<![CDATA[Restoration Ministries - A Word for Your Week]]>

<![CDATA[Restoration Ministries - A Word for Your Week]]>Tue, 08 Jul 2025 11:39:45 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Boasting]]>Tue, 08 Jul 2025 16:00:00 GMThttp://steveroll.org/a-word-for-your-week/boasting4543447Humans love to boast.

To boast means to brag, congratulate oneself, show off, crow about, toot our own horn, pat ourselves on the back, strut, flaunt, let others know how awesome we are.

Who doesn’t like to boast about their accomplishments, conquests, victories and success? When you win, you brag, right? When you lose, not so much!

Boasting can be good if we boast about the right things. But most of the time our boasting is misdirected.

Our subject for this devotional is boasting. More precisely, what to boast about and what not to boast about. Our culture is confused when it comes to boasting. Many arrogant, narcissistic, self-promoting folks boast about things that should not be boasted about.

My friends, God has a timeless and timely word for us that we desperately need to heed today regarding boasting.

The prophet Jeremiah gives us clear biblical guidance concerning proper boasting.

“Thus says the Lord, “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving-kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth: for I delight in these things, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24

“Thus says the Lord” means Almighty God has something serious to say and we better pay attention to it. Our Creator and Redeemer is THE EXPERT on human affairs. He knows what He is talking about in every dilemma man finds himself.

Inspired by the Spirit of God, Jeremiah spells it out clearly. Man is not (“Let not”) to boast in his wisdom, his power or his wealth. Mankind, including you and me, is not to boast in who he is, what he has and what he can do.

Truth be told, man’s wisdom, might and money will never bring peace to men’s hearts and the world they live in. No matter how smart you think you are, how much money you have in the bank, or what power position you hold, boasting about you is boasting in vain.

Boasting in humanity, regardless of how many tout themselves as supposed “authorities” and “experts”, is short-lived and never ends well.

You and I are to boast in the Lord.

The creature is to give glory to His Creator, not himself. We are to boast in who the Lord is and what He does. The key to proper boasting lies in understanding and knowing God. When you read the op-eds (opinion editorials) in the secular press and listen to the babbling bobbleheads in the media, they all contain a glaring omission: The Lord and His Word on matters is conspicuously left out.

The Lord Himself is the answer to our world’s woes. How do I know? The Word says so. You and I are to boast in the Lord’s loving-kindness, justice and righteousness.

“Loving-kindness, justice, and righteousness” come from Him. This is what our weary, lost world needs most. These three virtues answer the cry of human hearts everywhere. I love this holy trio of godly virtues, don’t you?

Jeremiah tells us that God delights (takes pleasure) in these things. You and I should delight in what the Lord delights in. We are to take pleasure in His lovingkindness, justice and righteousness. Just as He does.

In my heart of hearts I long to delight in lovingkindness, justice and righteousness as my Lord and Savior does.

In this historic hour in human history, all of us must sincerely humble ourselves before the Lord. We do not need what man can do. The evidence of man’s expertise is readily and sadly evident. You and I must search for and receive by faith what only Almighty God can do to save our souls, families, nation and world.

If you want to feel safe and secure today, turn off the tube and tune into God’s Word. Unplug media. Get the information and inspiration you need from the Bible, not the anti-Christ, anti-biblical words of the world. It does make a difference what you feed your spirit with.

Beloved, fellow Christian do not fear what man is doing. Beware of bragging about what man brags about. Reverence Almighty God. Stand in awe of Him and His holiness. Humble yourself. Choose to do His good, acceptable and perfect will. (See Romans 12:1-2).

It is a biblical fact: people who boast in anyone or anything but the Lord will end up toast in the long run!

Who are your boasting in? Yourself, other people, or the Lord?

Make it a personal priority to boast in the Lord every single day.

“But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord, for not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”                             II Corinthians 10:17

“Some boast in chariots, and some boast in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord our God.”                                                                             Psalm 20:7

A Word For Your Week: Make your boast in the Lord and what He boasts about.

]]><![CDATA[Whiner or Winner?]]>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 16:00:00 GMThttp://steveroll.org/a-word-for-your-week/whiner-or-winner“Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, and our daughters as corner pillars fashioned for a palace;

Let our garners be full, furnishing every kind of produce, and our flocks bring forth thousands and the thousands in our fields;

Let our cattle bear, without mishap and without loss, let there be no complaining (outcry) in our streets.” Psalm 144:12-14

In our Word For Your Week the Psalmist prays for prosperity. Wonderful verses that I have prayed over my family. In verse fourteen, David throws in a spiritual zinger. He tells us not to complain. No outcries by God’s people are to be heard in the streets.

In today’s language, David is telling you and me not to whine!

I do not like, despise, or even hate whining. Don’t you? Whine! Whine! Whine! Sadly, whining is commonplace today. Even among Christians. Wimpy, whiney, cry babies and Boo-bird’s voices are heard throughout every facet or our society. Complaining and griping about anything and everything is the socially correct thing to do. Or is it?

People are at their worst when they whine.

Whining is never the way to win. Whiners always lose because people do not like whiners. I hate it when others whine, others hate it when I whine, and I hate it when I whine.

Admittedly, whining is easy. All of u can get caught up in the complaining circus that permeates our culture.

Why We Whine

We whine because we do not get our way.
We whine when things do not turn out the way we think they should.
We whine because we are self-centered.
We whine because we live in sinful flesh.
We whine when we are losing the argument.
We whine when we are ungrateful.
We whine to get people’s attention.
We whine when we associate with whiners!
The more a whiner loses, the louder he whines.

Whining never gets us what we need or want. Especially with God. The Word says “Ask and you shall receive” (Matthew 7:7-8), not whine, complain or throw a fit. Simply pray. God promises to hear you and meet your need.

·      God’s winners choose not to whine. They shine with the light of His love in their hearts. His praises inhabit their lips. Whining never wins anyone to a cause.

Whining cuts off listening. Romans 10:17 declares “So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ.” Believers need a hearing with unbelievers. Whining will not open the spiritual ears of those who need Jesus Christ. Christians can win people to Christ’ side if they do not whine. Spiritually hungry people will listen if we act like winners, not whiners!

Winners rise above whining. Mature Christians know that whining is never the way to winning in Christ.

Ways to Stop Whining

ü Listen to yourself when you whine. Do you like what you hear? If not, stop whining.
ü Receive rebukes graciously from loved ones who hate to hear you whine.
ü Check your gratitude attitude. If you are genuinely grateful for all God has done and is doing in our life, you will choose to worship instead of whine.
ü When tempted to whine, shut up and shine instead.
ü When tempted to jump on the whiner’s bandwagon, run away as fast as you can.
ü Fill your heart and mouth with God’s Word. Leave no room for whining in your life.
ü Refuse to fellowship with whiners. Misery does indeed like company. God’s will for you and me is to join a winners circle, not a whiners circle!

There are two major areas where Christians should cease whining and start winning instead.

1. Complaining about culture. I do not agree with many things that are currently happening in our American culture. But whining by me will not change it. Whining will not work. Acting like the winner I am in Christ Jesus my Lord will.

2. Complaining against fellow Christians. I will address this in a future Word For Your Week. Look up and meditate on James 5:9.

Think about this. What would happen in our lost and dying world if Christians stopped whining and started winning in Jesus’ victorious name? Maybe, just maybe, people who are sincerely searching for truth and answers to life would listen to our message of Good News if God’s people didn’t whine.

A word to the body of Christ in our spiritually/morally crumbling culture: Let us stop whining about what we do not agree with and cannot change. Instead, let us begin winning people to Christ, for only He can change their lives for time and eternity.

·      Stop whining and start winning.

Begin working to win people to Christ. Then we will have something to shout about in our streets that matters.

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”                                            Matthew 5:16

A Word For Your Week: If you want to win, do not whine!

]]><![CDATA[Be Decisive]]>Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:00:00 GMThttp://steveroll.org/a-word-for-your-week/be-decisiveDecisions determine destiny.

Nearing the end of his earthly life, Joshua made a major decision. The courageous Israeli leader who God used to conquer Canaan also exhorted the generation succeeding him to make a decision.

“And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose (decide) for yourselves today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” Joshua 24:15

Decision time looked like this: You, God’s chosen people, decide who you will worship and serve.

Here are your choices. You can turn away from the Lord and serve false gods. You can look back to yesterday and serve the Egyptian gods and the oppressive society that enslaved your fathers; or you can look around you and serve the Canaanite gods and immoral society that influences you to do evil.

Or you can look straight ahead and serve the God who is the One and only true God, the God of your fathers who provides purpose, security, freedom, salvation and joy for you and your family.

You choose. Decide today. I, Joshua, have made my choice. I have decided that no matter what you decide, me and my house will serve the Lord.

Good for your Joshua. You decided to make the right decision.

Imagine for a moment if Joshua had danced with his decision. What if he said something like this. “I am thinking about serving the Lord the rest of my life, but I am not sure. Some of the other gods look pretty good. To be honest, I struggle with the temptation to step over to their side. Well, not exactly. I mean, I do not know. I really do not know which god to choose.

One day I feel I should serve the Lord. The next day I feel like serving the Canaanite gods. What is a person to do? Maybe you guys can help me make a decision. I feel so indecisive right now. I know you are not sure either. But maybe we can call a conference, sip some tea, debate the issue, and make some kind of decision. It might be fun giving it a shot.”

Would you like to follow a leader like that? Not hardly!

No indecision for Joshua. Without hesitation, he decided to side with God. Joshua and those residing under his roof would serve the Lord.

