by Carol Roberts | Aug 25, 2016 | Salvation
Our Lord sends many beautiful examples here on earth to enjoy. These are examples of His greatness, love and understanding. God has ways of letting us know His presence in many of the simple things in life.
When we witness the sun and moon each day, we can be assured that God is dependable. He is always on time with days, nights and seasons. When storms come in life there are times we can see a beautiful rainbow which is a sign of a promise He made from the beginning of time during the flood.
When the winds of life come it can be compared to the fall and spring winds. The tree leaves rustle giving a sign that they are responding to God’s winds in thankfulness. There are deep hurts that go deeper than any ocean in life. The waters of the ocean waves are very high when things are disturbed far beneath the shore. All things point to God and the love of Jesus Christ. He has all answers. He is the source of our strength. The love of Jesus Christ leaves no excuses to not reach for Him in all things.
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 24, 2016 | Salvation
People sometimes judge a man on his looks. A tall man is associated with strong character. A rugged man is looked upon as a defender. A handsome man can many times be viewed as an idol. These bodies are temporary. It is the spirit that spends an eternity in heaven or hell.
God judges a man by how much he accepts God’s love in Jesus Christ. It’s not about looks at all but the heart.
1 John 4:8
But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 23, 2016 | Love
It’s amazing how jealous we can become when we compare our wardrobe to a rich lady’s. Anger sometimes takes over when we watch the neighbor’s boy hit a home run at a softball game while our boy strikes out. When a less deserving person gets a job promotion because they are friends with the owner the resentment can flare up inside.
Life is not fair. It can be one disappointment after another and if we are not careful sinful feelings can grow within our hearts.
As we live each day for Christ and grow into His likeness we can find fulfillment in His peace. Our ultimate goal is to hear the most sought after words ever created by God Himself. When we hear Him say to us, “Well done my faithful servant,” it far surpasses even the greatest earthly gain.
Psalm 119:5-7
Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect Your decrees!
Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with Your commands.
As I learn Your righteous regulations, I will thank You by living as I should!
by Carol Roberts | Aug 22, 2016 | Encouragement
It seems during our lifetimes we all encounter a bully or two. There are bullies who feel the need to beat up on others with their fists. Other bullies are capable of reducing people to serious humility and embarrassment with harsh words.
The size and strength of a bully is only as strong as they are. Their need to hang superior over others is all there is for them. They leave no hidden secrets other than their insecurities.
A praying person is backed by the strength of Almighty God. A praying person may seem weak compared to a bully but there becomes a day when God stands up. Hidden deep within the hearts of a person who is trusting Jesus in a tough situation is an endless source of power. It’s amazing how God handles these type situations. People move away, get transferred, get sick, become nice and the list goes on. God has no limits.
James 5:16
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 20, 2016 | Encouragement
Jesus tells us to forgive every single time. Does a person have to come to us and ask for forgiveness for us to forgive? No. While on the cross Jesus forgave those who were mocking Him and gambling away His clothes. None of those people asked. There was one man who asked and Jesus told him that he would be in paradise with Him that day.
Therefore it is not unreasonable that Jesus tell us we are to forgive every time. He never promised life would be easy or free from disappointment. He just said forgive.
Some of the hardest things to turn over to God are the things where a person has no remorse. There are thieves and murderers that seem to get by but they have not faced God yet. Emotional hurts are extremely difficult to turn over to God because it damages the heart. We have a tendency to want to keep making efforts to mend what is wrong.
There are people who teach in schools not only showing how to do math or science but also to lead students to a right path. No matter how great the teacher, the response is up to the student. It is very heart breaking and disrespectful to a teacher when a student chooses a wrong path. There are elderly people who will spend time praying and tucking a young person under their wing mentoring them to a productive way of living. To that mentor it is very crushing for that young person to act like things are progressing yet choosing a wrong path behind their backs. When the truth comes out it can be almost debilitating to that mentor because he believed in that young person the whole time he was being betrayed.
How do these teachers and mentors and even parents get through these disappointments and move forward? There is a word that Jesus uses often called grace. His grace is enough for all things. If anyone understands, Jesus does. His arm is never too short to reach us. His rocking chair is never too small for us to sit in His lap to be rocked. His door never shuts and His ears always hear. When we walk through times when graces does not seem to be enough, can we ask God for more grace? Absolutely. God is waiting to give us all we need.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.