Matthew 11:28-30
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever been so tired that you could barely put one foot in front of the other? Maybe you stayed up all night studying…or sitting with a child who was sick, fussy, or simply would not sleep. Maybe you were so worried about something that you could not sleep – or eat – and then you were not only worried, but exhausted as well. Perhaps you were traveling for an extended time…trying to get somewhere to someone or to an important event. Maybe you had a project due at school or work, so you pulled an “all-nighter” to get it done.
MAYBE you are mentally tired. You have wrestled with personal issues and the worries and concerns of others – in your immediate circle, your community and the world at large – and everywhere you turn, there seem to be problems, hurts, burdens and heartaches. Just thinking and praying about all of this has left you bone weary and totally drained.
Or maybe you are exhausted by all of the talk about how you should live out your Christian faith. Do this…don’t do that…believe this…don’t believe that…give more…serve more…love more…join a Bible study and sing in the choir…serve on this committee or in this ministry…come to church every time the doors are open…if you say “No!”, you’re turning your back on Jesus…be kind and generous to everyone…never have a “bad day”! It is enough to make our heads spin and cause us to “burn out on religion”!
These thoughts did not come from our gracious, loving God! They are man-made concepts and pressures that have nothing to do with true Christian faith. God sent Jesus to earth to die for our sins…to take our burdens and teach us His gentle, graceful rhythms of unconditional love and care for others. The last thing He wants is for us to run around like chickens with our heads cut off…to wear ourselves out with worry and “busyness”, pressures and guilt over how much we have or have not done.
It’s really very simple…all we have to focus on is Jesus. We may still have to sit up all night with a sick child or loved one…there may be times when we are physically taxed for a while and must operate without adequate sleep. But when we focus on Jesus, He gives us supernatural strength in these moments. And when we “walk with Him and watch how He does it,” all of those “woulda, coulda, shouldas” that play over and over in our head disappear.
Hallelujah! Praise Jesus! He is ready, willing, and able to lighten our load…to show us how to live more freely! He will give us rest of the most important kind and teach us how to live every day for Him - with grace and joy! It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you are in life, how long you have been a Christian – or even if you ARE a Christian yet! This can be the day that things begin to change. This can be the start of the best “rest” you will ever enjoy!
Won’t you shift your focus to Jesus today? Will you spend some time in prayer and conversation with Him and lay whatever exhausts you at His feet? Will you exchange your “yokes and burdens” for His and start to walk in the freedoms and lightness of His unforced rhythms and grace? Aren’t you grateful for God's gift of Jesus? Will this be the day you truly start to show it? Will this be the start of the “best rest” you ever had? Don’t you think it should be?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I’ve been watching episodes of a show on the FYI network called “Tiny House Nation”. The “concept” offered in the show’s introduction is that all across the nation, people are rethinking their housing and downsizing from homes that average 2300 square feet to something that only has a few HUNDRED feet of space! Each show features the construction of one “tiny house” that is created for a family or an individual.
The builders assess the homeowner’s needs and wants and then produce a “tiny house” that hopefully addresses these in an esthetically pleasing manner – and somewhere around 400 square feet or less! One of the hosts also works with the homeowner(s) to downsize clothing and other possessions and whittle the number of these items to an amount that will fit inside the new abode. The theory is that the “tiny house” owners will focus more on other things in life - and less on material possessions – while they trim their expenses and save money in the process.
It’s a novel – and perhaps noble – concept. Let’s be honest. Try as we might to be less materialistic, I bet any one of us could open a closet or cabinet right now, and we would have to admit that we have plenty…if not a little more than we truly need. I get it…having extra underwear so you don’t have to do laundry as often is convenient. Extra cans of soup in the pantry come in handy when we have an ice storm and you can’t get to the store. That ricer you store in your cupboard and use twice a year is a nifty gadget when you need it! It’s fun to have “stuff”! I love my home – and everything in it!
I understand that people have to work to pay bills…sometimes more than one job and crazy hours and/or schedules. I realize that a lot of people work at jobs they don’t particularly enjoy just so said bills can be paid…while others love their jobs so much that they don’t want to stop working! But when we begin to focus on material wealth and possessions…when making money to buy more “stuff” is more important to us than spending time with family and friends - or God…this is a problem.
When it is more important to us to play with our “toys” or “do something fun” than to fellowship with others and worship God, things are out of whack. When we have time for movies, television programs, sporting events, video games, bridge club and Bunco, hunting, fishing, golfing and more…but we don’t have time to pick up our Bibles and study God’s word or to talk with Him about what He desires for us, there is an issue. When we have all manner of time to Google everything under the sun, but we can’t look up the number of someone who hasn’t shown up at church or in our other “circles” for awhile and ask “How are you doing?”…we’ve pretty well gotten our priorities out of balance. When we are more focused on “growing” our churches – in membership numbers and facilities – than we are in nurturing those who are on the rolls and filling every chair and pew in our present space, something is terribly wrong.
God wants us to enjoy our lives. And I am grateful for every single material thing He has allowed me to acquire. But I am more thankful that He taps me on the shoulder quite often and says, “Hey! Remember ME! Include ME in your list of treasures and work on what’s in your ‘heavenly closet’ for a change!”
I don’t want to live in a “tiny house” anytime soon…and I hope that is not what God has planned for me. But I am really trying to store up more in heaven…and less here on earth. Aren’t you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Luke 12:29-34
“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
“Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When we were children, people would often ask us, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My friend Martha would always reply, “I’m going to be an entrepreneur.” None of us really knew what that was at the time – except Martha, maybe! – but it surely sounded impressive. I had no clue then that someday, Greg and I would be “entrepreneurs” and build our own business…or where God would take us in the process!
I can tell you firsthand that it is easy to become preoccupied with the inner workings of your own business…to concentrate on making that next dollar so that you can pay the bills and expand your operations. But relationships with people lie at the very core of pretty much every business you can imagine…customers, employees, suppliers, and auxiliary staff. Our own business relied on daily interaction with all of these groups, and a breakdown in communication at any point could create a ripple effect of major proportions.
One of the things that Greg and I determined from the outcome was that we were not “in this” to become wealthy. Our business was about serving people…specifically, helping people who lived in recreational vehicles (RVs) find opportunities for work as they traveled. It was strange at first to meet people who would say, “You changed our lives”…but as we cultivated our business and its relationships over eighteen years, we realized that this was truly the case for thousands of folks. There were retirees who wondered “What’s next?”…young families who wanted to take their children on the road and give them a “hands-on” education but didn’t know how they could afford it…and every demographic in between.
We also supplied employers of all kinds with a mature, reliable, diverse workforce. We literally spent every day for 18 years putting people together…generally in a positive way. And in doing so, we were never hungry…our bills were always paid…and we always had enough. I don’t tell you this to “toot my own horn”…but to make a point related to this scripture passage. Here goes…
If your goal in life is to make millions and “be rich and famous,” you have not studied Jesus’ words in Luke 12. If you are so preoccupied with your own life and “getting”…getting ahead…getting a new house, car, boat, piece of jewelry, or whatever personal “stuff” you wish to acquire…getting recognition and accolades for your “success”…or whatever you have established as your goal to “get”…you cannot possibly be paying enough attention to God’s giving. If you have made it all about you (even if you say that you haven’t) and are wholly focused on achieving that next rung on the ladder…you are probably missing out on the biggest rewards of all. I would suspect that your mental and physical health are both suffering…and you are probably not where you would like to be in your personal relationship with God – or with others!
This is all fixable…and it can begin today! Look around at those in your midst who are most contented and fulfilled. Notice I didn’t say “successful”, because most people only think in monetary terms when we use this word. Look for people who don’t seem stressed…who seem to always be doing something for someone else…whose every conversation is not about money – how to get it, spend it, or how hard it is to pay the bills. Look for the person who is more concerned with meeting the needs of others than driving the newest car or “movin’ on up to that deluxe apartment in the sky”.
Look for people who are more concerned with serving others in their profession than how much money they are making. There are more than a few people in this world who make life more comfortable for you and me every single day and are grossly underpaid for doing so. Yet they find satisfaction and joy in their work, because they don’t focus solely on money and acquisitions. These people have most likely learned to store their treasure in heaven rather than on this earth. They have learned to bless others in order to be blessed. They understand that “God-provisions” trump earthly possessions and accolades any day of the week. And they are grateful for what He has given and where He is taking them. They know that their future includes the “keys to the Kingdom”…and they are focused on getting there… in God’s style!
We can all enjoy this same “success”. God desperately wants us all to be on this path…to be His “entrepreneur’s”…not the world’s. I am so grateful for God’s stewardship and blessings. I am forever indebted to Him for giving us Jesus...for guiding our steps as we built a business that focuses on helping others. I am thankful that every day, God shows me ways to serve Him by serving others…and I hope I am sufficiently faithful and obedient in my efforts on His behalf.
What about you? Where is your focus? What sort of “entrepreneur” are you…and where are you storing your treasure? Have you recognized God’s tremendous blessings in your life…and are you genuinely grateful. Will this be the day that you begin to shift your attention to the things that are important to Him…and reap His rewards in the bargain? Don’t you think it should be?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Lamentations 3:21-23
Yet there is one ray of hope: his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My sister was going through some things she had stored away, and she found our maternal great-grandmother Hassell’s family Bible. Tucked into the pages was a small envelope of photograph negatives and a couple of tiny pictures of my mom as a toddler. My sister asked me to scan the negatives and invert them for printing. I have done this before with other old negatives we found amongst family photos, and the “reveal” is always fascinating.
This set was no exception and provided us with a couple of new photos of my favorite uncle, Frank…husband to my great-aunt Altha. My mother refers to little blessings like this as a “silver box”…and mine for today was new pictures of my Uncle Frank, my mom as a small girl, and the houses that made up my grandparents’ neighborhood only a block from the home in which I was reared. Today, the land where these houses once sat is cleared…a vacant lot offers little to no evidence that three homes and a garage once occupied that particular plot of land.
I have to admit, when I look out on that bare parcel and remember when there were houses there - filled with people who shaped my childhood - I can get a little sad. Yet here today was this “silver box” of photos and memories…confirmation that there was once “life” on that block…that people lived, loved, and no doubt “cussed and discussed” in those tiny homes that seemed so big back then…that little girls and collie dogs stood in the street or sat on porch steps and had their picture snapped for posterity…that their memory lives on, thanks to photographs and those of us who are old enough to remember them and tell the next generation.
As I looked at these photos and read this scripture passage, I thought of the biggest “silver box” of all…God’s faithfulness. I considered His mercies and compassion – new every day for each of us. I thought about how these gifts keep us from complete destruction and give us hope and courage to live another day, no matter what is happening in our immediate world – or the world at large. And I was filled with a heart of gratitude.
