2 Chronicles 16:7-9
Just after that, Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said, "Because you went for help to the king of Aram and didn't ask God for help, you've lost a victory over the army of the king of Aram. Didn't the Ethiopians and Libyans come against you with superior forces, completely outclassing you with their chariots and cavalry? But you asked God for help and he gave you the victory. God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God's help. Now you're in trouble—one round of war after another."
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.
Timothy has a book that we must have read a thousand times or more, entitled I Can Do It Myself. The book features Sesame Street characters that tie their own shoes, make their own bed, button their own buttons, and much more. Even though Timothy could not do many of these things himself, he loved reading about his friends like Bert, Ernie, Cookie Monster, Bettie Lou and Elmo who could do many things for themselves and enjoyed exerting their independence.
Learning to do things for themselves marks monumental milestones in the life of a toddler or small child. We want our children to function independently. But I can tell you firsthand that watching your little ones learn to depend less on you for certain things is bittersweet. I liked that Timmy needed me to read bedtime stories to him. I know the day will come all too quickly when he will outgrow this. I liked pushing him in the stroller… and when he began to balk at riding in it, I was a little sad. Even though I’m glad he can walk and run and is growing in his abilities, the day he learned to crawl – then walk – changed the entire game around our house! And as he gets older and “outgrows” us, he will listen less and less to our advice and try more and more to do things his own way… with mixed results.
Imagine how God must feel as He sits and watches us flounder and try to do things on our own that we are in no way equipped to accomplish. Whether we physically voice it or not, we tell Him all the time that “I can do it myself.” And quite often, nothing could be farther from the truth. Then we have the nerve to question why we’re in such a pickle.
Things don’t have to be this way. Your pride is at stake here… but not in the way you imagine. By asking God for His help, acknowledging His will and listening to His answers, you are assuring victory and success. Trying to do things by yourself will result in a wounded pride at best… and the potential for disaster.
Don’t place yourself in a position to fail. Wouldn’t you rather go to God in the beginning than have to crawl to Him later after you’ve made a royal mess of things? God wants to open up and show His strength on our behalf. In order to do this, we have to operate in His kingdom and do His will. Yes, I can do it myself in many instances… but I must let God show me how and when this applies. Do you respect His decisions and guidance… are you really listening?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 20, 2012
Psalm 34:9
Honor the Lord! You are his special people. No one who honors the Lord will ever be in need.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version ©1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Twenty-five years ago, my husband and I launched Workamper News… a business that assists people in finding work while traveling and living in an RV (recreational vehicle). The world of RVing is like a lot of other things – the difference between the level of “need” and the level of “want” is vast. Some RVers are content to travel the country and Workamp, while living in a tent or a pop-up camper. Others would never consider taking a job of any sort and must have a top-of-the-line motorhome or fifth-wheel with granite counter tops, leather upholstery, and all of the latest electronic bells and whistles. You can find wonderful people in both categories – and all of the levels in between.
Some of the Workampers who sold their home and almost all of their belongings to move into a small RV and travel the country are among the happiest people I’ve ever met. They truly enjoy doing a great job for their employer in any situation… from taking tickets at an amusement park to packing orders for shipment at Amazon.com, working in a sugar beet harvest operation in the Midwest or volunteering in a federal or state park or wildlife preserve, or scrubbing shower houses in a campground, and MUCH more. These folks recognize that serving others and doing fair work for fair compensation… then enjoying the area in which they live and all of God’s creations and blessings… is more valuable than owning a lot of “stuff” and feeling “prestigious.”
The problem many of us have is discerning whether we are in “want” or honestly in need. And more than a few of us don’t realize how or when we are truly blessed. We think we have to have lots and lots of “stuff” to be happy. We have to be recognized by our peers as “successful”… and we aspire to be monetarily and materially “rich.” I always look to my grandmother, who lived modestly on an income that would have been a challenge for many of us to stretch each month. Her first payment was always to the church… and somehow, she always had money left over at the end of the month… if only a few dollars. God blessed her – and continues to bless her – by meeting all of her needs. Surely, SHE is one of the richest people I know.
I have seen firsthand how God blesses those who honor Him. I’ve watched God more than meet the needs of those who put Him first and sought to serve Him at every turn. I’ve also watched some pretty “rich” people suffer and struggle because of where they placed God in their list of priorities. And I know a LOT of people who are totally confused about what constitutes true needs and what are mere wants in their lives.
I challenge you to examine your life and discover your true needs. Make sure that you put God first… that everything you do honors Him. See for yourself how this ensures that God will meet your needs…and probably bless you far beyond this measure. Figure out what “needs” you have that are truly more in the “want” category, and ask yourself how critical these really are to you. Are they honestly worth pursuing at the cost of your relationship with God? I am quite certain that when we honor God in all things and put Him first, we will have more than enough of everything else.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Honor the Lord! You are his special people. No one who honors the Lord will ever be in need.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version ©1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Twenty-five years ago, my husband and I launched Workamper News… a business that assists people in finding work while traveling and living in an RV (recreational vehicle). The world of RVing is like a lot of other things – the difference between the level of “need” and the level of “want” is vast. Some RVers are content to travel the country and Workamp, while living in a tent or a pop-up camper. Others would never consider taking a job of any sort and must have a top-of-the-line motorhome or fifth-wheel with granite counter tops, leather upholstery, and all of the latest electronic bells and whistles. You can find wonderful people in both categories – and all of the levels in between.
Some of the Workampers who sold their home and almost all of their belongings to move into a small RV and travel the country are among the happiest people I’ve ever met. They truly enjoy doing a great job for their employer in any situation… from taking tickets at an amusement park to packing orders for shipment at Amazon.com, working in a sugar beet harvest operation in the Midwest or volunteering in a federal or state park or wildlife preserve, or scrubbing shower houses in a campground, and MUCH more. These folks recognize that serving others and doing fair work for fair compensation… then enjoying the area in which they live and all of God’s creations and blessings… is more valuable than owning a lot of “stuff” and feeling “prestigious.”
The problem many of us have is discerning whether we are in “want” or honestly in need. And more than a few of us don’t realize how or when we are truly blessed. We think we have to have lots and lots of “stuff” to be happy. We have to be recognized by our peers as “successful”… and we aspire to be monetarily and materially “rich.” I always look to my grandmother, who lived modestly on an income that would have been a challenge for many of us to stretch each month. Her first payment was always to the church… and somehow, she always had money left over at the end of the month… if only a few dollars. God blessed her – and continues to bless her – by meeting all of her needs. Surely, SHE is one of the richest people I know.
I have seen firsthand how God blesses those who honor Him. I’ve watched God more than meet the needs of those who put Him first and sought to serve Him at every turn. I’ve also watched some pretty “rich” people suffer and struggle because of where they placed God in their list of priorities. And I know a LOT of people who are totally confused about what constitutes true needs and what are mere wants in their lives.
I challenge you to examine your life and discover your true needs. Make sure that you put God first… that everything you do honors Him. See for yourself how this ensures that God will meet your needs…and probably bless you far beyond this measure. Figure out what “needs” you have that are truly more in the “want” category, and ask yourself how critical these really are to you. Are they honestly worth pursuing at the cost of your relationship with God? I am quite certain that when we honor God in all things and put Him first, we will have more than enough of everything else.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 19, 2012
Hebrews 3:15-19
For who were the people who turned a deaf ear? Weren't they the very ones Moses led out of Egypt? And who was God provoked with for forty years? Wasn't it those who turned a deaf ear and ended up corpses in the wilderness? And when he swore that they'd never get where they were going, wasn't he talking to the ones who turned a deaf ear? They never got there because they never listened, never believed.
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.
Have you ever tried to tell give a person advice – or directions – or you tried to show someone how to do a particular task… and the whole time, you knew they were not listening? In the end, all you could do was stand by and watch this person go the wrong way… or make a poor choice… or royally botch whatever he/she was trying to accomplish.
Imagine how this feels for God… because we do these same things to Him all the time! He has shown us the way. He has given us His word, His Holy Spirit, fellow believers to minister and encourage us, and much more… and still we tune it all out and try to do things on our own. God has given us the beauty of His creation, yet we doubt His existence. He has blessed us immeasurably, still we gripe and complain and have some pretty big pity parties!
We are our own worst enemy (with the devil’s help, of course). We block hearing from God… and in doing so, we block His blessings – and for some, salvation and the promise of an eternity spent in Heaven. We make the same mistakes over and again… then wonder why nothing ever works out for us like we had hoped.
The secret of success is hearing from God. I don’t necessarily mean success in a financial or material manner… although not listening to God could block these, also. I am talking about the success that comes from finding the joy, peace, hope and encouragement that God stands ready to give us… the life-altering health and wealth of living in the abundance of His blessings. We can all still enjoy this! All it takes is a shift of attitude… a willingness to pay attention, seek God’s word and will, and truly LISTEN to what He is telling us.
God’s word blesses us… empowers us… allows us to excel in all things. Don’t you want that for yourself? Won’t you stop, look and listen… and learn what God has in store for you in the days to come?
©2012 Debbie Robus
For who were the people who turned a deaf ear? Weren't they the very ones Moses led out of Egypt? And who was God provoked with for forty years? Wasn't it those who turned a deaf ear and ended up corpses in the wilderness? And when he swore that they'd never get where they were going, wasn't he talking to the ones who turned a deaf ear? They never got there because they never listened, never believed.
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.
Have you ever tried to tell give a person advice – or directions – or you tried to show someone how to do a particular task… and the whole time, you knew they were not listening? In the end, all you could do was stand by and watch this person go the wrong way… or make a poor choice… or royally botch whatever he/she was trying to accomplish.
Imagine how this feels for God… because we do these same things to Him all the time! He has shown us the way. He has given us His word, His Holy Spirit, fellow believers to minister and encourage us, and much more… and still we tune it all out and try to do things on our own. God has given us the beauty of His creation, yet we doubt His existence. He has blessed us immeasurably, still we gripe and complain and have some pretty big pity parties!
We are our own worst enemy (with the devil’s help, of course). We block hearing from God… and in doing so, we block His blessings – and for some, salvation and the promise of an eternity spent in Heaven. We make the same mistakes over and again… then wonder why nothing ever works out for us like we had hoped.
The secret of success is hearing from God. I don’t necessarily mean success in a financial or material manner… although not listening to God could block these, also. I am talking about the success that comes from finding the joy, peace, hope and encouragement that God stands ready to give us… the life-altering health and wealth of living in the abundance of His blessings. We can all still enjoy this! All it takes is a shift of attitude… a willingness to pay attention, seek God’s word and will, and truly LISTEN to what He is telling us.
God’s word blesses us… empowers us… allows us to excel in all things. Don’t you want that for yourself? Won’t you stop, look and listen… and learn what God has in store for you in the days to come?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 18, 2012
Romans 4:19-25
Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with 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.
In 1988, Reverend Jesse Jackson ended his speech at the Democratic National Convention with these words… “You must not surrender! You may or may not get there but just know that you're qualified! And you hold on, and hold out! We must never surrender!! America will get better and better. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive! Keep hope alive! On tomorrow night and beyond, keep hope alive!”
This is Paul’s message to the Romans – and to us! Because of the blood of Jesus and the grace and mercy of Almighty God, we are “qualified.” We must hold on – and hold out – and never surrender. When the devil tries to tell you that you will never be healthy…thin and fit…financially secure…in a committed, loving relationship…living in a decent home… working at a good job so that you can afford to feed your family… passing your classes to graduate or stay in college… or whatever it is you feel you cannot accomplish…keep hope alive. When “the world” tells you that things are bleak and impossible, remind yourself that God has promised that all things are possible when He is in charge.
Remember, you must have the necessary tools to be able to speak and hear God’s language… and the primary tool you need is God’s word – which leads to hearing His voice. Read the scriptures. Pour out your heart to God and tell Him your needs and desires… hear His answers and promises as He leads you to specific verses and passages – and shows you His will for your life in all sorts of ways. Stay awake and alert, so that you don’t miss His messages… and never forget that the God who brought Jesus to life in what appeared to be impossible circumstances stands ready to set us upright, also.
