Romans 8:5-8
People who are ruled by their desires
think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit
thinks about spiritual things. If our minds are ruled by our desires, we
will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life
and peace. Our desires fight against God, because they do not and cannot
obey God’s laws. If we follow our desires, we cannot please God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As
we drove home from swim lessons today, Nathan was alternately making
“Minions” sounds in the back seat and declaring that he was a
superhero! On any given day, we have Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman
riding in the back seats of our vehicle! But I can assure you, in real
life, NONE of us are truly superheroes. We like to think we are at
times…but God has a way of showing us Who is really in control! And our
efforts to resist and have things our way never work out like we hoped.
So I have learned that I cannot conquer the world…that there are
times that God wants me to step up and serve in a certain ministry or
capacity. But there are also times when He says, “That’s not your
responsibility,” or even, “You have enough on your plate…it’s time to
step back and take a break.”
I had three little ones who
informed me that they would not need naps after swim lessons and lunch.
But I reminded them that we have one more night of VBS, and a nap might
be in order. And sometimes, God tells us, “You’ve done this and that
and something else this week, so you should skip the XYZ event tonight –
or let someone else handle that project.” I can tell you from personal
experience that when I listen to God, I never regret what I “missed.”
But I have paid dearly at times when I tried to satisfy my own desires
and take on too much – even with the best of intentions.
This is
about more than just wanting to “sow wild oats” or do as you please.
Even the most well-meaning Christians sometimes overload themselves.
And while we think we are doing this to be good servants and
disciples, the truth is that often, we are just afraid of what others
will think if we say “No!”…or we simply want more than we can handle.
It’s like a kid who looks through the toy store flyer that comes at
Christmas time and says, “I’ll take this…and this…and this!” with no regard for how expensive all of those things are – or who will foot the bill!
When we try to do what we
want rather than what God wants, the road can get pretty rocky! We
wear ourselves out chasing our tails and getting nowhere… the real work
of God doesn’t get done…and everybody loses. This doesn’t please God in
the least. Like little children who must learn that poor choices and
selfishness have consequences, we must learn that serving our own
desires rather than God’s can get us into a heap of trouble,
also…everything from losses and disappointments to sickness brought on
by wearing our bodies down with too much busyness.
Spend some time with God and ask Him what He
wants you to do. Learn to run EVERY activity and option by Him
first…to determine whether He endorses your choices – or they are of
your own making. Begin to operate within God’s plans, and see how much
better things can be. You won’t actually become a Ninja Warrior or
Superman…but when you learn to operate under the power and wisdom of the
“Ultimate Superhero,” He might just make you feel like one!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label keep up appearances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label keep up appearances. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 5, 2014
Psalm 37:7
Be patient and trust the Lord.
Don’t let it bother you
when all goes well for those
who do sinful things.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Probably every single one of us knows someone who seems to “get by with murder”. We know people who slack off in their jobs – or treat coworkers, employees, students and friends terribly – and still seem to “always come out on top”. We could probably all name someone who cheats and never seems to get caught…or someone who has spread gossip all over the place about every “friend” he/she claims…and still, these persons are lauded as “a wonderful person”. We are familiar with situations where we feel like we work hard to work hard…and to do the right thing…and those who refuse to “play by the rules” seem to get ahead farther and faster than we ever can.
Here’s the thing…this is not our problem! These people are not our responsibility…it is not our job to compare our own lives to theirs. We don’t answer to them…we answer to God. And sometimes, that can seem like a tough row to hoe! Why does God allow things to be so difficult for those of us who are obedient and serve faithfully - while others seem to be having all the fun (and getting all of the glory and benefits)?
Truthfully, nothing gets by God. If you watch long enough and pay close attention, you will see that these people ultimately have some sort of “comeuppance” or failure of sorts. AND…all of your own needs are continually met! You may not be the richest, most prominent person in town. You may not have even the semblance of a huge following of friends and hangers-on. But you have something far more valuable…you have God’s favor!
If you continue reading in Psalm37:9-11, you will see that “All sinners will disappear, but if you trust the Lord, the land will be yours. Sinners will soon disappear, never to be found, but the poor will take the land and enjoy a big harvest.” And in verses 16-19, it says, “It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich. The wicked will lose all of their power, but the Lord gives strength to everyone who is good. Those who obey the Lord are daily in his care, and what he has given them will be theirs forever. They won’t be in trouble when times are bad, and they will have plenty when food is scarce.”
In other words, God will reward your faithfulness. He will meet your needs. You can rest and relax, because you will never lack anything of significance! Notice I didn’t say you will have EVERYTHING…but you will have everything you need, according to God’s will. So focus on doing what is right and true…what you have prayerfully heard God tell you to do. Make His will your priority…and quit worrying about what the other guy has – or what he/she is doing. God is more than able to provide for your needs…and handle those who disobey and disrespect him. Nobody truly “gets by with murder”…and focusing on those who try is a waste of our time and energy. Are you busy doing the right thing and trusting God? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Be patient and trust the Lord.
Don’t let it bother you
when all goes well for those
who do sinful things.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Probably every single one of us knows someone who seems to “get by with murder”. We know people who slack off in their jobs – or treat coworkers, employees, students and friends terribly – and still seem to “always come out on top”. We could probably all name someone who cheats and never seems to get caught…or someone who has spread gossip all over the place about every “friend” he/she claims…and still, these persons are lauded as “a wonderful person”. We are familiar with situations where we feel like we work hard to work hard…and to do the right thing…and those who refuse to “play by the rules” seem to get ahead farther and faster than we ever can.
Here’s the thing…this is not our problem! These people are not our responsibility…it is not our job to compare our own lives to theirs. We don’t answer to them…we answer to God. And sometimes, that can seem like a tough row to hoe! Why does God allow things to be so difficult for those of us who are obedient and serve faithfully - while others seem to be having all the fun (and getting all of the glory and benefits)?
Truthfully, nothing gets by God. If you watch long enough and pay close attention, you will see that these people ultimately have some sort of “comeuppance” or failure of sorts. AND…all of your own needs are continually met! You may not be the richest, most prominent person in town. You may not have even the semblance of a huge following of friends and hangers-on. But you have something far more valuable…you have God’s favor!
If you continue reading in Psalm37:9-11, you will see that “All sinners will disappear, but if you trust the Lord, the land will be yours. Sinners will soon disappear, never to be found, but the poor will take the land and enjoy a big harvest.” And in verses 16-19, it says, “It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich. The wicked will lose all of their power, but the Lord gives strength to everyone who is good. Those who obey the Lord are daily in his care, and what he has given them will be theirs forever. They won’t be in trouble when times are bad, and they will have plenty when food is scarce.”
In other words, God will reward your faithfulness. He will meet your needs. You can rest and relax, because you will never lack anything of significance! Notice I didn’t say you will have EVERYTHING…but you will have everything you need, according to God’s will. So focus on doing what is right and true…what you have prayerfully heard God tell you to do. Make His will your priority…and quit worrying about what the other guy has – or what he/she is doing. God is more than able to provide for your needs…and handle those who disobey and disrespect him. Nobody truly “gets by with murder”…and focusing on those who try is a waste of our time and energy. Are you busy doing the right thing and trusting God? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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