* At the End of the Rainbow

Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” [underline emphasis is mine]
Genesis 9:8-17 NLT

This morning, I had the illustrated sermon of this Scripture passage. It was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience! You may find it a little hard to believe, but every word of it is true... However, before I tell you about it, let me backtrack just a little.

God has been RE-establishing in me the importance of first-time obedience. We get older, we get more laid-back, and many times, we develop an "I'll-get-to-it-eventually" attitude. You can best believe that didn't work for me when my kids were growing up, and I'm sure, God doesn't like it, either.

This morning, I felt impressed to make a phone call. I knew in my heart it was the Holy Spirit, but I didn't reach for the phone at that moment. I thought, "Let me finish getting ready for work, and then I'll call." And instantly, I heard, "When the Lord speaks, if it's not first-time obedience, it's rebellion." I do NOT want to walk in rebellion. I want to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I want to hear God's instruction and be trusted to immediately respond. I picked up the phone and dialed, as I asked for forgiveness. And I don't know how to explain this to you, but after the phone call, it was as though I could feel that God was pleased with me. That was cool, but that is not the incredible, once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience.

As I left for work, it began to rain. In my "aware of God" moment, I thanked Him for it instead of complaining that I was getting wet. As I got a couple miles down the road, the sun was shining like there was no rain even though it continued to rain. I started looking for a rainbow. I knew there was going to be one. And sure enough, up ahead and to the left, the arc of the bow began to form. I knew it was going to be a good one with the bright sun behind me and the heavy downpour in front of me. It was wide and very vibrant and in a matter of minutes, it was a full rainbow and as the road turned for me to head due west, one end of the rainbow was in the road directly in front of my car! I could hardly believe it! I exclaimed, "Oh, Father, I'm at the end of the rainbow! There's no pot of gold, but this is so much better!" For it was in that moment, that I understood what making a covenant meant to God. Here we are, thousands of years later, and His Word still stands! I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds.

In that moment, I understood that even if I'm heading into a terrible storm, God has promised never to leave me, never to forsake me. He promised. His Word cannot be broken. In Matthew 28:20, His Words are: Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Oh, I have found riches untold at the end of the rainbow!!

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for the great report Denise got today. You are an awesome God! Seal all that You have done in our hearts this day. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Serving a Purpose +

Jesus' refusal was curt: "Beat it, Satan!" He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy:
"Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."
Matthew 4:10 The Message Bible

At work today, we had a little chat about bucket lists - who wants to do what, when and how the lists may have changed and evolved over the years. Many had to do with seeing far away places of the world. Just as many were very specifically individual pursuits even though the ones who commented were married. I thought it was also interesting to note that the vast majority of the lists had nothing to do with accomplishing more or "higher" goals in the chosen career field.

Over the last week, there have been quite a few remarks about people's perceptions of what they were born to do. It's been enlightening, to say the least.

Have you ever given that serious thought? Have you ever listened for God's answer as to how or for what He created you? He has a plan, you know. He had a plan for your life when He created you in your mother's womb.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT

There's an old song - "Born to Serve the Lord" that just has wonderful words to it. They are:

From the dust of the earth

My God created man

His breath made man a living soul.

And God so loved the world

He gave His only Son

And that is why I love Him so.

For I was made in His likeness

Created in His Image

But I was born to serve the Lord.

And I won't deny Him

I'll always walk beside Him

for I was born to serve the Lord.

The second verse gives the reasons we have eyes, ears, legs, etc. We truly were born to serve the Lord - and to serve Him with singleness of purpose. Is your life serving a purpose? More specifically, is your life serving His purpose?

Prayer:

Father,

          Let our hands serve our neighbor, our eyes read Your Word, and our feet walk only in Your footsteps as You go before us making the crooked way straight. You created us to serve, Father. Help us to walk single-heartedly in our purpose. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Are You Putting Me On?

Then He said to His disciples,
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing."
Luke 12:22-23 NKJV

 We put on a lot of things in an effort to improve how we look and how we are perceived by those around us. We put on deodorant and clean clothes. Women put on makeup and sometimes men wish they could and both put on multiple hair products and colognes. Many people are motivated by not wanting to be judged. However, even when we're not trying to be judgmental, we often have a comment based on something we've decided we like. I like your shirt. Your hair looks great. Your makeup looks really good today. Is that a new jacket? Oh, I love your earrings. It doesn't stop there, but neither you nor I have the time to make a complete list.

Then you've got phrases like, Puttin' on the Ritz, puttin' on the dog, putting on a brave face, puttin' on your big-boy britches. One of my favorite quotes is by A.A. Milne, 'When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen.'  Makes me wanna put on my Big Boots...

The greatest adventure of them all has to do with putting on something else entirely. There was a certain crown  - made of thorns  - that was put on His head. And they also put on Him a purple robe. Then they mocked Him, judged Him and falsely accused him, and put Him on the Cross to die for our sin.  

Galatians 3 tells us, For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Have we put Him on or are we putting Him on (but not in a good way) and only fooling ourselves?

Colossians 3:12-14 NKJV, tells us, Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Do we see ourselves putting on all these things, according to this passage of Scripture? If Jesus asked, "Are you putting ME on?" what would be your answer?

Prayer:

Father,
          According to Your Word, Since we have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, help us to throw off our old sinful nature and our former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes. Help us to put on our new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

It's Hard Work... +

With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!

My friends, this can't go on. A spring doesn't gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don't bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don't bear apples, do they? You're not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?
James 3:9-12 The Message Bible

Have you ever had someone in your life who repeatedly frustrated the fire out of you? At some point, you decide you've had enough and you're just going to tell them exactly how you feel! You feel justified in your anger and frustration and you're not holding back any longer. You let them have it! Both barrels... How'd that work for you?

If, on every other day, you live your life to follow Christ, then in this instance of Oh, it will feel good to tell them off - it only takes a second or two after you've spouted off to get that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach.

And if we would take the time to pray and submit our will and our flesh to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we would realize that we really don't want to sow that kind of garbage in someone's life.

If we reap what we sow (and we do!), do we really want to reap the harvest of our bad attitudes? Think about it for a moment.  That would equate to a lot less profit on our return, and a lot of extra work trying to remove the garbage thrown out there from that which is good.

Continuing in Chapter 3, verses 17 & 18, Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

Jesus never said it would be easy. In truth, He told us it would be hard...but it's not impossible.

Prayer:

Father,
            According to Your Word, O God, Let my prayer be accepted as sweet-smelling incense in Your presence. Let the lifting up of my hands in prayer be accepted as an evening sacrifice. O Lord, set a guard at my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Are You Chicken?

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
Luke 16:10-12 NLT

Are you chicken? No, this isn't about being afraid or having courage. It's about being faithful. You might ask how in the world being chicken has anything to do with faithful, but my pastor, Alan Neel, gave a GREAT illustration tonight and I'm going to share it with you here.

The lesson was about being the body of Christ and behaving like it. We're like a sports team - everyone plays the position to which they've been assigned. If members get hurt and are on the injured list, are there others who will pick them up and help to minister healing to them? Is there anyone to pick up the slack? Can the members of the body be counted as faithful to do what they say they will do?

Luke 6:44 NLT reads, A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. What fruit is evident in our lives? Pastor Alan provided a marvelous rule of thumb as an illustration to help us determine what sort of fruit can be seen in our lives by those who know us.

Say it's family reunion time and everyone is pitching in by bringing food. The big meal is planned, so they're working from a list of items that need to be brought for dinner. What's your assignment - Chicken or potato chips? Brisket or bread? You see, the main dish is always assigned to someone they know they can count on. Someone who will be on time and prepared. Bread and chips are assigned to those who might make it, but then again, might not. You never can tell - and chips or bread can be picked up at the local convenience store if need be.

So...are you chicken?

Prayer:

Father,
           Open our eyes to see the Truth about ourselves. Break hardened hearts to mold them into Your image. We want to be counted as faithful, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

*After the Valley

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 NKJV

Christian or cretin - the Twenty-third Psalm is one of the most well-known passages of Scripture in the world today. Children and adults alike can recite it for you. It's similar to a Christmas carol in that respect. We all know the words, but when was the last time we actually paid attention to what the words really say?

I've always been partial to God preparing a table before me in the presence of my enemies... (take that, devil!), but next to verse 1 - The Lord is my Shepherd... - I think our text, verse 4, is the 2nd most well-known phrasing. Two important things to note here - it's the shadow of death, not Death Valley, and we're walking THROUGH. We're not staying. We're not setting up camp or a souvenir stand. We may have "been there done that" but we don't need to sell tickets for the sideshow or postcards of it. We're walking through. Keep moving...

Yessiree, keep moving because it's AFTER the valley that we find the goodness and mercy following us all the days of our lives. Praise His Holy Name!

Prayer;

Father,
          I never cease to be amazed at Your goodness and mercy toward us. Thank You for comforting us as we walk through the valley. Thank You for bringing us through to the other side. Giving You all praise - In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yY-8X_7gkw

* In a Fog

Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed."

Habakkuk 2:2-3 NLT

She was born in San Diego on May 19, 1918. Florence May Chadwick had her first swimming competition win at the age of ten, and at the age of eleven competed in her first "challenging" competition,  a rough water swim.  She placed fourth in the event.

Chadwick's biggest contribution to swimming history occurred on August 8, 1950, when she crossed the English Channel in 13 hours and 20 minutes, breaking the then-current world record held by American swimmer Gertrude Ederle. Ms. Ederle was the first woman to successfully swim cross the English Channel. 

One year later, Chadwick crossed the English Channel yet again, from England to France; this time, in 16 hours and 22 minutes, thus making her the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions, and setting a record for the England-France journey.

In 1952, Florence attempted to swim the 26 miles between Catalina Island and the California coastline. As she began, she was flanked by small boats that watched for sharks and were prepared to help her if she got hurt or grew tired. After about 15 hours, a thick fog set in. Florence began to doubt her ability, and she told her mother, who was in one of the boats, that she didn’t think she could make it. Unable to see the coastline due to the fog, she swam for another hour before asking to be pulled out. As she sat in the boat, she found out she had stopped just one mile short of her destination.

Two months later, Chadwick tried again. That time was different. The same thick fog set in, but she made it because she said she kept a mental image of the shoreline in her mind while she swam.

Sometimes, our lives can be just like that. We get in a fog, and can't see any way to get where we're supposed to be going. We lose sight of our destination. But let me remind you - our destination is Heaven. Can you see the gates of pearl? Fog or no fog, fix it firmly in your heart and mind. That's the goal. Jesus made the way.  Keep heading in the right direction. You're almost there. Don't give up! Don't stop now - we are SO close!

Prayer:

Father,
         Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, we press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Fix it in our hearts and minds, so that we are not taken off course. Help us to keep our eyes on our goal - eternity with You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Simple Obedience

But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord:  your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols."
1st Samuel 15:22-23a NLT

Right here (in this passage) is where King Saul was deposed. God told him to destroy everything of the Amalekite nation, but Saul didn't follow through. Oh, he did most of it, but not all of it. When confronted with the livestock that he kept, Saul replied they were going to use it to sacrifice to the Lord. It sounded logical. Seemed reasonable to Saul. However, there was a problem. Disobedience.

NOT doing what God said to do is disobedience. Wanting to do it your own way instead of His is being stubborn. Doing your own thing - or picking and choosing what part of it you want to do instead of what He said to do is rebellion... as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols...

Simple obedience... Is it an oxymoron? Sometimes it seems very difficult to fully obey, but anything less than fully obedient is disobedience and will get you deposed.

There is no "that's close enough" in the Kingdom of Heaven. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Immediately, completely and without hesitation. Never a question of whether or not it will be done, or how much of it. It's simple, really.

Simple Obedience.

Prayer:

Father,
           Open our eyes to see our disobedience. Change our hearts to rid us of our stubborn and rebellious natures. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Are You With Me?

...as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee...
Joshua 1:5b KJV

When I was little, my mother kept a little container full of Bible verses on the kitchen table, and every day, we'd all pick one. The Promise for Today is one of the first Scripture pieces I committed to memory. I've mentioned it before - I'd fallen through the glass door of my mother's china closet, yet God had protected me. When it was all said and done, I picked a verse from the box and Joshua 1:5b was the text. It went immediately into my memory and has stayed there all these years.

It's one of those verses I hear when I need to be reminded that God is with me. He promised. Until recent years, I'd never really done a study on Moses' life, so I don't think I fully understood the commitment God was making to Joshua at the time. Nor did I grasp the depth and wealth of that promise.

Today, as I face yet another challenge in my life, my pastor taught from Joshua 1 this evening. A sweet and loving reminder of a lifelong promise God made - not only to Joshua - but to me, as well. And He finishes that verse with,  I will never fail thee, nor forsake thee.

And just like Moses refused to go one step if God wasn't going with him, I don't want to, either. So, based on His Word - His promise - it's not a matter of me asking God, Are You with me? He's already promised that He will never leave me, nor forsake me. It's more a question of God asking us, "Are you with Me?"

What's your answer?

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for the seeds of Truth You plant all through our lives, whether we are actively following You, or You are actively pursuing us to follow You.  Thank You that those truths are alive and bring forth good fruit in us. Help us to be moved only by You, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

Benefits +

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Psalm 103:1-2  NKJV

During the course of dinner, the conversation turned to gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit and the difference between them. 

Fruit is what we reap from seed that is sown and nurtured by walking in the Spirit not fulfilling the lusts of our own flesh. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 

Gifts are not fruit. They are... well, gifts. At that moment, my friend made a statement that was profound in its simplicity. "Gifts are always a benefit." Selah

And that's exactly how Scripture defines gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians 14. They are beneficial to the whole church when used accordingly. What if we don't use them for the whole church? Oh, they're still gifts, still useable, but they are of the most benefit when used to edify and strengthen ALL.

What are some of the other benefits from our text today? Continuing in verse 3 - 5:

³ Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Verse 8

The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

And these are just a few... when we choose to follow Him, we get the full benefits package.

Prayer:

Father,

          I will bless Your Name at all times. My praise for You shall continually be in my mouth. I cannot thank You enough, nor praise You enough for all You have done for me. As Matt Redman wrote in his song, Let me be singing when the evening comes - bless the Lord, O my soul! O my soul, worship His holy Name. Sing like never before, O my soul! In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

The Message +

Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all!

All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale.

And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus.

God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus.

He will never give up on you. Never forget that.
1st Corinthians 1:7-9 The Message

There are times I just LOVE the Message Bible! Tonight is one of those times. This Scripture passage IS the message. It says it all.

I'm not adding anything else... read it again and again and again... until the Truth of it gets deep in your spirit, and you get the real message...

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray according to Your Word in Psalm 119, O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised. Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised. Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees. Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right. Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments. O Lord, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight. Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen