Daily Devotional for December 31, 2021 – Offering God your everyday, ordinary life or fitting in without even thinking…what are YOU wearing this New Year’s Eve?

Romans 12:1-2
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

There is a meme circulating that says something to the effect of…“I haven’t decided what pajamas I will wear on New Year’s Eve.” We are still thinking about it. As one friend questioned…will we wear the blue or the purple?! All kidding aside…we’ve made it to the end of another year – a year that for many of us has truly “tested our mettle” in ways we couldn’t even imagine. And now we are on the cusp of another year – with no end to this 2-year pandemic in sight. Greg and I have not “gone out” for New Year’s Eve in decades…but tonight, I am doubly thankful that we will be staying home (and probably wearing pajamas!).

What little we have ventured out into the world in recent weeks, we’ve noticed that people are returning to “normal” activities. I’m told that earlier in the week, Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, was packed to capacity and beyond…estimates ranged from 12,000 to 20,000 people! I have been watching the bowl games on television (those that have not been cancelled due to COVID outbreaks), and the stands are full. I read on Facebook last night about a packed gym in a nearby city for the championship games of an area basketball tournament in which our local teams participated.

It’s easy to slide into the mode of “fitting in” without even thinking – and adjusting well to the current culture. We do this in a lot of areas – not just gathering with family, friends and community or tossing off our masks and taking our chances. We chime in when talk is hateful or bigoted. We gossip. We “go with the flow” – at home, school, work, church, and out in the community – rather than draw attention to ourselves or “cause a ruckus.” And in doing these things, we fail to give God our best.

Rather than risk ridicule or feeling ostracized, we go along or keep silent. Rather than sacrifice our comfort for God’s glory, we quietly hover in the shadows and let others do the heavy lifting – or watch a situation erode before our very eyes. New Year’s Eve is a somewhat small-scale illustration of this, as many people who would truly prefer to stay at home in their pajamas will dress up and go out…eat and drink too much…spend time with people they barely know and may not even like…and wake up on the first day of a new year feeling horrible about themselves and the world.

Paul reminds us in these two verses to think of God with every single word and action. This is going to require some work. We’re going to have to slow down and be more thoughtful and intentional in our daily living. We’re going to have to dig deeply and ask hard questions of ourselves and others. We must decide with every activity whether we are serving God or self. And we will have to make some hard choices.

As I reflect on this past year, I see how God has carried me through things I would never have been able to manage on my own. It has been a rough year…for many of us. But I am still standing…and so are you! On the days when I whispered, “I cannot do this,” God picked me up and said, “I’ll carry you.” And the more I handed my faith and trust to Him, the more He showed up and showed out on my behalf. How can I turn my back on this? How can I choose the ways of the world or the approval and acceptance of others over the love and care of my Lord and Savior?

There is no way to repay God for all He does for me. There is no decision too hard…no “sacrifice” too great in comparison to what He does for me on a daily basis. I still don’t know what color pajamas I will wear tonight, but I know that whatever God calls me to do in the coming year, I am all in for Him. He will strengthen me and bless my efforts…and He will do the same for you. Happy New Year’s Eve! Stay safe “out there” and make wise choices. God stands ready to bless and multiply your efforts. So give Him your very best in all things. He’s counting on you – and you can surely count on Him. Alleluia!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 30, 2021 – It’s time to put down the “party mix” and serve Jesus with humble obedience

Philippians 2:5-13
Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. And he humbled himself even further, going so far as actually to die a criminal’s death on a cross.

Yet it was because of this that God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name which is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Dearest friends, when I was there with you, you were always so careful to follow my instructions. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease him. For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.

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

A few weeks ago, our kiddos visited one Sunday afternoon for an “early Christmas” celebration. Shortly before time to leave, our nephew asked if I would make him a cheese sandwich. He said he was hungry. His mother told him it was too close to dinnertime, and he did not need anything else to eat right then. The children had already eaten some Christmas cookies and treats. Our nephew was dejected, but he walked away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him move to the corner of the kitchen and quietly help himself to some “party mix” that was in a Ziploc bag on the counter.

