Daily Devotional for May 5, 2023 – Following Jesus with everything we’ve got…no turning back, no turning back!

Hebrews 10:38
And those whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, God will have no pleasure in them.

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

The very first thought I had when I read this scripture verse was of the old hymn, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus,” which has as an ending “chorus” – “No turning back, no turning back.”  According to information found at the United Methodist Church website Discipleship Ministries, “This is a folk song that originated in India as a song of new converts to Christianity among the Garo tribe who live in an area which is now the state of Meghalaya, but was until 1970, the state of Assam, in northeastern India. William J. Reynolds discovered the song in 1958 in a small undated collection of gospel songs that had been published in Australia. With two original stanzas, and a third by John Clark, the melody was arranged by Reynolds and first published in Assembly Songbook (Nashville, 1959, No. 17). The tune [ASSAM] was named by the arranger for inclusion in Christian Praise (1964). (Reynolds, 1976, p. 191.)”  Hymnary.org states that this hymn is now published in 62 different hymnals.

It is probably no stretch to suggest that most people have heard this hymn at some point – and that many of us know that chorus tag… “No turning back, no turning back.” As I read the words in Hebrews about trusting God vs. shrinking back, I asked myself, “Why would anyone want to do this?”  Why would anyone who has surrendered their sins to Jesus and begun to live in the power and presence of His Holy Spirit want to go backward? And yet, I know that we all do this to some degree. Even what we consider “small backsets” are huge to God. Even what seems like the most insignificant transgression to us grieves God.

We may say, “I shouldn’t have said/done XYZ” and quickly vow to do better. I believe God sets us upright again and says, “I still love you.” But we cannot make a habit of this. And we cannot trust God in some things and question Him in others. We cannot pick and choose which of the commands of Jesus to follow…and which don’t quite sit well with us.

My reminder for all of us today comes from the opening verse of this well-known hymn. I have decided to follow Jesus…“No turning back, no turning back! I also find courage in the third verse that says, “Though none go with me, I still will follow.” We cannot go along with the crowd and/or do what makes us acceptable to others. Our allegiance should be completely with Jesus Christ. My prayer this day is that we would focus solely on following Jesus and listening to His voice over that of others. “No turning back…no turning back!”  Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 25, 2020 – Are you choosing the right Gate?

John 10:6-10
Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

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 cannot turn on the television – or scroll through social media – without seeing and hearing information about the latest, greatest “cure”, gizmo, get-rich-quick scheme, or promise of something we know we cannot live without! From celebrities who try to convince us that this drug or that investment scheme – or a certain politician – is the answer to all of our troubles or aspirations, to that “good friend” who assures you that this pill or program is the solution for weight-loss, lack of energy, or whatever ails you, we are looking for the “Calgon®” that will “take us away” and make life amazing!

Jesus is telling us that there are plenty of “shepherds” or “gates” leading us into their fold. He is warning us that they do not always have our best interest at heart. Even when the intentions seem pure, the information may not be right for us. The weight-loss program that is perfect for your friend may not be suitable for you, given your medical history and/or conditions. The financial investment or “new business opportunity” that is ideal and profitable for one person may be totally wrong for another. Often, these “advisors” lack the depth of knowledge and wisdom to truly understand what is in our best interests.

No one knows us – or cares for us – like Jesus. He is the “gate” we want to enter. His wisdom and guidance are pure and right – and perfect for us. He will deliver us to safe pastures, abundant blessings and good “health” in every way. From the time we are born, we are presented with “gates” that lead to all manner of choices and opportunities. It is up to us to choose wisely which ones to enter.

Jesus will show us which choices are right for us…and which “gates” are nothing more than openings for “sheep stealers”. It is important that we know the difference! Choose Jesus first, and He will direct our steps and choices moving forward.

©2020 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 5, 2018 – Have you moved away from Jesus?

John 12:26
“If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.”

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.

Imagine if you told a friend, “I’m here for you.  If you need anything, just say the word, and I will be there to help you.” And then you moved…to another state. You still talked to the person on occasion…you could be “there” in a matter of hours or days. But you were not right there to serve your friend at a moment’s notice. How confident do you think your friend would be in your assurance to “be there” as promised for him/her?

With Jesus, we have the opportunity to always be where He is. We don’t have to worry about moving to another state…our relationship with Him is based on our state of mind and heart.  As long as we keep Him close in thought and prayer, we have the ability to serve Him at a moment’s notice.

The trouble is…we often “move away” from Jesus by placing distance between us and Him. We go our own way…we stop praying – and listening. We decide that what we want is more important…and if there is anything left, we’ll give it to Jesus.

“But what if Jesus asks me to do something, and I’m busy?” you may ask.  Don’t you think Jesus knows when you are truly occupied…and when you are merely making excuses?  Don’t you think that the Savior of the World is capable of equipping you for any mission He assigns you? Don’t you think that Jesus is aware of what He asks of us…and whether we are up to the challenge?  Don’t you think He knows our heart and how we truly feel about serving Him?

Armed with the knowledge that Jesus is all-knowing…all-caring…and able to do all things, I do not want to disappoint Him. I certainly do not want to “move away” and make myself inaccessible…and I hope you don’t either. “I’m busy” or “I can’t” are not the responses of faithful Christian servants when Jesus calls us to missions and ministries – and “I don’t want to” is simply an unacceptable response in all circumstances! I don’t figure Jesus really wanted to die on the cross for us, either…but as we know, this is exactly what He did.

What is Jesus calling on you to do this day? Where is He asking you to serve? Are you following Him completely, so that you are ready at a moment’s notice?  Isn’t it time you were?

©2018 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 19, 2017 – Are you following the right instructions?

John 12:47-50
“If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection.

The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.”

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

One Friday, I tried to help one of Timmy’s classmates with some math problems.  This little boy got really upset with me, as I showed him where he was missing a key component to the solution – and ending up with the wrong answer.  This boy got SO upset with me that I finally walked away and left him to “stew” a while.  He really wanted nothing to do with me at that point.

Later in the lesson, as the teacher reviewed the correct answers, I saw the student shoot me a look as he realized that his answer was indeed incorrect.  It was too late at that point to adjust it for a better grade…and he was pretty upset with himself for not listening earlier.

I love this child dearly.  I would never turn my back on him.  But I could see that he was not going to hear my explanations, and I was just making the situation worse by standing over him offering sound reasoning. In the end, I think he truly learned from this and paid closer attention in subsequent math lessons.

You probably know where I am going with this…Jesus is the Teacher, standing over us and showing us the proper way to solve the problems of life.  He offers sound guidance and solid instruction that allows us to make good choices and “stay in the right lane.”  But too often, we think we know better…or we simply don’t want to hear what He has to say.

Whatever the reason, we often choose to reject Jesus’ commands, which really are God’s truths.  We are beyond blessed that He doesn’t instantly cut us off completely and say, “That’s IT!  I’m done with him/her!”  Instead, Jesus graciously and mercifully steps back and offers us chance after chance to reconsider…to realize that we have come to the wrong conclusions…and to “change our answers.”

This won’t last forever.  If we continue to reject Jesus and ignore His message, the clock will run out, so to speak…and there will be no opportunity to admit our mistakes and ask His forgiveness.

I wish I could speak of Jesus to anyone and everyone…and each person would readily say, “WOW!  I want to follow Him, too! What you are saying makes perfect sense…I need Jesus in my life to guide me – and pick me up when I fall.”  But it doesn’t work that way.  We can speak of Jesus, share His message, demonstrate His teachings – and present His “solution” to the “problem” that is our life. But ultimately, the choice is up to each person to select their “right answer”.

The GOOD NEWS for those of us who have surrendered our hearts to Christ is that we are not ultimately responsible for the choices of others, as long as we listen to Jesus and follow the Word that He has given us. If we faithfully serve and represent Him, He will never leave us.  We are guaranteed a seat at His table in Heaven for all Eternity…and the blessing of His presence – and His love, grace and mercy in our own lives – in the meantime.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve tried a few of my own “solutions” from time to time…and I always end up looking a little bit like Timmy’s classmate…startled and bewildered over the poor outcome!  So I have decided to follow Jesus (to borrow from an old hymn)…to listen to His truths and take Him seriously.  What about you?

©2017 Debbie Robus