Daily Devotional for April 28, 2024 – It’s time for courage…God is with us all the way!

Psalm 4:3-8 
Mark this well: The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore he will listen to me and answer when I call to him. Stand before the Lord in awe, and do not sin against him. Lie quietly upon your bed in silent meditation. Put your trust in the Lord, and offer him pleasing sacrifices.

Many say that God will never help us. Prove them wrong, O Lord, by letting the light of your face shine down upon us. Yes, the gladness you have given me is far greater than their joys at harvest time as they gaze at their bountiful crops. I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, O Lord, you will keep me safe.

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

Greg and I watched a segment on CBS Sunday Morning about long-time network anchor and reporter, Dan Rather. One video clip showed Rather signing off the CBS Evening News for the last time. Rather offered one word to his viewers…“Courage!”  
 
Dan Rather knows a lot about courage…in his lifetime, he has “been there, done that,” and seen more than most of us can ever imagine. From civil rights unrest to wars in every corner of the world to Presidencies from Truman to Biden, Rather has been front and center for many of the world’s best – and worst – moments. And his admonition to others is…“Courage!”
 
You and I need a big dose of courage these days. As the Psalmist reminds us, God will prove all naysayers wrong. He will help those of us who steadfastly trust Him and seek to serve as He commands. God will guide and guard us. His assurance and comfort will enable us to sleep in peace and confidence. Because of God’s infallible promises, we can indeed take courage – and we must!
 
Whatever you are facing…God is with you. Wherever He sends you, God will be with you all the way. God will never leave us…He will never fail to hear our prayers – and answer perfectly. We are human – we get scared, we worry, and we doubt. And the Psalmist reminds us that God is not swayed…those who trust and serve Him will be safe and saved. Take courage! God is in complete control! Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 8, 2024 – Buying into the “hype”…it’s time to find our worth in God’s Kingdom – and serve as Christ commands

Matthew 11:7-14
When John’s disciples left to report, Jesus started talking to the crowd about John. “What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild? A weekend camper? Hardly. What then? A sheik in silk pajamas? Not in the wilderness, not by a long shot. What then? A prophet? That’s right, a prophet! Probably the best prophet you’ll ever hear. He is the prophet that Malachi announced when he wrote, ‘I’m sending my prophet ahead of you, to make the road smooth for you.’

“Let me tell you what’s going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer; but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him. For a long time now people have tried to force themselves into God’s kingdom. But if you read the books of the Prophets and God’s Law closely, you will see them culminate in John, teaming up with him in preparing the way for the Messiah of the kingdom. Looked at in this way, John is the ‘Elijah’ you’ve all been expecting to arrive and introduce the Messiah.

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.

It’s finally here – the Great Total Eclipse we’ve heard about for over a year now will happen across a wide swath of North America today. My hometown happens to be directly in the path for almost four minutes of total “darkness.” We’ve got our certified “eclipse glasses” – and we are ready! Let me also tell you that countless communities (including ours) have also prepared for months for this event. 
 
Our city officials and several others warned local residents to shop for groceries several days prior to the event…to fill all vehicles with gas, have cash on hand, and stay home. We were told by those who experienced this event in the direct path of a total eclipse a few years ago in Wyoming that droves of visitors would pour in and overwhelm everything from Walmart to ATMs – to the highways, Internet and cell service. Area residents and retailers raised prices, prepared parking lots for rental of spaces at a high dollar amount in hopes of “making some quick and easy bucks,” and I cannot begin to tell you how many t-shirts were printed.

To the chagrin of many, attendance has been less than anticipated. In fact, many restaurants and businesses are begging the residents to come out and support them. Several said they over-purchased and prepared…and I suspect some “post-eclipse sales” to pop up later this week! All the worry and angst about being overrun with “looky-loos” has come to nothing, and it would be laughable if it weren’t so sad.
 
Here’s why I am sharing this today…you and I tend to jump on bandwagons. Let someone tell us that an event is going to be “huge” and we get ready. Tell us we can make extra bucks, and many of us are fully invested! And we do the same thing with celebrities, political candidates, public officials – and even church leaders. We elevate mere mortals to positions of greatness and revere them for their accomplishments or stances. We assign many of these people far more importance than they are due…and nowhere is this more prevalent than in the case of “religious leaders.”
 