See, God didn’t have to do any of this for you and me. He doesn’t have to keep picking us up and setting us back on track day after day. There is no reason for Him to care so deeply about us other than an amazing, abiding, unconditional love that we cannot even begin to comprehend. The least we can do is to offer Him our thanks and praise. It’s all we have…because we can never match Him…not in any way, shape or form.
So I want you to think about your day and figure out where you might have overlooked a “silver box”. Consider how God has blessed you and refreshed your hope and energy today…how He has granted you His mercy and compassion, lifted you out of a mess, or soothed your weary and broken soul in some situation. Spend some time telling God how much this means to you…how full your heart is at the very thought of His love and care…how grateful you are that He loves you this much.
Like images that come to life when negatives are inverted and edited, God has refreshed us this very day with His amazing and capable handiwork. Don’t you think He deserves a few minutes of our time spent in gratitude and praise? Won’t you stop and thank Him for His fresh and tender mercies this day…and in every day to come? Isn’t it time you thanked God for His “silver boxes” in your life? Wouldn’t this be a perfect time to start?
©2014 Debbie Robus
John 11:41
After the stone had been rolled aside, Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed, “Father, I thank you for answering my prayer.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When my cousin J.D. lost his wife, Angie, to breast cancer a few years ago, he went to the funeral home and prayed over her dead body for more an hour and asked God to bring her back to life. He told me later, “Lazarus had been dead in the tomb for four days, and God raised him. I had to try…surely He could bring Angie back to me if He wanted.”
Lazarus was restored to life and my cousin’s wife was not. Does this mean that God gave Jesus’ prayer special consideration? Does God really hear our prayers and praises…and is it “worth our time” to offer them?
If you continue reading in John 11, you will see that Jesus offered this prayer of thanksgiving to God in front of a crowd of people, to demonstrate that He was the Son of God. He said in verse 42…”I know that you always answer my prayers. But I said this, so that the people here would believe that you sent me.”
One thing that I find interesting…and possibly very important…is that scripture does not tell us exactly what Jesus said to God in His prayer. Jesus thanked God for answering…but we can only assume that He asked for the resurrection of Lazarus. Did Jesus pray for God’s will? Did Jesus ask God to do what He felt was best in this situation? We simply do not know. All we have is John’s account that Jesus thanked our Heavenly Father for answering His prayer…and then He ordered Lazarus to come forth from the tomb.
I recently served on a jury in a civil trial. The judge admonished us to only consider the evidence we were presented…and our own common sense and personal experiences as related to the case. We were not to add or remove anything else. We could only rule based on the facts that we were given. When we petition God and ask for a “verdict”, we must understand that He considers man factors and decides what is best for His plans – and for us. So if we apply this to the Biblical account of Lazarus’s resurrection - and to our own prayers and praises - we can present our “case” to God…but we must trust Him to answer in a way that is best for His purposes – and ours.
The key to this passage is the timing of our prayers. Do we have the faith and confidence in God to offer a prayer of thanks and gratitude before we know the outcome? Do we demonstrate our Christian faith…and do we genuinely believe that God will answer in the best possible manner – even before He does so?
Anyone can thank God after the fact. But when we begin to trust God in all things…and to operate in gratitude for His perfect plans in all circumstances and outcomes before they are evidenced…our Christian discipleship takes a leap to a whole other level. This is my goal…my desire…to be grateful in all things, even before I know the results. I want to operate in faith so profound that I never doubt God’s power and presence in my life. I want to believe that God could bring loved ones back to life if He desired…and to trust His wisdom in these decisions and others – no matter how great or small.
In John 11:40, Jesus asked Lazarus’ sister Martha…“Didn’t I tell you that if you had faith, you would see the glory of God?” I want to see God’s glory more clearly in all situations and circumstances…and I am working to grow in my faith so that I can. What about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
James 1:16-18
So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A friend of mine recently had to surrender the 4-month-old foster child she and her family had nurtured since he was just seven days old. The court apparently determined that it was in this baby’s best interest to be placed with another family who had adopted his older sibling. Imagine this couple’s anguish as they counted off the days until the precious child that they had hoped to possibly adopt was set to leave their home…probably forever. I am sure that they pled with God to change this. I have no doubt that they hoped that even at the eleventh hour, they would get a phone call and learn that this was all a mistake…that they could keep “their” baby. But in the end, the child was taken from their home and placed in the care of another family.
It would be easy to question God on this one…to wring hands and cry out, “Why, LORD…WHY?” There are plenty of situations and circumstances where we are tempted to ask God, “Why?”…
- When a relationship is “circling the drain” or a loved one is terminally ill…
- When you are bullied or cannot find a job and the bill collectors are at your door like wolves…
- When you cannot a handle on the balance of studies, work, and extracurricular life…
- When you cannot seem to lose those last pounds and inches despite your best efforts…or you have health issues and can’t seem to get well and stay that way…
- When children of all ages get Ebola in an African country and die…
- When pets and people are abused and neglected…
- When people in your own community are homeless and hungry…
This scripture passage reminds us to “keep the faith” and “stay the course”! We may not see desirable and beneficial gifts coming out of heaven like rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light…but they are there, all the same. We may not understand God’s thought process - or His methods. He may seem to be fickle and two-faced…aloof and apathetic. But nothing could be further from the truth.
God loves us…always and forever. He wants nothing but His very best for us…we just don’t always know what that is! When God allows us to experience a heartache or a challenge, it isn’t because He wants to hurt us. God wants us to lean on Him…to trust Him in all things…to understand that He can work anything and everything together for His good purposes.
