Daily Devotional for October 31, 2023 – Serving or being served…are you giving back to the One who has given so much?

Luke 22:27-30 
Who do people think is the greatest, a person who is served or one who serves? Isn’t it the one who is served? But I have been with you as a servant.

You have stayed with me in all my troubles. So I will give you the right to rule as kings, just as my Father has given me the right to rule as a king. You will eat and drink with me in my kingdom, and you will each sit on a throne to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

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

When I read this scripture passage, I immediately thought of my grandmother Polly. “Mam-ma” (pronounced Mam-MAW) absolutely loved to serve others…especially with food. There was always room for one more at her table, and her meals were epic. She could make the simplest “supper” taste like 5-star restaurant fare. And she loved to feed others. I recall many instances when she invited a complete stranger to dine at her table…someone who stopped by to repair something, a new neighbor – it didn’t matter. All were welcome to share a meal – and they would probably be asked, “Where do you go to church?” in the course of it!
 
Mam-ma Polly not only invited people to her table…she went out into the community and “fed” them. I remember her preparing soup to take to an ailing cousin. Mam-ma was 91 at this time – and her own health was precarious. And never mind that she no longer drove and had to ask someone else to deliver the food! I asked my grandmother, “Why are you making soup?” Her answer was…“This family has done so much for me that I feel I have to do something. Besides, I want to do this!”
 
Think of all God has done for you. Think of the sacrifices Jesus made for you so that you could enjoy all the blessings of this life – and the promise of a seat at God’s Heavenly table for all eternity. Don’t you want to give back to the One who gives you so much? Serving others in the name of Jesus is not required…or even expected. Christ commanded us to love God and love others…but He never said we had a “service quota” to fulfill. Still, Jesus demonstrated selfless service in His own life. And if we want to be like Jesus, we must do the same.
 
Where are you called to serve today? Maybe it’s that phone call or visit you’ve been putting off for weeks…or the bag of thrift store donations you keep meaning to deliver (they can’t be used by someone else in your closet!). Maybe you have hesitated to sign up to help with this project or that ministry – or you have felt you should offer assistance to someone, but you’ve never made the call. Perhaps God has laid it on your heart to donate to this charity or that cause…but you just haven’t written the check. And maybe God is calling on you to literally feed your family, friends, and neighbors. Listen for God’s voice – and get creative! There are countless ways to serve, and each of them is not only holy, but also an opportunity to be blessed.
 
It has been my experience that the more we serve, the more “natural” it feels. I am not suggesting you spread yourself too thinly…neglect your family, friends, job, or other obligations…or take on missions and ministries that are not yours to address. Our service must be prayerfully considered and carried out with intention. If God leads you to an act of service, He will surely equip you to complete it.
 
I am grateful to my grandmother for her amazing example of service to others. I pray that I am even half as faithful and obedient as she was. And I know that every time I serve someone in the name of Jesus, I get the bigger blessing. Jesus has stayed with me in all my troubles – and more. The least I can do is serve others in His name – and maybe help to lighten the load for someone else. This is truly the day that the LORD has made…and there are countless opportunities to serve Him. Let’s get busy finding our missions and ministries – and making every minute count for Christ! Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 30, 2023 – Lessons from a little boy and a widow…giving everything we have to the One who gives us everything…

Luke 21:1-4
Jesus looked up and saw some rich people tossing their gifts into the offering box. He also saw a poor widow putting in a few cents. And he said, “I tell you that this poor woman has put in more than all the others. Everyone else gave what they didn’t need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had.”<

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

I know it’s only October 30th, but I just saw a darling Christmas commercial for Macy’s where a little boy wanders the aisles of the department store, clearly in search of the perfect gift. Amusingly, as he passes the toy section, he shields his eyes so that he won’t become distracted. Ultimately, the child approaches a Santa Claus, and he presents St. Nick with a pair of slippers, saying, “These are for after work.”
 
This really is a sweet ad, and the “subtext” is that this child truly “sees” Santa Claus. He understands what a hard job the jolly old man has and how hard he works. Rather than ask for something, the child thinks of his beloved benefactor and gives him a gift. Let’s just leave this here…don’t try to read other things into it or suggest the child has ulterior motives. Let’s enjoy this tender moment and consider it in light of today’s scripture passage.
 
