Daily Devotional for December 15, 2016

Matthew 19:21-23
Jesus replied, “If you want to be perfect, go sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower.” When the young man heard this, he was sad, because he was very rich.

Jesus said to his disciples, “It’s terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of heaven!

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

Greg and I cleaned our closets yesterday.  It was long overdue.  We will donate the purged items to a local clothes closet that helps people in need…many who have nothing due to a house fire, domestic violence, job loss, or other unfortunate circumstances.  For the record, I am a bit of a clothes hoarder.  I’ve cleaned my closet countless times and put pretty much everything back on the racks and in the drawers.  I tell myself that I might actually be able to wear the jeans that fit when I was 40…or that I really need a shirt I bought for a song – in 1994!

This time, I tried to be ruthless…and I have to say, I did better than expected.  Because I asked myself one question…”Who needs this worse?”  And if you looked at my closet today, you might ask if I really removed anything.  See, I still have plenty…but now, the person who really needs a good pair of Levis® will be able to have them.  The warm jacket that I have not worn in at least five years will keep someone cozy this winter instead of taking up space in our closet.  Those shoes that pinched my toes might be just the right size for a woman who is looking for a job and wants to look professional.  And honestly, these days, my need for “office attire” is pretty well nil.

I inherited this “clothes hoarding” gene from my mother and grandmother.  I know that to be a fact, because I cleaned out their closets!  And I am not criticizing them…they were careful bargain shoppers.  And after decades of scrimping and scraping so that we kids could have nice things, they deserved to have beautiful garments.  But I also know that “you can’t take it with you.” Even after my purging, I could pretty well wear a different outfit every day for a month and not repeat myself!  In view of the fact that some have NOTHING to wear – at least nothing that is decent – this makes no sense.

So I’ve made a small step toward sharing my “riches.”  I have not sold or given away everything that I own, but I’ve started letting go of an unreasonable attachment to clothes that clutter my closet and could actually benefit someone else.

A couple of years ago, I went through every closet and drawer and purged and organized what was in them…and it’s time to do that again.  This may not seem like a huge deal in the realm of God’s Kingdom, but it is. When we let go of our “things,” we focus more on what is really necessary and important.  When we part with something because we realize that another person has a bigger need for it than we do, we’re making progress.  And I have to believe that this makes God smile.

I don’t want to hinder my journey to heaven with clutter and “stuff”…and I’m betting you don’t either.  This small step could lead to bigger ones - and point us in the right direction, once and for all.  Are you ready to start gleaning?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 23, 2016

Psalm 138
Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!”
    Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
    and say it again: “Thank you!”
Thank you for your love,
    thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
    most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
    you made my life large with strength.
When they hear what you have to say, God,
    all earth’s kings will say “Thank you.”
They’ll sing of what you’ve done:
    “How great the glory of God!”
And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below;
    no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.
When I walk into the thick of trouble,
    keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand
    strike my foes,
With your other hand
    save me.
Finish what you started in me, God.
    Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now.

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.

“Life is short…and sugar is cheap!” – Jay Grelen, former “Sweet Tea” columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

I think of this phrase on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas… when we have a family dinner, and I make big pitchers of sweet tea. There is so much wisdom in this phrase.  Life IS short…as many of us know all too well. We don’t stop to take stock of the blessings we have in our lives…or to truly appreciate the presence of those around us.  We look up, and half the people in the room have their noses buried in a smart phone…or they are glued to a television. Or perhaps we don’t even bother to get together at all.

I shared a poignant video* on Facebook last week of an elderly man who was sitting at a holiday table, dining alone.  His children all made excuses for why they couldn’t come for a Christmas visit this year…how maybe next time, they would make it.  Then the video cuts to a scene of the children receiving devastating news. By their reactions, you conclude that the “poppa” has died. The children are shown arriving outside this man’s home. They are distraught…it seems their beloved father/grandfather has died.  But when they enter the home, a holiday meal is on the table. Candles are lit, and everything is perfect…and the father/grandpa emerges from the kitchen, and asks, “How else could I have brought you all together?”

I don’t know your situation and circumstances today. My own family has spent holidays together – and apart - for various reasons.  We’ve postponed holiday get-togethers because someone was ill or hospitalized…and we’ve buried loved ones on Christmas Eve.  And yes, we’ve made our share of excuses why we couldn’t make it to one or more events when there was nothing catastrophic to prevent such a gathering. Sometimes, this couldn’t be helped…but other times, we just didn’t try hard enough.

The point is that we do this with God, too.  We often make excuses or postpone our time with Him.  At best, we give God limited attention and a lot of “lip service.”  Sometimes, He has to shake up our world just to bring us together with Him for some intimate time!  We forget that life is short…and sugar is cheap. It doesn’t cost us anything to spend time with God…and yet, that time is some of the most precious we will ever have.

So this Thanksgiving, thank God with everything in you. Set aside everything and spend quality time with God and let Him know just how grateful you are that He makes your life large with strength…that no matter the distance, He knows everything about you - and keeps you alive in the thick of turmoil and trouble.  Thank God that His love is eternal and everlasting.

