by Carol Roberts | Aug 21, 2015 | Encouragement
We all have people in our lives who occasionally will not be on speaking terms. These people could very well be walking through a situation they do not know how to face. It’s possible we made them angry with us and they do not have the courage to tell us so. The absolute worst cold shoulder is from one who enjoys seeing us feel uncomfortable. These type cold shoulders usually happen for the length of time it takes for us to give up and move on only to have them rekindle the friendship. About the time we feel we have won that friendship back it happens all over again.
This behavior is especially popular with teens and their cold shoulders toward us is usually some insecurity within their own hearts. They have been hurt in the past and feel they do not deserve our friendship or they feel inferior wanting us to fit a mold we know nothing about.
These cold shoulders, should they happen over and over again, eventually destroys the chance of a friendship being restored at all. When we are there for a friend year after year getting rejected over and over it destroys trust.
Today with cyberspace being so popular, it’s easy for a person to manipulate us with things such as being all over the social site while our messages sit with no answer. They will acknowledge all comments and skip ours. They will read inbox mail but not respond.
In our hearts we know we have reached out to these people in ways that have gone more than a second mile. For each silent treatment there creates a deeper level of distrust. Again and again we give them chance after chance only to be set up to be ignored yet another time. Eventually we get sucked completely dry where mentally, physically and spiritually there is nothing else to give and we are not even missed if we walk away.
How would Jesus respond? Jesus loves unconditionally yet He is a Gentleman and never forces Himself on anyone. The love is still there and Jesus draws close to those who draw close to Him.
Is it ok for us to walk away from a habitual rejector? Absolutely. It frees up more time to draw closer to Jesus. The numerous hours spent trying to figure out why we get rejected when we give our best can now be spent with the One Who will never give us the silent treatment.
Proverbs 19:19 New Living Translation
Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 20, 2015 | Love
We may not be the ones to be earthly mothers and fathers of a child but all children, teens and adults doing the will of our Father are family. As younger people, adults are to be respected. As adults, children should be given the best example by our lifestyles. The wisdom of a senior adult will help younger people avoid consequences that come from certain actions. The energy and enthusiasm of teenagers are an encouragement to keep busy with our Lord’s work. All people are important in the family of God.
Matthew 12:48-50
Jesus asked, “Who is My mother? Who are My brothers?” Then he pointed to His disciples and said, “Look, these are My mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother!”
by Carol Roberts | Aug 19, 2015 | Hope
When we delight ourselves in our Lord He will give us the desires of our hearts. Human plans, no matter how carefully they are put together are but an amusement to God. Our plans are only from a human aspect. God’s plans are from a heavenly aspect. Therefore we can rejoice in the amazement of the heavenly answers God has in His storehouse. Human efforts are meant lift up others. God will handle our desires and our needs.
Proverbs 16:1-3
We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 18, 2015 | Love
Has it ever been that a person made a promise they did not keep? Have people ever said that they thought they kept that promise already when we have waited with excitement and it never happened? Did you ever prepare for a special visit that was promised getting food and rooms ready and the day passed by and no visit? What about the time a phone call was promised by the end of the day and all plans were cancelled waiting on a call that didn’t happen.
Genuine love will never intentionally do that and will always make an effort to settle the disappointments. A promise not kept happens sometimes. No human is perfect. However there are people who rarely keep a promise and if the promise is kept it is with an attitude. God does not intend for us to endure these extreme habits but we are expected to love and forgive. We may never believe in such people but we can believe in God.
There is the other extreme and that is the love of Jesus Christ. He will die to keep His promise to us. He hears and answers our prayers and upholds us with His righteous right hand. We can count on God fulfilling all promises no matter how recent or how long ago the promise was made. His word is His guarantee.
Psalm 138:2
I bow before Your holy Temple as I worship. I praise Your name for Your unfailing love and faithfulness; for Your promises are backed by all the honor of Your name.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 17, 2015 | Salvation
When a person acts according to the will of God that person receives God’s favor. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” People get from life what they put into life.
Our God is a perfect and loving God. He loves us so much He died for us. If He first gave that much love, it’s reasonable to want to return love to Him. As we tend to our Lord’s business, He will tend to ours. Love goes round and round.
Psalm 37:3-5
Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.