Daily Devotional for November 5, 2023 – Take up your cross and follow Jesus…it’s time to “order the cake” and serve with hope

Luke 9:23-24
Then Jesus said to all the people:

If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross every day and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it.

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

This morning, I watched NBC’s Sunday Today with Willie Geist. The pervading theme throughout today’s program seemed to be courage, persistence, faith, and living with hope and intention…and thinking as much (or more) about others as we do ourselves.
 
Dr. Rex Marco, a prominent spine surgeon at UTHealth Houston, was riding his bike in 2019, when his front tire got stuck, and he was thrown to the ground – head and helmet first. The result was a spinal cord injury that instantly rendered him a quadriplegic. The father of three grown sons was expecting his fourth baby – a child he would never be able to physically hold. His career as a well-respected spine surgeon and oncologist appeared to be gone. But Dr. Marco was determined to overcome adversity – and work again as a surgeon.
 
Today, Dr. Rex Marco is a full-time lecturer and consultant who offers firsthand knowledge to medical students and teaches them how to better care for spinal cord patients. He emphasizes the importance of hope. Marco has also served as an inspiration to other patients with spinal cord injuries. He says he feels more connected to his fellow human beings, and there is a bigger, deeper message in his life and work.
 
The ”Life Well Lived” segment of Sunday Today featured Dr. Wanda Półtawska, a Polish Holocaust survivor who smuggled secrets to the allies in WWII, until she was caught and imprisoned. As one of only a few who survived the concentration camp, Półtawska returned to Poland, married, and became a psychiatrist who specialized in the treatment of traumatized Holocaust survivors. She also met a Catholic priest who would become a lifelong friend – ultimately named Pope John Paul II. Półtawska was one of the last people to visit with the Pope before his death in 2005. The story of her suffering, perseverance and faith is truly an example of “taking up your cross and following Jesus” every day.
 
And then there was the story of actor John Stamos, who I include in this group because he has just written a memoir that details how his life journey has included a battle to become sober and live life to its fullest. Stamos recalled a visit last year with his best friend and fellow actor/comedian, the late Bob Saget. The two were sharing a meal, and Stamos was in a bit of a rush. Saget persuaded him to linger…to “order cake” and enjoy dessert and coffee. This would be the last encounter Stamos had with Bob Saget…and it left him with the ever-present reminder to “order the cake” and fully embrace every minute of our lives.
 
I share these three stories to illustrate that each of us has “something.” It may not be as devastating as quadriplegia, as horrific as the Holocaust, or as all-encompassing as the struggle for sobriety…but we all have our “crosses” to bear. And we can all call on Jesus to help us carry our burden. How we react and respond to the challenges of this life will fully define our lives…and whether we are ultimately saved or destroyed – in every sense of these words.
 
I am grateful that my own “burdens” have not approached the severity of these I have described, but I fully trust in Jesus to help me with whatever challenges I am given. This is my prayer for you, as well. Take to heart the words of Jesus – and the stories I have shared. Focus on sharing the love of Christ with all others – and think more about how to do this than how to serve your own self-interests. Remember to “order the cake” and to savor every minute God grants you, because none of us is promised another day.
 
As someone once said, “This life is not a dress rehearsal.” We must make the most of every minute! Ask God to show you how and where He wants you to serve…and trust that He will walk alongside you every step of the way. Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 6, 2023 – Christ cleared the way for us – how will we respond?

Galatians 3:13-14
Christ redeemed us from that self-defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into himself. Do you remember the Scripture that says, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”? That is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the cross: He became a curse, and at the same time dissolved the curse. And now, because of that, the air is cleared and we can see that Abraham’s blessing is present and available for non-Jews, too. We are all able to receive God’s life, his Spirit, in and with us by believing—just the way Abraham received 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.

This morning, I read news reports about former Arkansas Razorbacks running back, Peyton Hillis, who subsequently played several years in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns. Hillis is unconscious in a hospital ICU in Pensacola, Florida, after he saved two young family members from drowning. Further details have not been offered, except to say the children are safe and healthy, while Hillis appears to have damage to his lungs and kidneys. Peyton’s uncle reported that he is improving, thankfully.

