by Carol Roberts | Mar 19, 2016 | Salvation
The most unpopular word in the dictionary today is the word, repent. Yet to repent to God will save a soul. Sin is sin, no matter what politically correct calls it.
In this world today, everything is acceptable even though it is not. Things have progressed to the point where there is no remorse for things done that are obviously wrong. Wrong doings and sin have been covered over by acceptance. No matter how much it is covered, the day of accountability is coming and this is what people do not tell. Politically correctness comes with a price.
In today’s world, repent is not cool. It does not fit. It may make someone feel uncomfortable or offend someone. However to repent is far easier and quicker than a life time of effort covering over something that needs to be addressed. Sin can be dealt with and taken totally away through Jesus Christ. All other efforts to make sin ok is a total waste of time, energy and life.
Jesus is the way.
2 Corinthians 7:10-11
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
by Carol Roberts | Mar 18, 2016 | Love
Has it ever been that you had a conversation with someone then realized they were not on speaking terms? You just spent several minutes asking how they were doing, telling them about your day then waited to hear how their day was going. No response, no eye contact. How embarrassing those moments are in life.
You spend time afterwards wondering what transpired to earn that lack of response. You try asking but get more of the same, nothing. Later you notice that same person is smiling and enjoying company with your friends and others while still shunning you. It’s as though your own friends are being sharpened as knives to stab your own heart.
This type thing happens more often than we realize. When there is nothing that is due an apology or any other type of amends yet the situation is unbearable it’s time to do what comes hardest, wait. There are many reasons that would cause a person to behave like that, but most of the time it is something within their own heart they do not like about themselves. Our presence is a reminder of things they do not like about their habits, shortcomings or disappointments.
There may be a day when that person will speak again, but what about the damage done? Your trust for them is no longer solid and the feelings of uncertainty is very real. Moments like these in life can never be taken back and done over again but we can still love through prayer and understanding. Prayer is the best way to love someone even when that someone is unapproachable. Only God knows what is in a person’s heart that would cause such a division but God loves them. Why shouldn’t we love them too?
How many times have we shunned God when we knew things were not right in our hearts? Did God offend us or do anything wrong toward us? No. Yet He loves us anyway. We should do the same for those who hurt us. We may not understand but God does. God will speak to all hearts.
Mark 12:30-31
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.
by Carol Roberts | Mar 17, 2016 | Encouragement
It is said that company that stays too long wears out their welcome. This may or may not be true, depending on the people and their customs. Each circumstance is different.
Sometimes children hesitate to come to a parent one more time with a failing mark on a report card because it has been said so many times before. Each circumstance is different.
There are times people will pray for years then one day feel God has become tired of them asking so often and for so long. Each circumstance is different.
While every circumstance has different reasons for happening, the door of love is open at all time. It doesn’t matter how a person arrives at a situation or how many times, God’s welcoming arms are always open.
He never gets tired of hearing from His people. Whether He is approached about a situation one time or the same situation over and over for years, He understands. He never forgets. He never gets tired.
Isaiah 40:28-29
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
by Carol Roberts | Mar 16, 2016 | Love
When serving dinner at homeless shelters, workers provide for all who come. Some of the people are homeless because of circumstances beyond their control. Many are searching for truth, friendships, understanding or maybe just a smile. Some people come, not specifically for dinner but more out of loneliness. Just the sight of another human being is the highlight of some people’s lives. There are even some coming just for a free dinner. Others are running away from things in life they do not understand.
What ever the reason a person attends, God loves them all. God does not discriminate when it comes to giving out love. Eternal life is for any who will accept it. Therefore it is not up to any person to question why another person attends an outreach. Love is free. Pass it on. His light shines in all things.
Acts 15:8-9
God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith.
by Carol Roberts | Mar 15, 2016 | Friendship
There are friends who are there for the moment. Once the purpose is fulfilled there is a chance that particular friend will go his own way never to be seen or heard from again. This could be the person who said the right thing at the right time bringing many to Christ.
There are friends who are neighbors. They are always there when called upon to pitch in during a crisis and the favor is returned.
There are friends who stick closer than a brother. Many dark secrets are shared including many tears and that friend is still there. What was said in the dark to that person will be carried to his grave. He is a bosom buddy and a true accountability partner in life.
There is a best friend. His name is Jesus. True, Jesus has many friends but none like you. You are unique, made in His image for an exclusive purpose. The moments shared in the Bible or on a long walk seeking His face in critical situations are unlike that of Jesus with any other person. He keeps all things private between you and Him. Times of grief, loneliness, disappointments, misunderstandings, temptations or wrong choices He never leaves. He understands, He loves, He listens, He holds your hand and He shows the way. The pathway He lights is one tailor made for you.
Sometimes it is easy to get focused on another man’s path and what is or is not working for him but God’s relationship with that man is very personal, just like yours is to Jesus. You and Jesus are in this life together until you arrive at the glorious destination He prepared exclusively for you, not your neighbor. Sure, your neighbor’s destination will be glorious also, but his destination fits everything God made him to be. Your destination fits everything God made you to be. Jealousy is not an option because even if you got everything your neighbor has, it would not fit.
John 21:21-23
When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me. Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”