Jesus tells us in this passage that yes, John the Baptist is “the best prophet you’ll ever hear.” He likens John the Baptist to Elijah and says that “no one in history surpasses him.” You and I can name great leaders – both secular and religious. But notice what else Jesus says about John the Baptist…“in the Kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him.” 
 
In other words, this prophet who baptized our Messiah is no greater in God’s Kingdom than any of us. He is no more important to God than the homeless man, the immigrant mother, or the gay teen who loves and serves Jesus. No pastor, leader, celebrity, or individual is more important to God than anyone else. We all have the same right of Eternal Life when we surrender to Christ. We are all capable of sharing His Good News and leading others to receive Jesus’ gift of Salvation for themselves.
 
As I illustrated with the story of the eclipse, we humans are often easy marks for hype. We love to jump on a good movement, cause, or trend and tout the latest and greatest person or craze. Look at the frenzy and fanaticism that has surrounded Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce…Beyoncé…and certain well-known athletes and politicians! Jesus is reminding us that you and I are just as significant to His Kingdom as any of these people…and He is counting on us to share His love and teachings with others – no hype or hyperbole, just straight up facts and faith!
 
If you find yourself in the path of the total eclipse today, put on your glasses and enjoy! Tell your friends all about your experience and revel in the wonders of God’s beauty and His ability to delight us with awe and wonder. Then get back to being the witness that Christ has called you to be. Don’t embellish or adulterate the love and teachings of Jesus – and don’t try to capitalize on your faith. Simply be who Christ has called you to be – His earthly hands and feet…and give Him room to work. Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 7, 2024 – Christ is counting on us – a lesson from the Walmart pickup lane

Matthew 10:40-42
“We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”

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.

During the COVID pandemic, Greg and I began utilizing Walmart grocery pickup for ourselves and Grandma E. For the first year or better, Greg drove some 30 miles or better one way to Searcy, Arkansas, where this service was offered. He made this trip every two weeks. Then our local store was reconfigured to offer this service, and we could “shop at home.” I began making the pickups, and almost immediately, I was greeted by a friendly “associate” named Alicia. She actually seemed glad to see me and seemed to recognize me – like I was a long lost neighbor! While I didn’t know Alicia personally, I did recognize her from church, where she and her brother  attended with their grandmother. 
 
The trips to Walmart got to be a regular “experience” with Alicia. Not only did she greet me cheerfully each time, she chattered as she loaded our groceries and brought me “thank-you” gifts for choosing to utilize this service. One day, Greg picked up the groceries, and when he got home, he said, “I had halfway rolled down the window to speak to the Walmart associate. All of a sudden, I turned, and there was a face in the gap…and this girl said, “Oh, you’re not her!”  I asked…“Was it Alicia?” Greg said it was, and he also noted how cheerful and enthusiastic she was.
 
We have had several truly pleasant “associates” load our groceries at Walmart over the years, and somewhere along the line, Alicia moved on to another job – as a paraprofessional for a local Home Health agency, no less! I have to say, I have missed her exuberance and her friendly smile at Walmart. And yesterday, I learned that this bundle of light and energy was tragically killed in a car crash. It has been suggested that Alicia suffered a seizure while driving, and she plowed into the wall of a duplex in the middle of our community. Thankfully, no one else was injured or killed. But those who experienced the joy that was Alicia are devastated by her passing and will forever be changed by her work as God’s messenger.
 
Two things come to mind…first, I cannot imagine that loading groceries into the vehicles of shoppers is all that much fun. In fact, I am sure it is hard work – often done in miserable weather conditions. Yet most of the associates – including Alicia – make the shopper feel appreciated, almost as if it is their honor and privilege to serve us. I know a couple of times we have ordered heavy items like bird seed or mulch, and Greg has offered to help load the items. Every time, the associate has insisted that “I’ve got this – it’s no trouble!” That is a “cup of water,” my friend, and Alicia delivered love, respect, and kindness by the bucketsful. I also know how hard caregiving can be, and I bet Alicia was an amazing paraprofessional who brightened the lives of her clients.
 
