Daily Devotional for September 20, 2023 – Are you serving God with humble, faithful obedience? It’s time for a self-exam!

Ephesians 5:5
You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them—the usual variations on idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God.

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 wrote recently about the book I’ve been reading, Dear George, Dear Mary, written by Mary Calvi. This is a historical novel based on the letters and poems exchanged between George Washington and Mary Philipse. I have read other accounts and watched documentaries about George Washington, and this was an enlightening account of the General’s early life that truly “humanized” him for me. In the process, I realized that greed, idolatry, and immorality are truly nothing new.
 
This book left me with the sense that sinful, greedy people intervened to corrupt and derail the relationship between George Washington and Mary Philipse…to the point that Mary Philipse was deemed a “Loyalist” (to Britain) and a traitor guilty of attainder (treason). By “law” this allowed the Commissioners of Forfeiture of the New York Colony to not only confiscate her entire estate, but also to sentence her to death! In fact, three women were sentenced to death for committing a high treason during the Revolutionary War. Mary Philipse was one of these, but she managed to escape to England and lived to the age of 96.
 
If even half of the “story” of this historical novel is accurate and true, significant measures were made to keep George Washington and Mary Philipse apart…and to smear their names and reputations in the process. At the crux of it all was a hunger for power, money, and property. It seems that twisting and turning facts and operating in manipulation and outright maltreatment of others has been justified by some for centuries as “a means to an end.” I cannot say this made me feel better about the world we live in today. Clearly, we don’t learn from the mistakes of our past!
 
So, what does this have to do with you and me? I believe we have allowed these sins to creep into our own daily living, and we may not even realize this has happened. This is a call for us to examine our lives – even down to the daily minutiae that comprise our routines. Ask God to show you where you are compromising your values to fit in with others – or where you may be operating in outright greed. It is easy to fall into a trap of considering, “What’s in this for me?” – and to become selfish in the process. We all want to belong…to be accepted by others and treated well. Sometimes, we become so focused on this that we sacrifice our faithful obedience to God in the process.
 
Money talks – especially when you don’t have a lot of it. The temptation is there to do what it takes to make a quick buck. But this is a slippery slope. Too often, small success in this area leads to greed and words or actions that are designed to add even more “wealth” to the coffers. There is no substitute for hard work…and God rewards those who operate with honesty, fairness, and diligence in even the smallest of tasks.
 
Others get carried away with power and authority. God desires humble servants who strive to get along with all others. Too many people these days either seek to be “in charge” – or they want to be closely associated with people who appear to be running the show. Again, God does not play favorites. God genuinely ordains the authority, missions, and ministries of certain people. But His calling on your life is no less significant. And even those who are given authority are not autonomous. They must still listen to our Heavenly Father and seek His will and direction.
 
I could “name names” and point fingers, but the sad truth is that you and I are likely guilty of these sins in some manner, as well. We are responsible for our own discipleship and witness…the “work” begins at home! Make this a day that you ask God to reveal your weaknesses and shortcomings – and to show you how to make all necessary adjustments. Imagine the ripple effect if we all do this, especially if we trust God to multiply our efforts. Do the work…examine your heart, mind, words, and actions, and commit to serving God in every instance. Let’s see where He takes us when we come together to serve humbly, faithfully, and with full obedience. Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 10, 2022 – Don’t go there! It’s time to give sin the boot – and live in the freedom of God!

December 10 ~ Romans 6:12-14
That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don’t give it the time of day. Don’t even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you’ve been raised from the dead!—into God’s way of doing things. Sin can’t tell you how to live. After all, you’re not living under that old tyranny any longer. You’re living in the freedom of God.

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

When I was about 10 or 12, I got a new bicycle…the first bike I had ever “owned” that was brand new and truly mine. I had learned to ride on the old clunky bicycle that was handed down from my mother’s sister, who is 9 years older than I am. It was really a relic. So I was incredibly proud of my new, sleek bike. A neighbor kid came along and admired the bicycle one day, and he asked if he could ride it. I generously said yes…and the boy hopped on – and took off down the street. He did not return. I could see him riding farther and farther away.

I yelled to my dad, and he hopped in his truck and took off after the boy. Daddy returned with the bike…and an admonition that I was not to let other kids (outside of my siblings) ride it. That boy was not a part of our play group after this incident. The lesson for me was to choose my associates carefully – and if you know something is wrong or bad for you, don’t give it space in your life. When it comes to making life choices, sometimes it pays to remind yourself, “Don’t go there!”

Paul tells us in this passage from Romans 6 that we have “gotten our bike back” and must be intentional about keeping it! Those who have surrendered to Jesus have released the burden of sin and the heartache that often accompanies it…and we must never “go there” again! A pastor once declared from the pulpit that “Sometimes sin is fun!” And he is right…the devil is not going to tempt us with something boring or unpleasant. But most of the time, sin is only “fun” in the short term. Over time, it weighs us down and makes us sad or uncomfortable. Often, sin is downright harmful – mentally, physically, and most certainly Spiritually.

I like how this translation admonishes us not to even “run little errands connected with that old way of life.” In other words, don’t put yourself in a situation to be tempted – or even reminded of your old, sinful life. You are free now…free to live as God desires and to experience His joy and peace in the process. I can’t promise that every day will be a bed of roses…or that you will always be surrounded by happy, loving, fun people. God will still challenge us and give us opportunities to demonstrate Christ’s love, grace, mercy and compassion. He will also give us chances to show how faithful and obedient we have become as redeemed believers.

At the end of the day, we will have the satisfaction of knowing that we didn’t give Satan the victory…we gave God the glory – and He blessed us for our steadfastness. Whenever you are tempted to dabble in your old simple ways, hear the words of Paul to the Romans…and the gentle whisper of God Almighty, and “Don’t go there!” Alleluia!

©2022 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 5, 2022 – It’s time to fulfill God’s promise…and embrace what He does

Romans 4:16
This is why the fulfillment of God’s promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God’s promise arrives as pure gift. That’s the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it, those who keep the religious traditions and those who have never heard of them. For Abraham is father of us all. He is not our racial father—that’s reading the story backward. He is our faith father.

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.

All my life, I have had spiritual mentors. I still recall some of the beloved ladies who nurtured me as a child attending Sunday school and VBS. I remember music teachers who encouraged me to use my talents and gifts for God’s glory.  I recall other spiritual mentors in my adult life…friends, relatives, and pastors who encouraged me and advised me. Even the television evangelists that caught my attention some 25 years ago and drew me into a deeper discovery of God’s gifts and miraculous presence in my life had a positive impact on my relationship with Christ Jesus.

But (you knew there was a “but,” didn’t you?!) some of these same “mentors” and “leaders” disappointed me. In their “humanness,” they said and did things that were ungodly – and certainly unloving. Their bias, greed, hatred for certain people and groups, and downright selfishness belied their “witness.” I do not harbor ill will toward any of them. Judgment is not mine to offer. Instead, I recognize that we all fall short because we are NOT God. And I realize even more that God’s gift of Jesus was pure and without any bias or strings attached.

In the same way, Abraham was somewhat the “author of our faith” as he demonstrated great obedience – and miracles happened because of this. Still, we must remember that Abraham was not God. His laws and traditions were not the sum of our faith…they were how he manifested his relationship with God in his own day and time. Thankfully, you and I are free of the encumbrance of many of the Old Testament laws and traditions. Because of God’s gift of Jesus, we can boldly go directly to Throne of Grace.

We don’t need anyone to intercede. We don’t need to jump through hoops and perform all sorts of rituals. We don’t need to group ourselves by race, creed, social status, education level, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age, or gender in order to worship God or serve Him. We can commune with God on our own – or with fellow believers in Jesus Christ…period.full stop. We can gather together…meet over ZOOM…or sit quietly with God and worship Him in private. The only way to truly be in right relationship with God is to fully embrace Him and what He does…not what mere mortals dictate.

Sit quietly today and ask God where, when, and how He wants you to worship and serve Him. Ask God to show you how to live out the faith of Abraham in today’s world – and where you may be operating in “tradition,” bias, selfishness, greed, or even hatred of certain people or groups. Ask God to show you JESUS…to give you a complete understanding of how He loves and lives…and how you are to do the same as His disciple.

You and I have been given the greatest gift ever…the love, grace, forgiveness, redemption, and continual presence of Jesus Christ. We are saved by His grace…and all that is required in return is our faith and obedience. Make this the day that you stop making it about anything else. Ask God to help you put everything in proper perspective and enable you to live and serve Jesus as He desires and designs. We can do this…we can get this right! And we can make a difference for the Kingdom of Heaven!  So ask God to show us how to fulfill His promise…and let’s get busy! Alleluia!

©2022 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 10, 2022 – Muddying the waters and licking the toads! It’s time to listen to God and let Him have control!

Job 42:1-6
Job answered God:

“I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything.
  Nothing and no one can upset your plans.
You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water,
  ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?’
I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me,
  made small talk about wonders way over my head.
You told me, ‘Listen, and let me do the talking.
  Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.’
I admit I once lived by rumors of you;
  now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!
I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise!
  I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”

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

You can’t make this stuff up. Yesterday, I read an article in our state newspaper about a warning that has been issued by the National Park Service telling people NOT to lick toads in the parks! You read this right…people are licking a certain species of toad because it carries a toxin that is said to be hallucinogenic. It is also often toxic! A doctor on ABC’s GMA3 said today that this toxin can cause a fatal heart arrythmia and other illness. He also cautioned dog owners to keep their pets away from the toads, as curious canines can lick them and become quite sick, too.

Talk about “muddying the water!” Apparently, there are those who are convinced that it is perfectly fine to lick a toad and get “high” – even as the experts say this is a very bad idea. And quite frankly, there is a lot of “water muddying” taking place in our world these days as many place their own agenda on a myriad of fronts above what they know is right – or even what God is telling them to do.

I love the sentence in this passage where Job says that God has told him, “Listen, and let Me do the talking!” You and I would do well to heed this for ourselves. We would be best served to stop listening to mere mortals and pay attention to the Supreme Expert – and follow His commands. Before we “lick the toad,” we must consult the LORD and see what HE says about whatever situation or idea we are contemplating. We have firsthand access to God…and it’s time we made good use of it.

Let’s be like Job…let’s ask God to forgive us for the times we have deviated from His word and will and tried to do things our own way – or to follow the popular attitudes and trends of the world in any given moment. Let’s promise to never do this again – and stay firmly rooted in His perfect wisdom and guidance. And let’s demonstrate this obedience in our daily living for all the world to see. Alleluia, and Amen!

©2022 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 22, 2022 – Using your God-given gifts to share the love of Jesus with others…is it time for a change of “seasons”?

1 Peter 4:10
Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.

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

There is a cartoon I follow in our daily newspaper called “Pickles” – written and illustrated by Brian Crane. It features an older couple and some of the things they experience in day-to-day life. Recently, the husband told a friend that he had asked his wife if she would like it if he folded the laundry. She told him no thanks…she would just have to fold it again. The man sat quietly with his friend on a bench, and then he said, “Man, I love that woman!” Clearly, laundry folding is not this man’s gift – but manipulation might be! No one ever said ALL gifts come from God!  

While each of us does indeed have specific gifts that God has granted us for use in His service, we are all commanded be kind and love others. Whether you use your specific gifts to accomplish this is up to you. But kindness and love are not optional.

Today marks the beginning of fall…a change of seasons. This is a good time to have a spiritual season change, as well. Spend some time in conversation with God – talking and listening. Figure out where, when, and how He wants you to use your gifts to bless others in the name of Jesus and share His love and care. Leave behind the missed opportunities of the past and boldly step into a future of serving God with everything you have – and all that He has given you! Alleluia!

©2022 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 22, 2021 – Serving God with courage and strength…how beautiful are your feet?

Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the messenger bringing good news,
Breaking the news that all’s well,
proclaiming good times, announcing salvation,
telling Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Voices! Listen! Your scouts are shouting, thunderclap shouts,
shouting in joyful unison.
They see with their own eyes
God coming back to Zion.
Break into song! Boom it out, ruins of Jerusalem:
“God has comforted his people!
He’s redeemed Jerusalem!”
God has rolled up his sleeves.
All the nations can see his holy, muscled arm.
Everyone, from one end of the earth to the other,
sees him at work, doing his salvation work.

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.

My heart breaks for those who are suffering today…for those who are sick with COVID, for Afghanistan, the people of Haiti and those in the path of tropical storms and a flood that ravaged middle Tennessee, a sick little boy I follow on Facebook who is battling cancer, and the family of a toddler from our county who died after a tragic farm accident. I am sad for all who grieve the loss of loved ones – a heartache each of us knows in some form. I am more than a little disturbed over the divisiveness in our nation – and around the world. But this is NOT a hopeless message!

Read the words of the prophet Isaiah. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger bringing good news!” Isaiah is telling us that better days are ahead…that God is comforting His people…and salvation work is taking place from one end of the earth to the other. Some would argue that we have been poor students of history – that we haven’t learned much from previous tragedies, conflicts and tribulations. And there is some truth to this.

But I maintain that history reminds us how God has rescued us and stood with us time after time. I shared only a few days ago the words of Isaiah 40:31…“those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.” Their “feet on the mountain” carry the Good News of Jesus Christ!

You and I have been called to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus on this earth…to share His Good News with others, and to love them as He does. We are called to offer hope and courage to those whose faith is wavering…to lift others in the precious name of Jesus and assure them that He is with them in all things and wants what is best for them. We are called to show the world that our God reigns indeed!

We are to move forward with hope and confidence that the prophesies of Isaiah are just as real and true this day as they have ever been. We are to take heart and encouragement in the assurance that God has rolled up His sleeves and is working from one end of the world to the other – and He cares about every breath we take. We are to run and not grow weary – to walk and not faint as we share in His work – and His message.

The struggle is real sometimes, but God is with us. With His fresh strength, we can do this! Hallelujah, and Amen!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 13, 2021 – It’s time to “come clean” with God – and love one another with a clear conscience

1 John 3:18-24
Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it.

Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. Then we will know for sure, by our actions, that we are on God’s side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord. But if we have bad consciences and feel that we have done wrong, the Lord will surely feel it even more, for he knows everything we do.

But, dearly loved friends, if our consciences are clear, we can come to the Lord with perfect assurance and trust, and get whatever we ask for because we are obeying him and doing the things that please him. And this is what God says we must do: Believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another. Those who do what God says—they are living with God and he with them. We know this is true because the Holy Spirit he has given us tells us so.

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

We’ve been doing some deep cleaning recently. It feels great to organize, straighten, and wipe away the dust, grime, and clutter that accumulates in any home over time. On one of our storage shelves, I found a really nice plastic container with a lid that I set back nearly 2 years ago. It belongs to our friend Kay. She filled it with her delicious creamed peas and sent it home with us after a potluck dinner she hosted at her river home. Kay probably intended for me to keep the container…and she will likely fuss when I return it to her. But I looked at this dish as a “loaner”…and something she will probably use to share food with someone else.

I know you are thinking, “Well, that’s silly!” And maybe it is. But if we are conscientious in small things, we will do the right thing in bigger ones. As I read this passage from 1 John 3, I was particularly struck by this phrase…“But if we have bad consciences and feel that we have done wrong, the Lord will surely feel it even more, for he knows everything we do.” I believe that one of the worst things I can do is to grieve God. I know that this happens often. But as I grow in my faith and relationship with God, I must be more aware of my words and actions and do all I can to prevent this in my daily living.

If we all made more of a concerted effort to keep our conscience clear, imagine what could happen. If we paid closer attention to our thoughts, words and actions, we could go boldly before our all-knowing God with the assurance that we always had His full attention and delight. Since God knows everything, we need to make sure that we are living and serving in a way that pleases Him. And this starts with even the smallest things, like returning a potluck container!

Think about the words and actions of your day. Who did you insult? Where did you “fudge” a little on something? What ugly and unloving thoughts did you harbor? Worse yet, what did God tell you to do that you postponed – or ignored? Where do you need to do some “deep cleaning” on your conscience and pour out your heart to God in humble repentance? Make this the day that you get everything in order. Make this the day that you move forward with assurance that God hears your every petition – and recognizes the purity of your intentions to serving as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Gather your courage and take the first step toward complete obedience to God. Clear your conscience and move forward, filled with confidence that you are living in God – and He in you. Hallelujah!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 26, 2021 – Prayer works…and God’s “fix” is always perfect!

1 Timothy 2:1-7
The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.

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 a “fixer.” I inherited this trait in large part from my dad. His solutions were not always perfect, but they generally got the job done. All you had to do was just mention an issue, and my dad was off and running. The “wheels” began to turn, and he was thinking of a “fix” – and the sooner, the better. One instance that comes to mind is when my grandmother Polly declared that she was ready to move into town and leave her farm – and she agreed to “trade” houses with Greg and me. Before she could blink, Daddy had a moving crew organized and a plan for how to swap the furnishings in each house room-by-room. One week later, we were all settled in “new” abodes!

Not all “fixes” worked out so well, but I have to say that I became a fan of producing solutions and pleasing all parties. The problem with this philosophy is that God’s designs and timing – and mine – are not the same. Wanting things to happen our way – and on our timetable rather than God’s – is a recipe for disaster. Thinking that you and I can “fix” everything is also a fool’s errand.

Every day, I grow more dependent on God. And every day, I learn to pour out my heart to God and ask Him for anything…with the complete understanding that how and when He answers will be totally on His terms! I have to tell you, I’m good with this! It is truly liberating to “let go and let God” do His work. The more I learn to quit troubling my troubles and wringing my hands – even after giving my petitions to God – the more I can “live simply, in humble contemplation.”

Believe it or not, this is also a great way to offer witness to others of God’s love and care. People are watching. They see how we reach out to God – and how we react and respond to Him. They notice when we wring our hands – and when we fold them in our lap with faithful confidence that God is at work. You and I have not been commissioned to personally lead every single person into a transformative, abiding relationship with God. The more we learn to ask God to send agents and angels to witness and minister to others, the more peace and confidence we will have in these outcomes.

Effective prayer comes from giving God everything we have – the good, bad and ugly – and then trusting Him to deliver the “fix.” When we demonstrate to God that we trust Him enough to ask for anything and trust that He will answer perfectly, the more He blesses us for our faithful obedience. I won’t promise that every answer is going to be to our liking – or even take place in our lifetime. But God has an infallible plan…prayer works…and when you combine these two, anything is possible.

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 6, 2020 – Following God’s commands completely – down to the last “teaspoon”

Deuteronomy 12:32
Diligently do everything I command you, the way I command you: don’t add to it; don’t subtract from 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.

Have you ever baked something that didn’t rise, only to discover you forgot the baking powder or another “activating” ingredient?  A few years ago, I thought I would improvise while making a meatloaf. My husband kindly said, “This is not your regular recipe!” Indeed, it was AWFUL…and we ended up tossing the leftovers. I recently visited with someone who had made my cousin’s famous chicken salad recipe, and she noted that she didn’t have the “crazy salt” that was listed in the ingredients. She wondered if this was why her salad never tasted like the original!
 
There are times when we can play fast and loose with a recipe, and the results are fine – maybe even tasty! But we cannot be so cavalier, daring – or downright foolish – when it comes to God’s commands. God doesn’t say, “Love others, except THAT one.” He doesn’t tell us to…”Share the Good News of Jesus Christ – and feel free to put your own little spin on it.”  God does not tell us, “Trust me in MOST things…but if something doesn’t feel right to you, skip it.”
 
God is clear and direct…and His word is pure and true. His commands are not to be watered down, revised, or ignored. He doesn’t give “suggestions”…He tells us exactly what to do – and how to accomplish His commands. Who do we think we are to try to modify the directives of our Heavenly Father?!  What makes us think that we can pick and choose which of His laws we will follow – or that we know more than He does about how things ought to go?!
 
There are times when we all wish to “wing it”…to “go rogue” or have things our own way. There are plenty of days when we just are not feeling love and kindness toward certain people or situations. There have been moments when God has said to me, “Do XYZ,” and I have protested, “Please, LORD…NO!!!”  We’ve got to get over ourselves…to realize that we are NOT God…that what He commands is not up for debate – or even a healthy discussion. God knows best…always and in all things. His “recipe” is always perfect. The time has come for us to follow Him – all the way to the last “teaspoon”.

©2020 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 18, 2020 – Finding freedom in surrender to God…and putting His desires above our own

Romans 8:12-17
My dear friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God’s Spirit you say “No” to your desires. Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children. God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.

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

I think I could eat homemade ice cream and chocolate chip cookies every single day. While this might not actually kill me…I am quite sure it would not be good for my health – or my waistline! I know people who absolutely detest wearing a seatbelt, even though it is widely accepted that seatbelts save lives. I had more than one relative who could not stop smoking, and a heart attack or stroke led to their demise. Today, people are arguing over wearing a mask to slow the spread of COVID-19, even though the “science” indicates that this is our best defense at this point.

A lot of people are talking about their “rights”…how they don’t want to become “slaves” to the government – or to anyone! They want to do what makes them happy…to make up their own minds what is right for them. Some argue this with regard to surrendering to the will of God and offering obedience to His commands. They contend that their desire to do as they please is what matters…or they dismiss some of God’s laws as archaic, ridiculous, or simply too rigid.

Paul tells us that when we confess our sins to Jesus Christ – and invite God’s Holy Spirit to live in our hearts and guide our steps – we do not become slaves. We don’t lose our “freedoms” or our individuality. Our rights to enjoy life are not removed. Our faithful surrender and obedience to God in this manner actually brings us freedom and the fullest “life” we can imagine.

When we trust God to do the heavy lifting and live in the care and guidance of His Holy Spirit, we are no longer encumbered by the worries of those who try to go their own way. We have a clear blueprint for living…and a constant guide as close as a whispered prayer. We understand that there are things that we might like to do that God does not sanction. We also understand that as committed Christians, we are sometimes called to forego our own desires for the greater good of the body of believers – and the world at large.

We must be ever vigilant to ensure that our own selfish desires are not sneaking into our daily living…that what we say and do comes from our constant communication with God…and that we continually strive to love others with the love of Christ and treat them as we wish to be treated. When we serve God by serving others – and give Him control over our decisions, we may not always like what He tells us to do…and that’s okay. The fact that we do these things anyway demonstrates the depth of our commitment to God…and our desire to glorify Him in all things – even when it means skipping the ice cream and cookies…or wearing our seatbelts and masks!

©2020 Debbie Robus