Daily Devotional for June 24, 2024 – Washing machines, air conditioning, and Jesus…it’s time to humbly count our blessings – and give God all glory and praise!

John 13:31-38
After Judas had gone, Jesus said:

Now the Son of Man will be given glory, and he will bring glory to God. Then, after God is given glory because of him, God will bring glory to him, and God will do it very soon.

My children, I will be with you for only a little while longer. Then you will look for me, but you won’t find me. I tell you just as I told the people, “You cannot go where I am going.” But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.

Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”

Jesus answered, “You can’t go with me now, but later on you will.”

Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I go with you now? I would die for you!”

“Would you really die for me?” Jesus asked. “I tell you for certain before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t even know me.”

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

This morning, I put some laundry in the washer, and I was immediately struck by how grateful I am for a washing machine – and air conditioning. Most of our state is under an excessive heat warning for the next few days. I looked at a wooden paddle that hangs over the window in our laundry room. It belonged to my paternal grandparents, and they used it to stir laundry that literally boiled over an open flame in a cast iron wash pot (which now houses brilliant red begonias in our back yard). My grandmother Polly told me she washed the clothing with lye soap.
 
Today, we pop a load of laundry into an electric washing machine with a little dissolvable pillow of laundry detergent, and about a half hour to ninety minutes later, the cycle is done and ready for a clothes dryer. Yes, we could set up a clothesline outdoors and air dry our wash…but we would need our own shower today by the time we hung it on the line! So, I am truly thankful that our house is always comfortable – cool in summer, warm in winter, and just right in every season. Would I be as grateful were the HVAC unit to malfunction – or our power failed for some reason? Maybe…but then again, if this lasted very long, I would probably begin to grumble.
 
I share this to say that there are so many things we take for granted in our daily lives…and often, Jesus is among them. We will never fully appreciate His love and care for us. We will never truly be as grateful as we should for the One who washed the feet of a man He knew would betray Him and set things in motion for a horrific beating – and crucifixion. As modern-day “Peters” who deny or disappoint God in countless ways both great and small, we will never fully regard His unconditional love and care – and His gift of Jesus – to the degree that is merited. 
 
We can never be humble enough, faithful enough, or grateful enough for all that God has done for us – and all He continues to do each day. But this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Talk is cheap, as Peter found out. He claimed that he would die for Jesus mere hours before denying three times that he even knew Him. And you and I are no better or more sincere. When push comes to shove, we often cave – and at the very least, wring our hands, wail and wonder…“Why, God, WHY?!”  
 
Today is the day to count our blessings…to thank God for everything from air-conditioned homes to modern conveniences that make everyday household chores so much easier. More importantly, this is the day to humbly tell God how much we love Him…and to renew our commitment to always serve Him in all things. I can already hear God say, “No, you won’t.”  I also hear Him saying, “But, I appreciate the effort. And I love you more than you can imagine.” Hallelujah! Praise GOD! Alleluia, and Amen!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 23, 2024 – Humbling ourselves before God and humanizing others…it’s time to “wash some feet!”

John 13:12-17
After Jesus had washed his disciples’ feet and had put his outer garment back on, he sat down again. Then he said:

Do you understand what I have done? You call me your teacher and Lord, and you should, because that is who I am. And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other. I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you. I tell you for certain that servants are not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who sent them. You know these things, and God will bless you, if you do them.

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

Greg and I watched a segment today on CBS Sunday Morning about a former Israeli soldier and member of Hamas who is now part of a group called Combatants for Peace. The purpose of this group is to humanize all parties and give space for each faction to cultivate understanding of the other. One of the comments that the veteran made truly stood out to me. He noted that a primary aim of this group is to promote human understanding…“Because you have to dehumanize someone in order to kill them.”
 
As I read this passage from John where Jesus, our Lord and Master, washed the feet of His disciples (a gesture of incredible humility and subservience), I thought about the full impact of what Christ did and said. He saw each person present as a human being…precious to God (and to Him)…not one of them greater than the other. Jesus knew that Judas was among these disciples…and He knew what this man would do in a matter of hours. Jesus knew the “good, bad, and ugly” about each person – and yet He saw their humanity, their need to be treated with love and dignity, and their value to God – and to others. This is what we are commanded to do today.
 
