by Carol Roberts | Apr 26, 2019 | Encouragement
Are you going through some things that discourage and disappoint you? Is someone else going through things that cause moods to be differently toward you? Are your circumstances beyond and above anything you think will ever turn around? You are not alone.
Christians everywhere are being challenged by the devil. Remember, the devil leaves alone those who do not seek God. The devil has those people exactly where he wants them. You see people prosper who treat you like dirt. You continually nurse emotional, spiritual and sometimes physical wounds people cause while they have life handed to them on a silver platter.
It could be God is taking you by the hand and walking you through the various obstacles to get you away from the tricks of the devil. Yes, the devil will get mad and throw every type discouragement possible. A positive way to see things is that your faith is visible enough to the devil that he will try to stop you. But the good news is that God is bringing us to His dawn. Slowly He will shed light on what He wants you to see and it is beautiful.
Each hurdle He escorts you over is one more ray of His sunshine He is preparing you to see and enjoy. There is a big difference in a silver platter life here on earth than the unexplainable joy God brings us to.
Are these hurdles painful? Absolutely they are horribly painful. However God’s overflowing glory is headed your way. Keep hold of His loving hand and together the obstacles will be overcome.
1 Peter 4:12-13 New International Version (NIV)
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.
by Carol Roberts | Apr 24, 2019 | Hope
When we pray it’s a natural thing to do to immediately seek a result. We pray for a healing so the thing we look for is less pain or for a loved one to be raised up quickly. Other times we pray for a specific job or opportunity and the next day we look for every little sign things are working the way we expect.
Unfortunately God comes in unexpected ways. While we look at certain avenues for answered prayers God is tapping us on the shoulder to turn around. There are times He will indeed answer the way we expect but other times He will show us a path to walk or a habit to change. It could very well be that God is calling us to listen to what He is wanting to say to us instead of looking to see what He is doing. His instructions are very clear when we take time to be still and know He is God.
Isaiah 30:21 New International Version (NIV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
by Carol Roberts | Apr 22, 2019 | Salvation
The volunteers at church are picking up dropped bulletins placing them in the trash. The choir director is filing back the music that was beautifully sang. At home mom is sweeping up candy wrappers and mopping up spilt sodas. The washing machine is running filled with Easter attire that awaits an iron and ironing board. There is one more remnant that is the purpose of Easter.
The veil is torn from top to bottom. There is no need to consider it something to clean up because it is intended to clean us up. The torn veil is an open invitation from Jesus to us to come to Him at all times and with any need. Nobody needs to go on our behalf to speak to God because Jesus made it possible for us to approach Him on our own. His arms are stretched out toward us. Jesus made everything ok for us to run to Him in all situations. He is our Lord. He is our Savior. He is Jesus Christ.
Matthew 11:28-29 New International Version (NIV)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
by Carol Roberts | Apr 19, 2019 | Salvation
Imagine a cloudless day in the spring. The sun shines brightly just after a rain leaving the air pure. The brightness of the sun is almost unbearable on a day like this yet compared to the presence of our Lord it is very dim. It’s almost like looking at a shadow cast by the sun coming into our windows. The silhouettes of leaves blowing are very detailed in this shadow.
Our lives are are like this silhouette. Even our brightest most prosperous day is only a shadow compared to the love of Jesus Christ. There will be a glorious day when we will see Him and He will glorify our body to be able to enjoy the brightness we see.
It is important that we allow our countenance to reflect the love of our Lord for others to see. Jesus speaks heart to heart so our actions are important when we minister to others. Unfortunately many places do not allow Bibles or the mention of Jesus Christ but the heart goes on anyway. Nobody can silence the love of Jesus Christ when the heart speaks. Jesus made all this possible by dying in our place 2000 years ago. He is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving.
1 Corinthians 13:11-12 New International Version (NIV)
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
by Carol Roberts | Apr 17, 2019 | Encouragement
God, Who is the same today as yesterday and forever, reminds us that the conversation He had with Cain is the same for us. As we are bombarded daily with temptations it is up to us to seek God’s face to see us through them. These temptations desire us and pursue us all day long but through Jesus Christ we are conquerers.
After Cain was unable to contain his temptation and killed Abel, God had a conversation with him. He reminded Cain that if he does what is right in the eyes of God he will be accepted but if not sin will overtake him. Even as far back as Cain and Abel temptation lurked.
Today we continually face issues that will quickly overtake our emotions if we are not careful. Evil is all around and people wrong us in many ways. While we are not required to make everybody our best friend, it is our duty to do what is necessary to keep a pleasing attitude toward God. Our purpose is to represent Him and in doing so we are to keep our garments clean. It is safe to say that most people do not know Christ as their Savior and many will not listen as His Name is spoken. Therefore our greatest witness to an unhappy and angry people is the countenance on our faces. Our actions will be the only Bible some people will ever know.
Genesis 4:7 New International Version (NIV)
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”