Be a Rainbow

I ran across a quote from Mrs. Charles E. Cowman who wrote the popular "Streams in the Desert" devotion books. Would you like to be a rainbow?

"Men ask for a rainbow in the cloud;

but I would ask more from Thee. I would be,

in my cloud, myself a rainbow . . . a minister to other's joy."

I've never thought about being a rainbow. What would that be like. From what Cowman wrote, a joy to others.

God mentions the rainbow four times in the Bible. We're most familiar with Genesis 9 when God made a covenant with Noah and God put the rainbow in the clouds. But rainbows are mentioned three other times in the Bible.

In Ezekiel 1:28, the appearance of a rainbow was in the clouds, the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. 

Bibleoutlined.com: This verse from Ezekiel captures a profound moment of divine revelation. The imagery depicts that of a vivid and glorious sight, akin to a rainbow. In Biblical terms, a rainbow is often a symbol of God's promises and His presence. By specifically mentioning that this appearance was akin to a rainbow on a rainy day, it evokes the idea that even in moments of darkness or gloom, god's glory can shine through.

In Revelation 4:3 share a "rainbow around the throne" and 10:1 when a strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon His head, and His face was like the sun, and His feet like pillars of fire.

Biblerepository.com: The rainbow encircling the throne reflects not only His majesty but also His mercy. Rainbows often symbolize hope and promise, reminding us of God's covenant not to destroy the earth again with a flood. This covenant symbolizes the balance of God's justice with His grace. Revelation 4:3 encapsulates the glorious nature of God while also touching on His faithfulness and goodness.

Godsbless.ing: A powerful angel comes down from heaven in Revelation 10:1-4, clothed with a cloud, a rainbow over his head, his face shining like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. This imagery of the angel's appearance conveys a sense of majesty, authority, and divine presence. The description of the angel's radiant appearance and connection to elements like the cloud and rainbow evokes the presence of God and His covenant with humanity.

Enduringword.com: Not only is the rainbow a reminder of God's promise to man, but it is also a natural result when the sun shines through a cloud.

Sounds like a good idea to be a rainbow. Rainbows bring joy when we see it in the sky. You just automatically smile. It's a reminder of God and the hope we have in Him.

By His Grace . . .

A Little Word

 

"Yet, I am always with You."

Psalm 73:23

I was reading a devotion in Jim Reimann's book, "Look Unto Me: The Devotions of Charles Spurgeon" and once again had to stop and consider a word. That tiny word "yet." Tiny, but powerful.

Spurgeon was sharing that "in spite of all the foolishness and ignorance that David had been confessing to God, he was not at all less certain he was saved and accepted, and that the blessings of being constantly in God's presence were undoubtedly his."

The verse before verse 23, David said, "So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee." I wondered, "Am I like that to God sometimes." Foolish and ignorant. "Yet" confident of his (David's) relationship with God, "he (David) nevertheless sings through a glorious outburst of faith, 'Yet, I am always with You.'"

"Yet." It means "Still." "Always." "Nevertheless." "In spite of." "Even now." I am always with You. You are always with me. I am never alone. You are faithful to me.  Despite my foolishness. Despite my ugliness. Despite my harmful ways. My pride, My anger.

It's little words like this that make me give thanks to God for His loving care over me. To have the secure knowledge and understanding that God is always with me, even when I make mistakes.

Scripturesavvy.com: "The phrase 'Yet, I am always with you' highlights God's faithful companionship in every situation. Here, we affirm that God's presence does not waver or falter. Even amidst trials, we can find comfort, knowing that God stands with us . . . God is like a faithful friend who sticks by our side no matter what . . . It reassures us that even when life feels heavy and burdensome, we are held firmly in God's embrace."

Just a little word that holds the power of God in it. Thank God that He's always with you. Even when you may be foolish and ignorant. And if you don't have that deep, settled confidence that God is always with you, it's time to find it. Make sure your belief is strong and steady. Accept it in your heart that He loves you and never leaves you. It's the only way to live as a child of God.

By His Grace . . . 

Readings

 A new devotion posted today on: Timely Words from Saints of Old: F. B. Meyer. You can find the blog site link on the right side of this blog.

Checkout my other blog sites on the right side of this blog for new devotions to encourage and inspire your heart. Devotions to choose from: Hymn Studies with Scripture, Hymn Line Devotions, Scripture Verse Devotions and Timely Words from Saints of Old. 

Feeding on the Word

"When we feed on the Bible--which is still very much alive and powerful--

the voice of God simmers and stirs within us."

Chris Tiegreen, Hearing His Voice, July 16th

I like the above words. Especially "the voice of God simmers and stirs within us." Hebrews 4:12: "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." 

Continuing from Tiegreen's devotion: 

"God breathed His words through human beings. That's what inspired means: 'breathed into,' So the Bible is a mysterious mix of the divine and human, with the divine guiding the thoughts and expressions of humans who encountered Him and spoke and wrote what they experienced and learned . . . He is working even now, causing specific messages to jump off the page into our hearts, provoking our minds to encounter truth and wrestle with it, encouraging our hearts to believe and grow, and imparting truth and wisdom into our spirits."

Letting God simmer and stir us with what we have read in His Word is a good practice to have. The word we normally hear is "meditate." The need to focus our mind on something we have heard or read.

Sometimes you can hear or read something in a different way that makes you stop and consider. That's what "simmer and stir" did for me. It brought a new light to the word "meditate."

It reminds me a little of my post last week titled "Master of Words" and how listening to words of wisdom from someone or reading words in a devotion can be God's voice answering you.

"He speaks through human mouthpieces. He fills hearts with truth. He inspires thoughts and messages and even specific words. We're fond of seeing ourselves as His hands and feet in this world, so it's only logical that we can hear ourselves and others as His voice. That voice must always be measured by His previously revealed truth, but if it's from God, it will measure up well. We can accept the proven words of His servants." Chris Tiegreen

Being a "word" person I like finding new ways to suggest doing things. Something catches my eye and it brings about a different meaning than what I would normally think. Simmer says smelling the soup cooking on top of the stove causing a deep breathe and calm feeling that all is right. Stir says having a strong feeling about something and being excited about it. God's Word can bring the feeling that all is right and being excited to read it!

Feed on your Bible and let it calm you with good thoughts. Afterall, God wrote it for you. And He knows you perfectly! Let it "simmer and stir!"

By His Grace . . .

 

 

Master of Words

Good morning to you too!

"God is the master of timely words. He knows the seating order of a group before they sit down and read. He knows years in advance which Bible passages and which devotionals will be read on a certain day, and He has a supernatural ability to coordinate them to speak directly into the events and issues of the reader's life. He knows how to direct us out of our normal patterns to listen to a message, read a passage of a book, or even overhear a casual comment that speaks profoundly into our hearts' desperate needs. He knows how to time His voice to get our attention and fit our circumstances."

Chris Tiegreen, Hearing His Voice, July 7th

How many of you are shaking your heard and saying, Yes! It is true! It has happened to me! It is amazing how at just the right moment God does something to answer your prayer in a most unusual way. 

This just happened to me last week. Once again I had been pondering a concern for a week or two as to what God wanted me to do. That morning I specifically prayed for an answer from God. After that, in my daily morning to a friend, I told her of my concern. She is one of three women who have been blessed abundantly with His wisdom. Her advice was good.

I pondered her advice the rest of the day. That evening, as I normally do, I began reading a few devotion books, not even thinking of my concern. I immediately stopped when I realized a devotion I was reading for that day provided me with the same advice I received earlier from my friend.

I continued reading in another devotion book, and I was stopped once again when the devotion for that day provided me with the same advice my friend gave and the other devotion I had read.

Times like these make me stop and thank God. It is amazing how He uses people, books, radio, studies to answer questions we have approached Him about. 

Proverbs 15:23

"A person finds joy in giving an apt reply; and how good is a timely word!"

Godsbless.ing: "This verse highlights the importance of not only choosing our words wisely but also ensuring that we speak at the right time. Our words can bring joy or sadness in our interactions with others. Therefore, it is crucial to be intentional about the words we use and the timing of our communication . . . They serve as a poignant reminder of the significance of our communication and the power it holds in shaping relationships and interactions. When we pause to consider the weight of our words and choose them wisely, we pave the way for positive outcomes and meaningful connections."

My heart has now settled. I am confidant of how God wants me to go forward. All because He knew a very long time ago that I would be asking a question at this time, asking for advice from my friend, and reading those books that evening. 

"God is the master of timely words." 

By His Grace . . . 

Readings

 A new devotion posted today on: Timely Words from Saints of Old: John Donne. You can find the blog site on the right side of this blog.

Checkout my other blog sites on the right side of this blog for new devotions to encourage and inspire your heart. Devotions to choose from: Hymn Studies with Scripture, Hymn Line Devotions, Scripture Verse Devotions and Timely Words from Saints of Old. 

Heart's Desire

I love to share this story about how God answered my prayer in a magnificent way!

Over the years I've taken many pictures of doe and fawn, but hardly any of buck. So one November I prayed a special prayer: "Lord, You've given me many opportunities to take pictures of doe and fawn, but I've got very few pictures of buck. Please give me some opportunities to take pictures of buck."

I forgot about this prayer until the next summer when eight buck came up to our back fence to eat corn that we put out. Actually, they came up every morning and every evening for three months: July, August and September! Every day! All eight buck!

That August I remembered the prayer I had prayed the November before and got goose bumps! To think, God answered my prayer by bringing these guys up to my back fence.

I had never seen more than three buck at one time. They just don't travel in big groups. So this was especially awesome to have eight buck together.  When God provides a miracle He does it BIG!

If you discern God's love in every moment of happiness, you will multiply a thousandfold your capacity to fully enjoy your blessings." Frances J. Roberts

Psalm 21:2

"You have granted him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips."

Biblerepository.com: This verse from Psalms is a powerful reminder of how God answers prayers and fulfills the desires of our hearts. When we read this verse, we can see that it speaks of a divine promise--one that God always hears us when we call out to Him. It shows us that God is not distant but is very much involved in our lives. The idea that our heart's desire can be met is comforting. It's comforting to know that God listen to us and truly wants to give us good things. When we think about the times we've prayed for things, this verse can reassure us that God is aware of our needs and desires.

Even a prayer as simple as asking to see buck . . . 

By His Grace . . .