Psalm 42:5-6
Fix my eyes on God – soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.
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.
Recently, a women’s chorus sang during our church’s worship service. The song they selected was “Draw Me Close to You” – written by Kelly Carpenter, and made famous by such performers as Michael W. Smith. The words say…
Draw me close to You… never let me go…
I lay it all down again… to hear You say that I’m Your friend…
You are my desire… No One else will do…
‘Cause nothing else could take Your place…
To feel the warmth of Your embrace…
Help me find the way… Bring me back to You…
You’re all I want…You’re all I’ve ever needed…
You’re all I want… Help me know You are near.”
As things happen in our lives… as struggles come and we face huge challenges like illness, grief, and sadness… as we celebrate happy events and milestones… it’s sometimes easy to lose our focus. We fix our eyes on other things - and other people - and we lose sight of The One who truly puts a smile on our face.
The words of this song are profound. Truly no One else will do – ever! No One can satisfy us – no matter what we are confronting or experiencing – like our God Almighty! If you have wandered away… even a little bit… I pray that today, the words of this song will be your prayer. I pray that you will ask God to draw you close to Him and never let you go… that He will be all you need and all you ever want.
As you pray these words… if you can internalize them and truly mean them… you are in for the best days of your life. Once you concentrate on making God the center of your being… once you fix your eyes on Him and keep them there… everything else will come into focus. He is your God… He will put a smile on your face. Give Him praise for His power…grace… mercy… and love. Feel the warmth of His embrace and let His love wash over you. Let God draw you close and never let you go… and get ready to smile!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 7, 2011
Romans 15:30-31
My friends, by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I beg you to pray sincerely with me and for me. Pray that God will protect me from the unbelievers in Judea, and that his people in Jerusalem will be pleased with what I am doing.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This has been a week of heavy-duty prayer for me… for those whose lives are changing due to moves, illness, and even death… for others who are sick and suffering… and for some who are grieving the loss of a loved one. I know that my prayers are working – alongside those of other Christians who are also praying for these same people. There is POWER in prayer. Don’t you believe this? Do you pray for your friends and loved ones? Did you know that people are praying for YOU on a regular basis? How does that make you feel?
It is hard some days to find time to do everything that needs to be done… and quite often, prayer gets kicked to the curb as something that is “optional.” But this is really poor thinking on our part. Surely we want to live “by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit”… don’t we? Do we not want this for our friends and loved ones, also? Certainly, God knows our needs, desires, hurts, heartaches, joys and fears. But He wants to HEAR them expressed by us. He wants us to give them a VOICE! He wants us to physically come before Him and present everything in our lives for His consideration.
Imagine… if YOU pray for yourself and others… and others pray for YOU… then exponentially, the voices calling out to God on a regular basis are beyond what we can even imagine… and so are the blessings! There IS power in prayer… and as prayer warriors, we can call on God’s power to work in any situation! Have you tapped into the power of prayer today? Shouldn’t you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
My friends, by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I beg you to pray sincerely with me and for me. Pray that God will protect me from the unbelievers in Judea, and that his people in Jerusalem will be pleased with what I am doing.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This has been a week of heavy-duty prayer for me… for those whose lives are changing due to moves, illness, and even death… for others who are sick and suffering… and for some who are grieving the loss of a loved one. I know that my prayers are working – alongside those of other Christians who are also praying for these same people. There is POWER in prayer. Don’t you believe this? Do you pray for your friends and loved ones? Did you know that people are praying for YOU on a regular basis? How does that make you feel?
It is hard some days to find time to do everything that needs to be done… and quite often, prayer gets kicked to the curb as something that is “optional.” But this is really poor thinking on our part. Surely we want to live “by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit”… don’t we? Do we not want this for our friends and loved ones, also? Certainly, God knows our needs, desires, hurts, heartaches, joys and fears. But He wants to HEAR them expressed by us. He wants us to give them a VOICE! He wants us to physically come before Him and present everything in our lives for His consideration.
Imagine… if YOU pray for yourself and others… and others pray for YOU… then exponentially, the voices calling out to God on a regular basis are beyond what we can even imagine… and so are the blessings! There IS power in prayer… and as prayer warriors, we can call on God’s power to work in any situation! Have you tapped into the power of prayer today? Shouldn’t you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 6, 2011
James 1:19-20; 26
My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done.
If you think you are being religious, but can't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and everything you do is useless.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sporting events provide a good arena to observe human nature. Some people are what one could describe as “fair weather” fans. They are ready to yell and cheer when their team is winning. When things slow down or the team lags behind, the fans start visiting with one another, or sitting with their hands folded in their laps… or talking/texting on their phones. But let something exciting or “big” happen on the field or court, and the fans jump to their feet as if they had been wholeheartedly following the game all along.
There are also fans who cannot seem to control themselves. Many are well-meaning… even parents or relatives and friends of team members. But they get so caught up in their own emotions that they lose sight of the bigger picture, it seems. They are quick to anger… and nothing is ever their team’s fault. It’s always the referees… or the coaches… or the other guy! The same people who faithfully fill a pew each Sunday in a local church (or maybe even lead a Bible study or Sunday-school class!) are the very same people who jump from their seats to yell and scream – or even curse or speak in a derogatory manner – at or about those involved in a sporting event!
We do this in all areas of life. We talk one way and act another. We are “fair-weather Christians” who get on the bandwagon when something exciting happens. We wave our hands and sing along at a Christian rock concert or even during praise and worship on Sunday morning. Then we lash out in anger… at family, friends, co-workers, and even people we don’t know who drive alongside us. We are quick to criticize and judge others… never recognizing that when you point one finger at someone else, three more are cocked in our own direction. We rock along with our hands in our lap… then when a crisis occurs, we open our Bibles, start praying – and for some - dare to darken the doors of a church sanctuary for the first time in weeks/months/years!
I know these things happen, because I do some of them, too. We need to pay attention to these verses in James… and we need to examine our behavior at every turn. I know we all think snappy comebacks are cool… but many of us would do well to stop and think a little bit about what we are going to say before we speak. Words spoken in anger and frustration are hard to retract – and often very hurtful and unbecoming.
If we spent a little more time being a fulltime Christian instead of a “fair-weather” participant, we might have a better shot at keeping our behaviors in check… along with our anger and our judgments. And… more of the good things of God’s kingdom might actually get done in the process. Isn’t it surely worth a shot?!
©2011 Debbie Robus
My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done.
If you think you are being religious, but can't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and everything you do is useless.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sporting events provide a good arena to observe human nature. Some people are what one could describe as “fair weather” fans. They are ready to yell and cheer when their team is winning. When things slow down or the team lags behind, the fans start visiting with one another, or sitting with their hands folded in their laps… or talking/texting on their phones. But let something exciting or “big” happen on the field or court, and the fans jump to their feet as if they had been wholeheartedly following the game all along.
There are also fans who cannot seem to control themselves. Many are well-meaning… even parents or relatives and friends of team members. But they get so caught up in their own emotions that they lose sight of the bigger picture, it seems. They are quick to anger… and nothing is ever their team’s fault. It’s always the referees… or the coaches… or the other guy! The same people who faithfully fill a pew each Sunday in a local church (or maybe even lead a Bible study or Sunday-school class!) are the very same people who jump from their seats to yell and scream – or even curse or speak in a derogatory manner – at or about those involved in a sporting event!
We do this in all areas of life. We talk one way and act another. We are “fair-weather Christians” who get on the bandwagon when something exciting happens. We wave our hands and sing along at a Christian rock concert or even during praise and worship on Sunday morning. Then we lash out in anger… at family, friends, co-workers, and even people we don’t know who drive alongside us. We are quick to criticize and judge others… never recognizing that when you point one finger at someone else, three more are cocked in our own direction. We rock along with our hands in our lap… then when a crisis occurs, we open our Bibles, start praying – and for some - dare to darken the doors of a church sanctuary for the first time in weeks/months/years!
I know these things happen, because I do some of them, too. We need to pay attention to these verses in James… and we need to examine our behavior at every turn. I know we all think snappy comebacks are cool… but many of us would do well to stop and think a little bit about what we are going to say before we speak. Words spoken in anger and frustration are hard to retract – and often very hurtful and unbecoming.
If we spent a little more time being a fulltime Christian instead of a “fair-weather” participant, we might have a better shot at keeping our behaviors in check… along with our anger and our judgments. And… more of the good things of God’s kingdom might actually get done in the process. Isn’t it surely worth a shot?!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 5, 2011
Psalm 40:11-17
You, LORD, never fail to have pity on me; your love and faithfulness always keep me secure. I have more troubles than I can count. My sins are all around me, and I can't find my way. My sins outnumber the hairs on my head, and I feel weak. Please show that you care and come to my rescue. Hurry and help me! Disappoint and confuse all who want me dead; turn away and disgrace all who want to hurt me. Embarrass and shame all of those who say, "Just look at you now!"
Our LORD, let your worshipers rejoice and be glad. They love you for saving them, so let them always say, "The LORD is wonderful!" I am poor and needy, but, LORD God, you care about me, and you come to my rescue. Please hurry and help.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know about you, but more than once I have felt like… “I have more troubles than I can count.” And recently, this has certainly been true for actor Charlie Sheen. Everyone seems to be talking about him and his situation… made worse by his television interviews and insistence that there is nothing wrong with him! The truth is, we do not know his heart… but he appears to be very sick and, as described in verse 2 of this Psalm, stuck in “a lonely pit full of mud and mire.”
Hopefully we will never find ourselves in a pit of the mud and mire of drug addiction and accompanying mental illness (if only temporarily). But when we do find ourselves in trouble, we know THE WAY out… and His name is Jesus!
I know I often say, “People are watching”… and they are. But people are also talking… sometimes about things that are not totally true – or at the very least, none of their business. I have heard more than one person say that they felt like everyone was talking about them and their “scandal” of sorts. My response is that we all only get about 15 minutes, and then people are on to the next big story of the day. More importantly, if you have squared your situation with God… if you have confessed any sins and wrongdoing on your part and asked for His forgiveness, then the talk and judgment of others does not matter.
If you have ever felt that you were in a situation where others were judging you – wrongfully, or even with some merit – you know how awful this feels. Don’t be that person for others… not even Charlie Sheen or others in the limelight. Ask God to lift them from the mud and the mire. Call on Him to place people in their path who can introduce them to THE WAY out of their troubles and set their feet on the Rock that is Jesus Christ!
Thank God for coming to your rescue and setting you upright again… for His forgiveness, grace and mercy. Praise Him for loving us so much… especially when we are poor and needy… and standing by to help in a hurry. There IS hope for all of us… and He stands ready to save. He will not disappoint those of us who turn to Him. Where are you looking these days?
©2011 Debbie Robus
You, LORD, never fail to have pity on me; your love and faithfulness always keep me secure. I have more troubles than I can count. My sins are all around me, and I can't find my way. My sins outnumber the hairs on my head, and I feel weak. Please show that you care and come to my rescue. Hurry and help me! Disappoint and confuse all who want me dead; turn away and disgrace all who want to hurt me. Embarrass and shame all of those who say, "Just look at you now!"
Our LORD, let your worshipers rejoice and be glad. They love you for saving them, so let them always say, "The LORD is wonderful!" I am poor and needy, but, LORD God, you care about me, and you come to my rescue. Please hurry and help.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know about you, but more than once I have felt like… “I have more troubles than I can count.” And recently, this has certainly been true for actor Charlie Sheen. Everyone seems to be talking about him and his situation… made worse by his television interviews and insistence that there is nothing wrong with him! The truth is, we do not know his heart… but he appears to be very sick and, as described in verse 2 of this Psalm, stuck in “a lonely pit full of mud and mire.”
Hopefully we will never find ourselves in a pit of the mud and mire of drug addiction and accompanying mental illness (if only temporarily). But when we do find ourselves in trouble, we know THE WAY out… and His name is Jesus!
I know I often say, “People are watching”… and they are. But people are also talking… sometimes about things that are not totally true – or at the very least, none of their business. I have heard more than one person say that they felt like everyone was talking about them and their “scandal” of sorts. My response is that we all only get about 15 minutes, and then people are on to the next big story of the day. More importantly, if you have squared your situation with God… if you have confessed any sins and wrongdoing on your part and asked for His forgiveness, then the talk and judgment of others does not matter.
If you have ever felt that you were in a situation where others were judging you – wrongfully, or even with some merit – you know how awful this feels. Don’t be that person for others… not even Charlie Sheen or others in the limelight. Ask God to lift them from the mud and the mire. Call on Him to place people in their path who can introduce them to THE WAY out of their troubles and set their feet on the Rock that is Jesus Christ!
Thank God for coming to your rescue and setting you upright again… for His forgiveness, grace and mercy. Praise Him for loving us so much… especially when we are poor and needy… and standing by to help in a hurry. There IS hope for all of us… and He stands ready to save. He will not disappoint those of us who turn to Him. Where are you looking these days?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 4, 2011
Mark 8:34-38
Jesus then told the crowd and the disciples to come closer, and he said: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What could you give to get back your soul?
