A Promise in a Rainbow

My first day in Maui, I awoke early & sat out in front of the ocean to do my scripture study, before the noise of the day began. It started sprinkling, a warm, fresh, drizzle, causing me to look up and see if I should head for cover. To my amazement, a glorious double rainbow appeared over the ocean, touching down on the island directly in front of me. After witnessing the first one, I found myself setting my alarm for 6:30 a.m., every single morning. I was not disappointed. A rainbow appeared each day...God's Promise, Shining in front of me, while I soaked in His Words.

 

God Promised to never destroy the earth by flood again (Genesis 9:16 "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.") That Promise still holds true today. God spoke of rainbow's in the beginning of the Bible and also closes the Bible with another scripture about rainbow's~His Promise (Revelation 4:2-3 "At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of Jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.")

When I see a rainbow, it reminds me that God is with us always. A rainbow, with it's fluorescent colors, stretching across the sky, also let's us know that we can trust in His Word. He holds true to the things He tells us. The rainbow symbolizes a lasting trust, allowing us to truly, let go of the burdens that are weighing us down and pick up His Holy Word...the Bible, His Promises, strengthening our Faith in Him. When you begin to flip through the pages, looking for comfort, encouragement, guidance and wisdom; His Words fill you with life, Peace and a renewal of Hope.

When you see a rainbow...stop what your doing, take in God's Glorious, Promise. Let it strengthen you, lifting you above the cares of this life...to a place where His Love fills you with an indescribable Peace. HIS PROMISE!

CONTINUE IN HIS WORD & HE WILL SET YOU FREE!

"My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Psalm 27:8

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Psalm 27:14

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped."

Psalm 28:7

"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness."

Psalm 29:2

"Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth." 

Psalm 31:4-5

"A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all."

Psalm 34:19

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."

Psalm 34:4-5

What Are You Doing With Your Talents?

We all have big hopes and dreams. But ask yourself, "Am I being faithful in the little things...the everyday gifts, tasks and challenges that the Lord has put in front of me?"

Our daily activities have a way of overwhelming us to the point that we don't give each task our all. Each experience, hardship and blessing is for a purpose. The Lord hands out special talents, gifts and difficulties, yes difficulties too. Without them, we wouldn't experience growth, gratitude, faith and trust. Which brings me to the story told by Jesus, "The Parable of the Talents," in Matthew 25:14-30.

A man going on a journey entrusted property to three servants, One received five talents, (a talent was worth more than $1,000.00.) The second man was given two talents and the third servant, given one talent. The servant who received five talents went and immediately put it to work and gained five more. The second servant made an additional two talents, but the third servant went off, dug a hole and buried his. When the master returned, the first two men each said, "Master you have entrusted me and I have gained more." He replied, "Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masters happiness.

The man who buried his one talent said, "Master, I knew you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not gathered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you." His Master replied, "You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not gathered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talents from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Did you catch that the servant with one talent was "afraid", so he did nothing?

I'm often guilty of being afraid, I think we all are at some time or another, but I can't hide in my fear. I don't want to be known as a "worthless servant." I don't want to shrink back in my fear. I want to step up and be bold through Christ who strengthens me.

Don't hide and bury your talents. The Lord has entrusted you with them for a purpose. Along with that desire, He has filled you with a gift to help fulfill His Will for you, the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ paved the way, endured unthinkable pain and yet, He never shrunk back, He turned to His Father in difficult & scary times, just as we must, then one day we will hear, "Well done good & faithful servant!"

Trapped in a Raging River

story by: lisa petrarca


Billy was a young freckled face, precarious, adventure seeking boy of 12. He lived in the beautiful, lush state of Montana and enjoyed hiking and fishing. One warm spring morning he headed out to fly fish in the river not far from his home. As he came upon his favorite spot, he noticed that the river was swollen from a rain storm that had hit a few days prior. It was racing, swiftly winding around the bend with amazing speed and force.

