Romans 10:8-10
It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God—“Jesus is my Master”—embracing, body and soul, God’s work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead. That’s it. You’re not “doing” anything; you’re simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That’s salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: “God has set everything right between him and me!”
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 her book, Just Give Me Jesus, Anne Graham Lotz tells the story of a mother and son who enjoy a glorious day together at the beach. They soak up the son, revel in each other’s company, and relax in the quietness of the ocean waves. As the sun begins to set, they hear screaming in the distance, and they realize that a woman is drowning down the beach a ways… pulled under by the current of a rip tide. The son swims out to rescue the woman and pulls her to safety, but when she emerges from the water, he is nowhere to be found. The mother is understandably distraught. The rescued woman walks over and tells the mother that her son didn’t have to do anything – and he certainly did not have to die… that she would have somehow managed on her own.
Lotz makes the suggestion that this is how many of us are with Jesus. He quietly and bravely suffered and died on our behalf, and all we offer in return is indignation. We were doing just fine… we didn’t need “saving”. We seem to somehow manage pretty well on our own… who says we need a redeemer? Besides, we’ve really not done anything to earn God’s favor. In fact, we’ve been pretty rotten at times. Why would Jesus want to risk His own life for ours? What’s in it for Him?
The answer to these questions encompasses the beauty of our relationship with Jesus. We are not expected to “do” anything… Jesus didn’t die for us out of anything but a deep sense of love and concern. Just as the young son who rushed into the water to rescue a woman he did not know in the least, Jesus comes after us. The young son didn’t have a clue about this woman. She might have been a horrible person… a hardened criminal… an abusive parent…a truly hateful individual. The young man didn’t consider any of this… he just saw a woman in peril, and he rushed to save her. Jesus knows each of us… our past, present and future… and still, He gave His life for ours. All we have to do is accept His hand… His offer of salvation… His “rescue plan”.
Here’s where our story differs from the woman’s. Once we have been saved by faith… rescued by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ… we are called to “name it and claim it.” Unlike the woman who disavowed her deliverance from the treacherous ocean waters, we are called to embrace our new life in Christ… to declare Him as our LORD and Savior… and to live in such a way that all can see that we belong to Him… and to be grateful.
As Lotz noted, many have accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation… but with something of a dismissive attitude. We’ve either failed to share Jesus with others through our words and actions… or we have essentially scorned Him by acting as if we were managing perfectly well on our own. And we are all guilty of this in one form or another at times. We should all take a long, hard look at our Christian faith… and how we are treating Jesus. Have we truly chosen to follow Him? If so, have we fully committed to acknowledging Him in every aspect of our lives… and are we grateful for His amazing sacrifice?
Are you in need of a Christian “attitude adjustment” these days? God has done His part to set things right … have YOU?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 16, 2013
Psalm 127:1-2
Without the help of the Lord
it is useless to build a home
or to guard a city.
It is useless to get up early
and stay up late
in order to earn a living.
God takes care of his own,
even while they sleep.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Ever since I was a small child, I’ve had occasional bouts with allergic reactions – particularly hives. We never could determine what triggered them, but in high school, I suffered a serious reaction after taking an antibiotic treatment for a sore throat. The hives and swelling became so severe that I had to be hospitalized for four days. A few years later, the school nurse where I taught rushed me to a medical clinic for a shot of epinephrine when swelling and hives I was experienced required immediate attention. But it would be another twenty years – and several bouts with hives and other symptoms of an allergic reaction – before we determined that my apparent culprits are corn …and possibly chocolate.
Apparently, as my “minor” bouts with hives and other allergic reactions occurred over the years, my body accumulated the affects. So while people sometimes “grow out of” allergies… mine actually escalated to the point that the reactions became more frequent and severe. My physician prescribed three things… an oral antihistamine, a medical alert bracelet that I wear anytime I leave the house, and “epi-pens” that I carry with me in case of a life-threatening reaction. Thankfully, I have not had what I would consider a serious allergic reaction in a very long time… and I have never had to use the epi-pens. I attribute this to diligence about encounters with products containing corn and chocolate. I am also persistent about keeping my medications with me and wearing the alert bracelet.
I am so grateful that my allergy is controllable – and not nearly as severe as those other people experience. I had students who were so severely allergic that even a whiff of their allergen could evoke a reaction. One child with a peanut allergy lay on his living room floor where a sibling had earlier dropped a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and the entire side of his face swelled. But by the same token, I would never be so dismissive as to help myself to corn chips or a chocolate bar… or to use products on my skin that I know contain cornstarch. My Mam-ma Polly used to tell me, “If you would just ignore all of that and eat what you want and forget about it, you’d be just fine.” That was simply not a true statement… and to do such a thing would be incredibly reckless!
I wonder how many of us are this reckless about our daily living. We know how important God’s care and protection are… how vital it is that we always carry the Holy Spirit in our heart. Yet far too often, we are careless and irresponsible with God. We step out into life on our own and test the waters. One little sample of “life” can’t hurt… can it? A little lie here… some gossip there… and an occasional bout with cheating might make us uncomfortable and “itchy” for a little while. But the symptoms will subside and we’ll move on… and we think we are no worse for wear. What we fail to realize is how these actions and consequences are accumulating…how the results can one day escalate into an “epic fail” of some sort that leaves us wondering what went wrong and how we got to that point!
We cannot afford to be without God… even for a minute. We cannot chance even a tiny taste of sin and disobedience. We can’t risk “leaving God at home” – not even for a few hours! He must be present and operating in and through us at all times. Even though I feel I am thoroughly protected, I will occasionally encounter something that apparently has a trace of my allergens in it. Thankfully, I have an arsenal of protective measures that I can utilize to attack this and keep me safe. We need God “on the clock” at all times, because the devil is waiting for even the tiniest opportunity to slip in and give us trouble!
I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t think much about my allergies… and staying alert for the culprits has become somewhat second nature. I don’t take them for granted, but I know that I’m doing all I can to stay protected. GOD is our protection against the attacks of the devil and the sins of the world. Through His wisdom, we have the best chance of recognizing potential dangers and pitfalls – and avoiding them in the first place. With His grace, mercy, forgiveness, love and strength, we are redeemed in the instances when we do slip and stumble. We must never take His care for granted…but under His watch, we can live in confidence and peace.
God’s care and protection is readily available… but always optional. We must choose to accept Him… we must invite His Holy Spirit to live in our hearts. We must put forth the effort to keep the lines of communication with Him open. I can’t imagine why anyone would elect to “leave home without God”… can you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Without the help of the Lord
it is useless to build a home
or to guard a city.
It is useless to get up early
and stay up late
in order to earn a living.
God takes care of his own,
even while they sleep.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Ever since I was a small child, I’ve had occasional bouts with allergic reactions – particularly hives. We never could determine what triggered them, but in high school, I suffered a serious reaction after taking an antibiotic treatment for a sore throat. The hives and swelling became so severe that I had to be hospitalized for four days. A few years later, the school nurse where I taught rushed me to a medical clinic for a shot of epinephrine when swelling and hives I was experienced required immediate attention. But it would be another twenty years – and several bouts with hives and other symptoms of an allergic reaction – before we determined that my apparent culprits are corn …and possibly chocolate.
Apparently, as my “minor” bouts with hives and other allergic reactions occurred over the years, my body accumulated the affects. So while people sometimes “grow out of” allergies… mine actually escalated to the point that the reactions became more frequent and severe. My physician prescribed three things… an oral antihistamine, a medical alert bracelet that I wear anytime I leave the house, and “epi-pens” that I carry with me in case of a life-threatening reaction. Thankfully, I have not had what I would consider a serious allergic reaction in a very long time… and I have never had to use the epi-pens. I attribute this to diligence about encounters with products containing corn and chocolate. I am also persistent about keeping my medications with me and wearing the alert bracelet.
I am so grateful that my allergy is controllable – and not nearly as severe as those other people experience. I had students who were so severely allergic that even a whiff of their allergen could evoke a reaction. One child with a peanut allergy lay on his living room floor where a sibling had earlier dropped a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and the entire side of his face swelled. But by the same token, I would never be so dismissive as to help myself to corn chips or a chocolate bar… or to use products on my skin that I know contain cornstarch. My Mam-ma Polly used to tell me, “If you would just ignore all of that and eat what you want and forget about it, you’d be just fine.” That was simply not a true statement… and to do such a thing would be incredibly reckless!
I wonder how many of us are this reckless about our daily living. We know how important God’s care and protection are… how vital it is that we always carry the Holy Spirit in our heart. Yet far too often, we are careless and irresponsible with God. We step out into life on our own and test the waters. One little sample of “life” can’t hurt… can it? A little lie here… some gossip there… and an occasional bout with cheating might make us uncomfortable and “itchy” for a little while. But the symptoms will subside and we’ll move on… and we think we are no worse for wear. What we fail to realize is how these actions and consequences are accumulating…how the results can one day escalate into an “epic fail” of some sort that leaves us wondering what went wrong and how we got to that point!
We cannot afford to be without God… even for a minute. We cannot chance even a tiny taste of sin and disobedience. We can’t risk “leaving God at home” – not even for a few hours! He must be present and operating in and through us at all times. Even though I feel I am thoroughly protected, I will occasionally encounter something that apparently has a trace of my allergens in it. Thankfully, I have an arsenal of protective measures that I can utilize to attack this and keep me safe. We need God “on the clock” at all times, because the devil is waiting for even the tiniest opportunity to slip in and give us trouble!
I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t think much about my allergies… and staying alert for the culprits has become somewhat second nature. I don’t take them for granted, but I know that I’m doing all I can to stay protected. GOD is our protection against the attacks of the devil and the sins of the world. Through His wisdom, we have the best chance of recognizing potential dangers and pitfalls – and avoiding them in the first place. With His grace, mercy, forgiveness, love and strength, we are redeemed in the instances when we do slip and stumble. We must never take His care for granted…but under His watch, we can live in confidence and peace.
God’s care and protection is readily available… but always optional. We must choose to accept Him… we must invite His Holy Spirit to live in our hearts. We must put forth the effort to keep the lines of communication with Him open. I can’t imagine why anyone would elect to “leave home without God”… can you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 15, 2013
Psalm 139:13-18
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I’d even lived one day.
Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful!
God, I’ll never comprehend them!
I couldn’t even begin to count them—
any more than I could count the sand of the sea.
Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always 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.