Never underestimate the power of God to work in and through you. With God, all things are possible. Our job is to keep His hope alive!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with 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.
In 1988, Reverend Jesse Jackson ended his speech at the Democratic National Convention with these words… “You must not surrender! You may or may not get there but just know that you're qualified! And you hold on, and hold out! We must never surrender!! America will get better and better. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive! Keep hope alive! On tomorrow night and beyond, keep hope alive!”
This is Paul’s message to the Romans – and to us! Because of the blood of Jesus and the grace and mercy of Almighty God, we are “qualified.” We must hold on – and hold out – and never surrender. When the devil tries to tell you that you will never be healthy…thin and fit…financially secure…in a committed, loving relationship…living in a decent home… working at a good job so that you can afford to feed your family… passing your classes to graduate or stay in college… or whatever it is you feel you cannot accomplish…keep hope alive. When “the world” tells you that things are bleak and impossible, remind yourself that God has promised that all things are possible when He is in charge.
Remember, you must have the necessary tools to be able to speak and hear God’s language… and the primary tool you need is God’s word – which leads to hearing His voice. Read the scriptures. Pour out your heart to God and tell Him your needs and desires… hear His answers and promises as He leads you to specific verses and passages – and shows you His will for your life in all sorts of ways. Stay awake and alert, so that you don’t miss His messages… and never forget that the God who brought Jesus to life in what appeared to be impossible circumstances stands ready to set us upright, also.
Never underestimate the power of God to work in and through you. With God, all things are possible. Our job is to keep His hope alive!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 17, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for 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.
You know me… I was watching a reality TV show… “Celebrity Apprentice”… and one of the “celebrities” was arguing her point before Donald Trump. As a fellow contestant passionately interjected, “Every sentence out of her mouth begins with ‘I’.” She is not a team player in the least. In fact, there are quite a few contestants on this season of “Celebrity Apprentice” who begin their sentences with “I” and want to take control – and credit – for everything their team accomplishes. The strange thing is that these “celebrities” are playing to earn money for charities throughout the world. And they will say, “This is for my charity” or “I’m fighting for my charity.” What they say and how they behave make two entirely different statements.
As Christians, we are “playing for a cause,” too… furthering God’s kingdom. Or at least, we are supposed to be working on God’s behalf. In truth, many “Christians” are doing little more than tooting their own horn… saying to the world, “Look at me! Look at me! I’m so wonderful! I’m so smart and talented! Don’t you love how I sing, speak or play an instrument – or perform on the field or the court (for God, of course!)? Didn’t you like what I had to say? Aren’t you impressed with how hard I work and all the things I’ve bought and how much of my earnings I’ve given away to the needy? Do you see all of the wonderful things I do for so many?”
Some of us act as if people are blessed merely to be in our presence! But nothing could be further from the truth! God doesn’t want “horn tooters.” He would rather use the humble homeless bum than the “Celebrity Apprentice” with an attitude. Where do you fit into this group? Are you one of God’s “nobodies” – and proud of it? Or are you constantly trying to be a “somebody”… to be recognized for your service and devotion and what a “good Christian” you are?
God is calling us to be HIS “nobodies” and humble ourselves before Him. We must recognize that He has made us who and what we are – we did not get here on our own merits. By the blood of Jesus, we are saved… and by God’s grace, we live another day to share the Good News with those in our path. It is by God’s hand that we “nobodies” become “somebodies”… and He alone deserves the recognition. Where does this leave you today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for 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.
You know me… I was watching a reality TV show… “Celebrity Apprentice”… and one of the “celebrities” was arguing her point before Donald Trump. As a fellow contestant passionately interjected, “Every sentence out of her mouth begins with ‘I’.” She is not a team player in the least. In fact, there are quite a few contestants on this season of “Celebrity Apprentice” who begin their sentences with “I” and want to take control – and credit – for everything their team accomplishes. The strange thing is that these “celebrities” are playing to earn money for charities throughout the world. And they will say, “This is for my charity” or “I’m fighting for my charity.” What they say and how they behave make two entirely different statements.
As Christians, we are “playing for a cause,” too… furthering God’s kingdom. Or at least, we are supposed to be working on God’s behalf. In truth, many “Christians” are doing little more than tooting their own horn… saying to the world, “Look at me! Look at me! I’m so wonderful! I’m so smart and talented! Don’t you love how I sing, speak or play an instrument – or perform on the field or the court (for God, of course!)? Didn’t you like what I had to say? Aren’t you impressed with how hard I work and all the things I’ve bought and how much of my earnings I’ve given away to the needy? Do you see all of the wonderful things I do for so many?”
Some of us act as if people are blessed merely to be in our presence! But nothing could be further from the truth! God doesn’t want “horn tooters.” He would rather use the humble homeless bum than the “Celebrity Apprentice” with an attitude. Where do you fit into this group? Are you one of God’s “nobodies” – and proud of it? Or are you constantly trying to be a “somebody”… to be recognized for your service and devotion and what a “good Christian” you are?
God is calling us to be HIS “nobodies” and humble ourselves before Him. We must recognize that He has made us who and what we are – we did not get here on our own merits. By the blood of Jesus, we are saved… and by God’s grace, we live another day to share the Good News with those in our path. It is by God’s hand that we “nobodies” become “somebodies”… and He alone deserves the recognition. Where does this leave you today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 16, 2012
April 16 ~ Matthew 16:17-18
Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
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.
Even though it’s been almost 26 years since I taught in the public schools, I still maintain a close relationship with several of my former students. I consider it a great blessing to keep up with their lives and accomplishments… to see their growth in so many areas. I’ve also enjoyed keeping up with those who attended my junior and senior high Sunday school classes in more recent years. Seeing them develop as productive citizens, wives, husbands and parents – and grow in their faith – has truly blessed me.
Recently, a former kindergarten student messaged me about the sudden accidental death of someone we both knew…the husband of a former fellow teacher. The man’s son is now a student of MY student, who teaches nursing at Arkansas Tech University. She was at a loss as to how to comfort this young man, and she voiced her frustrations. I offered her reassurance and tried to show her how God was using her to meet this student in ways she could not even imagine… and how He would use this experience to help both of them grow in their profession (and life in general) over time. She replied to thank me and said, “Sometimes I just need a little encouragement.”
After this exchange, I was struck by the thought that “this ole teacher” is still teaching! And then I began to think about former teachers of mine who are still teaching me new things, even today! My dear third-grade teacher, Mrs. Garner, taught me until the week she passed away about making the most of your circumstances. My sweet 2nd-grade Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Gloria Duckworth, helped instill in me a caring and concern for former students by always keeping up with me – and she encourages me even today. My grandmother still teaches me how to bless and care for others, according to your present abilities. And my former students are showing me that teaching – and learning – never ends.
I value all of the “life lessons” I have learned from influential people in my life. But more importantly, I value the lessons I learn every day from my Heavenly Father. God teaches me things that no one else can… He shows me Who He is… and often He does so through these “earthly teachers” and experiences. And what God has shown me is that I can accomplish much for His Kingdom - if I let Him have control. He can use each of us as the foundation rocks to serve as springboards for great work and blessings in His name. In this manner, the Teacher keeps on teaching.
God shows us new things every day. He offers us new insights – and He uses us to help others along the way. But we must be in constant contact with Him, so that we are receptive to His leadership… so that we hear from Him and know exactly what He wants us to do – and how to accomplish it! We must be sure that we are listening – and receiving – God’s message and allowing His Holy Spirit to establish a firm foundation within us for ministering to others.
How firm is your foundation today? Are you receiving the teaching and leadership of God’s Holy Spirit? Are you teaching others in His name? Are you living in such a way that you are one of the “rocks” of God’s church? Today, I encourage you to ask God to show you how – and where – He wants you to show up, teach, and serve in His name. Ask Him to make you one of His rocks… and to use you to build up His church. While you are at it, take a few minutes to thank God for the teachers in your life…all of the people He has used to build YOU up and show you who He truly is. May He bless each and every one of these servants… and may we aspire to follow in their footsteps.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
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.
Even though it’s been almost 26 years since I taught in the public schools, I still maintain a close relationship with several of my former students. I consider it a great blessing to keep up with their lives and accomplishments… to see their growth in so many areas. I’ve also enjoyed keeping up with those who attended my junior and senior high Sunday school classes in more recent years. Seeing them develop as productive citizens, wives, husbands and parents – and grow in their faith – has truly blessed me.
Recently, a former kindergarten student messaged me about the sudden accidental death of someone we both knew…the husband of a former fellow teacher. The man’s son is now a student of MY student, who teaches nursing at Arkansas Tech University. She was at a loss as to how to comfort this young man, and she voiced her frustrations. I offered her reassurance and tried to show her how God was using her to meet this student in ways she could not even imagine… and how He would use this experience to help both of them grow in their profession (and life in general) over time. She replied to thank me and said, “Sometimes I just need a little encouragement.”
After this exchange, I was struck by the thought that “this ole teacher” is still teaching! And then I began to think about former teachers of mine who are still teaching me new things, even today! My dear third-grade teacher, Mrs. Garner, taught me until the week she passed away about making the most of your circumstances. My sweet 2nd-grade Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Gloria Duckworth, helped instill in me a caring and concern for former students by always keeping up with me – and she encourages me even today. My grandmother still teaches me how to bless and care for others, according to your present abilities. And my former students are showing me that teaching – and learning – never ends.
I value all of the “life lessons” I have learned from influential people in my life. But more importantly, I value the lessons I learn every day from my Heavenly Father. God teaches me things that no one else can… He shows me Who He is… and often He does so through these “earthly teachers” and experiences. And what God has shown me is that I can accomplish much for His Kingdom - if I let Him have control. He can use each of us as the foundation rocks to serve as springboards for great work and blessings in His name. In this manner, the Teacher keeps on teaching.
God shows us new things every day. He offers us new insights – and He uses us to help others along the way. But we must be in constant contact with Him, so that we are receptive to His leadership… so that we hear from Him and know exactly what He wants us to do – and how to accomplish it! We must be sure that we are listening – and receiving – God’s message and allowing His Holy Spirit to establish a firm foundation within us for ministering to others.
How firm is your foundation today? Are you receiving the teaching and leadership of God’s Holy Spirit? Are you teaching others in His name? Are you living in such a way that you are one of the “rocks” of God’s church? Today, I encourage you to ask God to show you how – and where – He wants you to show up, teach, and serve in His name. Ask Him to make you one of His rocks… and to use you to build up His church. While you are at it, take a few minutes to thank God for the teachers in your life…all of the people He has used to build YOU up and show you who He truly is. May He bless each and every one of these servants… and may we aspire to follow in their footsteps.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 15, 2012
Luke 11:9-13
"Here's what I'm saying: Ask and you'll get; Seek and you'll find; Knock and the door will open. Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing—you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Yesterday, my husband and I went to an estate auction. My husband’s mother went with us. She is a veteran antiques dealer who has been to countless auctions in her life. There was a treadle sewing machine that she was interested in purchasing. When it comes to bidding at auctions, my mother-in-law is shrewd – and seasoned – and she started the bidding fairly low, hoping to score a real bargain. She bid $10, and some man behind her shouted “$110!” My mother-in-law shot the man a startled look, as the bidding closed and he won the sewing machine. He then asked her, “Just how high were you willing to bid?” She shot back, “Oh… probably $15.” Everyone laughed. The man had jumped the gun – and probably paid far more than he had to for this vintage piece.
The lesson for auction-goers is that you don’t know until you ask… and making an outrageous offer or bidding too high too quickly can be quite costly! You may think the item is worth what you are offering – and that you know better than the other bidders… but you can also get stuck with something you don’t want or pay far too much. It’s better to be specific… and to be patient!
When we ask God for things, we often want to play games, bargain, or jump the gun. We often think we know better than He what is needed… for ourselves and for others. We frequently act as if we have everything figured out on our own and really don’t need the Holy Spirit to intervene. And most of the time, we are terribly impatient… with sometimes disastrous results!