While you’re at it…thank God for the people that He has placed in your life.  Reach out to some of them and spend some quality time in conversation, if not personal contact.  Soak in the moments spent together, and relish in them.  Life is short, and sugar is cheap…so maybe drink a glass of sweet tea while you’re at it!  Remember how blessed you are to be loved by such a great and mighty God…and make the most of each blessing that He has given you – this week, and always.

©2016 Debbie Robus

* http://www.3lstories.com/people-are-calling-this-the-most-powerful-christmas-commercial-ever

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 November 4, 2016

Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth where they can erode away or may be stolen. Store them in heaven where they will never lose their value and are safe from thieves. If your profits are in heaven, your heart will be there too."

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

Since 1990, I have been directly involved in sorting through the personal belongings of others at least five times - and I’m here to tell you…it’s just STUFF!  I’ve commiserated with friends who are having a similar experience, and I’ve shared MY perspective on issues related to inheritances and “estates.” In the end, I’ve asked more than one person, “Why is this so important?  You have been fine all of these years without an inheritance or these ‘treasures,’ so why wouldn’t you continue to be okay if you’re left out of the will?”

I have sorted through a lot of my mother’s things in the last 10 months…and we still have a long way to go!  But I have become even more cognizant of how important it is to de-clutter my life and re-align my priorities. First, I do not want to burden others with having to dispose of an excess of my “stuff,” and secondly, I don’t want anyone to think that these things define me in any way.  When I am gone, I don’t want people to say, “She surely had pretty things.” I want them to say, “She was always busy serving Jesus and others…she gave Him her all.”

I have also begun to give away things that are important to me…to people that I want to “inherit” them.  I would far rather be able to explain to that person WHY it is important to me to hand down an item - what the “treasure” means on a personal level.  Besides, I would like to be able to see someone else enjoy something that had special meaning to me – and now to him/her.  If I wait until I’m gone, I’ll never really know what happened to these items.

I will tell you that I have a long way to go.  I still have far too much “stuff”…and some of it I value more than I should.  I look at all of the things that were so important to those who have left for heaven…and I remind myself that they could care less today about any of it.  The real treasure is waiting for us there!  It is accrued by how we serve in Jesus’ name.

We cannot earn our salvation, but I am convinced that when we build a legacy of loving others…treating them with kindness…going out of our way to do whatever we can to be the hands and feet of Jesus for others…and serving God at every turn, our Heavenly Father takes notice. I believe there is a direct correlation between humble, genuine Christian discipleship – emulating Jesus and demonstrating His teachings – and the bounty that awaits us in Heaven. We can’t take this “stuff” with us…but we can stockpile God’s blessings and favor for Eternity.  Now which would you really rather have?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 25, 2016

May 25 ~ Matthew 6:30-33   
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

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.

If I have learned anything in the last several months, it’s that we worry far too much about a lot of things that really don’t matter.  For several months, I feel like I have just gone through the motions in our home…housekeeping chores have been neglected…the Christmas tree stayed up until almost the end of January…we’ve eaten a lot of take-out meals.  And it has not mattered.  We have been focused on family and attending to “business” matters that had to be handled…and the rest could wait.

When Greg and I started Workamper News in 1987, we carefully budgeted every penny.  For the first few years, we documented every dime we spent, until we were sure that the business was going to succeed enough to pay all of the bills.  If we ended up with a surplus in the budget at month’s end, we treated ourselves to Sonic® burgers.  Those were some of our happiest years as business owners!

I remember tough times as a child.  My parents were working multiple jobs to pay the bills and put food on the table for themselves and three children.  I know what it feels like to struggle and worry about how budgets will be met…and how goals will be accomplished.  I’ve stressed over college courses, business plans, the challenges and heartaches of loved ones, health concerns, and more.  And I have wasted more than my fair share of time on worry and preoccupation with the outcomes.

This is a profound scripture passage for almost all of us…because there is something innate in us as humans that keeps us asking, “What is in it for me?” and thinking about how we can acquire more…money, time, possessions, friends - or even physical fitness and attractiveness.  And Jesus is telling us to get a grip – literally – on the love and grace of God Almighty!

You might be temporarily happier with an extra couple hundred dollars in your pocket.  You could feel better for a while if you lost a few pounds, put on a new outfit and got your hair done.  You might feel a momentary thrill to drive a shiny new car…move into a big, fancy, perfectly decorated house…or mingle with the rich and famous as their equal.  But in the end, none of these things lasts – or matters.  What is important is to “steep our lives in God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions”…which are always more than enough.

Are you still worried about missing out?  Or are you trusting God to meet every one of your needs?  Will this be the day that you get your priorities in line with His and start to truly live in His peace and abundance?  Don’t you want it to be?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 10, 2015

Matthew 6:24
You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

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.

“If it isn’t also true for a poor single Christian mom in Haiti, it isn’t true.” – Jen Hatmaker, For The Love*

Consider this something of a “plug” for Jen Hatmaker’s latest book, For the Love.  After I settled on this scripture passage from Matthew 6, I opened Jen’s book to the third chapter, and this quote practically leapt from the pages!  She refers to it as a “biblical benchmark.”  In other words, if money and “things” are as important as we make them out to be, they must be equally important to the poor single Christian mom in Haiti.