Our Heavenly Father is not Santa Claus, and I do not mean to draw that parallel. At the same time, too many of us are only attuned to God for what He can give us or what He can do for us. If we must write a check and give Him a little lip service, so be it. But don’t ask us to do the heavy lifting! We seldom if ever ask God what we can do for Him in return! After all, we’re talking about GOD! What could we possibly give to Him? The answer is…everything!
 
Let’s be clear…God doesn’t want or need our money. He truly does not love us and bless us so to receive payback. God’s love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and abundance are not conditional. But when we do give to God, He is like a proud Poppa – pleased…delighted…and glorified. And when we give with humility, dedication, thoughtfulness and/or sacrifice, God is exalted.
 
This is not a call for us to “give until it hurts,” as some pastors like to say. This is truly not about money. I am suggesting that we need to step back and look at God and ask ourselves, “How can I show God how much I love Him and appreciate all He does for me?” Where are you receiving opportunities to love and serve in the name of Jesus – and turning a blind eye? Where has someone needed a kind word or smile, a hug or handshake, or just a listening ear…and you ignored them? Where have you had opportunities to physically help someone, and at best, you wrote a check or tossed a few dollars in his/her direction?
 
Unlike the boy in the commercial who shielded his face as he passed the toy section, where have you been distracted and enticed by selfish desires? Where have you chosen to “bless” yourself over someone else in need? Have you really demonstrated to God in word and deed that you are “all in” with Him?
 
We can learn a lot from the Macy’s commercial – and even more from this scripture passage about the “widow’s mite.” This is the day to examine how much we are willing to “give” to God…and make all necessary adjustments. Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 29, 2023 – People are watching…so be careful what you say and do!

Luke 17:1-4 
Jesus said to his disciples: There will always be something that causes people to sin. But anyone who causes them to sin is in for trouble. A person who causes even one of my little followers to sin would be better off thrown into the ocean with a heavy stone tied around their neck. So be careful what you do.

Correct any followers of mine who sin, and forgive the ones who say they are sorry. Even if one of them mistreats you seven times in one day and says, “I am sorry,” you should still forgive that person.

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

I read a joke online about a little boy who told his dad, “I’m going to marry Grandma.” The dad told him this was not possible, and the child said, “But I love her, and she loves me. She’s a great cook, and she takes good care of me.” The father protested, “But you cannot marry my mother!” The little boy replied, “Why not?  You married mine!”  
 
People are watching! Right or wrong, observations and assumptions are being made. And Jesus tells us in these verses to be careful what we say and do, lest we cause another to sin. Can I be “real” with you for a minute? This morning, my thoughts and emotions are all over the place. I am so blessed…I have a wonderful life and abundance in every aspect of it. Most importantly, I know that I am a redeemed, anointed, precious child of the Most High God – and He guides and guards every step of my life.
 
I have no room to complain. There is nothing I cannot handle with God’s help and care. At the same time, I am unable to understand what is happening all around me. I turn on the television, and there are dozens of accounts of selfishness and hatred. There are people committing crimes and indignities against their fellow man because of mental illness or addiction…or someone told them to do this. Some observed the words and actions of a person or group who claimed some sort of “authority” or “wisdom,” and they thought, “I must act on this.” Often, it appears that many people have decided that what truly matters is pleasing themselves and fitting in with their chosen group.
 
For decades, I went along to get along. I looked the other way as people I lived alongside every day became more polarized – and more vocal about their biases and ideologies. I grew up in an all-white community in the 1960s-70s. I heard the talk of those who described people of color as “less than” in some way – and I remember cutting people of color a wide berth when shopping in Little Rock. We ignored or excused the derogatory names for people from other countries and ethnic backgrounds. We readily accepted that people who belonged to other denominations were not as “Christian” as we were – and maybe weren’t truly Christians at all. And we did all of this while attending worship services several times a week, reading the Bible, praying, and singing hymns of praise to God for His all-encompassing love, care, and redemption!
 
