by Carol Roberts | Jan 28, 2016 | Love
Growing in faith means challenges that will make us strong. It’s easy to trust when things going on all around us are working out. A steady job with good pay gives a sense of comfort. Things seem stable when the boss is easy to get along with and there are always friends to go out with. There are added luxuries such as a car that is reliable and all the bills are paid. A nice home becomes a show place for visitors and entertaining guests. Sometimes the hardest times to pray, read the Bible or trust God are the times when things on this earth are all under control.
God loves all of us enough to want to keep us in His presence. God’s absolute best for us are the things He keeps in heaven and nothing we own here on earth counts for anything. He loves us so much He gave his life and He will do anything to hold on to us. Little by little it is almost like a moth at night that starts to eat away at our material things. At first we don’t even notice because we have so much that when one small thing doesn’t work out it doesn’t matter.
There will be a day when we will need that friend we shunned or that old vehicle in the garage we put away when better came along. The job will suddenly be uncertain or a mean boss will be the new boss. The elderly lady who always prayed cannot be reached. It’s been months and years since giving the praying lady even a call or a hello. When she is found, it is discovered she has dementia and cannot communicate effectively anymore. The grief from knowing a great comforting relationship with her is fading away. When we look at all the material things and people where trust was placed it’s like life has become a field of weeds. The prayer that is so badly needed from the elderly lady is the last fading hope.
When trust is placed only in things of this world, disappointment is the next step. Many times God will allow circumstances in order to bring us back around the His best. To trust in all things is to trust God for all things and not the things themselves. When we have God, we have it all. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness and He will supply all needs.
Colossians 2:5
For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
by Carol Roberts | Jan 28, 2016 | Love
It’s easy to recognize when we are loved. We are accepted for who we are even through mistakes happen. We are greeted with a smile and kindness that radiates a spirit that brings comfort. This same love will sometimes give a firm rebuke to get us back on the right track, but there is still peace we have not lost that person’s love.
There are others who love us but for many reasons they do not know how to show it. These people have been disappointed along the way for various reasons. One of many examples is when an illusion of love has been given to these people when they were never loved. They trusted in this love then it became a harsh reality that it never existed. These people want to show us that they love us but they do not know how. They have been disappointed and are afraid they may be passing along a hurt instead of a genuine display of love. It’s hard for those people to demonstrate something they have never experienced.
We never know what makes another person act the way they do, therefore it’s important to love all people. God loves all people the same and taking steps of obedience to the things He tells us to do is always the right way to show love.
2 John 1:6
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.
by Carol Roberts | Jan 26, 2016 | Encouragement
God’s mightiest works are done during the darkest storms. Grief, discouragement, brokenness, hopelessness and all other difficulties are God’s greatest opportunities to show His hand. When we do not see Him or feel Him we trust Him. Faith pleases God and we know that during the times we cannot see Him it’s because He is in the storm itself. He prepares the way as we build our faith in Him. Our greatest weaknesses are His greatest strengths. There is nothing for Him to demonstrate if there are no storms. God has plans in all things.
Psalm 107:28-30
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven.
by Carol Roberts | Jan 26, 2016 | Love
There is always a reason to praise God. No matter what the circumstances, looking around us there is at least one thing that is going right. Reading this is proof God gave yet another day. He gave the ability to read and understand. He gave sight and feeling. He gave His life.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.
by Carol Roberts | Jan 25, 2016 | Hope
There are deep valleys in life but by far discouragement is the devil’s biggest tool. Hopes are dashed when things we work hard for are taken away and the goal is no longer available. A relationship where we have invested years of prayer and support suddenly is no longer because the person chooses the world and turns on us. Efforts to prepare and polish talents for a program become a slap in the face when the format does not need a particular skill or talent.
These discouragements are painful and damaging because hopes are dashed. Dashed hopes make the heart sick. There are many ways to be discouraged and many circumstances but the one thing they all have in common is the devil is the author. Through Jesus Christ, all battles have been won. No matter how big the battle, through prayer God will make known to us His victories in due time. What He did for Jehoshaphat He will do for all of us in each circumstance if we only trust.
2 Chronicles 20:15-17
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