If having kids that excel in every sport…or being the top salesperson in your division or “Number 1” in anything is critical to your joy, well-being and sense of “success,” it must also be so for this mother.  If what others think of you, how attractive you are, whether you have the latest fashions and “pretty friends” who are incredibly popular matters to you…it must matter to this poor single Christian mom in Haiti.

Feeling a little silly yet?  I know we are not supposed to compare ourselves to others…but in this instance, I think it has merit.  Because you see, God’s gifts, blessings, and abundance in the things that truly matter are just as readily available to that poor single Christian mom in Haiti as they are for you and me.  Salvation through Jesus Christ and the promise of Eternity at His feet in Heaven has nothing to do with how hard we work, how attractive we are, whether we excel at earthly things, how much money we make, or how much “stuff” we have! 

Our relationship with God has nothing to do with our social status, socio-economic level, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, size…or how many friends we have.  Serving God is about just that…serving GOD! 

We are called to love God…to love others as He loves us – and as we love ourselves…to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and encourage as many people as we can to give their hearts to Him.  We are told to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and suffering, and encourage those who are struggling. And we are told NOT to make anything or anyone else our god.

So the next time you find yourself thinking more about things of this world – or your own selfish desires – and less about God and His missions and ministries, consider the poor single Christian mom in Haiti.  Where do you suppose she places her hope and trust?  Isn’t that where yours should lie also?   

©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 March 21, 2015

Philippians 3:7-11
But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him.

I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life.

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

I was sitting in the parking lot after attending a funeral, and I spotted a friend from church walking to her car.  I called to her and asked if she would like to ride with me to the cemetery.  She gladly accepted my offer, and as she got in the car, she said, “I wish I was dressed properly.”  She had come to the service directly from her job as a nurse, and she was wearing her white lab coat.  I assured her that she looked fine…that nobody would give her attire a second thought – other than to notice that she took time out of her busy day to attend this service!

Here’s the thing…there are times when it is important to be “prim and proper”…when wearing the right outfit is critical.  And there are times when it is simply most important that you show up!  I’ve had to make a mad dash to the Emergency Department with a loved one in the wee hours of the morning when I looked scary enough to frighten grown men!  But there was no way I was going to say to those in need or the EMTs, “Hang on a few minutes while I put on some makeup and fluff up my hair!”  I seriously doubt that very many people would pause to check their outfit in the mirror if they found themselves in a burning building! It’s all a matter of priorities!

Too often, we get caught up in what we think will “look pretty” to God…and we miss Him completely.  The moment comes and goes…we waste the connection and lose out on a blessing.  We get so mired in how many Bible verses we can quote, who killed who in the Old Testament and what sacrifices were required to atone…we worry about whether we gave enough money, sat on enough committees, said enough prayers, and participated in enough worship activities…and we are completely deaf and dumb to Jesus calling to us…”Hey…c’mon over here and let Me love on you!”

Do not misunderstand me…I believe that Christian rituals are important.  I believe in the sanctity of Holy Communion and only wish that more people fully understood its significance and the profound sacredness of this experience.  I also believe in the holiness of God’s word…all of it!  But if we don’t fully understand the lineage of all of the kings or have a firm grasp on all of the names of the leaders of this battle or that one, yet we truly know Jesus and strive to follow Him…I would say that we have our values in proper alignment.  If we are in fellowship with Jesus and understand WHY He came to earth for us and the full extent of what He accomplished on our behalf…THIS is what matters the most!  The rest will surely fall into place.

I am a “Field of Dreams” Christian…I believe in the “If you build it, they will come” philosophy.  In other words, when we focus on Jesus…when we fully commit to Him and follow His teachings, I believe all of the rest will follow – the desire to study God’s word in depth…the yearning to fellowship with other believers…the conviction to give of our “time, talents and money” to the church…and a craving for time in His presence. 

Jesus doesn’t care if we are wearing a lab coat or our “Sunday best”!  He just wants US!  And I want Him, as well.  What about you?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 17, 2014

Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."
 
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’ve been watching episodes of a show on the FYI network called “Tiny House Nation”.  The “concept” offered in the show’s introduction is that all across the nation, people are rethinking their housing and downsizing from homes that average 2300 square feet to something that only has a few HUNDRED feet of space!  Each show features the construction of one “tiny house” that is created for a family or an individual.
 
The builders assess the homeowner’s needs and wants and then produce a “tiny house” that hopefully addresses these in an esthetically pleasing manner – and somewhere around 400 square feet or less!  One of the hosts also works with the homeowner(s) to downsize clothing and other possessions and whittle the number of these items to an amount that will fit inside the new abode.  The theory is that the “tiny house” owners will focus more on other things in life - and less on material possessions – while they trim their expenses and save money in the process.
 
It’s a novel – and perhaps noble – concept. Let’s be honest.  Try as we might to be less materialistic, I bet any one of us could open a closet or cabinet right now, and we would have to admit that we have plenty…if not a little more than we truly need.  I get it…having extra underwear so you don’t have to do laundry as often is convenient.  Extra cans of soup in the pantry come in handy when we have an ice storm and you can’t get to the store.  That ricer you store in your cupboard and use twice a year is a nifty gadget when you need it!  It’s fun to have “stuff”!  I love my home – and everything in it!
 
I understand that people have to work to pay bills…sometimes more than one job and crazy hours and/or schedules.  I realize that a lot of people work at jobs they don’t particularly enjoy just so said bills can be paid…while others love their jobs so much that they don’t want to stop working! But when we begin to focus on material wealth and possessions…when making money to buy more “stuff” is more important to us than spending time with family and friends - or God…this is a problem.
 
When it is more important to us to play with our “toys” or “do something fun” than to fellowship with others and worship God, things are out of whack.  When we have time for movies, television programs, sporting events, video games, bridge club and Bunco, hunting, fishing, golfing and more…but we don’t have time to pick up our Bibles and study God’s word or to talk with Him about what He desires for us, there is an issue.  When we have all manner of time to Google everything under the sun, but we can’t look up the number of someone who hasn’t shown up at church or in our other “circles” for awhile and ask “How are you doing?”…we’ve pretty well gotten our priorities out of balance.  When we are more focused on “growing” our churches – in membership numbers and facilities – than we are in nurturing those who are on the rolls and filling every chair and pew in our present space, something is terribly wrong.
 
God wants us to enjoy our lives.  And I am grateful for every single material thing He has allowed me to acquire.  But I am more thankful that He taps me on the shoulder quite often and says, “Hey!  Remember ME!  Include ME in your list of treasures and work on what’s in your ‘heavenly closet’ for a change!”
 
I don’t want to live in a “tiny house” anytime soon…and I hope that is not what God has planned for me. But I am really trying to store up more in heaven…and less here on earth.  Aren’t you?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 27, 2014

Psalm 41:1-3
You, Lord God, bless everyone
    who cares for the poor,
    and you rescue those people
    in times of trouble.
You protect them
    and keep them alive.
You make them happy here
    in this land,
    and you don’t hand them over
    to their enemies.
You always heal them
    and restore their strength
    when they are sick.
 
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
An acquaintance recently posted a link to a video that I was gullible enough to watch.  The speaker was talking about how (IN HIS OPINION, NOT MINE!) we Christians are being overtaken by evil forces at every turn, and this is resulting in terrible things happening in our world. The "kicker" to his ridiculous rant came in the closing sentence, when he said something about how "they" (the "evil ones") will even "take our money and our cars!" And this man was supposedly some sort of pastor!
 
C'mon now!  You know this isn't right!  Yet I see it played out all the time as I shop at our local Wal-Mart and thrift store and interact with others around town. Since we live in a fairly small community, I know a lot of people...many who would "swear on a stack of Bibles" that they are faith-filled Christians.  Some of these same people practice what I call "Country Club Religion"...and a whole lotta folks are not members of the "Club".  And boy, do they know it!  They know by the way they are smiled at with pity or disdain...or the way they are not included in table discussions at school or a local church circle.  They know where they "fit" (or don't), because a lot of us "Christians" are quite open about how we feel toward those who are not like us in some way...race or skin color, ethnicity, lifestyle, socio-economic level, education level - even which church someone attends - and so much more.
 
It starts early.  I am seeing the "cliques" develop even among Timothy, Zola and Nathan's age groups and how certain children are treated one way or another.  If you read the rest of Psalm 41, you will see that David addresses this.  He talks to God about people who come to see him when he is sick and pretend to care...then go out and gossip about him in the community.  He notes that even his best friend did this...he told others that David had some sort of deadly disease - and that they should stay away from him.
 
Isn't that what we often do?  We tell others, "Well, he/she is _______."  You can fill in the blank.  We do it with everyone from the person who sits next to us in class or at church all the way to our President and world leaders.  We protect our "stuff" and our "position" at all costs - even at the expense of another of God's children.  And we expect God to pat us on the head and tell us that this is all okay.
 
Well, it's not alright!  And as David tells God in verse 12..."You have helped me because I am innocent, and You will always be close to my side."  A lot of people are "sick and suffering" because of mistreatment by "Christians".  Many have decided that God must not love them...because in so many ways, they have been told this repeatedly by people who claim to know Jesus and to follow Him, while they deride and judge others - and sometimes not all that subtly.
 
Here's a news flash...God loves the "poor" - those who are physically in need, and those who are poor in spirit.  He cares about those who are sick in the body, sick at heart, and just plain sick and tired.  He cares about them just as much as the next person, and His deepest desire is to heal them and to bring joy, peace and salvation into their lives.  I serve a God of abundant, profound, all-encompassing love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.  He could care less what I wear, what kind of car I drive, or whether I just got the latest version of the newest smart phone!  Moreover, He knows what race I am...the color of my skin...my sexual orientation...and my very DNA - because HE MADE ME!  And you know what?  HE LOVES ME JUST LIKE THIS!
 
If I sound upset or angry, I’m not – I'm just disheartened.  I am so tired of hearing about "Christian values" and what is wrong with our world, when what is really wrong is that we have failed to hear God's voice and meet the needs of ALL of His people...RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE!  I'm sorry if this upsets you, but the "Christian Country Club" needs to GO!  We need to pull out our Bibles, spend some serious time in study and prayer, and figure out what God is calling us to do...then get busy doing it!
 
