When you have a healthy relationship with Jesus Christ, you are equipped to face the challenges of an unknown future. You will have sunny days and you will have days when there is no sun_ but through your relationship with the Holy Father, you will have strength in weakness, and comfort in sorrow.
We are led to believe that there is a predictable prayer time. Pray before bed, pray in the morning, pray when you have a need. Anytime is a good time to pray, but scheduled prayer can develop into a meaningless habit. When we pray, we must be humble and sincere_ not rushing to hop in bed.
To have a healthy prayer life that strengthens your relationship with Christ_ requires spending devoted-quality-time in communion with the Father. Just as you spend time with friends or a significant other to build or develop a lasting bond, God is deserving of you spending uninterrupted, time in His presence.
There is something about the appearance of a rainbow that tugs at the heartstrings. The rainbow confirms that there are things beyond man's creation or control. You may see it as magic, or a spiritual message sent by God. One thing that is certain, the rainbow draws the attention of everyone. In that brief moment, we return to innocence. It is a sign for those who have lost hope.
Rainbows are more that a beautiful pattern of color_ the first rainbow was a divine sign from God. First appearing after the great 40 day flood, it was a sign that God would never destroy the earth again by flood. Believers today, view the rainbow as a sign of God's mercy, promise and grace, to those experiencing doubt.
This life brings seasons of goodness, and because of mankind's free-will, it brings destruction to some of the things that enable goodness to all_ We have seen how humankind can be their own worst enemy. We have seen the poor punished, women disrespected, and criminal behavior in high places_ this storm against God, humanity, and the teachings of Jesus Christ, has touched all surfaces of God's earth and all of God's Children.
There must be a rain before a rainbow.
_ God sends the Rainbow after HE has sent His PEACE!
When you accept Jesus as Savior, your heart goes through a process. God replaces the old heart and fills the new heart with the characteristics of His spirit. As you grow spiritually, you learn what God is capable of, and how to better serve. As your spirit fills with love and the need for involvement/interactions with others, you get involved in community. After you accept Christ, your life changes for better. The way you live, your behavior, and the need to be obedient to His word- is greater than the desire to sin. The desire to sin is ever present_ but the desire to be obedient is greater.
This does not mean you will avoid sin; it just means that you will walk into sin out of weakness and temptation. Remember- God knows the power of satan and his ways, he knows our weakness.. but he is a forgiving and merciful God.
When you carry His spirit, you carry strength and wisdom. You KNOW that you do not walk this path of life alone.. As you nurture your relationship with The Father and respect His Will for your life, you become a better person.
Father God, please give me the peace and strength I need to endure whatever lies ahead.
– Amen
Now is not a good time to doubt God. If anything, we must nurture our faith by reading the Word- then we must invite Him back into His world, with all out heart. When you talk to strangers_ they are open about their fear. It does not take a MIT graduate to proclaim the last years of governance in our nation as traumatic for its people. Watch the behaviors each day_ frustrated people driving without caution, looking dazed and on edge. Think of the life of a prisoner of war_ that is the kind of trauma we are experiencing_ and it is not normal.
You may feel discomfort, sleepless nights, nervous stomach, skin rash, or tremors. You may have a change in personality- saying or doing things you would not do under normal circumstances. It is an understatement that we feel fear. Would you give your 3-year-old son a collection of toy soldiers and ships, with an assault weapon and a bag of grenades? I think that may cause a problem in your home. But_ it may sound crazy, but ___ !
I know- as you know that God exist. He has guided all of His children through personal roadblocks, illness, loss, and we are praying that He will have mercy on the world. So_ we must stay strong, invoke His presence into our space, our homes, and all living beings.