Our nephew is nine. He is a great kid. But thinking he was away from the prying eyes of his mother and aunt, he acted like a child and helped himself to the very thing he knew he wasn’t supposed to have. And don’t we all do this? We know what Jesus expects of us. We say we understand fully what He did for us in His life – and on the cross – and what Jesus requires of us now as His redeemed disciples. And then we turn our back, dip our hand into the “party mix,” and totally do as we please.

We are not nine-year-old children, and we need to stop acting like we are. We need to step up to the plate and serve Jesus with care and concern. We need to demonstrate deep reverence for God and do all in our power to avoid displeasing Him. Think carefully today about your missions and ministries…your words and actions. Where are you turning your back and doing as you please – and grieving God in the process? Where have you gotten cavalier with your faith and discipleship?

Christian faith is not a game – or a Broadway production. Discipleship is not a matter of the “Haves” vs. the “Have-nots.” None of us is better than another. Putting on a show – especially while claiming the name of Jesus – is just a show. And this is not something God approves or desires. Elevating ourselves to a position of superiority because we are Christians is unacceptable, as well.

We are on the cusp of a New Year. People are resolving to “do better” – to live differently. We Christians would do well to examine our hearts and minds…to see where we are in line with the humble grace, mercy, love, and kindness of Jesus – and where we are missing the mark. It’s time to put away the “party mix” and get on board with a steady diet of faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. And this is the day we should all begin. Alleluia!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 29, 2021 – We Christians need to get our act together…it’s time to put our SELVES aside!

Philippians 2:1-4
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

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.

On December 10, 2021, a “long-track tornado” barreled through Northeast Arkansas and into Kentucky and beyond, traveling approximately 200 miles in all. The National Weather Service estimates the winds were between an EF3 and EF4 category. For reference, EF3 tornadoes have estimated winds of 136-165 mph, with “severe damage,” while EF4 tornado winds range from 166-200 mph, with “devastating damage.”

My childhood neighbor and friend has a cousin who goes by the moniker, Ozarks Yeti. This man volunteers with the American Red Cross as a “mental health responder” after natural disasters strike. He had just returned from Hurricane Ida when he was called up to help in Northeast Arkansas and southern Missouri. Ozarks Yeti posted photos on social media from Truman, Arkansas, after the tornado tore the town apart and said (and I am paraphrasing to keep the language of a weary and heartsick servant decent for print)…“Season’s Greetings from Truman, Arkansas. Count your blessings and quit your gripin’.” I heard a news reporter say yesterday (December 28) that power was just now coming back on in Truman.

I bet you nobody in Truman, Arkansas, asked the Ozarks Yeti what political party he supports. I bet no one looked at this retired 60-something-year-old man with his long white hair and beard and questioned his background…skin color…ethnic origin…sexual orientation…education level or bank account. I bet as he cried and prayed with these people and offered them words of hope and courage, nobody cared who was “better” or “more well off” – or any of those things! I would bet you that all the good people of Truman, Arkansas – or Louisiana – or any of the other places the Ozarks Yeti goes to help could care less about anything except the love and encouragement this man has to offer.

I would bet that each person who received a smile and a glimmer of hope from this man and others like him appreciated that he was spending his retirement – and his holidays – helping them. I would bet that the people of Truman, Arkansas, and all the tornado-ravaged areas of the Midwest are tremendously grateful for the outpouring of love and generosity that has been shared with them in these last few weeks – and will continue for weeks and months to come.

As we do the work of Jesus Christ and further His Kingdom…so much of this shouldn’t matter. We should be willing to set aside our politics and social biases. (Yes, we shouldn’t have them in the first place…but still, we should be able to get past them as we minister in the name of Jesus.) We should be able to put on a mask, even though we don’t like them, so that we help ALL who are concerned and do our part not to spread the virus. We should get creative about how and where we worship, so that everyone feels the love of Christ…but nobody feels excluded – or different in any way. We should figure out how to be the body of Christ and demonstrate His love for others – and rid ourselves of any selfishness and efforts to be a “big fish in a small pond.”