This is so hard…I wouldn’t for a minute suggest that there is anything easy about hurtful or difficult situations of any kind – nor diminish what you are experiencing in any way. But I can tell you from personal experience that even in your worst pain, God is working. He is preparing gifts and blessings for you that you cannot even imagine. The outcome may not be at all what you had hoped or planned…but it will be perfect – and it might just be better! Ultimately, God will prevail and bring about His flawlessness. If we can just trust in this and continue to believe in Him, we will see this displayed in our own lives.
We can find it incredibly hard to be grateful in times of trouble, hardship and suffering. But these are the times when we should double our efforts to thank God for His amazing love and care. He will meet our needs and bless us in this more than we can ever imagine. Where is God working for your good in a potentially hurtful or hopeless situation? Have you thanked Him for His presence and precision? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Hebrews 13:13-15
So let us go out to him beyond the city walls (that is, outside the interests of this world, being willing to be despised) to suffer with him there, bearing his shame. For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.
With Jesus’ help we will continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of his name.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In one way or another, we Christians have probably all stepped “outside of the box” at one time or another. Maybe you paid the bill of the person behind you in the line at McDonald’s…or maybe you stepped up to serve on a committee when you weren’t sure you had adequate knowledge and expertise – but you felt led to do so anyway. Maybe you intervened in a situation where many would have said…”Not my circus; not my monkeys.” Maybe you loaned someone money when others said, “Don’t do it.” Or perhaps you stepped up to someone you didn’t know very well and asked, “Have you met Jesus?”
The point is that there will be times in all of our lives when God will call on us to do something daring…unconventional…maybe even a little bit crazy – and most certainly daunting or uncomfortable! He will ask us to step over the line and stand on His side, rather than the world’s. God will essentially ask us, “Are you really with me? Do you trust me? Do you genuinely appreciate what I have done for you…enough to demonstrate it with courage and just a bit of abandon?
How we answer will say a lot about our level of faith…and our gratitude. Do we really have confidence in God to stand in the gap and make the difference between our perceived abilities and circumstances – and what He can do with the least of our efforts? Are we honestly grateful for what God has done in our lives…and what He promises to do in the days/weeks/years/eternity yet to be? Will we “cross the line” of faith and thankfulness and demonstrate to God - and to others - just how much our salvation means to us?
Are we truly willing to offer a sacrifice of praise to God by telling – and showing – others the glory of His name? Isn’t it time we were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Hebrews 12:28
We should be grateful that we were given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And in this kingdom we please God by worshiping him and by showing him great honor and respect.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today is Veteran’s Day in America…a day to salute all who have served our country in some branch of the military. A lot of people want to gripe and complain about what is wrong with our country…but at the end of the day, we’re still standing! And thousands of people have sacrificed greatly so that we can enjoy the blessings and freedoms that are ours as Americans. So it is fitting that we should stop on this day and “thank a vet!” In fact, we should thank these men and women more than once per year…but as a nation, we pause to show our appreciation on this specific day each November.
In essence, God is our Army/Navy/Marine Corps/Air Force/Coast Guard/National Guard of ONE. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, He has secured for us a “kingdom that cannot be shaken”. God does battle with the devil on our behalf every minute of the day. He doesn’t get “leave”…there is no end to His enlistment…He has no TDY (temporary duty). God fights for us every single day of every single year. He never rests.
This passage from Hebrews in The Message* reads… “Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander.” Do we truly see what we’ve got? Are we really, genuinely thankful for all that God does for us? Do we show great honor and respect? Isn’t it time we did?
Every day should be “Veterans Day” for God. We should be thanking Him and demonstrating our profound appreciation – in our words, thoughts and actions – each minute of the day. We should be keenly aware of what God has done for us…and He should know that we are truly grateful.
It’s easy to stop for one day and thank someone for their service…but it is quite another thing to be genuinely and humbly thankful all the time. God deserves no less than this from each of us. Are you truly grateful to God for all that He has done for you? Does He know it? Don’t you think He should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Ephesians 5:20
Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Imagine that someone threw you a lavish party. You’d be grateful and thank them afterward…right? But what if you knew that the person who hosted the party truly did little more than write checks to cover the party venue, catering, gifts, and whatever else was provided? What if all he/she had to do was dress up and show up…and greet you and your guests? Of course you would still thank this person and be grateful for his/her wonderful hospitality and generosity. But there would be “behind-the-scenes” individuals and groups who deserved acknowledgment, too!
Quite often, I see posts on Facebook with photos of amazingly-decorated party cakes, or beautiful family portraits…or even a wonderful party or event – and the person who posted will say, “Thank you to So-and-So for the great cake/photos/effort of some sort.” These people acknowledged those who worked in the background. They understood that they could not have accomplished such things on their own. They needed the expertise and care of someone else to make it happen. In a nutshell…they gave credit where credit was due!
So often, we fail to give Jesus the credit for what is happening in our lives. Oh, we are right there to gripe and complain to Him when things go wrong. But when life is rolling along pretty well, we “zone out” and tend to forget Who is really “driving the car” or “preparing for the party”. And many times, if we DO acknowledge our blessings…we actually take most of the credit for them. “I worked so hard!” or “I had such a good day on the court or field…at work…at school…on a date or outing with friends.” We fail to recognize WHO did all of the work in the background to power our “good day or event”!
