by Carol Roberts | Aug 11, 2015 | Encouragement
God has a beautiful way of explaining things in a way we can understand. The Bible has numerous illustrations of how things we see in everyday life can be an example of how God works behind the scenes.
In order for land to be ready for crops it must first be plowed where it can absorb rain and grow seeds. If hard rains come on a land that is hard from lack of use or too many roots the rain will run off. A hard rain gives an illusion that the hard ground surface will be softened but is disappointing when none gets absorbed. It takes gentle rain over a long period of time to penetrate such hard soil plus plowing. When the soil is fully prepared it can use and benefit from a hard rain.
It’s the same with people who are hard hearted. It takes gentle encouragement and many hours of prayer to prepare some people to even hear the truth and to change. No person is a hopeless case. God doesn’t make hopelessness but only what is pleasing to Him. Now is never the time to give up.
Psalm 65:10
You drench the plowed ground with rain,
melting the clods and leveling the ridges.
You soften the earth with showers
and bless its abundant crops.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 10, 2015 | Hope
The love of Jesus overflows and nothing can stop it. His floodgates of love are opened up each time we turn to Him. Even though we feel His mighty peace, calmness and security in the most intense battles of life, it’s only the tip of the iceberg of understanding.
At times we see prayer answered beautifully and all things fall into place. Other times the answers are too powerful and great to see with the human eye. During these times when it seems things have been forgotten, God is grooming us to receive His Holy and perfect answer that our minds can’t comprehend yet.
A river dam is so powerful people are warned to get out of the way. The floodgates of love that come from the throne room of God are all powerful and cannot compare to even the most powerful floodgate we create here. When we trust God, we trust the Almighty.
Ephesians 3:18-20
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 9, 2015 | Salvation
There are thousands of languages yet only one God. There are numerous cultures and races yet only one God. Anyone in the world can look up and see the sun or moon, that God, Himself created, yes the same sun and moon. It is the same God who loves all people equally no matter what land we stand on in the world. Jesus loves us, all of us. This is reason to rejoice.
Psalm 67:2-4
May Your ways be known throughout the earth,
Your saving power among people everywhere.
May the nations praise You, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise You.
Let the whole world sing for joy,
because You govern the nations with justice
and guide the people of the whole world.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 8, 2015 | Love
Appointments and long waits happen in order to see a person with a title who gives politically correct solutions. A phone call or visit is necessary to get in touch with a true friend who will offer sincere advice. With God, no technical devices are needed, just prayer. We do not have to put on a suit to approach Him. We do not need an appointment and we do not have to act like a professional. God already knows our hearts.
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 7, 2015 | Love
Imagine a ship in the ocean that is close enough for people to see from the shore. Suddenly that ship starts to sink and there are people in the water who can’t swim. From the shore there are people who will jump in and swim to those people taking life savers. Other people will run to get blankets and water. Still others will set up seats and places to rest. Another group will run get help and involve others. Some will bow and pray.
Talent is what people do naturally. Growing that talent where others are lifted up by it is how God uses people for His purpose. Serving is a natural thing when doing what we do best. The only hard thing about serving is trying to fit in a task that doesn’t fit us. The true blessings come when we give our best with the other person’s benefit in mind for the purpose of showing the love of Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:6-8
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