Nobody demonstrated humility like Jesus. No one was more inclusive than our Lord and Savior. There will never be anyone who sacrificed self and served others like Christ did. And if we want to truly serve Him and be like Him…we have got to do better at all of these things in our own lives. I am so grateful for the humble service of volunteers like Ozarks Yeti. I am praying for the people who were affected by the horrible tornadoes…and all who are dealing with the ravages of COVID-19 and its variants. And I am praying that we Christians get our act together – and soon! The clock is ticking, and we have so much work to do – and so little time to get it done. Jesus is counting on each of us…we don’t have a minute to waste!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 28, 2021 – It’s time to trust Jesus like a Roman captain!

Matthew 8:5-13
As Jesus entered the village of Capernaum, a Roman captain came up in a panic and said, “Master, my servant is sick. He can’t walk. He’s in terrible pain.”

Jesus said, “I’ll come and heal him.”

“Oh, no,” said the captain. “I don’t want to put you to all that trouble. Just give the order and my servant will be fine. I’m a man who takes orders and gives orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Taken aback, Jesus said, “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know all about God and how he works. This man is the vanguard of many outsiders who will soon be coming from all directions—streaming in from the east, pouring in from the west, sitting down at God’s kingdom banquet alongside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then those who grew up ‘in the faith’ but had no faith will find themselves out in the cold, outsiders to grace and wondering what happened.”

Then Jesus turned to the captain and said, “Go. What you believed could happen has happened.” At that moment his servant became well.

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 constantly reading ingredient labels. With an allergy to corn, I cannot be too careful. I don’t just look for the word “corn” or “corn starch” – I must look for things like “dextrose, maltodextrin, and modified food starch.” Often, “natural flavors” can be derived from corn. So when someone says to me, “You can eat this,” I am naturally – and necessarily – dubious. My mother was a wonderful cook. I loved and trusted my mother – but not in the kitchen! She would say, “Now there’s nothing in this you cannot eat!” More times than I can count, when I asked about this ingredient or that one, her shoulders would fall, and she would say, “Oh, I didn’t know that ingredient was made from corn.”

Here’s the thing…humans are fallible. We love and trust our family members, spouses, and dear friends. But because they are human, what they say may not always be accurate – or right for us. Because I am human, I have disappointed others on my best day because I could not fully keep a promise or follow through on a commitment. This doesn’t make us bad people at all…it just means we are not Jesus! When we trust Jesus, we know that our faith is 100% securely placed. We know that Jesus will always do what He promised…that we can consistently depend on Him to come through for us in every way. If Jesus told me, “You can eat this,” I would totally believe Him.

The trouble is…you and I don’t always trust Jesus. We say we have faith in Him and believe everything He tells us. But we don’t always demonstrate this in our daily living. How many among us pray for Jesus to work in a specific situation then “worry our prayers” half to death? How often have you said, “I know Jesus will do XYZ…and completely believed in your heart that He will do this?” Are we ever truly like the Roman captain who told Jesus, “Just give the order and my servant will be fine.”? Isn’t it time we lived with this much faith and confidence?

Let’s make this the day we redouble our efforts to fully trust Jesus. Let’s start believing that He will never let us down. It is time to “let go and let God” – and rest in the promises that Jesus has made to us to always meet our every need, according to His will. We all need “Roman captain faith.” This seems like the perfect day to begin to work this into our daily living. Hallelujah!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 27, 2021 – Counting blessings and living one day at a time…it’s time to give Jesus our worries, once and for all!

Matthew 6:25-34
“So my counsel is: Don’t worry about things—food, drink, and clothes. For you already have life and a body—and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food—for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don’t worry about theirs. Yet King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as beautifully as they. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?

“So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.

“So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.

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’ve been thinking about the Rogers family…our neighbors in Russellville, Arkansas, for about seven years in the 1980s. Lee was an accomplished artist who worked from home. His wife, Sarah, worked as a teller at a local bank. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was a student in junior high/high school. Lee, Sarah, and Elizabeth became like family. We often shared meals, visits and more. When Greg and I traveled to New Mexico one Christmas to snow ski, the Rogers family came to our house multiple times every day and checked on our cats. We would call them, and they would give us updates on our fur babies and what was happening in the neighborhood.

