by Carol Roberts | Sep 19, 2015 | Salvation
People stand in the streets for hours outside a hospital waiting for the announcement of the birth of a prince. Bells ring, people rejoice, camera flashes light up the city block and newspapers announce the birth of this prince. As he grows there will be even more press, cameras and attention. He is the focus of many people who want to know every move he makes. This prince is an idol for many.
2000 years ago the Prince of Peace was born in a stable. People traveled miles on foot to see the Savior God told them about. There were no cameras or press releases. As He grew older people gave attention to how they would get rid of Him. His truth offends those who do wrong. The Prince of Peace was crucified yet He overcame death. He saves all who believe and accept Him as Savior.
This earthly prince saves no one.
Luke 2:11-15
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
by Carol Roberts | Sep 17, 2015 | Salvation
Sin is a fact of life. It happens to all of us. There is no way around it because temptations are very real. Admitting to wrong doings, asking for forgiveness from God and forgiving ourselves is a major key to peace of mind.
Where people get into bondage is when they give in to temptation hoping nobody will notice. Whether one person notices, a group notices or nobody notices at all the feeling of guilt remains in the heart. Hiding a wrong doing may work for a while but one of two things will happen. A person will make statements that lead people’s attention away from the wrong doing where the people will not notice. That person may tell a host of lies or create an illusion of themselves the bring people’s attention to a false impression of stardom. The other thing that happens is the person gets busy trying to forget it.
Unfortunately both escapes come with consequences too big to imagine. As the feeling of guilt gets buried it becomes harder to return to reality because the sin has been forgotten. Unfortunately burying sin does not make it go away. Others will turn angry on family and friends leaving them to wonder what went wrong. The truth is, honest people are a reminder of the sin they need to acknowledge and be done with it.
Being forgiven of sins and getting peace of mind is so simple that it makes no sense to hold on to it. It takes a lot of hard work and emotional effort to avoid confessions. Confession of sin takes only a moment. The most puzzling thing about hiding wrong doings is that confession is the simple and easy way out.
1 John 1:8-10
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us.
by Carol Roberts | Sep 16, 2015 | Friendship
When we get ready for the day we choose what we will wear, how to fix our hair and even what attitude we will present. Depending on what we know about the day ahead of us, we prepare accordingly by fixing ourselves on the outside. The circumstances, people and atmosphere many times determine how we want to represent ourselves. These attitudes toward ourselves in different settings are always changing. Living to please or to be accepted by others will eventually lead to ruin when the truth from the heart is revealed, and it WILL be revealed sooner or later.
Jesus Christ is not a religion but a relationship. A relationship with Jesus is one of trust and honesty. He created us in His image, therefore He knows all about us. We can present outward images to Him all day long and He is not fooled. Within our own hearts we are not fooled either. There is peace in living the truth for the person God made us to be. When we live our lives from the inside out we never have to remember how we presented ourselves in a previous situation trying to be the same each time. A relationship with Jesus is an honest internal transformation with consistent external implications. We are free to be the same person we really are because we trust a never changing God. There is peace living an honest and truthful life.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.
by Carol Roberts | Sep 15, 2015 | Salvation
Galatians 3:9 tells us that all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. God calls each of us to His Own purpose and His name will be glorified. We are not all called to leave our home and establish a nation like Abraham. However we are all called to do what we are gifted to do. As we follow the leading of our Lord in faith we can be assured to share in the same blessings of Abraham.
Deuteronomy 28: 1-6
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all His commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God:
Your towns and your fields will be blessed.
Your children and your crops will be blessed.
The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed.
Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed.
Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.
by Carol Roberts | Sep 14, 2015 | Hope
He remembers our prayers. He knows our hearts. His Name is glorified in all things. He never disgraces anyone who is waiting on Him to act. Weeks, months and years sometimes go by but God still remembers. He holds everything in His capable hands.
Psalm 90:4
A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.