Joshua could make the decision to serve the Lord because he had made that decision time and time again. It was a no-brainer for Joshua to decide to take a stand for the Lord and stand up for Him. Over and over again, God had proven Himself faithful to Joshua and His chosen people. That is why he exhorted the people to consider doing the same.

Life demands decisions.

Daily decisions. You and I cannot remain decision-less and hope to be successful. Indecision, and making poor decisions, does not contribute to a happy and fulfilling life in Christ.

So why is it that even Christians can be trapped by indecision from time to time?

Sometimes people are indecisive because they are afraid to make a decision. Some are fearful of making the wrong decision. Some are indecisive because they do not have enough information for making a choice. Some are indecisive because they are intimidated by pressure others put on them.

Some are indecisive because they do not want to take responsibility for their choices. Some are indecisive because they do not want to face up to the consequences of their choices. Some are indecisive because they are anxious about taking risks. Some back away from making significant decisions because Satan runs interference in their decision-making process.

Time and time again, in the restoration counseling setting, I have seen indecision derail dreams and dash hopes of better days.

Indecision keeps people spinning their wheels, wasting energy and heading nowhere. Not being decisive creates confusion, leaves people in a lurch, hanging in limbo, and aimlessly sitting around in an emotional no man’s land.

Indecision is a decision. When indecisive, we are deciding to be undecided! And indecision is a decision that takes on its own life. At the end of an indecisive day, we may live to regret indecision.

It takes some spiritual and emotional guts to leave the ruts of indecision.

Here are some decisions I believe serious-minded, fully surrendered, sold out Christians need to be making in this historic hour in which we live.

Decide to stand up for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Word no matter what the cost. Stand up for truth in a world living a lie.
Decide to not be intimidated by a society that mocks God and all that is holy, right, moral and pure.
Decide to uphold through word and deed God’s standards of righteousness, moral conduct and sexual purity.
Decide, if you are married, to remain emotionally and sexually faithful to your mate all your life.
Decide, if single, to remain sexually celibate until you are married.
Decide, if you are a father, to man-up, to be a real man, and model for your children what a Christ-like man is all about.
Decide, if you are a mother, to model for your children how a Christ-like woman lives her life.
Decide to speak up for the innocent and victimized in our self-absorbed, narcissistic, using and abusing society. Take a stand for someone who cannot stand up for themselves.
Decide to resist with all your might in the Lord the godless, immoral, unholy waves of corruption and perversion that are sweeping over America.
Decide to live your faith and pass on the baton of Christian faith to your children.
Decide to tell everyone you know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The only way to God and eternity in heaven is to choose His Son Jesus. (John 14:6)

My friend and fellow Christian, any important decisions you should be making? If you are being indecisive, it’s time to decide. Why not seek God, listen for His voice, surrender to His will and then rise up with bold faith and unwavering obedience to make the decision you need to make?

·      Go ahead. Be decisive like Joshua. Your decision to serve the Lord will bless you, your family, your community, your nation and your world.

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So, choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.”                                                                                  Deuteronomy 30:19

“But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.”                                                          Ruth 1:15

A Word For Your Week: Decide to make the decisions you need to make.
]]><![CDATA[Slingshots Will Do!]]>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:00:00 GMThttp://steveroll.org/a-word-for-your-week/slingshots-will-doThe last time your faith was put to the test in a fire fight with the enemy, did you praise the Lord in the midst of the battle?

I asked you that question because I had to ask myself this question before I could write this. I must admit, I could have faired much better on the praise meter. I am pretty good at calling upon God to deliver me when the spiritual battle rages. But sometimes I forget to praise the Lord while battling. I neglect to use this mighty weapon of our warfare.

King Jehoshaphat in the Bible understood the power of praise.

When Jehoshaphat had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and declared, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.

And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.”
II Chronicles 20:21-22

The king knew what to do when under siege by his enemies. Study II Chronicles 20 for the whole story of Judah’s victory over three hostile armies surrounding God’s people. King Jehoshaphat was initially fearful as we would be.

But fear gave way to faith. Jahaziel the prophet told Jehoshaphat not to fear, for the battle was not his, but God’s. The Lord would fight for the people without their having to lift a sword.

Jehoshaphat strategically placed the praise singers out front of the army.

Please note the singers were not placed in the middle or on the side or in the rear of the bus. Right, smack dab on the front line. The choir led the soldiers into battle! Can you imagine what that sounded like?

A shout of joyful praise to God thundered across the battlefield. I think the enemy army shuddered in their sandals. In response to His people’s praise, Almighty God took them out. Routed them….while Judah stood singing God’s praises!

The rout was on because of a shout. A shout of praise.

Would you like to rout your enemy? Shout. Praise God. Refuse to doubt or pout. Shout and rout Satan. Rise above your circumstances and overcome your challenges by praising the Lord.

Paul and Silas were imprisoned in a Philippian jail (Acts 16:22-34). At midnight, instead of throwing a pity-poor-us-party, they held a praise service. The result: the earth shook, opening the prison gates, setting Paul and Silas free. As a bonus miracle, the jailer and his entire family were saved! Not a bad night for a couple of Christians praising God in the midnight hour.

Satan will pull out all the stops to stop you and me from praising the Lord. The devil hates the praises of God’s people. He knows the power of praise and what it does to knock him down and take him out. Praising God sends the devil and his demonic forces running for cover.

Isaiah 61:3 says of the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He would give people who are mourning “The oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.”

One of the many things Jesus has provided for His people is a mantle of praise. To be effective, the mantle has to be worn. The Psalmist tells us to put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. You and I are to clothe ourselves with praise. Like Jehoshaphat and Judah, we will be delivered when we praise God for His everlasting lovingkindness.

Praise takes the battle out of my hands and places the fight in the hands of God.

The next time the battle rages, try praising God.

Turn on edifying praise music. Let the music minister to your spirit.
Sing praise choruses. Praise God for who He is and what He has done for you.
Read selected Psalms out loud. Psalms 100-150 are songs of praise.
Praise God whether you feel like praising God or not. Often our emotions lag behind our will. Praise God and joy will catch up.
Shout God’s praises. Open your mouth. Make a joyful noise. Let praise rip!
Lift up the name of Jesus with generous praise and thanksgiving.
Praise God for the victory that is yours through Jesus Christ.
Finish your praise with thankfulness to God for loving you and meeting your needs.

My friend, battle in the name of the Lord by praising Him. Lift up the name of Jesus over the battlefield. He will fight for you while you stand back and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.

Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him….and praise Him some more on your way to victory

King Jehoshaphat in the Bible understood the power of praise.

Jehoshaphat strategically placed the praise singers out front of the army.

The rout was on because of a shout. A shout of praise.

Would you like to rout your enemy? Shout. Praise God. Refuse to doubt or pout. Shout and rout Satan. Rise above your circumstances and overcome your challenges by praising the Lord.

Paul and Silas were imprisoned in a Philippian jail (Acts 16:22-34). At midnight, instead of throwing a pity-poor-us-party, they held a praise service. The result: the earth shook, opening the prison gates, setting Paul and Silas free. As a bonus miracle, the jailer and his entire family were saved! Not a bad night for a couple of Christians praising God in the midnight hour.

Isaiah 61:3 says of the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He would give people who are mourning “The oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.”

Praise takes the battle out of my hands and places the fight in the hands of God.

The next time the battle rages, try praising God.

Turn on edifying praise music. Let the music minister to your spirit.
Sing praise choruses. Praise God for who He is and what He has done for you.
Read selected Psalms out loud. Psalms 100-150 are songs of praise.
Praise God whether you feel like praising God or not. Often our emotions lag behind our will. Praise God and joy will catch up.
Shout God’s praises. Open your mouth. Make a joyful noise. Let praise rip!
Lift up the name of Jesus with generous praise and thanksgiving.
Praise God for the victory that is yours through Jesus Christ.
Finish your praise with thankfulness to God for loving you and meeting your needs.

My friend, battle in the name of the Lord by praising Him. Lift up the name of Jesus over the battlefield. He will fight for you while you stand back and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.

Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him….and praise Him some more on your way to victory

“Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power, Your right hand, O Lord shatters the enemy. And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You.”                                                                                                  Exodus 15:6

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”                                           Psalm 34:1-3

A Word For Your Week: Praise your way to victory today.

]]><![CDATA[The Day After]]>Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:00:00 GMThttp://steveroll.org/a-word-for-your-week/the-day-afterSix months ago, November 6, 2024, was election day in America.
Then followed November7. Votes tabulated. Offices filled. Hopefully, voters will move on.
Thankfully, and mercifully, the election is over. I sense a collective sigh of deep relief across our great land from Americans who have been stressed to the max during this election cycle. If you are like me, I have felt emotionally frustrated, exasperated, a little bit crazy and extremely exhausted for over a year. I have prayed a lot for this election cycle.
Voters have decided. Half of them is elated, the other half deflated. So it goes.
The day after the votes are tabulated, ad nauseam post-election analysis, personal agenda-driven finger pointing, wild-eyed accusations of conspiracies, as well as political push back and fallout will undoubtedly dominate the Breaking News.
But I have a news bulletin that has been around since eternity.

Regardless of who occupies the chair in the Oval Office, Almighty God sits on the throne of heaven!

Hey friends and fellow Christians: our election did not shake the Kingdom of God. The God of the Bible is not a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Independent. Our heavenly Father does not have to conduct a survey or take a poll regarding His favorability, likeability or popularity. The Holy One, He alone, is Sovereign head of His universe and His only Son, Jesus Christ, is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
“Therefore, also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those who are in heaven, and on earth, ad under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Chris is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11
Jesus is Lord. Period. God has declared it so. No debate. No voting. Therefore, every one of us is responsible and accountable to our Creator. Look what the wisdom writer Solomon has to say about how we will answer to our Father in heaven.
“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say “I have no delight in Him.” Ecclesiastes 12:1
“The conclusion, when all has been heard is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

You, me, and every human being answer to God, not men.

God’s platform has one plank: eternal life. He sent His only Son Jesus to earth to teach, perform miracles, suffer, die, and be raised again from the dead so we could have abundant life now (John 10:10) and eternal life forever (John 3:16).
Almighty God, who loves us, is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. No term limits on the Him! He is Lord and will always be! There is no power in heaven, on earth or in hell that can dethrone God!
So, whether America is great again or not is irrelevant in the light of a home in heaven!
What Christ’s Lordship Means For You And Me The Day After

You and I are secure when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.
You and I can count on God to be faithful to fulfill His promises.
You and I can be partakers of God’s mercy, lovingkindness and grace.
You and I can be certain of God’s good, acceptable and perfect will for our lives.
You and I will always be provided for because God is our source for everything we need.
You and I will be safe from Satan and evil enemies because no one can take God out!
You and I are assured of the hope of heaven because Jesus paved the way for us.

The day after and every day God is sovereign. Sovereign means He is in charge. God is the boss, number one. No one tells Him what to do or how to do it! Pastor and missionary statesman J. Sidlow Baxter said “There is no substitute for Jesus because there is no equivalent.”
The Bible is the absolute truth. Jesus Christ is Lord. He is coming back soon. God’s people will be caught up to heaven. All who repent of sin and receive Jesus Christ into their heart as Savior and Lord will spend eternity with God in heaven. Satan will be chained forever in the pit of eternal hell fire.
Someone suggested there has only been one election in heaven. God voted for me; Satan voted against me. I cast my vote with God, and we won two to one! I like that election return.
Bottom line for time and eternity: Have you received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Have you cast your vote for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Does Jesus inhabit your heart by faith? If not, now is your opportunity to get right with God.
Open a Bible. Read John 3:16-17, Romans 3:23. 6:23, John 1:12, Romans 10:9-10, Revelation 3:20, and I John 1:9, II Peter 3:9.
Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. Believe in your heart that God raised from the dead. Repent and ask Him to forgive your sins. Receive Jesus into your heart. Choose to serve Him for the rest of your life. Then give Jesus thanks for saving you from sin and giving you the free gift of eternal life.
I am so happy our elections are completed and I am still heading for heaven because of my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!
How about you?
“To Thee I lift up my eyes, O Thou who art enthroned in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of the servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He shall be gracious to us.” Psalm 123:1-2
A Word For Your Week: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow Jesus Christ is Lord.
]]><![CDATA[When Life Doesn’t Make Sense]]>Tue, 27 May 2025 05:00:00 GMThttp://steveroll.org/a-word-for-your-week/when-life-doesnt-make-senseOne of my best friends, a godly, Christian prayer partner and confidant for thirty years said the other day “Sometimes life doesn’t make sense.” I agreed wholeheartedly.as I ate my ham and cheese omelet at the restaurant we meet at regularly for breakfast.

How many times have you heard yourself or someone else say “I just don’t understand? What is happening just does not make sense.”

The inability to understand some life situations is far from uncommon.

We have all taken a lap or two around the block of lack of understanding. Matter of fact, if we are honest, we might agree that we understand a lot less than we think about how life should operate.

If you are anything at all like me, there are times I find it extremely frustrating to not be able to figure out why things happen or why things do not happen. Everything within me silently screams to understand. My subsequent searches for understanding often take me on a winding and potentially perilous path to a sinkhole of quicksand called “I still don’t understand.”

As the sticky, suffocating sand surrounds me and threatens to sink my thinking into oblivion, I desperately cast my “I don’t understand” dilemmas at the feet of God.

Please God, help me to understand is my heartfelt cry. With eager expectation, I hope to hear a word that will satisfy my desire to figure things out. Sometimes that word comes and sometimes it doesn’t.

So, what is a Christian to do when life doesn’t make sense and they don’t understand?

Solomon helps us get a healthy grip on THOSE TIMES when we cannot figure life out. His simple instructions in our scripture for the week will save us a lot of grief when we face situations that do not make sense to us. Following the wisdom writer’s three step faith formula will help us prevail over perplexing times we don’t understand.

“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

First, TRUST IN THE LORD.

The exhortation is to trust in the Lord. In other words, put your faith in God. Simply and purposefully stimulate your faith in situations you don’t understand. And trust the Lord “with all your heart.” Not part, but all your heart. With every fiber of your being, let faith rise up within in you.

Take your head out of it and put all your heart into it. As much as possible, shut off your mind and turn on your spirit of faith. Look beyond the shortcomings of your human understanding. Lift your whole heart to the One whose heart knows what is best for you.

Second, DO NOT TRUST IN YOURSELF.

The next exhortation is a negative one. Do not lean (rely for support or inspiration) on your ability to understand.

Frustration sets in when we look to ourselves to solve things. Solomon says not trusting in ourselves is critical to success in making sense of life. You and I must resist the overwhelmingly irresistible and unbearable urge to figure it out for ourselves.

DO NOT DO IT! Isaiah 55:8-9 reveals that our thoughts and ways are not God’s thoughts and ways. I am glad and you are too that Steve Roll is not God!!! His understanding of life is much higher and wiser than ours. So, when we do not understand, we are to lean on God’s wisdom and understanding, not ours or another human being.

Third, SUBMIT YOUR SITUATION TO GOD.

Here is where the rubber meets the road. Acknowledge means to recognize. Recognize what? That God is our Creator and the creature is responsible to his Creator. Responsible to do what? Willfully and joyfully submit our lives to Him.

Please note the phrase “in all your ways.” In every way, hand over your lack of understanding to the One who understands. Release your limitations to the limitless God of the universe. Let go of what does not make sense to you. The Lord will help you make sense of it in His way and good time.

The result: HE, not we, will make our paths straight! WOW! Just what we need when we do not understand. A straight path. When we look to Him with faith, God will straighten out the crooked and confusing maze that not understanding can create.

When we do not understand, we can walk by faith on a straight path. And God Himself paves the path for us!

If death has suddenly claimed a loved one of yours, or you were recently fired from your good job, or you received a negative medical report, or world-events are tearing at your heart, or your dream is turning into a nightmare and you just don’t understand what is going on—put your trust in the One who does.

Faith does not have to understand to believe! Faith cannot always figure things out. But biblical faith always trusts God who knows what life is about. YOU CAN TRUST HIM!
Life may not make sense to you and me but God makes sense of life for you and me!!!!!

How about you my friend? Something perplexing you today? Driving you border line crazy because life does not make sense?

TRUST HIM TO MAKE SENSE OF WHAT MAKES NO SENSE TO YOU.

“Trust in the Lord forever, for in God, the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. “Isaiah 26:3

“Trust in the Lord and go good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”
Psalm 37:3

A Word For Your Week: When you don’t understand, stand firm in faith. Trust God with what you don’t know.

]]><![CDATA[Who Are You Trying To Please?]]>Tue, 20 May 2025 16:00:00 GMThttp://steveroll.org/a-word-for-your-week/who-are-you-trying-to-pleaseI hear often from people who come for restoration counseling that they are a “people pleaser.” Upon hearing details of their self-confession, I ask them how is that working out for you? Their sheepish response is something like this: “Not very well!”

All of us desire and need to be accepted by people. God put within us a longing to belong.

Love, acceptance and approval from others is a core need of our heart. But when our need for love, acceptance and approval from people is obsessive to the point where we live our life only to please others, we will be disappointed, and ultimately, become emotionally unhealthy.

The Apostle Paul had the right perspective on who we should seek to please.

“But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.” I Thessalonians 2:4

Paul certainly respected people and labored as a witness for Jesus in a winsome manner to win those were winnable to Christ (see I Corinthians 9:19-23, I Corinthians 10:33, Romans 15:2). Paul did his best to lovingly persuade men and women to receive the Lord. In doing so, Paul remembered that God (not men) approved of Him and entrusted him with sharing the Good News.

Paul was a caring, bold, persuasive witness for the Lord because he lived his Christian life, not as a people pleaser, but as a God pleaser.

Note he said he spoke (preached and taught) to please the One who examines the heart. Paul knew his heart belonged to the Lord and God would hold him accountable for his life and ministry.

I am convinced from experience that if you and I live to please people, we will be disappointed. Again and again! If we live our life to please God, you and I will never be disappointed “For the Scripture says, “whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” (Romans 10:11). I love this truth!

If is not possible for God to let us down or disappoint us when our daily desire is to live to please Him

Why Being A People Pleaser Won’t Work

People are fickle. One moment they approve of you, the next, not so much.
People are struck on themselves and do not care that much about you.
People cannot be pleased because they keep moving the bar of approval. You can never please people who expect you to please them.
People do not know your heart and may misjudge your motives.
Some people will never be pleased with you because they are not pleased with themselves.
“People pleasing” sacrifices my identity and sabotages my self-respect.
“People pleasing” is a certain pathway to disappointment, discouragement and disillusionment with the human race. I heard a couple of Amens!

Why Being a God Pleaser Works

God loves you and is pleased with you because of His Son Jesus Christ.
God takes immense pleasure and delight in you as His child.
You and I do not have and cannot earn God’s approval because we have it through faith in Jesus...
God knows our heart like no person can. His judgment is just, right and true.
Pleasing God is His good, acceptable and perfect will for our lives.
There is no greater joy than to start your day by committing yourself to please God in thought, word and deed.
Pleasing God reaps awesome rewards that no man could ever bestow upon us.

People pleaser or God pleaser…which one are you?

It took me years in my adult life to conquer the emotional desire/need to please people. Even as a born-again. Spirit-empowered Christian and minister of the Gospel, I wrestled with people pleasing. I wanted people in my ministry to like me. I think I am very likable. Even lovable.

But instead of being who the Lord has made me; I had this thing in me that erroneously felt let I had to prove in some way that I was worthy of people’s love and approval.

Guess what? People I tried to please could not be pleased! The Lord revealed to me to keep my eyes on Him, love people and fulfill the calling on my life. Freedom from people pleasing has been a major growth point in my personal life. I live daily to please God and minister to people who are open to receive God’s Word and live for His pleasure.

APPLICATON: Take a time out. Get quiet before God. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Let the Lord point out if you are living to please people or God. Make whatever lifestyle adjustments you need to make to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Think about it. Because of God’s great love for you and me, it should be easy (a no brainer if you will!) to live to please Him!

A Word For Your Week: Pleasing God is the pathway to a fruitful, fulfilling, satisfying life.
]]><![CDATA[Amazing Faith]]>Tue, 13 May 2025 16:00:00 GMThttp://steveroll.org/a-word-for-your-week/amazing-faithWhat do you do when you have a chronic problem that will not go away?
You have done everything you know to do to resolve ii. The issue only gets worse and worse.
I am glad I asked the question many of us have struggled with.

I have discovered throughout my life and the lives of many others that God does awesome things for those with amazing faith.

There is a precious woman in the Bible who faced an insurmountable life mountain with amazing faith, resulting in the miracle she needed.
Her incredible story of faith is found in Mark 5:25-34. Read it. Meditate on it. Soak your spirit, if you will, with this inspiring example of bold, amazing faith. Here is a synopsis.
A lady has been hemorrhaging for twelve years. She has consulted multiple medical specialists to no avail. Her bank account does not have money. She has exhausted her insurance, finances and patience pursuing a cure that never comes.

Her mind is understandably frustrated with unanswered questions, continual disappointment, troubling discouragement, depression and desperation.

Her personal dilemma was complicated by the fact she was a woman in a man’s world. Treated as a second-class citizen. The incessant hemorrhaging made her unclean in public. She was a subject of gossip and ridicule. She was embarrassed, humiliated and ashamed about her condition.

No matter. She had heard about Jesus and His healing miracles.

She took action. In verses 27-28 we read “After hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought “If I just touch His garments, I shall get well.”
Please note that first she thought “If I touch His garments, I will get well.” Her thought led to a touch. She decided to get well by reaching out to the One who made people well.
Verse 29 reports “And immediately the flow of her blood dried up, and she felt in her body she was healed of her affliction.” Wow! Twelve long years, nothing but bleeding. “Immediately”. Right now. Without delay. The once non-stop bleeding ceased!

She knew she was healed! Jesus knew too.

Verses 30-32 describe how Jesus sensed someone had touched Him. Healing power had left His body. The Lord asked “Who touched My garments?” The disciples, so human and spiritually dense like you and I would have been, questioned how anyone could know who touched Jesus’ garments in a large crowd. If anyone could, certainly Jesus would!
Jesus looked for the woman. “Fearing and trembling,” the healed woman fell down before Jesus and told Him the whole truth (Verse 33). Her humility, honesty and sincerity touched the Savior’s heart.
Jesus’ response in verse 34 is off-the-charts amazing. “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

Her faith made her well. Because she believed, she received healing from Jesus.

Note Jesus called her “daughter.” The word “daughter” must have warmed her heart, causing a not-so-special woman in the eyes of others to feel very special in the heart of the Son of God.
Imagine how she felt as she walked away. No more bleeding or pain. No more embarrassment or shame. No more ridicule. No more doctor appointments! I have an idea that this humble, healed, healthy lady rejoiced in the Lord, skipping and dancing all the way home!
If you were this woman, how would you have felt and responded to your miraculous healing?
Four Simple Steps Of Amazing Faith

Step Out Of The Crowd. Separate yourself from looky-loo’s, skeptics, cynics, doubters and sensation seekers. Never let a crowd keep you from going to Jesus. Never allow doubt to keep you out of His presence.
Step Through The Crowd. Push through the masses to seek and receive the miracle you need from Jesus. A crowd can hold us back. Crowds are just that: crowds. Crowds won’t produce my or your miracle. Leave the crowd behind to get to the One who stands above crowds.
Step Forward to Touch Jesus. Touching the Lord is the objective. Nothing less. Faith always moves forward to reach Jesus. The reward of a miracle is more than worth the risk of stepping out in faith.
Step humbly to receive healing. With a sincere, humble heart, expect to receive that for which you are believing. Jesus wants to heal you as much as you want to be healed.

Principle: Hearing leads to believing, believing leads to acting, acting on faith leads to miracles.
Bottom line: Miracles happen to those who believe they will.

Do you need a healing miracle? Are you currently struggling with a long-term spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, relational or financial issue that has exhausted and exasperated you? Have you spent all you have to no avail to find a cure?
Rubber meets the road: Do you have faith like this woman that drove her to boldly push through the crowd to reach Jesus? Why not step out with amazing faith like this dear lady did?
You and I live in a crowded world. Some believe, most do not. I do not know about you. But my faith in Jesus means everything to me. When facing an insurmountable obstacle, with the Holy Spirit’s help, I chose to step out in faith to trust the Lord. for the “miracle” I need.

God does the miracles you and I need in His way and timing, for our good and His glory. Amazing faith is the key to amazing miracles.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” II Corinthians 5:7
A Word For Your Week: Step out boldly with am]]><![CDATA[Growing Up Is Hard To Do!]]>Tue, 06 May 2025 16:00:00 GMThttp://steveroll.org/a-word-for-your-week/growing-up-is-hard-to-doIf you were to ask me what one message I would convey to the vast majority of people who have come to me for pastoral advice and counsel over the past three decades, I would say with great gusto “Grow Up!”

Ouch! That hurts because so many of us refuse to grow up.

Paul tells us in I Corinthians 13: 11 “When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” Paul also writes in I Corinthians 14:20 “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature.”

When we were kids, we did what kids do. We acted childish, not grown up. It is perfectly all right and acceptable for children to act like children, because they are kids! Childhood is a very special season in our lives.

But when childhood passes and adulthood takes center stage, we are to grow up and act like grown ups, not children in adult bodies.

When Paul became a man, he chose to do away with childish things. He purposely changed his thinking and behavior. No more kid’s stuff for Paul. Maturity was the mark he strove for. Paul made daily decisions to step out of childhood and walk in adulthood as a believer in Jesus Christ.

So much poor adult behavior is childish behavior.

Sadly, some people never do away with childish things, they never mature in their thinking and conduct, and they wonder why they cannot maintain healthy, adult relationships.

I have an idea why. They act like immature children. Juvenile. Some people act like spoiled brats! Sometimes in counseling I feel like I am babysitting! I have to call time outs. Some people throw spiritual tantrums and emotional fits. You know what I would like to do? Send them to their rooms. Ouch again!

Growing up is hard to do but is required if we are to become like Christ and enjoy mature, mutually satisfying relationships with God and people.

Think with me for a moment. Do you realize how frustrating it is for a person you love to relate to you on an adult level when you choose to act like a little child? Adult-child does not work when mature relationships require adult-adult. Adults need to grow up and act like grown-ups!

Paul gives wise, sensible guidance to the body of Christ concerning conduct toward brothers and sisters in the church.

“But speaking the truth in love, we are to GROW UP in all aspects unto Him, who is the head, even Christ...” Ephesians 4:15

The context of verse 15 is verses 11-16. “Speaking the truth in love” means calling stuff what it is. If we are to grow up, we must begin by facing the truth. Truth is truth. I believe the rule for healthy relationships is to always take the high road and speak truth with love.

Love takes the hard edge off tough stuff. But love does not mean not facing truth and needing to grow up and act maturely. Love doesn’t cover truth. It exposes truth and provides opportunity for change---if we are willing to grow up!

Why is it so hard for us to “grow up” in our Christian life? Here are a few reasons to ponder.

Growing up means I must face my shortcomings and do something about them.
Growing up means I must be willing to stop making excuses for poor behavior.
Growing up means that I must admit that I am not perfect.
Growing up means I might have to admit that I was wrong and you were right.
Growing up means I, and I alone, must take responsibility for my actions.
Growing up means I must repent, apologize, seek forgiveness and make restitution when I have wronged others.
Growing up means I must put away childish behavior and decide to act like an adult.
Growing up means I must look to Jesus as my standard for maturity and do whatever He tells me to do to be more like Him.
Growing up means I will have to die to self and live for God and others.
Growing up means that if I desire to be Christ-like, I must grow up to be like Jesus.
Growing up means, bottom line, that I value relationships with God and people so much that I refuse to act like a baby anymore.

Imagine what would happen in the church of Jesus Christ, in Christian homes, in the business community, in our world if Christians started GROWING UP and SHOWING UP as mature witnesses for Christ? Wow—revival and restoration to righteousness, holiness, goodness, wholeness, wellness, happiness, prosperity and peace would be the order of the day.

If you need to grow up, start right now. The stakes are too high to continue to act like an immature child. Successful living requires mature, grown up, adult behavior.

Choosing not to grow up you will never know how good grown-up living can be. Chose to grow up and you will know how being like Jesus can make life abundant and worth living.

Hey friend, are you growing up and becoming more and more grown up in Christ each day?

“Therefore, putting aside all malice and al guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the Word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” I Peter 2:2

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.” II Peter 3:18

A Word For Your Week: If you want to go up, GROW UP!

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