Don't be ashamed of me and my message among these unfaithful and sinful people! If you are, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I got to watch my 15-year-old second cousin cheer for her girls’ basketball team this week in the state tournament, which is hosted at our gym. My cousin has played basketball since she was six. But this year, a friend persuaded her to try out for cheer instead. Her team won their first game, but they were defeated soundly in the second round. From what I’m told, they could have used my cousin’s skills on the court… and she says she will return to the team next year.
I am sure my cousin had fun cheering and being with her friends this season. But I could tell that she sees this is not where she really belongs. She was persuaded by her friends, as we often are… and while this was not a life-or-death decision, I think she wished she was out on the court with her team-mates and not standing on the sidelines.
We do so much of this in our spiritual life. We listen to the wrong “friends” and influences… and let’s be honest, they are often the devil’s agents! We lose our way, if only momentarily. We want to give up our old life and follow Jesus, but we are often scared to death to really do this. What if our old friends desert us? What if it’s not as much fun as we had hoped… or no fun at all? What if people it costs us… socially, emotionally, and financially? Because you see, we may have to change jobs or friends… or even distance ourselves from family members. We might have to move to another apartment, dorm room, or even college! A choice might have to be made about staying with a significant other, or even changing church families!
What could you give to get back your soul? The better question is… what would you give to get back your soul? It may not seem like our choices reflect a shame or embarrassment about our relationship with Jesus, but that’s really what is going on here. If we are not ashamed – if we are not afraid – if the Influence in our life is the Son of Man, and not Satan, we can boldly make the right choices.
What we choose… and who we choose to associate with and/or follow… defines in large part our relationship with Jesus Christ. Who are you listening to… and following… today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus then told the crowd and the disciples to come closer, and he said: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What could you give to get back your soul?
Don't be ashamed of me and my message among these unfaithful and sinful people! If you are, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I got to watch my 15-year-old second cousin cheer for her girls’ basketball team this week in the state tournament, which is hosted at our gym. My cousin has played basketball since she was six. But this year, a friend persuaded her to try out for cheer instead. Her team won their first game, but they were defeated soundly in the second round. From what I’m told, they could have used my cousin’s skills on the court… and she says she will return to the team next year.
I am sure my cousin had fun cheering and being with her friends this season. But I could tell that she sees this is not where she really belongs. She was persuaded by her friends, as we often are… and while this was not a life-or-death decision, I think she wished she was out on the court with her team-mates and not standing on the sidelines.
We do so much of this in our spiritual life. We listen to the wrong “friends” and influences… and let’s be honest, they are often the devil’s agents! We lose our way, if only momentarily. We want to give up our old life and follow Jesus, but we are often scared to death to really do this. What if our old friends desert us? What if it’s not as much fun as we had hoped… or no fun at all? What if people it costs us… socially, emotionally, and financially? Because you see, we may have to change jobs or friends… or even distance ourselves from family members. We might have to move to another apartment, dorm room, or even college! A choice might have to be made about staying with a significant other, or even changing church families!
What could you give to get back your soul? The better question is… what would you give to get back your soul? It may not seem like our choices reflect a shame or embarrassment about our relationship with Jesus, but that’s really what is going on here. If we are not ashamed – if we are not afraid – if the Influence in our life is the Son of Man, and not Satan, we can boldly make the right choices.
What we choose… and who we choose to associate with and/or follow… defines in large part our relationship with Jesus Christ. Who are you listening to… and following… today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 3, 2011
Psalm 37:3-7
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My grandmother often tells me, “I just can’t do everything like I used to.” I know what she means. Even though I am almost half her age, I have come to understand that I can get overloaded if I don’t take time to rest. And I know that when I do this, my body loses its ability to fight off germs and illnesses, and sometimes I can become physically sick. I’ve learned to pace myself, and when things get really hectic, I grab some time to be still and rest for awhile.
The truth is, we all can become mentally and spiritually overloaded at times. We can let the worries and stresses of the day… the challenges and temptations… the constant pestering of the devil to get us down. And if we are not careful – if we don’t give ourselves time to rest and restore – we will have a Spiritual breakdown. Satan loves this! He loves to dig at us, and he will not stop. He loves to catch us weak and vulnerable, and that’s when he really goes to work planting seeds of dissention, skepticism and second-guessing, discontent and more. All of this can leave us susceptible to sin and Spiritual sickness.
So how do we stay healthy? Physically, we listen to our bodies and rest when necessary. We skip that night out with friends to stay home in pj’s and “veg out” in front of the TV or read a good book. We eat right and stay hydrated… we exercise and stay fit. We don’t overindulge in bad foods and inactivity.
Spiritually, we spend time resting in the Lord. We set aside some quiet time to sit in a chair or on a rock or wherever it’s relatively peaceful, and we simply talk to God… pour out our hearts to Him, tell Him about our day, and then listen to what He has to say in return. We make time to read our Bible. We surround ourselves with people who love God and wish to wholeheartedly serve Him. We get away from the noise and busyness of the world and engage in some one-on-One time with the Lord… a walk, sitting and listening to our favorite Christian music, or just lying down and closing our eyes and shutting out everything but God.
Be still in the Lord… wait patiently for Him…make time in His presence a priority… and give yourself permission to rest in the Lord. This will be some of the best time you spend each day… and set the tone for everything else. Take time to delight in Him, and He really will give you the desires of your heart.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My grandmother often tells me, “I just can’t do everything like I used to.” I know what she means. Even though I am almost half her age, I have come to understand that I can get overloaded if I don’t take time to rest. And I know that when I do this, my body loses its ability to fight off germs and illnesses, and sometimes I can become physically sick. I’ve learned to pace myself, and when things get really hectic, I grab some time to be still and rest for awhile.
The truth is, we all can become mentally and spiritually overloaded at times. We can let the worries and stresses of the day… the challenges and temptations… the constant pestering of the devil to get us down. And if we are not careful – if we don’t give ourselves time to rest and restore – we will have a Spiritual breakdown. Satan loves this! He loves to dig at us, and he will not stop. He loves to catch us weak and vulnerable, and that’s when he really goes to work planting seeds of dissention, skepticism and second-guessing, discontent and more. All of this can leave us susceptible to sin and Spiritual sickness.
So how do we stay healthy? Physically, we listen to our bodies and rest when necessary. We skip that night out with friends to stay home in pj’s and “veg out” in front of the TV or read a good book. We eat right and stay hydrated… we exercise and stay fit. We don’t overindulge in bad foods and inactivity.
Spiritually, we spend time resting in the Lord. We set aside some quiet time to sit in a chair or on a rock or wherever it’s relatively peaceful, and we simply talk to God… pour out our hearts to Him, tell Him about our day, and then listen to what He has to say in return. We make time to read our Bible. We surround ourselves with people who love God and wish to wholeheartedly serve Him. We get away from the noise and busyness of the world and engage in some one-on-One time with the Lord… a walk, sitting and listening to our favorite Christian music, or just lying down and closing our eyes and shutting out everything but God.
Be still in the Lord… wait patiently for Him…make time in His presence a priority… and give yourself permission to rest in the Lord. This will be some of the best time you spend each day… and set the tone for everything else. Take time to delight in Him, and He really will give you the desires of your heart.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 2, 2011
Mark 8:11-13
The Pharisees came out and started an argument with Jesus. They wanted to test him by asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus groaned and said, "Why are you always looking for a sign? I can promise you that you will not be given one!" Then he left them. He again got into a boat and crossed over to the other side of the lake.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most of us have probably heard of “Bill Engvall” – a comedian who gained popularity as part of Jeff Foxworthy’s Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Bill’s claim to fame is the phrase, “Here’s your sign!” His point is that people often say and do stupid things – or ask stupid questions that have obvious answers – and he says to them, “Here’s your sign.” For instance, he said he and his wife had all of their belongings packed in boxes on the driveway and were loading them into a U-haul, and a neighbor came over and asked, “Hey, you moving?” Engvall said he replied, “Nope! We just pack up all our stuff every few weeks to see how many boxes it takes! Here’s your sign!” (The sign says, “I’m stupid!”)
Now, let’s face it, we do need signs to tell us when to stop at an intersection… the speed limit… where to exit the highway, and more. But we don’t often need a sign to tell us when someone is being ridiculous. We do need a sign to tell us when stormy weather is headed our way… but we don’t need a sign to tell us the weather will be nice when the sun is shining.
We may need a sign to tell us when we are headed in the right direction as we choose a career, a mate, a residence, or even a new car. We may look for signs that our health is improving or declining… and make decisions accordingly. But when it comes to our faith in God, so many of us are wasting a lot of time and energy looking for a “sign” where none is needed. “Lord, just give me a sign! Lord, if this is right, make such-and-such happen, and I’ll know.”
I’m not saying that things won’t ever happen that you can take as a sign from God you are on the right track. But if you sit around waiting for Him to rain down smoke, fire and magic tricks to bolster your confidence, you need to re-examine your relationship and get reacquainted with the Heavenly Father and how He operates! The Pharisees tried to trick Jesus. They made fun of Him and wanted Him to prove Himself at every turn.
We are so often modern-day Pharisees. But we have an opportunity to do better. We can change and operate completely in faith and the promises of our Heavenly Father. We can accept any “signs” that might come our way… but only as an afterthought or affirmation of what we already know… that God is powerful and mighty to save. He is in the daily business of performing miracles, rescues, and doling out blessings to His children.
We don’t want a sign that says “I’m stupid.” We don’t need a sign from our Heavenly Father that says “I’m God and I can do anything.” We already have our “sign” … the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ told us everything we ever need to know. Now it’s time for us to act like we believe this – to walk daily in the confidence of God’s promises. I’m in – are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The Pharisees came out and started an argument with Jesus. They wanted to test him by asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus groaned and said, "Why are you always looking for a sign? I can promise you that you will not be given one!" Then he left them. He again got into a boat and crossed over to the other side of the lake.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most of us have probably heard of “Bill Engvall” – a comedian who gained popularity as part of Jeff Foxworthy’s Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Bill’s claim to fame is the phrase, “Here’s your sign!” His point is that people often say and do stupid things – or ask stupid questions that have obvious answers – and he says to them, “Here’s your sign.” For instance, he said he and his wife had all of their belongings packed in boxes on the driveway and were loading them into a U-haul, and a neighbor came over and asked, “Hey, you moving?” Engvall said he replied, “Nope! We just pack up all our stuff every few weeks to see how many boxes it takes! Here’s your sign!” (The sign says, “I’m stupid!”)
Now, let’s face it, we do need signs to tell us when to stop at an intersection… the speed limit… where to exit the highway, and more. But we don’t often need a sign to tell us when someone is being ridiculous. We do need a sign to tell us when stormy weather is headed our way… but we don’t need a sign to tell us the weather will be nice when the sun is shining.
We may need a sign to tell us when we are headed in the right direction as we choose a career, a mate, a residence, or even a new car. We may look for signs that our health is improving or declining… and make decisions accordingly. But when it comes to our faith in God, so many of us are wasting a lot of time and energy looking for a “sign” where none is needed. “Lord, just give me a sign! Lord, if this is right, make such-and-such happen, and I’ll know.”
I’m not saying that things won’t ever happen that you can take as a sign from God you are on the right track. But if you sit around waiting for Him to rain down smoke, fire and magic tricks to bolster your confidence, you need to re-examine your relationship and get reacquainted with the Heavenly Father and how He operates! The Pharisees tried to trick Jesus. They made fun of Him and wanted Him to prove Himself at every turn.
We are so often modern-day Pharisees. But we have an opportunity to do better. We can change and operate completely in faith and the promises of our Heavenly Father. We can accept any “signs” that might come our way… but only as an afterthought or affirmation of what we already know… that God is powerful and mighty to save. He is in the daily business of performing miracles, rescues, and doling out blessings to His children.
We don’t want a sign that says “I’m stupid.” We don’t need a sign from our Heavenly Father that says “I’m God and I can do anything.” We already have our “sign” … the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ told us everything we ever need to know. Now it’s time for us to act like we believe this – to walk daily in the confidence of God’s promises. I’m in – are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 1, 2011
Mark 7:14-16; 20-23
Jesus called the crowd together again and said, "Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. The food that you put into your mouth doesn't make you unclean and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean."
Then Jesus said: What comes from your heart is what makes you unclean. Out of your heart come evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, greed, meanness, deceit, indecency, envy, insults, pride, and foolishness. All of these come from your heart, and they are what make you unfit to worship God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Some of you know that I have food allergies… and my primary culprit is corn. If you go to the grocery store and start reading labels, you will find that corn is in thousands of things we eat every day. It has fancy names, such as microcrystalline cellulose, propylene glycol, citric acid, and modified food starch. All of these ingredients… and dozens more… may be derived from corn.
A “natural” ingredient that is readily grown throughout the world can cause all sorts of unpleasant things to happen to people who are allergic… hives, swelling, nausea and stomach pain, headaches and stuffy head, and in some cases – death. The corn itself is not harmful to most people… but how it reacts in my body and the bodies of others with this allergy causes all sorts of potentially bad things to happen. The problem is what my body does with the corn products.
