by Carol Roberts | Aug 7, 2016 | Encouragement
At a grocery store it’s easy to go over budget. The total on the cash register keeps clicking up and a decision must be made to not buy a certain item. While trying to decide which item to leave off the person next in line hands a few dollars to the cashier to pay for the item. Only God can move on a heart in such a beautiful way.
Another example of God’s love through another person is when a good student is just a few points short of getting an A. He is always on time, turns in all his homework and participates in class. The teacher suddenly offers one extra chore to the student to guarantee an A.
If God can move on the hearts of ordinary people, how much more is the heart of God moved when a person asks for forgiveness. The greatest gift ever given is the gift of Jesus Christ. Not only did He provide forgiveness, He also provided access directly to God, fellowship through prayer and attention to prayer requests. God understands all things because He is all things. There is no greater love than God’s love through Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:31-32
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?
by Carol Roberts | Aug 6, 2016 | Encouragement
PEOPLE JUDGE TOO QUICKLY
It’s amazing how the only thing that gets noticed is a word spelled incorrectly in a beautiful manuscript. There are times a choir can spend hours rehearsing yet when the presentation is over someone can comment on the tenor who missed one note.
There are parents who mention the one B on a report card yet no attention is given to the A grades. Things these days are totally opposite of what they should be. Recognition is given to all that is wrong. People who rob banks get more press than the winner in a special olympic game.
Could all this be happening because of an emptiness within the human heart? Many people want no part of God, yet God is the only One who can fill an empty heart. It serves no purpose to put others down yet it makes a positive difference when positive things are noticed in another person.
When people notice that a person is angry, dishonest or deceitful yet do not notice when that person is crying, something is missing.
God calls us to love one another. God will deal with the micromanagement and judging of others because God sees everyone’s heart.
Jeremiah 17:10
But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.
by Carol Roberts | Aug 5, 2016 | Encouragement
Only God truly knows the heart of another person. Many times a person’s actions are a reaction to hurt or joy they are experiencing but doesn’t represent who they really are. We are instructed to respond in love to all people.
Sometimes love means having to politely walk away in order to prevent them or us from getting into an unfortunate situation. Other times it means to cling to God while sticking with a person who is struggling to get back on his feet.
Only God can truly judge. Only the Holy Spirit can convict a heart. Only Jesus can save. God will return to us the love we give away to others.
Luke 6:37-38
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
by Carol Roberts | Aug 3, 2016 | Hope
In order to pave a a pathway to a destination there must first be a lot of digging. Debris, underbrush and rocks must be pulled out. Next comes the chopping of large trees and stump pulling. The pathway may look clear but next comes the scraping then the pouring of hot tar and pavement. Only then can the ride to the destination be smooth.
With us it’s a continuous breaking of habits. People and things are removed from our lives. Obstacles are continually slowing us up. These type things cause a lot of emotional pain and discouragement but it is also a reason to be thankful.
God is continually at work growing us in His grace and His likeness. Whether we are being uprooted, pounded, scraped or burned in life, God is working. We will arrive at God’s perfect destination as long as we allow Him to work. He will reward us as we continue His path in ways that are very beautiful. He will walk with us and answer our prayers.
Jeremiah 32:27
I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?
by Carol Roberts | Aug 2, 2016 | Encouragement
The Bible says in Luke 17:14 When He saw them, (referring to the ten lepers who wanted to be healed) He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As as they went, they were made clean. When Jesus instructed them to show themselves to the priest they were not instantly healed. They were told to go. Only one went and was healed on the way.
When we don’t see the answer unfolded it doesn’t mean God has not answered. One of the main causes of unanswered prayer is the fact some of us are afraid to move ahead trusting the answer will meet us.
It is not what things look like, feel like or seem to be that should determine how we approach the situation. It’s believing God has gone before us and will go with us as we step forward. The first step is a change of attitude within us from unbelieving to a cheerful heart. Even if there is no noticeable change right away, God is still in control. God never disgraces anyone who is trusting Him to act.
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.