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.
I saw this quote
Facebook…”Don't worry about what I'm doing. Worry about why you're
worried about what I'm doing.” The author was un-cited. As I read this
scripture passage, I was struck by a couple of thoughts. I’m reading
Marjorie Holmes’ book, Three From Galilee*, a fictional novel based on
the lives of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Through this account, the reader
is able to see Jesus as a real person…a little boy very much like our
nephews Timothy and Nathan…or a precocious pre-teen like our nephew
Chase.
I am still reading the book, so I do not know whether
this story concludes before Jesus becomes a man. But the point is that
even in this fictional depiction, Jesus took on the very ordinary life
of a young boy. He played and worked alongside Joseph, did chores for
His mother, and was very much an “ordinary” boy. Jesus set aside His
“position” and became 100% human!
Okay, so what does this mean for us? It means that Jesus KNOWS what it’s like to be us…I mean, He really
knows! He understands what we have gone through – and what is ahead
for us, because He lived much of it! He endured things that – hopefully
– none of us will ever have to experience…torture, unimaginable
ridicule, and the most heinous of deaths. Jesus gets us!
Again
I thought about this quote…and how we are often consumed with what
others are thinking and/or how they are acting. We are so worried about
what he did or she said – and WHY – and in doing so, we elevate
ourselves to a level of superiority that is unmerited. If Jesus Christ
humbled Himself and didn’t “play the Son of God card” as a general
rule…what right do we have to judge others and act all high and mighty?
The bottom line is that we do not know what is in another person’s
heart…we have no clue what demons they battle, how well they slept last
night, or what is going on behind the closed doors of their abode. But
God does.
So we must trust God to judge…to rule…to “fix
people”…and we must concentrate on our own relationship with Him and
doing what WE are supposed to do. We must look at Jesus’ model and learn
His ways. We must humbly interact with others and serve God with
faithful obedience…and He will bless us in ways we cannot begin to
imagine.
Where is God in these everyday situations? Sometimes,
it is hard to see His presence in many people and circumstances of our
everyday living. But I assure you…God is with us! Just as surely as He
operated through the human Jesus, God is with us, each and every minute
of the day. We can allow Him room to work…or we can muddy
the waters with our meddling. Which will you choose?
©2015 Debbie Robus
*http://www.amazon.com/Three-From-Galilee-Young-Nazareth/dp/0425205509
Showing posts with label worry about what others say and do. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worry about what others say and do. 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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