Scripture Verse Devotion

 A new Scripture Verse Devotion: Nehemiah 9:6. Click on the 3rd link on the right. 

Refreshment and Trust

Following is a post I wrote back in Maryland in younger years. No gray hair yet!

This post is taken from my second book, “A Note For You.” The book contains most of the notes I wrote to one woman to encourage her for an entire year, and remarks I added as to why I wrote each particular note. The two notes that follow mention Emma, shown above during a silly moment, who is now in doggie heaven.

Refreshment note . . .
“I watched my dog, Emma, a large furry dog, soak up the afternoon sun, as she laid on the hot blacktop driveway just huffing and puffing away. I wanted to say: ‘If you’d get in the shade it would be cooler.’ I know God says that to me when I’m huffing and puffing: ‘If you’d get in the shade and be refreshed by My Word, you’ll feel a lot better.’" 

If I don’t stay consistent in my time with God, I feel the consequences. Short-tempered. Uninspired. Unkind attitude. I also get mad at myself for roaming from my routine. God’s breath flows through me and restores my soul when I'm steady in His Word.

That’s why I try and live my life based on discipline. I don’t want to get out of the shade!

Thomas Kinkade agrees as he wrote in "Lightpost for Living:” “But I learned long ago that I need routine in my life–and that I have more freedom when my days can rely on a predictable rhythm . . . Such repeated and dependable activities anchor my days, providing a sense of stability.”

Trust note . . .
“My dog, Emma, is the most relaxed dog I’ve ever known. She rolls on her back and lays with all four legs spread apart. She has no concern or worry about being attacked, even though she’s so vulnerable at that point. I wish I could be that free from concern and worry. I must continue to have complete trust in Jesus, for I know He is my protector. Nothing can come my way except through His perfect will for me. My sweet Emma is a good example to me of displaying complete trust.”

I wish I could be that carefree. Concerns and worries are hard to overcome. When each new problem arises it takes a while to completely turn it over to God. There’s just something about trying to figure out what’s happening myself before I can let it go. My turnover time keeps getting shorter as the years grow. With each situation I conquer, I learn to trust even more.

I'm happy to say, many years later since writing those posts, I do stay in the shade more and my concerns and worries find their way to God sooner. Yes, years and growth and maturity help along the way. 

Refreshment and trust . . . each are necessary as I follow Christ. Below, Emma and I love on each other.

By His Grace . . . 

 

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 . . .