The other thing (and this came as no surprise) is that I searched through Facebook for posts about Alicia this morning, and several photos and posts popped up of her with her church youth group. Alicia had just celebrated her 26th birthday on April 2nd, so these are older posts…but there she was at a nursing home with her friends, greeting residents. I also found one of her with a group of friends at Chrysalis…the youth version of a Walk to Emmaus, which is an immersive 3-day experience focused on the love and grace of Jesus Christ. 
 
I know in my heart that Jesus was waiting with open arms for Alicia. I know that He hugged her tightly and welcomed her into His Kingdom. I don’t know why this young bright light was taken from earth so early, but I do know that she understood her assignment for the years she was here – and she took it seriously. The question is, do we? Are we making the most of every minute and treating each person we encounter as precious, loved, and deserving of our best grace, mercy, and kindness?  
 
Do we “offer a cup of water” to anyone who is thirsty? Or do we pick and choose who to love and serve in the name of Jesus? It is time for us to study Jesus’ words in Matthew 10 and “start small” – then branch out as we grow in faith and confidence. The phrase offered to teens at the end of a Chrysalis event are these…“Christ is counting on you!” The teens are also told to “Fly with Christ!”  These two phrases are just as relevant for you and me…Christ is counting on each of us to serve as His hands and feet on this earth – to share His love with anyone He sets in our path. At the end of our earthly “apprenticeship,” we will truly soar with Him in Heaven, like Alicia. Meanwhile, we have work to do. It’s time for you and me to join together in the harvest work – and fly with Christ! Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 3, 2024 – Jesus will never quit on us…we cannot quit on Him!

Matthew 10:16-23
“Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as shrewd as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.

“Don’t be naive. Some people will question your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they’ve done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.

“When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.

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’ve struggled with what to share today, but God keeps redirecting me to the bombing death of seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza this week. World Central Kitchen communicated the movement of this convoy to Israel ahead of time. Their vehicles were clearly marked and spanned a distance of 1.5 miles. This was not a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time…literally AND figuratively. 
 
As someone who has followed this organization for years as they have ministered to people in every corner of the world, I am heartsick to think that these brave servants met such a horrific end. And now, World Central Kitchen has had to stop feeding and serving the people of Gaza out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety of their workers. This organization provided around 150,000 meals daily…and now, thousands are on the brink of experiencing famine.
 
The BBC.com says that the US-funded Aide Worker Security Database, which records major incidents of violence against aid personnel, reports that approximately 203 aid workers have been killed in Gaza and Israel since October 7, 2023. Worldwide, there are some 7460 individuals who have been killed, wounded, or kidnapped in 2024 alone. Please pray for all in harm’s way in this and other wars and conflicts around the world.
 
While these are extreme examples of people who experience so much hate while proclaiming so much love…such things also happen in our own “backyards.” When we choose to speak against this group or that aide program, we may not only be literally taking food, health care, and protection from those who truly need this aid…we may also be putting a target on their backs. When we call immigrants “animals” and imply they are subhuman, we invite those with evil intentions to cause them harm, if not death. And when we stand up against such claims – or “feed and serve” as Christ commands, we sometimes find a target on our backs! We may not literally have our lives threatened, but we may find ourselves libeled, belittled, and ostracized because of our words and actions.
 
Jesus tells us not to cave in – that serving as He commands will be worth it in the end. And I know a lot of people will say, “Tell that to someone who is hurting because they stood up and/or spoke out about something.” It’s hard to be brave…even with the assurance that God will guide and guard us. I will be the first to admit that I am often a huge chicken in this regard…and I’m almost always sorry later. Why didn’t I speak up for this person? Why didn’t I take a stand against that issue? What were the odds that someone would really “come for me” because of this…and how does this compare to what could have resulted from my faithful obedience?
 
We must do better as Christ’s disciples. I am not suggesting that we sign up with World Central Kitchen or another organization like it. I am surely not suggesting that we necessarily put ourselves – or our family and friends – in harm’s way. There are plenty of ways that you and I can stand up and speak out for Jesus that we let pass us by every day…and it’s time to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and be bolder in our faith. Jesus will never quit on us…we cannot quit on Him. Wherever He leads us and whatever He calls us to do, we must say, “Here I am, LORD…send me!” Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 31, 2024 – Sound the bugle and wake up – Christ is Risen…and we have work to do!