We got a Christmas card a few days ago from Sarah and Elizabeth. Lee died last New Year’s Eve from COVID. We had no idea, and we were heartsick to learn this news. As I read this passage today, I thought of another holiday when God provided for us via the Rogers family. I had undergone major surgery just a few days before Thanksgiving Day, 1986. I was pretty well confined to bed and the couch, and there was certainly no way that I was able to travel to another city for a family Thanksgiving – or cook us a Thanksgiving meal. Lee and Sarah offered to bring us “a plate” from their family celebration, and we gratefully accepted.

Early in the afternoon, the doorbell rang, and there stood the Rogers family – with large paper plates in tow, laden with every holiday dish you could imagine. We feasted like a king and queen and thanked our neighbors with every bite. But that was not the end of the story. That night, the doorbell rang once again. The Rogers had gone to ANOTHER family dinner…and they had brought us ANOTHER round of heaped plates filled with holiday specialties. We had leftovers for several days, as I recall.

This is but one example of how God has provided in our lives – sometimes when we least expected it. We have never lacked for anything. I looked around on Christmas Eve at the piles of wrapping paper, boxes, and (recycled) tissue, gift bags and bows in our living room and realized that even in a pandemic, our family was basking in abundance. Thanks to door-step delivery services, grocery pickup, and restaurants offering take-out, we had more than enough of everything for our holiday celebration.

More importantly, I’ve been thinking about the abundance of Jesus – and His continual presence. It did not go unnoticed this Christmas Eve that our “number” has grown much smaller in recent years. This was punctuated by the arrival of the Rogers’ Christmas card announcing the death of our dear neighbor. It seems like our “circle” has gotten ever tighter of late…and there is definitely a hole in our hearts from the loss of these dear souls. But Jesus is meeting us in this sadness – and filling in the gaps with His presence and promises. He is saying to us, “I am still with you…and your loved ones are with Me.  I will give you peace and joy until you see them again. I will fill your days with happy memories – and missions and ministries to complete. You still have work to do!”

Jesus reminds us that He will clothe us with all the splendor of the birds – and feed our hearts (and fill our bellies). I am something of a “professional worrier,” so I need to hear this message and read these verses pretty well every day – and rest in the assurances that Christ provides. Perhaps you do, as well.  Spend some time today counting your blessings and looking for Jesus’ abundance in your own life. Ask Jesus to take your worries and cares, once and for all…and learn to live in His abundance, one day at a time. His grace and abundance truly are sufficient…His promises are true and sure. And we are blessed beyond measure because of our Jesus.  Alleluia, and Amen!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 26, 2021 – Worshiping God or money – are you storing treasure for Heaven, or “saving to move?”

Matthew 6:24
“You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.”

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.

Years ago, I read some books written by financial advisor, Suze Orman. In one book, she suggested an exercise where you write down your earliest recollections about money. She offered some questions that could guide your thoughts and help you make the right “connections.” Once completed, this exercise was intended to provide the writer with insights – some of them never before realized – about his/her relationship with money. This practice was certainly an eye-opener for me!

Over the years, my late mother-in-law shared many stories of her days as a young girl who grew up in the Depression. We sometimes laughed at her frugality as an adult, and how she never failed to stop to pick up a penny on the sidewalk. But as the accounts of difficult times in her childhood were shared…and the lengths her mother went to in order to stretch a dollar or “make do” with what they had…we understood why she generally guarded every cent and paid attention to prices. Even when she could afford to be more “frivolous” with her money, she often preferred thrift store finds, off-brand groceries and household supplies, and repurposing items in her cupboards and closets.

My nephew recently introduced me to a “national storyteller” who has videos on YouTube. Donald Davis is truly a master at telling a tale and drawing you into his world. In one story, Davis tells of dreaming about certain things he would like to receive for Christmas when he was a boy. His mother would say, “Well, those are nice to think about…but we’re saving to move.” Davis says the family “saved to move” for the first 12 years of his life…and then one day, they DID move to a different home. The new home cost every penny they had…and then there were issues with the house that they had not anticipated that put them “in the hole.” So his childhood was fraught with understanding that the family could not afford a lot of “nice things” – and it was somewhat sinful to even ask for them or think about them!

Money is a touchy subject. We need money to purchase necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. Try skipping your utility payments for a month and see how well that works for you! Don’t pay your mortgage and discover what happens! We need money to get through the day and beyond. And our churches need money to sustain their missions and ministries. But how much is enough?

Jesus isn’t saying that money is bad – or that the desire to have money is wrong. He isn’t even saying that it is wrong to “save for a move” of some sort. What Jesus is saying is that we need to consider our focus on money and the role it plays in our lives. Intertwined in the stories from my mother-in-law, there was joy. There were accounts of love and happy times shared with family and friends. In her shared experiences, journals, photo albums and notebooks, we are finding jotted thoughts of faith and family, scripture verses, poems about Heaven and trusting God, and other entries that illustrate how she and her family leaned on God even when there was little to no money – and He sustained them. In the stories shared by Donald Davis, there is a common thread of faith and perseverance – and a sense that everything was truly alright, even when money was in short supply.

In my own childhood, I see that God always provided for us. My parents both worked multiple jobs to provide for their family of five and pay the bills. All three children had piano lessons and braces on their teeth. We couldn’t afford much store-bought clothing – or dance lessons – but we never missed a meal. We were safe, warm, dry, fed, educated…and taught to love and trust Jesus. We knew the importance of a dollar…but we also knew Who was really important. We learned to give Jesus His portion – so we always scraped together our “offering” each Sunday.

I share this today to suggest that in these days after we have sat around a decorated tree and opened package after package, while eating far more than our bellies should hold, we need to regroup. We need to stop and think about WHY we celebrate Christmas…and in many instances, we need to rein in our attitudes and approaches toward serving Jesus. Are we focused on trusting Him to sustain us in all things? Are we sharing His love with others and making an effort to tell everyone we can that His grace, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, patience, understanding and Salvation are available to them?

Are we focused on sharing Jesus…or on making a good impression? Are we “saving to move”, i.e. storing up our treasure in fancy buildings, special effects and gimmicks to attract people to our Christian faith? Or are we telling them that a life in Christ is simply attained – no money required – and worship and service to Him is truly a bargain in the scheme of things?

If you have never written down your thoughts and recollections about money and the role it has played in your life, this might be a good week to do so. As we approach a new year, consider your worship and your priorities. Who is front and center in your life? Are you busy making new disciples – or keeping up appearances? What do you truly value? This is the day to settle this and refocus. Jesus has come that we might have abundant life – now and for all Eternity. Make Him the focal point of your worship and discipleship and trust Him to always meet your needs. Alleluia!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 25, 2021 – It’s time to be like Mary – and quietly treasure things in our hearts….

Luke 2:13-19
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang, “and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.”

When this great army of angels had returned again to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on! Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They ran to the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story expressed astonishment, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them.

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

Yesterday, we celebrated Christmas with my niece and her family. For a while, it looked like a tornado had come through our great room… paper, bows, boxes and gifts were scattered everywhere. There were squeals – and even tears of joy, as packages were opened. There were awestruck expressions of amazement – and plenty of “wide-eyed wonder.” For many, this revelry continues today – and for the next few days to come. For others, it’s “all over but the shouting.”

Today has been a much quieter day for Greg and me. There has been time for counting our blessings…and even time for contemplation. Late morning, we took a walk at our favorite lakeside campground. We sat and watched the sun sparkle on the water. We listened to the quiet rhythm of water being washed ashore by the breeze in a steady swish. We had time to “treasure in our heart” all that happened as we celebrated…and all that has happened in our lives over the last year and more.

Celebration and revelry are fantastic – and surely have their place. They exhilarate us and bring us joy and hope. But we are right to sit and “ponder things in our heart,” as well…to reflect on how we got here – and who helped us along the way. We are right to treasure in our heart the amazing Gift of Jesus Christ…and to count our blessings because of His life, death and sacrifice on our behalf. We are right to “tell everyone what happened” – to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and to love others as He loves us. But we are also right to emulate the actions of Mary…to sit quietly and treasure things in our heart – then give God the glory for all that He has done.