If we are honest, we dehumanize others every day. We may not be murderers in the literal sense, but we often do our dead-level best to “kill the soul” or reputation of another through critical talk, divisiveness, biases, and hateful rhetoric or actions. We pit one person against another for a myriad of reasons…he’s a Democrat…she’s a lesbian…they are Black, Asian, or Hispanic…this person is a Muslim, Jew, or Buddhist…that family is “white trash.” Even when we feel our intentions are noble…we dislike or criticize someone because of his/her own rhetoric or unkind words and actions – we are dehumanizing this person on some level. It’s hard to separate a person’s behavior from that person. And once we have dehumanized someone, it is easier to hate them…or even kill them.
 
Jesus is calling us to wash the feet of others…maybe not literally, but surely by treating them with utmost humility and respect as precious children of God. We are called to see others as human beings…sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, individuals with hope and dreams like you and me, and spiritual brothers and sisters. This will require a shift in our thinking – and our attitude. We will have to humble ourselves before God and think before we speak and act. But we can do this! 
 
Whether we are successful in our efforts to get along and love one another with the love of Christ is not the point…it’s all about the effort and genuine, humble, faithful obedience. Washing Judas’ feet didn’t change him…but Jesus demonstrated His unconditional love with the gesture and put His commands into action. You and I must make every effort to demonstrate Christ’s love in our own lives…unadulterated and unconditionally. Then we must give God room to work and trust Him to do so perfectly. Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 21, 2024 – Boasting in the “riches” of a steadfast relationship with God…and demonstrating 𝑯𝒊𝒔 love in our daily living

Jeremiah 9:23-24
The Lord says: Let not the wise man bask in his wisdom, nor the mighty man in his might, nor the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone: That they truly know me, and understand that I am the Lord of justice and of righteousness whose love is steadfast; and that I love to be this way.

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 was telling me about his clients on the Meals on Wheels route. Every Thursday morning (and sometimes extra days) for as long as I can remember, Greg has delivered a nutritious meal to dozens of people who, for some reason, need this service…age, declining health, physical disability, and more. Greg gets to know his clients, and he enjoys a brief visit with many of them each week. For some, this is their only contact with another human being all day long.
 
One of the things that Greg noted this morning was that his clients are generally ready to engage in a cheerful conversation. There may be the occasional comment about illness or ailments…but most of the time, the discussion is about the weather, a pet, family members who may have visited, or what the person is reading or watching on television. 
 
Greg said it is rare for the talk to turn political, negative, or divisive…and it is never boastful. Indeed, many on my husband’s route are on a fixed income and live simply. But almost to a person, they are cheerful and grateful for what they do have. And at least one of his clients is often waiting for him at her dining table, where she is reading her Bible. For the most part, every one of these clients is genuinely appreciative of the meal that Greg and others deliver each weekday…and they demonstrate humility and gratitude for the “visit,” as well. 
 
Greg and I agreed that we could all take a page from the books of these folks…that we could learn to appreciate the simpler gifts and blessings. We need to humbly assess and acknowledge God’s presence, power, and blessings in our lives. We need to see His hand in even the smallest gift…and to appreciate how “rich” we are because of our Heavenly Father’s love and abundance. We need to exercise discretion, diplomacy, and decorum in our conversation.  And we need to extend this demonstration of humble service to God in our daily words and actions. 
 
Let’s take a few minutes today to consider God’s hand in our daily living. Where could we use a little humility? Where could we brag less about what we have – or what we have done…and give glory and gratitude to God for what He is doing? Let’s make it our aim to speak and act in a way that others know without question Who has top billing in our lives. Let’s develop a reputation as God’s faithful, humble servant – and demonstrate joy in the wisdom and “riches” of His abundance! Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 17, 2024 – Counting our blessings as God’s children, regardless of our “riches”…and serving Him humbly and faithfully

James 1:9-11
Any of God’s people who are poor should be glad he thinks so highly of them. But any who are rich should be glad when God makes them humble. Rich people will disappear like wild flowers scorched by the burning heat of the sun. The flowers lose their blossoms, and their beauty is destroyed. This is how the rich will disappear, as they go about their business.