John 20:16-23 
Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to him, “Rabboni.” The Aramaic word “Rabboni” means “Teacher.”

Jesus told her, “Don’t hold on to me! I have not yet gone to the Father. But tell my disciples I am going to the one who is my Father and my God, as well as your Father and your God.” Mary Magdalene then went and told the disciples she had seen the Lord. She also told them what he had said to her.

The disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders, and on the evening of that same Sunday they locked themselves in a room. Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the middle of the group. He greeted them and showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they became very happy.

After Jesus had greeted them again, he said, “I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they will be forgiven. But if you don’t forgive their sins, they will not be forgiven.”

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

Christ is Risen! Happy Easter! If you are like many believers, you are spending a good portion of today reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross – and the hope and promise of His resurrection from the tomb three days later! You are also probably hiding Easter eggs, eating a big feast, and gathering with friends and family to revel in this day that holds both Spiritual significance – and commercial celebration.
 
Tomorrow will begin a new month – and a shift in focus for many. Holy Week and Easter Sunday will be in the rearview mirror…now on to the Solar Eclipse, school graduations, spring dance recitals and other springtime festivities! But here’s the thing…if you read these verses in John 20 carefully, you see that the significance of “Easter” is not over. In fact, it’s just beginning. The Easter Sunday Sermon I listened to this morning included a brief playing of “Taps” to signify that “day is done”…followed by the playing of “Reveille” – a call to “Wake up!”
 
Indeed, Jesus tells His disciples to “get up and get going!” He appears before them and breathes the Holy Spirit into their hearts and lungs. Jesus tells these followers to go and share the Good News with all others…to serve as His hands and feet as they minister and encourage more to believe and follow the Risen Savior. Jesus authorizes His disciples to forgive others in His name. And as forgiven, redeemed Believers, you and I must do the same. 
 
This doesn’t mean we are to be “high and mighty” and declare ourselves Holy and authorized to literally forgive the sins of others. But we can share the redemptive story of Jesus Christ – and guide others to seek forgiveness and Salvation from Jesus for themselves. More importantly, we can live and love all people in a way that causes them to want to seek a relationship with Jesus and His Holy Spirit for themselves.
 
Christ is Risen indeed…and His Holy Spirit lives in all who will accept His great gift of Salvation. Easter Sunday is not the end of the story – it is the beginning! “Reveille” has been played…the call has gone forth! Go…love…teach…serve. With every word and action, offer the Good News of Jesus Christ to as many people as you can! Jesus is ALIVE! Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 14, 2024 – Mind your business and serve God…lessons for this Ash Wednesday – and always

Amos 2:6-16
The Lord said:
I will punish Israel for countless crimes, and I won’t change my mind. They sell honest people for money, and the needy are sold for the price of sandals.

They smear the poor in the dirt and push aside those who are helpless. My holy name is dishonored, because fathers and sons sleep with the same young women.

They lie down beside altars on clothes taken as security for loans. And they drink wine in my temple, wine bought with the money they received from fines.

Israel, the Amorites were there when you entered Canaan. They were tall as cedars and strong as oaks. But I wiped them out — I destroyed their branches and their roots.

I had rescued you from Egypt, and for forty years I had led you through the desert. Then I gave you the land of the Amorites.

I chose some of you to be prophets and others to be Nazirites. People of Israel, you know this is true. I, the Lord, have spoken!

But you commanded the prophets not to speak their message, and you pressured the Nazirites into drinking wine.

And so I will crush you, just as a wagon full of grain crushes the ground.

No matter how fast you run, you won’t escape. No matter how strong you are, you will lose your strength and your life. Even if you are an expert with a bow and arrow, you will retreat. And you won’t get away alive, not even if you run fast or ride a horse. You may be brave and strong, but you will run away, stripped naked.

I, the Lord, have spoken!

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

A few days ago, there was an article in our newspaper about Edith Ceccarelli, a lady who lives in Willits, California. Edith just celebrated her 116th birthday. Edith has outlived two husbands, her daughter, six younger siblings, and three grand-daughters. She has lived through two world wars, two deadly pandemics, and the advent of the Model T. When Edith was born, women still didn’t have the vote. Edith Ceccarelli has lived so long that she knew someone who had lunched with Abraham Lincoln, and she remembers hearing the bells ring to signal the end of WWI on November 11, 1918!
 