Let’s just say I have evolved in recent years. I now see how hypocritical I was…how judgmental much of my behavior was – and what a poor example of the love of Christ Jesus I offered to others. And I realize that I must be more cognizant of how I speak, act, and represent my Heavenly Father. I must take the words of Jesus to heart in my own life…to make sure that I do not speak and act in a way that would cause someone else to sin. I must strive every day to demonstrate the love and inclusion of Jesus to others…to show all who I encounter that I see them…I accept them as equally precious to Jesus…I hear them and recognize that they are human beings, and God loves them unconditionally.
 
In my world, all are welcome at God’s table…in His houses of worship…and in my “circle.” We are not little children who don’t understand that we can’t marry our grandparents. In the (paraphrased) words of the late poet and author, Maya Angelou…“We know better, so we must do better!” Christ is counting on us to love others as He did…to accept, forgive, and welcome them. We may be the only glimpse of Jesus another person ever sees. Make it count…and be careful what you say and do! People are watching…make sure you truly show them Jesus!  Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 28, 2023 – It’s a matter of trust…

Luke 16:10-13  
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

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 filling treat bags for Halloween in anticipation of about a dozen-plus special trick-or-treaters who have visited us every year for more than a decade. These include our own niece and nephews, cousins, and a handful of other friends we love like family. Last year, one mother told me that her now-high-school-senior said, “It’s not Halloween until we go to Mr. Greg & Mrs. Debbie’s house!” We love seeing the kiddos…but I know they love the treats we provide – a sack with “Harvest Hash,” candy, Halloween H2O (bottled water), and some sort of “prize.” Over the years, we’ve given the kids flashlights, goofy glasses, monogrammed bags, neck “gators,” and more.
 
As I mixed the M&Ms®, pretzels, cereal, and Bugles™ chips yesterday for “Harvest Hash,” I thought about what would happen if the kids got here, and we just put a few snack-sized pieces of candy in their bags and waved “good-bye” to them! I could picture the shock and disappointment on their faces. Their parents would likely prompt the children to be polite and accept the offering…but I would know how truly betrayed they felt. The kids trust us to “deliver” on Halloween…and for a few more years, we will probably be making the treat bags and extending an invitation for these kiddos and their families to visit us for a few minutes every October 31st.
 
A few weeks ago, our 14-year-old nephew lamented over dinner that it was difficult to know who to trust. We agreed with him that at this stage in his life, friends can sometimes be fickle, and it is hard sometimes to know who is genuine, and who is “playing the game.” Peer pressure – and teenage angst in general – are no joke! Greg assured our guy that he can always trust us…that we are here for him, always and forever. Greg also reminded our boy that God is always with him…that the Holy Spirit is always available to him, and he can call on his “Forever Friend” anytime. The Holy Spirit will never betray us or fail to answer.
 
I offer these two examples with relation to the scripture passage today to say that the issue of trust begins with God and His Holy Spirit. We never have to question the validity or steadfastness of God’s love and care for us. The Holy Spirit is always with us, and we can call on Him anytime – for anything. But there is a component of our relationship with God that many either underestimate or overlook completely…and this is our trustworthiness as a servant. We must be trustworthy in all things…even down to “being there” for family trick-or-treaters and teenage nephews.
 
We must be faithful, obedient, genuine representatives to others of Christ’s love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, acceptance, compassion, and steadfastness. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if we pulled the blinds and skipped Halloween. But there are plenty of areas where people think, “This one thing won’t hurt…” or “I’m pretty good in most areas, but I just can’t get past my bias against XYZ”…or even “I love Jesus, but it’s my turn for a change!” And none of these attitudes and actions represent true service to God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. None of these opinions honor the sacrifice Jesus gave on the cross so that you and I could call on our Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit – anytime for anything!
 
Search your heart and mind today. Ask some hard questions, starting with, “Am I trustworthy as God’s servant?” Ask yourself if you are truly representing the love and steadfastness of Jesus. If you are at all fearful of the “consequences” and ramifications of wholeheartedly serving God as He commands, how genuine is your trust in Him to care for you in all circumstances? We need to get to the heart of our relationship with God. We need to determine how selflessly and unequivocally we are serving as Christ commands. We need to examine just how trustworthy we are – Who and what we reflect to others in the name of Jesus.
 
