by Carol Roberts | Jul 3, 2015 | Encouragement
It’s funny how sometimes we can pray and pray for something but when we get the answer it is a huge disappointment. What seemed like the answer to a job, a school, relationship or group of friends turns out to be totally opposite of what we pray for. We get to these dead ends and do everything possible to make it work therefore creating additional obstacles.
If it is indeed God’s answer the steps will unfold one at a time. It does not matter if we can see the top of the staircase or not. Only the next step is important. When faced with an obstacle that is impossible to master, seek His face. Many times He is telling us to keep moving ahead and not to jump at the first option. If the bridge is out, it’s very possible He is telling us to stay on the dry path until we get to a passable bridge.
Isaiah 26:7
But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and You smooth out the path ahead of them.
by Carol Roberts | Jul 3, 2015 | Hope
No matter how long the night the sun rises in the morning. No matter how dark the pressures of life, His light is always present. Seek the Lord and He will shine His light brighter than any sun.
Luke 1:78-80
Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
by Carol Roberts | Jul 3, 2015 | Salvation
When we walk with the Lord we are never alone. Following in His footsteps does not guarantee a smooth path. Many times His path is totally opposite of ease. We are sent as sheep among wolves to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. He directs our path step by step. Sometimes the step will be only a fraction of an inch while other times our step will be so broad it’s hard to keep up. But what about the times we are instructed to do nothing at all and wait and wait and wait. Circumstances mount up and human nature says to act yet God says wait. We look and find it difficult at best to feel God’s presence. Those are the times we are tucked snugly in His arms. Those precious times are when He is handling the entire situation. Instead of God telling us to wait, is He not actually telling us to do something? That something is rest, trust, relax and exercise faith.
Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
by Carol Roberts | Jul 3, 2015 | Salvation
Seek the Lord and He will be found. God speaks when we are still and listening for His voice. Jesus sought many times to be alone to pray. That’s where He gathered strength to continue ministering. When we take the time to be alone with God, He will renew our strength and give encouragement in all things. This is not true with being lonely. Usually a feeling of loneliness is due to the fact something or someone is not filling a void in our lives that only God can fill. No matter how big the crowd, busy the activity or how much a person sleeps, it does not get rid of the lonely feeling. Something is not settled and needs to be made right. The longer we wait confronting the truth the more intense the loneliness becomes. It takes courage to face the truth but the truth will set us free. Seek God first in all things and He will be the One to add the right people and activities. He will add people and things that promote growth, fulfillment and joy instead of a dependency on a person, place or thing.
Matthew 14:13
As soon as Jesus heard the news, He left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where He was headed and followed on foot from many towns.
Matthew 14:33
After sending them home, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
Matthew 17:1
Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.
by Carol Roberts | Jul 2, 2015 | Hope
When asked to perform a task that is beyond our reach the first word that should come from our mouth is “Father.” God never intends for us to tackle impossible demands on our own. In the old testament there were times when an army was small and the enemy was numerous and strong. As people obeyed and trusted God, He won the battle as the people began with praise and thanksgiving.
2 Chronicles 20:21-22
After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising Him for His holy splendor. This is what they sang:
“Give thanks to the Lord;
His faithful love endures forever!”
At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.
