🏳️‍🌈✝️ He Will See To It

Written by Donna Mitchell

04/10/2018

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“For the LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my descendants. He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son.” - Genesis 24:7 (NLT)

God keeps every promise. He does what He says He will do. He never lies or deceives. As Psalm 138:2 says, “…I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.” However, we’re human so it takes time and experience to learn to trust God’s faithfulness.

Abraham learned to trust God’s provision and promises. God called Abraham to leave his father’s land and household not knowing where he was going. God promised Abraham descendants before he had children. Abraham waited, what seemed like eternity, before the promised son, Isaac, was born. A few years later, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. But Abraham now trusted God at His word, so he obeyed. God, true to his faithfulness and his promise, intervened by providing a ram to sacrifice — sparing Isaac.

Later, Isaac needed a wife so Abraham would have his promised descendents. Abraham knew God would see to it. No wonder Abraham assured his servant that the Lord would “send His angel ahead of you, and He will see to it that you find a wife there for my son.”

We can learn from Abraham’s faith and trust because we serve the same faithful God. He guarantees His promises — by the honor of His name. What concerns you today? What causes you to worry and wonder how things will work out? Remember, Abraham’s story assures us, God will see to it.

Father God, thank you for your faithfulness and love and all of the honor of your Name that backs your every promise. Thank you that we can trust your words and your promises to us. You will work on our behalf when we are in need. We cry to You to help… Lord see to it. Amen.

Go Deeper — Remembering is a great way to build and reaffirm our faith. Think back and remember how God has been faithful to you, how He has answered your prayers for help and strength, how He has solved problems in your life, maybe even before they got to you. Thank God for all you remember, and then trust Him with your current situation(s).

Read Further — One mother’s rediscovering of God’s promises.

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🏳️‍🌈✝️ Halfway obedience, obedience with a twist of our own interpretation, is really just disobedience

Written by Candy Arrington

04/10/2018

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"You have done a foolish thing," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure...because you have not kept the Lord's command" (1 Samuel 13:13-14 NIV).

Of Kings and Prophets was a short-run television series focusing on the life and times of King Saul and David. With the current proliferation of Biblically-based movies and TV dramas, it was interesting to see how accurately the characters were portrayed.

One element appearing extremely accurate was the humanness of Saul. He was a king, God's anointed one, but he was far from perfect. When God chose him, Saul had a lot of great qualities, qualities that made him king material, but over time he became a guy with issues. He was arrogant, extremely jealous, paranoid, he experienced mood swings, he had his own agenda, and if the TV portrayal was even semi-accurate, he struggled with self-discipline in the area of food!

Saul was a man of action, and when things seemed to be taking too long, he didn't have a problem helping the situation along. The Philistines mustered to fight Israel and the people were terrified. Saul waited for the prophet Samuel to come to offer a sacrifice and ask God's favor prior to engaging in battle, but after seven days, Samuel still had not arrived. Impatient, and watching his people scatter, Saul, determined to regroup and fight, offered the sacrifice himself. As soon as Saul finished the sacrifice, Samuel arrived. Saul made excuses for his actions, but it was too late. Although it took a while for the consequences of Saul's action to fully play out, that day was the beginning of the downfall of his kingdom.

Rather than learning from his mistake, Saul really started messing up when he began acting on his own interpretation of what the prophet Samuel said. At this time, when a prophet spoke, it was the same as God speaking. So when the prophet said God wanted Saul to destroy the Amalekites, including women, children, and livestock, as inhumane as that sounds, he meant it. But there on the battlefield, Saul made a decision based on his own interpretation of what God said. He decided not to kill the Amalekite king or slaughter the best livestock. And once the battle was over, Saul didn't praise God for victory. Instead, he set up a monument in his own honor. Clearly, Saul was making decisions based on his own interpretations and ego.

Saul wasn't the first to make this mistake. Going with your own interpretation of what God said goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden, when Eve decided to believe God didn't really mean what he said when he instructed them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Unfortunately, we often do the same, interpreting what God tells us in a manner that doesn't require as much from us. You know, it's one thing to not be in tune with God's voice, to be out of fellowship with him and not hear his directives. It's really quite another to hear God, and then make the decision to go with your own interpretation of what he said. In some ways, that's worse because it is a blatant disregard for God's authority in our lives and it's disobedience.
It's easy to look at a Bible character like Saul and see his mistakes: the places he interpreted what God said incorrectly, the times he was impatient, or allowed his ego free reign. It's a lot harder to look at our own lives and see that we really aren't much different when it comes to making our own interpretation of God's directives.

In 1 Samuel 15:10, the Lord said to Samuel, "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and not carried out my instructions."

The Lord also said this about mankind in the days of Noah and about the Children of Israel.
Today, we still resist God's voice. Does it bother us that we grieve God by disobeying him with our own interpretations? Perhaps it does to some extent, but maybe not enough to change us. Fighting against our own desires, our egos, and our own interpretations takes focus, determination, and God-infused strength.

Halfway obedience, obedience with a twist of our own interpretation, is really just disobedience.
Copyright 2016 Candy Arrington. Used by permission.

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🏳️‍🌈✝️DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Rainbow Pastor David

04/10/2018

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RENEWING YOUR MIND!  DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  I understand your struggles; I know that the world exerts relentless pressure on you, trying to squeeze you into its mold.  This is why you need time alone with Me.  When you open up to Me and invite Me to transform you, I can work freely in you and accomplish amazing things.  

One of My most challenging tasks is renovating your mind, and My Spirit is always at work on this project.  He does not overwhelm you with His Power.  Instead He prompts you gently and convicts you cleanly - showing you where you need to make changes and helping you develop new attitudes. 

Many Christians are unable to discern My will because their minds are entangled in worldliness.  The glitter and glamour of this world distract them from Me, so they do not sense My nearness.  As you are transformed by the renewing of your mind, you progress in your ability to discern My good and perfect will.  You also become increasingly aware of My loving Presence with you.  

This awareness is so pleasurable that it draws you ever closer to Me - increasing the effectiveness of My work in you, creating an upward spiral of transformation.  Thus you grow not only closer to Me but also more like Me.  This is a foretaste of what is to come when I am fully revealed:  You will be like Me, for you will see Me as I am. 

"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."  1 John 3:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you] Romans 12:2 AMP

 

🏳️‍🌈✝️ Seed-time and Harvest

Written by  Candy Arrington

04/09/2018  

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"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest" John 4:34-35).

As I stepped outside one morning, the crisp coolness of fall greeted me. Usually, I turn on the light next to the door to avoid falling down the steps, but this morning the deck was already awash with light, although it was still hours until sunrise. As I walked to the end of the driveway, I saw the light source—a harvest moon.

God is in the details of our lives. He designed the moon to provide extra light in the fall to accommodate the harvesting of crops. Extra workers are hired and once all the crops are gathered, there is usually a celebration for the completion of work and God's bounty.

Jesus often taught using stories that reflected the occupations of the time and farming illustrations abound in Scripture. He used planting and harvesting to illustrate spreading the gospel and drawing in and nurturing those who believed. In Matthew 9, Jesus reminded the disciples of the need for more harvesters.

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38).

Now, more than ever, there is a need for workers who are willing to sow and harvest in spiritual fields. But why is it so hard to share our faith in Christ?

Fear—I walked the same route a man in my neighborhood ran. Eventually, his steps slowed to a stumble. Then he began working out on gym equipment in his garage. We continued to wave, but the Holy Spirit nudged me to walk up his driveway and tell him about Jesus. I invented excuses: time constraints, invasion of his privacy, not really knowing him. Sometimes, I even walked a different route, avoiding his house and my guilt for not stopping. Then, one day when I passed the house, cars jammed the driveway and spilled into the street. A grim black wreath hung on the front door. The man was dead and I had allowed fear to keep me from acting in obedience to God's voice.

Feeling inadequate—Satan steals confidence, convincing us we're not smart enough, engaging enough, wise enough, whatever enough to act on God's directives. God gave Moses an assignment and he immediately reminded God he was inadequate. Even after God promised to help him, Moses still refused. Needless to say, God was angry. God is disappointed when we don't trust him enough to step out in faith or when we don't listen when he instructs us.

Invasion of privacy. The world bombards us with the message that people have the right to diverse spiritual beliefs and we are wrong to force our message or risk offending by implying their beliefs aren't correct. But relaying your personal story about God at work in your life isn't forcing someone to accept Him. Your personal experience is your story and others may identify and come to know Christ because you were willing to tell it.

Expecting another messenger—Often, we hesitate to share our faith because we assume someone else will. But what if others are waiting for another messenger, too? God showed me that sharing my faith is a natural overflow of my love for him. When we're excited about something in our lives, we usually don't wait for someone else to spread our good news.

Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16).

Look around you. Your ripe fields awaiting harvest may be as close as a co-worker, neighbor, or longtime friend. So roll up your sleeves, go to work, and enjoy a bountiful harvest. 

Copyright © Candy Arrington, used with permission.

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🏳️‍🌈✝️ SINCE YOU JOINED MY ROYAL FAMILY, I have brought much Light into your life

Rainbow Pastor David

04/09/2018

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TRANSFORMATION!  SINCE YOU JOINED MY ROYAL FAMILY, I have brought much Light into your life.  However, this is only like the first gleam of dawn compared with the full Light of day that awaits all who walk on the path of the righteous.  You need My help each moment to keep your feet on this path, and My assistance is available to you every nanosecond of your life.  There is no righteousness apart from Me, but I have already secured this glorious gift for you through My completed work on the cross. 
 
I am the Sun of righteousness, and there is healing in My wings.  As you bask in the security of My righteousness, My healing Presence transforms you more and more into the treasure I designed you to be. 
 
The full Light of day is glorious beyond description.  That Light is blindingly brilliant:  too bright for earth's inhabitants.  However, when you reach your heavenly home, you will awake in My likeness.  Your new, imperishable eyes will be able to perceive the full Light of My Glory!  In righteousness you will see My Face - and be satisfied. 

"The path of righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day." Proverbs 4:18 

"But for you who revere My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.  And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall."  Malachi 4:2

 

🏳️‍🌈✝️ Our Source of Comfort

Written by Apostolic Faith Church

04/08/2018

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Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. – 2 Corinthians 1:3

When our first daughter, Monica, was a little over a year old, we found out that she had leukemia. The news was devastating to us. We really had to lean hard on the Lord. She was terribly sick for a while, but after a time, she went into remission. We thought she was on the road to recovery, but then she took a turn for the worse, and the doctors said they could do no more for her.

We believed God could heal her, and many prayers went up for her. God was very near to us during those times. When He did not heal Monica, but rather took her to Heaven, we truly needed the comfort that only He could give. He wrapped us in His loving arms and held us close during those hours. Just two months before Monica died, the Lord blessed us with a second baby girl, and she was a real joy and help to us. Only God could have known how we would need her.

Regardless of a person’s need, God comforts. That comfort may come through the verse of a hymn or a Scripture text. Perhaps a friend will be led to say just the right words, which minister to our bruised and aching hearts. It may be that the care and compassion of God on a previous occasion will come to mind. If, in simple faith, we accept these evidences of the comfort of God, we will indeed be comforted. But if we continue to focus on our despair and grief, we make it very difficult for any ray of consolation to penetrate our souls. 

Unquestionably, even individuals with faith in God go through a grieving process. Shock, bewilderment, questions, and sorrow are natural reactions when we face loss or other traumatic circumstances. God’s love does not insulate us from the feelings that come to those who endure such experiences, but if we choose to accept the comfort He promises, then His everlasting arms will carry us through.

 

🏳️‍🌈✝️ Do NOT WORRY about tomorrow.

Rainbow Pastor David

04/08/2018

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WORRY!  DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW.  This is simple, straightforward teaching, but My followers rarely make it through even one day without breaking this command.  It's good that you recognize your inability to live according to this instruction.  Your ongoing struggle protects you from self-righteous striving:  trying to be good enough to deserve My Love.  Nonetheless, I do want to help you with your tendency to worry.
 
Because your mind is in a fallen condition, it will sometimes wander across the timeline into tomorrow's trouble.  However, early intervention can minimize the damage.  As soon as you realize you're worrying about tomorrow, take action:  Simply leave those thoughts where they are (in the unreality of the future), and come quickly back to the present.  
 
Since the future has such a strong pull on your mind, it's helpful to direct your thoughts to something that appeals to you in the present - an interesting activity, beautiful weather, a dear friend or family member.  At times when nothing about the present day seems appealing My Presence lovingly awaits your attention.  I am always near, so turning your thoughts to Me is an excellent option at all times.  Come into My joyous Presence, and I will delight you with unmerited Love. 
 

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 5:34