We need to reassure teens and “children” of all ages just how much God loves them – and how readily available He is each and every minute. And maybe we need to demonstrate to someone that we are consistently faithful and steadfast – even when it comes to packing a Halloween treat bag and mixing “Harvest Hash.” Ask God to show you where and how to be trustworthy – and to demonstrate to others which Master you truly serve. Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 27, 2023 – Nothing is impossible for God!

Luke 1:37
“Nothing is impossible for God!”

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

This sentence was uttered by the angel, Gabriel, who appeared to Elizabeth, the older cousin to Jesus’ mother-to-be, Mary. Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, were childless – and well past what was considered to be “child-bearing age.” Yet here they were…Elizabeth was pregnant…and as we also know, so was Mary, a very young virgin. These were two of the most unlikely females to be “with child” and preparing to deliver babies – yet here they were! Not only that, their babies were to be special…ordained…and in the case of Jesus, divine!  “Nothing is impossible for God!”
 
Today, we are facing extraordinary challenges. As Greg and I have talked, I’ve noted that countless people over numerous generations have felt overwhelmed by their situations and circumstances, so this is not a totally new concept. Still, I firmly believe that we must acknowledge and address the genuine worries, concerns, heartaches, fears, and frustrations of each person, regardless of their age, race, gender, what is happening in the world around them, or any other “qualifying” situations and circumstances. If we listened more and paid closer attention to what others are thinking and feeling, I believe that (with God’s help) we could make important adjustments in many instances.
 
The GOOD NEWS is that God is always listening. God sees us…He hears us. He knows everything about us. And again, “Nothing is impossible for God!”  So when we call on Him to help us, God will do this! I can’t promise how His response will look or “feel,” but I know it will be perfect!
 
I had to turn off the television last night…the news was just too overwhelming, upsetting – and downright frightening. I know that some would say this is cowardly, but I considered it a “coping mechanism.” And I prayed. I asked God to do what I cannot…to work in all these horrific situations…to mend hearts…and to heal bodies, minds, and souls. When I opened my scripture outline today, this verse appeared…“Nothing is impossible for God!”
 
My prayer is that you will stay strong, faithful, and hopeful. Believe in God! Give Him your worries, concerns, heartaches, and fears. Trust God to hear your pleas – and to answer them perfectly. Remember…“Nothing is impossible for God!”  Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 26, 2023 – Choose this day who – and how – you will serve…

Joshua 24:14-15
“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

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 the last few years, we made some very difficult decisions. Beginning with the onset of the COVID pandemic, we opted to isolate. We didn’t hug our children…we didn’t physically go inside the house of Greg’s mother, except for Greg to mask up and set her groceries in the refrigerator. For almost two years, we didn’t visit family members and friends. We didn’t attend a family wedding. We didn’t hold a funeral for my sister, and we held a family-only graveside service for Greg’s mother.
 
We changed virtually every aspect of our “social” lifestyle…from in-store shopping to going to the pool for exercise…to attending in-person worship.  We prayerfully considered what was best for us and our extended family, assessed the risk factors, and did what we felt God was directing us to do. We understood that others would disagree…and we were even ridiculed for some of our decisions and told to “get back out there and live your lives.” But unless or until we felt God telling us to do this, we stayed at home.
 
I must tell you…there were many aspects of this time that grieved us greatly. But as we observed the world from the safety and isolation of our home, we prayerfully considered what God wanted from us. And I believe we came away stronger and more attuned to His word and will as a result. I realized that there were areas of my life where I had compromised…areas where perhaps I cared more about “belonging” to a group than about what God truly wanted from me.
 
I discovered that in many regards, I had looked the other way at times. I made excuses – for myself and my brothers and sisters in Christ – and I justified our words and actions by declaring that we all loved Jesus and basically wanted everyone to know and love Him as we did. I even fooled myself into believing that I could serve better from “inside” these groups than by separating from them. But as I began to examine the words and actions of others, I realized that I had questions about what we all were saying and doing in the name of Jesus. I began to ask myself whether I could truly associate, worship, and serve alongside those who expressed qualifications on their love and “discipleship” – or behaved selfishly or hatefully.
 