Revel, celebrate, squeal and cry with delight if you wish. But remember to sit quietly and think of Jesus, too. After all, He is the reason for all of this – or He should be. More than a few of us need to be more like Mary – to focus on Jesus and what He is doing in our life and the lives of those around us. We need to make Him the centerpiece of everything we say and do…and celebrate Him by serving Him with everything we have, whether we are called to shout this from the rafters – or disciple quietly in the background.

We need to figure out where and how Jesus is calling us to serve. For most of us, this is going to involve some time in which we sit quietly and “treasure things in our heart.” Today seems like the perfect day to begin. Alleluia!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 24, 2021 – Open your eyes wide in wonder – and fill your body with the Light of Christ!

Matthew 6:22-23
“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!”

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.

Several years ago, I got out a little vintage “elf” Christmas ornament and declared him our “Elf on the Shelf.” I even named him – Henry Truman. Our kids know that HT is not really an official “Elf on the Shelf,” but they have enjoyed looking for him. When they are not here, I text or e-mail pictures of where he pops up each day.

This holiday season, I have been texting with our 12-year-old nephew each day to show him the antics of Henry Truman – with the request that he show his siblings the photos. We’ve had a great time discussing HT’s antics…especially the day he showed up inside the refrigerator! This morning, I sent a picture of the elf with a little “sack” on a stick slung over his shoulder – like the old images of “hobos” we had when we were children. I told my nephew that the elf was packed and ready for the North Pole this morning…and when I looked again, he was already gone!

Now my nephew knows the elf is not real, but he has played along all season. This morning, he responded, “I hope he has a safe trip.” I also watched our children stand in line a few weeks ago for “Santa” at a local event lot after the city’s Christmas parade. Their eyes were wide, their excitement was genuine…and for a few minutes, “Santa Claus” was 100% the real deal! When I read this passage, I thought about their “wide-eyed wonder” – and the bright light I see in each of their faces as they suspend all disbelief and embrace the magic of Christmas.

You and I are called to open our eyes wide and embrace Jesus…because He truly is real! Jesus wants to fill each of us with His light forever and ever…to be our joy and strength in every situation. Jesus wants us to truly believe…today, tomorrow, and for all eternity. He wants us to trust Him in all things.

Our children know that the “elf” will return next Christmas, and the next. They know that as long as we are able – and they play along – Henry Truman will keep coming every December. Jesus is not an “elf” that visits during the holidays. He is the one true Savior who came to earth as a baby and grew into a man. He lived and died for our sins – and now His Holy Spirit is available to dwell within us every single day.

Someday, I will meet Jesus face-to-face in Heaven. I will have packed my bags and headed “Home” forever and ever. Meanwhile, my eyes are open wide, and I am basking in the bright light of all that Christ has to offer. My prayer this Christmas Eve – and always – is that you have “wide-eyed” faith, as well. Jesus is the Light…I pray you get your fill of all He wants to give you. Alleluia!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 23, 2021 – Storing up treasure in heaven vs. earth…it’s time for some of us to downsize!

Mathew 6:19-21
Don’t store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I had to laugh as I read this passage, because if you saw all of the Christmas decorations we have displayed in our house right now, you’d wonder if I had ever read this passage! But this is about much more than Christmas decorations (although yes, we can take this to extremes, as well). I’ve talked a lot in this space in the last few years about “stuff”…and how we all have too much of it. Clearing out the lifetime accumulation of your parents and grandparents will slap you in the face with the reality that we “store up treasures on this earth.” And I can attest to the “moths and rust,” too!

At the same time, I could tell you once again the story of how my paternal grandparents lost virtually EVERYTHING to a house fire on December 20, 1981. They were lucky to escape with their clothing, cars, and a handful of household things that a passerby grabbed…the family Bible, a mantel clock, and a chair sitting right inside the front door. I watched this couple who had struggled all their lives to make ends meet grapple with the loss of their meager “treasures”…and how they rebuilt their home and started over in their early 70s. My grandfather only lived three more years…but my grandmother lived another 3+ decades. And when she died, she had plenty of “stuff!” But none of it really meant a thing to her…the “treasure” of her life was stored in Heaven – and in her heart and mind in the form of precious memories.

Every Christmas, I am reminded of my grandparents and the house fire. I am reminded of Greg’s maternal grandfather, who was buried in Iowa on a very frigid, snowy Christmas Eve afternoon…and his maternal grandmother who was buried a few years later on the day after Christmas. I am reminded of Greg’s brother, who battled injuries from a car wreck on December 21, 2015…only to succumb to his wounds on New Year’s Eve…and my own mother who could barely sit up that Christmas as she celebrated with us for the last time before cancer claimed her life a few weeks later. And now you are thinking, “Man! This is a depressing message!” It’s not meant to be.

This is the only way I know to personally illustrate to you the point that Jesus is making…”Don’t store up treasures on earth!” Spend the next few days thinking about your blessings and the love and care that Jesus offers. Greg and I would not be standing upright without our faith in Jesus Christ. He has sustained us through some dark days. But He has also blessed us immensely, and we know that more blessings are around the corner – and at the end, we get to bask in the glories of Heaven! As this pandemic allows, we will celebrate with loved ones in the coming days – and revel in the grace, mercy and abundance that Jesus has given us.

Enjoy your “stuff”…but consider paring it down a bit – if only for the sake of those who will have to deal with it someday! Focus on people, experiences, and sharing the love of Christ Jesus at every opportunity. You will find that your life is abundant in ways that truly matter. Set out your Christmas decorations for a few weeks. But don’t let them become the focus of your Christmas Season. Remember that Jesus is not just “the Reason for the Season”…Jesus is The REASON – for everything! Focus on living in a way that demonstrates the love of Christ to others and prepares you for Heaven. Consider “downsizing” here – and storing your real treasure THERE! Hallelujah, and Amen!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 22, 2021 – God hears our prayers – we just have to listen to His answers!

Matthew 6:14-15
“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.”

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.

There is an old adage that some think is a Bible verse. This phrase is not literally “scriptural,” but the saying goes like this…”The LORD helps those who help themselves.” In other words, God wants us to be well and healthy – but He expects us to listen to Him and do our part…eat right, exercise, get recommended vaccines, wear a mask, stay socially distanced when necessary, wash our hands, and more. God wants us to be safe on the highways, but He expects us to wear our seatbelt and obey traffic laws and speed limits. God wants us to prosper and have plenty to eat and wear – and a comfortable home. But He expects us to work to cover our expenses and/or provide for those in our family and “circle” who are unable to secure a job – or for those who “keep the home fires burning” while we earn a paycheck to support the family.

Too many of us want to play fast and loose with our prayers – or to pick and choose how we follow God’s directives. Some of us are literally trying to skate by “on a wing and a prayer” – and just hoping that God will take care of us and fill in the gaps. Surely He will overlook certain things if we are “extra special good” in other areas. God got us through this illness or that accident…surely He’s not going to “punish” us for eating too much fast food or skipping medications. We climbed that rickety ladder last week and nothing bad happened, so we will just whisper a prayer as we hang one more strand of Christmas lights on the eave of the house – and hope nothing bad happens!

I think you get my drift. Our relationship with God is a two-way street. Yes, God is all-knowing and all-powerful. Yes, with God, all things are possible. And yes, God loves us and wants us to be healthy, happy, safe and well. But God wants us to listen to Him when He speaks to us. When we pray for God’s safety, protection, love and care, He hears us and answers…but we don’t always hear all of His message.

We cannot pick and choose what parts of God’s answers to our prayers we hear and enact. We have to be “all in” and do our part. God is speaking to you. He is hearing your petitions…now it’s time to hear His answers – all of them – and act accordingly. Whether this is enacting a dietary or “health” plan you don’t like or want to do…or forgiving someone who has wronged you in some way…when God speaks, we must act with faithful obedience – to everything He commands. Biblical or not, “the LORD truly does help those who help themselves.” It’s time we were all among them!

©2021 Debbie Robus