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

I have a spiral notebook that my mother once gave to my grandmother Polly and said, “Write your experiences.” And Mam-ma Polly did just that! This “journal” details many of the events of her childhood…and her thoughts and feelings along the way. 
 
My grandmother wrote of the first home she and my grandfather shared in 1932…“a three-room house, but that was more room than we needed, for we didn’t have much furniture…and we sure didn’t have any money.” She relates that they had a bed, dresser, and three cane-bottom chairs and two nail kegs. “The kitchen had a little 4-cap stove, a homemade table, and some apple boxes for cabinets. Our love for each other took care of everything we didn’t have.”
 
In another entry, my grandmother wrote about moving onto the farm of a cousin when my dad was a toddler. My grandfather worked in the fields for this cousin’s wealthy father-in-law, while Mam-ma Polly worked inside doing housekeeping, cooking, sewing, and babysitting for the family. The residence that was rented to my grandparents was hardly more than a shack. It had a couple of rooms and sparse furniture, and Mam-ma wrote of scrubbing and cleaning to make the place livable – and “papering” the walls with old newspapers so it would look clean. 
 
I’ve told you before that I thought my paternal grandparents were rich, because from 1953 forward they lived on a farm where food and fun were abundant. What I didn’t see as a child was how hard they worked to nurture cattle for beef and chickens for eggs and our supper…or how diligently they tended their garden and orchards so that there was always plenty of food in the cellar and freezer – for them and my family of five (and anyone else who joined us at their table for a meal).
 
Several young couples we know will marry this summer, and I have enjoyed learning of their successful careers…the homes they are purchasing…and even attending bridal showers and seeing the lovely gifts and gadgets they have received, such as espresso machines and wooden cutting boards for charcuterie. My grandparents were married for fifty-three years, and I pray that these couples enjoy long, happy lives together, as well. But I can tell you, this material “wealth” will not be the determining factor!
 
James is reminding us that when God sent each of us into this world, we arrived on equal footing…naked babies with no outward indication of what lay ahead for us. No one could say with certainty that this baby or that one would grow up in lavish abundance, or abject poverty. But God saw potential in each infant. He knew before we were born what was in store for us…and God already knew how He would use us for His purposes – if we would allow it.
 
My grandparents were humble servants of God all their lives. They worked hard and acquired a nicer home and all the creature comforts. But they also endured many difficulties along the way. I know of people who experienced material wealth and abundance from their infancy…and their lives have been nothing short of a train wreck. I believe James is reminding us in this passage to focus on God and what He intended for us rather than what man assumes or desires. The Bible is filled with verses that remind us to count our riches in terms of God’s blessings and our humble service to Him rather than possessions and the recognition of the world. May this be our prayer and our purpose. Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 16, 2024 – Serving God with a humble and contrite heart and recognizing His power and presence in everything…it’s time to make every day our 𝑭𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓’𝒔 Day!

Isaiah 66:1-2
God’s Message:

Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool: What Temple can you build for me as good as that? My hand has made both earth and skies, and they are mine. Yet I will look with pity on the man who has a humble and a contrite heart, who trembles at my word.

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

Last night, Greg and I took our great-nephews and niece to Searcy, Arkansas, for a dinner theatre performance on the Harding University campus. For forty-one years, the residents of Searcy have presented a summer dinner theatre…and they now utilize the University’s theatre facilities and food service. The combined result is a “fine dining” experience, complete with well-appointed tables, cloth linens, a buffet dinner, and impeccable service courtesy of [primarily] the school’s theatre students, some of whom we recognized from performances we previously attended.
 
This was the first time for our kids to experience this kind of fine dining, and as we stood to leave after the play, Nathan asked, “Don’t we need to clear the table?” I explained that this was part of our experience – we got to get up and walk away and let someone else do the dishes/cleanup! (I was also secretly proud that our kids are accustomed to helping with “kitchen duty” after meals!)
 