Jesus is telling us in this passage that what we say or do may seem harmless on the surface, but it’s what our heart does with this that matters. So it may seem like you are not hurting anyone else by drinking a little or popping a few pills… but when you get behind the wheel and drive – or your activities get out of hand and you start behaving irrationally or irresponsibly – there is trouble. Telling a couple of “white lies” to supposedly protect the feelings and/or reputation of someone else may not seem like a big deal. But over time, it gets easier and easier to lie and distort things… and before long, the lines between reality and your fabrications are more than a little blurry.
As I’ve mentioned before, we all “fly off the handle” once in awhile, and we may even apologize quickly and say, “I didn’t mean it!” But our words and actions, if not kept in check, can get away from us in a hurry. Soon we are known as someone who “has a short fuse” or is “radical and unreasonable”… someone others don’t want to be around for very long, and certainly not a good witness for Jesus Christ.
The point is… we have to look at the big picture. On the surface, a ritual may seem important to our faith… a behavior or comment may seem inconsequential. But when internalized in our body – when these things penetrate our heart – what we send back out into the world may not be pleasing to anyone, especially God. We need to examine every facet of our lives closely. We need to “read the labels” and make sure that we are not ingesting anything harmful. We must be certain that the things we say and do – the behaviors and choices we internalize – will enable us to model Christian behavior to others that honors God and pleases Him. The old adage… “Garbage in – garbage out”… applies totally in this situation. It’s time to kick our garbage to the curb – and leave it there. Have you taken out the trash lately?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus called the crowd together again and said, "Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. The food that you put into your mouth doesn't make you unclean and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean."
Then Jesus said: What comes from your heart is what makes you unclean. Out of your heart come evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, greed, meanness, deceit, indecency, envy, insults, pride, and foolishness. All of these come from your heart, and they are what make you unfit to worship God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Some of you know that I have food allergies… and my primary culprit is corn. If you go to the grocery store and start reading labels, you will find that corn is in thousands of things we eat every day. It has fancy names, such as microcrystalline cellulose, propylene glycol, citric acid, and modified food starch. All of these ingredients… and dozens more… may be derived from corn.
A “natural” ingredient that is readily grown throughout the world can cause all sorts of unpleasant things to happen to people who are allergic… hives, swelling, nausea and stomach pain, headaches and stuffy head, and in some cases – death. The corn itself is not harmful to most people… but how it reacts in my body and the bodies of others with this allergy causes all sorts of potentially bad things to happen. The problem is what my body does with the corn products.
Jesus is telling us in this passage that what we say or do may seem harmless on the surface, but it’s what our heart does with this that matters. So it may seem like you are not hurting anyone else by drinking a little or popping a few pills… but when you get behind the wheel and drive – or your activities get out of hand and you start behaving irrationally or irresponsibly – there is trouble. Telling a couple of “white lies” to supposedly protect the feelings and/or reputation of someone else may not seem like a big deal. But over time, it gets easier and easier to lie and distort things… and before long, the lines between reality and your fabrications are more than a little blurry.
As I’ve mentioned before, we all “fly off the handle” once in awhile, and we may even apologize quickly and say, “I didn’t mean it!” But our words and actions, if not kept in check, can get away from us in a hurry. Soon we are known as someone who “has a short fuse” or is “radical and unreasonable”… someone others don’t want to be around for very long, and certainly not a good witness for Jesus Christ.
The point is… we have to look at the big picture. On the surface, a ritual may seem important to our faith… a behavior or comment may seem inconsequential. But when internalized in our body – when these things penetrate our heart – what we send back out into the world may not be pleasing to anyone, especially God. We need to examine every facet of our lives closely. We need to “read the labels” and make sure that we are not ingesting anything harmful. We must be certain that the things we say and do – the behaviors and choices we internalize – will enable us to model Christian behavior to others that honors God and pleases Him. The old adage… “Garbage in – garbage out”… applies totally in this situation. It’s time to kick our garbage to the curb – and leave it there. Have you taken out the trash lately?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 28, 2011
Mark 7:1-13
Some Pharisees and several teachers of the Law of Moses from Jerusalem came and gathered around Jesus. They noticed that some of his disciples ate without first washing their hands.
The Pharisees and many other Jewish people obey the teachings of their ancestors. They always wash their hands in the proper way before eating. None of them will eat anything they buy in the market until it is washed. They also follow a lot of other teachings, such as washing cups, pitchers, and bowls.
The Pharisees and teachers asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples obey what our ancestors taught us to do? Why do they eat without washing their hands?"
Jesus replied: You are nothing but show-offs! The prophet Isaiah was right when he wrote that God had said, "All of you praise me with your words, but you never really think about me. It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans."
You disobey God's commands in order to obey what humans have taught. You are good at rejecting God's commands so that you can follow your own teachings! Didn't Moses command you to respect your father and mother? Didn't he tell you to put to death all who curse their parents? But you let people get by without helping their parents when they should. You let them say that what they own has been offered to God. You won't let those people help their parents. And you ignore God's commands in order to follow your own teaching. You do a lot of other things that are just as bad.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever known someone who says they don’t go to church because our churches are full of hypocrites? The fact is… they are right! But that doesn’t mean that the person who is making this statement is any less hypocritical or above those who come together to worship. Clearly, we are all hypocrites. Very few of us do even a halfway decent job of “walking the walk” we like to claim.
But this doesn’t mean we can’t do better. We must closely examine everything we say and do. Before we label someone as “crazy” or an “idiot,” we must think about Jesus’ command to love others as we love ourselves. They may still be crazy or act in an idiotic manner, but it is not our place to call them out on it. Before we sit down at a restaurant in public and clasp the hands of fellow diners to offer a prayer, we must ask ourselves, “Are we truly thanking God for the blessing of this meal, or are we making a show for others in the restaurant?”
People get so stirred up about the removal of prayer from school and the posting of the Ten Commandments from public buildings. And I don’t mean to start a ruckus here… but let’s be honest, is this really such a huge deal? After all, we are told in Scripture to pray in the privacy of our closets. So can’t students and teachers pray silently in their hearts, even if a prayer over the loudspeaker is prohibited? Are the Ten Commandments null and void just because we don’t see a list of them in our courthouses?
What are our real motives? Do we have pure hearts and desire to model the teachings of Jesus Christ? Do we desire to serve Him and honor HIS work in our lives… or are we more interested in impressing those around us? Until we get our own priorities straight, we have no business judging anyone else. And believe me, this is a tall order… for all of us!
We must prayerfully consider our behavior… our rituals and actions – especially those we claim in the name of Jesus. Are we really serving as His disciples, or are we more concerned with looking like we do? My cousin JD said in a recent sermon, “I know a lot of people who look right. Anybody can look right. But I don’t want to look right – I want to be right with Jesus.” Looking right and being right with God are two distinctly different things. Do you know the difference?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Some Pharisees and several teachers of the Law of Moses from Jerusalem came and gathered around Jesus. They noticed that some of his disciples ate without first washing their hands.
The Pharisees and many other Jewish people obey the teachings of their ancestors. They always wash their hands in the proper way before eating. None of them will eat anything they buy in the market until it is washed. They also follow a lot of other teachings, such as washing cups, pitchers, and bowls.
The Pharisees and teachers asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples obey what our ancestors taught us to do? Why do they eat without washing their hands?"
Jesus replied: You are nothing but show-offs! The prophet Isaiah was right when he wrote that God had said, "All of you praise me with your words, but you never really think about me. It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans."
You disobey God's commands in order to obey what humans have taught. You are good at rejecting God's commands so that you can follow your own teachings! Didn't Moses command you to respect your father and mother? Didn't he tell you to put to death all who curse their parents? But you let people get by without helping their parents when they should. You let them say that what they own has been offered to God. You won't let those people help their parents. And you ignore God's commands in order to follow your own teaching. You do a lot of other things that are just as bad.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever known someone who says they don’t go to church because our churches are full of hypocrites? The fact is… they are right! But that doesn’t mean that the person who is making this statement is any less hypocritical or above those who come together to worship. Clearly, we are all hypocrites. Very few of us do even a halfway decent job of “walking the walk” we like to claim.
But this doesn’t mean we can’t do better. We must closely examine everything we say and do. Before we label someone as “crazy” or an “idiot,” we must think about Jesus’ command to love others as we love ourselves. They may still be crazy or act in an idiotic manner, but it is not our place to call them out on it. Before we sit down at a restaurant in public and clasp the hands of fellow diners to offer a prayer, we must ask ourselves, “Are we truly thanking God for the blessing of this meal, or are we making a show for others in the restaurant?”
People get so stirred up about the removal of prayer from school and the posting of the Ten Commandments from public buildings. And I don’t mean to start a ruckus here… but let’s be honest, is this really such a huge deal? After all, we are told in Scripture to pray in the privacy of our closets. So can’t students and teachers pray silently in their hearts, even if a prayer over the loudspeaker is prohibited? Are the Ten Commandments null and void just because we don’t see a list of them in our courthouses?
What are our real motives? Do we have pure hearts and desire to model the teachings of Jesus Christ? Do we desire to serve Him and honor HIS work in our lives… or are we more interested in impressing those around us? Until we get our own priorities straight, we have no business judging anyone else. And believe me, this is a tall order… for all of us!
We must prayerfully consider our behavior… our rituals and actions – especially those we claim in the name of Jesus. Are we really serving as His disciples, or are we more concerned with looking like we do? My cousin JD said in a recent sermon, “I know a lot of people who look right. Anybody can look right. But I don’t want to look right – I want to be right with Jesus.” Looking right and being right with God are two distinctly different things. Do you know the difference?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 27, 2011
1 Peter 1:3-5
Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on. God has something stored up for you in heaven, where it will never decay or be ruined or disappear.
You have faith in God, whose power will protect you until the last day. Then he will save you, just as he has always planned to do.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever moved… or even taken a trip… you know that you have to make decisions about what to take and what to leave at home. Some moves/trips are easier than others. Sometimes we are actually moving into a bigger space, where storage is not an issue… and sometimes we are downsizing, perhaps drastically. We are moving my grandmother into an assisted living facility, so this is one of those “monumental” moves. On the surface, it would seem easy – you take your best things – just what will fit into the space – and leave the rest to be dispersed among family members and/or sold or donated.
But when you get down to it, we are all attached to our things, and 98-year-old grandmothers are no exception. My grandmother has an “edge” on some, because she and my grandfather lost virtually everything in a house fire 30 years ago. However, in the last 30 years, a lot of “stuff” has been accumulated… and there is sentimental attachment for much of it. So jewelry that belonged to my grandmother’s sisters is important. The little wind chime that hung in my great-aunt’s window has meaning for my grandmother (her older sister). She remembers the kindness of those who gave her things – and the “back-story” behind many of these items.
My grandmother is going on a journey of sorts. She is moving into what will most likely be her final earthly home. What do you take? What do you leave behind? If we study 1 Peter and other scriptures throughout the Bible, we see that there will come a day when, quite literally, we can’t take it with us! The things we store up on this earth and place such value on will not matter when we depart this earth and make the move to Heaven. But the treasures we store for Eternity will be waiting on us… and then some.
I love my home and my “things” as much as the next guy. But I’m starting to question some of my choices a little more closely. Do I need to buy this gadget or that knick-knack… or do I need to contribute more to world hunger relief? Do I really need to spend this hour shopping online, or should I spend it visiting a shut-in or calling a friend I haven’t spoken with in a long time? Should I tip the car hop an extra dollar for delivering my burger or save that money for something I want at a later date? Is it better to concentrate on myself for awhile and do some things for myself (because let’s face it, it’s all about us!) or look around and see who needs my help, prayers, encouragement, and more?
When my great-aunt passed away, the pastor reminded us that her 89-year life was a long, rich one. But by the same token, 89 years was a blip on the screen compared to Eternity. The “stuff” we store up here on earth pales in comparison to what God is storing for us in Heaven. In fact, much of what we think is so fantastic now, we would pile on the junk heap in Heaven. So we have some big choices to make.
As we sort our lives and decide what to keep and what to pitch, we need to take a long hard look at every single area. We need to ask ourselves, “Does this really matter? Would we want to take this to Heaven?” It’s a daunting task – and a challenging question. But the last verse of our passage for today says it all… God will save us. He will protect us to the last day. And He will meet ALL of our needs, and then some… now - and most surely in Heaven. For me, this is worth any “tough choices” I have to make now. Wouldn’t you agree?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on. God has something stored up for you in heaven, where it will never decay or be ruined or disappear.
You have faith in God, whose power will protect you until the last day. Then he will save you, just as he has always planned to do.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever moved… or even taken a trip… you know that you have to make decisions about what to take and what to leave at home. Some moves/trips are easier than others. Sometimes we are actually moving into a bigger space, where storage is not an issue… and sometimes we are downsizing, perhaps drastically. We are moving my grandmother into an assisted living facility, so this is one of those “monumental” moves. On the surface, it would seem easy – you take your best things – just what will fit into the space – and leave the rest to be dispersed among family members and/or sold or donated.