Every minute, Jesus is working in the background to affect your life and the activities that embody it. He is orchestrating the good things, “troubleshooting” the “bad” ones, and propelling you forward through it all. As much as we need to be grateful for His presence in our lives…we also need to be sure that we give Him the credit and glory. Pretty much all we do in life is show up…Jesus does the rest. Don’t you think it’s time you acknowledged His efforts?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Ephesians 1:15-19
That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In 1998, my cousin Natalie got married. This wedding was a big deal in my family, and we were all excited about the special day. My niece Jasmine was 8 years old at the time, and I bought her a new dress to wear to the ceremony and reception. A few days after I delivered the dress to her, I received a thick, roughly folded and sealed set of papers in the mail that had been addressed to me – and I think there were two postage stamps applied to ensure delivery.
The papers were a thank-you letter to me from Jasmine – along with a self-portrait of her in the new pink dress and a vivid description of how her mother was sick with a stomach bug but would hopefully be well in time for the wedding! I still have that note and drawing! It was more than a “thank-you”…it conveyed my niece’s gratitude, her love for me, AND her desire to share the activities of her life with me – even if it included a stomach virus!
From an early age, my mother taught us to write thank-you notes. She instilled in us the notion that anyone can say “Thank You,” but people truly value the effort one makes to write a note and send it. This conveys that the recipient not only appreciates the gesture/gift…but they also care about the sender. They recognize the energy, effort and care behind the act…enough to stop and put pen to paper and say so!
Sadly, note, card and letter writing are quickly becoming lost arts. With all of our electronic technology, most people are lucky to receive a quickly-fashioned e-mail or text from us…or a quick “thank you” as we pass them on the street or in a hallway, parking lot or store. I can pretty well tell one of two things when I get a hand-written note these days…1) the person was born somewhere before 1970, or 2) this person had a parent, grandparent, relative or teacher who instilled in them the importance of hand-written acknowledgments!
But this scripture passage about a lot more than just cards, letters and thank-you notes. These verses remind us to live intentionally…to be thankful for others and what they mean to us – with more than mere “lip service”. We are to fully appreciate others…to care about their well-being, their hopes, dreams, worries and concerns. We are to pray for them…to thank God for blessing us by allowing their presence in our lives…and to genuinely petition Him to meet their every need.
Our relationship with God – and with others – is a precious, sacred thing. But so often, we take these associations for granted. We treat them far less tenderly than we ought. We fail to do the little things…much less the big ones…that truly nurture our bond. Anyone can say “thank you” – to God or to someone he/she encounters. But to genuinely be thankful…to express this with actions, prayers, and heartfelt interest and concern…shows a depth of gratitude and understanding that is befitting of a true disciple of Christ.
How grateful are you? Have you become lazy and complacent in your acts of gratitude and appreciation? Do you truly demonstrate Christian love and care to others…and are you genuinely and emphatically grateful to God for His blessings over your life and the lives of those He introduces to you? Isn’t this the perfect season to start living more intentionally…to begin to fully note the blessings God is placing in your path each and every day – and to acknowledge them in the proper manner?
When was the last time you really took time to thank God and/or someone else for a blessing or an act of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and care? Isn’t this a good day to rectify that situation? On a scale of 1-10, where would you rank your level of gratitude? Will this be the day that you begin to revise that number?
©2014 Debbie Robus
November 8 ~ Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.
Remember what Christ taught, and let his words enrich your lives and make you wise; teach them to each other and sing them out in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, and come with him into the presence of God the Father to give him your thanks.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
From time to time, I like to read through my prayer journal and reflect on what I noted there in recent months. While I communicate with God every single day…I’ll be honest, I am not as diligent with the journal. There can be days or even weeks between entries. Some are lengthy and detailed…others resemble more of a short prayer or a quick list of my concerns at that particular moment. But sprinkled throughout the pages are names and concerns for which God has faithfully answered me…not always as I asked or hoped…but He answered, just the same. And for all of these answers and so much more, I am truly grateful and blessed.
The journal I picked up this morning began on January 1, 2014…a day on which I noted the unexpected death of my dad’s childhood best friend. Mixed with sadness for his daughter and other family members – and the thought that another person whose life was significant to mine – was the joy that I felt in thinking about what heaven must be like for him…how happy my dad and others must have been to see him…and how free and whole in Jesus this person is now.
As I read through other entries, I noted probably a dozen or more people for whom I prayed who have passed on to Glory and now sit at the feet of Jesus…Greg’s beloved aunt…more than one of my grandmother’s dear friends and acquaintances…a young father who had brain cancer and a schoolmate of ours who also had a form of cancer…the son of a schoolmate who died from a drug overdose…and other friends and acquaintances. For many of these, I prayed for healing. And God answered – He truly did! And then I prayed for their families as they grieved – and again, I believed God continues to answer those petitions even today.
I thanked God for blessings and generous outpourings of His grace and mercy over me and members of my family. I called on Him to work things out according to His will in situations where I absolutely could see no solution. I asked Him to cover me, my family members, friends and acquaintances – and those in my community and the world at large – with His amazing grace, mercy, love and protection. And I found subsequent entries where I thanked Him for answering these prayers.
Even though I do not write in this journal every single day, I find reviewing some of my prayers and praises over the last few months to be helpful – enriching and reaffirming. I see that God is absolutely in complete control. I am able to read – “in black and white” – how He has “made a way” where quite often, I positively felt that none was possible. What was I thinking?! How dare I doubt my God! Surely He is able to do all things! We know this…but sometimes we really don’t understand it fully. And the scary thing is that I have a feeling that in these moments, we show this doubt and fear to others – through our words and actions.
So today, my “journal entry” is one of profound gratitude…if nothing else, for where God has brought me in the last 10+ months. But of course, I am grateful for so much more…and I know that God will continue to use my “journey” and the daily experiences, blessings and answered prayers of my own life – and yours – to enrich the lives of others in His precious name…if only we will pay attention and allow it!
A friend said to me recently that “there is so much sadness right now…so many with cancer and other problems”. My response to her was that I think we just happen to know about many specific situations right now…that there is truly no more or no less suffering and sadness today than at any other time. What do we do with all of this? We look to God for faith and hope…and we look at our reactions and demeanor and examine how we are representing Him to others, in any and every situation.
My prayer today is that we would be a reflection of God’s amazing grace and blessings…that we would be truly grateful for where He has brought us…and where we are headed…and that all of the glory and honor would always be His. Are you with me?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Colossians 2:6-7
You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A cattle farmer purchased harvested timber land to develop for his farming operation. The land had originally been covered in timber, which the previous owner sold and had cleared. This left the ground littered with stumps – and ruts where the equipment had dragged the logs away.
The farmer had to do extensive work to get the soil in condition to produce grass for his cattle. Once he removed all of the stumps and filled in the ruts, he had to treat the land with fertilizers and other nutrients, just to get it to a point where grass would grow. In other words, a lot of work had to be done before the grass would actually take root and rise from the ground. It all began with the soil…a firm foundation for the vegetation that would ultimately feed and sustain his cattle and bring him good prices for them.
When Jesus came to earth and taught His disciples, healed the sick and the lame, and demonstrated how to serve and honor God – then died for our sins on the cross – He laid the foundation for our faith and salvation. He also gave us the promise of spending Eternity with Him in God’s Heavenly home. Jesus “worked the soil” so that we could confidently “plant our roots” in Him and be assured that they would grow and produce good fruit.
The farmer’s “soil reclamation” took a lot of time and hard work. I would venture to say that it also required some wisdom and understanding about just which mixture of nutrients would make the ground the most fertile and receptive to plants and grasses.
This is what Jesus did for us. He invested His time and hard work…the incredible sacrifices that extended to His very life…so that we could be confident of a life in Him that would grow and bloom. Try as we might, we can never calculate – or fully comprehend what this cost Jesus…and it was all done for each of us. But we can offer Him our very best. We can be grateful for His amazing and selfless grace, mercy, forgiveness and love…and we can honor Him with our thoughts, words and actions.
Are you a visible, grateful representation of Jesus’ “fertile soil” and all that He endured to establish a firm foundation for you? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.
This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No—but at least we don’t take God’s Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.
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.
Greg and I used to live about twenty miles from a community that was home to a paper mill. When the wind was just right, the emissions from that plant settled over our town with an acridity that was unmistakable. We now live in a community that is home to a decorative room fragrance manufacturer, and the aroma that fills our town much of the time is equally unmistakable…but contrastingly sweet and pleasing.
Given the choice, I daresay any of us would choose “The Smell of Christmas®”, “Amaretto Nog”, or “The Smell of Gardenia®” over the sulphurous “rotten-egg” aroma of wood pulp being turned into paper products. To think of our Christian witness as a sweet scent causes us to picture people being drawn to us…wanting some of what we offer. But when we picture a stench like processed wood pulp following us, it’s easy to see how people would be repulsed and turn away or treat us badly.
The thing is…people react to smells differently. What pleases one person might very well be distasteful to another. So while we present the sweet “gardenia” fragrance of Jesus Christ, those who are disinterested or unwilling to hear what we have to say might sense the stench of decomposing wood pulp. There is nothing we can do about this…and we are not called to change God’s message or how we present it in order to please those who rebel against God and the teachings of Jesus.
Let me unpack this for you…through the blood of Jesus Christ, we have been forgiven and granted unswerving access to God Almighty. He speaks to us directly and covers us in the sweet fragrance of Salvation through Christ Jesus. We’re not to apologize for our faith or pretend to be something else to those who disagree with our message. For them, our “smell” may be a little “off”…but that is for God to sort out. Our job is to stay faithful…to listen to God and follow His lead – always and in all ways.
Scripture tells us that this is not always easy. And I will admit that there are times when it does seem hard – especially when we experience ridicule and mistreatment from others. But for the most part, wearing the “exquisite fragrance” of a life in Christ Jesus makes everything easier…better…less complicated. We know what we are to do…how we are to live…Who we are to serve and represent – we just have to do so!
I am grateful for the sweet aroma of Jesus. I am so humbled and honored to be able to speak to God directly – anytime, anywhere. I proudly wear His perfume and pray that my representation of Jesus will be a pleasing scent to others. Essentially, our discipleship will either be like a sweet-smelling decorative room fragrance that has others saying, “Tell me about that wonderful smell” – or the “rotten-egg” odor of processed wood pulp that has them running for the hills. Which one represents your relationship with Jesus? Which “perfume” are you wearing these days?
©2014 Debbie Robus
1 Timothy 1:12-14
I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were invective and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn’t know what I was doing—didn’t know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.
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 have a running joke in our family about our niece and nephew – both grown now with children of their own – and their “competitive” card playing some twenty-plus years ago. One would claim the other cheated, and the “winner” would gloat like there was no tomorrow. There was no grace or mercy in their games of “Old Maid”…it was every person for himself/herself, and the “winner” bragged unapologetically!
As you might imagine, there were quite a few hurt feelings as a result of these exchanges…and each gained a “reputation” as a “cheater” – or at least a “bad sport”. But as the kids grew and matured, they learned to “forgive and forget” (although an occasional tongue-in-cheek jab still appears from time to time on Facebook!)…and the two of them have mutual love and respect for each other today. They realize that these were the behaviors of somewhat-innocent children who really didn’t know better or fully understand the long-term ramifications of breaking the rules - even in a child’s game of “Old Maid”.
We are like these children…eager to have our own way – and perhaps willing to say or do things we shouldn’t in order to get it. At least, this would have described many of us before we had a personal encounter with Jesus. And perhaps even today, some of us who claim to know Him continue to be critical…insulting…and arrogant. We ridicule others and gloat about everything from “our” team’s latest win to our personal possessions and accomplishments. And we fail to remember that Jesus told us in Matthew 25:40 that…" When you did it to these my brothers, you were doing it to me!” (Living Bible)
Today, I am humbled and grateful for Jesus’s “grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me.” I am thankful that He offers me mercy and forgives my sins. I want to honor the trust that Jesus has placed in me to “minister” to others in His name by acting with integrity and respect – for Him and for others. I want to conduct myself in a way that reflects His grace and mercy over me...and to share Him in this same manner with those whom I encounter.
Often, our immediate “gut-reaction” to outside comments and actions is to retaliate…to yell, “He/she cheated!” But Jesus has demonstrated compassion and tolerance…and if we want to be like Him, we must pay this forward.
Let’s start today with a prayer of gratitude for the grace, mercy, forgiveness and acceptance that Jesus offers each of us. And then let’s make a concerted effort to honor Him by sharing these things with everyone we meet…even those who insult or disrespect us or show us no mercy in return. It won’t always be easy, but that will make it even more honorable and tender to Jesus. Isn’t He worth the effort? How grateful are you for what He has done in your life…and just how far are you willing to go to show it?
©2014 Debbie Robus
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
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 is mid-term Election Day in America. If early voter turnout is any indication, a lot of people have strong convictions one way or the other and recognize the importance of these results for our country. Tomorrow, a lot of people will be pleased with the outcome…and more than a few will not be. For many, the results will bring a mixture of pleasure and disappointment.
But here’s the thing…God is still in control – and with Him, all things are possible. Jesus Christ is still the King of Kings and LORD of Lords! Whether your candidates win the election or not…regardless of the amendments that pass or don’t…we will survive. Some of you may not have lived long enough – or voted in enough elections to believe this, but I can tell you with confidence, that you will live through whatever happens. Will things be “hunky-dory”? Possibly…but probably not. Will there be struggles and times of difficulty? Perhaps. But God can “make a way” as it says in Isaiah 43:19 (“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” NIV)
I encourage you to pick up your Bible and read Isaiah 43 in its entirety. Spend some time with God and talk to Him about your thoughts, your worries and concerns - about the election and everything else - and then THANK HIM...over and over and over for His amazing and perfect love and care. Thank God for “making a way in the wilderness”…for “doing new things” and working all things together for His purposes – and for our good.
Above all else, remember the words of the Apostle Paul to the people of Thessalonica…and “be cheerful no matter what. Pray all the time and thank God – no matter what happens” – because Jesus is ALIVE…and we can count on Him to always take care of our every need. The very thought of Jesus’s love for us should cause us to smile…to be filled with joy, peace and a sense of calm. Our little Timothy recently reminded us that…”I just turn that frown upside down and smile!” Which direction is your “frown” pointing today? Are you demonstrating confidence and hope in Jesus Christ through your attitude and body language? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
1 Corinthians 15:10
But whatever I am now it is all because God poured out such kindness and grace upon me—and not without results: for I have worked harder than all the other apostles, yet actually I wasn’t doing it, but God working in me, to bless me.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Rise and shine
And give God the glory, glory
Rise and shine
And give God the glory, glory
Rise and shine
And give God the glory, glory
Children of the Lord
Do you remember this song we sang as kids? It starts off…”The lord said to Noah: there's gonna be a floody, floody” - and “Rise and shine” is the chorus of this little song that has been around for decades. I was unable to find its origin, although there are derivations of it sung as “spirituals” that may be centuries old. But the theme seems to originate from Isaiah 60:1, which says, “Arise, my people! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is streaming from you.”
My Mam-ma Polly was a notoriously early riser. She could accomplish more before 9:00 a.m. than most people get done in a day or more! And a common question that she asked me a zillion times, it seems, was…”What have you done today?” Often, this was asked as I had my first or second cup of coffee - while still wearing my pajamas! She was not necessarily asking to make a point…I think she just assumed that the whole world “got up and at ‘em” like she did! To be perfectly honest…my idea of “rise and shine” occurs somewhere later in the morning!
The thing is…while I marveled at all that my grandmother was able to accomplish each day, she brushed it off as “business as usual”…merely “all in a day’s work”. In other word, her deeds were nothing special or extraordinary – certainly nothing that she would brag about! My grandmother did not seek the praise of others for what she had done – especially if it involved helping someone else! She was grateful for the energy and ability to do these things – and she knew WHO gave her the strength and power to accomplish them.
Did my grandmother work harder than most people? Perhaps. But she didn’t see it that way. My grandmother was not the richest woman in the world, but her needs were always met. She worked at more than one job out of necessity to pay her bills…but she gave of her time and talents out of the abundance of her heart and a spirit of gratitude for God’s blessings. There was always room for one more at her table – even when it appeared there was only enough food for her own plate. She always had a clean spare bed if someone needed a place to stay. She was ready to take food to a sick or grieving family…or to pack a shoebox for a Christmas mission project at her church. She shared flowers from her yard and her creative talents to decorate for parties and church functions. She sewed perfectly tailored garments and created amazing quits – totally by hand – and she shared many of these with others.
I will admit…my grandmother had talents and creativity in spades. But we all do in our own way…because God is “at the wheel”. You may not be able to cook a meal or grow a flower – much less arrange the cuttings beautiful in a vase or create a hand-sewn quilt. But God has plans to use you in some way…to bless you with “talents” and abilities that no one else has…to work through you to reach others in a way that nobody else ever could. OUR JOB is to open our hearts and minds to the endless possibilities…to look at the needs that surround us and “RISE AND SHINE” to meet them under God’s power…then “give God the glory” for what He can do with us.
If we would wake up every morning and say, “Here I am LORD…what would You like for me to do today?”…our lives would be so very different. I’m not suggesting that you start walking around telling everyone that you are something special…or that you are the hardest working disciple for Christ. But I am suggesting that you open your heart and mind to the possibilities with God…and that you work hard every single day to give Him your best - whether anyone else recognizes it or not. Operate from a place of incredible gratitude…as if you cannot possibly do enough to thank God for all that He has done for you…and see what happens!
“Rise and shine…and give God the glory!” If you are a child of the LORD…it’s time to act like it!
©2014 Debbie Robus
1 Chronicles 23:30
Each morning and evening they stood before the Lord to sing thanks and praise to him.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I am really trying to be more intentionally grateful. Ann Voskamp writes in her book, One Thousand Gifts* that the more we operate in gratitude, the less room we will have in our hearts and minds for other things…like a bad attitude, hatefulness, self-pity or self-loathing, and sinful thoughts of all kinds. She maintains that a heart of gratitude cannot co-exist with these things…at least not for very long.
With this thought in mind, the suggestion offered in this scripture verse to “sing thanks and praise” to the LORD each morning and evening makes perfect sense. Were we to stop for a few minutes at the beginning and end of our day and note a few reasons to be grateful, this might set the tone for the rest of our waking moments. As we learn to operate more in gratitude to God for all that He has done for us, this attitude spills over into other areas of our life…how we interact with other people…what triggers moments of stress…how we react to every situation and circumstance in our day.
We truly owe God more than two times of “intentional gratitude” each day…but it’s a good start. Let’s try this…let’s take just a minute or two each morning and evening to note a handful of things for which we are grateful. This is not the time to talk to God about your worries and concerns...but rather, let’s give God just a couple of minutes twice a day in which we really, truly notice some of the things that He has done for us. Let’s thank Him for some of the ways that He has blessed us…little nuances and gifts that make a difference – but we often take them for granted. Let’s enumerate the oft-unnoticed blessings God presents to us – and thank Him for them.
If we make twice-daily exercises in gratitude a part of our routine, we might just find that they become more prevalent at other times of our day. As we give God glory and praise for all that He has done in our lives, we may start to see Him more clearly in everyday, ordinary experiences. As we practice “intentional gratitude”, we may draw closer to God in ways we never expected. And this is a very good thing. Are you ready and willing to get started? What will you thank Him for first?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* One Thousand Gifts ~ ©2010 Ann Morton Voskamp ~ One Zondervan Press ~ www.zondervan.com
Romans 8:9-11
But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God’s terms.
It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I am still in the process of reading/studying Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts**. Voskamp maintains that the core of our relationship with God begins with a heart of gratitude. In fact, she cites another author, Brennan Manning, who wrote Ruthless Truth: The Ragamuffin's Path to God**. Manning says that “The foremost quality of a trusting disciple is gratefulness.”
So when we think of God living and breathing in us and delivering us from a dead life of sin and all of its burdens and destructiveness, how can we be anything BUT grateful? The greatest gift we will ever receive is Salvation through the blood of Jesus. The best friend and companion we will ever have is the Holy Spirit. The most wonderful, generous, gracious, merciful, loving and forgiving Father we could ever ask for is God Almighty. We are blessed beyond measure! We are loved beyond description! We are rich beyond our wildest dreams! But are we grateful?
Do we fully embrace this tremendous blessing and gift? Are we filled with gratitude for all that God has done for us? Do we really live in a way that demonstrates that God lives and breathes in us and delivered us from a dead life? Are we truly thankful…and does it show? God’s abundant gift of New Life in Christ…His deliverance from the death of sin…His residence in our lives…is available to any and all who welcome Him. But here’s the thing…are we living in a way that makes others want this for themselves?
Do we demonstrate the life of a trusting disciple? Are we filled with gratitude and “life” so abundantly that others say, “I’ll have what he/she has!” in their own lives? Isn’t it time we did? What are you waiting for? What must happen in order for you to fully experience a heart of gratefulness and fully embrace all that God has for you? Will this be the day you begin to find out? Don’t you think it should be?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* One Thousand Gifts ~ ©2010 Ann Morton Voskamp ~ One Zondervan Press ~ www.zondervan.com
**Ruthless Truth: The Ragamuffin's Path to God ~ ©2000 Brennan Manning ~ HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., New York, NY.
