by Carol Roberts | Oct 14, 2015 | Encouragement
Jesus is worthy to be praised in all things. As we walk the path of righteousness there will be opposition. That is a fact of life. Most people never realize when they have offended another person yet there are those who purposely set up a trap for another.
While it is difficult not to get on the phone or go to a friend to discuss the hurts, another response is to acknowledge that God allows all things for a purpose. After being hurt by someone, the first word that we should speak is “Father.” Whether it is to say, “Father forgive them, Father help me to see why or Father keep me in your arms,” it gives authority back to God and puts Him first.
There is no doubt the hurt is real and there is no doubt God knows all the details. However focusing on His divine answers instead of the situation is pleasing to God. Heaven holds all the answers waiting to be sent when we turn the situation over to Him. God will then expose what needs to be exposed, change what needs to be changed and punish what needs to be punished.
Ephesians 5:12-14
It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
by Carol Roberts | Oct 13, 2015 | Encouragement
The fact is most of us suffer from the MMI Syndrome, me, myself and I. As we grow into the likeness of Christ one of the first things we learn is how bad this syndrome can be.
There are advertisements on TV and radio that feed this self addiction yet they never tell the consequences involved. There are lawyers who promise settlements large enough to retire yet the person being sued is devastated for life. There are alterations to looks that promise to make beauty queens out of even the oldest person but they don’t tell you the results are temporary. There are instant credit services that loan more money to people so far in debt they cannot catch up. They make the fine print so small that people can’t see the interest rate is more than a hundred percent.
MMI Syndrome comes with a price, depending on the seriousness of the addiction.
In addition to being rich or having a fantastic body there are people so addicted that if they are not the center of attention with everybody in all situations they will become depressed and in some cases withdraw from society. People will reach out trying to encourage this person which gives only an inch when they feel they need a mile. These MMI addictions require more and more in order to get a fix. Over a period of time the attention that is craved the most is gone. People cannot meet the growing demands of one who is a narcissist spirit or addicted to himself. No amount of money, good looks or fame can fill the Christ shaped void in a person’s life. Only Christ can fill it.
Jesus knew exactly what He was doing when He told His disciples to follow Him and remain focused. The greatest love is that which Jesus gives. Jesus gives and He requires nothing except to accept His love. The greatest excitement and fulfillment the disciples received was when they were spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and numerous people were saved. The greatest healing for our MMI Syndrome is to accept the genuine love of Christ and start giving it out to others. When our Christ shaped void is filled by Christ then even the smallest acknowledgement from another human becomes a bonus and not a requirement to have peace.
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me.”
by Carol Roberts | Oct 12, 2015 | Encouragement
People will not always respond like they should. Sometimes they will be totally mean in return for kindness. We do not have to keep a list. We do not have to get even. God notices. Proverbs 17:13 states that if you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.
Prayer for evil doers is the best thing we can do. God will take care of those people in His Own timing and His Own way. However, He will take care of us in His Own timing and His Own way based on our response to the evil done to us.
The decision is ours. Do we plot evil against the ones who wronged us? Do we lift them up in prayer asking God to make them more into the likeness of Christ so they can be a better blessing to others?
Luke 6:37
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 12, 2015 | Hope
Sometimes the greatest praise to God is to stand silently. Even in silence He hears us. He knows. We do not have to always explain things to Him. He just knows.
Habakkuk 2:20
But the Lord is in His holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 10, 2015 | Salvation
The world consists of many roads but when traveling there is only one destination. In order to get to the designated place certain roads must be traveled. The way to the destination may not be the most scenic. The particular choice of a vehicle may not be the one that can travel rocky, hilly roads the best.
Remaining in the will of God may mean choosing friends, mentors, teachers and houses of worship that support efforts to please God. The Holy Bible has all the answers. Jesus loves us enough to die so we can spend an eternity in His house. Any person, place or thing that points another direction, no matter how cool it may be will end in disappointment. Jesus saves. Jesus is the destination. Jesus is the answer to all things, even when we may not see His hand. His ways are above and beyond ours.
Isaiah 55:6-8
Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,”
declares the Lord.