Tag: Romans 8:28

Coincidence or God Showing Up

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Do you believe in coincidences?  Or do you believe there is a purpose for what happens to you?  God is doing things all around you every day.  He shows up when you least expect it and even when you haven’t asked for it. 

Twelve years ago, when my oldest son was in 1st grade, he started having behavioral problems at school.  His grades were also suffering and towards the end of the school year the teacher asked if I would allow him to stay after school a few times a week for tutoring.  Of course, I said yes. 

After the first day of tutoring, a teacher that I didn’t recognize walked my son to the car and introduced herself as his tutor.  We talked a little bit about what she would be doing with him and during the short conversation I mentioned that dyslexia runs in my ex-husband’s family.  She said she was the dyslexia teacher for his school, and she would keep that in mind while she was tutoring him.  After the very next tutoring session, the same teacher came to my car window and said she would have my son tested before the end of the school year. 

Typically, a teacher must complete an incredible amount of documentation before they can recommend a child for testing. But what typically takes 3 months to accomplish only took us 2 weeks.  My son was tested and started the 2nd grade with the accommodations he needed to be successful.  There is no way I could have accomplished this on my own.  God put that teacher and my son together in the right place at the right time.  It was not simply a coincidence that she was assigned as his tutor. It was 100% a God thing. 

The fact that my son has dyslexia is not a good thing, but the fact that we were able to identify it so early was. Once again, God showed up in my life. God can turn every circumstance around for our long-range good.  So, remember, God works in “all things” – not just isolated incidents – for our good.  Pay attention.  Look around.  Notice what God is doing in your life and then share your story with others.

Lord, thank you for taking an active role in my life.  Open my eyes to see what you are doing all around me and help me to be a witness and share my story with others. Amen.

All Things Work Together

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Have you heard the worship song called “Way Maker”? It is one of my favorite songs and we listened to it yesterday at the beginning of our company’s weekly Zoom call.  A few lines of the song say “Even when I don’t see it, he’s working.  Even when I don’t feel it, he’s working.  He never stops, he never stops working.”  Since yesterday, the words to this song keep popping into my head, showing up on my social media feed and even in my daily devotions so I was pretty sure God wanted me to share this devotional with you this week. 

God has a plan and His plan is that everyone comes to know Christ Jesus.  So, you and I, as Christians, go about our everyday life but behind the scenes, the Holy Spirit is working on people.  He is working, even when you don’t see it.  He is working, even when you don’t feel it.  He is working on your neighbor.  The neighbor that doesn’t mow his lawn and leaves his trash cans out two days too long.  He is working on the funny co-worker that always cracks a joke on all the Zoom calls.  He is working on the total stranger that you’ve “bumped” into at the grocery store 3 times.  He is working on your brother.  He never stops working and you are part of his plan.  He is going to use you, because you have been called according to his purpose.

If you are a Christian, the Bible says that ALL THINGS that have happened to you will be used by God for good.  Not just isolated incidents, ALL THINGS.  But that doesn’t mean that everything that happens to you will be good.  The pain of loss, the sorrow of depression and the sting of rejection can be used for good too.  Because you have experienced those things yourself, you can recognize them in others.  Then comes the cool part, the Holy Spirit will do what he does best and He will put people in your path.  All you have to do is look up.  Smile.  Say hello.  Have a conversation and let the love of Jesus shine out of you.  Cultivate relationships with the people God is already putting in your path.  Then over time they will begin to see that there is something different about you.  When they comment about it (and they will) you can tell them about Jesus.  Then let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

Lord, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to help me with your plan.  Please open my eyes to what the Holy Spirit is doing in the people that are all around me every day so that I can be the physical hands and feet of Jesus on earth.  Amen

Strength and Trust

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

Even the strongest people get tired at times.  Tired of worrying.  Tired of feeling helpless.  Tired of isolation.  Tired of pretending everything is going to be okay.  Even though the trials and tribulations of our lives today may seem overwhelming, God’s power and strength never fails.  God is never too tired or too busy to help and listen.  His strength is our source of strength.  When you feel all of life crushing you and you cannot go another step, remember that you can call upon God to renew your strength.

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all you heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  It is hard to trust others right now.  Everything is changing so quickly, and it is difficult to put your faith in God.  But God knows what is best for you. He is a better judge of what you want than even you are.  Bring your decisions to God in prayer; use the Bible as your guide; and then follow God’s leading.  He will make your paths straight by both guiding and protecting you.

Your faith in God is not going to take you out of the problems you are facing, but your faith will take you through them.  For in Romans 8:28 it says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  This does not mean that all that happens to you is good.  The enemy is present in this fallen world, but God can turn every circumstance around for your long-range good.  So, turn to God for strength and trust Him with all your heart.

Dear God, you are the one who strengthens me and gives me hope.  Thank you for your everlasting love.  We trust you to bring us through this storm.

It’s a God Thing

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Do you believe in coincidences?  Or do you believe there is a purpose for what happens to you?  God is doing things all around you every day.  He shows up when you least expect it and even when you haven’t asked for it. 

Ten years ago, when my oldest son was in 1st grade, he started having behavioral problems at school.  His grades were also suffering and towards the end of the school year the teacher asked if I would allow him to stay after school a few times a week for tutoring.  Of course, I said yes. 

After the first day of tutoring, a teacher that I didn’t recognize walked my son to the car and introduced herself as his tutor.  We talked a little bit about what she would be doing with him and during the short conversation I mentioned that dyslexia runs in my ex-husband’s family.  She said she was the dyslexia teacher for his school, and she would keep that in mind while she was tutoring him.  After the very next tutoring session, the same teacher came to my car window and said she would have my son tested before the end of the year. 

Typically, a teacher must complete an incredible amount of documentation before they can recommend a child for testing but what typically takes 3 months to accomplish only took us 2 weeks.  My son was tested and started the 2nd grade with the accommodations he needed to be successful.  There is no way I could have accomplished this on my own.  God put that teacher and my son together in the right place at the right time.  This was 100% a God thing.

The fact that my son has dyslexia is not a good thing, but the fact that we were able to identify it so early was.  God can turn every circumstance around for our long-range good.  So, remember, God works in “all things” – not just isolated incidents – for our good.  Pay attention.  Look around.  Notice what he is doing and then thank him for showing up.

Lord, thank you for taking an active role in my life.  Open my eyes to see what you are doing in my life and help me to be a witness to others. Amen.