A Loud Voice From The Throne

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God" (Revelation 21:3 NIV).

Did you realize God lives with you? Did you know you are one of His people? Did you know He is with you every instant of your life?

I don’t why, but all too often I forget this glorious truth! A couple of weeks ago I had had a particularly overwhelming day. I was worn out and anxious because I had allowed some unpleasant experiences from my past color my current life. I left work feeling exhausted and discouraged.

Then I went to my women’s covenant group/bible study group. There were so many coincidences about the evening that it could only have been God acting in my life! The entire “theme” of the evening was ‘encouragement’! One sister had decided at the last minute to share a devotional – and the theme was God as an encourager.

The chapter we discussed in our study was about Deborah and her wisdom, but mostly her obedience to God’s will. She obeyed even though it was inconvenient. She obeyed even when it defied convention and tradition. She obeyed God because she knew God would be with her in her obedience.

Then about 20 minutes into our evening, my husband called me, apologetic to disturb us. There was such excitement in his voice as he urged us to go out onto the front porch. The house where we met was just around the corner from ours so he knew we would be able to see what he was looking at: a double rainbow! It was so vivid and clear and beautiful!

We stood gazing at the sky for a few moments, praising God for His mighty works and for His faithfulness. I slept well that night and awoke with a renewed spirit, ready to accomplish whatever God set before me.

[ Comfort for God's People ] "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God" (Isaiah 40:1 NIV).

THANKFUL THURSDAY

1) I am thankful for ever-growing number of prayer warriors I am blessed to be meeting. These folks pray just because they are asked to and because they believe so ardently in the genuine power of effectual fervent prayer.

2) I am thankful for the way God reminds me He is intimately and lovingly involved in my life. I had a discouraging day recently and that evening two Christian sisters offered encouragment and love. AND God used their obedience without question to share a devotional on encouragment. AND my husband called while I was meeting with them to urge us to go outside to see the double rainbow God has placed in the sky! (Great is His faithfulness!)

3) I am thankful for my new job. I have already had the opportunity to make a positive difference there and will be continue to have opportunities to grow and share my talents and abilities.

4) I am thankful for the simple things in life: morning prayer, coffee, clouds, my faith, and most of all my Savior.

5) I am thankful for the work God continues to do in and with me. I know that means He cares enough to refine and reshape me for His purpose.

What are you thankful for today? Stop by Sonya's blog, Truth 4 The Journey, to find out how to share your gratitude and see what others are thanking God for today.

WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Happy Earth Day

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." (Genesis 9:16 NIV)


This is the latest installment of Word Filled Wednesday. Stop by AmyDeane's Blog this morning for more words and images about our amazing God.

Rainbows and Blessings Large and Small

While I have not been diligent about posting a list of my blessings, there have been many lately. The most recent came on the back porch of the family for which I nanny. Yesterday afternoon all the children and I were on the back porch. The boys were playing with their trucks, their sister was coloring and I had just put my feet up, set my head back and looked up - to see if I could find interesting clouds to point out or other phenomena in the sky.

Directly overhead I saw what I thought was a very faint rainbow! It was so odd because we've had no rain and none is predicted. It was a clear day with whispy, thin clouds, almost like spider webs in the sky. When I looked up again to verify my eyes weren't simply playing tricks on me, it was still there--this time very clear and vivid! It extended exactly the length of the house-well, I know it was much larger than that, but from my vantage point, that is where it rested. It was there for about 5 minutes and then it was gone.

Now being of Irish descent, I know just how lucky rainbows are! I also understand the biblical significance of the rainbow (Genesis 9:12)-a reminder of God's covenant with the earth. Wow! Lucky and blessed! Yes, I am both.

No, life isn't perfect--and some days it's downright tough. But God is in the heavens and He sends us reminders of that truth. We just need to look for them.

I also continue to be blessed with ideas and opportunities for enlarging my ministry. I have a blank journal for sale as well as Scripture verse card decks. I'm finalizing my poetry/devotional book for publication soon. I continue to receive free-lance writing work and other opportunities that contribute to our financial well-being.

God is so very good. He surrounds and enfolds us in His love and grace every single day. We just need to remember to look for the blessings He sends our way. Actually, sometimes they appear out of "nowhere" like a rainbow on a beautiful, sunny, early autumn afternoon.

1 Chronicles 16:31-Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"