by Carol Roberts | Jul 27, 2015 | Hope
Some prayers take years to see any results while other prayers take only moments to be answered. God sees the urgency of all prayers. There is a lot of excitement in seeing prayers answered right away. However it’s during these long waits for an answered prayer God does His greatest comforting.
Like with sands on a sea shore, the finer the sand the more grains it takes to be pleasant to walk on. It takes years of continuous waves and storms to create each grain of sand. Smooth river rocks take a lot of strong currents, rough weather and continuous rushing water to create just the right look.
The quality and beauty of a long awaited answered is worth every minute. The lessons learned and the times spent growing closer to God prepares us to appreciate the answer even more. God gives us more than we dream possible. His answer is coming because we believe and trust in Him and He helps us during the long waiting period.
Hebrews 4:16
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
by Carol Roberts | Jul 25, 2015 | Hope
Compliments can lift up or put down. A sincere compliment will give encouragement and motivation that will bring out the best in someone. Then there are the exact same complimentary words given to the same person but it is to make another person jealous or hurt that other person. A lot of times, the person receiving the compliment doesn’t know what’s in the heart but God does. Eventually the truth comes out. God sees all motives.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
Jeremiah 17:10
But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.
by Carol Roberts | Jul 25, 2015 | Encouragement
A soldier is trained for full obedience to their officer. They make their main focus to be on the situation for which they are called. Their tasks may include risking their own lives to save others. There is much to be learned by this example when we choose to follow Christ. If Jesus is our main focus and we are willing to be obedient in all circumstances it could mean we are called to put our desires and dreams in second place in order to allow Christ to demonstrate His love through us.
2 Timothy 2:3-4
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
by Carol Roberts | Jul 24, 2015 | Grief
Wars and rumors of wars are happening. Uncertain job markets and no guarantee of having a job the next day are realities to a lot of people. Marriages and trusting relationships for many are a passing thing leaving behind a gut wrenching void where love is taken away. The truth is rarely told making people unsure of what is exactly honest. All these things lead to doubt.
These are a few examples of reality leaving many to wonder if God exists. Yes, God exists in a beautiful and mighty way. In 2 Corinthians 12:4, The Apostle Paul expressed heaven like this: “I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.” If it is too beautiful and amazing to explain then imagine spending an eternity in the presence of God.
One way to keep from doubting the beauty that is yet to come is to look at a sunset. Explain that beauty along with all the colors and feelings to a blind person who has never seen. The more we try to explain, the more we realize there is more to it than anything we can understand.
Romans 1:20
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
by Carol Roberts | Jul 23, 2015 | Love
Major disasters happen and it’s a natural instinct to want to rush to help out. God gives us that gift. The news media is broadcasting from every aspect how people are being rescued and the numerous people coming to give support. People will donate time, gifts and talents. Many will take time to speak to the media, post videos and pray. These disasters need immediate attention and people naturally care. But what about the minor disasters that get overlooked. An elderly lady does not have transportation to a badly needed doctor’s appointment so she cancels it because no one has the time. The church needs people to fill the choir while gifted singers see the vacant seats and are too busy to get involved. People in the neighborhood are coming to food pantries because there isn’t enough for them to eat while there aren’t enough food items being donated except the popular times of Christmas or Thanksgiving.
Jesus said if we do even to the least of these, we have done unto Him. To care for just one person is equally important to God. God instructs us to care whether it is for one person or a large town. There is no owner’s manual or book or instructions needed to care. If there is a need, great or small God notices equally to all people. God overlooks nobody and there is no ministry too small to ignore.
1 Peter 5:2-4
Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