This is not a judgment – and I do not mean to appear arrogant or superior in any manner. I still love all others with the love of Christ…even those who think, speak, and act differently than I do. But I am clearer than ever in my faith and love for God – who I am and Who I serve…and how I follow His commands. And I find myself wishing those who believe differently well in their “spiritual journey.” I hope and pray they find whatever it is they seek in this form of “discipleship.” But as for me and my “house,” we are humbly seeking and serving Christ Jesus, the Only Son of God Almighty, in the manner that we believe He is leading us to pursue.
 
This looks and feels different than it did even five years ago…but I know it is what God requires of me. He guides and guards me every step of the way – and gives me peace. In the words of Act 16:17, I am a servant of the Most High God.  My prayer is that you seek God’s will in your own life and allow Him to guide your words and actions. Serve the LORD with faithful obedience and gladness. He will meet your every need – and give you joy and peace. Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 25, 2023 – Doing our part by following God’s commands…and trusting Him to handle the details

October 25 ~ Joshua 22:5
“But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

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

This morning, Greg and I got up early and drove over to our kids’ house to pick them up for school, where we attended the elementary school VIP Breakfast with our 5th-grader, Nathan. By the time we finished eating and dropped Nathan off at the doors to his building, the line of adults and children waiting for breakfast stretched across the campus. Back at home, I turned on the television and heard news updates about the situation in Gaza, where humanitarian efforts may have to be stopped because conditions are so dangerous. The stark contrast of life there – and here – is not lost on me.
 
If I let myself “go there,” I can be in a dark place very quickly. Life is more than tough for so many these days – even downright unbearable for many. And if you are like me, you feel pretty helpless about much of it. I told Greg that I feel like we “fiddle while Rome burns” – and we don’t know what else to do! But the words of Joshua to his people in this verse seem like a good place to start…“Keep the commandment and the law that Moses gave you…to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
 
There comes a time when we must let go and give God complete control…when we have to say, “LORD, this is far too big for me to handle, so You will have to do it – and I know You can and will.” I have no idea how God is going to fix the mess we are in…but I know that He will. I am fully vested in the adage that “I don’t know what the future holds…but I know WHO holds the future.” My job is to follow His commands as outlined in today’s scripture passage…and to demonstrate to others that I am fully confident that I serve a God who wants to prosper and not harm me – to give me a hope and a future as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.
 
I am grateful for these moments we get with our children, and the relative sense of “normalcy” that we enjoy each day. I do not take this for granted, and I pray throughout the day for those who are not as fortunate…for people who are sick, suffering, and/or in harm’s way. I believe that God is calling us to follow His commands even in these difficult times – and to demonstrate to the world that He is our Supreme Authority.
 
Hold fast to God’s promises – and keep praying and serving as He directs. I firmly believe that He will take care of the rest. Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 24, 2023 – When are you coming back? Keeping God’s law and serving with humanity

Joshua 1:8
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

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 daily calendar quote says, “A little boy ended a lengthy prayer that had included everyone he could think of by saying: ‘And dear God, take care of Yourself. If anything happens to You, we’re all sunk.’”  
 
Joshua 1:8 reminds us that we must take care of ourselves, too! We are given clear instructions for how to do this…keep God’s Laws on our lips and put them into practice day and night! How do we do this? Jesus is very specific in Matthew 25:35-36… “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” And in John 13:34, He says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
 
Recently, Greg and I watched an episode of a CBS Mornings segment called “Kindness 101,” which is hosted by reporter Steve Hartman and his two children, Emmett and Meryl. In this episode, the topic was “Humanity,” which Emmett defined via the dictionary as “the moral thread that binds all humans together.”  Hartman added that “humanity is also sameness.”  He showed three photos of people who might be judged by many as “a biker dude,” a member of a specific religious sect, and a “disabled” person in a wheelchair…and he suggested that we need to look past their appearance and see the person.
 
