The Rainbow in the Clouds

The rainbow appears when we have most reason to fear the rain prevailing; God then shows this seal of the promise, that it shall not prevail. The thicker the cloud, the brighter the bow in the cloud. Thus, as threatening afflictions abound, encouraging consolations much more abound. The rainbow is the reflection of the beams of the sun shining upon or through the drops of rain: all the glory of the seals of the covenant are derived from Christ, the Sun of righteousness. And he will shed a glory on the tears of his saints.*

Yesterday evening while in Winamac (celebrating Alicia's completion of high school!), a huge storm came through.  Several of us stood outside watching the storm brew and standing in the midst of it while it greeted us with its powerful presence.  To experience things like this is a marvelous reminder of the power of God. 

I saw a miraculous thing yesterday. It may mean little to my readers but to me it was momentous.  I have been praying for a rainbow for some time.  I have experienced a few since, and although they are all beautiful, I've never seen anything like this one in my life.  I want to record this and share some photos. 

I'm so thankful to serve and know the God of all creation, who creates such beautiful things and blesses us by allowing us to experience his beauty through them. 

*Excerpt from commentary by Matthew Henry on Genesis 9:8-17.

Do All in Jesus' Name

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:28

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23

These verses (along with the rest of the teaching in chapter 3) have been continually brought to surface in my life lately. It is so easy for us to do deceive ourselves into thinking that things we say or do are for God but ultimately what it boils down to is our selfish pride. We attain goals or say things to "build others up" but it's often resulting from our own motiviation to receive something for ourselves - not for the sake of Christ.

This may seem like a simple point on the surface.  Have you been able to unerringly apply this truth to your life?  I know I most certainly am not able to do it on my own - nor do I claim to have come even close.  Only through the power of the Spirit of God may we even come close to reaching this goal.

I don't bring this to you (nor do I usually bring anything that I share here), assuming it is something new or greater than anything else anyone else has said.  No, I hope I never reach that point in my walk as pride is our greatest enemy.  I share this to encourage others.  To point others to Christ.  And I hope if I am ever wrong or if others wish to share with me on my blog (or anywhere else for that matter), that they would speak up.