by Carol Roberts | May 23, 2017 | Hope
Over and over in life we are pushed out of our comfort zones. Things work out differently than what we expect and we are left with a feeling of despair. Friends turn on us for no reason. One who befriended us suddenly cools and we do not know why. It creates an uncertainty and sadness. Knowing how to play music or a certain sport and being confident with skills suddenly becomes a worst nightmare when the performance is a total disaster. We are left with a feeling of not wanting to participate again.
There are numerous things that come our way that take away all confidence in our abilities. It’s during these times we worship. We seek God and His answer is always the same, do not be afraid and trust Him.
No matter what becomes a point of uncertainty in life we can trust that the promise of God is with us because the promise of God is in us. We have not lost that promise because He is the same today as He was Yesterday and He will always be unchanging. We can count on God.
Hebrews 13:8-9a New Living Translation
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace,
by Carol Roberts | May 22, 2017 | Love
Jesus is referred to as the Good Shepherd and also the Lamb of God. In many cultures a shepherd is regarded as a low paying occupation and thought of as lowly. It’s amazing how God can take the least of all things and make them the greatest.
It is at the lowest point in our lives that God reminds us of who we are and Who He Is. God raises us up in His way and His timing from all circumstances that set us back.
Pharaoh was a king over all of Egypt. There was none greater than him except one, a shepherd. When Jacob was introduced to Pharaoh it was Jacob who prayed a prayer of blessing on Pharaoh. A shepherd blessed a king.
This is one of the first examples of how we are to present the love of Jesus Christ to others. No matter who we encounter during a day our actions should cause people to notice Christ. It does not matter our occupation, position or status. Any who have the love of Jesus Christ are the turning point for others to notice Christ.
Genesis 47:7 New Living Translation
Then Joseph brought in his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
by Carol Roberts | May 21, 2017 | Salvation
A mother was asked one time how she recognized her baby was crying in a room full of crying babies. Her response was she knew her baby’s cry. It’s the same way Jesus loves us. The world has billions of people yet He hears our cry over all other cries.
He is omnipresent meaning that His attention toward us is as though we are His only child even when He is comforting another of His children. What more security do we need than the personal and exclusive attention of our loving Father.
The more we study His word and learn about Him the more we recognize His voice in return. While some see a tugging of the conscience a threat to wrong doings, we welcome these convictions as a loving squeeze of our hand to pull us in a more safe environment.
How precious it is that when we have a bad day we can run home to the security of Daddy’s rocking chair. No matter how old we get our Father in heaven will always be our loving Daddy Who will work all things out. When God tells us everything is ok we can trust all things to work out, no matter how things look.
John 10:27-29 New Living Translation
My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me, for my Father has given them to Me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
by Carol Roberts | May 18, 2017 | Love
Our Lord inhabits the praises of His people. When large crowds gather to sing praises and play musical instruments honoring our Lord, He is present.
Many churches have choirs and orchestras. There is something special about talents coming together to create a joyful noise unto our Lord. The more voices in the choir the more glorious the sound. The more people blowing trumpets and playing other musical instruments the grander the praise. Add to it the joyful ringing of bells and the brilliant sound of an organ and there becomes a prayerful unity of all who listen. All focus is on Jesus Christ.
2 Chronicles 5:12-14 New Living Translation
And the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers—were dressed in fine linen robes and stood at the east side of the altar playing cymbals, lyres, and harps. They were joined by 120 priests who were playing trumpets. The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words:
“He is good! His faithful love endures forever!”
At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.
by Carol Roberts | May 17, 2017 | Encouragement
There are those who excel in everything they do. There are those who get by with everything they impose. There are those who endure a lifetime of hardships.
We have all wondered why and nobody can figure out a logical answer. However God knows all things. It’s a matter of allowing Him to do our understanding for us as we move forward with our lives. As we continue to do what we have been called to do which is to love one another, things will slowly be revealed to us.
Many of the ones who excel in all things are faced with the temptation of thinking they do not need God. Many of the ones who impose hardships and do wrong to others are tempted to think they will never get caught. Those who have one hardship after another are the ones who need a hand up from God. He will see to it a helping hand is granted just for the asking.
Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.