If you visited my laundry/craft room, you would see stacks of projects. In my head, I can see how they will look when they are finished. When I complete a garment… or a greeting card or whatever I am making, I know every stitch or piece of paper that went into it. I see every seam… each layer… and all the steps that went into its creation. Sometimes my projects work out as planned… sometimes they don’t. Once in a while, something turns out so badly that I have to totally scrap it and start over! And more than once, I’ve made something for myself that I disliked so much that it rarely – if ever – was worn. Every time I put it on, I saw all of the flaws… or it just didn’t look and feel right.
Maybe you have had a similar experience. Many of us have envisioned a recipe in our heads that sounded delicious. I recently read a recipe on Pinterest for a pumpkin smoothie. It sounded wonderful! I could almost taste it as I read through the ingredients and process. But I have to tell you, I was terribly disappointed with the finished product, and I don’t care to make another one… ever!
It’s a beautiful thing to know that God planned and envisioned us long before we were ever conceived. He designed, planned, and created every “seam” in the garment that is our body – each “layer” that is the greeting card of our personality – all of the ingredients that make up the “recipe” of our lives. And the coolest part of all is that He loves every single thing about us. There may be “stitches” that are a little uneven…a crooked “caption” here or there… or even an off-putting “taste” occasionally. Still, God loves us. He looks past the flaws and imperfections and says, “This is My creation. Perfection and purpose lie within him/her. There may be bumps in the road and even a few wrong turns… but at the end of the day, I know how this ends - and I am in love with My handiwork.”
No one will ever love you like God. Your parents may have planned for your birth. They may have thought about you and dreamed of your conception and delivery. They may have nurtured you and given you every advantage as you grew and developed. You may have friends, relatives and/or a significant other who adore you and make you feel important each and every day. But none of these compares to the immeasurable, unconditional love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and acceptance that God offers us every single minute of the day.
God would never “scrap” us like an ill-fitting garment or a distasteful recipe… yet many of us are ready to toss Him to the side at every turn. Our “justifications” run the gamut from disappointments over events in our lives and prayers we felt were unanswered – or answered in a way we did not like… a desire to have our own way in all things – at all times…or accession to outside forces that convince us that God is not real – that He could not possibly love us so amazingly. Regardless of the reasons, we can choose to correct our course. We can acknowledge God’s presence – and His power. We can say, “Thank You, LORD… for everything!”
One of my favorite things to do is to take an old garment that has begun to show wear – or has been donated to the thrift store – and repurpose it to create something new and useful. You may have somehow fallen into the “thrift store bin. You may feel useless, unloved… or separated from God. The good news is that He can repurpose you… He planned for this and knows exactly what to do to get you back on track. All you have to do is to choose Him… to ask GOd to let you rise in the morning and live always with Him. He will handle the rest.
God choose you… have you chosen Him in return?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I’d even lived one day.
Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful!
God, I’ll never comprehend them!
I couldn’t even begin to count them—
any more than I could count the sand of the sea.
Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always 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.
If you visited my laundry/craft room, you would see stacks of projects. In my head, I can see how they will look when they are finished. When I complete a garment… or a greeting card or whatever I am making, I know every stitch or piece of paper that went into it. I see every seam… each layer… and all the steps that went into its creation. Sometimes my projects work out as planned… sometimes they don’t. Once in a while, something turns out so badly that I have to totally scrap it and start over! And more than once, I’ve made something for myself that I disliked so much that it rarely – if ever – was worn. Every time I put it on, I saw all of the flaws… or it just didn’t look and feel right.
Maybe you have had a similar experience. Many of us have envisioned a recipe in our heads that sounded delicious. I recently read a recipe on Pinterest for a pumpkin smoothie. It sounded wonderful! I could almost taste it as I read through the ingredients and process. But I have to tell you, I was terribly disappointed with the finished product, and I don’t care to make another one… ever!
It’s a beautiful thing to know that God planned and envisioned us long before we were ever conceived. He designed, planned, and created every “seam” in the garment that is our body – each “layer” that is the greeting card of our personality – all of the ingredients that make up the “recipe” of our lives. And the coolest part of all is that He loves every single thing about us. There may be “stitches” that are a little uneven…a crooked “caption” here or there… or even an off-putting “taste” occasionally. Still, God loves us. He looks past the flaws and imperfections and says, “This is My creation. Perfection and purpose lie within him/her. There may be bumps in the road and even a few wrong turns… but at the end of the day, I know how this ends - and I am in love with My handiwork.”
No one will ever love you like God. Your parents may have planned for your birth. They may have thought about you and dreamed of your conception and delivery. They may have nurtured you and given you every advantage as you grew and developed. You may have friends, relatives and/or a significant other who adore you and make you feel important each and every day. But none of these compares to the immeasurable, unconditional love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and acceptance that God offers us every single minute of the day.
God would never “scrap” us like an ill-fitting garment or a distasteful recipe… yet many of us are ready to toss Him to the side at every turn. Our “justifications” run the gamut from disappointments over events in our lives and prayers we felt were unanswered – or answered in a way we did not like… a desire to have our own way in all things – at all times…or accession to outside forces that convince us that God is not real – that He could not possibly love us so amazingly. Regardless of the reasons, we can choose to correct our course. We can acknowledge God’s presence – and His power. We can say, “Thank You, LORD… for everything!”
One of my favorite things to do is to take an old garment that has begun to show wear – or has been donated to the thrift store – and repurpose it to create something new and useful. You may have somehow fallen into the “thrift store bin. You may feel useless, unloved… or separated from God. The good news is that He can repurpose you… He planned for this and knows exactly what to do to get you back on track. All you have to do is to choose Him… to ask GOd to let you rise in the morning and live always with Him. He will handle the rest.
God choose you… have you chosen Him in return?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 14, 2013
Psalm 139:7-12
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to 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.
As we drove to Burger King after church on Sunday, Zola kept trying to tell me something. Over and over she would point toward her feet and say the same thing… but I didn’t have a clue what she wanted. Finally, I asked Timothy, “Do you know what Zola is trying to tell me?” He replied, “Um… yes”… and he interpreted her comments. I repeated Timothy’s statement to Zola and asked if that was correct. She nodded and said, “Yeah!”
This little girl may never choose to talk, as long as she has her older brother around to interpret for her! And honestly, I think she somewhat depends on him… for a lot of things! He pretty well seems to know what she is thinking in any given moment… and you can bet your bottom dollar he knows where she is and what she is doing… if nothing else, on the off chance she might be playing with his toys – or getting a little extra attention! Still, she chooses to follow him around much of the time and mimic his every word and move.
As I read this scripture passage, I also thought about the other end of the spectrum… my grandmother’s last weeks on this earth, in which she often could not form a complete sentence – or even a few words. I had grown so familiar with her that I often was able to interpret her thoughts and gestures… and her nods of agreement would confirm that I had guessed correctly. She depended on me to express her wishes… and to protect her. She chose to have me speak for her on several occasions… even when she was still able to talk. She would wave at a doctor and gesture toward me and say, “You tell him.” Or she would tell the doctors and nurses… “Ask Debbie… she can tell you.” My Mam-ma Polly knew that I always had her back.
I find it nothing short of amazing that God has chosen you and me… that He desires to know every breath we take and how many hairs number our head. I am astounded to think that Jesus collects my tears… each one precious to Him. I cannot comprehend the vastness of knowing that there is nowhere I can go that He is not with me... or that He knows my every thought and desire. And I am blessed and comforted by this knowledge… so much that I choose to serve Him in return. Honestly, it doesn’t add up for me why anyone would opt for a life without Him. Who else loves you that much?! Still, we do have a choice… and God will never desert us… but He will also never impose.
What place have you given Him in your life? Have you tucked God away on the shelf and pretended He isn’t there? Have you even suggested to Him that you are doing just fine without His help? Do you truly understand the depths of God’s love and care for you… how much He wants to give you – now and for all eternity? Won’t you study this Psalm again and give your relationship with God a second look as well? Aren’t you ready to choose the One who chose you all along?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to 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.
As we drove to Burger King after church on Sunday, Zola kept trying to tell me something. Over and over she would point toward her feet and say the same thing… but I didn’t have a clue what she wanted. Finally, I asked Timothy, “Do you know what Zola is trying to tell me?” He replied, “Um… yes”… and he interpreted her comments. I repeated Timothy’s statement to Zola and asked if that was correct. She nodded and said, “Yeah!”
This little girl may never choose to talk, as long as she has her older brother around to interpret for her! And honestly, I think she somewhat depends on him… for a lot of things! He pretty well seems to know what she is thinking in any given moment… and you can bet your bottom dollar he knows where she is and what she is doing… if nothing else, on the off chance she might be playing with his toys – or getting a little extra attention! Still, she chooses to follow him around much of the time and mimic his every word and move.
As I read this scripture passage, I also thought about the other end of the spectrum… my grandmother’s last weeks on this earth, in which she often could not form a complete sentence – or even a few words. I had grown so familiar with her that I often was able to interpret her thoughts and gestures… and her nods of agreement would confirm that I had guessed correctly. She depended on me to express her wishes… and to protect her. She chose to have me speak for her on several occasions… even when she was still able to talk. She would wave at a doctor and gesture toward me and say, “You tell him.” Or she would tell the doctors and nurses… “Ask Debbie… she can tell you.” My Mam-ma Polly knew that I always had her back.
I find it nothing short of amazing that God has chosen you and me… that He desires to know every breath we take and how many hairs number our head. I am astounded to think that Jesus collects my tears… each one precious to Him. I cannot comprehend the vastness of knowing that there is nowhere I can go that He is not with me... or that He knows my every thought and desire. And I am blessed and comforted by this knowledge… so much that I choose to serve Him in return. Honestly, it doesn’t add up for me why anyone would opt for a life without Him. Who else loves you that much?! Still, we do have a choice… and God will never desert us… but He will also never impose.
What place have you given Him in your life? Have you tucked God away on the shelf and pretended He isn’t there? Have you even suggested to Him that you are doing just fine without His help? Do you truly understand the depths of God’s love and care for you… how much He wants to give you – now and for all eternity? Won’t you study this Psalm again and give your relationship with God a second look as well? Aren’t you ready to choose the One who chose you all along?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 13, 2013
Psalm 139:1-6
You have looked deep
into my heart, Lord,
and you know all about me.
You know when I am resting
or when I am working,
and from heaven
you discover my thoughts.
You notice everything I do
and everywhere I go.
Before I even speak a word,
you know what I will say,
and with your powerful arm
you protect me
from every side.
I can’t understand all of this!
Such wonderful knowledge
is far above me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We recently attended a high school reunion, where we visited with fellow students and alumni. I greeted my cousin, Jim, who is about 8 years older than I. As he gave me a hug, someone snapped our picture, and Jim said, “I used to sit on the couch at her grandmother’s on stormy nights and hold her in a blanket.” Indeed, I remember those nights and snuggling in my cousin’s lap.
Like countless children throughout the South, I spent many night-time hours of my childhood sheltered in my grandparent’s storm cellar. The women and children would hunker down in the cellar as a storm approached, while the men stood on my grandparents’ screened porch and “watched the clouds”. Those summer nights got long and tiresome, and the cellar was cool and damp.
My sister, brother and I had to make a few trips inside to use the restroom, and often, my cousin Jim was recruited to wrap one of us in a quilt or blanket and carry us inside and back. Jim was in high school then, and I thought he was the bravest, most handsome guy around. I especially loved it when he would sit on the couch with me for a while and delay my return to the dark, dank cellar! All Jim had to do was hold out his arms, and I was ready to crawl up in his lap and snuggle!
When you are little, the powerful arms of someone older and stronger are comforting… and most of us readily accepted this protection. But here’s the thing… we understood the security firsthand. We felt it. We could reach out and physically touch these people. We knew them in the flesh… we fully trusted them because we could literally be in their presence and under their care.
God offers us a love and protection that far exceeds anything a precious cousin, parent, grandparent or other caring human being could offer. He knows us – inside and out – and He knows everything about us. His powerful arms are outstretched to embrace and protect us, and He wants to be there for us in all things. But we have a choice. He stands with his arms open wide… but we decide whether to crawl into His lap and snuggle there.
The amazing, incredible, inexplicable fact is that God has chosen us! He wants to give us His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, protection… and even Eternal Life in His presence! But the question is…will we choose Him in return? Do we fully trust Him… and are we willing to let go and allow Him to love us in this manner? It sounds like an easy question to answer… but in truth, many find the choice difficult to make. What about you? Are you ready to surrender to God and allow Him to fully love and protect you? Is today the day you truly “let go and let God”? Shouldn’t it be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
You have looked deep
into my heart, Lord,
and you know all about me.
You know when I am resting
or when I am working,
and from heaven
you discover my thoughts.
You notice everything I do
and everywhere I go.
Before I even speak a word,
you know what I will say,
and with your powerful arm
you protect me
from every side.
I can’t understand all of this!
Such wonderful knowledge
is far above me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We recently attended a high school reunion, where we visited with fellow students and alumni. I greeted my cousin, Jim, who is about 8 years older than I. As he gave me a hug, someone snapped our picture, and Jim said, “I used to sit on the couch at her grandmother’s on stormy nights and hold her in a blanket.” Indeed, I remember those nights and snuggling in my cousin’s lap.
Like countless children throughout the South, I spent many night-time hours of my childhood sheltered in my grandparent’s storm cellar. The women and children would hunker down in the cellar as a storm approached, while the men stood on my grandparents’ screened porch and “watched the clouds”. Those summer nights got long and tiresome, and the cellar was cool and damp.
My sister, brother and I had to make a few trips inside to use the restroom, and often, my cousin Jim was recruited to wrap one of us in a quilt or blanket and carry us inside and back. Jim was in high school then, and I thought he was the bravest, most handsome guy around. I especially loved it when he would sit on the couch with me for a while and delay my return to the dark, dank cellar! All Jim had to do was hold out his arms, and I was ready to crawl up in his lap and snuggle!
When you are little, the powerful arms of someone older and stronger are comforting… and most of us readily accepted this protection. But here’s the thing… we understood the security firsthand. We felt it. We could reach out and physically touch these people. We knew them in the flesh… we fully trusted them because we could literally be in their presence and under their care.
God offers us a love and protection that far exceeds anything a precious cousin, parent, grandparent or other caring human being could offer. He knows us – inside and out – and He knows everything about us. His powerful arms are outstretched to embrace and protect us, and He wants to be there for us in all things. But we have a choice. He stands with his arms open wide… but we decide whether to crawl into His lap and snuggle there.
The amazing, incredible, inexplicable fact is that God has chosen us! He wants to give us His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, protection… and even Eternal Life in His presence! But the question is…will we choose Him in return? Do we fully trust Him… and are we willing to let go and allow Him to love us in this manner? It sounds like an easy question to answer… but in truth, many find the choice difficult to make. What about you? Are you ready to surrender to God and allow Him to fully love and protect you? Is today the day you truly “let go and let God”? Shouldn’t it be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 12, 2013
Proverbs 6:6-11
You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next? Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!
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.
We awoke to a thunderstorm and a dreary, rainy Saturday morning… perfect for hanging out in your pajamas or “sweats” and lounging with an extra cup of coffee. And there is nothing wrong with taking an occasional “day off” and being lazy. The problem is that many of us have made this a habit – if not our daily routine. There is every possibility that we did not intend to become this way… but as this passage indicates, we let a nap here and a day off there turn into a regular routine. And soon, we were not even making the effort to appear active and engaged. Our room/apartment/house is a wreck… we haven’t done laundry or mowed the yard in a month or better… dishes are piled high in the sink and there is little food in the fridge – and what is there has ruined. We rummage through the drawers and closets to find something clean enough for school or work… and we hurry home to put on our pjs or “sweats” and crawl back onto the couch or into bed.
I know this sounds extreme, but I am afraid that a lot of people truly live this way! And if you don’t feel that you fit into this description, let me ask you about your life as a Christian disciple. How is your relationship with God? Are you talking to Him every day and seeking ways to honor Him? Are you actually doing anything to serve God… to exercise your “faith muscle” and grow in Christian wisdom and strength? Or are you counting on others to do the work… depending on them to pray for you and those around you…expecting them to do the volunteering, teach the classes, study the Bible, and reach out to others in Jesus’ name? Are you essentially snuggled under the covers in your pjs, taking it easy…and expecting God to continue to bless you?
Here’s the thing… #1) this is not how God operates. He didn’t call you to be a disciple of Christ so you could sit on your duff all day and take Him – and the gift of salvation and its promise of eternity in heaven – for granted; and #2) why would you want this kind of existence in the first place? Spending your life on the sidelines is not truly living! Not only are you missing out on the wonderful gifts that God wants to bestow upon you in this earthly lifetime while you are lazing around… you are forfeiting the amazing blessings that He wishes to share with you as you grow in His wisdom and learn more about His grace, mercy, forgiveness and unconditional love.
I don’t know where you fit in this picture. I certainly don’t know how or when you got where you are. But if you find yourself in some state of laziness… physically, mentally or spiritually, I encourage you to make the conscious decision to change. Ask God to show you how to do this. Let Him guide you as you “get off the couch” and get going again. You will be amazed at how much better you feel… and you will be truly astounded at what awaits you as you develop new habits. You can still spend an occasional Saturday morning on the couch in your pjs… but I’m betting you’ll find far more exciting things to fill most of your time. With God’s help… I’m quite sure of it! Are you ready to get up and get going?
©2013 Debbie Robus
You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next? Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!
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.
We awoke to a thunderstorm and a dreary, rainy Saturday morning… perfect for hanging out in your pajamas or “sweats” and lounging with an extra cup of coffee. And there is nothing wrong with taking an occasional “day off” and being lazy. The problem is that many of us have made this a habit – if not our daily routine. There is every possibility that we did not intend to become this way… but as this passage indicates, we let a nap here and a day off there turn into a regular routine. And soon, we were not even making the effort to appear active and engaged. Our room/apartment/house is a wreck… we haven’t done laundry or mowed the yard in a month or better… dishes are piled high in the sink and there is little food in the fridge – and what is there has ruined. We rummage through the drawers and closets to find something clean enough for school or work… and we hurry home to put on our pjs or “sweats” and crawl back onto the couch or into bed.
I know this sounds extreme, but I am afraid that a lot of people truly live this way! And if you don’t feel that you fit into this description, let me ask you about your life as a Christian disciple. How is your relationship with God? Are you talking to Him every day and seeking ways to honor Him? Are you actually doing anything to serve God… to exercise your “faith muscle” and grow in Christian wisdom and strength? Or are you counting on others to do the work… depending on them to pray for you and those around you…expecting them to do the volunteering, teach the classes, study the Bible, and reach out to others in Jesus’ name? Are you essentially snuggled under the covers in your pjs, taking it easy…and expecting God to continue to bless you?
Here’s the thing… #1) this is not how God operates. He didn’t call you to be a disciple of Christ so you could sit on your duff all day and take Him – and the gift of salvation and its promise of eternity in heaven – for granted; and #2) why would you want this kind of existence in the first place? Spending your life on the sidelines is not truly living! Not only are you missing out on the wonderful gifts that God wants to bestow upon you in this earthly lifetime while you are lazing around… you are forfeiting the amazing blessings that He wishes to share with you as you grow in His wisdom and learn more about His grace, mercy, forgiveness and unconditional love.
I don’t know where you fit in this picture. I certainly don’t know how or when you got where you are. But if you find yourself in some state of laziness… physically, mentally or spiritually, I encourage you to make the conscious decision to change. Ask God to show you how to do this. Let Him guide you as you “get off the couch” and get going again. You will be amazed at how much better you feel… and you will be truly astounded at what awaits you as you develop new habits. You can still spend an occasional Saturday morning on the couch in your pjs… but I’m betting you’ll find far more exciting things to fill most of your time. With God’s help… I’m quite sure of it! Are you ready to get up and get going?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 11, 2013
Proverbs 4:5-9
Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In the last few weeks, I have learned several new things. While they may not appear to be significant to many…for me, they are somewhat life-changing (okay, let’s say “life-improving”). I bought a gizmo that helps me make crisp cut-outs and embellishments for greeting cards and more, and I have already used it to create several things. I was introduced to a serger… a sewing machine of sorts that creates neat, finished edges to seams – and does many other utilitarian and decorative edgings. The serger has already enabled me to make garments quicker, more easily… and to use certain specialty stitches to help out a friend with a time consuming, and difficult project. The belt on my vacuum cleaner motor wore out and became loose. I did some online research and learned that I could fix this myself… and I did!
Through research for these devotionals and a lot of Bible study, scripture comparisons, and reviews of dozens of Bible commentaries, I have not only learned more about how to study the Bible in-depth, but my understanding of scripture – and my Christian faith – have increased tremendously over the last decade.
I was recently visiting with Dot, the mother of my childhood friend, Martha, and she was telling me about the Bible study she participates in each week - and other Bible studies she has enjoyed through the years. Dot is also taking a class at our church called “Alpha”, which introduces one to the basics of Christianity. She is continually learning about God and her Christian faith on a weekly – if not daily – basis. Did I mention that this woman is 88 years young? She has taught Sunday School classes, Bible studies…and she was even my Girl Scout leader. Still, she is eager to gain wisdom about many things.
The point is that we are never too old to learn… especially when it comes to God and increasing our faith. More importantly, we are commanded to do this! I have known far too many Christians who invited Jesus to live in their heart… then stopped at this point. Becoming a Christian is not the end… it’s the beginning! Sadly, too many Christians – and churches – stop at winning others to Jesus. They fail to nurture these new believers and encourage them to increase in wisdom and judgment. We all need to do better in this area!
Just as many students decide that graduation from high school, college…or obtaining an advanced degree is enough…we are often guilty of deciding that choosing Jesus is sufficient. In truth, each one of us can always learn something knew… and God is calling us to learn all we can from Him. The choice is ours… we can stay stationary and grow stale – in life and in our faith – or we can embrace God’s wisdom and the opportunities that exist all around us to expand our mind and heart. Incredible blessings result from these experiences… even if it’s the satisfaction of knowing you fixed your vacuum cleaner or created a pretty greeting card!
More importantly, the blessings that await us when we further our knowledge of God’s love for us - and how He is working in our lives - are immeasurable… and make life for the Christian so much more abundant. Why not get busy seeking wisdom today? You have so little to lose… and so very much to gain!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In the last few weeks, I have learned several new things. While they may not appear to be significant to many…for me, they are somewhat life-changing (okay, let’s say “life-improving”). I bought a gizmo that helps me make crisp cut-outs and embellishments for greeting cards and more, and I have already used it to create several things. I was introduced to a serger… a sewing machine of sorts that creates neat, finished edges to seams – and does many other utilitarian and decorative edgings. The serger has already enabled me to make garments quicker, more easily… and to use certain specialty stitches to help out a friend with a time consuming, and difficult project. The belt on my vacuum cleaner motor wore out and became loose. I did some online research and learned that I could fix this myself… and I did!
Through research for these devotionals and a lot of Bible study, scripture comparisons, and reviews of dozens of Bible commentaries, I have not only learned more about how to study the Bible in-depth, but my understanding of scripture – and my Christian faith – have increased tremendously over the last decade.
I was recently visiting with Dot, the mother of my childhood friend, Martha, and she was telling me about the Bible study she participates in each week - and other Bible studies she has enjoyed through the years. Dot is also taking a class at our church called “Alpha”, which introduces one to the basics of Christianity. She is continually learning about God and her Christian faith on a weekly – if not daily – basis. Did I mention that this woman is 88 years young? She has taught Sunday School classes, Bible studies…and she was even my Girl Scout leader. Still, she is eager to gain wisdom about many things.
The point is that we are never too old to learn… especially when it comes to God and increasing our faith. More importantly, we are commanded to do this! I have known far too many Christians who invited Jesus to live in their heart… then stopped at this point. Becoming a Christian is not the end… it’s the beginning! Sadly, too many Christians – and churches – stop at winning others to Jesus. They fail to nurture these new believers and encourage them to increase in wisdom and judgment. We all need to do better in this area!
Just as many students decide that graduation from high school, college…or obtaining an advanced degree is enough…we are often guilty of deciding that choosing Jesus is sufficient. In truth, each one of us can always learn something knew… and God is calling us to learn all we can from Him. The choice is ours… we can stay stationary and grow stale – in life and in our faith – or we can embrace God’s wisdom and the opportunities that exist all around us to expand our mind and heart. Incredible blessings result from these experiences… even if it’s the satisfaction of knowing you fixed your vacuum cleaner or created a pretty greeting card!
More importantly, the blessings that await us when we further our knowledge of God’s love for us - and how He is working in our lives - are immeasurable… and make life for the Christian so much more abundant. Why not get busy seeking wisdom today? You have so little to lose… and so very much to gain!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 10, 2013
Proverbs 3:11-12
My child, don’t turn away
or become bitter
when the Lord corrects you.
The Lord corrects
everyone he loves,
just as parents correct
their favorite child.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A couple of years ago, I had a ceramic angel sitting on a table in our entryway. Timothy loved to look at that angel… and to touch it. This was not a valuable piece… it was something I had gotten in a box of items at an auction. But it was shiny and pretty, and I had repeatedly told Timmy – then about 2 – not to touch it. One day I turned my back for just a second, and I heard the crash. Timothy had picked up the angel… and dropped it on the floor. Thankfully, the damage was minor… I think it was missing a foot. I knew I could glue the piece back together, and I reminded Timothy that…”This is why we don’t touch Aunt Debbie’s things!”
A little later, I noticed blood on the top of Timothy’s foot. When I washed away the blood, there was a tiny cut. I surmised that this happened when he dropped the angel, and I showed him the cut and again reminded him… “This is what happens – we can get into trouble and get hurt.” I won’t say that Timothy has completely stopped touching “pretties” at our house… that would be a lie! But he is better about it. He remembers the angel and what happened. Thankfully the lesson was not too harsh… yet it was valuable.
I am not one of those adults who put away every single thing that the children should not touch. I do have safety locks on cabinets that hold household cleaners… and we watch the children closely. But I know I can’t shelter Timothy and his siblings from everything… sometimes I have to allow them to get into a little trouble and use these moments as “teachable experiences”. And so it is with God. There will be times when He will sit back and allow us to get into a little trouble, so that He can bring us back into a right relationship with Him. When we figure out that we need help, He can use the moment to teach us just how inadequate we are on our own – aside from His power and wisdom.
The KEY is to humbly accept God’s correction, along with His help. If we turn our backs on Him and conclude that “No loving God would allow this to happen to me,” we have missed the point completely – and we’ll miss the blessings, too. If you removed a stove or heater from your house because children might touch it and get burned, they would never learn to stay away from the hot appliance! We have to accept that God will allow bad things to happen sometimes, so that we can grow – and recognize how much we need Him!
How you choose to react to the “teachable moments” in your life is up to you. But please don’t turn away from God. Don’t make the mistake of deciding that God has deserted you in these circumstances… because nothing could be farther from the truth. When troubles come – either those of your own making or the ones that seem to be the result of outside forces – call on God and ask Him, “LORD, what am I to learn from this? What will you show me? How will I grow from this experience with regard to my relationship with You?” Allow God to allow you room to develop and increase in your knowledge and faith in Him. God would never turn His back on you. Don’t make the mistake of deserting Him, either.
©2013 Debbie Robus
My child, don’t turn away
or become bitter
when the Lord corrects you.
The Lord corrects
everyone he loves,
just as parents correct
their favorite child.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A couple of years ago, I had a ceramic angel sitting on a table in our entryway. Timothy loved to look at that angel… and to touch it. This was not a valuable piece… it was something I had gotten in a box of items at an auction. But it was shiny and pretty, and I had repeatedly told Timmy – then about 2 – not to touch it. One day I turned my back for just a second, and I heard the crash. Timothy had picked up the angel… and dropped it on the floor. Thankfully, the damage was minor… I think it was missing a foot. I knew I could glue the piece back together, and I reminded Timothy that…”This is why we don’t touch Aunt Debbie’s things!”
A little later, I noticed blood on the top of Timothy’s foot. When I washed away the blood, there was a tiny cut. I surmised that this happened when he dropped the angel, and I showed him the cut and again reminded him… “This is what happens – we can get into trouble and get hurt.” I won’t say that Timothy has completely stopped touching “pretties” at our house… that would be a lie! But he is better about it. He remembers the angel and what happened. Thankfully the lesson was not too harsh… yet it was valuable.
I am not one of those adults who put away every single thing that the children should not touch. I do have safety locks on cabinets that hold household cleaners… and we watch the children closely. But I know I can’t shelter Timothy and his siblings from everything… sometimes I have to allow them to get into a little trouble and use these moments as “teachable experiences”. And so it is with God. There will be times when He will sit back and allow us to get into a little trouble, so that He can bring us back into a right relationship with Him. When we figure out that we need help, He can use the moment to teach us just how inadequate we are on our own – aside from His power and wisdom.
The KEY is to humbly accept God’s correction, along with His help. If we turn our backs on Him and conclude that “No loving God would allow this to happen to me,” we have missed the point completely – and we’ll miss the blessings, too. If you removed a stove or heater from your house because children might touch it and get burned, they would never learn to stay away from the hot appliance! We have to accept that God will allow bad things to happen sometimes, so that we can grow – and recognize how much we need Him!
How you choose to react to the “teachable moments” in your life is up to you. But please don’t turn away from God. Don’t make the mistake of deciding that God has deserted you in these circumstances… because nothing could be farther from the truth. When troubles come – either those of your own making or the ones that seem to be the result of outside forces – call on God and ask Him, “LORD, what am I to learn from this? What will you show me? How will I grow from this experience with regard to my relationship with You?” Allow God to allow you room to develop and increase in your knowledge and faith in Him. God would never turn His back on you. Don’t make the mistake of deserting Him, either.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 9, 2013
Proverbs 3:1-4
My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
It’s happened. The heads of the Kardashian family… Kris and Bruce Jenner… are separating. Every news reporter is sharing this information, and while it is sad anytime a marriage suffers…we as a people are far too interested in this particular one.
On ABC’s The View, host Sherri Shepherd confessed to having an obsession with anything “Kardashian.” She explained that she fantasizes about what it would be like to live their lifestyle… to have their fame and fortune. She knows better. But what too many of us fail to recognize is how often celebrities lead hollow, empty lives. Their focus is in the wrong place. Lest I sound judgmental, I will be the first to admit that I do not truly know what is in their hearts. But I have seen the shows… I know how the Kardashians treat each other (at least on camera) – and what appears to be important to them. In my opinion, their primary focus is not keeping God’s commands in their hearts and operating daily with loyalty and kindness. Even amongst themselves, there is plenty of friction, tension, and personal disregard for the other’s feelings. And we won’t even talk about their reputations!
I’m sure there are some Godly, loyal, kind celebrities. But we don’t hear a lot about them, do we? And these are not who many of us select as a standard to which we aspire. We can choose to model our lives after the seemingly attractive and desirable existence of Celebrity A, B, or C. We can run after things that appear to satisfy and delight… money, attractiveness, fame and “success”. Or we can focus on God and keeping His commandments… operating in love, loyalty and kindness…and we can build a reputation for TRUE success and satisfaction. Give me a simple, humble servant of God over a Kardashian (or any other celeb, for that matter) any day of the week!
What about you? Are you seeking the everlasting favor of God… or is your standing among your peers more important? Who is the bigger celebrity to you… a Kardashian, or the person who spoons out food at your local soup kitchen on Saturday night? What is truly important to you… and how are you going about obtaining it?
Don’t laugh when I tell you that we should be praying for the Kardashians and people like them. But we should also be asking God to reveal to us any areas in which our own hearts and desires might not be lined up with His. We should be asking God to create in us a sense of genuineness and authenticity…in all things - to all people. If fame and fortune are His ordained “fringe benefits”… so be it. Either way, we will always be “rock stars” in God’s eyes. And isn’t that what it’s all about?
©2013 Debbie Robus
My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
It’s happened. The heads of the Kardashian family… Kris and Bruce Jenner… are separating. Every news reporter is sharing this information, and while it is sad anytime a marriage suffers…we as a people are far too interested in this particular one.
On ABC’s The View, host Sherri Shepherd confessed to having an obsession with anything “Kardashian.” She explained that she fantasizes about what it would be like to live their lifestyle… to have their fame and fortune. She knows better. But what too many of us fail to recognize is how often celebrities lead hollow, empty lives. Their focus is in the wrong place. Lest I sound judgmental, I will be the first to admit that I do not truly know what is in their hearts. But I have seen the shows… I know how the Kardashians treat each other (at least on camera) – and what appears to be important to them. In my opinion, their primary focus is not keeping God’s commands in their hearts and operating daily with loyalty and kindness. Even amongst themselves, there is plenty of friction, tension, and personal disregard for the other’s feelings. And we won’t even talk about their reputations!
I’m sure there are some Godly, loyal, kind celebrities. But we don’t hear a lot about them, do we? And these are not who many of us select as a standard to which we aspire. We can choose to model our lives after the seemingly attractive and desirable existence of Celebrity A, B, or C. We can run after things that appear to satisfy and delight… money, attractiveness, fame and “success”. Or we can focus on God and keeping His commandments… operating in love, loyalty and kindness…and we can build a reputation for TRUE success and satisfaction. Give me a simple, humble servant of God over a Kardashian (or any other celeb, for that matter) any day of the week!
What about you? Are you seeking the everlasting favor of God… or is your standing among your peers more important? Who is the bigger celebrity to you… a Kardashian, or the person who spoons out food at your local soup kitchen on Saturday night? What is truly important to you… and how are you going about obtaining it?
Don’t laugh when I tell you that we should be praying for the Kardashians and people like them. But we should also be asking God to reveal to us any areas in which our own hearts and desires might not be lined up with His. We should be asking God to create in us a sense of genuineness and authenticity…in all things - to all people. If fame and fortune are His ordained “fringe benefits”… so be it. Either way, we will always be “rock stars” in God’s eyes. And isn’t that what it’s all about?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 8, 2013
Proverbs 16:9
We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live 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.
We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live 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 year ago today, Greg and I were in Arlington, Texas, loading up my niece, her husband and three children – and moving them back to Arkansas. When I was her age (23), I would have never believed anyone who told me that someday we would be so actively involved in the lives of children ages 4, 2, and 1. Even at age FORTY-THREE, I would not have imagined this! We did not have children… we felt God sent us in a different direction - and we planned accordingly.
When we retired in 2005, I was not even fifty years old. My “retirement plans” included spending time with Greg and our two cats, exploring lots of writing projects – blogs, music, and articles for “content” websites, antiquing, catching up on the stacks of books I had purchased and never read… and much more. God has allowed me to fulfill some of these plans… just not in the way I had envisioned them. I now write mostly devotionals and a few blog posts…my “antiquing phase” has greatly waned… and I play the piano and guitar about once a week for an hour or so – or when the children visit. Many of those books I bought are still on the shelf - waiting to be read.
My “retirement plans” have taken a pretty sharp turn… but the results have been no less blessed or fulfilling. Our home has frequently been filled with the noise of at least one – and sometimes two or three babies and toddlers. Watching this family grow and develop has been an unexpected joy. I am so grateful that God gave me such a compatible mate. Greg and I spend virtually every waking moment together, and we still enjoy each other’s company after almost 40 years of marriage. Our 14-year-old cats have learned to tolerate frequent visits from little ones who love to chase them… and yes, I think that is somewhat God’s doing, as well. I was able to provide the necessary care for my grandmother in her last years and spend a lot of time with her – or doing things behind the scenes with regard to her care. Now that she is gone, those memories – even the less than happy ones – sustain me.
God has shifted my focus… and I am trying to stay alert to His plans for my life instead of my own. I’m a slow learner, but I’m learning nonetheless… that each day has its own ebb and flow – and blessings. The key is to choose to see them! I can plan the way I want to live… but only God will make me able to live it. And on the days when things don’t go according to my plans, I can choose to be upset – or to look for God’s hand in the shifting… and work with what He allows. I can clearly see that God has been orchestrating the events of my life from the very beginning… with some fairly amazing experiences and outcomes. Why on earth would I want to start trying to tell Him how to run things now?
What about you? Are you planning the way you want to live and fully expecting everything to go just as you designed it? Are you frustrated, angry and upset when things do not materialize as you expected? Isn’t it time you recognize God’s hand in making us able to live out our plans… and embrace the changes He allows and/or arranges? I promise you… God is at work in every single detail of our lives. It is up to us to see this… and to acknowledge His presence. How we react to the events of our lives is totally up to us. What will you choose to do?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 7, 2013
Proverbs 16:19
You are better off to be humble and poor than to get rich from what you take by force.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I have spent most of the day trying to figure out what to share with you in this devotional. This was not an especially busy day for me. When I awoke this morning, I knew that I had plenty of time to do a few household chores, write this devotional – and even squeeze in a workout before dinner time. This morning, two friends telephoned to visit with me – one delivered some sad news, and the other was checking on a mutual acquaintance. Both calls were important. Then another friend called to discuss a sewing project on which she was working and to seek some advice. That was important also. AND…I phoned my mother to share the sad news that one of the friends had delivered earlier…per her request.
In all, a lot of my morning was spent on the telephone. I decided to “park” this scripture and get in a workout. Greg was delivering Meals on Wheels, as he does each Monday. He returned before I finished exercising and said, “It’s such a beautiful day… I was hoping we could go for a bike ride.” My friend with the sewing project was due to visit later in the afternoon so that I could help her. I told Greg that it shouldn’t take long to do the sewing, and we could ride afterward… and we did. What a beautiful afternoon we shared… bright, sunny skies and cool, crisp fall air. We returned home just before time for dinner.
After we ate, Greg went to his office to watch a ballgame, and I was going to work on this devotional. My friend called… her sewing project was not going well. She had difficulties that I could not “talk her through” over the phone, so I insisted she drive back to our house, so that I could help her finish the project. As she drove away from our house, I thought… “Here’s my devotional!”
See, the “richest” part of my day was not what I was able to check off my list. It was the people with whom I spent time. Dishes can wait… that television show I might have wanted to watch can be recorded and viewed later (or skipped altogether)…the little “projects” I had hoped to work on today will still be there tomorrow – or next week – but my friends and family wanted and/or needed me today. Had I stomped my foot or made excuses and said, “I’m not answering the phone again!” or “I will not do another thing with someone else until I check XYZ off of my own list,” I might have missed out on some wonderful blessings.
The point is that we are missing out on the riches found in the little things of life, because we are focused on getting ahead or accomplishing as much as possible in as little time as possible. We truly would be “better off humble and poor” than to have trampled over the feelings of others to get what we want. To make another feel like your priorities and preferences are more important than his/hers… in even small matters… is the same as getting rich – or getting ahead – by force. When we choose to stop focusing on our own desires more than the needs of others, we have truly begun to understand what it is to be a disciple of Christ.
On any given day, our plans don’t go as we hoped. Sometimes that is our own doing… other times God is showing us opportunities to serve in His name… or even to receive a blessing that He wants to bestow. Whether we tap into what God is offering or not is totally up to us. It’s our choice. We start by being attuned to His will for our lives…and learning to ask Him, “What do YOU think I should do in this situation?” When we listen to His lead, we always make the right choice in the end. The question is… are you listening? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
You are better off to be humble and poor than to get rich from what you take by force.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I have spent most of the day trying to figure out what to share with you in this devotional. This was not an especially busy day for me. When I awoke this morning, I knew that I had plenty of time to do a few household chores, write this devotional – and even squeeze in a workout before dinner time. This morning, two friends telephoned to visit with me – one delivered some sad news, and the other was checking on a mutual acquaintance. Both calls were important. Then another friend called to discuss a sewing project on which she was working and to seek some advice. That was important also. AND…I phoned my mother to share the sad news that one of the friends had delivered earlier…per her request.
In all, a lot of my morning was spent on the telephone. I decided to “park” this scripture and get in a workout. Greg was delivering Meals on Wheels, as he does each Monday. He returned before I finished exercising and said, “It’s such a beautiful day… I was hoping we could go for a bike ride.” My friend with the sewing project was due to visit later in the afternoon so that I could help her. I told Greg that it shouldn’t take long to do the sewing, and we could ride afterward… and we did. What a beautiful afternoon we shared… bright, sunny skies and cool, crisp fall air. We returned home just before time for dinner.
After we ate, Greg went to his office to watch a ballgame, and I was going to work on this devotional. My friend called… her sewing project was not going well. She had difficulties that I could not “talk her through” over the phone, so I insisted she drive back to our house, so that I could help her finish the project. As she drove away from our house, I thought… “Here’s my devotional!”
See, the “richest” part of my day was not what I was able to check off my list. It was the people with whom I spent time. Dishes can wait… that television show I might have wanted to watch can be recorded and viewed later (or skipped altogether)…the little “projects” I had hoped to work on today will still be there tomorrow – or next week – but my friends and family wanted and/or needed me today. Had I stomped my foot or made excuses and said, “I’m not answering the phone again!” or “I will not do another thing with someone else until I check XYZ off of my own list,” I might have missed out on some wonderful blessings.
The point is that we are missing out on the riches found in the little things of life, because we are focused on getting ahead or accomplishing as much as possible in as little time as possible. We truly would be “better off humble and poor” than to have trampled over the feelings of others to get what we want. To make another feel like your priorities and preferences are more important than his/hers… in even small matters… is the same as getting rich – or getting ahead – by force. When we choose to stop focusing on our own desires more than the needs of others, we have truly begun to understand what it is to be a disciple of Christ.
On any given day, our plans don’t go as we hoped. Sometimes that is our own doing… other times God is showing us opportunities to serve in His name… or even to receive a blessing that He wants to bestow. Whether we tap into what God is offering or not is totally up to us. It’s our choice. We start by being attuned to His will for our lives…and learning to ask Him, “What do YOU think I should do in this situation?” When we listen to His lead, we always make the right choice in the end. The question is… are you listening? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 6, 2013
Proverbs 14:12-13
There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough;
look again—it leads straight to hell.
Sure, those people appear to be having a good time,
but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.
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.
Someone brought my mother-in-law some wonderful chocolates from Scotland. We were visiting her one day, and she offered us each a piece, commenting on how good the candy tasted. I politely declined, since I am allergic to chocolate, and she said, “I really don’t think just a little taste would hurt you.” Greg replied…”It might only put her in the ER and not actually admit her to the hospital!” There are plenty of times when I have to make a choice with regard to foods… particularly when I am uncertain of all of the ingredients. If I have even the slightest doubt, I opt to skip it. Trust me… there have been plenty of tempting and tantalizing foods that I so wanted to try – and they looked “harmless enough”… but I knew that they at least held the potential to send me to the ER… if not to kill me!!
I know this sounds overly dramatic. While I have been whisked to the hospital or clinic a few times, I have thankfully never been at death’s door over an allergic reaction. But sadly, a lot of us tinker with “death” of sorts on a regular basis in our daily living. We do things that we know displease God. We “sew our wild oats” and figure we will “square things” with God later. As my former pastor John Miles often said, “Sin can be fun!” But the consequences of sin are anything but a laughing matter.
The next time you start to share a juicy tidbit of gossip with friends, ask yourself… “What’s the payoff?” When you are at a party and things start to take an unsavory direction, consider whether you should stick around… or whether you should have accepted the invitation in the first place. If someone asks you to cover for them, and you think this would make things easier for you in your relationship with this person… or your job… or your standing in the church/school/community… weigh the consequences. Will it really make things easier in the long run… or are you choosing a short-term solution?
Every day, we make life or death decisions. They may not be of the “Will this kill me if I eat it?” variety… but the results are essentially just as critical. Before you choose temporary fun and laughter, consider the long-term ramifications. You’ve heard the adage… “One minute on the lips… forever on the hips.” Think of it in spiritual terms… “One minute of “harmless enough” fun…forever in heartbreak and misery.” The risk is too high… the price is too costly. In the words of Joshua 24:15… “If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you’re now living. As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.”
Will you choose momentary fun and a good time… or the blessings of God’s favor and eternal life? The ball is totally in your court!
©2013 Debbie Robus
There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough;
look again—it leads straight to hell.
Sure, those people appear to be having a good time,
but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.
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.
Someone brought my mother-in-law some wonderful chocolates from Scotland. We were visiting her one day, and she offered us each a piece, commenting on how good the candy tasted. I politely declined, since I am allergic to chocolate, and she said, “I really don’t think just a little taste would hurt you.” Greg replied…”It might only put her in the ER and not actually admit her to the hospital!” There are plenty of times when I have to make a choice with regard to foods… particularly when I am uncertain of all of the ingredients. If I have even the slightest doubt, I opt to skip it. Trust me… there have been plenty of tempting and tantalizing foods that I so wanted to try – and they looked “harmless enough”… but I knew that they at least held the potential to send me to the ER… if not to kill me!!
I know this sounds overly dramatic. While I have been whisked to the hospital or clinic a few times, I have thankfully never been at death’s door over an allergic reaction. But sadly, a lot of us tinker with “death” of sorts on a regular basis in our daily living. We do things that we know displease God. We “sew our wild oats” and figure we will “square things” with God later. As my former pastor John Miles often said, “Sin can be fun!” But the consequences of sin are anything but a laughing matter.
The next time you start to share a juicy tidbit of gossip with friends, ask yourself… “What’s the payoff?” When you are at a party and things start to take an unsavory direction, consider whether you should stick around… or whether you should have accepted the invitation in the first place. If someone asks you to cover for them, and you think this would make things easier for you in your relationship with this person… or your job… or your standing in the church/school/community… weigh the consequences. Will it really make things easier in the long run… or are you choosing a short-term solution?
Every day, we make life or death decisions. They may not be of the “Will this kill me if I eat it?” variety… but the results are essentially just as critical. Before you choose temporary fun and laughter, consider the long-term ramifications. You’ve heard the adage… “One minute on the lips… forever on the hips.” Think of it in spiritual terms… “One minute of “harmless enough” fun…forever in heartbreak and misery.” The risk is too high… the price is too costly. In the words of Joshua 24:15… “If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you’re now living. As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.”
Will you choose momentary fun and a good time… or the blessings of God’s favor and eternal life? The ball is totally in your court!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 5, 2013
Philippians 4:8-9
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When I was nine years old, my great-grandfather died. I remember sitting on my great-grandmother’s lap in their little farmhouse at Wilburn, Arkansas, and telling her how sorry I was. She replied that everything would be okay… that we would all be okay. I can still remember my mother saying, “Granny is a strong woman.” In recent years, I learned that there was at least a time when Granny was anything but strong. She “took to her bed”, as old-timers like to say - somewhere around 1920 - and stayed there for SEVENTEEN YEARS! From what we can glean, we believe that Granny suffered a nervous breakdown after a bout with the flu – and possibly a miscarriage. My paternal grandmother, who grew up with Granny’s children, always said that “Granny had some sort of ‘spell’ and just went to bed.”
One of Granny’s daughters told Mother that my great-grandfather tried everything to cheer her up… taking her on wagon rides on Sunday afternoons… even moving into town for a year so that Granny could drink local mineral waters that were said to have healing effects… doing virtually anything he thought might please her. It was all to no avail. Granny ran her family (my great-grandfather, my grandfather, his brother and a toddler sister) and her household from bed… and she even bore two more children during this time. And as my grandfather and his older siblings grew up and left home, Granny gradually began to get up out of bed and take on a few household chores… and even some cooking. She died in 1968, at the age of 79. I was grown and married before I ever knew anything of this 17-year episode.
There are a lot of us who have figuratively “taken to our beds” – if not literally. We mope around with an unpleasant look on our faces and an unhappy attitude. We gripe and complain… about everything. Many have even built a reputation for being a negative person… someone whom others don’t care to be around – at least for very long. I know a few people like this, don’t you? They are always mad or angry about something or someone…nothing is ever quite right…and every word from their mouth is tinged with a hint of displeasure and dissatisfaction. The crazy thing is that some of these people even claim to be Spirit-filled Christians!
I GOOGLED the phrase “positive people”… hoping to find some inspirational personal stories of people who have remained positive and pleasant against all odds. Instead, I found this list of 10 Essential Habits of Positive People at a website called Lifehack.org. (http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/the-10-essential-habits-of-positive-people.html) Please visit this site and read the commentary that expounds on each of these ten points. It’s very good and highly enlightening. But here are the 10 basic points…
God doesn’t love us any less when we behave in this manner… but He surely would like to see us turn this around. We can… and He will help us! But here’s the deal… it’s our choice! We can choose to call on the LORD and summon every ounce of strength and resolve necessary to overcome negative forces in our life… to become positive people who fill our minds and meditate on “things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” We can put into practice the teachings of Jesus… all that we have seen, heard and realized. Or we can allow the devil to have a field day – to consume us with negative thoughts and attitudes, depression, disillusionment, and a general dissatisfaction with our life and everyone in it.
I know some of you will argue that there are extenuating circumstances… medical complications and mental disorders that cause some to behave this way. And you are right. But most of us use this as a crutch because we don’t want to accept our own choices. Too many of us rather enjoy wallowing in self-pity and negativity… and we have chosen to stay there!
I don’t know about you, but this is an easy decision for me. I want the joys and symple rhythms of a life in Christ… one where He helps me over the bumps in the road and through the difficult times – and there will always be difficult times – and moves me along toward heaven. I want to operate in service that pleases Him… an attitude that says that my life in Christ can overcome any obstacles and hitches the devil tries to place in my path. Like my Granny told me when I was ten, everything will be okay. I believe that, because I believe that God will work everything together for His perfect harmonies in those who choose to love and serve Him.
What do you believe? And how will you choose to operate?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When I was nine years old, my great-grandfather died. I remember sitting on my great-grandmother’s lap in their little farmhouse at Wilburn, Arkansas, and telling her how sorry I was. She replied that everything would be okay… that we would all be okay. I can still remember my mother saying, “Granny is a strong woman.” In recent years, I learned that there was at least a time when Granny was anything but strong. She “took to her bed”, as old-timers like to say - somewhere around 1920 - and stayed there for SEVENTEEN YEARS! From what we can glean, we believe that Granny suffered a nervous breakdown after a bout with the flu – and possibly a miscarriage. My paternal grandmother, who grew up with Granny’s children, always said that “Granny had some sort of ‘spell’ and just went to bed.”
One of Granny’s daughters told Mother that my great-grandfather tried everything to cheer her up… taking her on wagon rides on Sunday afternoons… even moving into town for a year so that Granny could drink local mineral waters that were said to have healing effects… doing virtually anything he thought might please her. It was all to no avail. Granny ran her family (my great-grandfather, my grandfather, his brother and a toddler sister) and her household from bed… and she even bore two more children during this time. And as my grandfather and his older siblings grew up and left home, Granny gradually began to get up out of bed and take on a few household chores… and even some cooking. She died in 1968, at the age of 79. I was grown and married before I ever knew anything of this 17-year episode.
There are a lot of us who have figuratively “taken to our beds” – if not literally. We mope around with an unpleasant look on our faces and an unhappy attitude. We gripe and complain… about everything. Many have even built a reputation for being a negative person… someone whom others don’t care to be around – at least for very long. I know a few people like this, don’t you? They are always mad or angry about something or someone…nothing is ever quite right…and every word from their mouth is tinged with a hint of displeasure and dissatisfaction. The crazy thing is that some of these people even claim to be Spirit-filled Christians!
I GOOGLED the phrase “positive people”… hoping to find some inspirational personal stories of people who have remained positive and pleasant against all odds. Instead, I found this list of 10 Essential Habits of Positive People at a website called Lifehack.org. (http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/the-10-essential-habits-of-positive-people.html) Please visit this site and read the commentary that expounds on each of these ten points. It’s very good and highly enlightening. But here are the 10 basic points…
- Positive people don’t confuse quitting with letting go.
- Positive people don’t just have a good day – they make a good day.
- For the positive person, the past stays in the past.
- Show me a positive person and I can show you a grateful person.
- Rather than being stuck in their limitations, positive people are energized by their possibilities.
- Positive people do not let their fears interfere with their lives!
- Positive people smile a lot!
- People who are positive are great communicators.
- Positive people realize that if you live long enough, there are times for great pain and sadness.
- Positive persons are empowered people – they refuse to blame others and are not victims in life.
God doesn’t love us any less when we behave in this manner… but He surely would like to see us turn this around. We can… and He will help us! But here’s the deal… it’s our choice! We can choose to call on the LORD and summon every ounce of strength and resolve necessary to overcome negative forces in our life… to become positive people who fill our minds and meditate on “things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” We can put into practice the teachings of Jesus… all that we have seen, heard and realized. Or we can allow the devil to have a field day – to consume us with negative thoughts and attitudes, depression, disillusionment, and a general dissatisfaction with our life and everyone in it.
I know some of you will argue that there are extenuating circumstances… medical complications and mental disorders that cause some to behave this way. And you are right. But most of us use this as a crutch because we don’t want to accept our own choices. Too many of us rather enjoy wallowing in self-pity and negativity… and we have chosen to stay there!
I don’t know about you, but this is an easy decision for me. I want the joys and symple rhythms of a life in Christ… one where He helps me over the bumps in the road and through the difficult times – and there will always be difficult times – and moves me along toward heaven. I want to operate in service that pleases Him… an attitude that says that my life in Christ can overcome any obstacles and hitches the devil tries to place in my path. Like my Granny told me when I was ten, everything will be okay. I believe that, because I believe that God will work everything together for His perfect harmonies in those who choose to love and serve Him.
What do you believe? And how will you choose to operate?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 4, 2013
Numbers 9:15-23
As soon as the sacred tent was set up, a thick cloud appeared and covered it. The cloud was there each day, and during the night, a fire could be seen in it. The Lord used this cloud to tell the Israelites when to move their camp and where to set it up again. As long as the cloud covered the tent, the Israelites did not break camp. But when the cloud moved, they followed it, and wherever it stopped, they camped and stayed there, whether it was only one night, a few days, a month, or even a year. As long as the cloud remained over the tent, the Israelites stayed where they were. But when the cloud moved, so did the Israelites. They obeyed the Lord’s commands and went wherever he directed Moses.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I once knew a woman who traveled a lot for work. When she was gone, she left her porch light on, so that her neighbors would know she was away and her house was unattended. When she returned, she turned off the light. This was their “neighborhood watch” system… until the time she came home and didn’t turn out the porch light. The neighbors assumed she was still away. When other friends noted that she was not answering phone calls, or returning messages, her home was searched. She was discovered in her garage, sitting in her car…a victim of suicide. She had circumvented the neighborhood signaling system… and created a truly “epic – and tragic - fail.”
It sounds so good on the surface to think that God would have this “foolproof” system of communicating with us. Storm clouds hanging overhead? Don’t budge! Clouds on the move? Go with them! But here’s the problem with this system… we are not that obedient. We would ultimately decide that we knew better than God’s cloud, and we would set out on our own at some point. I know us! We are a stubborn people! Additionally, we grow impatient and complacent. We would get to the point where we didn’t even really notice that cloud. We would forget to even check to see if it was there or not. And the next thing you know, God would appear – or move – and we would be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Just as you could argue that the devil used my friend’s “porch-light system” with her neighbors to create a diversion and allow her to take her own life, you could conclude with fairly high accuracy that he would at least try to find a way to distract us from God and His signals.
There are a couple of lessons in this passage. We are not obedient enough to operate under such a black and white system… even if we should be. We need the grace and mercy God offers us through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. We have a far better chance of serving God obediently if we are dependent on a constant dialog and active interaction with Him. We are far more apt to stay awake and alert… and to follow His lead… if we are required to pay attention – to listen and respond. We need the forgiveness of a loving God that results from an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit… because we probably will get busy at some point and lose focus… and the “cloud” will come and go without us.
Does this mean that we have a license to do as we please and ignore God’s “signals”? Absolutely not! Paying attention to God and staying focused on Him is more important than ever. This brings me to the second lesson of this passage. Because God no longer operates in such a “black-and-white” system, we have a choice to make. We can choose to follow Him and do the necessary work to stay in communion with Him… or we can choose to wander off down another path – to be swayed by the persuasions of the devil - and to allow him to distract and dissuade us.
I know that there were a lot of people who felt they missed the signs of distress that my friend displayed. I know that there are dozens of distractions for each of us in any given hour. And I know that it sounds like a simple “cloud/no cloud” system from God would simplify everything. But truly, it would not. There is no short-cut. We must all choose whether to pay attention and listen to God’s signals… or whether to “wing it”, do our own thing, and let outside forces determine our destiny. For me, the latter is simply not an option… what about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
As soon as the sacred tent was set up, a thick cloud appeared and covered it. The cloud was there each day, and during the night, a fire could be seen in it. The Lord used this cloud to tell the Israelites when to move their camp and where to set it up again. As long as the cloud covered the tent, the Israelites did not break camp. But when the cloud moved, they followed it, and wherever it stopped, they camped and stayed there, whether it was only one night, a few days, a month, or even a year. As long as the cloud remained over the tent, the Israelites stayed where they were. But when the cloud moved, so did the Israelites. They obeyed the Lord’s commands and went wherever he directed Moses.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I once knew a woman who traveled a lot for work. When she was gone, she left her porch light on, so that her neighbors would know she was away and her house was unattended. When she returned, she turned off the light. This was their “neighborhood watch” system… until the time she came home and didn’t turn out the porch light. The neighbors assumed she was still away. When other friends noted that she was not answering phone calls, or returning messages, her home was searched. She was discovered in her garage, sitting in her car…a victim of suicide. She had circumvented the neighborhood signaling system… and created a truly “epic – and tragic - fail.”
It sounds so good on the surface to think that God would have this “foolproof” system of communicating with us. Storm clouds hanging overhead? Don’t budge! Clouds on the move? Go with them! But here’s the problem with this system… we are not that obedient. We would ultimately decide that we knew better than God’s cloud, and we would set out on our own at some point. I know us! We are a stubborn people! Additionally, we grow impatient and complacent. We would get to the point where we didn’t even really notice that cloud. We would forget to even check to see if it was there or not. And the next thing you know, God would appear – or move – and we would be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Just as you could argue that the devil used my friend’s “porch-light system” with her neighbors to create a diversion and allow her to take her own life, you could conclude with fairly high accuracy that he would at least try to find a way to distract us from God and His signals.
There are a couple of lessons in this passage. We are not obedient enough to operate under such a black and white system… even if we should be. We need the grace and mercy God offers us through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. We have a far better chance of serving God obediently if we are dependent on a constant dialog and active interaction with Him. We are far more apt to stay awake and alert… and to follow His lead… if we are required to pay attention – to listen and respond. We need the forgiveness of a loving God that results from an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit… because we probably will get busy at some point and lose focus… and the “cloud” will come and go without us.
Does this mean that we have a license to do as we please and ignore God’s “signals”? Absolutely not! Paying attention to God and staying focused on Him is more important than ever. This brings me to the second lesson of this passage. Because God no longer operates in such a “black-and-white” system, we have a choice to make. We can choose to follow Him and do the necessary work to stay in communion with Him… or we can choose to wander off down another path – to be swayed by the persuasions of the devil - and to allow him to distract and dissuade us.
I know that there were a lot of people who felt they missed the signs of distress that my friend displayed. I know that there are dozens of distractions for each of us in any given hour. And I know that it sounds like a simple “cloud/no cloud” system from God would simplify everything. But truly, it would not. There is no short-cut. We must all choose whether to pay attention and listen to God’s signals… or whether to “wing it”, do our own thing, and let outside forces determine our destiny. For me, the latter is simply not an option… what about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 3, 2013
Matthew 7:1-5
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, Greg and his mother and I attended a 50th anniversary celebration of the dedication of Greers Ferry Dam, which was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy on October 3, 1963. Today’s keynote speaker was President Bill Clinton, who reminded us of President Kennedy’s remarks and the world events of that era. He noted the civil rights struggle and how Arkansas’ own governor disagreed with President Kennedy in this matter… that our country was just beginning to emerge from the effects of wars and global conflicts…and how there was a struggle in our country over voter rights. He also cited a famous speech by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in which Dr. King reminded all of us to… “Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.” In other words, President Clinton used Dr. King’s words and those of President Kennedy to encourage us to set aside our personal affronts and differences, and reach out a hand to one another… to work together for a better future.
There is no room in this admonition for us to pick on one another… to argue and dole out blame. This is not just the wise caution of two former United States Presidents and a Nobel Peace Prize-winning clergyman and civil rights activist! These are also the words of Jesus Christ, as He tells us clearly to take a long, hard look in the mirror before we choose to criticize or belittle someone else. Jesus reminds us that we cannot call another person names, look down our nose at them, or demean them in anyway until we have become blameless, spotless, and inarguably perfect in every way! Can I tell you something? This will never happen!
We do have a choice. We can remain smug and find every possible reason to fail to get along. We can be critical and self-serving and find faults in others left and right. We can neglect to make any progress… and create a pretty sad legacy for future generations. Or we can heed the suggestions offered today in President Clinton’s remarks and this scripture passage… we can take the focus off of ourselves and our own agendas and find a way to get along. We don’t always have to agree. We don’t always have to be right. We just have to find a way to work together and make forward progress.
Our focus should not be on “us versus them”. Instead, we should be asking at every turn, “How does God want me to work with others for His purposes?” What does He desire that we build together? How does God want me to set aside my desires and differences for the greater good of His kingdom – and others? It’s simply not about you… or me! And the sooner we quit griping and complaining about the other guy and work on our own shortcomings… the sooner we stop being so critical of others and start looking for positives…the sooner we take the focus off of ourselves and put it where it belongs - on God and His plans and desires - the sooner things will improve on all fronts.
The choice is ours… the next move depends on us. How will you decide?
©2013 Debbie Robus
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, Greg and his mother and I attended a 50th anniversary celebration of the dedication of Greers Ferry Dam, which was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy on October 3, 1963. Today’s keynote speaker was President Bill Clinton, who reminded us of President Kennedy’s remarks and the world events of that era. He noted the civil rights struggle and how Arkansas’ own governor disagreed with President Kennedy in this matter… that our country was just beginning to emerge from the effects of wars and global conflicts…and how there was a struggle in our country over voter rights. He also cited a famous speech by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in which Dr. King reminded all of us to… “Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.” In other words, President Clinton used Dr. King’s words and those of President Kennedy to encourage us to set aside our personal affronts and differences, and reach out a hand to one another… to work together for a better future.
There is no room in this admonition for us to pick on one another… to argue and dole out blame. This is not just the wise caution of two former United States Presidents and a Nobel Peace Prize-winning clergyman and civil rights activist! These are also the words of Jesus Christ, as He tells us clearly to take a long, hard look in the mirror before we choose to criticize or belittle someone else. Jesus reminds us that we cannot call another person names, look down our nose at them, or demean them in anyway until we have become blameless, spotless, and inarguably perfect in every way! Can I tell you something? This will never happen!
We do have a choice. We can remain smug and find every possible reason to fail to get along. We can be critical and self-serving and find faults in others left and right. We can neglect to make any progress… and create a pretty sad legacy for future generations. Or we can heed the suggestions offered today in President Clinton’s remarks and this scripture passage… we can take the focus off of ourselves and our own agendas and find a way to get along. We don’t always have to agree. We don’t always have to be right. We just have to find a way to work together and make forward progress.
Our focus should not be on “us versus them”. Instead, we should be asking at every turn, “How does God want me to work with others for His purposes?” What does He desire that we build together? How does God want me to set aside my desires and differences for the greater good of His kingdom – and others? It’s simply not about you… or me! And the sooner we quit griping and complaining about the other guy and work on our own shortcomings… the sooner we stop being so critical of others and start looking for positives…the sooner we take the focus off of ourselves and put it where it belongs - on God and His plans and desires - the sooner things will improve on all fronts.
The choice is ours… the next move depends on us. How will you decide?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 2, 2013
Matthew 7:13-14
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.
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.
Pinterest is a wonderful resource for clever ideas, hints, tips, recipes, information and how-to’s of all kinds. There are also plenty of “pins” for shortcuts. One that comes to mind is how to hem a garment with double-faced tape. Don’t know how to sew? Don’t worry! Just use double-faced tape… or “iron-on” tape. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Quick, easy, and neat! Except double-faced tape… and to some degree, iron-on tape… is not permanent. It doesn’t hold up for the long haul in the wash. First thing you know, you’ll be walking down the street, and part of your pant or skirt hem will be dangling… a look that is anything but neat and secure!
The only way to be sure your hem is going to stay in place and serve you well is to use a needle and thread and secure it the old-fashioned way. It takes time, practice – and maybe a little skill – but anyone of reasonable age and dexterity can manage this. Yes, you can learn to “sew on a button” or hem a pair of pants!
For many people, Christian faith is something they wish to trot out for an hour on Sunday – or maybe just at Christmas and Easter. They will tell you that they desire a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus… that they are fairly certain that God is watching over them and meeting their needs. But in truth, their bond with God amounts to little more than a strip of double-faced or iron-on mending tape! Before you know it, that “hem” will fall apart in the “wash” of life, and those who opted to take the “short-cut” to Christian faith and discipleship will be left with a tattered, dirty and daunting remnant of their life in Christ instead of a vibrant, fully-interactive association with Him.
The only way to enjoy a safe, secure, solid – and shared – bond with Jesus Christ is to invest time in your relationship. Truly study God’s word and determine how it applies to your life and your present situations. Talk to Him – and listen to what He has to say in return. Develop an association with fellow believers and share insights, struggles, and blessings with them. Think about Jesus – OFTEN! Put Him at the forefront of everything you say and do. I know it sounds trite, but actually ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” Better yet, ask HIM… “LORD… what would you do? What should I do?”
Just as anyone of reasonable age and dexterity can learn to sew on a button – or put in a hem – you and I can develop a vibrant, interactive, and everlasting relationship with Jesus Christ. All we have to do is invest a little time and effort… He will handle the rest. Now that’s something worth “pinning”! Are you willing to devote your total attention to Jesus and do the work to develop an abiding relationship with Him? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.
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.
Pinterest is a wonderful resource for clever ideas, hints, tips, recipes, information and how-to’s of all kinds. There are also plenty of “pins” for shortcuts. One that comes to mind is how to hem a garment with double-faced tape. Don’t know how to sew? Don’t worry! Just use double-faced tape… or “iron-on” tape. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Quick, easy, and neat! Except double-faced tape… and to some degree, iron-on tape… is not permanent. It doesn’t hold up for the long haul in the wash. First thing you know, you’ll be walking down the street, and part of your pant or skirt hem will be dangling… a look that is anything but neat and secure!
The only way to be sure your hem is going to stay in place and serve you well is to use a needle and thread and secure it the old-fashioned way. It takes time, practice – and maybe a little skill – but anyone of reasonable age and dexterity can manage this. Yes, you can learn to “sew on a button” or hem a pair of pants!
For many people, Christian faith is something they wish to trot out for an hour on Sunday – or maybe just at Christmas and Easter. They will tell you that they desire a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus… that they are fairly certain that God is watching over them and meeting their needs. But in truth, their bond with God amounts to little more than a strip of double-faced or iron-on mending tape! Before you know it, that “hem” will fall apart in the “wash” of life, and those who opted to take the “short-cut” to Christian faith and discipleship will be left with a tattered, dirty and daunting remnant of their life in Christ instead of a vibrant, fully-interactive association with Him.
The only way to enjoy a safe, secure, solid – and shared – bond with Jesus Christ is to invest time in your relationship. Truly study God’s word and determine how it applies to your life and your present situations. Talk to Him – and listen to what He has to say in return. Develop an association with fellow believers and share insights, struggles, and blessings with them. Think about Jesus – OFTEN! Put Him at the forefront of everything you say and do. I know it sounds trite, but actually ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” Better yet, ask HIM… “LORD… what would you do? What should I do?”
Just as anyone of reasonable age and dexterity can learn to sew on a button – or put in a hem – you and I can develop a vibrant, interactive, and everlasting relationship with Jesus Christ. All we have to do is invest a little time and effort… He will handle the rest. Now that’s something worth “pinning”! Are you willing to devote your total attention to Jesus and do the work to develop an abiding relationship with Him? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 1, 2013
Matthew 6:1
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
On August 21, 2013, a New York City cab jumped the sidewalk and plowed into a cyclist, then hit British tourist Siân Green and severed her leg. People in the area sprang into action, including a plumber named David Justino, who removed his belt and applied it to the leg as a tourniquet. Max Crespo, a food vendor brought ice and packed the severed limb, and an unnamed nurse guided all of the life-saving efforts. The story gained national attention when celebrity physician Mehmet Oz emerged from his office across the street to offer his assistance. If you GOOGLE this story, you will see that several of the heroes in this story are named… Justino and Crespo are among them. Of course, onlookers readily recognized Dr. Oz. The nurse did not give her name, and I am not sure whether she has ever come forth. As I write this devotional, there is an ad running on television for an upcoming Dr. Oz Show episode that will feature Siân Green and some of her “heroes”.
There are countless events in our world every day where people rush to make a difference in the lives of others. And in Dr. Oz’ defense, he cannot help that he is widely recognized. It might seem like he is exploiting this event. And in the eyes of some… maybe he is. But I visited Dr. Oz’ blog and learned more about “Plumber Dave” (as some have dubbed him) and the other unsung heroes of this tragedy, and Dr. Oz appears to be giving them all the credit for saving the life of Siân Green.
Imagine if every time your doctor saved a life, he/she called a news conference! What if you put out a notice on social media every time you helped a neighbor, bought someone’s meal in the drive-thru line, or sent a note of appreciation to someone who had touched your life in some manner? Would your efforts appear to be genuine and offered out of true discipleship and service? Or would stroking your ego seem to be the driving force behind them?
Ask yourself these simple questions… “Why am I doing XYZ? Is it so people will notice me and be impressed? Or is it because God has called me to serve Him by serving others… in whatever manner and format are appropriate at the time?” Remind yourself that God does not applaud when you “toot your own horn”! He does not reward ego and self-serving talk and actions. Nothing about Christian discipleship is truly about us!
On Dr. Oz’ blog (http://blog.doctoroz.com/dr-oz-blog/our-common-kindness), he states…
©2013 Debbie Robus
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
On August 21, 2013, a New York City cab jumped the sidewalk and plowed into a cyclist, then hit British tourist Siân Green and severed her leg. People in the area sprang into action, including a plumber named David Justino, who removed his belt and applied it to the leg as a tourniquet. Max Crespo, a food vendor brought ice and packed the severed limb, and an unnamed nurse guided all of the life-saving efforts. The story gained national attention when celebrity physician Mehmet Oz emerged from his office across the street to offer his assistance. If you GOOGLE this story, you will see that several of the heroes in this story are named… Justino and Crespo are among them. Of course, onlookers readily recognized Dr. Oz. The nurse did not give her name, and I am not sure whether she has ever come forth. As I write this devotional, there is an ad running on television for an upcoming Dr. Oz Show episode that will feature Siân Green and some of her “heroes”.
There are countless events in our world every day where people rush to make a difference in the lives of others. And in Dr. Oz’ defense, he cannot help that he is widely recognized. It might seem like he is exploiting this event. And in the eyes of some… maybe he is. But I visited Dr. Oz’ blog and learned more about “Plumber Dave” (as some have dubbed him) and the other unsung heroes of this tragedy, and Dr. Oz appears to be giving them all the credit for saving the life of Siân Green.
Imagine if every time your doctor saved a life, he/she called a news conference! What if you put out a notice on social media every time you helped a neighbor, bought someone’s meal in the drive-thru line, or sent a note of appreciation to someone who had touched your life in some manner? Would your efforts appear to be genuine and offered out of true discipleship and service? Or would stroking your ego seem to be the driving force behind them?
Ask yourself these simple questions… “Why am I doing XYZ? Is it so people will notice me and be impressed? Or is it because God has called me to serve Him by serving others… in whatever manner and format are appropriate at the time?” Remind yourself that God does not applaud when you “toot your own horn”! He does not reward ego and self-serving talk and actions. Nothing about Christian discipleship is truly about us!
On Dr. Oz’ blog (http://blog.doctoroz.com/dr-oz-blog/our-common-kindness), he states…
Dave is an inspiration to me. His example reminds us all that we are not alone in moments of crisis. If you ever need proof of human goodness, remember the people who opened their doors or handed out free soup and sandwiches to people affected by Hurricane Sandy. Think of people who hurried to pull victims from the rubble after a building collapsed in Philadelphia in June. Look to the elementary school clerk who fearlessly talked down an armed shooter in Georgia before he could hurt a single student.God wants us to be ordinary servants who do extraordinary things. When we accept the challenges, He will provide us with opportunities…and bless us in ways we cannot even imagine. But the choice is ours. We can do what is asked of us with quiet humility and a spirit of servitude. We can answer the call… and brag about it afterward. Or we can do nothing and “let the chips fall where they may”. How will you choose? Your answer matters… maybe more than you think! Is the world your “stage”… or are you quietly serving as a Christian disciple and basking in the applause of heaven?
It can be easy to lose perspective as we find ourselves caught up in minor irritations and arguments throughout the day. But we must remember that when it comes down to it, kindness is our best defense against disaster, and absolutely no one is too ordinary to be a hero.
©2013 Debbie Robus
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