by Carol Roberts | Mar 24, 2016 | Encouragement
A haystack doesn’t have to be very big to hide a needle. It’s the same with the desires of the world that crowd out the will of God.
The devil is famous for making things extremely attractive to lure people away from God’s will. The devil is patient and he will be back. Just one small temptation at a time over and over is his most successful tactic. The temptations will be so enchanting that it becomes difficult to want to walk away. Then there becomes the day when all the cares of the world come to a consequence too big to handle. There is a lot of confusion wanting to know what God desires and wanting to handle things the world’s way.
Jesus gives us the authority to rebuke the devil and he has to flee. When the devil is rebuked and out of the way things become clear. To clearly understand the instructions of God means to remove the things that are not of God.
Ephesians 5:10-11
Learn as you go along what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless pleasures of evil and darkness, but instead, rebuke and expose them.
by Carol Roberts | Mar 23, 2016 | Encouragement
We can never outguess God. When we present a petition to Him, sometimes it’s best not to think about all the possible outcomes. Just as sure as we are expecting a big blue packaged answer on the left we could easily miss the bigger red one on the right.
Putting our needs and desires into the hands of God means to allow Him to work out all things in His timing and His way. He will do the work.
Ephesians 3:20
Now glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.
by Carol Roberts | Mar 22, 2016 | Salvation
There is one thing for certain and that is God is true to His word. People, places and things will let us down. Clinging to the truth which never changes will help us through even the most painful disappointments. With all eyes on Jesus, He will keep His eyes on all that concerns us.
Isaiah 45:22-23
Let all the world look to Me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by Myself, and I will never go back on My word, for it is true—that every knee in all the world shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall swear allegiance to My Name.
by Carol Roberts | Mar 21, 2016 | Hope
God can only fill a cup that has room for His outpouring of blessings. The emptier the cup, the more room for blessings. As long as people have things under control and everything is going right for them He will allow them to continue. It may appear that everything falls into place for them but when challenges of life happen they are caught off guard and unprepared. Those who present him with a cup to fill will get God’s best. God will continue to take care of all needs. He is the source of all solutions.
Isaiah 41:17-20
The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.
I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together,
so that people may see and know, may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
by Carol Roberts | Mar 20, 2016 | Encouragement
There are times when it seems the whole world is against us. If it isn’t one thing it’s another. Just to see another person smile would be a big help but even the most friendly person seems troubled.
The devil is on the war path at all times and his techniques work like yeast in dough. If he can just make that one certain person unhappy they will spread the mood. The devil does not rest until he has done his evil deed for the day. The devil lies and discourages in all things. What seems like a good idea is just a trap.
The devil still has to get God’s permission to do his deeds of destruction. Job was a terrific warrior for God yet the devil had to approach God for permission to do his destruction. God will always reward with much greater than that which has been taken away.
During these times when there is no way to carry the weight of our problems on our shoulders, God is there to carry the burden for us. Sometimes the devil will lie by trying to make us believe that if we are not carrying the burden, God has forgotten. That is one of the biggest lies he tells.
The foot of the cross has room for anybody who wants to come and sit. As we acknowledge God first as Father the focus becomes on God and not the problem. There is no time limit of how long we can remain at the foot of the cross. To give God thanks for His divine solution, no matter how big the situation, is to acknowledge Him as the Almighty God. We can then calmly wait to see what He is about to do.
Psalm 23: 1-3
The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for His name’s sake.