You may be asking why God wants us to be specific and ask Him for what we need – even the presence of His Holy Spirit – when He is supposed to know all of this already. The answer is - humility. God wants us to acknowledge Him as the author and creator of our lives and the daily turn of events. As I told you earlier, God is a gentleman and will not send His Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts uninvited. We must demonstrate a level of faith and trust… a commitment and devotion to Him… and then He will gladly fill us and grant us what we need.
Are you still playing games and bargaining with God? Do you still think you can manage your life on your own terms? Isn’t it time to surrender your ego and bask in the glory and goodness of God and His amazing gifts? Will you keep jumping the gun and making a mess of things… or will you “let go and let God?” Isn’t this a great day for a change?
©2012 Debbie Robus
"Here's what I'm saying: Ask and you'll get; Seek and you'll find; Knock and the door will open. Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing—you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Yesterday, my husband and I went to an estate auction. My husband’s mother went with us. She is a veteran antiques dealer who has been to countless auctions in her life. There was a treadle sewing machine that she was interested in purchasing. When it comes to bidding at auctions, my mother-in-law is shrewd – and seasoned – and she started the bidding fairly low, hoping to score a real bargain. She bid $10, and some man behind her shouted “$110!” My mother-in-law shot the man a startled look, as the bidding closed and he won the sewing machine. He then asked her, “Just how high were you willing to bid?” She shot back, “Oh… probably $15.” Everyone laughed. The man had jumped the gun – and probably paid far more than he had to for this vintage piece.
The lesson for auction-goers is that you don’t know until you ask… and making an outrageous offer or bidding too high too quickly can be quite costly! You may think the item is worth what you are offering – and that you know better than the other bidders… but you can also get stuck with something you don’t want or pay far too much. It’s better to be specific… and to be patient!
When we ask God for things, we often want to play games, bargain, or jump the gun. We often think we know better than He what is needed… for ourselves and for others. We frequently act as if we have everything figured out on our own and really don’t need the Holy Spirit to intervene. And most of the time, we are terribly impatient… with sometimes disastrous results!
You may be asking why God wants us to be specific and ask Him for what we need – even the presence of His Holy Spirit – when He is supposed to know all of this already. The answer is - humility. God wants us to acknowledge Him as the author and creator of our lives and the daily turn of events. As I told you earlier, God is a gentleman and will not send His Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts uninvited. We must demonstrate a level of faith and trust… a commitment and devotion to Him… and then He will gladly fill us and grant us what we need.
Are you still playing games and bargaining with God? Do you still think you can manage your life on your own terms? Isn’t it time to surrender your ego and bask in the glory and goodness of God and His amazing gifts? Will you keep jumping the gun and making a mess of things… or will you “let go and let God?” Isn’t this a great day for a change?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 14, 2012
Acts 17:24-29
"The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?
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.
One night a few years ago, I played a song for some of my friends. It was one I had written… and I was quite pleased with it. No sooner had I finished, than one of these friends came to the piano, slid me over on the bench, and said, “What if you did such-and-such… I think that would be so much better. Just leave off this word and that note and change the tempo a little.” He began to play HIS rendition…”There! he said, “that’s better!” I have to tell you, I was insulted! It’s not that I can’t take criticism… it was more the attitude of the critic. He knew better than I how a song I had created should sound – and what the lyrics should be – and he wasted no time in telling tell me!
Here’s the thing… we do this all the time to God. He made us... created us just like He wants us… planned for our lives and instilled us with His hopes and dreams. But instead of listening to God and seeking His will for our lives, we dare to tell Him, “If I just do this my way… if I tweak Your plans just a little bit here and there… they will be so much better!”
Who do we think we are to try to mold God in OUR image? What makes us think that we can tell our Creator that He needs to adapt to OUR specifications? Are we really so out of tune with God that we think we know better than He what should transpire in our lives?
The time has come for a reality check. We don’t like other people telling us that their way is better than ours… so what makes us think this would ever fly with God? The bigger question is… who do we think we are? It’s time to come down off our high horse and humble ourselves before Almighty God… to bow at His feet and say, “LORD… You are my creator... my constant companion… my very being. Work in and through me according to YOUR plans… not mine.” We did not create God… He created us… and He did so perfectly! The question becomes… who do we worship? Are we acting like God’s perfect creations and worshipping Him – or have we decided we are the ones worthy of worship?
This is a good day to search our hearts and get things in perfect order again… to humbly acknowledge our place in the scheme of things as a disciple of Christ… and to let Him have complete control of the design process. Who is “running your show” these days? In your daily living, Who is truly worshipped?
©2012 Debbie Robus
"The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?
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.
One night a few years ago, I played a song for some of my friends. It was one I had written… and I was quite pleased with it. No sooner had I finished, than one of these friends came to the piano, slid me over on the bench, and said, “What if you did such-and-such… I think that would be so much better. Just leave off this word and that note and change the tempo a little.” He began to play HIS rendition…”There! he said, “that’s better!” I have to tell you, I was insulted! It’s not that I can’t take criticism… it was more the attitude of the critic. He knew better than I how a song I had created should sound – and what the lyrics should be – and he wasted no time in telling tell me!
Here’s the thing… we do this all the time to God. He made us... created us just like He wants us… planned for our lives and instilled us with His hopes and dreams. But instead of listening to God and seeking His will for our lives, we dare to tell Him, “If I just do this my way… if I tweak Your plans just a little bit here and there… they will be so much better!”
Who do we think we are to try to mold God in OUR image? What makes us think that we can tell our Creator that He needs to adapt to OUR specifications? Are we really so out of tune with God that we think we know better than He what should transpire in our lives?
The time has come for a reality check. We don’t like other people telling us that their way is better than ours… so what makes us think this would ever fly with God? The bigger question is… who do we think we are? It’s time to come down off our high horse and humble ourselves before Almighty God… to bow at His feet and say, “LORD… You are my creator... my constant companion… my very being. Work in and through me according to YOUR plans… not mine.” We did not create God… He created us… and He did so perfectly! The question becomes… who do we worship? Are we acting like God’s perfect creations and worshipping Him – or have we decided we are the ones worthy of worship?
This is a good day to search our hearts and get things in perfect order again… to humbly acknowledge our place in the scheme of things as a disciple of Christ… and to let Him have complete control of the design process. Who is “running your show” these days? In your daily living, Who is truly worshipped?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 13, 2012
Isaiah 45:18-21
God, Creator of the heavens - he is, remember, God. Maker of earth - he put it on its foundations, built it from scratch. He didn't go to all that trouble to just leave it empty, nothing in it. He made it to be lived in.
This God says: "I am God, the one and only. I don't just talk to myself or mumble under my breath. I never told Jacob, 'Seek me in emptiness, in dark nothingness.' I am God. I work out in the open, saying what's right, setting things right. So gather around, come on in, all you refugees and castoffs. They don't seem to know much, do they - those who carry around their no-god blocks of wood, praying for help to a dead stick?
So tell me what you think. Look at the evidence. Put your heads together. Make your case. Who told you, and a long time ago, what's going on here? Who made sense of things for you? Wasn't I the one? God? It had to be me. I'm the only God there is - The only God who does things right and knows how to help.
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.
When I packed my grandmother’s things last year to move her into an assisted living facility, I found more than one set of nice pajamas in a dresser drawer. They had never been worn. She was saving them “in case I have to go to the hospital.” In truth, the hospital staff prefers that patients wear the “gowns” they provide – for a variety of reasons. So these beautiful pajamas that had never been worn were in my grandmother’s dresser drawer, where time had taken a toll on the elastic in the pants. Before anyone could wear them, these “brand-spanking-new” pajamas would have to be repaired!
I made a point to sort through all of my grandmother’s clothes and only move her best things… and a handful of older items she simply refused to part with… and I told her she should wear her good things every day and not tuck anything in the back of her closet for a “rainy day.” She has not been entirely happy with this and claims that on some days she is “overdressed,” but she is making an effort to dress well.
Don’t we do this with our life as a Christian? Don’t we often tuck our best into a drawer or the back of our closet… to trot out only if and when we have a special occasion? Don’t we go through life pretty much taking God for granted… calling on Him only in a crisis… and “worshipping” other things – at least to some degree – much of the time? We can blame this on busyness, or admit to laziness, or even self-absorption. But the bottom line is that – for whatever reasons - many of us often neglect our relationship with our One True God and fail to fully live as good stewards of His blessings in the world He created.
I count myself among those who need to renew efforts to “wear the good stuff” every day – to truly give God my best in all things, at all times. Any less belies how important He is in my daily living… and WHO God truly is. Who – or what – have you placed ahead of God these days? What old habits and other “old stuff” have you pulled out of the closet? Isn’t it time for a good old-fashioned spring cleaning? Isn’t this a great time to bring God’s best to the forefront… to “wear” the blessings and His call to service for all to see – and to give Him the glory and recognition He deserves?
©2012 Debbie Robus
God, Creator of the heavens - he is, remember, God. Maker of earth - he put it on its foundations, built it from scratch. He didn't go to all that trouble to just leave it empty, nothing in it. He made it to be lived in.
This God says: "I am God, the one and only. I don't just talk to myself or mumble under my breath. I never told Jacob, 'Seek me in emptiness, in dark nothingness.' I am God. I work out in the open, saying what's right, setting things right. So gather around, come on in, all you refugees and castoffs. They don't seem to know much, do they - those who carry around their no-god blocks of wood, praying for help to a dead stick?
So tell me what you think. Look at the evidence. Put your heads together. Make your case. Who told you, and a long time ago, what's going on here? Who made sense of things for you? Wasn't I the one? God? It had to be me. I'm the only God there is - The only God who does things right and knows how to help.
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.
When I packed my grandmother’s things last year to move her into an assisted living facility, I found more than one set of nice pajamas in a dresser drawer. They had never been worn. She was saving them “in case I have to go to the hospital.” In truth, the hospital staff prefers that patients wear the “gowns” they provide – for a variety of reasons. So these beautiful pajamas that had never been worn were in my grandmother’s dresser drawer, where time had taken a toll on the elastic in the pants. Before anyone could wear them, these “brand-spanking-new” pajamas would have to be repaired!
I made a point to sort through all of my grandmother’s clothes and only move her best things… and a handful of older items she simply refused to part with… and I told her she should wear her good things every day and not tuck anything in the back of her closet for a “rainy day.” She has not been entirely happy with this and claims that on some days she is “overdressed,” but she is making an effort to dress well.
Don’t we do this with our life as a Christian? Don’t we often tuck our best into a drawer or the back of our closet… to trot out only if and when we have a special occasion? Don’t we go through life pretty much taking God for granted… calling on Him only in a crisis… and “worshipping” other things – at least to some degree – much of the time? We can blame this on busyness, or admit to laziness, or even self-absorption. But the bottom line is that – for whatever reasons - many of us often neglect our relationship with our One True God and fail to fully live as good stewards of His blessings in the world He created.
I count myself among those who need to renew efforts to “wear the good stuff” every day – to truly give God my best in all things, at all times. Any less belies how important He is in my daily living… and WHO God truly is. Who – or what – have you placed ahead of God these days? What old habits and other “old stuff” have you pulled out of the closet? Isn’t it time for a good old-fashioned spring cleaning? Isn’t this a great time to bring God’s best to the forefront… to “wear” the blessings and His call to service for all to see – and to give Him the glory and recognition He deserves?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 12, 2012
Isaiah 64:3-4, 8-9
Your fearsome deeds have completely amazed us; even the mountains shake when you come down. You are the only God ever seen or heard of who works miracles for his followers.
You, Lord, are our Father. We are nothing but clay, but you are the potter who molded us. Don’t be so furious or keep our sins in your thoughts forever! Remember that all of us are your people.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the songbook Then Sings My Soul, an account is given of the life of Adelaide A. Pollard, author of the well-known hymn “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” Pollard was apparently healed of diabetes in the early 1900s, through the ministry of a Scottish-born faith healer, John Alexander Dowie. Years later, she sat in a prayer meeting… her heart heavy because she could not raise the necessary funds to travel to Africa as a missionary. Another lady attending the meeting prayed, “It doesn’t matter what you bring into our lives, LORD. Just have your own way with us.”