You have a choice...you can be one of those "friends" who visits the sick - or smiles at your neighbor - and talks about them later.  Or you can fall to your knees and ask God to show you how, when and where to serve Him...unconditionally.  You can ask God to show you where and how to minister in His name to the "sick" and the poor...and to guard your heart and mind from judging another living soul in the process.  You can serve as a catalyst for healing, joy, restoration and salvation. Or you can sit home and worry about your car and your "stuff".  The choice is totally yours.  What do you think God would want you to do?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 28, 2013

Luke 2:14
“Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”

Jude 1:24-25
Offer praise to God our Savior because of our Lord Jesus Christ! Only God can keep you from falling and make you pure and joyful in his glorious presence. Before time began and now and forevermore, God is worthy of glory, honor, power, and authority. Amen.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
What are you truly thankful for?  If someone were to ask you this question, how would you answer?  Would you list your family, friends, food, clothing, and shelter…your salvation through Jesus Christ, a good job, health, a nice car to drive or good looks?  My mother often speaks of how thankful she is to turn on the tap and get hot water… something that is virtually unheard of in many corners of the world.  Are you thankful for technology… your laptop and/or smart phone…medical breakthroughs that have revolutionized health care?  Do you stop to consider your freedom… clean air… and public safety?  Do you voice appreciation for these things – to God and to others?
 
At the end of the day, each of these brings us one gift… peace. And the direct provider of this blessing is God Almighty!  Because of God and His incredible gift of Jesus, those of us who have invited Christ to live in our hearts can someday stand before our Heavenly Father and hear Him say… “All your sins have been forgiven.  Your slate is clean… you are safely at home with Me.”  Because of the blessings of God, most of us are where we are today… living in the home we have – with the family and friends we have… enjoying freedom of speech and religion, mobility and safety to go and do as we please, relatively good health, clean air and water, and all of the modern conveniences.  We probably don’t think about it this way… but at the heart of all we enjoy and everything we do, we are seeking peace.
 
Until we acknowledge God and His hand in our lives, we will never truly experience complete peace.  Until we focus on pleasing God and serving Him… until we invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts and guide our every breath, we will not know complete peace… GOD’s peace.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve come to the point where THIS is tantamount to me!  What I want more than anything in life is to have God’s complete peace, because I know that unimaginable blessings come along with it.  God’s peace is the “meat and potatoes”… His blessings are the “gravy”… and I want heapin’ helpings of both!
 
What about you?  Are you struggling to find peace in your heart – about anything and everything?  Do you feel a lack… an emptiness or a gnawing sensation that something is missing?  Could it be God’s peace?  Have you thanked God for all of the blessings He has bestowed upon you… and have you asked Him to show you areas of untapped service and obedience to Him that could be blocking complete peace?  Isn’t today a great day to start discovering how you can align yourself more closely with God… and receive His peace in return?
 
What are you waiting for?  Praise God in Heaven… He is worthy, and He will give you peace!
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 22, 2013

March 22 ~ Proverbs 19:1
Better to be poor and honest than a rich person no one can trust.
 
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.
 
Suppose someone offered you a million dollars, and all you had to do in return was deliver a package for them.  You didn’t know what was in the package, and you didn’t ask.  But you were pretty sure that what was happening was illegal… or at best, shady in some way.  Would you do it?  Now suppose your boss told you, “If you don’t lie for me about XYZ, you’re fired.”  What would you do?  After all, you have a family counting on your income… you have bills to pay…and all that you’re being asked to do is issue one simple, false statement or perform a single dishonest act.  Maybe you’re being asked to say you saw a vehicular accident happen in a certain way – to place the blame on another driver.  Or perhaps you are being asked to provide an alibi… “He was with me the whole time.”  What could it hurt?
 
What if you could cheat on a test and score high enough for a scholarship… or you could shift one number and pocket some extra dollars that no one else would ever miss?  If being honest about something meant you might actually suffer some sort of material loss… would you tell the truth?  Let’s say you know there is something shifty going on with your friends or family members… or in the business in which you work… and reporting this could get a lot of people in trouble and/or cost you friendships and your job.  How would you react?  Suppose you were encouraged to pass off shoddy work… to cut corners in order to increase profits or speed up production.  Could you keep quiet?
 
Let’s face it… life is not totally “black and white.”  But too many of us are more concerned with “What’s in it for me?” than doing the right thing.  Do you really want to work for a dishonest boss?  Do you truly value friends who lie, cheat and steal?  Are you doing family members a favor by keeping their secrets and allowing harm to come to them – and others?  How would you feel if you were treated this way?  Are you totally honest in all things?  Are you willing to compromise your principles for personal gain?  Are you more worried about how these things will affect you than in operating with integrity?
 
Being completely honest often requires a leap of faith and a heavy dose of courage.  God will supply you with both.  You may not always be the most popular person in some circles… or the wealthiest in terms of money and “stuff.”  But you will be rich beyond measure in the things that truly matter… the blessings of God and His favor.  Does this mean that all “rich” people are dishonest?  Absolutely not!  But in our culture, we have become so jaded by material wealth and “things,” that many of us often gauge our credibility and success in terms money and possessions instead of how well we love and serve others… and God.
 
Take a good hard look at your life and see where you have lost focus.  Figure out what really matters to you and see where you have been willing to compromise your values in favor of a quick fix or something that seems to have value…but might actually be rather hollow.  Fix your attention on God and the things that matter to Him.  Make these the center of your life, and allow Him to determine your course.  Let God show you how to do great things with less “stuff” and more integrity.  Learn to value the things that He prizes.  You may find that you are richer than you ever dreamed possible… in ways that truly matter.
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 14, 2011

Psalm 118:21-24
I praise the LORD for answering my prayers and saving me. The stone that the builders tossed aside has now become the most important stone. The LORD has done this, and it is amazing to us. This day belongs to the LORD! Let's celebrate and be glad today.

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

This morning when I woke up, I saw sunlight streaming across a hickory tree in our back yard. Its leaves are turning a brilliant yellow in the cool air of fall. This is not the greatest tree in the world… it “forked” somewhere above our second story, and a recent strong wind blew the dead section out, leaving an even more off-balance looking tree standing on the bluff.

Still, dozens of squirrels feed on hickory nuts from this tree… evidence of their buffet covers the ground around the trunk. The tree still delights us with its brilliance in the fall – and shade in spring/summer. Flying squirrels still live in a hole in the side, and woodpeckers of several varieties enjoy feasting on bugs in the bark… and our suet cakes in the winter!

Others would probably declare this tree unimportant and in need of cutting. And someday, we very well may lose this tree… either to a strong wind, or we may decide it should not stand so close to our house in its weakened condition. But for now, the tree still has value to us – and to the little creatures that live on our bluff. It is still very much an “important stone” in our yard. And God showed me the beauty of this tree in the morning sunlight.

Later in the morning, we took a 30-mile drive to Searcy to shop, and I marveled at the beauty God is giving us with his “paintbrush,” in the form of brilliant red sumac, yellow goldenrod, lavender wildflowers, brilliant leaves in a variety of hues, and a bright blue sky with wispy white clouds to accent it all. I thought of how He cares as much about a tiny patch of goldenrod as He does for you and me… and how no stone is unimportant to Him. And I was humbled… and grateful.

When we feel discouraged… unsettled, disappointed, insignificant, misunderstood, disrespected, or even worthless… we must remember that we are still vitally important to God. We mean so much to Him that He sent His Son to save us… to ensure that we have a way to Him – and that He will always be there for us. And for this, we should be incredibly grateful and thankful.

Today, I am humbled by God’s love and care… and incredibly appreciative. I am taking extra time to stop and tell Him how much I love Him, and I encourage you to do the same. Let’s celebrate and be glad for all God does for us… and let’s be sure He knows how grateful we are!

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 19, 2011

Proverbs 22:1-2
A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

The rich and the poor shake hands as equals— GOD made them both!

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 admit it… I watch a lot of reality TV. But my excuse is that I do it “for research.” The truth is that I do learn a lot about human nature from these programs… particularly how ridiculous some people are willing to appear in order to have a few minutes of “fame” and recognition.

At the end of the day, many celebrities and celebrity wannabes come off looking so bad that nobody in their right mind would ever want to imitate them… and few would even want to associate with them – if even casually. Money does not translate into true wealth… and many who would be deemed poor by the standards of our present-day society are some of the richest people on the planet.

I won’t name any names here, but if you and I picture someone who is “rich,” there are a handful of people who come to mind. Their faces are plastered all over the headlines and magazine covers, and many aspire to be just like them. They want the wealth, fame, and recognition… and all of the trappings that go along with it. And “trappings” is a good description, because often, these poor people are trapped by the very things to which they aspired. Their money and notoriety are the things that bring them down, cause troubles and embarrassment, and in some cases… ruin their lives.

Money can be a blessing… but it can also be a curse. If money in your pocket causes you to overspend… become arrogant and ruthless… engage in things you wouldn’t otherwise do, like drinking, drugs, gambling and more… then you are truly anything but rich. If having to pinch pennies causes you to think carefully about how you live… to work hard to pay your bills and take care of your obligations to yourself, your family, and your church… and to focus more on building intangible wealth – relationships, reputation, service… then you are far richer than the man or woman who is at the top of the Forbes list!

My grandmother is one of the richest people I know. She has never had much money… for most of her “senior years,” she has lived on a meager monthly Social Security check – an amount that is probably less than many of you spend each month on clothes and fun activities! Yet she has more people who love her and care about her than anyone else I know. Her needs are always met… and then some. Because she always shared whatever she had with others… time, talents, food, clothing, shelter… and yes, money when she could… she is continually showered with blessings and gifts from those who adore her.

My grandmother’s bank account may be nearly empty, but her “spirit tank” is brimming full. One of her favorite sayings is, “The LORD will take care of me.” She has lived this day in and out… and she has truly trusted Him to do just that. And because of her faith, He has carried her through nearly 99 years. There have been bumps in the road… and there have been days when she wondered how she would pay her bills and put food on the table… but her faith never wavered. And neither should ours. I would stand my grandmother up beside the richest man in the world any day… and in God’s eyes, their value would be the same. Somehow, I think my grandmother’s “net worth” might even be higher, but in the presence of God, all believers are precious and valuable.

Where are you storing your treasure these days? What do you value? Is money and material wealth more important to you than building personal relationships and treating others as God would have you treat them? How are you honoring your responsibility to Him? Are you working hard to pay your bills and live in God’s will… and serving Him out of the abundance and blessings He sends your way? Isn’t it time you began? How rich are you in the eyes of others… and in the eyes of God?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 9, 2011

Proverbs 18:24
Some friends don't help, but a true friend is closer than your own family.

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

Another favorite book of Timothy’s these days is titled Slobcat. It’s the story of a little girl and her cat. The family named him Slobcat because they think he is lazy. The story shows Slobcat doing all sorts of things – rescuing a baby kitten from deep water, scaring away snakes and predatory birds in the garden, batting a ball out of the way so that the mother doesn’t trip and fall, and much more. But in each instance, the family doesn’t notice the good things that Slobcat does.

Instead, they see a cat who is constantly under foot rather than one who protects them. They see a cat who is too lazy to come in out of the rain – not one who rescues kittens from deep water. Basically, the family fails to recognize what a good friend and companion Slobcat is to each of them.

What about us? Do we recognize our real friends? Do we realize who truly has our back through thick and thin… who cares about us and keeps our confidence? Have we chosen our friends wisely and acknowledged how important these good, true friends are in our lives?

So often, we are like the little girl in the story and her family. We go through life taking our truest friends for granted… or failing to recognize them in the first place. We run after people we want to be our friends… we seek relationships that are not in our best interest – and downright unhealthy in some cases - while foregoing the attention and devotion of those who genuinely care about our well-being. We fail to acknowledge the countless ways a true friend cares for us on a regular basis… and sometimes – just like Slobcat’s family – we assume the opposite.

Shouldn’t we take a look around and see if we have mistakenly labeled a genuine friend in our lives as a “Slobcat”? Can you identify your true friends these days? Have you thanked God for bringing them into your life… and have you thanked these individuals for their friendship and devotion? It only takes a few minutes to send an e-mail, make a phone call, or drop a note to your friends and let them know how blessed you feel that God has placed them in your life. Isn’t today a perfect time to do just that?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 13, 2011

Psalm 90:12
Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.

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

Today, our great-nephew Timothy is two years old. The time has flown, and I fully understand what people mean when they say that we turn around and our children are grown! I sat at a recent high school baseball game and looked around at teenagers who I knew as babies just yesterday – or so it seemed. I looked at their young, energetic faces and watched them interact with friends. When you are in 8th or 9th grade, you think high school will never end, and one week after graduation, you’re wondering where the time went.

The next thing you know, you are a young adult. Maybe you went to college, and that time flew by. Maybe you went straight to work, and now you wonder where those years in your late teens-to-early twenties went. Young parents find themselves wondering where the time went as their babies rapidly grew into toddlers and young children.

Those becoming grandparents for the first time wonder how in the world they got there… when did their kids become old enough to have children of their own? Even older folks look at the younger ones and think, “I was their age… what seems like just yesterday!” The old cliché is no joke – time truly does fly!

I’ve said that I’m just now old enough to appreciate babies… and too old to chase after them! But one thing I have realized with Timothy is that each day I spend with him is a day I will never get back. So I have learned to let a lot of things go in favor of time spent reading books or dancing and singing to yet another episode of “Jack’s Big Music Show” – or riding the tricycle on the driveway and playing and splashing in the bath tub. So what if I don’t get the newspaper read or see the news and weather forecast. Who cares if I didn’t get my makeup on for a day or two and we stayed in our pj’s until nearly noon? What’s the worst that can happen if the house is a wreck for a week or two? We’re making memories and spending quality time together… and I’m making sure that Timothy knows how important he is to us.

One of the greatest commodities we have is time. Most of us will tell anyone who will listen that we never have enough of it. The truth is… most of us just don’t use our time wisely. There is nothing wrong with relaxing, having a hobby, working for a living – or even piddling away a few hours doing nothing. But many of us need to stop and take a hard look at our priorities… and how we use our time. We need to ask God to teach us how to use wisely all the time we have… when to work and when to play – and how to arrive at a healthy balance.

In so many areas of our life, we waste time that we will never get back again. We squander chances to enjoy the company of friends and family in favor of mundane or insignificant activities. We choose to participate in things that bring no meaning or purpose to our life… much less serve God in any capacity… and we think we are really living.

I challenge you today to stop and ask God if you are truly using wisely the time that He has given you. Ask Him to show you what activities are really worthwhile… and which ones you could easily eliminate. Pray for balance in your life between rest and relaxation – and honest, productive work. If you will trust God to show you how to use your time wisely, you will know when to earnestly give something your total attention… and when you need to simply stay home your pj’s and dance like a two-year-old. Our time is finite… how are you spending yours?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 8, 2011

Matthew 23:8-12
But none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one teacher, and all of you are like brothers and sisters. Don't call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven. None of you should be called the leader. The Messiah is your only leader. Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.

