The Promises of God

“I have set my rainbow in the clouds,

and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

Genesis 9:13 NIV

I remember that when my husband and I visited the beautiful state of Hawaii, we enjoyed a rainbow almost every day! When I saw the rainbow, I remembered that the rainbow is a very visible sign of God’s promises to mankind.

It has been said that there are more than thirty-seven thousand promises in the Bible. One day I realized that I only knew a precious few of those promises. It then occurred to me that if I was to trust God’s promises for me I must begin to read his promises. It made perfect sense to me that I could not trust in a promise that I did not know!

One of my favorite study tools is a small pocket size promise book that I purchased so that I could begin to become familiar with all that God has promised. Those precious promises are interwoven throughout the entire Bible. It is interesting that there are three types of promises in the Bible.

The first type of promises looks more like God’s “trusted principles.” These are the promises that we can know beyond a shadow of doubt what must and will happen. These are the principles that tell us how God provides for mankind simply because we are his creation. These promises are prophetic regarding the future of our world and the end of time. The tone of all of these promises is that God has spoken and he will not change his mind, not now or ever. An example of this is “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV

The second type of promises can only to be claimed by believers. We see an example of this as Jesus spoke the following words to his disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you to Myself: that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14: 3 NIV Make no mistake, this promise is only for believers.

The third type is the “conditional” promises. I had a gross misunderstanding of this type of promise because I always focused on what God would do for me, paying no mind to what was necessary for me to do first! God is not obliged to keep these promises to us unless we do our part first. God promises to do “this” if we will do “that.” If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1: 9 NIV My part is confession and God’s part is forgiveness.

Today I am thinking about the wonderful truth that God is not a God who makes a bunch of rules and puts them in a book and then tells us good luck with all that! No, God is relational. God and I both have a part in our relationship. It is both sad and amazing that mankind makes all kinds of promises to one another everyday, and everyday there is pain and devastation from broken promises. Our encouragement is this; God never breaks his promises to us. “All your words are true;” Psalm 119:160a NIV God’s promises are wonderfully true and marvelously unchangeable.

Questions:

What are some of the promises of God that you know?

Do you feel a need to know more of God’s precious promises to you?

Are you missing out on something that God has promised you because you are not even aware of his promise?

Are you missing out on a “conditional” promise because you have failed to do your part in that promise?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Oh my, there are so many promises in your Word. Help me to learn little by little everything you have promised me. God, I want to claim all of your promises for my life. I don’t want to miss out on a single promise. Give me strength to do my part in the “conditional” promises. Thank you for the comfort that comes to my heart as I pray back to you the very words that you have promised me. God it is such a privilege that I can remind you in prayer of what you have promised to me. I wait in expectation for the fulfillment of every promise that you have given me. As I wait, I take comfort in the knowledge that you cannot lie and that you are amazingly faithful in keeping all of your promises to those who love, trust, and obey you.

In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.

Clouds

“Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds –
his name is the LORD – and rejoice before him.

Psalm 68:4 NIV

The other day I was enjoying looking up at the clouds with my grandchildren. We were imagining what all of the different shapes reminded us of. Abigail saw a heart, Joshua saw a bear, and I saw a fluffy cone of cotton candy.

I then took the opportunity tell them that the Bible teaches us that we are to praise God because he is so mighty that instead of riding in cars and airplanes, God rides the clouds! I remind them that their Papa likes roller coasters but I imagine that riding clouds must be way more fun!

Clouds are important. Jesus left this earth in a cloud and we will see him coming a second time in the clouds. In fact, the Bible tells us that those who have died in Christ will rise first and those who are still living will be caught up in the clouds to meet our Savior, Jesus Christ.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

I Thessalonians 4:15 NIV

Yes, clouds are important. Sooner or later if you are a believer you will be riding the clouds with Jesus! Considering that I hate roller coasters, this adventure unnerves me just a bit! I am comforted by the fact that we are always eternally safe when we are with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

From an earthly perspective some days the clouds are not so beautiful. Some days they are dark and dangerous looking. The clouds that cover our spirit can be the worst clouds of all. The sooner we are able to entrust Jesus with the darkness that tries to enter our mind the better off we will be. Remember, Satan uses times of discouragement and depression to squelch our spirit. Choose to fight negative thoughts with prayer. If you find that you are so discouraged and that you can’t pray, then ask someone to pray for you. Even in the darkest times of our lives, even in times that we feel God’s face is hidden in the dark gray clouds of life, our faith in our God brings us comfort.

After all, that is what faith is! Faith is believing in something or someone that we cannot see. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV We cannot see the wind, yet we know it is there. We cannot see electricity, yet we flip a switch believing that the light will come on. We cannot see the healing results of medication, yet we take it believing that we will feel better. Remember God rides all of the clouds. He is there in the beautiful white puffy clouds that reflect his sunshine and he also he is there in the dark clouds of life that hide his face. Praise God, our God rides the clouds! He is always there. God is only a prayer away!

Questions:

Is faith a difficult concept for you?

Do you fear that in believing in something you cannot see will make you look foolish?

Because the benefits of believing in God are so great, would you consider giving faith a chance?

Are there some things that you can trust God with and other things that you simply can’t believe?

What are those things?

Have you ever prayed that God would help your unbelief?


Prayer:

Dear God,

Today I pray that you will help my unbelief. God, make the question in my heart not be if you can, but rather if it will be your will to do so. With you God I do know that all things are possible, yet not all things happen the way I want them too. God forgive me for thinking that I don’t have enough faith to merit your help. I realize that I cannot drum up huge amounts of faith; I simply must express to you that I know you are able to do all things. I am so glad that all the faith that is needed on my part is the very small amount, faith the size of a mustard seed. Matthew 17:20.

In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen

Precious Thoughts

“How precious to me are your thoughts,

O God! How vast the sum of them!
Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand.”

Psalm 139:17-18 NIV

Recently I was enjoying a wonderful early morning at the beach. As I was walking along the North Carolina shore, I was enjoying watching the waves crash upon the beach, allowing the ocean to spill over onto the sand and splash over my bare feet. The sun was slowly rising and the morning color mix of blues, white, and sunshine yellows magnificently painted the sky! Seagulls swooped down looking for their breakfast. As I breathed in the salt air I realized that here on this earth, it really doesn’t get much better than this!

This peaceful setting always draws my thoughts to my precious family and then I begin to pray. I thank God for my wonderful husband who I love and who loves me in return. I pray that God will bless his work and be near to him and on our brief vacation that he will give him the rest and relaxation that he so desperately needs. I think of my daughter, Amy and son-in-law, Todd who are amazing parents to my two adorable grandchildren, Abigail and Joshua. I imagine them sitting around their kitchen table in Maryland having breakfast and getting ready to start their day. I pray that God will watch over them and bless them. I pray that God will continue to work in their lives drawing them closer to him this day. My thoughts then move to the west coast where my wonderful son, David lives. He has not yet awakened to the California sunshine. I imagine God standing over his bed watching him sleep and I pray the same prayer of protection, blessing, and spiritual growth for him.

The point here is that I am thinking precious thoughts of all six of my loved ones. I can’t help but recognize that no matter how much I love them, God loves them more! And because of that one fact alone I am able to trust God with their lives. This trust does not exclude trouble from their lives but it does assure me that God will be with them in their trouble and use that trouble for their eternal good.

After I finish praying I decided to set a little while on the beach. I am writing in the sand with my finger, when some water rushes over my hand. I began to examine the sand on the tip of my finger. I then make a futile attempt to count the number of grains of sand that has clung solely to one of my fingertips. There were so many grains that counting them was an impossible task.

This reminded me of today’s scripture. God’s thoughts are precious and he thinks precious thoughts regarding me. The sum of God’s thoughts of me, are so vast that they outnumber the sand. I am amazed as I ponder the fact that God thinks so many precious thoughts of me and that number outnumbers the uncountable grains of sand on my fingertip. As I looked down the shoreline as far as my eye could see, I am blown away when I think of all of the sand on the entire planet. Other beaches and shorelines full of sand. The ocean floor covered with sand. The vast deserts covered with sand. How many grains of sand have been placed by God in our world? Is it possible that God thinks precious thoughts about me and those that I love and that those thoughts really do outnumber the sand? Yes indeed, it is possible our God is awesome!

Questions:

Are you amazed that God’s thoughts of you out number the sand?

How does that make you feel?

Does this enable you to trust God more with the details of your life?

Does this allow you to trust God more completely with the lives of all those you love and cherish?


Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you for today’s amazing lesson regarding how very much you love me and those I love. I confess to you that many times my heart is full of fear for the future and for any harm that may come to my family. I also worry about losing them. Help me God to embrace with both arms this wonderful Biblical truth that reminds me that you have your eye on all of us and no matter what happens you will be with us. Thank you for the billions of precious thoughts that you think about me and all those I love.

In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen

Freedom

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Galatians 5:1 NIV

The Fourth of July is the day that we celebrate the birthday of the United States of America. Our country was founded by the people and for the people of this country. It was the intent of our founding fathers that we form a nation that would submit to the direct leadership of God. The God that I am talking about here is the one and only God! The God I speak of is the same God who created all of heaven and all of earth. He is the same God who breathed the very breath of life into every single human being.

Our founding fathers also desired that we have basic individual freedoms such as the freedom to worship and freedom of speech. The founding fathers also wanted us to have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

As I celebrate the birthday of my country, I also celebrate a very special freedom that I have through Christ Jesus. Because I have accepted the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for me personally, I am free from the bondage of sin that separated me from God. I have been redeemed by Jesus and brought back into fellowship with my creator.

Jesus taught us to give to the government what belongs to the government but never to bow to anyone other than God. As believers we are to be discerning and gracious people. In many ways we are like sheep among wolves. Jesus told his followers,

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.
Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

Matthew 10:16 NIV

I also believe that in this world God has given his children spiritual discernment to recognize when some of our basic freedoms are in danger. The Bible teaches us to watch for injustice and recognize sin and corruption.

Join me this week as we celebrate all of our most precious freedoms. Especially the one we have in Jesus. I also challenge you as a believer to be astute, sharp, perceptive, insightful, discerning and wise. Do not follow blindly any leadership that threatens our basic freedoms and do not bow to anyone other than the God of all creation. Our greatest hope for our country is for believers to pray with a humble heart, for the ones who lead our country and for our fellow believers to remain strong through the power of the Holy Spirit. We do not know about the future, but we do know the One who holds the future in his almighty hands!

I pray that we will never loose our precious freedoms but if we do, there is one freedom that can never be taken away from us and it is the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. Even in death no one can take our soul!

Questions:

Are you grateful for the freedoms that you have in this country?

Have you experienced freedom from sin through Jesus?

Are you a discerning believer?

What are some of the things that God has given you discernment about concerning our country?

Will you join me in praying for our country, our leaders, and fellow Christians?


Prayer:

Dear God,

As a believer sometimes I feel discouraged regarding the direction our world is going. I am sad when I see people call “good” evil and “evil” good. I pray Lord that you will give me your discernment regarding the country in which I live. I am grateful and privileged to live in the USA, but I also am fearful that we have become a country where many do not acknowledge you and would love to stamp out your name. Your Word teaches that when you are not honored there will be consequences. Help me Lord to be as shrewd as a snake and gentle as a dove as I go about living my life. Lord, I pray I will not take for granted the freedoms that I now experience, and to cherish the freedom that I have in you. I pray for our country, and that our leaders would look to you. I pray also for all believers that we might be discerning and remain strong in our faith.

In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.

The Sweet Aroma of Jesus

“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved
and those who are perishing.”

2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV

I love the analogy of my heart being God’s garden because there are so many spiritual truths to be found inside a garden. Some of those truths are found in the lessons of the preparation of the soil, the planting of the seed, the necessity of watering the plants, and the pruning of the plant. I also love the unique individuality of each flower and leaf, the sweetness of the fruit, the nourishment that comes from the vegetation, the flavor and the aroma of the herbs. Let us not forget the analogy of the Master Gardner and the loving care that he gives to our heart’s garden.

The fact is that when we begin our relationship with Jesus our soul is barren, dry and thirsty. We are in deep need of some nourishment and care. Our garden is empty and in need of some serious beautification. The fact is, that any heart no matter how ugly it has been in the past, it now changes when Jesus comes into that life. The sinful ugliness has been wiped clean. That heart now has a fresh start and God begins the beautification process of that life. I just love the fact that God is making something beautiful out of my life. I stand amazed yet happy that God would change me and use me for his purpose.

What are your favorite smells? For me it is a chocolate cake or an apple pie baking in the oven. It is the smell of freshly ground coffee, or it is entering the house and smelling the pot roast that has been slow cooking all day. I also love holding babies that have the fresh scent of baby powder and lotion. I love the smell of my husband’s after shave when he kisses me good morning. Of course, I love the smell of fragrant flowers! Smell is a precious gift from God. Pleasant smells are so wonderful that I don’t think I will even mention the smells that make me go running for fresh air.

The point is, God wants to change us so that we will have the aroma of Christ. God begins his work by taking our negative character traits and replacing them with his character traits. When this happens we become wrapped in the aroma of Jesus. Jesus begins to sweeten our spirit and he also begins the demolition of our walls of self protection. Jesus teaches us about love and hope. He teaches us to model his compassion and mercy. We learn about the amazing grace of God. Jesus begins to teach us how he thinks so that our thoughts can be changed to his thoughts.

I wish I could say that giving to God our undesirable character flaws like fear and anger, is a one time effort. But as long as we live we are subject to sin revisiting our life. However, I do believe that as we mature in our faith we also learn to recognize sin more quickly and then we are faced with the choice of what we will do with that sin. Even when our emotions are raw, through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is still possible to choose Jesus. When we do, others now experience the sweet aroma of Christ in our life.

Questions:

Are you amazed that God wants to make something beautiful out of your life?

What has God been speaking to you about?

Do you desire to have the sweet aroma of Jesus Christ in your life?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Once again I am reminded that I am a work in progress. I am indeed blessed that you would choose to make something beautiful out of my life. Help me to choose your ways over my ways. Help me to become submissive to the character changes that need to be made in my life. I want others to desire you because of your sweet aroma in my life. I desire to become a person of influence for you.

In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Growth is Found Deep in the Garden

”Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress.”

Psalm 4:1 KJV

No matter where I am in my faith, I will always need to meet Jesus in the garden of my heart every day. Some days I find that I just need Jesus to love on me, comfort me, dry my tears, and reassure me of his love for me. Another day I may have a need to tell God how awesome I think he is and express my gratitude to him for all of my many blessings. Some days Jesus asks me to go deeper into the garden with him so that I can listen to his voice and learn more of his ways. Other days I need to fall down before him and surrender my will to his will for my life. It is on days like that when I will experience a deep indescribable peace, as I surrender to his perfect will for me.

Today it is occurring to me that it is easy to ask God for all sorts of things that others need, but it is rather difficult to look inside my own heart and address what it is my own spirit needs. I believe that when we do accept Jesus’ invitation to go deeper into the garden with him he will tell us amazing things about our self and minister to our spirit in astounding ways.

It is deep inside the garden where Jesus will address the boulder of fear in my life. His plan is to totally remove the boulder and in its place plant tulips of trust and lilies of peace. It is in the depth of the garden where Jesus will point out the thistles and weeds that are destined to destroy the garden. These are the ugly weeds of pride and anger, and the thistles of control and selfishness. In the place of those unsightly weeds and thistles Jesus has a vision and a plan for planting beautiful flowers of humility and forgiveness.

As I walk and talk with Jesus I find my self uncomfortable as I am forced to face my sinful attitudes and behavior. I begin to squirm. I become frustrated, and then I resort to tears. At times there are enough tears to water the entire garden! But Jesus, the Master Gardner simply says, “Why are you throwing such a fit?” Through my sobs I am finally able to spit out the words, “Because I can’t do this! I can’t forgive, I can’t give up my control, I can’t turn loose of my anger!” Then Jesus puts his comforting arms around me and he reminds me, “Paula, I know you can’t, but my Holy Spirit within you can and he will help you accomplish the task. You only need to ask. I promise that I will give you my grace and it will be all that you need.”

I then ask in prayer for God’s grace to do whatever I feel is impossible. I know God will withhold no good thing from me and I know that peace, trust, humility and forgiveness are all good things. So according to his promise, I ask in confidence and Jesus supplies the strength that I need. Because of my sinful nature I am naturally an ungracious person but Jesus gives me his all sufficient grace to help me accomplish what I cannot do in my own strength.

I leave the garden knowing that God has a plan for my life. He wants to enlarge the garden plot of my life. His plan is to plant an abundance of beautiful flowers for his glory. I am confident that God has begun the beautification process of making my heart a sanctuary of love and peace. Even in my distress, I am very confident that God will enlarge me. The touch of the Master Gardner is always beautiful even in the hardest times of surrender.

Questions:

When was the last time you visited the garden?

Did you pray for others or did you pray for yourself?

Were you reluctant to go deeper into the garden?

What happened in the deep part of the garden?

How did you feel when you left the garden?


Prayer:

Dear Lord,

I thank you that you love me enough to ask me to go with you into the deepest part of the garden. I must admit I dread those visits! God you always seem to ask the impossible of me when I am there. Yet you have promised me you will give me the grace that I will need to enlarge my garden. I’m ashamed when I have a melt down, but I am more ashamed of the times when I leave the garden without your peace. Forgive me. Help me to learn that I am only prolonging the inevitable. That before too many days pass you will again call me back into the depths of the garden. We will again address the same issue. Lord I pray that I will learn that I can shorten the agony in my life by relinquishing to you sooner opposed to later. God I know that fear, hate, control, selfishness, anger, and pride only drag me down and never lift you up. Lord please forgive me and enlarge my heart for your purposes in my life.

In Your Name I pray. Amen.