by Carol Roberts | Oct 19, 2015 | Encouragement
There are times when prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling and hit us in the face. The feeling of being all alone is overwhelming. Not just one or two circumstances come from behind but numerous situations come to slap us in the face. One thing is bad enough but when it seems to be everything all at once, it’s more than what any person can bear.
It is understandable why Jesus would say, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” How lonely He must have felt when His friends were nowhere in sight. His mother was at the foot of the cross crying and His arms were not free to comfort her. His enemies laughed in His face. He even faced a separation from His Father to overcome death.
There is comfort knowing that Jesus understands when suddenly friends aren’t on terms and give no reason. When the boss yells at us and we feel our job is on the line, Jesus knows. When we stand up for what we know is right and many people rise up against us, Jesus protects. Sometimes many years pass by and we have matured yet the person knowing where we have been in life will not accept where we are now. Jesus is pleased with our obedience.
No parent would ever lead his child to the wilderness and just leave him there. They walk together. It’s the same with Jesus. He will never allow us to come across numerous hardships and just leave us there all by ourself. When we cannot see Him or feel His presence, He carries us on His shoulders. When we cannot seem to feel that our prayers are getting heard He has them clasped tightly in His hands. As Jesus walks through all this with us there is comfort knowing He sees the destination even when we cannot. Just one step at a time He directs where we place our next foot. He never leaves our side.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 18, 2015 | Hope
Above the door that brings you to the entry way of your beautiful home sits a wasp nest. You proceed with caution each time you come or go through the main door. That wasp nest is an obstacle. Even though there are ways to work around it, it is still a problem.
In order to eliminate the problem steps must be taken. Spray, broom sticks or garden hoses will eliminate the nest but not without a final fight from the wasps. They will swarm, sting, hum and anything else to make their presence known until finally they disappear.
It is the same way with prayer for people in our lives who make things difficult. You can continue to live around the obstacle or begin seeking God’s face in prayer. When prayer begins it is an almost guarantee the situation or person will become worse until they finally realize their battle has been lost. The biggest earthly asset you have during these times are people who will stand with you in prayer. There is great comfort knowing you are not alone. God will step in and rescue you in His perfect timing. What the devil intends for harm, God will turn it all around to be a witnessing tool for Him and a comfort to others.
Psalm 18:14-16
He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning He routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at Your rebuke, Lord, at the blast of breath from Your nostrils. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 17, 2015 | Encouragement
One of the most exciting things in life is to learn something about ourselves after reading God’s word. God will reveal something we did that pleases Him. Other times He will reveal something we need to change in order make the next step.
Whether He instructs us to change or tells us He is pleased, the results are the same. There is always the next step. There is always something to learn and always something to overcome. God uses us for His glory in the best ways possible when we allow Him. The more we allow Him, the more He will grow us. Until the day He comes for us we will keep returning to the potter’s wheel for more fine tuning. We are always a work in progress.
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 16, 2015 | Grief
It is perhaps the saddest time in our life when someone we love passes on. The empty rocking chair, the cheerful good mornings or the extended hand from one who has always comforted us is physically not here. There is no way to explain the void in our heart yet Jesus knows all things. Jesus understands. Jesus comforts.
It is through the love of Jesus Christ that not only can we experience His comfort today but we can look ahead knowing we will see that special someone again.
Imagine a beautiful tree with many branches then one branch dies and falls off. The empty place on the tree is obvious because that branch served an important purpose. Then suppose someone took that dead branch and was somehow able to make it sprout new life and grafted it onto a bigger and stronger tree. That dead branch has come to life again on a bigger and more beautiful tree that will never die.
To hear a story like this makes it all seem worthwhile for that branch and gives all branches a great future.
During our time on earth and in an earthly body we are appointed to die and after that eternity and judgement. Jesus assures us that our homes are not here and our true homes are with Him. There are no deaths, decay, sadness or disappointing memories in heaven. Our greatest comfort is the assurance that our loved ones and all believers in Jesus will be grafted onto the heavenly family tree that never dies.
While we are grieved beyond comprehension that a person close to our heart is gone from here, we can be assured that the day will come when we will join them. All of this is a reality when we trust Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
Philippians 3:20-21 New Living Translation
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 15, 2015 | Encouragement
Somebody gets a good job with a great boss, super benefits and lots of pay. It’s the type of job most people have always wanted. We wonder sometimes why that person can’t be us. People will say that the person who got the job was just at the right place at the right time. Maybe.
When Christ lives in us and through us, we are always at the right place at the right time. God has plans to use us in ways where others can know Him. He never leaves nor turns His back on us no matter what the circumstances. He takes care of all our needs.
The other person has this great job, but what is the main goal of that company? Do the works of that company bring any eternal value to the customer or employees? Earthly luxuries cannot be taken with us, only our souls and the love in our hearts.
Situations and circumstances for the believer are not always humanly desirable. Sometimes these circumstances can be almost unbearable, especially the ones involving treatment from people. However, Christ in us Who is also experiencing step by step what we are walking through, will guide and protect us. He can change any circumstance, heal any hurt and encourage any discouragement. His timing is always exact and He will move mountains when He is ready for us to move forward.
Trying to have things our own way may keep things moving and exciting but it’s not moving up. It’s just moving around. With Christ, together we continually step up to the highest blessings.
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.