by Carol Roberts | Oct 25, 2015 | Hope
The love of Jesus Christ protects us in all things. The things going on around us never changes that which is within us. Jesus is all things, even what we cannot be.
During the blistering summer heat of trials that seem to never end He is an umbrella of shade.
During the flooding rains of broken dreams and discouragements He is a protective loving home.
During the waves of changes in life He is a barrier shield.
During the cold winters of failed relationships He is a warm fire in a cozy den.
The protection of the mighty, yet gentle wings of our Lord keeps us wrapped in His loving arms.
Psalm 57:1-3
Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in You I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
I cry out to God Most High, to God, Who vindicates me.
He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me—
God sends forth His love and his faithfulness.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 24, 2015 | Friendship
In Christ we are never alone. No matter how dark the night, His light shines above. No matter how much we cannot see His hand, He sees from a heavenly view. No matter how long without hearing a word of encouragement, His words never fail. No matter how alone we may feel, He has never left us.
It’s the times He does everything for us and has everything in His control, we do not see, feel or hear Him. His greatest works are the done during the times we are totally out of control of things and He has it all. We are always protected, supported and loved by our Heavenly Father. All good things are being prepared.
Psalm 94:18-19
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 22, 2015 | Love
There is a saying that the more you love the more it hurts when love is not returned. The more somebody loves, the more of himself he gives. When it is not returned it leaves a void. There is a feeling like something is missing because part of yourself has been given up as an investment in the other person.
Human emotions can be very painful and confusing. Rejection is by far the most painful emotion to endure. It attacks the very person you are. There are friends who have been in your life for many years. Suddenly they no longer want to have anything to do with you. There are people we mentor for a large portion of our lives and they go in a wrong direction dismissing you like a job pink slip. There are people you have stood with through thick and thin in prayer and when the need is gone they don’t even call your name anymore. The results are always the same, pain. The gut wrenching void and grief can be unbearable.
The love of God through Jesus Christ is perfect. He hurts daily. When He loves us enough to give His whole life, He is grieved beyond anything we can know when one chooses to die and not accept Him. Those goodbyes are forever. Daily, there are people who shun Him, pass Him off in conversation like He is nothing and say He means nothing to them. However He still forgives and lays down His life for all people.
When we love people through Christ we give away His love when we expect no love in return. This way He takes the rejection upon Himself and makes the hurts more endurable. When we give freely, expecting nothing in return, then even a smile from someone is a big victory. Even the smallest thing in return is a huge gain when nothing is expected.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 21, 2015 | Encouragement
Have you ever tried to water your garden with a hose full of holes? It’s not a very powerful stream. It takes much longer to water and more effort to walk around to each section just to reach it.
How about prayer? Are your prayers reaching God with the greatest power? Is it taking longer to feel you are heard?
For each person you forgive or each sin you confess and repent is one more leak plugged in your prayer hose.
Think about it.
Mark 11:24-25 New Living Translation
I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 20, 2015 | Love
In our greatest weakness, Christ is the strongest. Our weakness leaves more room for His strength. Only an empty pot can be filled. Only those who give room for God to work will see the results.
Those who have everything under control and leave no room for guidance from our Lord will sooner or later see an obstacle they will not know how to handle.
During our weakest points are the choicest times to trust God to fill us. A song we learned as young children teaches a lesson that we can carry with us for life.
Jesus loves me—this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong—
They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
2 Corinthians 13:4-5
For to be sure, He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him in our dealing with you. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?