Daily Devotional for May 31, 2018 – We should love one another…

1 John 3:11-16
…for the message to us from the beginning has been that we should love one another.

We are not to be like Cain, who belonged to Satan and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing wrong and he knew very well that his brother’s life was better than his. So don’t be surprised, dear friends, if the world hates you.

If we love other Christians, it proves that we have been delivered from hell and given eternal life. But a person who doesn’t have love for others is headed for eternal death. Anyone who hates his Christian brother is really a murderer at heart; and you know that no one wanting to murder has eternal life within.  We know what real love is from Christ’s example in dying for us. And so we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers.

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

Believe it or not, I’m almost at a loss for words…almost!  The Bible can’t be plainer about how we are to behave. Scripture tells over and over to “love one another”. We can’t claim to love Jesus and serve Him…and then act however we please. We cannot treat others unkindly – much less hate them. We cannot envy those who appear to have more than we have – physically, spiritually, or in any other regard.

The message is pure and simple…we cannot lie, cheat, steal, and hate. We must say and do everything with love. And for a lot of us (including me), this is going to take some work! We cannot share jokes or memes that disparage others. We cannot agree with our friends and loved ones when they say or do unloving things. We cannot condone sinful behavior, but we must not judge and denigrate those who act this way.

Believe it or not, you can stand up for what is right and true…and do so in a loving manner.  You can get your point across with positive statements, loving words and gestures, and kindness. You can say, “That is not a true statement” without calling the other guy a liar.  You can call out injustice without labeling someone with a derogatory name – or belittling him/her in some manner.

How do I know this can be done?  Because Jesus did it!  He showed us how to operate in love and kindness…how to reject the devil and embrace God.  He took our sins so that we don’t have to wallow in them ever again. And He instilled in us – His redeemed believers – the wisdom, power and strength to resist the temptation to behave badly.

Because of Jesus and His gift of the Holy Spirit, we can operate in love at all times – and in all things.  And we absolutely must start now.

©2018 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 28, 2018 – Operating in love…and staying on track

1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Keep your eyes open for spiritual danger; stand true to the Lord; act like men; be strong; and whatever you do, do it with kindness and love.

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

As I read this scripture passage, I was reminded of the three classroom rules I established when I was teaching kindergarten more than thirty years ago…

• Be kind to others.
• Work and play quietly.
• Respect other people’s property.

Like the guidelines outlined by the Apostle Paul in these verses from Corinthians 16, these principles pretty well covered all of the bases. All I had to do was ask a child, “Are you being kind to others?  Are you working and playing quietly?  Are you showing respect for the property of others?” This may seem simplistic, but it worked!  The children understood that these principles applied to their words and actions toward fellow classmates, their teacher, the classroom, the playground – and everything in every space they occupied.

Being a Christian is not always easy. We are tempted to retaliate when cornered, criticized, or treated badly. We are human…so we are often weak. We get caught up in “life” and don’t always pay attention. When our backs are to the wall, we let the devil influence us – and we don’t always stand true to the Lord.  But we can do better.

While there are temptations and challenges to living continually in the love of Christ, in many ways, it’s not all that hard.  We just have to remember Paul’s guidelines…or the three I outlined for my kindergarten students.  At the core, we have to ask ourselves, “Am I operating in kindness and love?” Our answer will tell us all we need to know to stay on track.

©2018 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 29, 2018 – Getting the “punch line”…and growing in God’s love

1 Corinthians 13:11-13
It’s like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away the childish things. In the same way, we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face-to-face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.

There are three things that remain—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

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

Our kids love “knock-knock” jokes. We’ve spent a lot of time sharing these “funnies.”  For the most part, 9-year-old Timothy understands them. The other two – ages 7 and 6 – still struggle with some of the meanings and “punch lines”.  So we will tell a “knock-knock” joke, and everyone will laugh. Then Nathan, in particular, will try to re-tell it, and his “punch line” doesn’t work. But he laughs anyway as if what he just said was hysterical. And usually, we play along.

We have enjoyed watching “the light go on” as the children mature and become able to understand jokes with double meanings and plays on words.  This expands not only their vocabulary…but also their intellect and ways of thinking about things.

I imagine it is much like this as we discover more about God’s love.  He must take great delight in watching us discover His meanings and messages…the fullness of His love for us.  When we are little – or “new Christians” – there is no way we can completely comprehend what it means to be loved by God. And this is as He intended.  In the beginning, it is sufficient to understand that God loves us with a never-ending love.

But as we grow in our faith…spend time in Bible study and fellowship with others…learn to listen for God’s voice and discover how the Holy Spirit is available to guide us…we see God’s love more clearly – and with a completely different perspective. Our “punch lines” change, so to speak.

Just as Timothy is far better at telling “knock-knock” jokes than his younger siblings…the more we grow in wisdom and faith as God’s children, the better we become at operating in His love – and sharing the Good News of Jesus with others.

Finally, I want to address the last verse of this passage. More than ever, it seems that people are claiming Salvation through the blood of Jesus…and operating in hatred, unkindness, disparagement, and divisiveness. You cannot share the love of God and be a bigot or disparage a person because of his/her gender, race, color, sexual preference, ethnic background, socio-economic status, level of education – or anything else.  You cannot share the love of God and lie, cheat, steal, or put your own agenda above that of others.  You cannot share the love of God and wallow in worry, self-pity or negativity.

Everything about our relationship with God is based in faith, hope and love. As the Apostle Paul tells us…”the greatest of these is love.” Just like an ending to a joke that doesn’t really fit…our failure to operate completely in God’s love takes the “air” out of our sails as Christ’s disciples – and makes us anything but effective. This is simply unacceptable to me…and I hope it is for you, as well.

Spend some time reflecting on your words, actions, and witness. Ask yourself if you are operating completely in love. Search for areas where love is not at the forefront.  It’s time for us to “grow up” in our wisdom – and our delivery – and operate fully in God’s love.  Are you ready?

©2018 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 28, 2018 – Love lasts forever

1 Corinthians 3:8-10
All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever. Someday prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge—these gifts will disappear. Now we know so little, even with our special gifts, and the preaching of those most gifted is still so poor. But when we have been made perfect and complete, then the need for these inadequate special gifts will come to an end, and they will disappear.

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 cannot count the number of people I have heard say, “I wish I had learned to play a musical instrument.” Or perhaps – like my experience with guitar – they play a little bit – but poorly. Many of these individuals love music. The desire is there…but the ability (or “gift”) to play well has eluded them in this lifetime.

Perhaps we will all be able to make beautiful music in the “Heavenly Choir”.  But here’s the thing…it won’t matter.  We will be surrounded by the music of angels…and God’s love, which never ends – will continue forever and ever.

So much of what we spend time lamenting on this earth is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Many “woulda, shoulda, coulda” wishes and regrets are a waste of breath.  What will matter at the end of it all is how we loved. It will matter how we loved God…and how we loved others. We will be held accountable for our words and actions. And at the core of things, God will ask, “Did you operate in love?”

God has gifted each of us with special skills, abilities and talents. But in and of themselves, cultivating and using these gifts is not what pleases God. You can be the most eloquent speaker, the finest business person, the most educated teacher, or the most talented artist – in any medium. You can be an incredibly dedicated Sunday school teacher, youth leader, or missionary in the world – one who shows up often and on time. You may have monetary wealth beyond compare and give thousands – even millions – to causes far and wide.  But if you don’t operate in love, all of these things are hollow gestures.

I have known people of whom it was said, “He/she did so much for so many people.”  But in truth, this person walked over the backs of a lot of good, hardworking folks to accomplish things that brought personal recognition and gain. Yes, there may have been some positive outcomes and benefits…but at what cost? What might have happened had these people operated in love?

Do you make it your mission to do all things in love?  Do you try your best to speak and act kindly…to think of others as much as – or more than – yourself? Do you utilize your God-given gifts to glorify His kingdom and share the love of Christ with others?  The old adage “you can’t take it with you” applies to so many things besides material possessions. But we can take God’s love with us…and we will!

God’s greatest gift to each of us is love.  How are you sharing yours?

©2018 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 27, 2018 – Living by the “love verses”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending 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.

We’ve all heard these “love verses” dozens of times or more. We know that “love is patient and kind.” But I want you to go back and read this passage again…and as you do, think of a specific person. It can be someone you love very much – or someone you find incredibly hard to love. In fact, I suggest you do this with one of each!

We find it easy to be loyal to someone we love – to believe in him/her, expect their best, and always stand our ground in their defense. We cheer the successes of people we love. We forgive quickly and stick up for them, no matter what. We overlook most of their faults and flaws and “love ‘em anyway”! But for the person who rubs us the wrong way…or downright irritates us…all bets are generally off.

Sure, some words and behaviors are inexcusable. Yes, there are selfish, narcissistic people who always demand their own way and don’t care about collateral damage. I will be the first to tell you that there are people in this world who absolutely make my skin crawl. There are vile, disgusting humans who show no regard for their fellow man…and I am anything but a fan.

But here’s the thing…none of us are unloveable to God. He sees past the ugliness and immorality…the hatred and self-centeredness. He sees a child that He created – and loves. Maybe all of my work with young children has colored my viewpoint. But I look at every person and think, “He/she is some mother’s precious baby. Someone probably loved this child fiercely – and may still do so to this day!” More importantly, I realize that GOD loves the unloveable…just as much as He loves you and me!

I have thought about this in particular as I watched the news reports of school shootings. Many are quick to declare the shooters to be vile, deranged individuals. Some go so far as to label them as “animals”. Don’t misunderstand me…these are horrific, tragic acts – and those who commit them are, at best, mentally ill. But they were once someone’s precious little child…and they are still treasured by God. I do not excuse what these people did, any more than I can justify the drunk driver who killed someone or the parent who abuses his/her children, the dictatorial boss, or anyone else who behaves badly. But I must find a way to love them. There is a significant difference between loving someone and excusing his/her behaviors.

Probably one of the hardest things you and I will ever do is to fully operate in love. But it is also one of the most important. We are not God, so we can never love as perfectly as He does. But we can do better than we have so far. We can stop criticizing and judging…and start looking beyond the façade of ugliness – and sometimes pure evil – that some present. We can look for the little child within that God sees – and loves so deeply. And we can ask God to help us love him/her, too.

We don’t have to like or condone bad behavior…but we have to stop hating and disparaging God’s children. God’s love is patient and kind, and if we are truly Christ’s disciples, we must operate fully in His love. How well are you doing these days?

©2018 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 26, 2018 – Making a difference…for the wrong reasons…

1 Corinthians 10:31-33
So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you—you’re eating to God’s glory, after all, not to please them. As a matter of fact, do everything that way, heartily and freely to God’s glory. At the same time, don’t be callous in your exercise of freedom, thoughtlessly stepping on the toes of those who aren’t as free as you are. I try my best to be considerate of everyone’s feelings in all these matters; I hope you will be, too.
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.

It seems to me that we’re not treating each other very well these days.  If you look around, people are critical, cynical, disparaging, and dishonest…and that’s just how they treat their relatives!  In all seriousness, the level to which we have sunk with regard to what we feel is acceptable behavior – and decent treatment of others – has me truly upset.  I can only imagine what God must think of us!

So in this vein, I have decided to choose scriptures about how we treat others. For the next few weeks, we will see what the Bible has to say about this. My overall question each day is, “Are we making a point or making a difference?”  I believe this scripture passage today demonstrates that sometimes we are making a difference – for all of the wrong reasons!

I have re-written this devotional about four times today, because every direction I took made me feel like someone would think I was judging…or that I consider myself a paragon of virtue – and neither is the truth.  But my continual mantra that people.are.watching is absolute fact.  And if you or I cause even one person to stumble in the eyes of God because of our words and actions, this will be a travesty.

If you think this is too much work to check yourself before you speak or act, let me assure you that when we trust the Holy Spirit to make the hard decisions, this becomes a quick reflex that is a true game changer!  It’s not “work” to stop and think about these things…there really is freedom in knowing that your words and actions are led and sanctioned by the Holy Spirit.  There is confidence in understanding that the few seconds you took to question your behavior might have saved an embarrassment or hurt feelings – for you or someone else.

Your split-second check-in with the Holy Spirit might cause you to rethink sharing gossip or making an unkind remark.  It might cause you to change your plans in some manner and avoid showing up at a place where someone might get the wrong idea. A simple whispered prayer of examination might result in the peace of knowing that you didn’t share a distasteful political meme – or say something inappropriate in front of an impressionable child.

The more we consult with the Holy Spirit on the front end, the easier it becomes to operate in kindness, love, positive thoughts and words, and sound behavior.  I’m not saying that we can just hand the reins to the Holy Spirit and say, “Here…You handle this for me.” We still have to pay attention and keep checking in with Him to make sure we’re on the right track.  This Christian communion truly is a two-way street!  But isn’t it worth it to know that you are pleasing God?

Don’t you want to be a witness whose “testimony” is such that others want in on Salvation for their sins and a seat at the Kingdom Table?  I know I surely do!  I know that I don’t always get this right…but I’m doing my best these days to pay close attention.  And I know there have been several times that I’ve changed course as a result – always for the better.  What about you?

©2018 Debbie Robus

 

Daily Devotional for May 25, 2018 – Are you trying to do this on your own?

Zechariah 4:6
So the angel explained that it was the following message of the Lord to Zerubbabel:  I am the Lord All-Powerful. So don’t depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit.Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

In his song, “Never Been a Moment,”* artist Micah Tyler sings…

You’ve been the rock
You’ve been the peace
Always showing your good heart to me
My days are marked by grace I don’t deserve, no
You’ve been the price I could never pay
You’ve been the light that has led the way
No matter where oh I am, I am sure

There’s never been a moment
I was not held inside your arms
There’s never been a day when you were not who you say you are
Yours forever, it don’t matter
What I’m walking through
‘Cause no matter where I’m going
There’s never been a moment that I was not loved by you
Loved by you

You and I don’t have to do this on our own. We were never supposed to. God has made this very clear. He never lets go of us…never leaves us. He is always with us in the form of the Holy Spirit. We always have His power and wisdom available to us. The question is…”Will we accept it?”

On whose power and strength are you depending? Isn’t it time you acknowledged that “there’s never been a moment” that God wasn’t ready, willing and able to meet your every need? Will this be the day that you do?

©2018 Debbie Robus

*”Never Been a Moment” from the CD “Different” by Micah Tyler ©2017 Fair Trade Services ~ https://www.amazon.com/Different-Micah-Tyler/dp/B074R646C7

Daily Devotional for May 24, 2018 – Hang in there!

Ruth 1:16-17
But Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!”

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.

While I do water aerobics at our community Aquatic Center, I like to spend the time in prayer and meditation. This is a great opportunity to be alone with God and talk to Him about a myriad of situations, circumstances – and people – as I move around in the water. I am always certain to begin our conversation with thanks and words of gratitude for all of our many blessings – including such a wonderful facility in which to swim and exercise.

Today, I poured out my heart to God about several things. I won’t detail them here…these are personal exchanges between me and God. Suffice it to say that I have several areas of “concern” these days about a variety of events and conditions. I would say that 99% of them are beyond my control…or rectification. Some are incredibly disconcerting…and on any given day, a solution does not seem to be imminent – if even possible. Still, I know that I am powerless to rectify these things of my own accord.

But when I read the words of Ruth to Naomi, I hear God telling me…”Hang in there!”  Ruth told her mother-in-law that despite every aspect of their future looking bleak and hopeless, she was “in it for the long haul”.  Ruth trusted God to figure things out – and fix them, according to His perfect will.  And if you keep reading the Book of Ruth, you will see that God did exactly that!

Nothing is too big for God to handle. So if you are wrestling with a personal matter…stick with God and trust Him to find a solution. If you are worried about the condition of our nation and the world at large, put your trust in God to direct our steps and pull us through all of this. If you have difficulties or conflicts with others in your community or circle of influence, trust God to heal these and give you viable solutions.  Trust God to heal the sick and give comfort to those who are suffering and grieving.  Believe that God is stretching a hedge of protection over your children, friends and loved ones.

Don’t turn your back on God…or run from the challenges that are set before you.  Meet them headlong, just as Ruth did. Operate in the confidence that not even death can separate you from God’s love and care. Believe that He is in complete control – and more than able to overcome any battle.

The devil would love nothing more than to convince us to turn away from God…to lose hope, become complacent and cynical, and operate each day in negativity and despair.  Don’t give him this satisfaction…and don’t disrespect God in this manner. Hang in there! Keep the faith – and “keep on keepin’ on” in the wisdom and care of God Almighty. He can do all things…it’s time we quit trying to take the reins – and actually let Him!

©2018 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 23, 2018 – Do you see the Rock in the road?

Romans 9:31-33
How can we sum this up? All those people who didn’t seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their “God projects” that they didn’t notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling. Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together:Careful! I’ve put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion,
a stone you can’t get around.
But the stone is me! If you’re looking for me,
you’ll find me on the way, not in the way.

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 1989, Greg and I “traded houses” with my Mam-ma Polly. She needed to move into town, where everything was convenient and she had more contact with people. We were glad to move to “the farm” and live five miles out of town. The day of the big move, my dad and his employees joined several family members and friends in a huge endeavor to “swap out” furnishings and belongings between the two houses, all in one day.

