Luke 2:6-7
...and while they were there, she
gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and
laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There
is an old adage that “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your
plans.” Mary knew that her “due date” was eminent. But like many
expectant mothers, the exact hour that the newborn was to arrive was a
mystery. Once in a while, there is no time to adequately prepare for
childbirth. It happens more often than we realize. Even though
everyone knows that a baby is on the way, you hear about infants being
born in cabs, on the bathroom floor at home, and in other
less-than-ideal locations.
So what do we learn from situations
that stop us dead in our tracks and instantly change our course? It
seems to me that these are opportunities for us to recognize the
supremacy of God. I can often see how God orchestrated dozens of things
perfectly amidst the unsettling nature of events that have unfolded in
my own life. I can see how beautifully God prepared for the birth of
His Son – our Savior – in the lowliest of places. How else could He
have shown us the purity of humility than to deliver the Prince of Peace
in a bed of hay?
Instead of telling God how we intend for things
to go, why don’t we ask Him to show us what to do with each day? Rather
than question His motives and the unexpected “deliveries,” shouldn’t we
ask God to direct our steps and guide us as we navigate the detours?
What do you suppose would happen if we started trusting God in
everything…even when it didn’t appear that things were going to turn out
as we had hoped? Are we ready to deliver a baby in a bed of hay…to surrender our plans and ideas of how things should go in favor of God’s?
We’ve
been given the perfect demonstration of complete trust in God - and His
plans - over our own mortal ideas. Isn’t it time we took this to
heart and incorporated this attitude in our own life? Are we really
ready to “let go and let God?” Isn’t this the right time to do so?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label trust God for outcomes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trust God for outcomes. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for November 29, 2014
Romans 8:28
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
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.
A few weeks ago, the Arkansas Razorbacks football team beat the LSU Tigers 17-0 to snap a 17-game losing streak in Southeastern Conference play. The following Saturday, the team shut out then-8th-ranked Ole Miss, 30-0. I wish I could say the streak continued with a win over the University of Missouri, but this was not to be. However, the basketball team was able to secure a win on the same day against North Texas State that gave the squad their first 5-0 start since 2006-2007.
In both cases, the coaches have been quoted in the media as saying, essentially, that “wins will come – when they are supposed to.” Coach Bret Bielema has said often that his team would win when they earned it. Both coaches are relatively new to the University of Arkansas – and there has been a “learning curve” for all involved. Now, things seem to be starting to “jell”.
I’ve heard a lot of people who have endured hardships or difficult times say that they would not trade them for an easier time. I’ve heard amputees say that the loss of a limb taught them how to appreciate life – and God’s hand in theirs. I’ve known countless people who looked back on troublesome or unpleasant experiences and said, “This is where God helped me”…or “God really worked in this situation”…or even, “This was a huge turning point for me.” And I am among them.
You may be in the fight of your life. You may simply be in a 17-0 losing streak. But wherever you are…whatever is happening…God is with you - working out every detail for His perfect purposes. OUR JOB is to recognize Him…to give Him room to work…and to be grateful for His presence. He will do the rest…I promise. Will it be easy and painless? Probably not…but any day or experience with God is far better than a single minute without Him!
Keep this scripture passage handy. Read it often, and remind yourself of God’s presence in your life – and how He is perfectly orchestrating all of the details. Keep the faith...stay humble and grateful. Allow God to be GOD in your life…and watch what amazing things He brings to bear.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
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.
A few weeks ago, the Arkansas Razorbacks football team beat the LSU Tigers 17-0 to snap a 17-game losing streak in Southeastern Conference play. The following Saturday, the team shut out then-8th-ranked Ole Miss, 30-0. I wish I could say the streak continued with a win over the University of Missouri, but this was not to be. However, the basketball team was able to secure a win on the same day against North Texas State that gave the squad their first 5-0 start since 2006-2007.
In both cases, the coaches have been quoted in the media as saying, essentially, that “wins will come – when they are supposed to.” Coach Bret Bielema has said often that his team would win when they earned it. Both coaches are relatively new to the University of Arkansas – and there has been a “learning curve” for all involved. Now, things seem to be starting to “jell”.
I’ve heard a lot of people who have endured hardships or difficult times say that they would not trade them for an easier time. I’ve heard amputees say that the loss of a limb taught them how to appreciate life – and God’s hand in theirs. I’ve known countless people who looked back on troublesome or unpleasant experiences and said, “This is where God helped me”…or “God really worked in this situation”…or even, “This was a huge turning point for me.” And I am among them.
You may be in the fight of your life. You may simply be in a 17-0 losing streak. But wherever you are…whatever is happening…God is with you - working out every detail for His perfect purposes. OUR JOB is to recognize Him…to give Him room to work…and to be grateful for His presence. He will do the rest…I promise. Will it be easy and painless? Probably not…but any day or experience with God is far better than a single minute without Him!
Keep this scripture passage handy. Read it often, and remind yourself of God’s presence in your life – and how He is perfectly orchestrating all of the details. Keep the faith...stay humble and grateful. Allow God to be GOD in your life…and watch what amazing things He brings to bear.
©2014 Debbie Robus
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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