But when you get down to it, we are all attached to our things, and 98-year-old grandmothers are no exception. My grandmother has an “edge” on some, because she and my grandfather lost virtually everything in a house fire 30 years ago. However, in the last 30 years, a lot of “stuff” has been accumulated… and there is sentimental attachment for much of it. So jewelry that belonged to my grandmother’s sisters is important. The little wind chime that hung in my great-aunt’s window has meaning for my grandmother (her older sister). She remembers the kindness of those who gave her things – and the “back-story” behind many of these items.
My grandmother is going on a journey of sorts. She is moving into what will most likely be her final earthly home. What do you take? What do you leave behind? If we study 1 Peter and other scriptures throughout the Bible, we see that there will come a day when, quite literally, we can’t take it with us! The things we store up on this earth and place such value on will not matter when we depart this earth and make the move to Heaven. But the treasures we store for Eternity will be waiting on us… and then some.
I love my home and my “things” as much as the next guy. But I’m starting to question some of my choices a little more closely. Do I need to buy this gadget or that knick-knack… or do I need to contribute more to world hunger relief? Do I really need to spend this hour shopping online, or should I spend it visiting a shut-in or calling a friend I haven’t spoken with in a long time? Should I tip the car hop an extra dollar for delivering my burger or save that money for something I want at a later date? Is it better to concentrate on myself for awhile and do some things for myself (because let’s face it, it’s all about us!) or look around and see who needs my help, prayers, encouragement, and more?
When my great-aunt passed away, the pastor reminded us that her 89-year life was a long, rich one. But by the same token, 89 years was a blip on the screen compared to Eternity. The “stuff” we store up here on earth pales in comparison to what God is storing for us in Heaven. In fact, much of what we think is so fantastic now, we would pile on the junk heap in Heaven. So we have some big choices to make.
As we sort our lives and decide what to keep and what to pitch, we need to take a long hard look at every single area. We need to ask ourselves, “Does this really matter? Would we want to take this to Heaven?” It’s a daunting task – and a challenging question. But the last verse of our passage for today says it all… God will save us. He will protect us to the last day. And He will meet ALL of our needs, and then some… now - and most surely in Heaven. For me, this is worth any “tough choices” I have to make now. Wouldn’t you agree?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 26, 2011
Ecclesiastes 5:6
Don't let your mouth get you in trouble! And don't say to the worship leader, "I didn't mean what I said." God can destroy everything you have worked for, so don't say something that makes God angry.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve attended several basketball games lately… and watched a few more on television… and I’ve noticed that, when it comes to a sporting event, it doesn’t take much to make us angry! One common source of our wrath is the referees, who are all probably nice enough guys off the court. But to our way of thinking, they need glasses, they don’t know anything about the game, and they are just downright biased and “in cahoots” with the opposing team.
I’m all for having a good time at a ballgame. And I’ll admit, there have been plenty of times when I’ve stood and yelled, “C’mon ref… he walked… she was over the back…he’s all over him!” I’m not excusing my behavior, but compared to others who yell and scream the whole game, I’m a lightweight.
We recently attended a basketball game played by our college alma mater on an opposing court. The gym was small and filled with extremely loud fans. They frequently chanted in unison… “D-fense”,”Let’s Go, Let’s Go!”, and more. BUT… when an opponent fouled out of the game, they chanted as he/she stepped off the court… “Right, left, right, left” until the player sat down, and then they yelled, somewhat hatefully, “Now SIT DOWN!”
This was all in good fun, and relatively harmless, I suppose… and maybe our players didn’t even notice (but I bet they did). But let’s be honest… it’s only funny when you are the one doing the chanting. And more importantly, a lot of times the things we chant and yell… the comments and gestures we make… are not behavior that pleases God. I remind you again, people are watching. I would never want someone to see me behaving at a ballgame – or anywhere else – in a way that would make them say… “She is supposed to be a Christian. If that’s how Christians act, I’m not sure I’m interested!”
I admit, I need to check my own behavior. I don’t want someone to ask themselves, “How can she say this or act like that and then turn around and write these devos about serving God well and behaving in a way that pleases and honors Him?” And I have been convicted more than once over something I wrote and then didn’t follow. We all fall short daily, and that’s why we need to be covered in God’s grace and continually seeking renewal through Him.
So where do you stand? Are you the guy in the stands that nobody wants to sit near, because you rant and rave at the refs, players and coaches? Are you the person who posts in Facebook that “we wuz robbed by the refs” every time your team has a bad performance or the opponent plays better? Let’s be honest… most games do not come down to one call. On the other hand, one call can make a huge difference, and if that “one call” is your public outburst in an unbecoming way, it can have a lasting effect on those who witness it.
Let’s give ourselves a good check today. “I didn’t mean it” is usually uttered too late to be of much help. Let’s look at our attitudes and see if we can make some corrections before we speak or act… not afterward. Let’s make a concerted effort to honor God all the time… and to seek His protection and guidance. And when we do fail, let’s be quick to ask for grace, mercy, and God’s correction. With God’s help, our mouth can become less apt to get us into trouble… and that’s a very good thing!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Don't let your mouth get you in trouble! And don't say to the worship leader, "I didn't mean what I said." God can destroy everything you have worked for, so don't say something that makes God angry.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve attended several basketball games lately… and watched a few more on television… and I’ve noticed that, when it comes to a sporting event, it doesn’t take much to make us angry! One common source of our wrath is the referees, who are all probably nice enough guys off the court. But to our way of thinking, they need glasses, they don’t know anything about the game, and they are just downright biased and “in cahoots” with the opposing team.
I’m all for having a good time at a ballgame. And I’ll admit, there have been plenty of times when I’ve stood and yelled, “C’mon ref… he walked… she was over the back…he’s all over him!” I’m not excusing my behavior, but compared to others who yell and scream the whole game, I’m a lightweight.
We recently attended a basketball game played by our college alma mater on an opposing court. The gym was small and filled with extremely loud fans. They frequently chanted in unison… “D-fense”,”Let’s Go, Let’s Go!”, and more. BUT… when an opponent fouled out of the game, they chanted as he/she stepped off the court… “Right, left, right, left” until the player sat down, and then they yelled, somewhat hatefully, “Now SIT DOWN!”
This was all in good fun, and relatively harmless, I suppose… and maybe our players didn’t even notice (but I bet they did). But let’s be honest… it’s only funny when you are the one doing the chanting. And more importantly, a lot of times the things we chant and yell… the comments and gestures we make… are not behavior that pleases God. I remind you again, people are watching. I would never want someone to see me behaving at a ballgame – or anywhere else – in a way that would make them say… “She is supposed to be a Christian. If that’s how Christians act, I’m not sure I’m interested!”
I admit, I need to check my own behavior. I don’t want someone to ask themselves, “How can she say this or act like that and then turn around and write these devos about serving God well and behaving in a way that pleases and honors Him?” And I have been convicted more than once over something I wrote and then didn’t follow. We all fall short daily, and that’s why we need to be covered in God’s grace and continually seeking renewal through Him.
So where do you stand? Are you the guy in the stands that nobody wants to sit near, because you rant and rave at the refs, players and coaches? Are you the person who posts in Facebook that “we wuz robbed by the refs” every time your team has a bad performance or the opponent plays better? Let’s be honest… most games do not come down to one call. On the other hand, one call can make a huge difference, and if that “one call” is your public outburst in an unbecoming way, it can have a lasting effect on those who witness it.
Let’s give ourselves a good check today. “I didn’t mean it” is usually uttered too late to be of much help. Let’s look at our attitudes and see if we can make some corrections before we speak or act… not afterward. Let’s make a concerted effort to honor God all the time… and to seek His protection and guidance. And when we do fail, let’s be quick to ask for grace, mercy, and God’s correction. With God’s help, our mouth can become less apt to get us into trouble… and that’s a very good thing!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 25, 2011
1 Timothy 5:7-8
Tell all of this to everyone, so they will do the right thing. People who don't take care of their relatives, and especially their own families, have given up their faith. They are worse than someone who doesn't have faith in the Lord.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today is the birthday of a dear friend of mine named Jean. I am not sure of Jean’s age, but it’s somewhere around 95. Jean and her husband, Jim, who is 95 or better, still live in their own home. She is a former nurse… Jim a former airline pilot. Jean and Jim never had children. Nieces, nephews, other family members and friends “see after” them… as much as Jean and Jim will allow!
I admit, I do not “see after” Jean and Jim like I should. They have been my dear friends for almost 25 years, and they are members of my church. They are part of my “church family” even if they are not related by blood, and I should check in with them more often.
And that brings me to the point of today’s devotional. It’s very easy for younger people to get busy with their own lives and families… and frankly, to become self-absorbed… and to forget about – or neglect – older people who live and work alongside them. I recently spoke with the mother of one of my friends, and she said, “We don’t see children at church any more, and it breaks my heart.” The children are attending a more contemporary service that meets at a different hour, and many of the older church members attend a traditional service, so they have little opportunity to interact with younger members. Clearly, this represents a need that must be addressed… and one that may have become commonplace in many church congregations.
If you want to see the power of “youth” in action, visit a nursing home and take a baby, a puppy, or a kitten. The faces of the residents will instantly light up at the sight of “young life.” We tend to get tunnel vision quite often… to focus on people who are in our own circle – or our own age – and we toss others… especially those who are older… to the curb. If you read further in 1 Timothy 5, you will see that there are admonitions to honor Jesus by caring for our grandparents, our widows and widowers, and older adults. When we show them respect and care, we are honoring God and His love for us.
The last time I did laundry, I discovered that the underarm seam of one of my husband’s t-shirts had come undone. My husband has dozens of t-shirts, and I seriously considered tossing this one into the rag bin. But there was still a lot of good “wear” left in the shirt, and a few stitches on my sewing machine could patch the torn seam. As I looked at this shirt, I thought of how we treat others in everyday life. I considered how we sometimes toss people – especially older adults - and their needs into the “rag bin” and focus on newer, prettier, more seemingly useful folks.
We need to wake up! We need to realize that older adults are not only important, wise and worthy of our time and attention… but we are called by God to attend to them! Who do you need to contact today? Do you have a family member – or a church family member – who needs to hear from you? If you are older… have you reached out to those who are younger and let them know you are willing to be a mentor and friend… that you still want to be engaged in the activities of their lives? In God’s family, there are no age barriers… these have been imposed by humans. It’s up to us to remove them… in Jesus’ name. Where will you begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Tell all of this to everyone, so they will do the right thing. People who don't take care of their relatives, and especially their own families, have given up their faith. They are worse than someone who doesn't have faith in the Lord.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today is the birthday of a dear friend of mine named Jean. I am not sure of Jean’s age, but it’s somewhere around 95. Jean and her husband, Jim, who is 95 or better, still live in their own home. She is a former nurse… Jim a former airline pilot. Jean and Jim never had children. Nieces, nephews, other family members and friends “see after” them… as much as Jean and Jim will allow!
I admit, I do not “see after” Jean and Jim like I should. They have been my dear friends for almost 25 years, and they are members of my church. They are part of my “church family” even if they are not related by blood, and I should check in with them more often.
And that brings me to the point of today’s devotional. It’s very easy for younger people to get busy with their own lives and families… and frankly, to become self-absorbed… and to forget about – or neglect – older people who live and work alongside them. I recently spoke with the mother of one of my friends, and she said, “We don’t see children at church any more, and it breaks my heart.” The children are attending a more contemporary service that meets at a different hour, and many of the older church members attend a traditional service, so they have little opportunity to interact with younger members. Clearly, this represents a need that must be addressed… and one that may have become commonplace in many church congregations.
If you want to see the power of “youth” in action, visit a nursing home and take a baby, a puppy, or a kitten. The faces of the residents will instantly light up at the sight of “young life.” We tend to get tunnel vision quite often… to focus on people who are in our own circle – or our own age – and we toss others… especially those who are older… to the curb. If you read further in 1 Timothy 5, you will see that there are admonitions to honor Jesus by caring for our grandparents, our widows and widowers, and older adults. When we show them respect and care, we are honoring God and His love for us.
The last time I did laundry, I discovered that the underarm seam of one of my husband’s t-shirts had come undone. My husband has dozens of t-shirts, and I seriously considered tossing this one into the rag bin. But there was still a lot of good “wear” left in the shirt, and a few stitches on my sewing machine could patch the torn seam. As I looked at this shirt, I thought of how we treat others in everyday life. I considered how we sometimes toss people – especially older adults - and their needs into the “rag bin” and focus on newer, prettier, more seemingly useful folks.
We need to wake up! We need to realize that older adults are not only important, wise and worthy of our time and attention… but we are called by God to attend to them! Who do you need to contact today? Do you have a family member – or a church family member – who needs to hear from you? If you are older… have you reached out to those who are younger and let them know you are willing to be a mentor and friend… that you still want to be engaged in the activities of their lives? In God’s family, there are no age barriers… these have been imposed by humans. It’s up to us to remove them… in Jesus’ name. Where will you begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 24, 2011
Psalm 31:12
I am completely forgotten like someone dead. I am merely a broken dish. I hear the crowds whisper, "Everyone is afraid!" They are plotting and scheming to murder me. But I trust you, LORD, and I claim you as my God. My life is in your hands. Save me from enemies who hunt me down. Smile on me, your servant. Have pity and rescue me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was folding laundry, and I piled a stack of underwear on top of a stack of t-shirts, and the underwear fell over onto the floor. All of it had to be refolded. Now, at one point in my life, I would probably have groaned and grumbled and uttered some things I can’t repeat here. But this time, I picked up the clothing, laughed, and refolded it.