My mother and sister stationed themselves at Mam-ma’s “new” house, and as a room was unloaded, they unpacked the boxes and put things in their place. By the end of the day, pictures were hung, pillows were placed, beds were made…and it looked like Mam-ma had lived in that little house forever! My mother and sister also did their best to artfully arrange things and make it look “magazine-worthy”. But that didn’t last long!

Mam-ma had to put her “stamp” on things. The new abode was missing her “touch”, which meant a colorful, mis-matched crocheted afghan on the floral couch, and other additions/subtractions that seemed a bit out of place to some at first glance. My grandmother had an artistic flair…but her decorating preferences included a lot of color, pattern and handmade touches that made a home “her”. She didn’t follow convention…but she filled her house with love. We were always “at home” there – and made to feel comfortable. Even when she moved to an apartment at the Assisted Living Facility, we made every effort to give her room the “Polly stamp”!

Most importantly, wherever my grandmother resided, you knew that God was there. His presence was evident in everything from artwork on the wall that displayed scripture to her big family Bible and ever-present Sunday school lesson book on the coffee table…to the way she treated her guests. Her house might have been small, simple…and a little “grandma” in its décor…but anyone who entered felt welcome and loved. And any visit was likely to include a conversation about Jesus – or “church”.

You may wonder where I’m going with this. My grandmother knew what mattered. She didn’t care about “things” or having the most perfectly decorated house. She didn’t always follow “the rules”. But she knew Jesus…and she loved Him above and beyond anything or anyone else. For her, talk was cheap without action to back it up…and she did plenty of both! She always asked people she was meeting for the first time, “Where do y’all go to church?” I cannot tell you how many times she invited a complete stranger to dine at her table…to the point that I sometimes worried about who she was hosting in her home! She was just as apt to feed a repairman or door-to-door salesman as a neighbor or fellow church member!

My grandmother saw the Rock in the road…and pleasing Him was her number one objective. The words, “It’s just not done this way” were not in her vocabulary. If God led her to something or someone, she did her best to say or accomplish what she felt He was directing. She wasn’t perfect, by any means…and she didn’t always get it right. But she will forever be one of my biggest role models, because she lived for GOD, not a “project” that made her look important or saintly.

What are you doing? Are you trying to impress anyone…God included? Are you all about appearances that you feel will give others the idea that you are “Christlike” or a “good Christian”? If God resides in your heart, are you striving to make yourself appear “magazine worthy” in every sense of the word? Or are you recognizing the Rock in the middle of your road…and embracing Him and His will for your life, regardless of what the world thinks?

Have you listened to God and allowed Him to put His “touch” on your words and actions – and does it show? Isn’t it time you did?

©2018 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 22, 2018 – Have you been “adopted”?

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.

We know many families that include adopted children. More than one of my former students has both biological and adopted children…and honestly, you cannot tell which are which!  Our own nephew and his wife adopted a precious baby boy almost a year ago. There is absolutely no difference in how these children are treated – or loved. Our own experience with the little ones in our lives tells us that you do not have to give birth to babies to love them!

God wants to adopt each of us into His family of believers.  When we surrender our sins – and our hearts – to Jesus, we are automatically sons and daughters of the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever. God loves us all fiercely – and equally. While we are not sinless like Jesus, our sins have been forgiven…expunged…and scattered “from east to west”.  God has no favorites. He offers each of us the same gifts, blessings, love and care. And His Holy Spirit is available to live within each of us.

Don’t ever believe for one second that God loves someone else more than you.  Don’t think that you are not good enough to be one of Christ’s disciples…or that you don’t deserve the gift of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your heart.  Never assume that you are unworthy to come before God…in prayer, Holy Communion, public worship, or any other form of contact and engagement.

The Bible clearly tells us that God lives and breathes in and through us just as much as He did in Jesus.  He loves us as His own…because we ARE!  He wants to raise us to Eternal Life in His presence…and He wants us to welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts for this earthly journey. I don’t dare to compare myself to Jesus Christ. But scripture makes it clear that God has a “Kingdom inheritance” waiting for each of us – and I definitely want in on this…don’t you?!

I know some pretty blessed children who have been adopted into loving earthly families.  But the most blessed of all are God’s children who will inherit His Heavenly Kingdom.  Are you among them?  Are you embracing God’s “adoption”, living on His terms – and basking in His glory, love and grace?  Isn’t it time you were?

©2018 Debbie Robus