by Carol Roberts | Oct 31, 2015 | Encouragement
We sometimes wish we could take back the words we say to people, oh, if we only could. A glass of milk gets spilled. Even if we picked up the table cloth to squeeze it back into the glass and mop up every last drop that hit the floor we can never get it all back. The souring smell that lasts for days is still there. No matter how many times we mop the damage is done.
As humans we concentrate so much on what not to say that after a while those “not to say” thoughts get embedded into our hearts. When provoked to anger, out comes all the “not to say” words. Even the Bible in the book of James states that taming a wild animal is easier than the tongue.
James 3:7-8 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
There’s hope. God does not abandon us to deal with our own words. Only God can control a tongue. There are some valuable steps to take that can help. The most essential step is for us to accept Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives. Yes, this includes the tongue, desires and our whole being. As we allow God’s thoughts to be ours, the words that come from our mouths will become more like Christ. The next step is to confess to God that His divine understanding and help with self control is essential. Once we acknowledge God can do all things He will assist us by sending quick convictions to our hearts. Immediately before speaking damaging words there will be a tugging at the heart saying wait.
Silence can be our greatest defense. Proverbs 17:28 tells us Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. As we train ourselves to listen to that tugging then to obey it we are heading in the right direction. Changing what is in our hearts to what God wants it to be is the key. Listening to God and obeying what He puts on our heart prevents a multitude of blunders.
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 29, 2015 | Love
Not many people want gray hair. However when we go through hard times, a gray haired person is one who is sought after the most. These are people who have had life’s experiences both good and bad. They have overcome, avoided and even walked through many difficulties and are alive to tell about it. They can tell you step by step how to avoid things that end in serious consequences. They can explain in full detail what they experienced as a result of wrong decisions. They can tell you that if they had it to do all over again they would not even attempt to do certain things.
The most precious thing they possess is the knowledge of love and being loved. They will give prayers, loving advice and many hours of time that can provide a lifetime of right decisions for younger people.
Proverbs 16:31 tells us gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
When people are young and know everything, there is one thing most people don’t know. The value of being loved is the most overlooked thing of young people.
Sure, they know they are loved and experience peace in the assurance that an older person loves them. As days go by and the younger person continues to receive gifts, letters, calls and encouragement from an older person, that older person sits wanting just a little time, even a kind hello. Then one day comes when the young person realizes the value of being loved. That older person that tucked the young person under their wing may not be there or too feeble to be able to know anything.
Even just a simple hello means more than any young person may know. For those who have gray hair and give their hearts to younger people, God sees them. For those who freely give their love and are continually overlooked, God holds them in His loving arms. No matter what age, we are still God’s children and He still rocks us in His rocking chair. God knows.
Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 29, 2015 | Grief
When reunions are planned things get exciting. People cook, make decorations, send invitations and talk about what it will be like to see relatives again. Some people haven’t been seen in years that will be attending. Others will bring their new babies and spouses. What a great day that will be.
There is another reunion in heaven at our Lord’s feast. People are busy cleaning up old habits, serving at the church and encouraging others to know Jesus Christ. There will be God’s family members already there who have been in heaven for a long time. There will be new babies (young and old) that have just accepted Christ as their savior.
There are still others for whom we anxiously wait for the RSVP to God’s invitation to accept Christ and become part of God’s loving family. What a day of rejoicing that will be.
In this day and time numerous people are walking through difficult times. During these times and the waiting period for God’s answers we have God’s best to look forward to. Heaven is a million times greater than coming home to baking brownies in a hot oven after a cold bad day at school. We have everything to look forward to. God said so.
John 14:1-3
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 27, 2015 | Encouragement
Our ways of thinking do not even compare to God’s. Sometimes we listen while a friend talks about a hardship day after day. They pray, cry, talk, try to stay busy and they still need someone to hear them. It happens with us too sometimes when we need to pray, cry, talk and stay busy trying to find peace in a situation that has hurt us deeply. A famous answer is time heals. That may or may not be true. Many times time creates an even bigger need for a resolution.
God has all the answers. He sees and understands everything we have ever experienced. The comforting thing is He experiences everything along with us. He is there when we are rejected. He is there when we are misunderstood. He is there when words come out wrong and a friend chooses to walk away for good. He is there when we watch while our offenders seem to prosper while we still sit wondering if He has totally forgotten.
During these times when we don’t see God anywhere in sight and we feel so very alone are the times He carries us in His arms. Suddenly a day will come when He reveals His finished answer. It’s more beautiful than anything we ever expected. It’s worth twice the wait and twice the hurts to relive that special answer from God. There is great encouragement knowing God is not finished yet. He has not forgotten and He will never forsake us.
Isaiah 40:28-29
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 26, 2015 | Hope
Lord, I place in Your hands the months and years of things prayed for that are yet to work out. I thank You, Lord for seeing each tear drop that falls during my prayer time. I appreciate the many times You stand with me as I wait and see no results. I am grateful for your presence as I listen to people tell me to give up and go on. I give you all my hopes and dreams that are shattered.
The things I have tried to do in my own ways and own efforts have brought only temporary results at best because they were my ways and not Your ways. I understand that my own efforts bring attention to self centeredness and not to Your glory.
I focus now on all You have done and all You are to me. I realize that I deserve nothing more if I never take time to acknowledge the countless things you have already done for me. You are my God. You are my Lord and Savior. You are Jesus. Whether You choose to change my hopes or grant my petitions is totally Your choice. You know the glorious future and You are worthy of all praise.
Thank you, Jesus, for Who You Are.
2 Corinthians 4:18 New Living Translation
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.
For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