Hartman then shared the story of Ginger Sprouse, who lives in Houston, Texas. For years, Sprouse would drive past homeless people on the street corners – and judge them. She said she often muttered to herself, “Why don’t you get a job?” After passing one man several times on her way to work, Sprouse decided to stop and speak to him. Victor Hubbard explained that he became homeless when his mother moved away – and left him. I encourage you to watch the story for yourself and learn how Sprouse “fed, clothed, and nurtured” Hubbard and others as Christ commanded…not just literally, but emotionally and spiritually, as well.
 
Sprouse notes that after a few visits to Hubbard on the street corner, he asked, “When are you coming back?” This was particularly poignant to me…“When are you coming back?” I believe we often pass someone who is in need – and I am not talking about the homeless on street corners. I am talking about everyday people who are human beings just like you and me – precious children of the Most High God. Let’s be honest…it’s easy to write the check – or even to say a prayer…and these are important responses. But how often do we take time to see someone…to look past outward appearance or our own selfish biases and see who and what God sees?
 
How often do we truly “feed” our brothers and sisters or “clothe” them in respect, dignity and understanding? How often do we make the effort to speak with someone who is “different” in some way? And more importantly, how often is any of this a “one and done?” The pervading question becomes, “When are you coming back?” When are we going to see others as God sees them and open our hearts, minds, and arms to them – and keep doing it?
 
The little boy was right – without God, we truly are sunk! And God is counting on us to serve Him as He commands – to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others. If you watch the story I referenced, you will see that “going back” and helping others is now an integral part of Ginger Sprouse’s daily living. And it should be part of ours, as well. Ask God to show you how and where He wants you to serve – and do your part to “keep the Book of Law on your lips” and in every word and action. Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 23, 2023 – It’s time to be simple and honest – and worship God with every word and action

John 4:23-24
“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”

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.

Sadly, you don’t have to go very far these days to witness firsthand misbehavior from people who should know better – even “leaders” to whom we look for wisdom and guidance. We’ve all heard off-color or derogatory comments made on “hot mikes,” seen people make ugly – if not obscene – gestures toward each other, and most of us are familiar with “The Slap Heard Around the World,” as social media has dubbed the attack by actor Will Smith on comedian Chris Rock during the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony.

On Saturday, as we sat in line to exit the Little Rock Air Force Base, we witnessed a man in one car gesture in what didn’t look like a kind manner toward a couple in another vehicle. Soon, the woman in the second car was out on the parking lot, yelling and gesturing toward the first driver. We don’t know what was really happening, but the entire scene was unsettling and unfortunate – and witnessed by our young boys. This is not how we should be resolving “conflict,” but it seems as though far too many have become quick to react and respond in anger or frustration to every situation – and little thought appears to be given to what God would have to say about it all.

By contrast, I heard a sermon yesterday in which the pastor spoke of the late well-known author, Corrie Ten Boom, a survivor of the Holocaust. Ten Boom writes in one of her books about how she and her sister smuggled a Bible into their concentration camp, and they would read, pray, and hold worship services – just the two of them. Even in such dire and dangerous circumstances, these young girls found a way to simply and honestly be themselves before God.
 
You and I most likely fall in the middle between these two extreme examples. Hopefully, we are not using foul language and treating people hatefully. But a lot of us are “selective” at best about who we allow in our circle – and even our worship settings. I pray none of us are ever incarcerated – or held against our will in anything resembling a concentration camp – but many of us let plenty of opportunities to worship and demonstrate our faith in God pass us by every day.
 
These verses are a call to consider every word and action. Truly, who we are and the way we live count before God, and we must make every effort to ensure that each word and action are simple, honest, and glorify our Heavenly Father. In this way, our “worship” is continual – not confined to the walls of a building on certain days and hours of the week! I pray that we will all examine our hearts, minds, attitudes and behaviors – and make sure that we are worshipping God with every breath. This is the day to engage our spirits in the pursuit of truth – and offer God our very best! Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 22, 2023 – Step into the Light – and show the world what you’ve got as Christ’s disciple!

John 3:19-21
“This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”

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

Yesterday, Greg and I took the boys to the Little Rock Air Force Base to see “Thunder Over the Rock,” the first air show to be presented in our state in five years. I cannot emphasize enough that “a good time was had by all.” Let me also say that we were not only entertained…we were informed and inspired by the demonstrations and history of our military aircraft, pilots, crews, and support staff.
 