Decades ago, the daughter of my husband’s first cousin donated a kidney to her brother, who subsequently became a successful Iowa pediatrician and father of two now-grown sons. Indeed, both cousins are doing well today. I could cite countless incidents where people have sacrificed for others…some with their very lives. While we are hopeful that Peyton Hillis will survive this accident, we know of those who gave their very lives trying to save others. Their courage and selflessness is duly noted.

As humbling and honorable as these sacrifices were, they pale in comparison to what Jesus did for us on the cross. As you read in this passage from Galatians 3, Jesus took on the sins and curses of the world along with “human” suffering and humiliation, so that you and I could receive redemption and the blessings that God designed and desired for us. Jesus completely and irrefutably took our sins upon Him. We are all able to enjoy God’s life and Spirit…and the only thing we have to do is to acknowledge His supremacy, confess that we have sinned, and determine to follow Jesus for the rest of our days.

I am praying for Peyton Hillis. I pray for all who step up and put their lives on the line for others, and I commend their bravery and unselfishness. I am also praying that many will realize the magnitude of what Jesus did for us on the cross, humbly surrender to Him and His will, and emulate His teachings and commands. Jesus has sacrificed everything for each of us…how will we receive and honor this incredible gift?

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 4, 2021 – People are watching…are you demonstrating humble obedience to Christ?

Philippians 2:5-11
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the 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.

About a year ago, when the pandemic shut-down first began, my cousin said to me, “I have a feeling when this is over, we are going to look at a whole lot of things and people differently.” She could not have been more on point. This pandemic – and how people have reacted and responded to it – has changed me forever. I am sad to say that many brothers and sisters in Christ have shown me where their true heart apparently lies. I do not say this out of judgment…but the attempts at shaming others into getting back to such things as school, church, and social activities has truly astounded – and saddened me..

Here’s the thing…I cannot decide what is right for you or someone else. But as I say all the time…people.are.watching. They are looking at those of us who claim to love and serve Jesus to see how we will react and respond to everything from wearing a mask to attending public events – to saying and doing things that reflect the love and grace of Jesus Christ. When an unbeliever – or someone who is not grounded in his/her relationship with Jesus – sees a person who claims to serve Christ speak and act in ways that are questionable, there is no glory to God on display.

When we disparage others for whatever reason, we have not demonstrated loving others as Christ loves us. When we thumb our noses at COVID safety protocols, we are saying to those in our midst, “My personal comfort and desires matter more than your life and health.” When Christians behave selfishly, it sends the message that we consider ourselves equal to God – or at least more important to Him in some manner. The “rules” don’t apply to us in the same way…and God will make this all okay.

Recently, Arkansas’ governor relaxed restrictions on in-person dining. Restaurateurs can now allow 100% capacity in their eating establishments. Several restaurant owners in Little Rock were interviewed by a local reporter, and they stated that their businesses would continue to follow the 66% capacity mandate issued earlier. They cited recent cases of COVID-19 among their staff – and the concern that increasing in-person dining capacity would make the conditions unsafe for their employees and for diners. One owner who has had to close her restaurant three times in the last year due to COVID outbreaks noted that this is an economic hit for her…but it’s the right thing to do. Another stated that the sudden increase in traffic lining the sidewalk to enter her establishment over the weekend made her uncomfortable.

I have to say, if/when I feel comfortable dining in person again, these might be some of the restaurants at the top of my list. The same goes for other businesses and activities. I will give top priority to those who have demonstrated a genuine concern and care for their patrons by meticulously observing safety protocols. Their demonstration of unselfishness and concern for others indicates to me that they are faithful in things both big and small…that they take the commitment to serve God obediently in all things seriously. Just as my cousin and I discussed last year, this will color my thinking about everything…from my vote to where I spend my money…to where, when and how I “socialize” or “get back out there” in the world.

You and I will never fully grasp the honor and privilege we have in salvation through Jesus Christ…but this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give it our all!  As the Apostle Paul tells us… “Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.” Don’t claim special privileges.  Let Jesus’ demonstration of humble service be your guide in every single word and action, as we live selfless, obedient lives – and then die selfless, obedient deaths.  People ARE watching…and what you and I show them matters more than we will ever know. This is the day to examine every word and deed – and make any and all corrections that are necessary. And while you are at it…thank God for loving us and entrusting us with the incredible honor and privilege to serve as His hands and feet on this earth. May everything about our lives always glorify Him and further His Kingdom. Alleluia, and Amen!

©2021 Debbie Robus