by Carol Roberts | Aug 12, 2016 | Salvation
It would take a book larger than the world to explain just one second in heaven. There are things on this earth such as beautiful mountains, sunsets and streams that can be above anything we can explain.
We can sit for hours and explain an awesome scene. There is beauty in a sunset that cannot be recreated on canvas because there are no paints to perfectly match the brilliance. There are only certain machines that can reach the ocean floor but it is impossible to get the full scope of things. This includes even the things within a mile of where the machine touches down. Snow covered mountains that reflect the sun rays of heaven cannot be explained in human words. There is no comparison to the heavenly beauty.
If we could explain heaven in earthly terms to include all words of brilliance and glory, it would be like a thimble full of ocean water compared to the full ocean.
Proverbs 30:4
Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is His name—and His Son’s name?
Tell me if you know!
by Carol Roberts | Aug 12, 2016 | Hope
FADED COLORS OF HARDSHIPS
Many are the afflictions of the righteous but God delivers us out of them ALL. Before the beginning of time God knew each day of our lives and the blessings and troubles to come. Each hardship is replaced with a heavenly solution from the throne room of God. In order to receive the solution we must trust. That’s all, just trust in God.
For each hardship that strikes leaving us feeling as dark as pitch, God sends His heavenly moonlight where we can place our focus. For each red alert emergency in life God sends a beautiful red rose representing peace that rises above a stem of thorns. For each time we are blue from sadness where things do not work out He sends a cloudless blue sky that allows warm sunshine. When the storms of life are too many to count and too strong to sort out He sends a rainbow of colorful promises and hope.
When we seek God in all situations He will be found. He surrounds us in His own beauty when we wear His robe of protection.
Job 38:14
As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 11, 2016 | Love
For each time we are there for another person we are living out God’s word. Every prayer, every kind word and every act of encouragement are examples of God’s word in action.
We have all met people who are walkie talkies. They are always talking a good talk with words of advice yet we see them do very little to show they live their own advice. When we need a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on these walkie talkies are always too busy to listen.
A good soldier of Christ is an action figure. These soldiers are always doing, listening and understanding yet they say very little. These are the people who allow God to speak and act through them.
A very good friend put things very beautifully when he spoke at his dad’s memorial service. We are to live Christ 24/7 and if need be throw in a few words.
James 1:22
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
(This daily thought is dedicated to the honor and memory of Bill Tinker)
by Carol Roberts | Aug 10, 2016 | Encouragement
It makes sense that the biggest blessings come from serving others. As we serve we learn many of the fine details involved in making something happen. It’s the same with God. When we pray, study the Bible, listen for His voice and obey His leading we start to see the inner workings of a blessing being made.
Sometimes when we don’t see answers to prayers right away it means God is revealing delicate details that otherwise we would not see. Once He reveals His answer we can understand and appreciate more what all went into it.
God gives us a prime example when the host ran out of wine at the wedding feast. Most people didn’t understand what all was involved in getting the wine for their glasses. They just knew the wine was there. Only the ones who served by filling the jars with water appreciated the miracle of Jesus turning the water into wine.
It’s an honor to be the person who is recognized having a position of prestige. It’s an even greater honor to serve where the reward is wisdom and knowledge where we can appreciate it all.
John 2:6-8
Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, He said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed His instructions.
When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 9, 2016 | Love
There can sometimes be people in our lives that are extremely difficult to face. We would have more peace face to face with a cobra than a person who always brings us to emotional despair. When we are in a job, school or a situation that puts us continually in the presence of such a person it’s easy for the focus to become more on that person than even God.
There are nights where we cannot sleep because our thoughts go round and round trying to think up ways to make some sort of peace with that person. It’s almost impossible to not wish bad things to happen to him as a payback for all he has done to us.
Jesus, Himself, has the perfect solution which is to pray blessings upon this person. That in itself is very difficult because it means to be ok with praying this person will prosper and be happy while we are hurting over him.
What is the lesson here? Could it be God is testing us to see which we will choose, whether it be to trust God or to hang on to pride.
Pride retaliates. Love reaches out.
Irritating and spiteful people are often deeply hurt and their habits are an outlet to find some type of relief. When a person is blessed, they become peaceful and happy. A peaceful and happy person will no longer have a need to vent. A blessed person is more equipped to love.
Results could take years to see but God rewards obedience. If our enemy gets a sudden promotion while we are left on a lower rung of the corporate ladder, that’s God’s business. If our enemy continues to show no improvement even after a decade of prayers, that’s still God’s business. God has called us to love and to understand. As we show agape love toward this person, God is showing supernatural heavenly love back to us that we will enjoy for eternity.
Romans 12:20-21
Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.