You’re probably wondering what folding underwear has to do with God, so I’ll tell you! As I refolded these pieces of clothing, I thought about how we are a lot like them. God washes us clean in the blood of Jesus. He folds us neatly and prepares us for another day. Then we fall… we lose our balance… we get distracted or overloaded and top heavy… and we tumble. And God, being God, picks us up, dusts us off and refolds us. He has pity on us and rescues us… even in our “brokenness”… and He restores us.
I would like to think that God looks at us and laughs…at least sometimes. More often, I think he is saddened by our falls and shortcomings. But He still loves us, just the same. I don’t know about you, but I am so grateful to serve a God who loves me like this. The devil would be glad to leave us on the floor in a heap to be trampled by anything and everyone. I am so glad to know that if – and when – I fall, God will rescue me and fold me back in place so that I am ready for another day in His service.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that we serve a God who can smile on us even in our broken state? Have you put your life in His hands and trusted Him to save you? When was the last time you thanked God for taking such good care of you? Isn’t it time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
I am completely forgotten like someone dead. I am merely a broken dish. I hear the crowds whisper, "Everyone is afraid!" They are plotting and scheming to murder me. But I trust you, LORD, and I claim you as my God. My life is in your hands. Save me from enemies who hunt me down. Smile on me, your servant. Have pity and rescue me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was folding laundry, and I piled a stack of underwear on top of a stack of t-shirts, and the underwear fell over onto the floor. All of it had to be refolded. Now, at one point in my life, I would probably have groaned and grumbled and uttered some things I can’t repeat here. But this time, I picked up the clothing, laughed, and refolded it.
You’re probably wondering what folding underwear has to do with God, so I’ll tell you! As I refolded these pieces of clothing, I thought about how we are a lot like them. God washes us clean in the blood of Jesus. He folds us neatly and prepares us for another day. Then we fall… we lose our balance… we get distracted or overloaded and top heavy… and we tumble. And God, being God, picks us up, dusts us off and refolds us. He has pity on us and rescues us… even in our “brokenness”… and He restores us.
I would like to think that God looks at us and laughs…at least sometimes. More often, I think he is saddened by our falls and shortcomings. But He still loves us, just the same. I don’t know about you, but I am so grateful to serve a God who loves me like this. The devil would be glad to leave us on the floor in a heap to be trampled by anything and everyone. I am so glad to know that if – and when – I fall, God will rescue me and fold me back in place so that I am ready for another day in His service.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that we serve a God who can smile on us even in our broken state? Have you put your life in His hands and trusted Him to save you? When was the last time you thanked God for taking such good care of you? Isn’t it time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 23, 2011
Psalm 35:9-28
I will celebrate and be joyful because you, LORD, have saved me. Every bone in my body will shout: "No one is like the LORD!" You protect the helpless from those in power; you save the poor and needy from those who hurt them. Liars accuse me of crimes I know nothing about. They repay evil for good, and I feel all alone. When they were sick, I wore sackcloth and went without food. I truly prayed for them, as I would for a friend or a relative. I was in sorrow and mourned, as I would for my mother.
I have stumbled, and worthless liars I don't even know surround me and sneer. Worthless people make fun and never stop laughing. But all you do is watch! When will you do something? Save me from the attack of those vicious lions. And when your people meet, I will praise you and thank you, Lord, in front of them all. Don't let my brutal enemies be glad because of me. They hate me for no reason. Don't let them wink behind my back. They say hurtful things, and they lie to people who want to live in peace. They are quick to accuse me. They say, "You did it! We saw you ourselves."
You see everything, LORD! Please don't keep silent or stay so far away. Fight to defend me, Lord God, and prove that I am right by your standards. Don't let them laugh at me or say to each other, "Now we've got what we want! We'll gobble him down!" Disappoint and confuse all who are glad to see me in trouble, but disgrace and embarrass my proud enemies who say to me, "You are nothing!"
Let all who want me to win be happy and joyful. From now on let them say, "The LORD is wonderful! God is glad when all goes well for his servant." Then I will shout all day, "Praise the LORD God! He did what was right."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In his recent “Sweet Tea” column for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Jay Grelen writes about Otus the Head Cat, the now-deceased “writer” of a weekly column in the same newspaper. Through his owner, Otus “channeled” his column, and while it was pure satire, the writing was just believable enough that many thought the comments made there were true. So it was that Otus credited former President Richard Nixon with creating “President’s Day,” and a writer for USA Today, believed this and perpetuated the story. It took some research by a skeptical law student to discern that “President’s Day” was actually initiated by former President Bill Clinton during his tenure.
We are a gullible group! We are also prone to making quick judgments, lying, and believing the fabrications of others. At best, we often operate with less than half of the facts and make our decisions accordingly. So is it any wonder that we often find ourselves being falsely accused or judged by others? A reporter asked President Obama, “Does it disturb you that so many people hate you?” The President replied, “The people who dislike you don't know you. What they hate is whatever funhouse mirror image of you that's out there. And they don't know you. And so, you don't take it personally.”
But most of us do take it personally. We are hurt – sometimes deeply – by the slings and arrows of others… the misunderstandings and judgments… the personal attacks (even if delivered behind our backs). And nobody is immune… from school-age nicknames to disgruntled co-workers to false assumptions about sporting and political opponents and more. It’s a pretty sure bet you have felt the disdain, misunderstandings, or ungrateful attitude of someone at some point in your life.
So what are we to do? The answer comes in the last few lines of this passage. We are to keep on doing what we know is right. We are to keep on loving and serving and behaving well… to take the high road and hold our shoulders back and our chin out. We are to honor our faith in God… and leave the rest to Him. Because He will defend us. He will defeat our enemies and make things right. Never forget this!
When you are hurt and disappointed… when you are wrongly accused or judged… when you are talked about and treated thanklessly… remember WHO is in charge. The only One you have to worry about – the only One to whom you have to answer – is Almighty God. He will get to the bottom of things and set things right for you. It may seem a long time coming, but it will happen. So hang in there! Be who God has called you to be, and trust Him to fight on your behalf. And one other thing… remember to give God praise and glory for loving you so well. Give Him a shout out and the credit He is due!
©2011 Debbie Robus
I will celebrate and be joyful because you, LORD, have saved me. Every bone in my body will shout: "No one is like the LORD!" You protect the helpless from those in power; you save the poor and needy from those who hurt them. Liars accuse me of crimes I know nothing about. They repay evil for good, and I feel all alone. When they were sick, I wore sackcloth and went without food. I truly prayed for them, as I would for a friend or a relative. I was in sorrow and mourned, as I would for my mother.
I have stumbled, and worthless liars I don't even know surround me and sneer. Worthless people make fun and never stop laughing. But all you do is watch! When will you do something? Save me from the attack of those vicious lions. And when your people meet, I will praise you and thank you, Lord, in front of them all. Don't let my brutal enemies be glad because of me. They hate me for no reason. Don't let them wink behind my back. They say hurtful things, and they lie to people who want to live in peace. They are quick to accuse me. They say, "You did it! We saw you ourselves."
You see everything, LORD! Please don't keep silent or stay so far away. Fight to defend me, Lord God, and prove that I am right by your standards. Don't let them laugh at me or say to each other, "Now we've got what we want! We'll gobble him down!" Disappoint and confuse all who are glad to see me in trouble, but disgrace and embarrass my proud enemies who say to me, "You are nothing!"
Let all who want me to win be happy and joyful. From now on let them say, "The LORD is wonderful! God is glad when all goes well for his servant." Then I will shout all day, "Praise the LORD God! He did what was right."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In his recent “Sweet Tea” column for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Jay Grelen writes about Otus the Head Cat, the now-deceased “writer” of a weekly column in the same newspaper. Through his owner, Otus “channeled” his column, and while it was pure satire, the writing was just believable enough that many thought the comments made there were true. So it was that Otus credited former President Richard Nixon with creating “President’s Day,” and a writer for USA Today, believed this and perpetuated the story. It took some research by a skeptical law student to discern that “President’s Day” was actually initiated by former President Bill Clinton during his tenure.
We are a gullible group! We are also prone to making quick judgments, lying, and believing the fabrications of others. At best, we often operate with less than half of the facts and make our decisions accordingly. So is it any wonder that we often find ourselves being falsely accused or judged by others? A reporter asked President Obama, “Does it disturb you that so many people hate you?” The President replied, “The people who dislike you don't know you. What they hate is whatever funhouse mirror image of you that's out there. And they don't know you. And so, you don't take it personally.”
But most of us do take it personally. We are hurt – sometimes deeply – by the slings and arrows of others… the misunderstandings and judgments… the personal attacks (even if delivered behind our backs). And nobody is immune… from school-age nicknames to disgruntled co-workers to false assumptions about sporting and political opponents and more. It’s a pretty sure bet you have felt the disdain, misunderstandings, or ungrateful attitude of someone at some point in your life.
So what are we to do? The answer comes in the last few lines of this passage. We are to keep on doing what we know is right. We are to keep on loving and serving and behaving well… to take the high road and hold our shoulders back and our chin out. We are to honor our faith in God… and leave the rest to Him. Because He will defend us. He will defeat our enemies and make things right. Never forget this!
When you are hurt and disappointed… when you are wrongly accused or judged… when you are talked about and treated thanklessly… remember WHO is in charge. The only One you have to worry about – the only One to whom you have to answer – is Almighty God. He will get to the bottom of things and set things right for you. It may seem a long time coming, but it will happen. So hang in there! Be who God has called you to be, and trust Him to fight on your behalf. And one other thing… remember to give God praise and glory for loving you so well. Give Him a shout out and the credit He is due!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 22, 2011
Mark 4:24-25
Listen carefully to what you hear! The way you treat others will be the way you will be treated--and even worse. Everyone who has something will be given more. But people who don't have anything will lose what little they have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook recently: “To get what you want, help others get what they want first.” A few days later, I was reading Joel Osteen’s book, Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You*, and I read this… “If you want your life to increase, if you want your life to get better, then you need to help improve somebody else’s life. If you will help somebody else become successful, God will make sure that you are successful.”
You may be wondering… “What do I have to give? I’m just a kid… I’m broke…I’m old… I’m disabled or handicapped in some way… I’m busy… I’m shy… I’m unattractive… I need help myself!” The truth is, you are a precious child of the Most High God, and as the saying goes, “God don’t make junk!” You have something to offer to someone that he/she desperately needs! It may be a smile… a kind word…your compassion and forgiveness. It may be a word of encouragement or a helping hand with something you see as insignificant.
I still remember an experience with my dear friend Betty Ray, who now rests with Jesus. She told me once that a hug I gave her in line for Holy Communion one Sunday had been just what she needed at that moment – it made her day! The hug did not cost me anything… and honestly, it was a spontaneous gesture rather than an intentional one. But so many things we can offer to others are just that – free, spontaneous, heartfelt gestures that could make all the difference.
We need to start operating in positives. Instead of finding fault with others… we need to look for good things… and actually encourage them. Remind yourself often that “the other guy” is just as precious to God as you are… no different whatsoever! What God does for you, He wants to do for that person, and vice versa. Don’t miss out on God’s blessings for either of you. Don’t stand in the way of your own portion by failing to give to others.
Start looking for ways to bless others in Jesus’ name. Get so comfortable doing this that it becomes second nature. Don’t do this simply so that you get more blessings from God, but because His blessings are more than enough to go around, and you want others to enjoy what you have. Share the wealth, and watch God’s blessings multiply – in your life and the lives of others.
©2011 Debbie Robus
*©2008 Joel Osteen - Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You - Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Listen carefully to what you hear! The way you treat others will be the way you will be treated--and even worse. Everyone who has something will be given more. But people who don't have anything will lose what little they have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook recently: “To get what you want, help others get what they want first.” A few days later, I was reading Joel Osteen’s book, Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You*, and I read this… “If you want your life to increase, if you want your life to get better, then you need to help improve somebody else’s life. If you will help somebody else become successful, God will make sure that you are successful.”
You may be wondering… “What do I have to give? I’m just a kid… I’m broke…I’m old… I’m disabled or handicapped in some way… I’m busy… I’m shy… I’m unattractive… I need help myself!” The truth is, you are a precious child of the Most High God, and as the saying goes, “God don’t make junk!” You have something to offer to someone that he/she desperately needs! It may be a smile… a kind word…your compassion and forgiveness. It may be a word of encouragement or a helping hand with something you see as insignificant.
I still remember an experience with my dear friend Betty Ray, who now rests with Jesus. She told me once that a hug I gave her in line for Holy Communion one Sunday had been just what she needed at that moment – it made her day! The hug did not cost me anything… and honestly, it was a spontaneous gesture rather than an intentional one. But so many things we can offer to others are just that – free, spontaneous, heartfelt gestures that could make all the difference.