He stood at the edge, dressed in his chest high fishing waders, contemplating if he should attempt it. His father always warned him not to go in after a rain storm until he knew it was safe and the water had slowed down. His mind began to rationalize, "It'll be okay, I know this river and besides I'm a strong swimmer." He pushed aside the nagging feeling that this was a bad idea and stepped cautiously into the white capped water.

Two steps in and he was sucked under. He popped up for a minute, gasped for air and was tossed, thrashed and flipped back down. His suspender caught on something & held him down. He frantically tried to free himself, all he could think of was, "I need air." As he started to suck water into his lungs he prayed, "Please Lord, save me. Please help me, I'm drowning, I need you." He was immediately yanked up, someone's hand lifted him out of the water pulling him onto the embankment. He coughed, gasped, and looked around for the person who saved him. Two men were running toward him shouting, "You okay kid?" We thought you were a goner." Billy stammered, "D d did you save me?" Unable to comprehend how these two men could've pulled him out from around the bend.

"Naw, you were just lucky," they replied.

"No, really someone grabbed my hand and pulled me," he replied.

"No kid, there's no one around but us, the force of water must have catapulted you to the shore."

That's when Billy realized that the Lord had heard and answered his prayers. He looked at the men and said, "I prayed and God answered, he reached into the water and set me free."

We go about each day, never having enough time for God. We face difficulties and struggles in our lives, but we can have Jesus as our lifeguard, He is our Savior.

Why do we think we can head out on our journey alone? The Lord knows the way you are going. He knows the obstacles you will face. He has the tools to get you there safely. Don't head out today on your own - let God be your guide, He's the expert. If you feel like you're drowning, cry out to the Lord and know that He will hear you. He can be found through prayer and scripture study.

Psalms 20
1- May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 6- Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Psalms 25
4, 5- Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

FINDING THE FAITH

photo & story by: lisa petrarca

Why is it so hard to learn to walk by faith? Some days I do well and other days I have to get on my knees and stay there until the fear, anxiety and negative thoughts disappear. I've learned to pray through these things.

On those days, my prayers also need to continue throughout my day, with each unsettling encounter, with each self defeating thought, because there is an enemy who wants to bring me and you down. He wants to see us fail.

Prayer and the scriptures is how you defeat him. Just as Jesus did when He was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry, and satan came to tempt Him. Jesus came back at him with scriptures, quoting truth, quoting life sustaining wisdom, quoting His Father's words.

Jesus answered, "It is written: "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" Matthew 4:19

Jesus answered him, "It is also written: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test" Matthew 4:7

Jesus said to him, "Away from me, satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." Matthew 4:10

Are you able to do this? When negative thoughts are flooding your mind like a tidal wave, drowning your confidence and self worth, are you able to stop it? Are you reading the scriptures daily, absorbing all that God is trying to reveal to you? He has given you a lifeline, a safety net, a boat to help you reach the other side without drowning. Stop treading water, you will eventually begin to sink. Grab hold of God's life jacket. He has given you the answers to all your questions, just reach out, open the scriptures and pray today.

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32:17-18

O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2

Is That Me?

By: Lisa Petrarca

We recently moved to a home that has mirrored closet doors. I was in the bathroom getting ready the other morning when I heard my husky barking & running around. I peeked around the corner to see what was going on to get her so riled up. She was crouched, face & front paws down with her back end in the air. She was staring at her reflection, ready to attack the new dog in her home.

She ran towards it & swatted at the mirror.

Bam!

As it shook, she ran back towards the bed, running in circles, barking and howling. This continued until it was time for me to leave for work.

I was cracking up...

This became a ritual every morning. I began to wonder, “Is she ever going to realize that it’s her?”

Do you look at yourself in the mirror every morning and then when you leave, forget who you are in Christ? When you head out the door to start the day, do you immediately get irritated at drivers, store clerks, your boss, co-workers, etc?

We are able to rise above our current circumstances. We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. We can be filled with complete peace in the midst of our daily storms. Pray everyday and ask for the Lord to lift the stress and burdens off of you.

Don’t forget who you are!

You are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Colossians 3:12-15, 17

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.