RAINBOWS, THE PROMISE

New International Version (NIV) Genesis 9:12

12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come"

When our oldest daughter was a little girl, her favorite song was "Somewhere over the Rainbow," we would have to sing it every night before she went to bed. I can still picture her singing that song with her little girl voice. How sweet it was!

This week coming home from work I saw a rainbow. The scripture above comes from Genesis when God made the promise to Noah that He would never flood the earth again with rain.

There is a symbolism meaning here as well that the above scripture reads in Genesis verse 12, And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come." It means to me that God has made a covenant with me because I've accepted Him as Lord in my life and that He has a personal interest in me. He loves me and cares about me.

I put my hope and trust in Him and know that He is working all things out for my good. It's up to me to place my cares on Him. Seeing this rainbow brought a peace to me that was needed that day.

He has made a promise and just like He promised generations ago to those after the flood this promise applies to you and I today.

Waiting on God

Psalm 33:20 - 22 says, Our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in you.

There are so many people that I personally know are going through their struggles. They are believing God for miracles, finances, jobs, healing in their bodies and marriages. Believing for salvation for loved ones. Our heavenly Father is all-knowing, wise and loving. We always benefit when we follow his schedule. However, waiting on Him isn't fun at times actually it is difficult at times! We live in an instant world and we want it now! We want our miracle or answer to prayers now!

Throughout the Bible there are those that experienced delays before God acted on what He had promised. The following examples show how patience and obedience led to blessing.

God instructed Noah to build an ark because a flood was coming. When the rain didn't arrive, his neighbors must have thought him a fool. Noah trusted God and continued to work. (Genesis 6:12-22). There is a scene in the movie "Evan Almighty" where Noah has built the ark and the media, neighbors, city officials are all there waiting for something to happen when Evan looks up to the heavens, with not a cloud in the sky and says, "is it too much to ask for a little precipitation?" If you saw the movie you realize that he did hear right by building the ark.

Finally Pharaoh agreed to release the Jewish slaves, Moses learned it would take more warnings before God's plan would be fulfilled. (Exodus 7:1-7).

Jesus disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem until the promised Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4).

Like many of you, I am waiting for my answers to prayer. He knows what we have need of. The Lord has a plan for each of us, and the timing of every detail is always right. Waiting requires both faith and courage. Following the Lord's schedule we will see Him work all things out for our good and most importantly for His glory!

IT'S GONNA BE WORTH IT!

At times when you and I get discouraged, we sometimes wonder if it's worth it, that is our faith walk with Him, it isn't always easy. Well, I have to believe that it is worth it! He directs our steps and we must trust Him. He is our hope! Much of what I'm going to share today is from a devotional called InTouch Ministries. http://www.intouch.org/

"In the Midst of Trials" Genesis 39:6-20

Joseph lost his position in Potiphar's household and went to prison because of the lies of his Master's wife. He had hopes for release from jail but the king's servant forgot his promise to mention him. (Gen 40:14, 23). It had been 13 years and his future looked bleak.

Despite his circumstances, God was carrying out His plan to bless Joseph and benefit his family. God was going to use Joseph to rescue them the coming famine. God used everything that he had done or been through to do this. Joseph knew the Egyptian language and culture. He had developed leadership abilities and matured spiritually.

Joseph learned two things. First, the Lord is faithful and uses our problems or troubles to prepare us for His work. When the time came, Joseph was fully trained and ready to become second-in-command to Pharaoh. The King testified that God's presence was with Joseph.

Second, when the Lord accomplishes His purposes, the difficulty will end. In God's timing Joseph was freed from jail, and rewarded with a high-ranking appointment. He was reconciled with his family even though his boyhood was gone, he was blessed by living in the center of God's will.

Adversity can be painful, but the Lord uses it to further His purposes and equip us to carry out His plan. What is He trying to teach you in the midst of your trials? Ask yourself, "Am I cooperating with Him?" Even Jesus suffered to fulfill His Father's will for mankind. (Matt 16:21).

Part the Water's Lord

Usually I try to write blogs that are light and not heavy in heart, but I've just not been there lately. It's been a trying time for me personally. We all go through seasons ....we've read them all in Ecclesiastes. "A time to be born, a time to die. A time to heal; A time to break down. And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh;" and it goes on....

During these seasons that aren't pleasant we have to trust that God is in control and that He is working all things out for our good. My husband shared today in our morning services three points that I believe are powerful.

1. God has a plan for my life. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." We have to be open to change as we mature in our walk with the Lord. It's not easy, so what is the next step for our life? God's plans are more important than our plans.

2. He has a purpose for our problems. Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about it is this day, to save many people alive." These are opportunities to see God's work in our lives. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God. to those who are the called according to His purpose." God works in and through our lives. He allows things that might not be great now to take place, but we have to trust that it is for our good!

3. Because He's in control - my prayers are answered. Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. " He is in control and we have to trust Him. The song, "Peace speaker" says, He controls the winds and waves.

When you feel the waves around you it's important to remember that he will "part the waters". He is in control. Don't fight it, run from it or resist it. He is for you and not against you!

You Have Beautiful Feet!

I always thought that I had cute feet that is until my husband informed me that they weren't. You see he doesn't like feet he never has and probably never will. (This is probably just a man thing).

Our daughter, Jessica has inherited her mom's feet (that would be me!). She brags on how beautiful they are. She faithfully polishes and buffs them and when she can she'll get pedicures, and then wears the cutest little sandal shoes to show off her feet and toe-nail color! Jessica is so proud of them!

Whether you have cute feet or not, the bible says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who brings glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:15

The Lord will give us opportunities to share the message of Jesus to our neighbors, co-workers, friends and family. This is sometimes difficult for me because I'm not a "in your face kind of person," but with the Lord's help it's getting easier to share with others.

I want to have beautiful feet! How about you?