Let me say that we have fun munching on popcorn and candy at the movies – or eating ice cream at a local drive-in. We are perfectly at home with a fast-food meal and paper napkins and utensils. But there was something special about being served in this fashion…the elevated feeling of dressing in nice clothing, placing a cloth napkin in our laps, and having someone clear our plates after each course and refill our glasses. It was a treat for sure…and I must say that our kids were all incredibly appreciative.
 
In this passage from Isaiah, we hear God telling us that He often provides a “fine dining experience” for us. Most days, we dwell in the “routine” world of “fast food meals” and “popcorn/soda” events. We don’t set our tables with cloth linens and specific dining utensils for certain courses during the meal. Nobody comes along to pour coffee, clear our dishes, and ask if everything is to our liking. But God is plenty capable of offering us the elevated experiences and abundance…and He does this more often than we recognize. God desires that we acknowledge and appreciate these blessings with a humble attitude and a grateful heart. 
 
Just as Nathan asked if we should help clear the table, you and I should be asking, “LORD, what can I do for You? How can I serve You better and demonstrate my appreciation and gratitude for Your abundance? What can I do to further Your Kingdom?” We all get complacent at times and take God’s love and care for granted. Too many of us have gotten to the point where the “fine dining experiences” God offers us are customary – maybe even monotonous. We have grown so accustomed to God’s presence and power that we don’t fully notice – or appreciate – these gifts. And we surely don’t give God the glory He deserves. But we can fix this…and we should!
 
Today, stop and realize just how much God is blessing you. As we sat down last night, Nathan said, “I feel like a millionaire!” As children of the Most High God, we should feel like this every single day in even the simplest of experiences. Everything we have…everything we are…every “good gift” comes from our Heavenly Father. On this day of all days – Father’s Day – let’s bow before God and give Him glory and honor. Then let’s make every day going forward our “Father’s” Day. Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 11, 2024 – Treating others as we wish to be treated – and loving them as God loves them…are you humble and gentle?

Ephesians 4:2-3
Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit and so be at peace with one another.

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

Last week, I met my childhood friend, Beth, at our regular local coffee house – the Jitterbug. We get together there about once a year when Beth comes “home” from Memphis for a visit. Last week, Beth asked me if I ever had any difficult students in my class. Boy, did I ever! I told her about a few of them that particularly stand out in my memory – including one boy whose reputation followed him even on the bus to a central exchange point, where he “head-butted” the school’s Assistant Superintendent one afternoon. The next morning, administrators showed up at our building and wanted to know which one of us was the teacher of this child. When I sheepishly acknowledged that he was “mine,” they all said, “You have our deepest sympathies! We don’t know how you do it!”
 
Indeed, this little boy was a handful. He had a penchant for getting angry and throwing chairs! But, I loved him all the same. He was as precious and worthy of my time and attention as any student in my classroom…and I know that God loves him dearly. I hope and pray that he outgrew the wild behaviors of his early childhood and truly overcame the proclivity for outbursts.
 
We all know someone who rubs us the wrong way. There are certain people we would rather not encounter – or with whom we prefer not to share any interaction. We all know the person of whom it is said, “You just can’t reason with So-and-So,” or the mention of his/her name produces an eye roll for some reason. And yet, these people are just as valuable to God as you and I are. God loves them unconditionally and wants the very best for them, as well. And we are called to love them with this same love, grace, mercy, kindness, and understanding. 
 
You don’t have to like every person you encounter…and you don’t have to go out of your way to spend time with those who irritate or annoy you in some manner. But you must always be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. I struggle with this sometimes. There are people who absolutely try my last nerve – and even a few minutes around them is difficult. But I would hope if these people who are obnoxious or exasperating knocked on my door – or walked up to me in public, I would be cordial, civil, even gracious to them. 
 
Let’s be honest…not everyone is our cup of tea for a myriad of reasons. But we may not be theirs, either! Aren’t you glad that we are all precious and valued by God? Don’t we owe it to Him to treat others as we wish to be treated…and to offer them dignity and grace even when we may have to bite our tongue?
 
I believe God allows us to encounter difficult people…both children and adults…to test our patience, humility, and faithful obedience to Him. They are the “acid test” for our witness and discipleship…and a true gauge of whether we truly genuinely respect and honor God – and give Him glory and complete control. I’m a work in progress…and I bet you are, too. But we must keep working…praying…and trusting God to give us humility and grace in all situations – and toward all people. Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 8, 2024 – Lessons from an Old Testament king…are you a proud person or a humble servant – and what difference does it make?

Daniel 4:36-37
“At the same time that I was given back my mind, I was also given back my majesty and splendor, making my kingdom shine. All the leaders and important people came looking for me. I was reestablished as king in my kingdom and became greater than ever. And that’s why I’m singing—I, Nebuchadnezzar—singing and praising the King of Heaven:

“Everything he does is right,
and he does it the right way.
He knows how to turn a proud person
into a humble man or woman.”

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.

You owe it to yourself to read the entire 4th chapter of the Book of Daniel. In a previous message, I told you about how God gave Daniel the ability to interpret a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar. In Daniel 4:37, we are reminded of the essence of Daniel’s message to the king…“So, king, take my advice: Make a clean break with your sins and start living for others. Quit your wicked life and look after the needs of the down-and-out. Then you will continue to have a good life.”
 
In Daniel 28-30, we learn of Nebuchadnezzar that “Just twelve months later, he was walking on the balcony of the royal palace in Babylon and boasted, “Look at this, Babylon the great! And I built it all by myself, a royal palace adequate to display my honor and glory!” Instantly, the heavens declared to Nebuchadnezzar that “Your kingdom is taken from you.” For seven years, Nebuchadnezzar was driven into the wilderness, where he roamed and lived like an animal. And then he prayed and asked God to heal him…and Nebuchadnezzar was instantly restored and given back his kingdom.
 
This time, Nebuchadnezzar was humble. He gave the glory and honor to God. Truly, he was turned from a proud person to a humble man. Let me hasten to say that I believe in the redemptive blood, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. I do not dare to suggest to you that if you operate in arrogance and selfishness, God will banish you to the wilderness to live like an animal – or punish you in any manner. But because of the redemption of Jesus Christ, we are commanded to “Love one another” and to “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” Anything less constitutes disrespect and dishonor to God in my opinion!
 
I cannot tell you how to speak and act. I can tell you what the scriptures say about arrogance and selfishness…and how to give God all honor and glory. I can tell you that the Bible is clear that we are to refrain from thinking more highly of ourselves (or our race, denomination, socio-economic status, level of education and more) than we do another person. We are commanded not to judge others…to see each person as a precious child of God, perfectly created and designed for His kingdom.  
 
In the Book of Daniel, we have examples of a man who walked humbly before God…and one who declared his own omnipotence. We see how well that worked for each of them. But we also see that ultimately, King Nebuchadnezzar admitted his own “human frailty” – and humbled himself before God. My question to you is this…”Why waste 12 years – or even a day?!”  Humble yourself before God. Admit that He possesses wisdom and power over all situations – and ask Him to guide and guard your every word and action. Follow the commands of Jesus Christ – and make them your daily aim in all situations and circumstances. 
 
Remember the words of King Nebuchadnezzar regarding God – and make them your own…“Everything He does is right, and He does it the right way!”  Make this your daily refrain – and humbly give God complete control – not because you fear retribution, but because you truly want to serve and honor God with every breath. Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 7, 2024 – Demonstrating faith and humility in our Most High God…lessons from the dream of a king

Daniel 4:1-3
This is the proclamation of Nebuchadnezzar the king, which he sent to people of every language in every nation of the world:

Greetings:

I want you all to know about the strange thing that the Most High God did to me. It was incredible—a mighty miracle! And now I know for sure that his kingdom is everlasting; he reigns forever and ever.

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

Just last week, Nathan and I read this story together when he visited us for a sleepover. Nathan loves the Book of Daniel and the amazing miracles shared there. Truly, Daniel was a walking lesson in humility and faith…and the story of the King’s dream was no exception. 
 
