a “Mary in a Martha World?” - and learn to operate in what is really important? Don’t you think it should be?

©2015 Debbie Robus

* Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World - ©2000 Joanna Weaver - http://www.amazon.com/Having-Mary-Heart-Martha-World/dp/1578562589

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 23, 2015

James 1:13-18
And remember, when someone wants to do wrong it is never God who is tempting him, for God never wants to do wrong and never tempts anyone else to do it. Temptation is the pull of man’s own evil thoughts and wishes. These evil thoughts lead to evil actions and afterwards to the death penalty from God. 

So don’t be misled, dear brothers. But whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and he shines forever without change or shadow. And it was a happy day for him when he gave us our new lives through the truth of his Word, and we became, as it were, the first children in his new family.

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

Here we go again!  An incredibly dangerous, Category 5 hurricane is bearing down on the Pacific Coast of Mexico…the strongest hurricane in recorded history. Thousands of people are stranded there, including as many as 10,000 Americans.  Among them is a woman from my home town.  Her friends and family are understandably worried.

I can hear the drum-beaters already…”God caused this hurricane as punishment for something (you get to choose the ‘sin’).  He’s going to teach some people a lesson!”  To these people, I say, “BALONEY!” I don’t know why this storm is brewing – or why God is allowing it to hit land and put people in harm’s way.  But I do know that He didn’t say, “I think I will cause a potentially deadly storm and wipe out a bunch of people.”  I don’t think God is punishing my mother or several other family members and friends by “giving them cancer.”  I just do not serve a God who operates this way.

Yes, I’ve read the scriptures.  Yes, I know that God is plenty capable of punishing with death and all sorts of tragedies and maladies.  But I have also read passages like this one from James 1, in which it is clearly stated that God never wants to do wrong and never tempts anyone else to do it.  And deliberately wiping out a group of people or causing someone to suffer would be wrong.

Where does this leave us?  Are we simply to concede that whatever happens is “God’s will” and we have to accept it?  I don’t believe so.  When “bad things happen,” I have to trust that there are just so many things about God and how He operates that I do not – and will not – understand in this lifetime.  But I DO KNOW how loving He is…how precious we are to Him – each and every one of us – and I refuse to accept that He would deliberately harm us, for even one minute.

Even those of us who are “royal stinkers” are loved by God just as much as the most faith-filled Christian…and He desires that every single one of us would turn to Him and surrender – to do all within our power to serve Him obediently and willingly.  And God also wants us to stop worrying. 

Even in the midst of this raging monster of a storm, I refuse to be frightened for our friend who is there.  I am trusting God to wrap His arms around her and those with whom she is “hunkered down” in a Puerto Vallarta convention center.  I believe that He is monitoring every gust of wind…every wave of precipitation and the swells of the ocean…and every breath of those who await the storm’s landfall.  We anticipate the outcome…we pray for mercy and protection…and we believe that God is in complete control of a perfect outcome. It may not look like we want it to, but God has answers that we do not…and I am trusting that His are far better than mine. What about 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 October 10, 2015

2 Corinthians 9:8-11
God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,
    giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
    never run out, never wear out.

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugeterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

Have you ever had a morning when you woke up, and your first thought was, “How many hours is it until I can crawl back into this bed and sleep?”  There are days when we are so mentally and physical spent that even several hours of “sleep” are not enough. The first inclination is that this day will be wasted…we will be lazy and/or worthless.  But even on your most weary day, God is working behind the scenes…and He can use you to bless others.

How is this possible?  What does it cost you to pray?  Can you utter a petition for His love and care for another person?  Then you have been a blessing.  Can you send an e-mail of encouragement to someone?  BOOM!  You have blessed and served in God’s name?  Can you take care of yourself and rest, so that the next day, you have the energy and capacity to do more for yourself, others – and God’s Kingdom?  Then you have your “mission” for this day!

