by Carol Roberts | Nov 30, 2018 | Encouragement
We praise God. We give thanks to Him. He is the Creator; the beginning and the end and everything in between. He never changes and for that reason we can count on Him. His answers will always be the same according to scripture.
Imagine receiving honor back from Almighty God. He says in His word He will honor and rescue those who trust and call upon His Name. It doesn’t get any better than that.
When our life falls apart into many pieces He will see to it the pieces fall into place. We can count on it because He is Lord.
Psalm 91:14-15 New Living Translation
The Lord says, I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
by Carol Roberts | Nov 28, 2018 | Love
Let’s not all rush to grab the biggest package under the tree at a white elephant party. The biggest present is usually the biggest disappointment. It seems nobody wants the odd shaped present wrapped carelessly but that gift sometimes has hidden money. It’s not the size, beauty or shape that matters. It is the one that brings the smile.
The same principle applies to us. When we choose friends is it more important to fit with the cool crowd or to be with a quieter more sincere group? If we have to be something we are not in order to be noticed by another person or group it’s hard to do anything except frown and worry about fitting in. When we are accepted by certain people who love us and pray for us we gain a sense of belonging and peace.
Many of us have approached a person, job or status that is much sought after. We give our best but if we ask for even something small we get an empty meaningless reply telling us to hang in there. Some will say it will all be alright yet there is no love in what they say. Our first choice of the biggest and best is usually an empty disappointment because we place our trust in an image people portray.
As we look for deeper meanings and truth we find comfort in those who are sincere and do not seek to be noticed by people. If we ever have a need we can be sure those people will respond with a prayer and an attitude of service.
It’s not about who we please here. It’s about pleasing God and obeying His principles of genuine love toward one another. It’s never about popularity or beauty, shapes or sizes, rich or poor. It’s never about the language we speak or church we attend. It’s about who allows God to use them to promote His love.
Proverbs 27:9 New Living Translation
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
by Carol Roberts | Nov 26, 2018 | Friendship
When someone treats you wrong do you wonder what is wrong with you or do you think they are having a difficult time? Do you ever look back at your life and wish you had of done things differently or do you take today and look at how to expand what you have? If your friend suddenly receives something you have wanted for a long time do you feel envious or do you look to God in thanksgiving that your blessing is coming?
Often times you will call a friend for encouragement but how do you encourage yourself? The image you have of yourself will radiate in your attitude and on your face. This countenance will bring out the best or worst in others toward you. Even though you don’t see it or think that way, it’s a spiritual thing and the spirit you bring with you is contagious.
Sometimes it’s easier to be nicer to others than you are to yourself. It could be a result of how you were treated growing up or several recent rejections you have embraced. Your image of your own self is important.
The Bible mentions many times that you are created in God’s image and God loves you. If you feel you have nobody but God, you have everything. If you have everything and everybody and not God, you have nothing.
If you delight in God He will grant the desires of your heart and there is everything right in wanting God’s best. Be kind to yourself today. You are the only “you” God created.
Mark 12:30-31 New Living Translation
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.
by Carol Roberts | Nov 21, 2018 | Encouragement
Everyone wants to be in first place. In a band it’s first chair. In a race it’s first place. In a championship game it’s the gold trophy. It’s easy to walk away pumped up after earning these status recognitions but what about second place.
People who win second place, third place or no place at all work equally as hard. Some people work even harder when certain talents are not natural talents yet many times these efforts go unnoticed. Competitions bring out the best and sometimes the worst in people.
A proud winner is either gracious or prideful. There are times when a team of people work hard, pray and encourage one another. This team will promote their best efforts or their most gifted person and the team rejoices over a win because the team worked together. Other times a winner will give a quick word of acceptance then move on to the next challenge not giving a second thought to the others involved behind the scenes. While an audience may notice a winner God notices the efforts and attitudes of service of those who work behind the scenes.
Musicians many times have difficulty accepting any seat other than what’s referred to as first chair. A student will continually compete to earn a seat higher than the one currently assigned. God notices the hard work and He notices the instrumentalists who sit in the last seat. There is no such thing as a first chair if there is not a second chair or third chair. The one sitting last is the greatest servant because that particular seat promotes all others up the line. Last seat with a humble attitude of service pleases God and trophies are waiting in heaven to enjoy for an eternity.
God notices all people and knows all details of every heart and attitude. This world comes and goes but eternity is forever. God embraces humility and servanthood in the name of Jesus.
Matthew 23:11-12 New Living Translation
The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
by Carol Roberts | Nov 19, 2018 | Hope
Abiding in God is the answer to all things. While we walk along the path of life we cross many things we do not expect nor understand, God understands all things in great detail.
We come across obstacles and see no way across. At times we are blinded by sudden disasters and see no way through. We look to God to show us a campfire in the darkness or a drop of rain during a dry spell. During certain hard times we see no light or feel no moisture but God never leaves us.
While we sometimes look for a campfire we fail to see His hand at work right beside us. He is slowly adding logs to build a bonfire which exceeds anything we expect. Often times we look for a drop of rain during long dry spells but overlook His ever presence with us. He is building a shower of rain for us.
It’s easy to desire to look for end results when we need a ray of hope. However looking to God each moment of each day includes us in His creation of miracles. A miracle in itself is a blessed event but to walk with God is to witness continually the creation at work.
Romans 8:28-29 New Living Translation
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.