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

In recent weeks, two women in their late eighties passed away. One lived in Iowa… the other in Arkansas. Both were mothers, wives, and grandmothers. Both were businesswomen… one of them worked for years alongside her husband in a dry cleaning business. The other was a housekeeper for several clients – and still helped her grand-daughters with ironing and dusting duties in recent months. One died at home. The other died in a skilled care nursing facility.

One woman was surrounded by children and grandchildren who visited often. The other scarcely saw her two children, who both lived on opposite ends of the country. Her only visitors were nieces and an occasional fellow church member.

The lady with the big family was eulogized and remembered at a funeral service attended by a huge contingent of family and friends. There was a visitation, a memorial service, a private burial service for family members… and even a community meal for those who attended the services. The other lady received a private burial attended by three nieces and a nephew, her pastors, and a couple who were her former neighbors and fellow church members.

Both of these ladies were Christians. Both were God’s children, saved by the blood of Jesus. Just because one of them had more attention from family and friends did not mean she was a better person… or more deserving. It did not make her more important in God’s eyes or give her a “better seat at the heavenly banquet table.” We all deserve respect… to be treated with love and dignity - even in our death. But even this doesn’t change our status with God.

I know that today, both of these dear ladies are sitting at God’s table, feasting on all of the riches of heaven. No distinction is made, and it doesn’t matter how big their funeral was or even how many people “saw after” them in their earthly life or what kind of work they did. And this should be the message for us. If you feel in any way insignificant or lowly… if someone has made you feel badly about yourself or treated you in an inferior manner… know that this is not how God sees you! In His eyes, no one is better than you. No celebrity is richer, no politician is smarter, no athlete brings Him more pride. YOU are equal to any other child of God. YOU are entitled to the same salvation, love, grace and mercy. Jesus Christ died for YOU just as equally as He did anyone else on the planet.

If you are putting yourself ahead of anyone else… in any way, shape or form, this is also a message for you to consider. Before you start to look down your nose at anyone else – or elevate your own stature… ESPECIALLY when it comes to service to God and your life as a Christian… read this passage again and think twice about what you are doing and saying.

God’s love for us is HUGE… so vast we cannot comprehend it… and far more inclusive than we often care to realize. Many of us need to take a long, hard look at our lives and how we are living for Christ… and see where we need to humble ourselves before Him. Many of us need to recognize how much He values us… how important we are in His eyes. The balance between self-worth and humility is a delicate one… but maintaining it makes all the difference. Are you in balance today? Do you need to move to one side or the other? Ask God to show you where you need to stand… and get busy making the needed adjustments to put you in perfect balance.

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 31, 2011

Matthew 6:19-21
Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is.

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

We have begun sorting my grandmother’s clothes in preparation for her move to an assisted living facility… hopefully within the next week or so. My grandmother’s house is very small… but like most people, she has made very good use of her space! I remarked after paring down the clothing in three closets to one that “Mam-ma has more clothes than I have… and I have too many!” The interesting thing was how many of these items of clothing I have never seen her wear. She has beautiful suits… nice matching outfits that have a jacket, pants and a blouse… probably a dozen coats… and much more.

Several items of clothing looked as if they had never been worn… and truly, they might have been worn two or three times. Again, like many of us, my grandmother wears a few items of clothing over and over again. She has “good clothes” and “everyday clothes”… “work clothes” and “clothes I wear to the beauty shop” (clothing that can get wet or survive a hair product spill). She has her “regular pajamas,” and her pajamas she keeps tucked away in a drawer… “in case I have to go to the hospital.”

As we sorted, she mumbled to me that she hated to wear such nice things at the assisted living facility. I laughed and said, somewhat sarcastically, “Are you afraid you will be putting on airs or something?” She retorted, “Well, yes!” I assured her she would be just fine, and now was the time to be wearing her nicer things. As my cousin put it later… “This is her time to shine!”

For the record, my grandmother is not a materialistic person. Many of the beautiful clothing pieces she has were given to her as Christmas and birthday gifts or as a treat from some cousins who visit and always take her shopping. She is one of the most frugal… and generous… people I know. But we all know people who spend hours and days and weeks searching for just the right outfit… those who have to have the newest sneakers or the latest gadget. We know people who get on a waiting list for the next best electronic or computerized thing to come down the pike… tossing aside what they already own like yesterday’s garbage.

The more I go to estate auctions and sales… and yes, sort through my grandmother’s belongings… the more I am struck by how “it’s all just stuff.” Remember, everything my grandmother owned burned to the ground in 1981. She has accumulated everything she now has in the last thirty years. Think of those who have been amassing “stuff” for a lifetime that spans a half dozen decades or more! Hopefully, they are like my grandmother and realize that all of it can vaporize in a matter of minutes. Hopefully, we are learning that what matters is accumulating blessings, time spent serving God, good friends, loving our family and those around us, and truly building a reserve of “Disciple moments”.

There is nothing wrong with having nice things. There is no shame in dressing well or enjoying the latest computer gadget. But when we put these things ahead of our work for the Kingdom of God… when we value tangible things more than relationships with Him and His children…we’re in serious trouble. What we value really does speak about our heart. What do you value? Where is your heart? Are you packing away “stuff” in your closets and drawers for a “special occasion?” Or are you “wearing your good clothes” today as you serve God with your very best?

©2011 Debbie Robus