The Air Force Thunderbirds Fighting Falcons fly in formation at “Thunder Over the Rock 2023” – Little Rock Air Force Base

Greg had been to the air show several years ago, but the boys and I really didn’t know what to expect. But as we drove onto the tarmac parking area, Timothy asked two profound questions…1) “Wouldn’t an event like this be a target for terrorists?” and 2) ”Isn’t the Air Force afraid this show will give away military secrets?” Greg explained that the Air Force was not going to show anything that would jeopardize military operations…that this presentation was all about pride and showing the public where and how our tax dollars are spent and how well equipped and prepared our military branches are. He also noted that, sadly, we are to some extent all vulnerable to terrorists anytime we leave our homes these days…but the Air Force was likely taking all precautions – and then some!
 
As I read the scripture passage today, I thought about the pride of the Air Force and their eagerness to “show us what they’ve got!” As I said, they surely impressed me with the prowess of their aircraft…from the enormous size and capabilities of the C-130s and C-17 that deliver manpower and cargo to a specific area…to the precision of the Army’s Golden Knights as they parachuted from thousands of feet in the air onto a relatively miniscule target on the tarmac in front of spectators. I still can’t stop thinking about a young mother named Melissa Burns who talked to the crowd over the radio as she performed aerobatics in the sky overhead, or Maj. Kristin Wolfe, who gave us an up close and personal understanding of the power, precision, and almost-deafening jet propulsion of an F-35 Lightning II.
 
And then, there were the Thunderbirds…six F-16 Fighting Falcons were piloted with precision as they demonstrated formations and maneuvers that had them flying 18 inches apart, as low as 100 to 150 feet from the ground going 600 knots (almost 700 mph!). From reading about the Thunderbirds before this show, I knew that this particular model of aircraft is used today by the Air Force to defend our country with incredible precision and power. And in all, I came away from the show with a renewed sense of pride and confidence in those who are serving and protecting our country. I was grateful for the opportunity to attend this air show with Greg and the boys and see firsthand the thought and care that goes into guarding each of us.
 
Now here’s where I believe this connects with these verses from John 3…you and I have been afforded great privileges. I was struck yesterday by the freedom we enjoyed as we walked around the air base in and out of aircraft and other military vehicles and traveled across the tarmac with about 100,000 other people of all ages. Our freedom comes with responsibilities and obligations. We are expected to follow the rules. We all went through security checks and searches to enter the base. We were expected to behave decently and to be patient and understanding while waiting in line and interacting with others. There were visible and verbal reminders to put trash in receptacles to keep it off the runway and out of aircraft engines – and to keep the area clean and neat for others. And there were even loudspeaker requests for us to applaud the vendors and show producers to thank them for their hard work.
 
In these verses, John suggests that we “come out into the light” and demonstrate our love and respect for Jesus Christ. He calls on us to be good stewards of the gifts and privileges we receive as redeemed believers in Jesus – and children of the Most High God. We are called to serve in a way that demonstrates our respect and appreciation for Jesus…by loving one another and treating others as we wish to be treated…by offering kindness, patience, compassion and understanding to others – and by operating with humility. We are commissioned to “show the world what we have” as followers of Jesus Christ!
 
One of the great lessons for me from yesterday was how every demonstration we saw required a team that worked together in harmony. If even one person fell down on the job, the whole mission could suffer – and the consequences could be dire or even deadly. Honestly, our service as disciples of Christ should be taken just as seriously. The responsibility is large, but the rewards are even greater. And we have Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as our ultimate Commander! When we step into the light and operate as He desires and directs, we will never fail in our mission!
 
I pray that today, you will search your heart and ask a hard question…“Where am I operating in the dark?” Ask yourself where you harbor hatred, bigotry, bias, or selfish desires of any sort? Where are you trying to hide from God? Where are you pretending to follow Jesus while secretly serving the devil in some manner? Make this the day that you step into the Light and serve Jesus with every fiber of your being…ready to be fully examined by all and deemed to be a disciple in whom God can be well pleased.

©2023 Debbie Robus