A Rainbow Connection

GENESIS 9:11-17

And I will establish My Covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud. And I will remember  My Covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.Andthe bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between Me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

Many times my brain makes word associassiations, whether I want it to or not.  For instance, there are some oldies I enjoy that are now used for advertisements or part of a show’s soundtrack. Often I hear the songs and  I’m reminded of commercials   or a scene from a movie.

The RAINBOW is a sign from Almighty God. What a beautiful symbol the Lord paints in the sky, as a reminder of His covenant with us. 

According to https://huttchersonlaw.com/what-are-the-penalties-for-copyright-infringement/ Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses your work without obtaining your permission.  Works covered by copyright law include text, photography, videos, books, music, movies and plays, graphics or art, architecture, and sound.  In today’s technological age, it is so easy to copy someone else’s copyrighted work—but that does not mean it is legal.

Sadly, but not surprisingly,there is more protection for business logos than for a creation of our Lord. As implied in copyright situations, those who use what is made by another, use something created without the blessing or permission of the creator.  Something so beautiful , intended to represent a promise of God, wasn’t made to serve any other purpose.  Look at the red, blue. indigo and green ornament in the skies, and appreciate the Lord’s glorious artwork.

Thanks to the Lord for such a spectacular display, and only  associate it with His  Covenant for which it was specifically designed.

Heavenly Father 

Thank You for this day

Please forgive our sins against You, others and ourselves

We appreciate the beauty of Your Creation

Thank You for the splendor  of the rainbow

And for the promise it represents

We give You all glory and honor

In Jesus Name

Amen

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Our Fleshly Default Setting: I, Me, Mine

Galatians 6:5 – For every man shall bear his own burden.

2 Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  

Proverbs 28:13 – He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.  

1 Corinthians 13:11 – When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  

My pool. My roses. My, my. my EXCEPT when we are talking about sin. I don’t know about you, but I am more than willing to share blame (or give it away entirely, if that is an option).  The responses to being “called out” in a sin are usually something along the line of me responding to someone or something.  Jonathan would get so  irritated in our Sunday school class because I would start laughing at an expression one of my friends would have whenever something was said about something I knew they related to personally.  Either they would glance at me or I at them, and then I lost it and had to head out of the class to compose myself.

See, even re-telling the situation, I didn’t really take complete responsibility for my actions.  Anyone should have been able to make an eye roll or furrow  brows without me reacting in hysterical laughter, but I was only responding to them, right?

The “my” phase should be long since past. In my mind, I’m that youngest of 6, playing with my toys, playing things my way. It seems as though, one, as a Christian, nothing really actually belongs to me, but is something my Heavenly Father allows me to have charge over for as long as He deems fit.  If He wants something back,  it will be much easier to give it, knowing that it is His, than having something taken while trying to hang on to whatever or whomever it is.  Two, with a family, even what I consider to be “mine”, isn’t! I have to confess, for someone who was not accustomed to sharing much other than blame or opinions, there is still a substantial amount of growth needed in this woman

!My granddaughter, Alexandria, holds tightly to her blanket. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to wash and return it, there is going to be a fit, no doubt, until she gets it back.  Let’s not find ourselves so consumed by what we’re given that we are unwilling to release it into God’s Hands. He  knows when we have outgrown something or someone, although we tend to neglect or refuse to admit it to ourselves.

Is something or someone inhibiting your spiritual growth? Loosen your grip and hand whatever it is to God.  Consider maybe He is either permanently removing or restoring something in your life.  Whatever His action, it is for His glory and our good.  Lose the attitude unless it is gratitude!Heavenly FatherThank You for a glorious day with no storms in this areaThank You for the errands run, the work done and the freedom and health to do what need to be donePlease forgive our sins against You, others and ourselvesPlease remind us to show grace to othersAs You show so much grace toward usThank You for all You have blessed us with, FatherLet us not forget and our hearts remain thankful for all You doWe know it is You Who sustains us in the most difficult timesPlease us mindful of this when You take us to the mountain tops

In the Name of Jesus our Savio

rAmen

credits: God the Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Scripturegoogle, kingjamesbibleonline.org

God’s Timing…Wait for it…

1 Samuel 1

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of Mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:  And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 

And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of Hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. 

And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb .And as He did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.

 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.

 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.

 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever.

 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the Lord establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.

 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.

For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

 Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

This account, with so many others in Scripture, shows us how God’s timing is not the same as ours. What about the 40 years wandering through the desert?  How about Noah’s construction of the Ark?

All bent up in frustration because things don’t happen in OUR  time frame, doesn’t make them happen any faster! Genesis shows us one of many  hairbrain ideas we can have, attempting to circumvent God’s Plans.  

Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

  Recall how that situation  turned out for those involved?  Consider that your actions or inactions have consequences others may have to endure.

Let’s keep this in mind as we wait on God.  Just because we aren’t seeing things happen, doesn’t mean nothing is!  God does not have to “run” His Plans by anyone! 

2 Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

We seem  to want the Lord to move fast in some circumstances. I seem to grumble daily about this house not being sold “fast enough” so we can ” move on” to our next phase. To what or where?  God knows, and for now, I can either trust Him or not. God does not have a “backup plan”

 The world is in such a state of chaos, it is a blessing that we have hope of eternity in Christ.  Would we rather the immediate return of Christ, or are we willing to postpone His coming, praying that more of the Lost will be drawn into  a relationship with Jesus before that happens?

Revelation 21:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Heavenly Father

Thank You for this and every day 

We’ve been given and will be given

Please forgive us of our sins against You. others and ourselves

 God, we ask you for trust in Your Perfect Timing

Knowing that You love us, Father

Knowing that You do not follow man’s clock or calendar

You are THE CREATOR

You know when, what, where and how all things happen

Please let us be willing to surrender whatever plans, dreams or hopes we have

Be glorified, Lord

Let us take comfort and find joy that You are in control 

And Your Will be done

In Jesus Name

Amen 

Learning The Lord’s Language The Almighty Translator

I
John 3: 1-3There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that Thu Art a Teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see The Kingdom of God

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If someone stood in the middle of Times Square, speaking aloud in a foreign language, only those who know the language could understand it[  Neither can a deaf person  hear, regardless of volume.

In this sense, when a believer in Jesus Christ uses a completely different language than non-believers.  This oftentimes causes great frustration, as it puts up a barrier between Christians and Non-Christians.  There is a breakdown in communication unless the Lord intervenes.

Too many times, Chrisrtians seem to act as though if they just talk about Jesus long or loud enough, what they are attempting to get through, somehow will.

Only through the power of The Holy Spirit, God’s Words are translated into something the disbelieving heart will accept and understand. It is in no way attributed to the person delivering the message

As this world gets more corrupt, it is increasingly important to share God’s Truth with those who do not have a relationship with Him.  We are not called to, nor can we save them. but we can plant the Seed of God’s Word.

Without Jesus, we all would perish.  Thanks be to God for salvation!

Father God

Thank You for this day

Please forgive our sins against You. others and ourselves

Please give us the right words from You

At the appropriate time

Please do not let us miss opportunities to spread Your Word

Always let us give You glory for any chance to spread The Gospel

In Jesus Name

The Name above all names

Amen

Front Of The Line

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Contentment is not one of those words too often used these days.  Marketing professionals, and, well. anyone who has anything to sell, preys on our wants and (often unnecessary things we tend to call) “needs”.  We live in a time where we don’t want to wait for anything.

  
At one point, the stove was a modern miracle, now one stands glaring in the direction of the microwave because a meal may take eight minutes to thoroughly cook!  Oh the humanity, EIGHT MINUTES!!!!  There isn’t anyone I personally know. (nor am I), going to starve in 8 minutes! Waiting on anything or anyone seems like such an inconvenience.  How dare others intrude on  our time.  Think about that for a second.  EVERYONE can not be FIRST!

Can you imagine if we ran things, this place would be in even more selfish chaos than it is now, but it is headed that way at warp speed. As I said, the marketing firms are filled with bright minds whose job it is to bring out that narcissist.  We “deserve” the best of the best!  Why wait? Have what you want, when you want it! “Have it ‘Your way!”

These messages are pumped into us from early on and never stop!  There is no reason to be unhappy!  Take what you can get from life. You should be enjoying every day, doing what you want, where you want without interference from anyone when it comes to seeking your own satisfaction!

This mentality is so far from what Scripture teaches us.  Paul wrote about the situations and circumstances he found himself in (not just once), and yet he encourages the believer to find contentment in the ONLY SOURCE able to quench our needs.  All else is empty, not capable of filling us.  Sure, the hot ticket item may bring some excitement, but that is a feeling and it is temporary.  Finding true joy and fulfillment  is FOUND IN JESUS, AND THAT IS ETERNAL.

FATHER GOD 

Thank You for this and every day

Please forgive our sins

Please help us be content in whatever circumstance we find ourselves

You are right there with us

We don’t have to be happy constantly,

But with You, we can know true joy

Please let us seek You to fulfill the desires of our heart

And let us accept what You provide as gifts

Not counting what we want that others might have as lack

Please allow our satisfaction be found in You Alone

In Jesus Name

Amen

What Will You Do In Such A Time As This?

All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.

Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther’s uncle, Mordecai was holding Esther accountable to use the position God allowed her, to help her people.   “Connections” go a long way, good or bad.  When our children are young, we try to teach them the importance of staying around those that will be a good influence.  When someone has a great job and a position opens up there, it is nice to have someone “inside” give a good word, making your application more valuable with the assistance of a recommendation from someone already employed there.

What about when you ARE the one with advantage, do you use that to help others?  Are you willing to possibly put your reputation on the line for someone else?  

I do believe that God puts us places at certain seasons for a reason, and we need to be sure that we are doing all we can to make the best of our situation.  We don’t have to suggest others to join a team or get hired on, because  not everything is about that.  Your reason for being somewhere may be for your growth or for someone who is already there.

Just prayerfully consider and ask God what He wants you to do for Him where you are.  You may be ready to move on, but ask the Lord before you decide on your own to go, or you may want to stay and God has been telling you it is time to move.

Wherever you find yourself today, remember that you were brought there FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.

Father God

Thank YOU for this day

Please forgive our sins against You, others and ourselves

Lord, You have let out Your scepter 

That we can boldly approach Your Throne

Please show us how to serve You where we are right now

Please give us courage to move and willingness to stay where You want us to be

In Jesus’Name

AMEN

Don’t Bellyache In The Desert!

Exodus 14:10-12
As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us , that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness

Since moving in May, I’ve faced difficulties in one way or another!  From the first day here, trials started.  Where I was before wasn’t easy either,  but I was familiar with everything, and there was some comfort in that I suppose, even when situations weren’t ideal.

I hate to admit how many times I wallowed in pity, wondering why God uprooted me from where I was, only to bring me to this unfamiliar territory! Yes, God has provided more than I needed, as usual.  Jonathan has a job, two of my kids and the grandkids live close  (our oldest is a day’s drive away and she doesn’t mind travelling), we have wonderful neighbors and the list continues!BUT GOD has been working on my stubborn heart and head, showing me that He did not lead me out to this “desert” to perish! Although if I did, would that be so bad? (

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phil 1:21)

No matter how much I have moaned and groaned, and believe me, I have, The Lord is showing me that for His glory and my good, He has brought me to where I am.  Rather than regretting the move, I need to look at this from an entirely different perspective.  I must choose to rejoice in following God’s Will for my life,;

wherever that takes me and whatever circumstances I find myself in as I go through this life He has given.

Heavenly Father

Thank You for this day

Please forgive our sins against You, others and ourselves

Please give us not only contentment, but joy in obeying Your perfect Willl

In Jesus Name

AMEN

Be Still or Be Still(ed)

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Isn’t it amazing how the Lord can give an instruction seemingly so simple, yet we have such a hard time following it?

For I don’t know how long, I believe the Lord has prompted me to pick up with writing and sending out the devotionals, if for no other reason than to stay in His Word, consistently studying Scripture, but I have put off those spurrings to do other things. 

 God in His great mercy,  allowed me several months to get my act together and resume writing.  First, I was selling a house, buying a house, moving, moving in and from there my “reasons” for not doing what I should have in the first place became more and more ridiculous.

  If I didn’t truly believe it was God encouraging me, I wouldn’t be doing it now.  Why the procrastination though? If I “truly” believed, is that not being disobedient?

Anyway, long story short, there are a few situations (not bad or devastating), that temporarily (or however long God decides), are keeping me home-bound.  Since I did not seem to cooperate with the Lord in being “still”, I’ve found myself riding the bench for a while! It’s all good with me, though. 

God has given me a totally different outlook and perspective from this angle! Just a note to all, if the Father calls you out for whatever reason, respond promptly, because He will get your attention!
Heavenly Father

Thank You for each and every day

Please forgive sins we have committed against You, others and ourselves

.Please let us be sensitive to the Holy Spirit

We are not too busy to sit or stand still so You can instruct, correct, refresh us or whatever we need

Whatever You call us to do

Please let us wisely stop what we’re doing, acknowledge Who You Are, and obey

Our rest, refreshment, any true peace we have is found in You

Thank You

In Jesus’ Name

AMEN

The Light Shines Through Darkness

John 8:12 – Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life.

I have a tendency to move furniture and other things around quite a bit.  When I  do, sometimes at night when I have to get up, I will run into something where there was nothing earlier.  During the day I can navigate around better in my changed surroundings, plainly because I can see where I’m going.

The enemy likes to stir things up. always moving things around, causing constant chaos.   If we do not walk in God’s Light, we are prone to stumble and fall in this obstacle course we call the world.  

God on the other hand, never changes. What He sets in place, stays  in place.Some prefer darkness because they rather walk in  it than adjust to light, but it’s never the way to walk in assurance.  Yes, we can still trip and fall, even in the light, but only if we are not paying attention to where we are and know where we’re headed.
Is there any  wonder as to why Jesus is the Light?  Only light can penetrate darkness. not the other way around. Once light enters in, darkness has nowhere to go but  away.
Father GodPlease forgive our sins against You, others and ourselvesThank You for each glorious dayLord, You know what election results will be, as You set everything in motion for Your ReturnWe will not fear anythingWe know that come what may, You are King of kings and Lord of lordsThe office of a politician is limited to Your timeOnly Your Kingdom will endure foreverPraise, honor and glory to You, JesusAMEN

Fear NOT

Psalms 56:3 – What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Psalms 34:4 – I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Psalms 23:4 – Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy Rod and Thy Staff they comfort me.

Psalms 27:1 – (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD Is the Strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Meetings all day  at work about why the  company is not being as productive as it could, really?  Two hundred e- mails to answer between meetings, each one subject is “urgent” .In the middle of this, co-workers call.  Each one has a pressing matter to discuss, but you’ll have to call back because you’re running late to another meeting about a new project being thrown your way. We take on  so much, voluntarily or it is put upon us by what we do, there’s wonder why more of us aren’t completely in knots by week’s end.

God blesses us with a job, but I do not think He has any intention for us to stress ourselves over what we do. Why do we think we have to finish everything in such haste?  Sure, there are deadlines for certain tasks, but we do, as humans, have limitations on what we can accomplish in a particular amount of time, without the consequences of pushing ourselves past reasonable expectations.

Take Creation, God could have simply spoken the entire world, created man and woman and  everything else He did in an instant, but He didn’t.  He got quite a bit accomplished each day though, right?  He successfully and entirely did all He intended? He didn’t forget to do anything?

Lean on the Lord for direction on what priorities should be.  He will not mislead you.  God is the BEST “Project Manager” !Stop overwhelming yourself and listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit! He has much more wisdom than anything  you’ll get with more meetings!  Oh, I know you have to go, but take your leadership from the Lord.

Father God

Thank You for the weekend. For time to celebrate and praise You with our brothers and sisters in Christ

Please forgive our sins against You, one another and ourselves

Please help us to not put such high demands on ourselves or others

That we cause stress or anxiety for anyone else or for ourselves

When we put unreasonable expectations, it causes a multitude of problems with our health and in our spirit

You are NOT  the author of chaos

You want us to have a sound mind, not one overwhelmed by earthly issues

Being so busy distracts us from You, Lord

Let that never be so!

All honor, glory and praise

In Jesus’ Nam

eAmen