Edith Ceccarelli lived in her own home until she was 107. She loves to dance – especially the waltz and two-step – and she ran an ad in the local paper seeking a dance partner when she was 104. Edith says dancing “keeps your limbs strong,” and she attributes her longevity to “a couple of fingers of red wine with your dinner – and mind your own business!” We could learn a lot from Edith!
 
I bet you didn’t expect me to use a passage from the book of Amos! This is a rich prophesy…one that certainly has merit for us today. We see at every turn how people are doing as they please while claiming to serve God. The descriptions of hatred, abuse, and pure evil committed by many who declare some sort of “immunity” from consequence astounds me. Turn on the television or read a newspaper, and you will see example after example of this. And don’t even get me started on the banter and bawdiness expressed on social media.
 
Today is not only Valentine’s Day – it is also Ash Wednesday. The church of my childhood did not mark this day with a worship service and the “marking of the cross” with ashes and oil on our foreheads. I was an adult before I experienced this ritual. Today, I won’t be getting a “mark,” but I will be reflecting on this next 40 days and its significance to us as believers of Jesus. In light of this passage from Amos, I will reflect on how I think, speak and act – and ask myself if I truly represent the love and teachings of Jesus in all things and at all times. 
 
I know that our rebellion and selfishness not only anger God – they outright grieve Him. And while Jesus lived, died, and rose again so that we won’t have to experience God’s wrath – or fear being completely wiped away because of our words and actions – we still are obligated to “mind our own business” and make sure we are following God’s will. There will always be those who want to persuade us that what we are doing is okay – even God-ordained. You and I often know better even as we speak and act. 
 
The time is here to truly commit to God and serve Him in all things. And Ash Wednesday is the perfect day to begin anew. Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 20, 2024 – We don’t get to practice “selective faith and discipleship”…God loves 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 sinner

Romans 3:23
Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal;

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 November, Greg and I drove to a community outside of Little Rock to visit a nursery and tree farm. On our way back into the city, we crossed a tall bridge that spanned a creek underneath it. With many of the trees already bare, it was easy to see a mish-mash of tents and other structures along this wooded area…a homeless camp. My heart sank on this crisp, chilly fall day as I thought of those who were inhabiting these makeshift homes. I imagined how they must manage to eat, sleep, stay warm and dry, and even handle daily hygiene. I also wondered how they ever felt safe in this environment.
 
This was not my first “encounter” with homeless people. I remember taking Greg’s mother to the train station in Little Rock one warm July night, and as we returned to our car in the parking lot, we saw homeless men lining the sidewalk in front of a nearby building…sleeping, for the most part. While it wasn’t cold, they surely didn’t look comfortable. As we drove past, I had the same questions about how they survived on the streets.
 
I am told by people who should know that we have homeless people – and “camps” in my own little hometown. During this bitter cold snap, I have wondered how on earth they are surviving. Everyone is talking about bringing in pets and making sure our “furry friends” are safe and warm…but what about these human beings? Someone pointed out on Facebook last week that they had not seen a single post from a local church advertising a “warming center” or a hot meal for those who were in need of a warm, dry, safe place during this winter storm.
 
All of this, coupled with the scripture verse for today, made me think…how are we as believers in Jesus treating others? I already know the answer. We pick and choose who we deem “worthy” to be included in our circles. We decide who is welcome in our churches and who we will “help” in some way. We anonymously toss money to agencies that serve “those people.” We conduct food drives and ship our old clothing overseas to people who may/may not need or want these items. We declare that we love all people and vow to serve as Christ commands. And then we go on about our business, content that we have “done our duty” and smug in our interactions with carefully curated circles of friends and acquaintances.
 
