by Carol Roberts | Oct 8, 2018 | Love
Young people sometime keep a diary. This is more common for girls than boys. Intimate thoughts are written down then hidden away under a mattress until new words are added. Like most of us we wonder what could possibly be written about us. Did she write something nice or do we want to know what she wrote bad about us? Curiosity will eat away at our thoughts if we don’t let it go.
There is a diary called the Holy Bible and right in the middle of the Bible is a book called Psalms. Psalm 139 is all about us. What does God think about us and how deep is His love toward us? It’s interesting that curiosity in a diary by a person piques more interest than the diary kept in the Bible.
God’s Word never changes and it’s always true. We can rely on Him day or night and all answers to prayer are in line with what is written in His Word. The uncertainty of people brings forth an unhealthy type of curiosity that the devil can expand upon and steal our joy. There is only one diary that is true about us and God’s love toward us and that’s His Holy Word.
Psalm 139:17-18 Living Bible
How precious it is, Lord, to realize that You are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day Your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, You are still thinking of me!
by Carol Roberts | Oct 6, 2018 | Friendship
In times of sickness or hardships we see what’s in the hearts of some people. God allows certain thorns in the flesh to be used as a gauge to us to indicate where we stand with Him. Sometimes people know our obstacles and we know theirs. We observe their responses and attitudes and they observe ours. When we see a kind heart and a simple prayerful attitude even in adversities, all things point to God. Only God can promote such a heart. God shows His goodness through even the worst of situations to encourage others to face their own.
Unfortunately walking away from some friendships is an act of love. We watch while they have hard luck every way they turn. It’s their way or no way and they will not listen to our counsel or quick words of warning. They know better than any doctor even though they continue to set up appointments. They ask for prayer yet they will not pray themselves. They respond only to sympathy, well wishes and visits. When the visits stop and they talk about feeling better in the hospital it’s time for them to seek the face of God.
When we empathize with them with a quick report how long we endured a similar hardship and how God brought us through and get met with opposition it’s time to move on. Things have a way of becoming debilitating to us if we try to minister and get greeted with a harsh rebuke. Statements like our pain is nothing compared to what they are walking through and other comments that belittle our thorns are nothing to entertain. It’s time to walk. They do not want anything but to be the center of attention and such pride will ultimately bring us down if we continue to entertain such narcissism.
People with this mind set progressively get more self centered and less productive when they are fed with attention. It’s a false sense of encouragement to us to see the smile and hear the laughter of a narcissist when we make him the center of our attention. However we actually take that person one step further to bask in the luxury of attention creating a need in this person for more the next time. These people will never rely on God until they are in a situation where God is the only one available to them.
It seems so harsh but in certain cases our hand ups get treated as hand outs. Only God can offer the type of hand up that can promote them to move up. God will give us discernment to know when stand with someone or walk away. When such a person has become a best friend over the years and God tells us to walk it’s an opportunity to reach for God’s hand up as He makes us stronger.
2 Corinthians 12:10 Living Bible
Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite happy about “the thorn,” and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong—the less I have, the more I depend on him.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 4, 2018 | Encouragement
There are things going on behind our backs that can destroy us if we aren’t careful. That’s why it’s important to remain obedient to Christ Who will protect us in all things.
We have friends who stick closer than a brother but we also have many acquaintances who smile at us. While we think we are in their favor some of these people are seeking to trip us up. Some want our job. Some want a particular material thing we may have. Some just enjoy the feeling of power when they see us hurt.
God has His way of revealing all of these things to us as see seek His face. He will protect us and He will lift us up each time. What these smiling faces do to us in secret will be revealed one day and everyone will see and know. People that turn against us based on the gossip of others will one day respect us because God assures us He will bring all things to light.
It is even more important we watch how our words represent others. Just as a light will be shone on those who come against us, a light will shine on us. It’s important that our words represent others in a way that is favorable to Christ. It’s always best to say nothing at all if there is nothing positive to say.
Luke 12:1b-3 The Living Bible
“More than anything else, beware of these Pharisees and the way they pretend to be good when they aren’t. But such hypocrisy cannot be hidden forever. It will become as evident as yeast in dough. Whatever they have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be broadcast from the housetops for all to hear!
by Carol Roberts | Oct 1, 2018 | Encouragement
There are times we are faced with decisions to make and the rewards and consequences are the same either way we choose. We are offered a job at two separate companies or we are accepted at two elite colleges. Sometimes two people approach us to complain about the other and we clearly see both sides. There are numerous choices that come our way almost daily.
How do we make the right choice when there are no wrong decisions or in some cases a no win situation? The best response is to take time to pray. Bringing the choices to God will allow Him to direct us to the decision He would have us make.
It’s important to remember that anything that is too good to be true needing a hasty decision is a choice not to consider. It will usually bite us later if we jump into something like that. God never requires haste; only obedience. As we wait things out it will become clear what we are to do.
If it is a choice as a juror or an adult dealing with children where a deadline is required it is necessary to put aside feelings. There is an old saying that a train has three cars; faith, fact and feeling. The train will still run without the feeling car. It will run if we don’t have all the facts but faith will never fail when placed in Jesus Christ. When we are placed in a situation where a decision must be made it’s most important to go with the certainty of faith then examine the facts. God rewards obedience.
Psalm 86:11 Living Bible
Tell me where You want me to go and I will go there. May every fiber of my being unite in reverence to Your name.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 1, 2018 | Encouragement
There are times we are faced with decisions to make and the rewards and consequences are the same either way we choose. We are offered a job at two separate companies or we are accepted at two elite colleges. Sometimes two people approach us to complain about the other and we clearly see both sides. There are numerous choices that come our way almost daily.
How do we make the right choice when there are no wrong decisions or in some cases a no win situation? The best response is to take time to pray. Bringing the choices to God will allow Him to direct us to the decision He would have us make.
It’s important to remember that anything that is too good to be true needing a hasty decision is a choice not to consider. It will usually bite us later if we jump into something like that. God never requires haste; only obedience. As we wait things out it will become clear what we are to do.
If it is a choice as a juror or an adult dealing with children where a deadline is required it is necessary to put aside feelings. There is an old saying that a train has three cars; faith, fact and feeling. The train will still run without the feeling car. It will run if we don’t have all the facts but faith will never fail when placed in Jesus Christ. When we are placed in a situation where a decision must be made it’s most important to go with the certainty of faith then examine the facts. God rewards obedience.
Psalm 86:11 Living Bible
Tell me where You want me to go and I will go there. May every fiber of my being unite in reverence to Your name.