The world wants us to believe that more is better, faster is easier and the one with the most toys wins!  God tells us that if we seek Him in even the most mundane things, ask Him the silliest of questions He will guide us through!  He says that more of HIM is better, His timing is perfect, and the one with the most faith wins!   Our goal should always be about the message and not the messenger!  If something distracts us or others from the message, let's change it!  God will provide a way.  He looks at our hearts, not our outward appearance.  However, we live in a world where our image and our appearance do make a difference in our message.   God knows this and will provide for this.   Going without isn't God's plan for us.  Living with less does not please Him.  What matters is whether we desire to honor God with our wealth or our wealth makes us feel more honorable.  He just wants us to ask Him before we spend and obey His answer.  Trust that what He wants to give us is better than what we want or think we need and make a decision to submit to His authority. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/support

Today God spoke through me and shared words He wants you to hear.  (And it isn't about my wild hair...that was just to get your attention!) I am stepping out in boldness. I pray what you hear is a blessing.  He wants you to have heart knowledge and not just head knowledge.  Being able to speak and repeat scripture does not mean you are experiencing it.  God doesn't want to be a part of what we are doing.  He wants us to pay attention to what He is doing. Seek His will for your day, life, relationship, money, time, career, etc.  He may not always give you what you want but He will always give you what you need. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/support

Have you ever wanted to just flee the country?  Run away to an island somewhere and just forget the worries of the day?  I know I have!  Sometimes, the stuff we deal with...the pressures of life...are just too much.  Job felt it.  (Job 3:11)  David felt it.  (Psalm 55:6-8)  Elijah felt it too. (1 Kings 19)   The world tells us to focus on the positive!  It tells us that we must control our emotions and feelings.  We are made to feel like we must not be doing it right if we are experiencing overwhelm and challenge.  STOP! God asks us to give him our worries, troubles, fears, anxieties, etc.  He doesn't expect us to do it by ourselves!    True joy is a gift from God.  We can't get it by ourselves.  We have to turn and take it from God's hands.   1- Stop negating,  ignoring and avoiding the difficulties.  Recognize it.  Face it.  Define it. 2-PAUSE and ask God about it. 3-Look up the word, phrase, feeling or idea in www.openbible.info/topics 4-Read through the scriptures and ask God what He wants you to learn, where you need to grow and what needs to change? 5-Speak over your life, your feelings, your thoughts, etc....until you feel peace. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/support

Do you sometimes misunderstand what someone texts you or emails you?  Have you misread a message sent to you by someone?  We all have bias and the way we receive messages depends on our perspective and mood at the time!   God's word is very clear, concise and descriptive.  You really can't get it wrong...unless you want to.  But, sometimes we interpret scripture with a bit of bias.  We want to rationalize it or make it conform to our way of thinking.  When we do this, I think God might be saying, "no, that isn't what I meant!" 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."  God doesn't say one thing in one scripture and then the opposite somewhere else.  It all matches up.  The meaning doesn't change.   What verses do you misread?  Are you looking at the context or just pulling out the verse and using it the way you want to?  Look at the verses before and after...look at various translations...Ask God to reveal His meaning and truth to you.  In this way you will be getting his message loud and clear! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/support

Today is a day when many counties, cities, & towns vote for council members, mayors and other leaders.  Who do we vote for as one who seeks a life by God's design?   Is the leader power hungry or propelled by God's power?   Do they seek to have all the information and get angry if they don't? Do they only hire or keep those who agree with them? Do they mostly spend time with those who can help them achieve greater success? Do they seek out the weaknesses of others or tear down those who disagree with them? Do they try to defame the character of their competition? Do they continually boast of their accomplishments? Do they look for ways to increase their influence by any means necessary? Do they use their title and status more than their name? Do they care more about what the crowd of strangers thinks of them vs. their own family? Do they spend more time building connections with the public vs. strengthening their own personal relationships? What if you are faced with a crisis of neither is the "best" choice? Look for courage, conviction and patience.  Seek someone who is more interested in understanding vs being understood and who questions before suggesting!   Get God's opinion.  Isaiah 30:21 (ESV) says, "Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying 'this is the way, walk in it.'" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/support

We all have experienced FOMO (Fear of missing out) at some point in our lives.  We may have been pressured to order something or do something because we didn't want to miss out on a special deal or sale or promotion.  Most of the time, FOMO creates anxiety and envy.  What does GOD say about these things?  When you have a fear of mission out, you are simply saying, "God, I don't trust you."  Do you want to say this?   Are you overly consumed with what others say about you?  Do you believe that people, things, situations, money, status, etc., is what can make you happy?  Do your emotions change depending upon the situation, the news you receive or the status you have?  You are experiencing FOMO.   What about FOMO being FAITH OTHERS MOVE ON!  Faith in God, service to others, and move on!  Move on and move away from wanting what someone else has or what you think you need?  Ask God for His plan for you.  Learning to trust and believe in God's word takes intentional focus and takes time. You will either experience FOMO of the world or you will keep missing out on the blessings that are already yours.  It is your choice!   Hebrews 10:23 (MSG) says, "So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching." --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/support

Should a Christian celebrate Halloween or not?  I get questions like this all the time.  Do I listen to this music?  Participate in this group?  Get the vaccine?  Read this book?  etc...  My answer is always the same.  Does whatever you are deciding about draw you into a deeper relationship with God and a greater dependence on Him or does it pull you toward self, world and people?  It is a choice you must make.   Do people see the Bible in action when they pass by your home or is it the world in motion?  Are you seeking man's approval or God's?   1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) says, "But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/support

Time to lighten up!  It is hard not to laugh at a baby with uncontrollable giggles!  Sometimes the silliest of jokes will make us laugh!  When life hands us lemons, make lemonade!  Laughing in the face of adversity changes things!  Proverbs 31:25 (NIV) says, “She is clothed with strength and dignity;  she can laugh at the days to come.” What can you laugh about today instead of cry?  Where can you find the humor in a situation to soften the seriousness?  Find joy in your situation and take your eyes off the problem.  See your problems like a child would…laugh at the dropped milk! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/support

When we are faced with pressures from all around, we tend to start sorting the levels of pressure and the priority of action steps.  We get focused on the challenges with even more intention and purpose.  Unfortunately, this method is the fastest way to spiral downward and out of control.   Rather then allow ourselves to do this, we must pause and focus on God's promises.  James 1:2-4 (ESV) "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Stop praying to God while you are thinking about other things.  Focus on Him and allow Him to work through your challenges.  Perseverance is one of God's many blessings.  He will sustain you.  Allow His word to simmer in your pressure cooker and walk in peace. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/support

You may be the only Bible that someone reads.  Do you want them to see anger, resentment, hurt and frustration in you or would you prefer they see peace, gentleness and self-control?  When your trust is betrayed or you are disrespected, are you quick to forgive or do you simmer in your feelings?  As Jesus hung on the cross after being beaten, rejected, spit on and verbally attacked, he said, "Father, forgive them.  They don't know what they are doing!"  (Luke 23:34)   Forgiveness as a leader is as necessary to survival as breathing.  Pray this prayer- Father forgive them.  They don't know what they are doing.  Strengthen me through your word.  Soften my heart to give undeserved grace and at the same time, build a wall of protection around it!  Turn to God instead of your feelings and forgive when you feel like running away.  Breathe faith, hope and confidence into those who have hurt you and allow God to bless your obedience.   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/coffeewithcarole/support