Here’s the thing…you and I are only a few steps from being “those people” – and in some ways, we may already be selectively included or excluded by others based on their own biases and fears. Hear me when I tell you that I know people from financially comfortable, supportive “Christian” homes who ended up on the streets.  The reasons are varied…drug or alcohol abuse, job loss that led to financial ruin and loss of homes – and even the rejection of family and friends because of everything from sexual orientation to addiction to mental illness can lead to a downward spiral that ends in homelessness or a lesser form of estrangement. But at the end of the day, many people find themselves in a situation where they are made to feel ostracized or “less than” in some manner. And yet, Paul reminds us in this verse that we are all the same in God’s eyes.
 
Remember, everybody has something!  We all have our own battles, struggles, individual preferences, and sins! And God doesn’t love a single one of us more than another. You and I should not be discriminating – or picking and choosing who we believe to be “worthy” in any manner…most certainly when it comes to who deserves God’s love, care, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. If you are practicing “selective faith and discipleship,” humbly ask God to help you correct this. ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious ideal…and all are worthy of His love, care, and redemption. It’s time for us to experience a shift in attitude and perspective…to see all others as God sees them – and to love them as He commands. Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 15, 2024 – Don’t be a “sore toe” in the body of Christ…it’s time to pull together and do your part!

Romans 12:3-5
As God’s messenger I give each of you God’s warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others.

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

Have you ever had a toothache…a sore toe…or a blister? Everything else can be absolutely perfect, but an “irritation” like this can make your whole body feel off kilter. This sometimes becomes all we can think about, and it forms the ideal illustration of how critical it is for all parts of the body to function together in harmony. The same is true for the body of Christ!
 
When certain “parts” are out of sorts, broken, or simply not “doing their part,” the whole body suffers for it. Jesus is counting on all of us to pull together and “complete the work” on His behalf as only we can, according to our God-given skills and abilities. He is calling on each of us to “do our part” by loving others as He loves us…and treating all people with the respect and value they deserve as part of His whole. We are also called to have empathy for others – and to build them up rather than tear apart their heart and soul.
 
When our nephews work with LEGO blocks, they strive to make every creation perfect. They will even rework a piece to “make it better” until they are fully satisfied that whatever they created is the best it can be.  It makes no sense for us to act as if God made any one of us a little “better” than another. After all, He is the God of the universe…Creator of every living being. Why would God create some who were inferior? Yes, God molds us and reworks us – mostly because of our sin and selfishness – but His aim is to make each of us a perfect component in the overall body of Christ’s believers. When we try to go our own way, we upset this balance.
 
Paul’s warning is a good one…be honest in your estimate of yourself, and measure your faith by how much faith God has in you! Remember, God doesn’t make junk! So do your part…and see the value in every other person you encounter. Don’t be the “sore toe” in this mix…and encourage others to do the same. Together, we can make such a difference for the Kingdom of Heaven. And this is truly the point. Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 24, 2023 – Celebrating the coming of Jesus this day and always…how sturdy are your “roots and shoots?”

December 24 ~ Isaiah 11:1-10
The royal line of David will be cut off, chopped down like a tree; but from the stump will grow a Shoot—yes, a new Branch from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might; the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight will be obedience to the Lord. He will not judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay, but will defend the poor and the exploited. He will rule against the wicked who oppress them. For he will be clothed with fairness and with truth.

In that day the wolf and the lamb will lie down together, and the leopard and goats will be at peace. Calves and fat cattle will be safe among lions, and a little child shall lead them all. The cows will graze among bears; cubs and calves will lie down together, and lions will eat grass like the cows. Babies will crawl safely among poisonous snakes, and a little child who puts his hand in a nest of deadly adders will pull it out unharmed. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so shall the earth be full of the knowledge of the Lord.

In that day he who created the royal dynasty of David will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, for the land where he lives will be a glorious place.

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

“Heirloom” redbud tree in our yard, spring 2023.

Almost thirty years ago, Greg inherited a small redbud tree that sprouted from a tree his dad nurtured for many years.  Greg’s mother suggested the tree be transplanted to our farm when she downsized to a new home after the passing of Greg’s dad. About a decade later, when we moved into town – and ironically, onto the same street where Greg’s parents had lived for over three decades – the tree came with us. And when we built the house in which we live now, the tree was once again moved to our present address. Remarkably, this tree has flourished. The beautiful springtime blooms delight us, and the sturdy canopy serves as a constant reminder of Greg’s dad and his wisdom, counsel, and Godly leadership of our family.
 
A week or two ago, I noticed some shoots in our flower beds with heart-shaped, chartreuse-colored leaves. I said to Greg, “Those look like redbuds.” He confirmed that indeed, the little bean-like seeds from his dad’s tree have been carried by the wind (and maybe birds) and are propagating in our flower beds. A couple have gotten large enough that Greg plans to transplant them soon to a spot where they can grow and flourish. The “legacy” of this tree and its symbolism will hopefully live on for decades as we share the story of how this came to be.
 
The story of Jesus, born of the “tree of David,” continues today as we celebrate the coming of our LORD. On this Christmas Eve, we anticipate Christ’s birth all over again, and we remind ourselves of why God sent His Only Son. My prayer this hallowed day is that we would redouble our efforts to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah when he said that “the wolf and the lamb will lie down together, and the leopard and goats will be at peace.”
 
I do pray that we will figure out a way to get along with each other…that we “will not judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay, but will defend the poor and the exploited…and that we will speak out against the wicked who oppress them.” I pray that we will strive to always love one another and treat others as we wish to be treated.
 
Too many celebrate Christmas Eve but fail to take the message of this day to heart. They don’t internalize the love of Christ for all mankind. They pick and choose how, when, where – and WHO – to include in this great Gift. In my mind, the roots of their “trees” are shallow and will never flourish and produce beautiful blooms or “good fruit.”

This Christmas Eve, think about Isaiah’s prophecy. Ponder Jesus’ arrival and what it truly means for us. Commit this day to live, love and serve as Christ’s redeemed disciple in a way that creates deep, sturdy “roots” that will branch out and propagate even more “good fruit,” blessings, and joy. Celebrate the remembrance of that day long ago when our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, was humbly born – and all came together to revel in His arrival. Let this be so for you and me this day – and let us commit once again to growing sturdy roots as His servants and “shoots.” Alleluia!

©2023 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 22, 2023 – The clock is ticking…

John 9:1-7
As he was walking along, he saw a man blind from birth.

“Master,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?”

“Neither,” Jesus answered. “But to demonstrate the power of God. All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, for there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end. But while I am still here in the world, I give it my light.”

Then he spat on the ground and made mud from the spittle and smoothed the mud over the blind man’s eyes, and told him, “Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam” (the word Siloam means “Sent”). So the man went where he was sent and washed and came back seeing!

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, our niece Zola texted me and said, “Only 2 more days!!!” She is excited about Christmas Eve, when her family will come to our house to celebrate with pizza, games, and of course – GIFTS!  I’m here to tell you…if you are not ready for Christmas, time’s a wastin’!
 
As I read today’s scripture passage, I was drawn to the part where Jesus told His disciples, “All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us…for there is little time before the night falls and all work comes to an end.” At this time of the year when people literally feel like they are running out of time to get everything baked, bought, wrapped, and ready for The Big Day, I considered these words in the context of a bigger picture.
 
Greg and I talk often about how we know that “the clock is ticking.” We’ve outlived parents, grandparents, siblings, other relatives, as well as dear friends. We truly feel that every day is a gift – one we don’t take lightly. And we have committed to ourselves, each other – and to God – to make the most of every minute. I guess you could say we have “washed in the Pool of Siloam” and see clearly that there is much to do and little time to get it done!
 
We don’t have time to waste on hatred, divisiveness, bigotry, selfishness, or anything that truly distracts from the real message of Jesus Christ and His love and teachings. We cannot spend another minute trying to fit in with our peers or worrying about what this person or that group might think. We must be busy every day doing what GOD wants…living and serving as He directs. His Gift of Jesus was too great…and the stakes are too high to do anything else!
 
This time next week, many people will have packed away all their Christmas decorations, and the holiday will be a distant memory. I’m not one of those people…mainly because I like to linger in the Christmas cheer a little longer. I don’t judge those who take down their tree on December 26th. I know people have jobs and other obligations that may necessitate this urgency. We have the luxury of waiting a while longer. So, we will sit with “Christmas” for a while and remind ourselves that the Light of Christ is still here. But we will also remember that our time is finite – and we still have work to do to further His Kingdom. Alleluia!

© 2023 Debbie Robus