by Carol Roberts | Apr 12, 2019 | Hope
Face it, there are days we just have a bad mood. Some people call it getting up on the wrong side of the bed. These days come as a thief in the night. When we least expect it we are mad at every single thing that comes our way. We are already set off and our fuse has reached the explosive point for no apparent reason. Yes, the devil can create all types of turmoil in our hearts.
We go to pull weeds and one will not pull so we kick and scream over it. A store clerk is busy chit chatting with a buddy and totally ignores us, the customer, so we roll our eyes and cop an attitude. Someone wears what we call killer cologne that is over bearing from many steps away and we fight with every ounce of strength to keep from saying the unthinkable to them. We come home and the dog will not even greet us because of the vibes coming from our face.
There are times when we have been wronged and become angry but when anger comes for no reason we can blame only one source and that’s the devil. Sometimes hormones can create a mood or an upcoming sickness and even the sense that a company is downsizing and we are first on the chopping block. We can explain away moods in many ways but what do we do with this anger which is to the exploding point?
The Bible speaks clearly about anger. Get over it quickly, be slow to anger or do not go to bed angry but how do we get our sanity back when this anger overtakes us? As we look for a step by step solution the answer is still the same; pray. We pray knowing that some situations are bigger than us and we are fighting a spiritual battle. Things like anger is something only God can soothe. It’s up to us to involve God in these anger management moments so He can release the powers from heaven to soothe us. It is safe to say we cannot be truly successful unless we include God because our efforts will surely fail with our current attitude.
As we pray He will see to it we get comforted and the things that set us off will no longer matter. What effected us from the start was our own mood. Nobody said or did anything. When we pray, God will deal with us first then if others were actually wrong He will deal with them accordingly. Anger is a very touchy mood that can do a lot of damage if we do not turn it over to God and find other things to do. Seek God’s face and He will always shine toward us and will calm even our most troubled spirit.
Colossians 3:8 and 12–13 New International Version (NIV)
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
by Carol Roberts | Apr 10, 2019 | Hope
Have you ever noticed that during a sports event the opposing team is hovering all around a person in scoring position? If a basketball player is within tossing the ball into the hoop the other team hovers making it difficult to make the shot. It’s the same in hockey when the goalie guards the net or a baseball runner is quickly approached wanting the umpire to call him out.
You are that sports player and God is about to grant you a blessing. The devil sends his imps to throw debilitation obstacles your way. These obstacles distract, delay and dismiss as many blessings as possible. When these challenges come your way it’s time to be joyous because a blessing is coming. God is with you during these challenges and in His timing the obstacles will be removed. In the mean time growing in the likeness of Christ is an opportunity of its own. Acknowledge God in all things and He will see to it you come out favorably to Him each time.
James 1:2-4 New International Version (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
by Carol Roberts | Apr 8, 2019 | Hope
Our Lord spoke to the church of Sardis in the book of Revelation acknowledging the people who still remain true to Him. What He stated to Sardis applies to us today. Things all around us are becoming almost unknown to us. We turn on the TV set, which should be for family, we see commercials and shows with unthinkable content yet some keep glued to the TV set. Unfortunately some pattern their lives after what is displayed on TV. A few years ago we would have never thought of things happening today that have become progressively worse.
Four letter words spoken in anger behind the wheel of a car is almost acceptable behavior today when it is not acceptable. Clothing has become revealing and even social media accepts nudity as meeting standards as long as it is a view of the back side. Many churches have become a competition for numbers with no bare bones salvation messages. Our world has slowly become a popularity contest yet there are still ones who respect God for Who He Is.
We may feel He doesn’t notice us while we get overlooked by the multitudes but the Person Who really matters sees us at all times. Although all of us are a work in progress lacking perfection God views us like He does the people in Sardis. There are some who continue to obey, pray and demonstrate God’s likeness to others and God notices.
Revelation 3:4-5 New International Version (NIV)
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with Me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before My Father and His angels.
by Carol Roberts | Apr 5, 2019 | Hope
It’s all around us. Road rage, evil campaigning, back stabbing and manipulation are everywhere. People are setting up others to fail or to make someone look bad in order to cover up the things they do themselves. Smiling faces from people who despise us are a sure set up for personal gain. They want our vote or want a positive reference when otherwise they spew hatred toward us any other time.
A cashier doesn’t like our looks when we don’t even know them so they arrange for our food to be cold. When we try to make a return they get a smirk like, oh was it not hot. It’s everywhere. People as a whole are angry and the root cause is refusing God in their lives. They see our calmness and happiness and instead of wanting to learn more about Christ they arrange for our demise.
They are so full of anger they look for a relief valve by tripping us up. They look for a reprieve from their anger with a few minutes of triumph at our failure that they set up for us. Hell is licking its chops for such people.
What are we to do when we are on someone’s hit list when we have done nothing to offend them? We pray. Colossians 1:9-12 is a beautiful prayer to say for these people that have an agenda to trip us up. It is the devil’s desire for us to give in to anger and retaliate back to them and the devil can surely give deceitful schemes to use against them. This retaliation is one of the main things to watch out for. Returned anger hovers around us waiting for us to act.
This anger needs to stop somewhere so why not us. Sometimes it’s easier just to avoid angry people so we don’t get sucked into their abyss of anger. God promises vengeance is His, and He will surely deal with these people in His timing and His way. As we seek God’s face He will visit us with a gift of peace that passes all understanding and we will live safely in His arms. In the case of anger it’s always best to let go and let God.
Ephesians 4:26-27 New International Version (NIV)
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
by Carol Roberts | Apr 3, 2019 | Encouragement
Pride slowly creeps in on people. It starts with one small success then a strong desire for more takes over. One success leads to another until a spirit of pride takes over. A “can do no wrong” attitude creates a comfort zone that leads to a blind confidence in material things. Purchases are made for things even not needed for the finest luxuries. Second homes, boats, acreage, maids and vacations become a normal way of living. People notice them and want what they have but can never afford even a pet cat.
Pride hurts people. Pride soars while others do without. If charity is given at all it’s only for a tax deduction or another claim to fame. Pride goes through life all on its own and unfortunately has no need for God. It fails to take note that life ends one day or material things fail. God, Himself, sees to it that pride ends sooner or later.
Whether pride is in just a talent, good grades or status, it is still a god. It’s important from time to time to take an inventory of personal view points in life. It’s not the opportunities or status that create pride but the viewpoint and dependence placed on them. Are people in need while importance is placed on how many is in an audience? Is there an important visit that needs to be made while attention is given to earning more money?
The Bible is specific when God states that there shall be no god before Him. Pride causes godships and it stands to reason that pride got the devil kicked out of heaven. Today is the day to take inventory of thought patterns toward possessions and earnings.
Obadiah 3-4 New International Version (NIV)
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’
Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.