by Carol Roberts | Feb 27, 2018 | Encouragement
There are times in life when things move. These are times when we continue to learn new things. We get promotions on the job and new things are opening up for us. Suddenly things stop coming our way and we are left wondering why we are not moving ahead. The truth is we never stop growing as long as our faith is in Jesus Christ.
While we may not be moving ahead we are moving deeper in knowledge. If there are never pauses there would not be times to stop and think and pray. Many times when life seems to be on hold we are actually growing deeper and wider in our relationship with our Lord. The times when we are in a pause mode are exciting times granted to us to learn more and to spend precious time with God. Our hold times in life could be our busiest times spiritually.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 New Living Translation
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
by Carol Roberts | Feb 24, 2018 | Love
There are numerous sounds we hear each day and each one is an indication of what is going on. The roar of an airplane engine lets us know one is flying overhead. Hammering is a hint someone is building something new or repairing something old.
Church choirs bring music that creates worshipful moods. Bands and orchestras bring an impressive sound that represents a lot of training. Voices and the tone of those voices let us know if a conversation is pleasant or heated. When we listen even in the stillness of a quiet day we still hear birds and winds.
There are millions of sounds we take for granted but there is one sound that speaks louder than any other. The sound of love is completely silent because it comes from the heart. A gentle smile or a prayer from someone speaks louder than anything we hear.
Ephesians 2:4-5 New Living Translation
But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
by Carol Roberts | Feb 22, 2018 | Hope
There are times we just want to be alone. Some things are too heavy to bear and we need time to sort things out. Even then, we find there is no human answer that will fix what we are going through. We want to pray but we don’t have the words to say. There are times we want and need another person to pray with us but nobody is around.
The things we are walking through are extremely difficult. Even if we want to we cannot begin to explain to someone enough about the situation to feel they can pray effectively. Some things God just has to do all by Himself while we wait.
During these dark days when we are confused there is a prayer that the Apostle Paul and several of his followers prayed for us. This prayer is still effective today because the Word of God is still alive. Everything is covered in this beautiful prayer and it’s the same as having someone pray for us while at the same fulfilling our need to be alone.
Colossians 1:9-14 New Living Translation
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you . We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light. For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, Who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
by Carol Roberts | Feb 20, 2018 | Grief
We wonder sometimes what heaven is like. We often ask ourselves are our loved ones happy and pain free. While it’s true that the full understanding and impact of heaven will not be known until we get there the Bible speaks very specifically about certain things.
One by one we assemble in the glorious place called heaven. While we see a long period of time go by and think about those who have been received into heaven, God is the same yesterday, today and always. It may be one of our loved ones passed on fifty years ago but to them it’s as though they just got there.
Earth is the only place with a clock. Heaven is not bound by the restrictions of time. It is a joyful place with too many angels to count and the beauty cannot be described in human terms. Those who have already assembled are made perfect. They are pain free and joyful. Heaven is a place where we see Jesus.
It’s heart breaking when a loved one is received and we are still left but the glimpses of heaven explained in the Bible give us all hope that our separation is very brief. We too will assemble one day and join our ancestors. In the mean time it’s important to point others to the love of Jesus Christ while we have the time here.
Hebrews 12:22-24 New Living Translation
No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God Himself, Who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the One who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
by Carol Roberts | Feb 18, 2018 | Love
It is safe to say that everybody has anger to swell up at certain times. Someone got our promotion and we lost out. Someone wins a competition every time and we lose. Someone grabbed the last slice of cake right in front of us leaving us without any. All of these examples have one thing in common.
We think we deserve to possess something and feel robbed. Even though this isn’t the case the feeling is real. The easiest way to overcome these feelings of anger is to either avoid the type of situations that are competitive or ask God to provide for us.
The Bible speaks of being slow to get angry. When we consider the fact that God created all things it’s easier to understand that we do not have to possess anything in order to receive His genuine love. When God allows us to receive certain things in life there is no feeling of possessiveness involved but only praise to God. If we try to gain possessions on our own it creates envy that can rob us of blessings later. Our treasures are sent up to heaven and the results of some of our efforts will be revealed at that time.
When we lose out on something we think we have earned it’s an opportunity sacrifice our reward here to be stored in heaven. As we praise God and thank Him for allowing the other person to win it is us who actually wins at that point. This may be a difficult concept to accept but as we train ourselves to look beyond the possessions it won’t be long before we will have the peace that passes all understanding. We can start to see blessings in all things.
James 1:19-20 New Living Translation
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.