If you go back and read the first three chapters of Daniel, you will be reminded of familiar childhood Bible stories…“Daniel and the Lion’s Den,” “Daniel and the Fiery Furnace”…and the story of “Daniel and the King’s dream,” which is maybe a little lesser known but just as important.  The king had a disturbing dream, and he wanted to know what it meant. There were astrologers in Nebuchadnezzar’s court who were supposed to be able to “see” things and interpret such dreams, but none of them was able to do this. So Nebuchadnezzar sent an order that all the “wise men” in the land were to be killed. 
 
This word reached Daniel (who was one of the King’s servants), and he talked with his associates, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, aka Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel asked the king’s assistant to postpone killing anyone (including him and his friends) until he had a chance to ponder the dream and its meaning. Then he asked his friends to join him in prayer – literally a life-saving prayer. And God showed Daniel the dream and what it meant. Daniel then went before the King and interpreted the dream.
 
Nebuchadnezzar fell to his knees and said, “Truly, O Daniel, your God is the God of gods, Ruler of kings, the Revealer of mysteries, because he has told you this secret.” And Daniel and his three friends were rewarded with positions of authority and power in the king’s regime. I have gladly shared the story of Daniel with our kids, because the demonstrations of humble faith and obedience to God are truly profound. And while the stories are a bit fantastical, they are relatable in this age of many “superhero” books and movies on that are on the market. I have found these stories to be a wonderful way to present God’s lessons of faithful service and discipleship to young people. But they also work for you and me!
 
The stories of Daniel inspire me for several reasons. First, Daniel lived before Jesus came to earth. He didn’t have the benefit of a Master Teacher who could demonstrate faithful obedience – much less a Savior to take on the consequences of such situations and rules made by frightened kings!  Additionally, Daniel is a walking lesson in humility. He never demanded to see the king – or barged in and said, “I alone can fix this!” He quietly asked an agent of the king to give him more time to ponder the dream. In another instance, Daniel bargained with one of the king’s agents to eat his preferred diet rather than the king’s fare, and he proved to the agent that his foods produced better results.
 
The final thing that sticks out to me is that Daniel always trusted God…and God placed people in his path who could help. God worked in the king’s agents to cause them to listen to Daniel…and to be persuaded to give him leeway to prove his theories and practices. And I know that even today, God is orchestrating events and circumstances of our lives. 
 
Hopefully we are never thrown in a fiery furnace or a lion’s den – or forced to interpret dreams to save our very lives. But we will face challenges – and even demons – that are far above our “pay grade” to handle on our own. And God will be with us. We are surrounded by His angels, and the more we call on Him and trust Him with humble faith and obedience, the harder these angels work on our behalf!
 
Nebuchadnezzar was right…God’s kingdom is everlasting, and He does indeed reign forever and ever. It is time for us to be more like Daniel and trust God. It’s time for us to demonstrate to the world that we are not afraid…that we believe in Someone who is far greater than anything the world can hurl our way. It is time for us to stand tall and walk in the Word and ways of Almighty God…and to echo the message of King Nebuchadnezzar to others with every word and action! Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 5, 2024 – Examining the “wardrobe” God picked out for us…lessons from a WWII veteran at Normandy

Colossians 3:12-14
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

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

Greg and I watched a story on ABC’s Good Morning America today about the return to Normandy, France, of veterans who landed on Omaha Beach 80 years ago this week. Ninety-nine-year-old Felix Maurizio is one of the sixty-seven WWII heroes that American Airlines flew to France for this commemorative event. Maurizio manned a Naval landing craft in the English Channel, dropping American soldiers off to battle on Normandy Beach. One of these soldiers was his own brother, Salvatore, who was part of the Army Infantry. 
 
Maurizio says he is not ashamed to admit that he was “crying like a baby” as he told his brother to “Keep your head low.”  Felix Maurizio did not see Salvatore again until the end of the war. The brothers had planned to return to France together, but Salvatore died, and they never got to go. Felix said of his return, “I am thinking about the twelve men that were my buddies that were killed. But I was fortunate…I guess God just saved my life.”  Felix Maurizio humbly noted that during his military service, the freedom of our country was his main concern.
 
As present-day soldiers walked Felix Maurizio to the shoreline, he tearfully remembered the soldier beside him who was hit by machine gun shells. Maurizio said it is critical that none of us ever forget the 2400 casualties on Normandy Beach. Felix said he was never sure he wanted to come back to France, but he is glad that he did. And we are fortunate that reporter Lara Spencer and ABC’s Good Morning America shared his story with us.
 
When I read today’s passage from Colossians, I thought about the thousands of soldiers who have humbly and unassumingly done their job to protect and serve our country – and those who continue to do so this very day. How are we honoring them? Are we living, speaking, and acting in a manner worthy of their sacrifice? Are we demonstrating the “wardrobe” that Paul speaks of in this passage? Would Felix and Salvatore Maurizio and others look at us today and declare that we were worth the fight and sacrifice? More importantly, what would Jesus say?
 
Let’s think about what we are “wearing” today – and whether we are behaving in a manner that is worth the fight of our soldiers and others in service to our country. Let’s ask ourselves whether the thoughts, words, and actions that comprise our “wardrobe” glorify God and demonstrate faithful, humble allegiance to Him. If the answer is “Yes,” then the “sacrifice” is worthwhile. If there is any question, perhaps this is the day for a good old “closet cleaning!” Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 4, 2024 – Serving God with faith and humility – lessons from President Jimmy Carter

2 Samuel 22:25-32
You have been good to me because I do right; you have rewarded me for being innocent by your standards.

You are always loyal to your loyal people, and you are faithful to the faithful.

With all who are sincere you are sincere, but you treat the unfaithful as their deeds deserve.

You rescue the humble, but you look for ways to put down the proud.

Our Lord and God, you are my lamp. You turn darkness to light.

You help me defeat armies and capture cities.

Your way is perfect, Lord, and your word is correct. You are a shield for those who run to you for help.

You alone are God! Only you are a mighty rock.

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

“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something… My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.” – Jimmy Carter

I’ve been thinking about President Carter lately. I remember his election to office…and how so many people ridiculed him – especially for his Christian faith. In a 2021 PBS interview, Judy Woodruff spoke with historian and author, Jonathan Alter, who argues in his book, His Very Best, that President Carter is “perhaps the most misunderstood president in American history.”
 
Jonathan Alter cites President Carter’s accomplishments at the Camp David peace talks and lauds them as “the most enduring and significant peace treaty in the world since World War II.” This inspired him to consider the accomplishments of the 39th President that are generally overlooked, such as starting a discussion about climate change…passing the Ethics in Government act to protect whistle-blowers…setting up the offices of Inspector Generals…creating FISA courts…and establishing FEMA, the Department of Education, and the Department of Energy. 
 
These accomplishments are the tip of the iceberg…but generally, they are not what many remember about President Jimmy Carter. A lot of people consider Jimmy Carter a failure because he did not bring the 63 men and women held hostage home from Iran before the 1980 Presidential election (although they were released just minutes after President Ronald Reagan was inaugurated). Alter admits that many “slimed” the former President. He claims his book is an attempt to show readers that Jimmy Carter was not a lousy President…and to detail how he accomplished more than most people realize.
 
In this psalm that David wrote in 2 Samuel, we see someone who is pouring out his heart to God and thanking Him for the blessings given to those who remain faithful and humble. I couldn’t help but think of President Carter and his beloved late wife and partner, Rosalynn. Surely they must have clung to the promises of these verses on numerous occasions. Their life and legacy stand as a modern-day illustration of living faithfully and humbly in the word and will of God…even when others ridicule – and even condemn us for it. 
 
Books may never be written about us…and “history” may never correct misconceptions and disparagement of our efforts to serve as God commands. But God will know…and He will reward us in His time and according to His perfect plans. Jimmy Carter understands this…and so should we. Make pleasing God in humble service and faithfulness your only goal…and He will take care of the rest.  Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus