The Rainbow Promise

This rainbow is the token or sign of the covenant or solemn pledge which I have established between Me and all flesh upon the earth.  Genesis 9:17 Amp

The rainbow is a sign of God's covenant with mankind and all the earth.  God put the first rainbow in the sky and said whenever He saw it it would be a reminder that He would never again destroy the earth by flood.  He said He would never again curse the ground even though man has evil desires in his heart.

God instituted a plan that would change the hearts of people rather than cursing the ground, (like after Adam and Eve's sin) or destroying almost every inhabitant of the earth, (by the flood).  The plan was to send His own Son to live a pure and holy life and then offer Himself up as a sacrifice for the sin of mankind.

Now, all who believe in His Son Jesus Christ can receive a changed heart.  One that can be filled with God's Holy Spirit Himself, a heart that will desire good and want to live a life that pleases God. 

The rainbow can serve to not only remind God of His covenant with us and the earth but also to remind us of the good plan He created instead through His Son Jesus Christ!

Puzzling

Why do You speak to them in parables? 
Matthew 13:10

Jesus' answer to His disciples question seems surprising.  He said that He spoke to the crowds in parables because even though His disciples were allowed to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, the crowds were not.

At first this seems a little cliquish.  But when you consider that anyone can become a disciple of Jesus by believing in Him then we see its not cliquish at all.  In fact, by Jesus speaking to the crowds in parables He was giving them an opportunity to ask themselves the question, "What does He mean?"  If they would seek to understand the meaning of what He was saying then they themselves would become seekers of the Truth. 

Jesus loved these people and was trying to spark a seeking heart within them so they could do some soul searching and hopefully in the process come to realize that the answers to life's parables come directly from heaven.  The human soul needs to be enlightened with the wisdom from above in order to really understand life's truths.

Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, playing the part of mediator between God and man that He was called to do, even before He died on the cross for the sin of mankind.  What great love He gave--to live and die even for those who didn't, and would never, believe.

The Freedom of Truth

 "And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” John 8:32 amp

Without truth we may experience consequences that we don’t understand the cause of.  If you go through life believing two plus two is three then you will experience consequences financially and otherwise that won’t make sense to you.  If everyone could decide for themselves what two plus two should equal then what a mess the world would be!  Whether we believe it or not there is one standard of truth governing the essentials of humanity—including life and death.  And thank God there is!

The Bible tells us to buy the truth and not to sell it.*  Truth costs something.  But it’s worth whatever the price.  It might cost you your opinion.  It might cost you your pride in having to admit you don’t know the answers to some things, or have been wrong.  But it’s worth it.

Jesus said the He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.*  He said if we would hold fast to His teachings we would know the truth and it would make us free.*  Truth is something we have to want in order to receive.  It’s something we need to seek after and ask for.  God doesn’t intrude into a life where He’s not wanted.  But He longs to reveal truth because it will bring freedom, joy and abundant life to those who receive it.

*Proverbs 23:23; John 14:6; John 8:31-32

January 4, 2013

Winter Rest

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22, AMP

God decreed that winter would not cease while the earth remained.  There is a purpose to winter.  During a period called Winter Rest plants and animals enter a state of reduced activity.  Some plants require a period of cold in order for them to produce fruit in their season. 

Jesus said to come to Him, those who labor and are heavy laden and He will give rest*.   Rest brings strength.  This strength can be used for growth and work.  In order for us to produce fruit, to be efficient, we need periods of rest.  Have you ever tried to do something when you really didn't have the strength or the motivation to do it?  The outcome isn't always good.  It’s not what it could be. 

When you enter a season in life where it seems there is a slowing down, don’t fight that, take time to rest, to reflect, to be quiet and still and hear what God is saying.  When the season passes you will be strengthened and be able to produce fruit at the proper time.

  

*Matthew 11:28