by Carol Roberts | Jul 5, 2015 | Friendship
We all have enemies. There are rude customers, people who won’t speak and give no reason and those who smile in our face but make life miserable for us behind our backs. There are bosses who promote their friends who have not earned it. There are preachers who want only popularity and care nothing about their flock. There are steady girlfriends who never have time for their boyfriend because other boys are more exciting. There are teachers who have pets and our deserving project never gets an A grade. The person who never shows up to help takes all the credit when praise and awards are given. What a long list this is becoming.
God says we are to love these people and pray for them. It doesn’t matter if we can trust them or if they are unfair. God just says love them and pray for them. We are to return a kind word and prayer in order to soften their heart.
One lady said to an irate customer that she appreciated his kindness in bringing it to her attention so she could make things right. That customer was very humble after that. Dr. Charles Stanley puts it very beautifully when an irate person approaches him to tell him all the things that do not please him. Dr. Stanley will politely listen. When all is said and done, Dr. Stanley will thank the person who will then become very silent. He goes one step further by asking the person, if there is anything else he needs to point out. Everything is done with gentleness and kindness.
These people do not necessarily have to be our best friends but we are expected to love them and show kindness. We do not have to let hard feelings dictate to us whether or not to be nice. Kindness and prayer will change hearts if we truly seek to please God.
Luke 6:27-28
But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.
by Carol Roberts | Jul 4, 2015 | Love
Giving is more than just money in the offering plate. Giving is a mindset. It pleases God when a person takes time to offer a prayer, a kind word or deed. It takes only seconds to smile at someone.
Giving sometimes has its own challenges. A person appearing to be in need will sometimes hold up a homeless sign. Many will offer extra change or large sums thinking they are genuinely helping someone. It makes the heart angry to learn later the beggar is a rich man. Some people will appear to have an emotional need to just talk and we lend an ear and kind advice. Later it is learned that they only wanted to ease a guilty conscience while they continue in their own damaging ways. These deeds do not go unnoticed by God who examines our hearts. People give out of love in order to make life better for someone else. That is what God rewards.
God watches as we give of ourselves because we love Jesus and His people. God also notices the people receiving the deeds. A sincere heart is what pleases God whether giving or when we need to receive. Honesty, sincerity and a genuine spirit are pleasing to God.
Isaiah 58:6-8
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
by Carol Roberts | Jul 4, 2015 | Friendship
God who knows all things knows every action and every reaction. True forgiveness is when we give up our desires to retaliate and move on. It doesn’t excuse misbehavior or condone it, it just means forgive. True forgiveness is unconditional. A person may ask for forgiveness which makes it a little easier, but usually a person will not ask.
Forgiveness does not mean we have to become best friends with one who continues to cause harm. Forgiveness does not mean we have no memory of the hurt. Forgiveness means we are ok with who we are in Christ no matter what others say or do. Focusing on God and the path He wants us to walk will make opinions and actions of others not matter so much. When God is pleased He will encourage us, protect us and comfort us.
Ok, so somebody doesn’t like our looks or somebody speaks evil against us when we have given our best to them. Jesus is Lord over all things. Somebody didn’t keep their word time and time again. Jesus knows. Jesus Comforts. Jesus handles the other person. Jesus is very definite when He says vengeance is His. We do not have to worry about it.
Romans 12:19
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,
says the Lord.
by Carol Roberts | Jul 4, 2015 | Salvation
It doesn’t matter who is Baptist or who is Catholic, or who worships on Saturday or who worships on Sundays. God created us equal. It doesn’t matter who is Italian or who is Mexican or who lives in a home country or who lives away from their own country. God created us equal. Jesus is a relationship to anyone who will accept Him.
To smile at a stranger may be the only example of the Bible some may ever know. Wear the name of Jesus from the heart outward. The world will be a better place.
Colossians 3:12
Since God chose you to be the Holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
by Carol Roberts | Jul 4, 2015 | Encouragement
In a world that is changing, we can count on God to always be the same. As we walk through rough waters we can look to Him to calm the seas. When faced with the unknown there is assurance that He knows. New ideas are always being presented and tried but the basics are the ones that always work. God knows all things now and always will. He created everything and has all the answers.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