Pollard had recently read the story of the potter and the clay in Jeremiah 18, where in verse six, God says, “People of Israel, I, the Lord, have power over you, just as a potter has power over clay.” She used this verse and the woman’s prayer as inspiration to create the well-loved hymn. In the verses, she asks repeatedly, “Have Thine own way, LORD! Have Thine own way!” and she reminds God that “Thou art the Potter… I am the clay.” In the third verse she says, “Wounded and weary… help me, I pray! Power, all power, surely is Thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!” And finally, she asks, “Hold o’er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see, Christ only, always… living in me!”
As someone who attends a contemporary worship service most Sundays, I have to tell you that I miss old hymns like this one. I didn’t fully appreciate them when I was young… and I remember thinking this one was particularly mournful… but that had more to do with the tune itself and the tempo than the words themselves. There is something truly beautiful about so many of the old hymns, and this one is no exception. In these verses, we are reminded that God is willing to reward those who step out and spend time with Him. “Hold o’er my being absolute sway,”… then “Touch me and heal me” with your power!... can there be a stronger statement of faith and commitment?
We all get discouraged from time to time… and clearly, Adelaide Pollard did, as well. Even after being healed of a life-altering disease, she still found the need to humble herself before God and ask for a miracle. But the key point here is that God did answer… and eventually, Pollard made it to Africa. However, World War I caused her to move to Scotland – and eventually back to America, where she spoke frequently to groups, ministered to others, and wrote poetry. She was on her way to a speaking engagement in Pennsylvania, when she was stricken with a seizure and later died.
Surely God worked in the life of Adelaide Pollard and “had His own way” with her heart. Clearly she trusted Him to fill her with the Holy Spirit… and to lean on His wisdom and plans for her life. I find it inspiring that examples of faith know no time limit… what worked for a woman in the early 1900s can work for us in 2012 – and beyond. All we have to do is to ask God to “Have Thine own way” and to trust Him to mold us and make us after His own will. If we will sincerely and humbly do this, I truly believe that “we ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” Are you ready to find out for yourself? Will this be the day you truly ask God to “Have Thine own way?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Your fearsome deeds have completely amazed us; even the mountains shake when you come down. You are the only God ever seen or heard of who works miracles for his followers.
You, Lord, are our Father. We are nothing but clay, but you are the potter who molded us. Don’t be so furious or keep our sins in your thoughts forever! Remember that all of us are your people.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the songbook Then Sings My Soul, an account is given of the life of Adelaide A. Pollard, author of the well-known hymn “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” Pollard was apparently healed of diabetes in the early 1900s, through the ministry of a Scottish-born faith healer, John Alexander Dowie. Years later, she sat in a prayer meeting… her heart heavy because she could not raise the necessary funds to travel to Africa as a missionary. Another lady attending the meeting prayed, “It doesn’t matter what you bring into our lives, LORD. Just have your own way with us.”
Pollard had recently read the story of the potter and the clay in Jeremiah 18, where in verse six, God says, “People of Israel, I, the Lord, have power over you, just as a potter has power over clay.” She used this verse and the woman’s prayer as inspiration to create the well-loved hymn. In the verses, she asks repeatedly, “Have Thine own way, LORD! Have Thine own way!” and she reminds God that “Thou art the Potter… I am the clay.” In the third verse she says, “Wounded and weary… help me, I pray! Power, all power, surely is Thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!” And finally, she asks, “Hold o’er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see, Christ only, always… living in me!”
As someone who attends a contemporary worship service most Sundays, I have to tell you that I miss old hymns like this one. I didn’t fully appreciate them when I was young… and I remember thinking this one was particularly mournful… but that had more to do with the tune itself and the tempo than the words themselves. There is something truly beautiful about so many of the old hymns, and this one is no exception. In these verses, we are reminded that God is willing to reward those who step out and spend time with Him. “Hold o’er my being absolute sway,”… then “Touch me and heal me” with your power!... can there be a stronger statement of faith and commitment?
We all get discouraged from time to time… and clearly, Adelaide Pollard did, as well. Even after being healed of a life-altering disease, she still found the need to humble herself before God and ask for a miracle. But the key point here is that God did answer… and eventually, Pollard made it to Africa. However, World War I caused her to move to Scotland – and eventually back to America, where she spoke frequently to groups, ministered to others, and wrote poetry. She was on her way to a speaking engagement in Pennsylvania, when she was stricken with a seizure and later died.
Surely God worked in the life of Adelaide Pollard and “had His own way” with her heart. Clearly she trusted Him to fill her with the Holy Spirit… and to lean on His wisdom and plans for her life. I find it inspiring that examples of faith know no time limit… what worked for a woman in the early 1900s can work for us in 2012 – and beyond. All we have to do is to ask God to “Have Thine own way” and to trust Him to mold us and make us after His own will. If we will sincerely and humbly do this, I truly believe that “we ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” Are you ready to find out for yourself? Will this be the day you truly ask God to “Have Thine own way?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 11, 2012
Ephesians 4:25-32
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Unless you have been under a rock for the last two weeks, you know that we’ve had a scandal brewing in Arkansas involving the head football coach at one of our leading state universities. Bobby Petrino was fired on April 10th… dismissed “with cause”… meaning his $3.86 million annual salary ceases, and he is no longer employed by the state of Arkansas. Any way you slice it, this has been a sad situation for many… and as University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long put it in a press conference after the firing, “… it’s because people’s lives are affected here, and that’s what we sometimes miss.” This is an example of how we are all connected to each other in the body of Christ, and how one person’s lies affects not only others, but themselves.
Even though this would be a good “lesson” in and of itself, I want to focus on another portion of this scripture passage. See, I’ve been frustrated and judgmental of several people lately, if only in my own heart. I’ve deemed more than one person to be self-absorbed and inconsiderate of others’ feelings… “What were they thinking? How could they claim to be a caring, even “Godly” person and treat someone else with such disregard?” I’ve judged people who seemed inattentive to their family members and friends… and people who claim to serve God at every turn but only seem to truly serve themselves. On the surface, it often appears to us as “outsiders” that others are only doing what makes them feel good – and never considering how it affects anyone else.
This brings me to the last portion of this passage… “Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” At the end of the day, we are all selfish and self-centered at times. Each of us has lied and thought of no one but ourselves. We’ve all said things we shouldn’t. And we have all had to bow before Jesus and ask for forgiveness, which has been quickly and freely granted.
So we must offer the same gentleness and sensitivity to those who make a mess of things… if only in our own estimation. We are right to be angry – to a point. I think our disappointment with Coach Petrino is justified. But at the end of the day, he is a child of God as much as you and I… and entitled to the same forgiveness from Jesus as we are (if he asks for it – and I believe he will). Judgment is not our job… but extending to others the forgiveness we have received certainly is!
I was called up short by these last verses. I have to release my anger and frustration toward others and offer them sensitivity, gentleness, and forgiveness – whether they ask me for it or not. Otherwise, the devil will use this negative “energy” to gnaw at me and steal my joy… and I am not willing to compromise this gift! There are at least two things we should take away from the scripture passage today:
©2012 Debbie Robus
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Unless you have been under a rock for the last two weeks, you know that we’ve had a scandal brewing in Arkansas involving the head football coach at one of our leading state universities. Bobby Petrino was fired on April 10th… dismissed “with cause”… meaning his $3.86 million annual salary ceases, and he is no longer employed by the state of Arkansas. Any way you slice it, this has been a sad situation for many… and as University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long put it in a press conference after the firing, “… it’s because people’s lives are affected here, and that’s what we sometimes miss.” This is an example of how we are all connected to each other in the body of Christ, and how one person’s lies affects not only others, but themselves.
Even though this would be a good “lesson” in and of itself, I want to focus on another portion of this scripture passage. See, I’ve been frustrated and judgmental of several people lately, if only in my own heart. I’ve deemed more than one person to be self-absorbed and inconsiderate of others’ feelings… “What were they thinking? How could they claim to be a caring, even “Godly” person and treat someone else with such disregard?” I’ve judged people who seemed inattentive to their family members and friends… and people who claim to serve God at every turn but only seem to truly serve themselves. On the surface, it often appears to us as “outsiders” that others are only doing what makes them feel good – and never considering how it affects anyone else.
This brings me to the last portion of this passage… “Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” At the end of the day, we are all selfish and self-centered at times. Each of us has lied and thought of no one but ourselves. We’ve all said things we shouldn’t. And we have all had to bow before Jesus and ask for forgiveness, which has been quickly and freely granted.
So we must offer the same gentleness and sensitivity to those who make a mess of things… if only in our own estimation. We are right to be angry – to a point. I think our disappointment with Coach Petrino is justified. But at the end of the day, he is a child of God as much as you and I… and entitled to the same forgiveness from Jesus as we are (if he asks for it – and I believe he will). Judgment is not our job… but extending to others the forgiveness we have received certainly is!
I was called up short by these last verses. I have to release my anger and frustration toward others and offer them sensitivity, gentleness, and forgiveness – whether they ask me for it or not. Otherwise, the devil will use this negative “energy” to gnaw at me and steal my joy… and I am not willing to compromise this gift! There are at least two things we should take away from the scripture passage today:
- There is no room for ego in the life of a Christian. The choices and decisions we make affect others. “What about me?” will simply not cut it, if we truly want to live for Jesus. Virtually nothing in this life is totally about you or me.
- We must all realize that we can’t ask Jesus to forgive us… and then continue to judge others. We must operate in humility and an understanding that we are only one prayer for forgiveness away from being in the “hot seat” ourselves.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 10, 2012
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do.
The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can speak with knowledge, but these gifts come from the same Spirit. To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognize when God's Spirit is present. Others can speak different kinds of languages, and still others can tell what these languages mean. But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The last week or so, I’ve been sewing with fabrics in the same color family – a base of black or grey, with hues of deep teal, fuchsia, white, and celadon green. It may sound awful, but it’s really nice fabric. I’ve sewn stripes, “groovy guitars,” zoo animals, various sized circle outlines, mod daisy-like flowers, and polka dots. Now you are probably really thinking I’m nuts! But trust me, all of these fabrics work together in various combinations – with pleasing results!
And that’s the thing… I can combine stripes and guitars or zoo animals… but not stripes and flowers. Zoo animals and guitars don’t work in the same outfit, but they both work great with the stripes or polka dots… and maybe the circles, depending on how I use them. For instance, I made my great-niece Zola a striped dress with a border of guitars… and I made Timothy shorts in both the guitar and stripes fabrics. I made my cousin a sundress in the mod flowers… and her daughter is getting a blouse that has flowers bordered in polka dots!
Each fabric is very different. On the surface, they don’t appear to have much in common. But when I combine them thoughtfully, the end result is something quite surprising and pleasant… and the recipients are blessed by the outcome. All I have to do is stand back, look at the fabrics, and take time to consider how they might work best together… and the ideas begin to flow!
We all have gifts and abilities that may not seem to work well together. But when the Holy Spirit is involved in combining them and orchestrating things, the end result is always a blessing to others – and to God. And often the outcome is quite surprising and pleasant. You may feel you that have no “Spiritual gift,” but I assure you that this is not the case. Maybe you have not opened your heart to the Holy Spirit’s guidance… and maybe He has held your gift in reserve. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman… He will not force Himself upon us. We must invite Him in… and make Him welcome.
Whatever your “Spiritual gifts” may be, it would be such a shame not to receive them – and to use them for God’s glory. I encourage you to step back and look at the “fabrics” of your life and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how they go together. Invite Him to dwell in your heart, and listen for His voice each and every day. Call upon the Holy Spirit to bless you with your Spiritual gifts… and get busy using them. You will be amazed – and delighted – at the outcomes… and so will those who receive a blessing as a result.
©2012 Debbie Robus
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do.
The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can speak with knowledge, but these gifts come from the same Spirit. To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognize when God's Spirit is present. Others can speak different kinds of languages, and still others can tell what these languages mean. But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The last week or so, I’ve been sewing with fabrics in the same color family – a base of black or grey, with hues of deep teal, fuchsia, white, and celadon green. It may sound awful, but it’s really nice fabric. I’ve sewn stripes, “groovy guitars,” zoo animals, various sized circle outlines, mod daisy-like flowers, and polka dots. Now you are probably really thinking I’m nuts! But trust me, all of these fabrics work together in various combinations – with pleasing results!
And that’s the thing… I can combine stripes and guitars or zoo animals… but not stripes and flowers. Zoo animals and guitars don’t work in the same outfit, but they both work great with the stripes or polka dots… and maybe the circles, depending on how I use them. For instance, I made my great-niece Zola a striped dress with a border of guitars… and I made Timothy shorts in both the guitar and stripes fabrics. I made my cousin a sundress in the mod flowers… and her daughter is getting a blouse that has flowers bordered in polka dots!
Each fabric is very different. On the surface, they don’t appear to have much in common. But when I combine them thoughtfully, the end result is something quite surprising and pleasant… and the recipients are blessed by the outcome. All I have to do is stand back, look at the fabrics, and take time to consider how they might work best together… and the ideas begin to flow!
We all have gifts and abilities that may not seem to work well together. But when the Holy Spirit is involved in combining them and orchestrating things, the end result is always a blessing to others – and to God. And often the outcome is quite surprising and pleasant. You may feel you that have no “Spiritual gift,” but I assure you that this is not the case. Maybe you have not opened your heart to the Holy Spirit’s guidance… and maybe He has held your gift in reserve. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman… He will not force Himself upon us. We must invite Him in… and make Him welcome.
Whatever your “Spiritual gifts” may be, it would be such a shame not to receive them – and to use them for God’s glory. I encourage you to step back and look at the “fabrics” of your life and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how they go together. Invite Him to dwell in your heart, and listen for His voice each and every day. Call upon the Holy Spirit to bless you with your Spiritual gifts… and get busy using them. You will be amazed – and delighted – at the outcomes… and so will those who receive a blessing as a result.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 9, 2012
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.
When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I have just finished reading an amazing book…The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls. Supposed to be a true account of the author’s childhood, this harrowing story will leave you frustrated in one moment, angry the next, and even laughing from time to time. I don’t want to spoil the story for you, but let’s just say that this woman and her siblings grew up in a situation of poverty, filth, and neglect that will astound you… and hopefully give you a new perspective on those you meet who appear to be in similar circumstances.
The author and her siblings did all they could to mask the fact that they were dirty, disheveled, and dressed in tatters. Ms. Walls manages to make it to college, and she is arguing in one class about the plight of the homeless. Based on her childhood and the fact that her parents are now homeless by choice, she tries to make the point that things are not always as they seem… and perhaps the homeless sometimes “get the lives they want”. The instructor asks, “What do you know about the lives of the underprivileged? What do you know about the hardships and obstacles that the underclass faces?” In an effort to hide her true identity, the author replies, “You have a point.”
My point is that we all have made up our minds, to a degree, about other people. We have looked at others and made judgments, based on appearance, their behavior, or our own hard-and-fast opinions about certain things. Sometimes, it takes “getting knocked down a peg or two” for us to become empathetic to others’ circumstances. I’m not saying God causes this… but I do believe He allows it. So often, we are full of what we think is good advice for others… until we walk a mile in their shoes. Or we neglect those around us who are in need, because we have not shared their experiences and don’t have a clue what they are feeling… but we have deemed them to be unworthy of our time and attention.
I have shared over and again several instances where I faced something that God saw me through… and then I was able to help someone else with a similar experience. I will tell you that I did not always recognize God’s presence as profoundly as I should have… nor did I clearly see how He could ever use some of my experiences to help others. But I am learning NEVER to question God… or the things that happen in my life. More importantly, I’m learning to continually ask, “What are you showing me, LORD? How will you use this… and me… for your glory?”
If you want to put this in perspective, take a few minutes and make a list of some things that have happened to you throughout the years. Then think back over the events and look at how God stood by you… how He blessed you and cared for you. Maybe He sent someone to encourage or comfort you. Maybe He orchestrated things in amazing perfection, even in the midst of what seemed like an impossible situation. Now think about how you have been able to use those same experiences to help someone in a similar position. Have you “paid it forward?”… or have you missed some opportunities to do this? Have you truly noticed those in your midst who need your assistance?
Paul tells us that suffering for Jesus brings benefits… and opportunities to bless others in His name. Our job is to take advantage of all of these… to make the most out of every experience, with God’s help. As Paul says, when we do this, we are unstoppable… there is no doubt that we are going to make it! Look around… see where God is walking beside you – and giving you valuable experience that you can use for His glory. Don’t be ashamed of your past experiences… use them to encourage and bless others. In the end, Ms. Walls has done exactly this by writing her story. Others will surely gain a different perspective on those who appear less fortunate. I know I did.
What is God calling you to share with others today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.
When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I have just finished reading an amazing book…The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls. Supposed to be a true account of the author’s childhood, this harrowing story will leave you frustrated in one moment, angry the next, and even laughing from time to time. I don’t want to spoil the story for you, but let’s just say that this woman and her siblings grew up in a situation of poverty, filth, and neglect that will astound you… and hopefully give you a new perspective on those you meet who appear to be in similar circumstances.
The author and her siblings did all they could to mask the fact that they were dirty, disheveled, and dressed in tatters. Ms. Walls manages to make it to college, and she is arguing in one class about the plight of the homeless. Based on her childhood and the fact that her parents are now homeless by choice, she tries to make the point that things are not always as they seem… and perhaps the homeless sometimes “get the lives they want”. The instructor asks, “What do you know about the lives of the underprivileged? What do you know about the hardships and obstacles that the underclass faces?” In an effort to hide her true identity, the author replies, “You have a point.”
My point is that we all have made up our minds, to a degree, about other people. We have looked at others and made judgments, based on appearance, their behavior, or our own hard-and-fast opinions about certain things. Sometimes, it takes “getting knocked down a peg or two” for us to become empathetic to others’ circumstances. I’m not saying God causes this… but I do believe He allows it. So often, we are full of what we think is good advice for others… until we walk a mile in their shoes. Or we neglect those around us who are in need, because we have not shared their experiences and don’t have a clue what they are feeling… but we have deemed them to be unworthy of our time and attention.
I have shared over and again several instances where I faced something that God saw me through… and then I was able to help someone else with a similar experience. I will tell you that I did not always recognize God’s presence as profoundly as I should have… nor did I clearly see how He could ever use some of my experiences to help others. But I am learning NEVER to question God… or the things that happen in my life. More importantly, I’m learning to continually ask, “What are you showing me, LORD? How will you use this… and me… for your glory?”
If you want to put this in perspective, take a few minutes and make a list of some things that have happened to you throughout the years. Then think back over the events and look at how God stood by you… how He blessed you and cared for you. Maybe He sent someone to encourage or comfort you. Maybe He orchestrated things in amazing perfection, even in the midst of what seemed like an impossible situation. Now think about how you have been able to use those same experiences to help someone in a similar position. Have you “paid it forward?”… or have you missed some opportunities to do this? Have you truly noticed those in your midst who need your assistance?
Paul tells us that suffering for Jesus brings benefits… and opportunities to bless others in His name. Our job is to take advantage of all of these… to make the most out of every experience, with God’s help. As Paul says, when we do this, we are unstoppable… there is no doubt that we are going to make it! Look around… see where God is walking beside you – and giving you valuable experience that you can use for His glory. Don’t be ashamed of your past experiences… use them to encourage and bless others. In the end, Ms. Walls has done exactly this by writing her story. Others will surely gain a different perspective on those who appear less fortunate. I know I did.
What is God calling you to share with others today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 8, 2012
John 16:4-11
"I didn't tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, 'Where are you going?' Instead, the longer I've talked, the sadder you've become. So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you.
"When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.
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.
When I was in about seven, my dad took a job near Dewitt, Arkansas, working on construction of part of the McClellen-Kerr navigation system on the Arkansas River. He would leave in the wee hours of Monday morning and drive to Dewitt, work all week, and drive home on Friday evening. I truly hated this. The closer it grew to bedtime on Sunday night, the sadder I became. I vividly remember crying one night as my dad sat on the side of my bed and tried to explain to me why he had to go back to Dewitt the next morning. “You want a horse to ride and other things, don’t you?” he asked me. “I have to go to work so we can afford to get these things.” Still, I didn’t want him to go, and I begged him to please stay home.
I didn’t care about horses – or anything else – I just wanted my daddy with us. As a seven-year-old second-grader, I could not grasp the concept that my dad could make so much more money as a welder on the lock and dam system’s construction than he could at many of the jobs in our community. I think I understood this a little better when I was in fifth grade, and for six months we moved to an eastern Oklahoma community so that Daddy could once again work on welding tainter gates at the lock and dam there.
While we lived in Oklahoma, my dad made good money. Nearly every weekend, we traveled to a larger city and shopped, ate out, and got new toys… and my sister and I got new clothes for our Barbies. Still, we were not at home… things were not as they had been, and my siblings and I were not happy. My sister, brother and I failed to see any wisdom in my parents’ choice for my dad to work away from home… or to move us to another state for such work. We did not trust that there was anything to be gained by doing this… and we will never know what might have happened had we continued to follow the jobs.
The disciples were told that Jesus was leaving them… and they were understandably upset. After all, He had just returned to them after His crucifixion and resurrection from the tomb. Any talk of Him leaving again had these followers in a state of despair, if not downright panic! I get that! When we invite Jesus into our heart, the last thing we want to consider is that He might turn around and leave us… right? What we don’t fully understand is the hierarchy of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Father sent Jesus. Jesus glorifies God. The Holy Spirit gives glory to Jesus, who sent Him. Jesus never truly leaves us… His Holy Spirit is the agent of change within us. You speak to Jesus… the Holy Spirit makes things happen. He operates on the inside of you. The Holy Spirit is the giver of wisdom.” He shows us things that God knows. In order to glorify all that Jesus suffered and sacrificed for us, we must allow Him to send His Holy Spirit to live within our heart and make things happen!
My dad was not gone… he was merely working in another location through the week. But in order to have all of the benefits He wanted to provide for us, he had to work remotely. We could call him on the telephone… we could still talk with him… but he had to go away and do his work so that we could gain the things we needed. And so it is with Jesus. He had to go away to do the work… and he uses the Holy Spirit to provide us with what we need.
As a seven-year-old kid, I didn’t care (or at least I said I didn’t) about things… I just wanted my dad with us. As a 54-year-old Christian, I want Jesus with me – all the way… all the time! But I am mature enough to understand that He cannot physically return to earth and walk around with me. The way to have Jesus with me on this earth is through the Holy Spirit. If I do not make room for the Holy Spirit in my life and let Him work on the inside of me, I will never fully experience all that God set out to give me.
So we must understand that inviting Jesus to be LORD of our life is the first step… but then we must make room in our hearts for the Holy Spirit… and do all that we can to make Him feel welcome. So many Christians miss this important step. They see the Holy Spirit (or as some say, the “Holy Ghost”) as something or someone nebulous and scary. Don’t count yourself among them. See the Holy Spirit as a manifestation of Jesus in you… His vehicle to be continually present with us … to supply us with all of the wisdom, compassion, discernment, and authority He wishes to give us in order to serve Him well. Trust Jesus. Believe in Him and accept that His will and plans are perfect – and meant to bless and keep us.
To truly “let go and let God” means to trust Jesus in all things… and to believe that He will never abandon us. Surrender completely, embrace the Holy Spirit and allow the Him to come and dwell in your heart. This is when the “good stuff” starts to happen… are you ready for it?
©2012 Debbie Robus
"I didn't tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, 'Where are you going?' Instead, the longer I've talked, the sadder you've become. So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you.
"When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.
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.
When I was in about seven, my dad took a job near Dewitt, Arkansas, working on construction of part of the McClellen-Kerr navigation system on the Arkansas River. He would leave in the wee hours of Monday morning and drive to Dewitt, work all week, and drive home on Friday evening. I truly hated this. The closer it grew to bedtime on Sunday night, the sadder I became. I vividly remember crying one night as my dad sat on the side of my bed and tried to explain to me why he had to go back to Dewitt the next morning. “You want a horse to ride and other things, don’t you?” he asked me. “I have to go to work so we can afford to get these things.” Still, I didn’t want him to go, and I begged him to please stay home.
I didn’t care about horses – or anything else – I just wanted my daddy with us. As a seven-year-old second-grader, I could not grasp the concept that my dad could make so much more money as a welder on the lock and dam system’s construction than he could at many of the jobs in our community. I think I understood this a little better when I was in fifth grade, and for six months we moved to an eastern Oklahoma community so that Daddy could once again work on welding tainter gates at the lock and dam there.
While we lived in Oklahoma, my dad made good money. Nearly every weekend, we traveled to a larger city and shopped, ate out, and got new toys… and my sister and I got new clothes for our Barbies. Still, we were not at home… things were not as they had been, and my siblings and I were not happy. My sister, brother and I failed to see any wisdom in my parents’ choice for my dad to work away from home… or to move us to another state for such work. We did not trust that there was anything to be gained by doing this… and we will never know what might have happened had we continued to follow the jobs.
The disciples were told that Jesus was leaving them… and they were understandably upset. After all, He had just returned to them after His crucifixion and resurrection from the tomb. Any talk of Him leaving again had these followers in a state of despair, if not downright panic! I get that! When we invite Jesus into our heart, the last thing we want to consider is that He might turn around and leave us… right? What we don’t fully understand is the hierarchy of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Father sent Jesus. Jesus glorifies God. The Holy Spirit gives glory to Jesus, who sent Him. Jesus never truly leaves us… His Holy Spirit is the agent of change within us. You speak to Jesus… the Holy Spirit makes things happen. He operates on the inside of you. The Holy Spirit is the giver of wisdom.” He shows us things that God knows. In order to glorify all that Jesus suffered and sacrificed for us, we must allow Him to send His Holy Spirit to live within our heart and make things happen!
My dad was not gone… he was merely working in another location through the week. But in order to have all of the benefits He wanted to provide for us, he had to work remotely. We could call him on the telephone… we could still talk with him… but he had to go away and do his work so that we could gain the things we needed. And so it is with Jesus. He had to go away to do the work… and he uses the Holy Spirit to provide us with what we need.
As a seven-year-old kid, I didn’t care (or at least I said I didn’t) about things… I just wanted my dad with us. As a 54-year-old Christian, I want Jesus with me – all the way… all the time! But I am mature enough to understand that He cannot physically return to earth and walk around with me. The way to have Jesus with me on this earth is through the Holy Spirit. If I do not make room for the Holy Spirit in my life and let Him work on the inside of me, I will never fully experience all that God set out to give me.
So we must understand that inviting Jesus to be LORD of our life is the first step… but then we must make room in our hearts for the Holy Spirit… and do all that we can to make Him feel welcome. So many Christians miss this important step. They see the Holy Spirit (or as some say, the “Holy Ghost”) as something or someone nebulous and scary. Don’t count yourself among them. See the Holy Spirit as a manifestation of Jesus in you… His vehicle to be continually present with us … to supply us with all of the wisdom, compassion, discernment, and authority He wishes to give us in order to serve Him well. Trust Jesus. Believe in Him and accept that His will and plans are perfect – and meant to bless and keep us.
To truly “let go and let God” means to trust Jesus in all things… and to believe that He will never abandon us. Surrender completely, embrace the Holy Spirit and allow the Him to come and dwell in your heart. This is when the “good stuff” starts to happen… are you ready for it?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 7, 2012
Galatians 2:19-20
What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.
Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.
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.
Our friends’ daughter is getting married soon, and I am part of a group hosting a bridal shower for her. One of my responsibilities was to address the invitations. In doing so, questions came up about the “rules of etiquette” for addressing invitations. For instance, if a mother and daughter who live at the same address are both invited, do you send one invitation or two? (Answer: Proper etiquette dictates that anyone in the household over age 16 get his/her own invitation!) Do you include a return address on the envelope? (Answer: Yes… you include the address of the shower host/hostess.)
With knowledge of the “rules for what is proper” in hand, I addressed the envelopes and mailed the invitations. This was a case where following the rules was not a bad idea… but it was fairly insignificant in the overall scheme of things.
On the other hand, some of the hard, fast rules that Christians like to hold to have very little to do with living for Jesus… and more to do with convention and traditions created by human beings. One example of this is mealtime prayers. I know people who insist on a pre-meal prayer, whether they are at their own dining table or in a crowded restaurant. I grew up in a household where pre-meal prayers happened every day… and I am as grateful as the next person for the food God puts before me. But I have been in crowded restaurants where someone at my table insisted on praying before we eat, and I’ve looked up to see a waiter standing awkwardly, waiting to set down one last dish or to refill drink glasses.
It isn’t as if we simply MUST pray at this particular moment, as much as we are either so bound by the “laws” of our faith – or in some cases, we want to “witness” to others by our prayer. If praying before we eat is truly about communion with God to thank Him, why not stop and take a few seconds to offer a silent blessing, regardless of what others are doing at the table.
By the same token, people have gotten so upset about “taking prayer out of school.” Nobody has taken prayer out of school. Children and adults alike are still free to pray any time they please… just not out loud and forcing everyone else to participate. Matthew 6:5-6 says "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.”
Still others think that all “good Christians” attend church services every Sunday – and some even believe you must return on Sunday night and Wednesday! While attending worship services is a wonderful day to grow and fellowship with other believers, the act of attending a worship service does not necessarily bring you into closer communion with Jesus – much less impress Him while you warm a pew!
The bottom line is that there are times when we need to pay attention to the “laws” and use proper etiquette… and there are times when we need to stop putting on a show and surrender to Jesus. Until we are willing to leave our ego at the door and lay ourselves bare before Him, the real work He wants to do in and through us cannot begin. Today, as we look toward Resurrection Sunday and reflect on the sacrifices Jesus made for us on the cross, I can think of no better time for us to strip down to the nuts and bolts… to set aside all of the barriers, stumbling blocks - and yes, rules - that have prevented us from getting real about Christ and our relationship with Him.
When we stop trying to impress God and please others with our actions and behaviors, we are free to allow Jesus to operate fully within us. When we set aside our ego and the “rules of religion” and focus on Jesus Christ alone, we become more like Him… and fully validate all that He has done on our behalf. And that is when our true relationship with Christ can begin. Where are you in your journey? Are your ego and the “laws of religion” central to your faith? Are you striving to impress God – and others? Or have you truly been crucified with Christ? Does Jesus live in you today? Isn’t this a good time to surrender to Him?
©2012 Debbie Robus
What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.
Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.
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.
Our friends’ daughter is getting married soon, and I am part of a group hosting a bridal shower for her. One of my responsibilities was to address the invitations. In doing so, questions came up about the “rules of etiquette” for addressing invitations. For instance, if a mother and daughter who live at the same address are both invited, do you send one invitation or two? (Answer: Proper etiquette dictates that anyone in the household over age 16 get his/her own invitation!) Do you include a return address on the envelope? (Answer: Yes… you include the address of the shower host/hostess.)
With knowledge of the “rules for what is proper” in hand, I addressed the envelopes and mailed the invitations. This was a case where following the rules was not a bad idea… but it was fairly insignificant in the overall scheme of things.
On the other hand, some of the hard, fast rules that Christians like to hold to have very little to do with living for Jesus… and more to do with convention and traditions created by human beings. One example of this is mealtime prayers. I know people who insist on a pre-meal prayer, whether they are at their own dining table or in a crowded restaurant. I grew up in a household where pre-meal prayers happened every day… and I am as grateful as the next person for the food God puts before me. But I have been in crowded restaurants where someone at my table insisted on praying before we eat, and I’ve looked up to see a waiter standing awkwardly, waiting to set down one last dish or to refill drink glasses.
It isn’t as if we simply MUST pray at this particular moment, as much as we are either so bound by the “laws” of our faith – or in some cases, we want to “witness” to others by our prayer. If praying before we eat is truly about communion with God to thank Him, why not stop and take a few seconds to offer a silent blessing, regardless of what others are doing at the table.
By the same token, people have gotten so upset about “taking prayer out of school.” Nobody has taken prayer out of school. Children and adults alike are still free to pray any time they please… just not out loud and forcing everyone else to participate. Matthew 6:5-6 says "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.”
Still others think that all “good Christians” attend church services every Sunday – and some even believe you must return on Sunday night and Wednesday! While attending worship services is a wonderful day to grow and fellowship with other believers, the act of attending a worship service does not necessarily bring you into closer communion with Jesus – much less impress Him while you warm a pew!
The bottom line is that there are times when we need to pay attention to the “laws” and use proper etiquette… and there are times when we need to stop putting on a show and surrender to Jesus. Until we are willing to leave our ego at the door and lay ourselves bare before Him, the real work He wants to do in and through us cannot begin. Today, as we look toward Resurrection Sunday and reflect on the sacrifices Jesus made for us on the cross, I can think of no better time for us to strip down to the nuts and bolts… to set aside all of the barriers, stumbling blocks - and yes, rules - that have prevented us from getting real about Christ and our relationship with Him.
When we stop trying to impress God and please others with our actions and behaviors, we are free to allow Jesus to operate fully within us. When we set aside our ego and the “rules of religion” and focus on Jesus Christ alone, we become more like Him… and fully validate all that He has done on our behalf. And that is when our true relationship with Christ can begin. Where are you in your journey? Are your ego and the “laws of religion” central to your faith? Are you striving to impress God – and others? Or have you truly been crucified with Christ? Does Jesus live in you today? Isn’t this a good time to surrender to Him?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 6, 2012
Romans 8:15-17 This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!
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.
Lately, I’ve been exchanging messages with a friend from high school who will soon be transferring two foster children in her care back to the home of their mother. She has cared for these children for several months now, and her home has been a loving, stable environment for them… their longest “stability” ever. Naturally, she is dreading the day that they will leave her… for many reasons.
While my husband and I were not fulltime foster parents, we did spend a lot of time with my little nephew, Timothy, during his first 2½ years of life. Saying “Good-bye” to him when he moved to another state last December was truly heartbreaking. I understand on some level what my friend is experiencing… I know the dread of “the day” and the sadness of the actual “good-bye.” I also know that God has never left me… He has given me strength and courage when I sad and defeated. He has enabled me to smile, laugh and find joy… and given me a deeper appreciation for other children. And I am assuring my friend that He will do all of this – and more – for her.
The point of sharing this is not to make you feel sorry for my husband and me… or my friend. It is to show you that God not only shares our pain and heartaches… He shields us and lifts us, also. He never leaves us… and out of our most difficult circumstances, He sets us upright and enables us to ask, “What’s next?” Because of my experience, my friend knows that my words of encouragement are genuine and based in firsthand knowledge. And because of Jesus’ suffering, we can trust that He understands our own – and His comfort comes from a place of true empathy.
There are heartaches, challenges and sufferings of all kinds for each of us. Being a Christian doesn’t insulate us from these experiences… but it does insure us against a terminal suffering. In Psalm 30:5, we read that “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”(KJV) I like how The Message puts it… “The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.” Isn’t this great news? We should be deeply encouraged to know that a “new life in Christ” includes another day with a fresh start and a return of joy and laughter… and that Jesus is with us every step of the way.
Remember two things today: 1) God totally understands everything you are going through… your joys AND your sorrows… the good times AND those that are painful. When you suffer, He suffers with you, and… 2) God will restore your joy. I have no idea what your challenges, or heartaches are… but with God’s help, you WILL get through whatever it is you are suffering or grieving. God will see that you experience “good times” again.
Recognize the presence of Jesus and His Holy Spirit. Thank Him for His company… His grace, mercy, and blessings. Learn from God, and share the comfort you have received with others who have similar needs. Reach out and genuinely say, “I’ve been there… I understand… and you will get through this!” Because Jesus suffered on the cross, He can say, “I know how you feel… I understand what you are going through.” Remember the adage that “people don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” Because I know that Jesus cares, I care what He knows… and I want more of Him each and every day. Don’t you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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.
Lately, I’ve been exchanging messages with a friend from high school who will soon be transferring two foster children in her care back to the home of their mother. She has cared for these children for several months now, and her home has been a loving, stable environment for them… their longest “stability” ever. Naturally, she is dreading the day that they will leave her… for many reasons.
While my husband and I were not fulltime foster parents, we did spend a lot of time with my little nephew, Timothy, during his first 2½ years of life. Saying “Good-bye” to him when he moved to another state last December was truly heartbreaking. I understand on some level what my friend is experiencing… I know the dread of “the day” and the sadness of the actual “good-bye.” I also know that God has never left me… He has given me strength and courage when I sad and defeated. He has enabled me to smile, laugh and find joy… and given me a deeper appreciation for other children. And I am assuring my friend that He will do all of this – and more – for her.
The point of sharing this is not to make you feel sorry for my husband and me… or my friend. It is to show you that God not only shares our pain and heartaches… He shields us and lifts us, also. He never leaves us… and out of our most difficult circumstances, He sets us upright and enables us to ask, “What’s next?” Because of my experience, my friend knows that my words of encouragement are genuine and based in firsthand knowledge. And because of Jesus’ suffering, we can trust that He understands our own – and His comfort comes from a place of true empathy.
There are heartaches, challenges and sufferings of all kinds for each of us. Being a Christian doesn’t insulate us from these experiences… but it does insure us against a terminal suffering. In Psalm 30:5, we read that “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”(KJV) I like how The Message puts it… “The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.” Isn’t this great news? We should be deeply encouraged to know that a “new life in Christ” includes another day with a fresh start and a return of joy and laughter… and that Jesus is with us every step of the way.
Remember two things today: 1) God totally understands everything you are going through… your joys AND your sorrows… the good times AND those that are painful. When you suffer, He suffers with you, and… 2) God will restore your joy. I have no idea what your challenges, or heartaches are… but with God’s help, you WILL get through whatever it is you are suffering or grieving. God will see that you experience “good times” again.
Recognize the presence of Jesus and His Holy Spirit. Thank Him for His company… His grace, mercy, and blessings. Learn from God, and share the comfort you have received with others who have similar needs. Reach out and genuinely say, “I’ve been there… I understand… and you will get through this!” Because Jesus suffered on the cross, He can say, “I know how you feel… I understand what you are going through.” Remember the adage that “people don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” Because I know that Jesus cares, I care what He knows… and I want more of Him each and every day. Don’t you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 5, 2012
April 5 ~ 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care. We're not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we're on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do.
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.
In the 1970s, a comedian named Flip Wilson hosted a variety show on television, which featured several short skits during a one-hour format. One of Wilson’s characters was “Geraldine Jones” (actually Wilson dressed as a woman). Geraldine had a boyfriend named “Killer,” and one of her signature quips was, “The devil made me do it!”… as in “The devil made me buy this dress!” Wilson also made famous the line, “What you see is what you get!” While we like to joke that “the devil made me do it,” the truth is that we are listening to Satan more often than we care to admit!
If we are honest, we have to concede that the suggestions the devil whispers in our ear are frequently the source of our motivation for all sorts of words and actions. On Judgment Day, the excuse that “the devil made me do it,” is not going to pass muster with God! And “what you see is what you get” won’t work with God, either… if what He sees is someone who was motivated by Satan most of the time!
I do not want you to change your motivation to love God and serve Him out of a sense of fear. I operated far too long in fear of God’s retribution, and my relationship with Him suffered as a result. Fear may be a great motivator on some levels, but in the end, you are left with a sense of great burden… and maybe even guilt and shame. However, when we are motivated to love God and serve Him out of a sense of gratitude for all He has done for us, the entire relationship changes.
Operating from a position of love and humility… a desire to do as much as possible for the One who has done incredible, unfathomable things for us… breeds an atmosphere of joy and pride – not in ourselves, but in the great blessings and gifts God bestows. When we are motivated to do something out of deep love or gratitude… or even a desire to bless someone else in some manner… the end result is moving – and often joyful – for everyone concerned. When we operate out of a feeling of obligation or fear, we may achieve a desired result… but will we resent the steps taken to get there?
God wants us to be continually motivated to love and serve out of a deep abiding sense of love and gratitude. He wants us to stop playing games and listening to the devil… and living for Him only out of a fear to live otherwise. When we say “What you see is what you get,” God wants others to see genuine love and our desire to be all that we can be as faith-filled Christians.
Today, as we think of what Jesus sacrificed for us on the cross… as we imagine Him kneeling in the Garden of Gethsemane and humbling Himself before God… let’s ask ourselves, “What motivated Jesus so long ago to die for us? What motivates us today to serve Him in return?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care. We're not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we're on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do.
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.
In the 1970s, a comedian named Flip Wilson hosted a variety show on television, which featured several short skits during a one-hour format. One of Wilson’s characters was “Geraldine Jones” (actually Wilson dressed as a woman). Geraldine had a boyfriend named “Killer,” and one of her signature quips was, “The devil made me do it!”… as in “The devil made me buy this dress!” Wilson also made famous the line, “What you see is what you get!” While we like to joke that “the devil made me do it,” the truth is that we are listening to Satan more often than we care to admit!
If we are honest, we have to concede that the suggestions the devil whispers in our ear are frequently the source of our motivation for all sorts of words and actions. On Judgment Day, the excuse that “the devil made me do it,” is not going to pass muster with God! And “what you see is what you get” won’t work with God, either… if what He sees is someone who was motivated by Satan most of the time!
I do not want you to change your motivation to love God and serve Him out of a sense of fear. I operated far too long in fear of God’s retribution, and my relationship with Him suffered as a result. Fear may be a great motivator on some levels, but in the end, you are left with a sense of great burden… and maybe even guilt and shame. However, when we are motivated to love God and serve Him out of a sense of gratitude for all He has done for us, the entire relationship changes.
Operating from a position of love and humility… a desire to do as much as possible for the One who has done incredible, unfathomable things for us… breeds an atmosphere of joy and pride – not in ourselves, but in the great blessings and gifts God bestows. When we are motivated to do something out of deep love or gratitude… or even a desire to bless someone else in some manner… the end result is moving – and often joyful – for everyone concerned. When we operate out of a feeling of obligation or fear, we may achieve a desired result… but will we resent the steps taken to get there?
God wants us to be continually motivated to love and serve out of a deep abiding sense of love and gratitude. He wants us to stop playing games and listening to the devil… and living for Him only out of a fear to live otherwise. When we say “What you see is what you get,” God wants others to see genuine love and our desire to be all that we can be as faith-filled Christians.
Today, as we think of what Jesus sacrificed for us on the cross… as we imagine Him kneeling in the Garden of Gethsemane and humbling Himself before God… let’s ask ourselves, “What motivated Jesus so long ago to die for us? What motivates us today to serve Him in return?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 4, 2012
Ephesians 1:15-19
That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
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.
Lately, I’ve been buying a lot of fabric from an online store called QuiltHome.com. This company has a massive inventory of beautiful fabrics, and they offer the best customer service I’ve experienced in a long time. On all orders over $50, shipping is free. They send out a weekly e-mail newsletter promoting their newest products and featuring some of their fabric designers. They have frequent drawings for as much as $50 in free merchandise. And every time I order something, I receive the package in record time… with a hand-written note from one of the sales representatives who has noted how pretty the fabric is and how much she hopes I will enjoy using it in a sewing project.
Last week, a shipment of fabric arrived from this company, and one of the items I had ordered was supposed to be a full yard of material… but I only received one half yard of this fabric. I called the company, and a sales representative apologized over and over and said, “We’ll send another yard of fabric out to you right away at no charge.” Sure enough… a couple of days later, another package arrived, along with another note of apology for the mix-up. There were so many apologies that I almost felt like *I* should apologize!
In our Christian living, I’m afraid we are not often very good at “Customer Service.” We are pretty good at bringing others “into the fold.” But once we pray for someone and persuade him/her to surrender to Jesus, we often do a poor job of following up with that person. And sometimes, the longer someone has been “in the church,” the worse this becomes. It’s as if we associate “tenure” with a level of faith and a person’s need for nurture. The longer someone has been a Christian, the less attention and care they need from fellow believers… or so we appear to believe.
Can I tell you something? The person who appears to “have it all together”… the one who seems to be loving, nurturing and encouraging others in Jesus’ name may be the very person who needs to be lifted in prayer, nurtured or encouraged the most! The person who never misses a Sunday sermon and attends Sunday school and Bible study may be the person who is most confused and burdened… the one who is desperate for God’s wisdom and intelligence – and some answers to difficult challenges and questions.
Let’s not assume that anyone else “has it together!” Let’s assume that every other person is just like us… in a constant state of growth. Let’s pray for others, nurture them, encourage them, and ask God to grant them His intelligence and focus… blessings and the extravagance of His work in all of us. Let’s look around and see who we need to bless and encourage in the name of Jesus… whether it’s the person with obvious and visible needs or the one we would deem the “consummate Christian.”
The time has come for us to practice the ultimate in “Christian Customer Service.” We must thank God for each new believer, and then make sure that his/her needs are continually met…through prayer, nurture, love and encouragement. Who needs to hear from you today? Who needs your prayers and your support? What sort of “Christian Customer Service Rep” are? There is room for all of us to improve in this department. Are you ready to do your part?
©2012 Debbie Robus
That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
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.
Lately, I’ve been buying a lot of fabric from an online store called QuiltHome.com. This company has a massive inventory of beautiful fabrics, and they offer the best customer service I’ve experienced in a long time. On all orders over $50, shipping is free. They send out a weekly e-mail newsletter promoting their newest products and featuring some of their fabric designers. They have frequent drawings for as much as $50 in free merchandise. And every time I order something, I receive the package in record time… with a hand-written note from one of the sales representatives who has noted how pretty the fabric is and how much she hopes I will enjoy using it in a sewing project.
Last week, a shipment of fabric arrived from this company, and one of the items I had ordered was supposed to be a full yard of material… but I only received one half yard of this fabric. I called the company, and a sales representative apologized over and over and said, “We’ll send another yard of fabric out to you right away at no charge.” Sure enough… a couple of days later, another package arrived, along with another note of apology for the mix-up. There were so many apologies that I almost felt like *I* should apologize!
In our Christian living, I’m afraid we are not often very good at “Customer Service.” We are pretty good at bringing others “into the fold.” But once we pray for someone and persuade him/her to surrender to Jesus, we often do a poor job of following up with that person. And sometimes, the longer someone has been “in the church,” the worse this becomes. It’s as if we associate “tenure” with a level of faith and a person’s need for nurture. The longer someone has been a Christian, the less attention and care they need from fellow believers… or so we appear to believe.
Can I tell you something? The person who appears to “have it all together”… the one who seems to be loving, nurturing and encouraging others in Jesus’ name may be the very person who needs to be lifted in prayer, nurtured or encouraged the most! The person who never misses a Sunday sermon and attends Sunday school and Bible study may be the person who is most confused and burdened… the one who is desperate for God’s wisdom and intelligence – and some answers to difficult challenges and questions.
Let’s not assume that anyone else “has it together!” Let’s assume that every other person is just like us… in a constant state of growth. Let’s pray for others, nurture them, encourage them, and ask God to grant them His intelligence and focus… blessings and the extravagance of His work in all of us. Let’s look around and see who we need to bless and encourage in the name of Jesus… whether it’s the person with obvious and visible needs or the one we would deem the “consummate Christian.”
The time has come for us to practice the ultimate in “Christian Customer Service.” We must thank God for each new believer, and then make sure that his/her needs are continually met…through prayer, nurture, love and encouragement. Who needs to hear from you today? Who needs your prayers and your support? What sort of “Christian Customer Service Rep” are? There is room for all of us to improve in this department. Are you ready to do your part?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 3, 2012
Ephesians 1:11-14
It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A lot of us are familiar with “installment plans.” Many jobs have a “starting salary” that increases as you take on more tasks or accrue months or years of service. In time, you may receive pay raises, bonuses, and more. Some people open a savings account for newborn babies, and as the children grow, more money is placed in these accounts… creating a “college fund” or “nest egg” for use when the child matures or reaches a certain age. You can probably think of other instances where a “base amount” is given to someone, and additional payments and perks are provided over time.
Let’s face it… getting regular “installments” creates something of an incentive to keep working… to perform well… to earn more benefits and accolades. We only have to look as far as lottery winners who blow through their fortune in short order to see what often happens when too much is awarded at once! And so it is with God’s wisdom and truth for us… and all that He has planned for our lives. God grants us Salvation and all of the security and blessings that come with a life in Christ. As we grow and serve, He provides us with “perks, raises and incentives” to continue our discipleship.
Part of the excitement of being a Christian is the anticipation of what God has in store for us next. I don’t know about you, but I am exhilarated by even the idea that I don’t know for sure how or where God will show up in my life next… but I know for certain that He will! This is a huge motivator to work harder… to spend more time in His presence… to be ready for whatever He wants to send my way.
So often, we are eager to have everything at once. We humans are not notoriously patient! We want all that God has in store for us… and we want it now! But God knows that we cannot handle everything at once. He knows the value of allowing us to grow into our new life in Christ… and to lean on His discernment for the pace and volume of the blessings He bestows. Our job is to remain faithful… to stay in close communion with God… to listen to Him and follow His lead.
The old adage “good things come to those who wait” applies to Christians, too. In our case… good things come to those who wait upon the LORD! Are you waiting on the LORD these days? Are you anticipating His next installment in your life… and will you be ready when it comes?
©2012 Debbie Robus
It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A lot of us are familiar with “installment plans.” Many jobs have a “starting salary” that increases as you take on more tasks or accrue months or years of service. In time, you may receive pay raises, bonuses, and more. Some people open a savings account for newborn babies, and as the children grow, more money is placed in these accounts… creating a “college fund” or “nest egg” for use when the child matures or reaches a certain age. You can probably think of other instances where a “base amount” is given to someone, and additional payments and perks are provided over time.
Let’s face it… getting regular “installments” creates something of an incentive to keep working… to perform well… to earn more benefits and accolades. We only have to look as far as lottery winners who blow through their fortune in short order to see what often happens when too much is awarded at once! And so it is with God’s wisdom and truth for us… and all that He has planned for our lives. God grants us Salvation and all of the security and blessings that come with a life in Christ. As we grow and serve, He provides us with “perks, raises and incentives” to continue our discipleship.
Part of the excitement of being a Christian is the anticipation of what God has in store for us next. I don’t know about you, but I am exhilarated by even the idea that I don’t know for sure how or where God will show up in my life next… but I know for certain that He will! This is a huge motivator to work harder… to spend more time in His presence… to be ready for whatever He wants to send my way.
So often, we are eager to have everything at once. We humans are not notoriously patient! We want all that God has in store for us… and we want it now! But God knows that we cannot handle everything at once. He knows the value of allowing us to grow into our new life in Christ… and to lean on His discernment for the pace and volume of the blessings He bestows. Our job is to remain faithful… to stay in close communion with God… to listen to Him and follow His lead.
The old adage “good things come to those who wait” applies to Christians, too. In our case… good things come to those who wait upon the LORD! Are you waiting on the LORD these days? Are you anticipating His next installment in your life… and will you be ready when it comes?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 2, 2012
April 2 ~ 1 John 2:26-27
I've written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they're no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ's anointing, no less! You don't need any of their so-called teaching. Christ's anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.
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.
With the early arrival of summertime temps, people are already getting outdoors and enjoying everything from swimming and tubing on the lake to playing in parks to softball and baseball, hiking, biking, and much more. Everywhere you turn, someone is admonishing… “Don’t forget the sunscreen!”… and with good reason. One of my Facebook friends recently posted a picture shared by someone who had a teeny speck of melanoma (skin cancer).
This small speck was surgically removed, but the resulting incision ran from just above her wrist to just above the elbow! She said she had two more “matching” incisions for “teeny specks” on her back and her leg. This person stated that her wounds would heal… but she was lucky. And she reminded everyone to cover their skin with sunscreen… and to re-apply often for full protection!
Making the choice to apply sunscreen is wise. It reflects our understanding of the potential harm of spending time in the sunshine without adequate protection. Reminding others to use sunscreen represents our knowledge of its benefits, as well as a healthy respect for the dangers of spending time in the sunlight without adequate covering. Sharing the good counsel we have been given regarding sunscreen denotes our quick understanding… an effort to “live deeply in what we have been taught.”
Sunscreen is a physical illustration of our spiritual “anointing” of the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah 11:2-3 (King James Version), we are given a listing of the seven-fold ingredients of Spiritual anointing: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the LORD, and quick understanding. When we have these components – the full anointing of Jesus Christ – and carry the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we are fully protected. We have everything we need. We can live deeply and confidently that we are covered and operating with the full protection of all that Jesus died to give us… and we can share His Good News with others.
I hope that we will all redouble our efforts to wear sunscreen and protect our skin – not only in this long summer season ahead, but always. In the same manner, I pray that we would call on Jesus to pour out His anointing upon us… to cover us in all seven components of His full blessing and protection. As we begin what is known among Christians as “Holy Week,” we are perhaps more focused on what Jesus sacrificed for us than we are any other time of the year. Isn’t this a great time to claim His anointing for your life? Will this be the year you begin to focus on living under the full protection and blessings of Christ and His Holy Spirit? Will you risk deception and the cancer of the devil… or will you live deeply in what you have been taught?
Sunscreen carries a number known as the SPF… Sun Protection Factor. The higher the SPF number, the more protection the product offers against harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun. Jesus offers us a much more critical SPF… the Son Protection Factor. I hope you have plenty of both… and that you apply them often! How high are your SPF numbers? Are you fully covered?
©2012 Debbie Robus
I've written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they're no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ's anointing, no less! You don't need any of their so-called teaching. Christ's anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.
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.
With the early arrival of summertime temps, people are already getting outdoors and enjoying everything from swimming and tubing on the lake to playing in parks to softball and baseball, hiking, biking, and much more. Everywhere you turn, someone is admonishing… “Don’t forget the sunscreen!”… and with good reason. One of my Facebook friends recently posted a picture shared by someone who had a teeny speck of melanoma (skin cancer).
This small speck was surgically removed, but the resulting incision ran from just above her wrist to just above the elbow! She said she had two more “matching” incisions for “teeny specks” on her back and her leg. This person stated that her wounds would heal… but she was lucky. And she reminded everyone to cover their skin with sunscreen… and to re-apply often for full protection!
Making the choice to apply sunscreen is wise. It reflects our understanding of the potential harm of spending time in the sunshine without adequate protection. Reminding others to use sunscreen represents our knowledge of its benefits, as well as a healthy respect for the dangers of spending time in the sunlight without adequate covering. Sharing the good counsel we have been given regarding sunscreen denotes our quick understanding… an effort to “live deeply in what we have been taught.”
Sunscreen is a physical illustration of our spiritual “anointing” of the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah 11:2-3 (King James Version), we are given a listing of the seven-fold ingredients of Spiritual anointing: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the LORD, and quick understanding. When we have these components – the full anointing of Jesus Christ – and carry the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we are fully protected. We have everything we need. We can live deeply and confidently that we are covered and operating with the full protection of all that Jesus died to give us… and we can share His Good News with others.
I hope that we will all redouble our efforts to wear sunscreen and protect our skin – not only in this long summer season ahead, but always. In the same manner, I pray that we would call on Jesus to pour out His anointing upon us… to cover us in all seven components of His full blessing and protection. As we begin what is known among Christians as “Holy Week,” we are perhaps more focused on what Jesus sacrificed for us than we are any other time of the year. Isn’t this a great time to claim His anointing for your life? Will this be the year you begin to focus on living under the full protection and blessings of Christ and His Holy Spirit? Will you risk deception and the cancer of the devil… or will you live deeply in what you have been taught?
Sunscreen carries a number known as the SPF… Sun Protection Factor. The higher the SPF number, the more protection the product offers against harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun. Jesus offers us a much more critical SPF… the Son Protection Factor. I hope you have plenty of both… and that you apply them often! How high are your SPF numbers? Are you fully covered?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 1, 2012
April 1 ~ 1 Corinthians 14:1-3
Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim his truth. If you praise him in the private language of tongues, God understands you but no one else does, for you are sharing intimacies just between you and him. But when you proclaim his truth in everyday speech, you're letting others in on the truth so that they can grow and be strong and experience his presence with you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Do you have a best friend? Maybe this person is someone you have been close to for a number of years… or maybe this is your spouse, or a relative. I’m talking about a person with whom you can share anything… someone with whom you trust private information you would not share with another living soul. You may even feel like there isn’t another person on the planet who understands you the way this friend does. And someone else may feel the same way about you.
There is nothing wrong with having a close friend with whom you share your private thoughts. But what if you never interacted with anyone else? What if the only person you ever spent time with was this friend… and nobody else ever got to know you? What if this kept your friend from growing as a person and interacting with other people? Wouldn’t you both miss out on a lot? Other people would never get to truly know you… or love you. The many gifts that make you special and unique would never be discovered – or enjoyed - by others… and in turn, you would probably be pretty boring!
Do you see that this is how many of us treat our relationship with God? Some of us never even bother to develop a relationship with Him at all. Others draw close to God and share their deepest, most innermost thoughts and feelings with Him. We enjoy His blessings and bask in the love, grace and mercy of His power and protection over our lives. We seek His wisdom… and sometimes we listen when He speaks. But we never bother to turn around and share God with others. We never show His love, grace and mercy to those we interact with on a daily basis. We don’t live by example… demonstrating by our behavior and lifestyle just how much God has done for us… and showing others we meet what He can do for them!
I have two questions for us to consider today…
©2012 Debbie Robus
Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim his truth. If you praise him in the private language of tongues, God understands you but no one else does, for you are sharing intimacies just between you and him. But when you proclaim his truth in everyday speech, you're letting others in on the truth so that they can grow and be strong and experience his presence with you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Do you have a best friend? Maybe this person is someone you have been close to for a number of years… or maybe this is your spouse, or a relative. I’m talking about a person with whom you can share anything… someone with whom you trust private information you would not share with another living soul. You may even feel like there isn’t another person on the planet who understands you the way this friend does. And someone else may feel the same way about you.
There is nothing wrong with having a close friend with whom you share your private thoughts. But what if you never interacted with anyone else? What if the only person you ever spent time with was this friend… and nobody else ever got to know you? What if this kept your friend from growing as a person and interacting with other people? Wouldn’t you both miss out on a lot? Other people would never get to truly know you… or love you. The many gifts that make you special and unique would never be discovered – or enjoyed - by others… and in turn, you would probably be pretty boring!
Do you see that this is how many of us treat our relationship with God? Some of us never even bother to develop a relationship with Him at all. Others draw close to God and share their deepest, most innermost thoughts and feelings with Him. We enjoy His blessings and bask in the love, grace and mercy of His power and protection over our lives. We seek His wisdom… and sometimes we listen when He speaks. But we never bother to turn around and share God with others. We never show His love, grace and mercy to those we interact with on a daily basis. We don’t live by example… demonstrating by our behavior and lifestyle just how much God has done for us… and showing others we meet what He can do for them!
I have two questions for us to consider today…
- Have we truly developed an intimate relationship with God… one where we share the innermost details of our heart and soul… and He speaks to us in return?
- Have we honored our relationship with God by sharing His truths with others, through our words and actions? Do we demonstrate Christian faith in action? Do others have an opportunity to grow and strengthen in God because of our example?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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