We underestimate the ways that God can use us…and we most certainly misjudge the ways that God works in our lives behind the scenes – and uses that for His glory.  The tiniest “seed” sown into us can blossom into something huge for the Kingdom of Heaven.  Our church’s Director of Children’s Ministries was rushed to a major hospital yesterday with a brain bleed.  Even from her hospital bed, we can see God’s hand at work in and through her, as countless friends and loved ones have rallied to exchange reports, share corporate and individual prayers for her – and pray for the dozens of unknown medical personnel who are involved in her care.  Imagine the ripple effect of these actions…the “seeds” that have been scattered in all directions as a result of this terrible event.  And the work - and God’s blessings and glory - continue by the minute!

So don’t sell yourself short.  Recognize how powerful God’s work is in each of our lives.  Realize that even in the midst of something as serious as a brain bleed, God can use you!  On your worst day when you want to roll over and pull the covers back over your head, you can still utter a prayer of healing, comfort and care for another – and God can do incredible things with that simple utterance!

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways…we just have to be open and receptive to His efforts.  Are you ready for anything…willing to be generous in any way that you can…and open to the work of God in and through your life?  Will this be the day that you begin to truly produce great praise for God?

Ask God to soften your heart – to open your eyes and ears to the ways that He wants to use you, regardless of your circumstances or condition.  Remind yourself that with God, all things are possible…and prepare to “scatter some seeds” and blessings in His name - every single day.

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 7, 2015

1 John 4:18
We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us.

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

Timothy asks me often, “Do you still love me?” Now, he knows that I do, but he seems to need this reassurance.  If he misbehaves and I fuss at him, he will sometimes say, “Aww…you don’t love me anymore!”  I insist that yes, I still love him…but I am not happy with how he behaved. This is a typical reaction for some children.  Timothy apparently got my “people-pleaser” gene!  In reality, his worry and concern are wastes of time…but this doesn’t seem to be soaking in with him just yet.  Hopefully in time he will be fully convinced that his Uncle Greg and I will always love him.

More than a few of us got this “worry gene” when it comes to trusting the love of God.  We are ready at the first sign of trouble to decide that “He must not love me.”  We operate in fear of what will happen if we disappoint God...and we just cannot accept that He could love us – warts and all.

Here’s the thing…this really is not about you or me.  It’s not about what we have or have not done, as much as it is about the incomprehensible, all-encompassing, unfailing love of our Heavenly Father for each of us.  I cannot envision a world where I would not love my little nieces and nephews…and a world does not exist where God would not love us.  But we want to dwell in the “human” realm of somehow earning unconditional love…and this simply cannot happen.

So what does this all mean?  For me, this is a call to “let go and let God”…to quit worrying about so many things and trust that whatever happens, God has me in the palm of His hand.  This is a signal for me stop operating in fear and trepidation over any possible “punishment” that God might deliver out of disappointment or anger.  It is a jump-start for me to live with a deep desire to show MY love and respect - and do all that I can to live in God’s will…to listen to His voice and steer clear of the devil’s temptations and suggestions that I am simply not good enough to “merit” His love – and never will be! 

This is not how God operates…and the sooner we truly understand this, the sooner we can begin to truly experience His grace, mercy, and blessings.  Are you fully convinced that God loves you…that His deepest desire is for you to thrive in everything you experience - and bask in His abundant care and blessings?  Won’t you join me today and drop your worries at His feet…and embrace this amazing gift of unconditional love and care?  This is the day that the LORD has made…aren’t you ready to really enjoy it?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 27, 2015

Psalm 37:8-9
Stop your anger! Turn off your wrath. Don’t fret and worry — it only leads to harm. For the wicked shall be destroyed, but those who trust the Lord shall be given every blessing.

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

The children were promised a trip to the park this afternoon when we returned home from church and a visit to our house. We have several nice playgrounds around town, including one that is near a lake and one that sits beside a stream.  Timothy said they were going to the one “by the water.”  But as we passed our city park, Zola insisted, “That’s where we’re going! Mom said we were going to the one with the ladybug!” The “ladybug” is an apparatus on which a child can “ride”…and Zola loves it!

Timothy declared, “Well, if we go to that park, I’m just going to sit on the bench and not play!”  I told him that he would miss all the fun, and he said, “I don’t care!  I don’t want to have any fun if we’re not going to the park by the water!”  Somehow, I have a feeling that once he got to the park with the “ladybug,” he was rarin’ to go – and had as much fun as anyone there!  If not, he wasted a lot of time and energy – and the opportunity to enjoy himself…all because he chose to fret and be angry.

It’s a hard thing to be six years old…and even harder not to always get your own way.  But can you see how this relates to us?  Do you understand that we often get so worked up about things that we miss out on the blessing – and/or a good time?  We often waste so much of our energy on situations that we ought to simply hand over to God.  Sometimes, it seems as if we actually enjoy hand-wringing and the “rush” of being angry!

But as this scripture passage points out…this can be harmful and truly serves no good.  If we will only learn to give our troubles and frustrations to God and allow Him to have control, there is every chance that we will enjoy life more.  We might even discover countless blessings that would otherwise be missed.  I can’t promise that God will always choose to allow us a trip to the park beside the water.  But when we let go and give Him control, we’ll surely have more opportunities to enjoy whatever activities He places in our path.

Are you ready to “let go and let God” have control in your life?  Will this be the day that you redouble your efforts to do so?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 30, 2014

1 Corinthians 13:3-10
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

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.

Only a precious friend...and a “sister in Christ” like my dear cousin Natalie...could truly understand how I worry about certain people and situations. For my birthday, she presented me with a leather bracelet that is tooled with this inscription, “only love today”.  I am to wear it to remind me of God’s love for me – and for those people and circumstances over which I fret and stew - but cannot control.  I’m not supposed to handle these things.  I am supposed to remember that God’s got this!

So I’m wearing the bracelet...and looking at its words often throughout the day.  I am reminded of tremendous love...the complete, all-encompassing, unselfish, unconditional and perfect love that God provides...and that of a beautiful, Godly cousin who totally “gets” me – and loves me anyway!  I am reminded of all of the things in this scripture passage...and the power, grace and mercy of God’s love for me – and through me toward others.

You may not struggle so much with worry over situations and people.  You may battle other issues...proper expression of your thoughts and feelings, gossip, jealousy, insecurities, depression, discord or judgment... or something else completely.  It doesn’t matter what your challenge is...God’s love can cover it. He can graciously and mercifully wrap His arms around you and handle whatever causes you discomfort or distress.  And because of His love...you can “pay it forward” to others.

Here’s your phrase to remember... “only love today”.  Even if you don’t wear a leather bracelet inscribed with these words, you can remind yourself throughout the day that God truly IS love.  You can vow to operate ONLY in His love today, and always.  So let’s do this thing!  Let’s fill our “bank accounts” with God’s love and keep it going.  Are you in?  Ready, set, GO!

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 24, 2014

Philippians 4:4-7
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
 
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
I’ve said it before…I come from a long line of folks who could worry as a profession!  Recently, Timothy began testing the almost-5-year-old waters a bit with some antics at school and at home that displeased his parents.  As his mother told me about them one day, I asked, “Would you like for me to talk to him?”  She said, “Yes, PLEASE!”  So we had a little chat about learning to get along with others and how important it was to cooperate…share…and be kind to our friends and siblings.  I told Timothy that I would pray for him and ask God to help him learn to do these things.  And I said to him, “When you say your prayers, ask God to help you be good and get along with others.”
 
Timothy asked, “But God will still love me…right?”  I told him yes…God will love him – but God might not always approve of his behavior.  Timmy can be pretty dramatic at times, and his next comment (in his saddest voice) was, “But if God leaves me…I’ll be all alone!”  I assured him that God will never leave him…but God does want us to behave well and follow the rules. A few nights later, as Timothy said his prayers, he said (again, quite dramatically), “God, if I’m all alone, you’ll come and get me…right?”  Dramatically spoken or not, this obviously tugged at my heartstrings.  Afterward, I assured Timmy that God is ALWAYS with him, and he doesn’t need to worry about that!
 
One of my long-term goals with Timothy, Zola, Nathan – and other children who cross my path – is to continually assure them that God loves them…that He is ready, willing and more than able to handle their worries.  I want these children to grow up full of the confidence that God’s peace will guard their hearts and minds as they strive to live for Jesus.  And it all begins with me and how I demonstrate this in my own life.  If I am continually worried and upset… if I appear to be stressed out over things great and small…if I fail to physically model taking all things to God in prayer – and giving them to Him to handle – I cannot possibly expect these children to do any differently.
 
The same could be said for others whom we encounter.  What do we project to the people we meet?  Do we come across as someone who operates in “the peace that passes understanding”?  Or are we hand-wringers…unsettled people who call ourselves Christians and say one thing…while we act in a way that belies our words?  Are we people who pray about everything and truly give it to God…with thanks and complete confidence that He will answer in a manner that best meets our needs?  Are we at peace…and filled with joy in the LORD?
 
Isn’t it time we took stock of our lives and answered a few of these questions?  Will this be the day that you begin to work on the areas where you worry too much – the unsettled, anything-but-peaceful corners of your life?  Won’t you spend some time in contemplation and praise of a God who can handle EVERYTHING…even the “growing pains” of a sometimes-melodramatic pre-schooler?  God is waiting for us to stop our fretting and settle in with Him.  Will this be the day that you begin?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 14, 2014

Philippians 4:6-9
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
 
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
 
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 are days when I think maybe I should have this scripture passage (at least the first part) tattooed on my forearm so that I could see it many times each day!  It seems that many of us (myself included) are just “wired” to worry!  I know…I know…worry is a tool of the devil – a distraction to keep us off balance and out of “alignment” with God.  But let me tell you, this is PROOF that the devil is powerful!  There are many times when I try so hard NOT to worry – with poor results.  I recognize that Satan LOVES this…and it really makes me mad!
 
Still, I believe this is a powerful scripture passage.  In many translations, “God’s wholeness” is referred to as “the peace that passes understanding”.  And I can tell you from personal experience that I know this peace. There have been times when something almost literally took my breath…when I thought I could not bear what was happening in that moment – or beyond.  And at the same time – or even for days to come – I felt an incredible sense of calm and peace.  The only explanation I can offer is that God shielded me.  He made everything work together, settled me down, and allowed me to rest while He did the heavy lifting.
 
I’ll be honest…this passage of scripture comes at the perfect time for me.  I have been allowing some worrisome thoughts to enter my mind and heart.  I’ve been wrestling with some things that I know I should leave for God to handle…and I’ve felt unsettled in the process.  This message is as much for me today as for any of you.  God wants us to stop worrying.  He wants us to present our concerns to Him (even though He already knows them!) and then let them go.  It is God’s desire that we focus on the wonderful things that He has done…the magnificent things that He is able to accomplish…and the miracles He will perform in our lives and those of others as time progresses.  He wants us to believe Him when He tells us, “I’ve got this!”
 
So whatever is troubling you today, shape it into a prayer and give it to God.  Let Him settle you down and fill you with the peace that cannot be explained.  Trust that He truly does have the power – and the desire – to handle your cares and concerns according to His will…which means they will all be managed perfectly. Send the devil and his pack of vicious lies and despicable tools packing…and rest in the power and tranquility of the LORD as He centers your life in Him.
 
Share this good news and encouragement with all you meet.  Operate in compassion for those who are troubled and worried.  Offer them hope by sharing these scripture verses and demonstrating these truths in your own life.
 
Nothing is too big for God to handle.  Isn’t it time we let Him?  Will this be the day that you operate in God’s inexplicable peace?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 3, 2013

Matthew 6:25-34
I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing?  Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?
 
Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes.  But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?
 
Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?”  Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these.  But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
 
Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
 
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
This is “tax-free” weekend in Arkansas.  For two days, parents can shop for back-to-school clothes and supplies and the state sales tax will be waived on certain purchases.  This includes clothing selling for up to $100 per item, and purses and accessories retailing for up to $50 per item.  My question is… “Do school-aged children really need $50 purses and clothing items that are $100 each?”  Maybe I am just out of touch with the times… but I don’t pay this much for my own clothing and accessories.  My experience with children and teenagers has taught me that most will not take care of said items well enough to merit these prices!  I am sure some of my nieces, nephews and young friends – and maybe even you – would disagree… and that’s your business.  But I honestly believe we have become so “appearance/label conscious” in this society that we have lost touch with reality in many instances.
 
As someone who sews, I’ve taken a look at high-priced items of clothing and discovered that many are poorly made.  Materials are thin and the dyes fade quickly…the stitching is often less than secure and subject to raveling… and the quality just doesn’t match the price.  And at the end of the day… are you really happier or more comfortable in a nearly $100 pair of designer jeans than a $20 pair of Levis from Wal-Mart – or even a good clean $2 pair from the local thrift store?  Does that tee-shirt from the high end apparel shop clothe you better than one from a familiar name-brand department store?  Is a $10 gourmet hamburger truly tastier and more filling than a $3-$5 Whopper® meal from Burger King?  Our pastor shared with us recently that $10 can feed a family of four for ONE WEEK in Costa Rica.  How far can you stretch $10?  My point is this…we all tend to be far too concerned with things that don’t last and won’t bring us peace and happiness.
 
Before my husband and I married, we planned to attend college at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, where he was already a student.  I would major in Elementary Education there… he would finish a degree in Accounting.  Then he took a course in statistics and realized that sitting behind a desk crunching numbers did not interest him as much as being outdoors in nature. After much prayerful consideration, he decided to transfer to Arkansas Tech University and pursue a degree in Park Administration.
 
We had all of the paper work complete for my enrollment at UALR.  We were already looking for housing and making plans.  In a few short months, we would be married, so changing locations – and universities – was daunting at this juncture.  But my husband-to-be did not come to this decision lightly, and one day he opened the Gideon Bible he had been given his freshman year of college and showed me this passage from Matthew 6.  He explained that a career in the “Parks and Rec” field might never be as lucrative as one in accounting… that park rangers and school teachers might only “make ends meet” on comparatively small salaries.  But he assured me that he would be much happier as a park ranger than an accountant… and that as long as we were together, “things” really didn’t matter.  With God's help, we would make it work.
 
In that instant, I realized that I had the most important gift… someone who loved me – and not my possessions or my “earned income potential”.  I began a mantra that I have repeated to my husband for nearly 40 years now… “I’d live in a pup tent, as long as you are with me.”  And we have never lacked for anything.
 
On a far grander scale, we have a similar – yet greater – Gift.  We have Someone who loves us… not for what we have or how we look… not for how we dress or whether we dine on gourmet meals and live in mansions.  We have a God who loves us and wants to be with us… because of who we are – not what we have.  And He is willing to see that all of our needs are met, just so we can be together.  God really doesn’t care whether you carry a $50 purse or stuff your money into your pocket.  He is not the least bit interested in whether your jeans have a designer label or came from the thrift store.  What God desires is your obedience… your trust… and your devotion.  He will handle the rest.  You may not have much… but you will always have enough. This should give each of us a tremendous sense of peace!
 
If you shop this weekend, I hope you will think about what really matters… spend your “tax-free” money wisely… and make every dollar count.  Start learning to focus on your relationship with God… and with others.  Make God’s work your top priority.  Evangelist Joyce Meyer tells of standing in front of the mirror one Sunday morning… stewing about which outfit to wear and what accessories to add.  She clearly heard God say, “Oh for goodness’ sake, Joyce… just put on something and GO!”  It’s time for us to do the same.  We’ve kept God waiting long enough!  Won’t you set your worries aside and get busy doing His work?  God may never ask you to “live in a pup tent,” but if He did… how would you respond?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus