🏳️‍🌈✝️ Talk to Me

Written by Bob Segress, Ph.D.

06/05/2018

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“Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14 (NASB); “Come to Me . . . and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NASB)

I was walking in my backyard among our palm trees on a beautiful sun-filled Arizona morning. Worry had stolen thankfulness from my heart because I didn’t know how to protect my much-loved trees from what I had read about that morning: voracious beetles were eating the famous palm trees of Pasadena.

Even though we live surrounded by farms and agriculture in the northern part of the Phoenix valley; I was worried about our little grove of palm trees. I was lost in concern that those nasty Pasadena beetles might be planning a trip over the mountains from California to Arizona. 
Strangely, I began to hear, “Talk to Me.”

I had heard the same words several times last week as I was intently struggling to write monthly articles for publishers I’m committed to. I had begun wondering whether I was having brain issues. Having experienced a massive stroke and two other life-threatening medical problems within the last year, I thought perhaps I had more damage than I was aware of. Then, it dawned on me that maybe the Lord was trying to get my attention, so I started to pray.

I explained my concern and asked Him to take care of my palm trees. I felt at peace and trusted Jesus as I prayed in His name, as John 14:13-14 had told me. I felt confident because Jesus had promised that if I would ask Him directly for “anything in His name,” He would do it. Feeling free to ask for protection for my palm trees, I claimed the power of Jesus’ name.

To be honest, I felt a bit childish in talking to Him about such a small concern. But, I’ve discovered that being childlike in Jesus’ presence brings comfort and relaxation. 

I came to understand that my Lord wanted me to stop getting lost in intently being concerned about how to change things by myself. Spending a good part of my life isolating from my emotions and how much I needed both Jesus and other’s help has caused the loss of much joy for both myself and my family. Having been raised to never show anyone when you are hurt, or afraid; I had thought my heavenly Father also expected this of me.

My palm trees taught me that I usually didn’t talk to Jesus as a good, trustworthy friend (John 15:14) who was concerned about what was bothering me. I was afraid of bothering Him with small things because He is so important and deals with such important things. My talking about beetles seemed to be a self-centered attitude.

Then, my heart opened in a new way to Jesus —I felt He loved me and wanted to talk to me about everyday life. He wanted to know what was bothering me, even if was beetles. With this understanding came wonderful warmth and relaxation. 

I learned that if God’s children will talk to Jesus about what tightens them up and leave it with Him, they will start learning about what prayer really is. We will find a peace and relaxation that nothing in this life provides. Our families will stop missing out on a lot of joy and peace that we forfeit when we don’t talk to Jesus personally about our strain, worries, and fears. 
Claiming the power of Jesus’ name during our prayers, we are strong in the trust that Jesus is in charge and will deal with what is bothering us. Talking to Jesus about everyday life is a recipe for satisfaction. 

Copyright © 2018 Bob Segress, Ph.D., used with permission.

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🏳️‍🌈✝️ Are you secure in knowing who your Shepherd is?

Rainbow Pastor David 

06/05/2018

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HEAVEN!  BE CONTENT TO BE ONE OF MY SHEEP - eternally known, eternally secure.  I want you to hear My voice so you can follow Me closely all the days and moments of your life.  I speak to you in many ways though most clearly through My Word.  You need to maintain a listening attitude in order to hear Me.  This requires both patience and perseverance & waiting in My Presence, eager to hear from Me.  I, your Shepherd-King, not only lead you through each day of your life, I also open to you the gates of heaven.  You do well to remember that the Shepherd who so tenderly leads you is the King of eternity.

Though your earth-body will someday die, you yourself will never perish.  When you become absent from the body, you will be present with Me in a deep, rich, glorious way beyond anything you can imagine!  No one will be able to snatch you out of My hand.  This assurance of your eternal destiny sets you free from fear of death.  It also strengthens you to live bountifully today – joyously following your Shepherd.

Sheep are not designed to live independently.  They need a wise, loving shepherd to guide them carefully.  Similarly, you live best when you follow Me humbly, in sheep-like fashion.  As you trust Me to know what is best for you, I lovingly guide you in paths of righteousness. 
 

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish:  neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."  John 10:27-28 NKJV 

🏳️‍🌈✝️ Three Secrets to Finding Happiness

Written by Janet Perez Eckles

06/05/2018

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"Will happiness ever come?" I asked myself during sleepless nights. What is happiness, anyway?

That emotion made sense for others, but not for me. My world had turned dark. Blindness set in at age 31 and happiness was lost. Lost back in my days as a sighted person. Now, only gloom awaited me.

But how wrong I was. The journey from devastation to deep joy wasn't easy nor fast, but doable. A reminder of that transition, that profound transformation, was stirred during my recent trip to Mexico.

The airport escort guided me as we entered the airplane. The flight attendant handed immigration forms to passengers. "One per family please."

I sat by the window and after all initial announcements ended I pressed the light to call for assistance.

"Could you please help me fill this out?" I asked the flight attendant who came to the seat.
"Sure. Come with me."

I gathered my stuff and followed him to the front of the airplane.

"You can sit here," he said.

I settled in the seat, spacious and comfortable. I stretched out my legs, plenty of room. We finished the form and he asked if I wanted to stay in that seat. I was in first class. "Are you kidding?" I said with a silly grin, "Sure, would love that."

I made myself comfortable and began to compare. Rather than getting the medicine-size cup of water I would get in the other section of the plane, I got a fresh, cold bottle of water. Rather than the tiny bag of peanuts, I got my choice of appetizers. The trip was, well, unexpectedly delightful.

I had made that same transition after I lost my sight. I had been taking tiny doses of happiness—in relationships, vacations, shopping, activities and superficial pass-times. I thought that was how one finds happiness.

But joy was different. When God offered me a seat in the VIP section of His love, I accepted. And the trip through life turned better.

Painful turbulence came, but His power calmed my heart. With Him as my pilot, guiding my life, momentary, superficial activities masked as happiness belonged in the coach section. Now a sweet, lasting, deep joy danced in my life.

He offers you the very same. He has a seat reserved just for you. And if you desire to leave behind the search to find happiness and instead relish in joy, complete joy that shines through your days, here are three steps we can all follow:

1. Change our perception. Recognize we don't find happiness. We create it. We craft it by turning the key to unlock our heart and receive the joy God offers. His desire is that we live in complete joy. When happy moments, happy relationships, and happy results come to an end, joy remains.

2. Celebrate the promise God gave. During tough moments, painful stages, it's not our strength, but His power that lifts us up and carries us through. Relying in that guarantee is what revives joy once again.

3. Call upon Him when sadness, gloom or fear draws near. Calling the powerful name of Jesus silences destructive thoughts of self-pity, loneliness, and discouragement. With them out of the way, joy will glow again.

Happiness ends in time. Joy lasts as long as God's love. He promised: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" (John 15:9-11).

Father, not human happiness, but your joy is what my soul hungers for. Thank you for the promise, thank you for the joy that fills my days no matter what comes my way. In Jesus' name, amen.

• Are you still in the searching- for- happiness stage of your life?
• What keeps you from accepting the first-class kind of life God offers you?
• What are your happiest moments? Do they last?

Copyright © 2015, Janet Perez Eckles, used by permission.

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🏳️‍🌈✝️ God's Construction

Written by The Apostolic Faith Church

06/03/2018

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For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. – Hebrews 3:4

The winding narrow road meandered playfully up the steep hillside toward the crest. On this panoramic plateau sat eight beautifully constructed and elegantly decorated homes. They radiated in the late afternoon sun as they opened their doors wide to welcome the thousands of tourists who came to view them. My friend and I joined the throng on the “Street of Dreams,” as it is widely known where we live. We could hardly wait to step inside the first showplace and admire the workmanship of the building and the creativity of the decorator. 

The first mansion was filled with beautifully polished furniture, soft lighting, lovely paintings, and the latest appliances. Each piece of man’s handiwork crafted to perfection sat in its appointed place to charm its audience. A small immaculate garden surrounded the front of the house displaying flowers to dazzle the eyes. It was breathtaking!

However, amid all this man-made beauty, something seemed to be missing. My friend put her finger on it when she called me over to look out a massive floor-to-ceiling window. We stood in awe, the house and furnishings forgotten. The glistening sky arrayed in vibrant streaks of orange and yellow was before us. Here, in all its beauty, was the most striking masterpiece of all: God’s creation. Man could never replicate or put a price tag on it!

Despite man’s technological advances that seem to constantly reach new heights, nothing man has made can compare to God’s handiwork. Not in its beauty, complexity, or perfection. Man mimics nature through art; God made the entire world, full of splendor that stretches as far as the eye can see. Science attempts to understand and repair sick bodies; God created our bodies, and He can heal them in an instant, too! Man-made structures eventually fade away or fall apart; when God makes something, it lasts. 

It is good to be proud of our own accomplishments and those of others, but let us never lose sight of Who deserves our deepest admiration. God is the One who merits our utmost praise, for He created all things!

 

🏳️‍🌈✝️ Therefore We Will Not Fear

Written by Suzanne Benner

06/03/2018

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“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” - Psalm 46:1-3 

God used this psalm to teach me a powerful lesson. Even a decade later, every time I hear these words, that practical example comes to mind. When our children were young, we helped them memorize various psalms at bedtime. So, one evening in June, my daughter and I began to learn Psalm 46.

The next morning, the phone rang during the rush of getting kids ready for school. My dad had a heart attack. As soon as I sent the kids out the door, I jumped in my car and headed toward the hospital. Fear held me in its grip, flooding my thoughts with every worst-case scenario.
Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of the words of Psalm 46. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” God’s words — stored in my heart — spoke to my troubled thoughts.

I began to repeat the verses aloud as I drove. Over and over I declared the truth. Each time I did, the phrase, “Therefore we will not fear,” became more emphatic. The words of comfort became an urgent command.

God instructed me through His Word. He said, “Do not be afraid. Do not let your mind dwell on what might happen. Because I am your refuge, you must not give in to fear.” God’s peace and power filled me, allowing me to rest in Him. Like never before, I experienced the importance of hiding God’s Word in my heart.

Sad and painful things will happen, but God is our ever-present hope.

Heavenly Father, thank you that you are my refuge and strength. When everything crashes around me, you are with me. Thank you for the power of your Word to comfort and direct me. Help me to treasure your Word in my heart. Amen.

Go Deeper — When troubles make fear rise, command your heart and mind not to fear by reading Psalm 46. When things are going well, discipline yourself to store up (memorize) God’s Word in your heart, so that you will be prepared when hard times come.

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🏳️‍🌈✝️ Learn to lean on Jesus

Rainbow Pastor David

06/03/2018

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DEPENDING ON HIM!  CLING TO ME as your Lifeline.  You need My help continually, and I am eager to provide it.  Don't be anxious about your inability to obey My voice perfectly.  The most important commandment is to love Me with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  Although you can do this only imperfectly, I nonetheless delight in your love - as a mother delights in a crumpled flower brought lovingly by her child.

Moreover, I rejoice in your obedience, though it is flawed, and in your desire to obey Me.  Instead of worrying about the ways you fall short, focus on doing what you can - out of love for Me.  Your awareness of your inadequacy can actually be a blessing.  It protects you from self-righteousness.  It also trains you to depend on Me more and more.

When you relate to Me as your Life line, I am pleased.  Since I am your Life , looking to Me for help is the wisest way to live.  I created you as a dependent being, and if you don't cling to Me you will grasp onto other things.  This can lead to addictions, destructive relationships, and other forms of idolatry.

So the more you hold onto Me, the better your life will be.  I realize you are weak and your faith-muscles easily tire.  When you feel as you're about to lose your grip, cry out to Me!  For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

"...that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days..."  Deuteronomy 30:20 NKJV

Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment."  Matthew 22:37-38 

🏳️‍🌈✝️ Jesus encourages ALL His followers, including LGBTQI+ to use your words wisely

Rainbow Pastor David

06/03/2018

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RIGHT LIVING!  I URGE YOU TO USE WORDS with restraint.  Misusing words is one of the easiest ways to sin - and one of the deadliest.  In fact, the tongue is a fire that corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.  You would be wise to follow the example of David, who wrote:  Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.  Controlling your tongue is so difficult that you cannot do it without massive help.

Actually, I want to help you control not only your spoken words but also your thoughts.  The contents of your thoughts have an enormous influence on your health and well-being.  Many people are depressed or anxious because their thinking is so distorted and unbiblical.  If this problem remains uncorrected, it can lead to a breakdown of health.

However, Scripture provides correction:  Pleasant words are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  When My Spirit is controlling your thoughts and words, both your soul and your body will flourish.  Ask the Spirit to think and speak through you.  Since He lives in your innermost being He can easily influence you, but He waits to be invited.  The more you invite Him into your life, the healthier and happier you will be.  Your words will be pleasant - blessing not only you but also those around you.
 

"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered."  Proverbs 17:27 

"The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.  It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and itself set on fire by hell."  James 3:6 

"Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth:  keep watch over the door of my lips."  Psalm 141:3 NKJV