We need to start operating in positives. Instead of finding fault with others… we need to look for good things… and actually encourage them. Remind yourself often that “the other guy” is just as precious to God as you are… no different whatsoever! What God does for you, He wants to do for that person, and vice versa. Don’t miss out on God’s blessings for either of you. Don’t stand in the way of your own portion by failing to give to others.
Start looking for ways to bless others in Jesus’ name. Get so comfortable doing this that it becomes second nature. Don’t do this simply so that you get more blessings from God, but because His blessings are more than enough to go around, and you want others to enjoy what you have. Share the wealth, and watch God’s blessings multiply – in your life and the lives of others.
©2011 Debbie Robus
*©2008 Joel Osteen - Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You - Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Daily Devotional for February 21, 2011
Psalm 34:12-27
Do you want to live and enjoy a long life? Then don't say cruel things and don't tell lies. Do good instead of evil and try to live at peace. If you obey the LORD, he will watch over you and answer your prayers. But God despises evil people, and he will wipe them all from the earth, till they are forgotten. When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles.
The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope. The LORD's people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through. Not one of their bones will ever be broken. Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished. The LORD saves the lives of his servants. Run to him for protection, and you won't be punished.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You don’t have to look very far to find someone who is hurting these days. I read a post last week on Facebook from a mom whose teenage daughter was crushed because she felt she had been wrongly accused of something. I know how that feels… do you? We see reports on the news of people who have spent years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit, only to be proved innocent by DNA tests or other newly introduced evidence. And miraculously, in some instances, those victims are sometimes able to forgive their accusers.
We’ve seen reports of those who were able to forgive a drunk driver who killed their loved one. Just last week, I saw a television interview with Janet Jackson in which she acknowledged that her father beat her when she was a child… but she said, “I know he loves me in his own way.”
Forgiveness is a powerful, powerful thing. Grace and mercy are incredibly cleansing and healing. We can be mad and bitter toward others for a lot of things, from lousy childhoods to being wrongly accused or false assumptions to being mad at God because a loved one suffered and/or died. And all of these things may cause us to say cruel things… to lie and lash out at others… or at the very least, to live a life that is robbed of happiness and peace.
We do have an option. We can “cast all our cares” upon the Lord. We can run to God and ask Him for protection. We can ask Him to heal us and give us hope… to fight our battles for us… to fill in the gaps with grace and mercy where we feel we have none – for ourselves or toward others. Read this verse again: “Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished.”
I don’t believe most of us set out to intentionally be wicked, but let’s face it… in some way, we all are at one time or another. Let’s ask God to forgive us… give Him our struggles and our hurts and let HIM handle them for us. Let’s make today the day we start to live in the hope of God and trust Him to rescue us and set us on course for a long and happy life in Him. I’m in… are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Do you want to live and enjoy a long life? Then don't say cruel things and don't tell lies. Do good instead of evil and try to live at peace. If you obey the LORD, he will watch over you and answer your prayers. But God despises evil people, and he will wipe them all from the earth, till they are forgotten. When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles.
The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope. The LORD's people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through. Not one of their bones will ever be broken. Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished. The LORD saves the lives of his servants. Run to him for protection, and you won't be punished.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You don’t have to look very far to find someone who is hurting these days. I read a post last week on Facebook from a mom whose teenage daughter was crushed because she felt she had been wrongly accused of something. I know how that feels… do you? We see reports on the news of people who have spent years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit, only to be proved innocent by DNA tests or other newly introduced evidence. And miraculously, in some instances, those victims are sometimes able to forgive their accusers.
We’ve seen reports of those who were able to forgive a drunk driver who killed their loved one. Just last week, I saw a television interview with Janet Jackson in which she acknowledged that her father beat her when she was a child… but she said, “I know he loves me in his own way.”
Forgiveness is a powerful, powerful thing. Grace and mercy are incredibly cleansing and healing. We can be mad and bitter toward others for a lot of things, from lousy childhoods to being wrongly accused or false assumptions to being mad at God because a loved one suffered and/or died. And all of these things may cause us to say cruel things… to lie and lash out at others… or at the very least, to live a life that is robbed of happiness and peace.
We do have an option. We can “cast all our cares” upon the Lord. We can run to God and ask Him for protection. We can ask Him to heal us and give us hope… to fight our battles for us… to fill in the gaps with grace and mercy where we feel we have none – for ourselves or toward others. Read this verse again: “Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished.”
I don’t believe most of us set out to intentionally be wicked, but let’s face it… in some way, we all are at one time or another. Let’s ask God to forgive us… give Him our struggles and our hurts and let HIM handle them for us. Let’s make today the day we start to live in the hope of God and trust Him to rescue us and set us on course for a long and happy life in Him. I’m in… are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 20, 2011
Psalm 34:1-11
I will always praise the LORD. With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.
If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On the 2011 Grammy Awards show, several well-known singers honored Aretha Franklin by singing some of her hits, including R-E-S-P-E-C-T. In a pre-Super Bowl interview with President Barack Obama, Bill O’Reilly repeatedly asked the President a question, then began to talk over him. On a recent episode of ABC’s The View, hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck were both talking about a topic, and Hasselbeck rudely said, “I’m talking” in an attempt to quiet Behar and grab the floor. I had a frustrating experience with someone who began talking as soon as she saw me or heard my voice on the phone, and she would not stop long enough for me to ask a question or answer hers.
In the interviews and my own experience, there was a clear lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T – respect! My 7th-grade science class teacher, Coach Isaac Witt, said repeatedly, “When your mouth is open, your ears are closed.” He was right! And as often as we disrespect one another, it pales in comparison to how much we disrespect our Heavenly Father. This Psalm outlines how important it is to honor (respect) God. The results are astounding… we will never starve or go hungry… He saves us from our fears and protects us from all of our troubles… we shine like the sun and never need to be ashamed… we are His special people and will never miss out on anything good.
Stop and think about your relationship with God. If you are really honest, I am willing to bet that you will find you “talk over” Him all the time. He starts to guide you, give you wisdom and good advice, and you effectively plug your fingers into your ears and start singing, “La-la-la-la-la!” I’m not saying we do this intentionally, but let’s get real… we all do it.
We need to offer God our utmost R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He does so much for us… His rewards are immeasurable. But more importantly, He deserves our honor and respect for loving and blessing us, undeserving as we all are. Take some time to listen to God. Find out what He is trying to say to you… give Him a chance to take the floor, and never ever tell Him, “I’m talking!” Praise Him with all your heart… and be forever glad for His love and blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
I will always praise the LORD. With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.
If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On the 2011 Grammy Awards show, several well-known singers honored Aretha Franklin by singing some of her hits, including R-E-S-P-E-C-T. In a pre-Super Bowl interview with President Barack Obama, Bill O’Reilly repeatedly asked the President a question, then began to talk over him. On a recent episode of ABC’s The View, hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck were both talking about a topic, and Hasselbeck rudely said, “I’m talking” in an attempt to quiet Behar and grab the floor. I had a frustrating experience with someone who began talking as soon as she saw me or heard my voice on the phone, and she would not stop long enough for me to ask a question or answer hers.
In the interviews and my own experience, there was a clear lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T – respect! My 7th-grade science class teacher, Coach Isaac Witt, said repeatedly, “When your mouth is open, your ears are closed.” He was right! And as often as we disrespect one another, it pales in comparison to how much we disrespect our Heavenly Father. This Psalm outlines how important it is to honor (respect) God. The results are astounding… we will never starve or go hungry… He saves us from our fears and protects us from all of our troubles… we shine like the sun and never need to be ashamed… we are His special people and will never miss out on anything good.
Stop and think about your relationship with God. If you are really honest, I am willing to bet that you will find you “talk over” Him all the time. He starts to guide you, give you wisdom and good advice, and you effectively plug your fingers into your ears and start singing, “La-la-la-la-la!” I’m not saying we do this intentionally, but let’s get real… we all do it.
We need to offer God our utmost R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He does so much for us… His rewards are immeasurable. But more importantly, He deserves our honor and respect for loving and blessing us, undeserving as we all are. Take some time to listen to God. Find out what He is trying to say to you… give Him a chance to take the floor, and never ever tell Him, “I’m talking!” Praise Him with all your heart… and be forever glad for His love and blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 19, 2011
Matthew 27:18-19; 24-25
Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous. While Pilate was judging the case, his wife sent him a message. It said, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man. I have had nightmares because of him."
Pilate saw that there was nothing he could do and that the people were starting to riot. So he took some water and washed his hands in front of them and said, "I won't have anything to do with killing this man. You are the ones doing it!" Everyone answered, "We and our own families will take the blame for his death!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There often comes a time when we have done all we can do in a particular situation. We see things headed toward disaster… a “train wreck” in the making… and there is no way we can stop this. It’s like telling a toddler repeatedly, “Get down, or you’re going to fall.” Much as it hurts the child… and those who are watching… sometimes the child has to fall to really learn his/her lesson.
Sometimes, as in the case of Pontius Pilate, we see a huge mistake in the making, and rather than speak up and say, “This is wrong,” we merely step aside and “wash our hands” of the situation. In Pilate’s case, things had to happen as they did for God’s plan to be accomplished. But we are often not operating within God’s plan when we do this. We just don’t want to be “the bad guy,” suffer any ridicule or fallout, or get heavily involved in what could be a complicated situation.
How do you know “when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em,” as the song says? The only sure way to know you are making the right choice is to stay in constant communication with God. Be so in tune with His word and His will that you know whether to get involved or “wash your hands” of a particular situation or person. There is a time for both… the key is confidently discerning which is which! Only God can decide… and only when you know that He is behind the choice can you be sure you’ve made the right one.
There are times to step up and speak out… and there are times to step aside and let the chips fall where they may. Will you depend on God’s wisdom in your decision? Or will you be swayed by the people, like Pilate? Life is filled with choices… Who is helping you make yours?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous. While Pilate was judging the case, his wife sent him a message. It said, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man. I have had nightmares because of him."
Pilate saw that there was nothing he could do and that the people were starting to riot. So he took some water and washed his hands in front of them and said, "I won't have anything to do with killing this man. You are the ones doing it!" Everyone answered, "We and our own families will take the blame for his death!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There often comes a time when we have done all we can do in a particular situation. We see things headed toward disaster… a “train wreck” in the making… and there is no way we can stop this. It’s like telling a toddler repeatedly, “Get down, or you’re going to fall.” Much as it hurts the child… and those who are watching… sometimes the child has to fall to really learn his/her lesson.
Sometimes, as in the case of Pontius Pilate, we see a huge mistake in the making, and rather than speak up and say, “This is wrong,” we merely step aside and “wash our hands” of the situation. In Pilate’s case, things had to happen as they did for God’s plan to be accomplished. But we are often not operating within God’s plan when we do this. We just don’t want to be “the bad guy,” suffer any ridicule or fallout, or get heavily involved in what could be a complicated situation.
How do you know “when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em,” as the song says? The only sure way to know you are making the right choice is to stay in constant communication with God. Be so in tune with His word and His will that you know whether to get involved or “wash your hands” of a particular situation or person. There is a time for both… the key is confidently discerning which is which! Only God can decide… and only when you know that He is behind the choice can you be sure you’ve made the right one.
There are times to step up and speak out… and there are times to step aside and let the chips fall where they may. Will you depend on God’s wisdom in your decision? Or will you be swayed by the people, like Pilate? Life is filled with choices… Who is helping you make yours?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 18, 2011
Psalm 31:1-2
Our God, you bless everyone whose sins you forgive and wipe away. You bless them by saying, "You told me your sins, without trying to hide them, and now I forgive you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Someone told me recently about baking a pie, and some of the egg yolk got in the egg whites for the meringue, and they would not beat stiffly. The baker said, “I’ll just cover the pie with frozen whipped topping, and nobody will care.” I was reminded of a time when my grandmother covered dinner rolls she had made for a family dinner with a dish towel atop her gas stove. You guessed it… the towel caught fire when she turned on a burner, and bits of ashy residue baked into the tops of the rolls. She said to me, “Maybe nobody will notice.”
I know that covering meringue on a pie with whipped topping is not a “sin” – nor is scraping ashes off of a pan of hot rolls and hoping nobody will suspect any foul play. But the fact is, we play fast and loose with the truth in situations that really do matter… and often! We pretend our sins are not really sins, and we try to smooth things over with others… and with God… when all the while, the truth would serve us far better.
Look at this passage again… God says, “You told me your sins, without trying to hide them, and now I forgive you.” Let’s face it… God knows what we do and say already. Trying to hide anything from God is impossible and only serves to make us look more foolish. When will we get how much God loves us? When will we understand that He is not waiting with a whip and a chain, ready to beat us into submission? God wants us to be real with Him… to be honest… to do our best, and confess our shortcomings… and there will be plenty!
What are you trying to hide these days? What have you “scraped off” or “covered in whipped topping?” Isn’t it time you came clean with God and basked in His mercy and forgiveness? Get everything out in the open with God… confess your sins to Him… tell Him what He already knows (but wants to hear from you)… and begin to enjoy a new level of His blessings, joy and peace.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Our God, you bless everyone whose sins you forgive and wipe away. You bless them by saying, "You told me your sins, without trying to hide them, and now I forgive you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Someone told me recently about baking a pie, and some of the egg yolk got in the egg whites for the meringue, and they would not beat stiffly. The baker said, “I’ll just cover the pie with frozen whipped topping, and nobody will care.” I was reminded of a time when my grandmother covered dinner rolls she had made for a family dinner with a dish towel atop her gas stove. You guessed it… the towel caught fire when she turned on a burner, and bits of ashy residue baked into the tops of the rolls. She said to me, “Maybe nobody will notice.”
I know that covering meringue on a pie with whipped topping is not a “sin” – nor is scraping ashes off of a pan of hot rolls and hoping nobody will suspect any foul play. But the fact is, we play fast and loose with the truth in situations that really do matter… and often! We pretend our sins are not really sins, and we try to smooth things over with others… and with God… when all the while, the truth would serve us far better.
Look at this passage again… God says, “You told me your sins, without trying to hide them, and now I forgive you.” Let’s face it… God knows what we do and say already. Trying to hide anything from God is impossible and only serves to make us look more foolish. When will we get how much God loves us? When will we understand that He is not waiting with a whip and a chain, ready to beat us into submission? God wants us to be real with Him… to be honest… to do our best, and confess our shortcomings… and there will be plenty!
What are you trying to hide these days? What have you “scraped off” or “covered in whipped topping?” Isn’t it time you came clean with God and basked in His mercy and forgiveness? Get everything out in the open with God… confess your sins to Him… tell Him what He already knows (but wants to hear from you)… and begin to enjoy a new level of His blessings, joy and peace.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February17, 2011
Exodus 34:29-35
Moses came down from Mount Sinai, carrying the Ten Commandments. His face was shining brightly because the LORD had been speaking to him. But Moses did not know at first that his face was shining. When Aaron and the others looked at Moses, they saw that his face was shining, and they were afraid to go near him. Moses called out for Aaron and the leaders to come to him, and he spoke with them. Then the rest of the people of Israel gathered around Moses, and he gave them the laws that the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.
The face of Moses kept shining, and after he had spoken with the people, he covered his face with a veil. Moses would always remove the veil when he went into the sacred tent to speak with the LORD. And when he came out, he would tell the people everything the LORD had told him to say. They could see that his face was still shining. So after he had spoken with them, he would put the veil back on and leave it on until the next time he went to speak with the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother told me about a woman she met recently in a theater lobby in Wickenburg, Arizona. The lady – Betty – was 102, and Mom said she had a pretty smile – and beautiful teeth. She said you would never guess that Betty was 102, and from what Mom described, the woman practically glowed with “youthfulness” and energy that belied her age. I bet if you stop and think about it, you know someone like Betty… maybe not someone who is 102, but someone who seems to practically radiate light toward whomever they encounter.
If we want to get right to it, as Christians we should all be radiating the light of Christ. Our faces should be shining with His glory. If you read Exodus 33 and 34, you will see that Moses didn’t literally see God’s face. God told Moses that no one could handle the full glory of seeing His face. But Moses heard God’s voice… he knew that God passed by him and shielded Himself from view by hiding Moses in the cleft of a rock. So, if Moses glowed from an inadvertent encounter with God, can’t we?
This comes down to a question of our faith. If we truly believe that God is with us… if we truly feel His presence and “hear” his voice… then our faces should shine with His glory. Others should notice something distinctly special about us… not in a negative way or one that makes us a show-off… but rather, a “presence” about us that reflects our relationship with God. It should be clearly evident to others that we have spent time in communication with our Heavenly Father… and the joy, peace, positive attitude, confidence, hope, faith, compassion, and more that we exhibit to others should be our “glow.”
What about you? Have you had a “close encounter” with God lately? Do you radiate His love, grace and mercy to others in such a way that either you almost need to cover your face with a veil – or others need to put on sunglasses? How bright is your “glow” these days? Is it time you spent a little time in God’s presence for a “recharge?”
©2011 Debbie Robus
Moses came down from Mount Sinai, carrying the Ten Commandments. His face was shining brightly because the LORD had been speaking to him. But Moses did not know at first that his face was shining. When Aaron and the others looked at Moses, they saw that his face was shining, and they were afraid to go near him. Moses called out for Aaron and the leaders to come to him, and he spoke with them. Then the rest of the people of Israel gathered around Moses, and he gave them the laws that the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.
The face of Moses kept shining, and after he had spoken with the people, he covered his face with a veil. Moses would always remove the veil when he went into the sacred tent to speak with the LORD. And when he came out, he would tell the people everything the LORD had told him to say. They could see that his face was still shining. So after he had spoken with them, he would put the veil back on and leave it on until the next time he went to speak with the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother told me about a woman she met recently in a theater lobby in Wickenburg, Arizona. The lady – Betty – was 102, and Mom said she had a pretty smile – and beautiful teeth. She said you would never guess that Betty was 102, and from what Mom described, the woman practically glowed with “youthfulness” and energy that belied her age. I bet if you stop and think about it, you know someone like Betty… maybe not someone who is 102, but someone who seems to practically radiate light toward whomever they encounter.
If we want to get right to it, as Christians we should all be radiating the light of Christ. Our faces should be shining with His glory. If you read Exodus 33 and 34, you will see that Moses didn’t literally see God’s face. God told Moses that no one could handle the full glory of seeing His face. But Moses heard God’s voice… he knew that God passed by him and shielded Himself from view by hiding Moses in the cleft of a rock. So, if Moses glowed from an inadvertent encounter with God, can’t we?
This comes down to a question of our faith. If we truly believe that God is with us… if we truly feel His presence and “hear” his voice… then our faces should shine with His glory. Others should notice something distinctly special about us… not in a negative way or one that makes us a show-off… but rather, a “presence” about us that reflects our relationship with God. It should be clearly evident to others that we have spent time in communication with our Heavenly Father… and the joy, peace, positive attitude, confidence, hope, faith, compassion, and more that we exhibit to others should be our “glow.”
What about you? Have you had a “close encounter” with God lately? Do you radiate His love, grace and mercy to others in such a way that either you almost need to cover your face with a veil – or others need to put on sunglasses? How bright is your “glow” these days? Is it time you spent a little time in God’s presence for a “recharge?”
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 16, 2011
Exodus 34:5-9
The LORD God came down in a cloud and stood beside Moses there on the mountain. God spoke his holy name, "the LORD." Then he passed in front of Moses and called out, "I am the LORD God. I am merciful and very patient with my people. I show great love, and I can be trusted. I keep my promises to my people forever, but I also punish anyone who sins. When people sin, I punish them and their children, and also their grandchildren and great-grandchildren." Moses quickly bowed down to the ground and worshiped the LORD. He prayed, "LORD, if you really are pleased with me, I pray that you will go with us. It is true that these people are sinful and rebellious, but forgive our sin and let us be your people."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Life is filled with promises. And being human, we often make promises we cannot keep. Oh, sure… our intentions are often good ones… promises to love someone forever, to stop smoking or drinking… promises to pay back loans or keep in touch with someone. But somehow, “life” gets in the way, as we like to say, and the first thing you know, we’ve broken more promises than we’ve kept.
Aren’t you glad you don’t serve a God who is human and frail? Aren’t you glad that our God keeps His promises… and has since the time of Moses? Doesn’t He deserve our utmost loyalty and devotion… immeasurable trust and confidence… our unfailing obedience? And don’t we often promise all of this… then fall short?
Moses’ prayer should be ours… “forgive our sin and let us be your people” – and because of the blood of Jesus, it can be. God does just this, and more. He understands our humanness and does for us what we cannot seem to do for Him… He loves us even when we break promises to Him and others… and He promises to always do this. God shows us great love, and He can be trusted to keep His promises to us forever. How will you treat Him in return?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The LORD God came down in a cloud and stood beside Moses there on the mountain. God spoke his holy name, "the LORD." Then he passed in front of Moses and called out, "I am the LORD God. I am merciful and very patient with my people. I show great love, and I can be trusted. I keep my promises to my people forever, but I also punish anyone who sins. When people sin, I punish them and their children, and also their grandchildren and great-grandchildren." Moses quickly bowed down to the ground and worshiped the LORD. He prayed, "LORD, if you really are pleased with me, I pray that you will go with us. It is true that these people are sinful and rebellious, but forgive our sin and let us be your people."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Life is filled with promises. And being human, we often make promises we cannot keep. Oh, sure… our intentions are often good ones… promises to love someone forever, to stop smoking or drinking… promises to pay back loans or keep in touch with someone. But somehow, “life” gets in the way, as we like to say, and the first thing you know, we’ve broken more promises than we’ve kept.
Aren’t you glad you don’t serve a God who is human and frail? Aren’t you glad that our God keeps His promises… and has since the time of Moses? Doesn’t He deserve our utmost loyalty and devotion… immeasurable trust and confidence… our unfailing obedience? And don’t we often promise all of this… then fall short?
Moses’ prayer should be ours… “forgive our sin and let us be your people” – and because of the blood of Jesus, it can be. God does just this, and more. He understands our humanness and does for us what we cannot seem to do for Him… He loves us even when we break promises to Him and others… and He promises to always do this. God shows us great love, and He can be trusted to keep His promises to us forever. How will you treat Him in return?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 15, 2011
Matthew 11:29-30
Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone. For some, I’m sure this is a great relief. Not everyone enjoys Valentine’s Day. Movies have been made about it… there are “I Hate Valentine’s” parties, and more. I’ll admit, Valentine’s Day is not my favorite holiday… and not because I have no one with whom to share it.
As a teenager, I remember the contrast of how it felt to have a special someone to give you a Valentine’s gift – and how it felt when others got them and you didn’t have anyone. When my grandfather died… and again when my father-in-law passed… I felt badly on Valentine’s Day for my grandmother and mother-in-law. My grandfather was not one to send cards, candy and such, but he had his way of showing love for his Valentine. My father-in-law was the card and candy type of guy, and I am sure my mother-in-law received both on many Valentine’s Days.
The year before my dad died, he was very sick and unable to shop for anything for my mom. But he wanted to remember his Valentine. He asked me to “get something for Momma” for Valentine’s Day. I don’t remember everything I got her, but I do remember a book I found that contained copies of love letters that famous people had written throughout history. My mother is a writer and a lover of old books and history. This was perfect for her. I showed it to my dad, and he approved. It’s probably not something he would have chosen if he had done the shopping, but the whole idea was more about the gesture than the gift itself at this point.
You may be thinking, “This devo is really sad,” and in some ways, it is. But I’m telling you all of this to make a point. Not everyone has a “significant other” or even a grandma or great-aunt or uncle or friend to share a Valentine gift with them. But we all have Someone who loves us more than we can imagine, and HE can comfort us even on our saddest, loneliest day. Jesus was the Ultimate Valentine. He died on the cross for us long before we were ever even born… and He loves us more than anyone else ever can or will.
When we are lonely… when we have nobody on Valentine’s Day, the day after, or any other day… we still have Jesus, and nobody else truly matters. Jesus is more than enough. His yoke – what He asks of us – is easy compared to everything else. He will carry our burdens, sorrows and sadness. He will give us peace and joy in return. There may be a bump in the road once in awhile… and Valentine’s Day may still be a groaner for some… but with Jesus, everybody gets a Valentine… the very best One of all.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone. For some, I’m sure this is a great relief. Not everyone enjoys Valentine’s Day. Movies have been made about it… there are “I Hate Valentine’s” parties, and more. I’ll admit, Valentine’s Day is not my favorite holiday… and not because I have no one with whom to share it.
As a teenager, I remember the contrast of how it felt to have a special someone to give you a Valentine’s gift – and how it felt when others got them and you didn’t have anyone. When my grandfather died… and again when my father-in-law passed… I felt badly on Valentine’s Day for my grandmother and mother-in-law. My grandfather was not one to send cards, candy and such, but he had his way of showing love for his Valentine. My father-in-law was the card and candy type of guy, and I am sure my mother-in-law received both on many Valentine’s Days.
The year before my dad died, he was very sick and unable to shop for anything for my mom. But he wanted to remember his Valentine. He asked me to “get something for Momma” for Valentine’s Day. I don’t remember everything I got her, but I do remember a book I found that contained copies of love letters that famous people had written throughout history. My mother is a writer and a lover of old books and history. This was perfect for her. I showed it to my dad, and he approved. It’s probably not something he would have chosen if he had done the shopping, but the whole idea was more about the gesture than the gift itself at this point.
You may be thinking, “This devo is really sad,” and in some ways, it is. But I’m telling you all of this to make a point. Not everyone has a “significant other” or even a grandma or great-aunt or uncle or friend to share a Valentine gift with them. But we all have Someone who loves us more than we can imagine, and HE can comfort us even on our saddest, loneliest day. Jesus was the Ultimate Valentine. He died on the cross for us long before we were ever even born… and He loves us more than anyone else ever can or will.
When we are lonely… when we have nobody on Valentine’s Day, the day after, or any other day… we still have Jesus, and nobody else truly matters. Jesus is more than enough. His yoke – what He asks of us – is easy compared to everything else. He will carry our burdens, sorrows and sadness. He will give us peace and joy in return. There may be a bump in the road once in awhile… and Valentine’s Day may still be a groaner for some… but with Jesus, everybody gets a Valentine… the very best One of all.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 14, 2011
Psalm 30
I will praise you, LORD! You saved me from the grave and kept my enemies from celebrating my death. I prayed to you, LORD God, and you healed me, saving me from death and the grave.
Your faithful people, LORD, will praise you with songs and honor your holy name. Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime. At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate.
I was carefree and thought, "I'll never be shaken!" You, LORD, were my friend, and you made me strong as a mighty mountain. But when you hid your face, I was crushed. I prayed to you, LORD, and in my prayer I said, "What good will it do you if I am in the grave? Once I have turned to dust, how can I praise you or tell how loyal you are? Have pity, LORD! Help!"
You have turned my sorrow into joyful dancing. No longer am I sad and wearing sackcloth. I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises, my LORD and my God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I asked a friend if her three-year-old daughter was excited about Valentine’s Day, and she said her child really didn’t know that this holiday existed. I replied, “Just wait… she will.” When I was teaching kindergarten, Valentine’s Day was almost a bigger deal for the children than Christmas. There is something about getting all of those colorful little cards and candies that delights young children. And even more, perhaps, they enjoy sending their own Valentines… picking out just the right one, painstakingly writing their name on them… and for possibly the first time, expressing love to someone else in a public manner.
If we’re honest, children of all ages enjoy Valentine’s Day. And like any other holiday, Valentine’s Day can get out of hand. Gifts and plans become grander with each year. We hear, “What will you do to top this next year?” And somewhere along the line, the true intent of this holiday becomes lost in the hearts, flowers, candy and more. Jesus commanded us to love one another… and to love others as we love ourselves. Somehow, if He commanded us to do a really bang-up job of this on February 14th, I missed it! Every day is supposed to be like Valentine’s Day if we love with the heart of Christ.
More importantly, we race around sharing our love and appreciation for everyone on the planet… and the One who truly deserves our lavish attention often gets very little, if anything. This Psalm is a tremendous “Valentine” to our Heavenly Father. The verses express how deeply the psalmist loves and appreciates God and all that He has done for us. And this would make a wonderful Valentine for us to pray to God… to read and study as we spend time sitting and thanking Him for loving us so well.
You will probably find this corny, but I like to tell my husband that every day with him is Valentine’s Day for me. I am blessed to have a husband, family and friends who love me so well. I hope I am loving them well in return… but most importantly, I hope I am loving my Heavenly Father well. Truly every day in His presence is Valentine’s Day… and today is a good day for us to start showing – and telling Him - just how much we love Him. We can use Psalm 30 as a starting point… or we can create our own “Valentine” for Him.
How will you express your love to the One who has loved you like no other? He lavishes us with Valentines every single day… what sort of Valentine have you selected for Him?
©2011 Debbie Robus
I will praise you, LORD! You saved me from the grave and kept my enemies from celebrating my death. I prayed to you, LORD God, and you healed me, saving me from death and the grave.
Your faithful people, LORD, will praise you with songs and honor your holy name. Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime. At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate.
I was carefree and thought, "I'll never be shaken!" You, LORD, were my friend, and you made me strong as a mighty mountain. But when you hid your face, I was crushed. I prayed to you, LORD, and in my prayer I said, "What good will it do you if I am in the grave? Once I have turned to dust, how can I praise you or tell how loyal you are? Have pity, LORD! Help!"
You have turned my sorrow into joyful dancing. No longer am I sad and wearing sackcloth. I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises, my LORD and my God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I asked a friend if her three-year-old daughter was excited about Valentine’s Day, and she said her child really didn’t know that this holiday existed. I replied, “Just wait… she will.” When I was teaching kindergarten, Valentine’s Day was almost a bigger deal for the children than Christmas. There is something about getting all of those colorful little cards and candies that delights young children. And even more, perhaps, they enjoy sending their own Valentines… picking out just the right one, painstakingly writing their name on them… and for possibly the first time, expressing love to someone else in a public manner.
If we’re honest, children of all ages enjoy Valentine’s Day. And like any other holiday, Valentine’s Day can get out of hand. Gifts and plans become grander with each year. We hear, “What will you do to top this next year?” And somewhere along the line, the true intent of this holiday becomes lost in the hearts, flowers, candy and more. Jesus commanded us to love one another… and to love others as we love ourselves. Somehow, if He commanded us to do a really bang-up job of this on February 14th, I missed it! Every day is supposed to be like Valentine’s Day if we love with the heart of Christ.
More importantly, we race around sharing our love and appreciation for everyone on the planet… and the One who truly deserves our lavish attention often gets very little, if anything. This Psalm is a tremendous “Valentine” to our Heavenly Father. The verses express how deeply the psalmist loves and appreciates God and all that He has done for us. And this would make a wonderful Valentine for us to pray to God… to read and study as we spend time sitting and thanking Him for loving us so well.
You will probably find this corny, but I like to tell my husband that every day with him is Valentine’s Day for me. I am blessed to have a husband, family and friends who love me so well. I hope I am loving them well in return… but most importantly, I hope I am loving my Heavenly Father well. Truly every day in His presence is Valentine’s Day… and today is a good day for us to start showing – and telling Him - just how much we love Him. We can use Psalm 30 as a starting point… or we can create our own “Valentine” for Him.
How will you express your love to the One who has loved you like no other? He lavishes us with Valentines every single day… what sort of Valentine have you selected for Him?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 13, 2011
Psalm 29:3-9
The voice of the LORD echoes over the oceans.
The glorious LORD God thunders above the roar of the raging sea, and his voice is mighty and marvelous. The voice of the LORD destroys the cedar trees; the LORD shatters cedars on Mount Lebanon. God makes Mount Lebanon skip like a calf and Mount Hermon jump like a wild ox. The voice of the LORD makes lightning flash and the desert tremble. And because of the LORD, the desert near Kadesh shivers and shakes. The voice of the LORD makes deer give birth before their time. Forests are stripped of leaves, and the temple is filled with shouts of praise.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
During our last snowstorm, my husband and I took a long hike. It was snowing hard, and there were several inches of snow already covering the landscape. We hiked Mossy Bluff Trail to the Visitor Center near our house, and as we stood next to the highway, my husband said, “It’s so quiet.” Scarcely a car went by on the slick, snow-packed highway. We walked back home in the silence. But all around us, we could “hear” God.
God’s voice did not thunder in the snowfall… it did not flash and tremble. But God Almighty was evident in every snowflake… the majesty of the rocky crags covered in giant icicles along the trail spoke of His artistry… and His power. The thick powdery snow that covered everything in sight like a massive blanket spoke of God’s protection and care for each of us.
The hungry birds at our backyard feeder reminded us that God watches over even the smallest of His creatures. The snug, warm safety of our house when we returned was proof that God has met all of our needs.
We don’t always “hear” from God with a crash of thunder or a flash of lightning. He doesn’t always speak in shivers and shakes and roaring seas (although I’m pretty sure I heard Him in the gurgling of the water in the creek that ran under a footbridge we crossed on the trail!). The trouble we humans have is that we are not always listening! We fail to recognize God’s voice much of the time… until he has to “shout” to get our attention!
We need to dial back the “white noise” in our lives – the distractions that keep us from hearing from God – and pay closer attention. We need to be looking and listening for God’s voice – whether in the form of a thunderstorm, an earthquake, or even a snowfall. God may speak with great force… but so often, He simply whispers. Will you hear Him? Are you listening closely enough?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The voice of the LORD echoes over the oceans.
The glorious LORD God thunders above the roar of the raging sea, and his voice is mighty and marvelous. The voice of the LORD destroys the cedar trees; the LORD shatters cedars on Mount Lebanon. God makes Mount Lebanon skip like a calf and Mount Hermon jump like a wild ox. The voice of the LORD makes lightning flash and the desert tremble. And because of the LORD, the desert near Kadesh shivers and shakes. The voice of the LORD makes deer give birth before their time. Forests are stripped of leaves, and the temple is filled with shouts of praise.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
During our last snowstorm, my husband and I took a long hike. It was snowing hard, and there were several inches of snow already covering the landscape. We hiked Mossy Bluff Trail to the Visitor Center near our house, and as we stood next to the highway, my husband said, “It’s so quiet.” Scarcely a car went by on the slick, snow-packed highway. We walked back home in the silence. But all around us, we could “hear” God.
God’s voice did not thunder in the snowfall… it did not flash and tremble. But God Almighty was evident in every snowflake… the majesty of the rocky crags covered in giant icicles along the trail spoke of His artistry… and His power. The thick powdery snow that covered everything in sight like a massive blanket spoke of God’s protection and care for each of us.
The hungry birds at our backyard feeder reminded us that God watches over even the smallest of His creatures. The snug, warm safety of our house when we returned was proof that God has met all of our needs.
We don’t always “hear” from God with a crash of thunder or a flash of lightning. He doesn’t always speak in shivers and shakes and roaring seas (although I’m pretty sure I heard Him in the gurgling of the water in the creek that ran under a footbridge we crossed on the trail!). The trouble we humans have is that we are not always listening! We fail to recognize God’s voice much of the time… until he has to “shout” to get our attention!
We need to dial back the “white noise” in our lives – the distractions that keep us from hearing from God – and pay closer attention. We need to be looking and listening for God’s voice – whether in the form of a thunderstorm, an earthquake, or even a snowfall. God may speak with great force… but so often, He simply whispers. Will you hear Him? Are you listening closely enough?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 12, 2011
Matthew 26:36-41
Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, and he said to them, "I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me." Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, don't make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want." He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, "Can't any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won't be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever heard someone discuss a particular situation and say, “All we can do is pray.”? The truth of the matter is… prayer is often all that is needed. We tend to underestimate the power of our prayers… and I include myself when I say that for many of us, our prayer life needs some work! We are like James and John… we let “life” get in the way. We are too tired, too busy, or even too disinterested to make time for communication with God.
Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying we can change the will of God with prayer any more than Jesus could… nor am I saying that God might have changed His mind, had James and John stayed awake and prayed with Jesus. But quite often, we gain more from praying even when we don’t get the outcome we desire. Notice I said it was our desired outcome, not God’s. To pray for God’s will, understanding that it may be different from our own, signifies a complete trust in His plans… and a surrender of our own.
At the same time, we really have no room to complain about any outcome if we didn’t pray at all. Prayer does change things. God hears our prayers. I believe that quite often, what God is really seeking from us in prayer is a total leap of faith and trust in His decision for the outcome. Many times we may feel helpless about things that are happening in our life or the lives of those for whom we care. Sometimes, all we feel we can do is pray. And often, our prayers are, indeed, enough… and all that God requires of us in that particular situation.
Once we begin to understand the power of prayer… and its importance for our lives and the lives of others in our circle… we may find it easier to make time to communicate with God. Sometimes, we don’t fully grasp this power and importance until we actually give prayer a try. Why not see for yourself how God responds to your prayers? Show Him that you trust His will for your life and are ready to seek it. You have nothing to lose… and you might just have everything to gain. Stay for awhile and talk to God… He’s waiting to hear from you!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, and he said to them, "I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me." Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, don't make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want." He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, "Can't any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won't be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever heard someone discuss a particular situation and say, “All we can do is pray.”? The truth of the matter is… prayer is often all that is needed. We tend to underestimate the power of our prayers… and I include myself when I say that for many of us, our prayer life needs some work! We are like James and John… we let “life” get in the way. We are too tired, too busy, or even too disinterested to make time for communication with God.
Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying we can change the will of God with prayer any more than Jesus could… nor am I saying that God might have changed His mind, had James and John stayed awake and prayed with Jesus. But quite often, we gain more from praying even when we don’t get the outcome we desire. Notice I said it was our desired outcome, not God’s. To pray for God’s will, understanding that it may be different from our own, signifies a complete trust in His plans… and a surrender of our own.
At the same time, we really have no room to complain about any outcome if we didn’t pray at all. Prayer does change things. God hears our prayers. I believe that quite often, what God is really seeking from us in prayer is a total leap of faith and trust in His decision for the outcome. Many times we may feel helpless about things that are happening in our life or the lives of those for whom we care. Sometimes, all we feel we can do is pray. And often, our prayers are, indeed, enough… and all that God requires of us in that particular situation.
Once we begin to understand the power of prayer… and its importance for our lives and the lives of others in our circle… we may find it easier to make time to communicate with God. Sometimes, we don’t fully grasp this power and importance until we actually give prayer a try. Why not see for yourself how God responds to your prayers? Show Him that you trust His will for your life and are ready to seek it. You have nothing to lose… and you might just have everything to gain. Stay for awhile and talk to God… He’s waiting to hear from you!
©2011 Debbie Robus
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