“I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis 9:13 (NIV)

How alive and uplifted we feel when we take time to see a rainbow or suddenly catch a glimpse of shimmering water, or hear the wind whistling through pine trees.

What happens, though, when circumstances beyond our control stop us from hearing and seeing the beauty around us?  Sometimes we fail to see the everyday miracles around us, do not see the blessings that are heaped on us each day and the colors of God’s creation are not as bright.

The word Covenant in our world today conjures up words like pledge, promise, contract – all of which are binding and true.  We need to see God’s Covenants as promises made to each one of us and which He will keep no matter what we do.

Whatever situations we are in, we need to be joyfully open to His rainbows so we may see the fulfilling of His Covenant in every part of creation.

Gracious Creator, as we look around and see the incredible things surrounding us, show us that we always have time to enjoy and bask in this beauty.  You have promised us so much and all we have to do is believe and have faith.  Touch our eyes and open our hearts so that we can joyfully give thanks and praise to You.  Our hearts are full, Lord, and we cannot always find the words to express the thoughts that come bubbling up when we think of Your promises.  Enable us to see the wonder in all Your creation and so find strength and courage as we contemplate and rest on Your Covenant.

We give you praise and thanks for all that you have given us. Amen

by Terry Stead
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Rainbows
• A New Deal
• Pillars of an Unshakable Life

The post God’s Covenant appeared first on Thoughts About God.

The Beatitudes are the radical new order of blessedness initiated by the new covenant signed in the blood of Jesus. They are not the Scriptural equivalent of your mama’s admonition to “be sweet.” They outline the new way of the kingdom that Jesus said we should seek above all else (Matthew 6:33). It is a tall order to be like Jesus, like His dependence, His compassion, His humility, His longing for the Father’s glory.

The Beatitudes are conditional promises of blessing. Letting Jesus work His character in us is the condition; blessedness is the promise. Pray for yourself, that you will enjoy the blessing of being the person God wants you to be, as God molds you in the character of His beloved and well-pleasing Son.

Blessed are the poor in spirit.  Matthew 5:3
Heavenly Father, let me honestly face myself with courage to admit that I am utterly helpless and destitute to receive more of heaven’s kingdom. I want the humility not to be impressed with myself and my accomplishments. You must increase, I must decrease (John 3:30). More of You, God, none of me. I am overwhelmed with the sense of my spiritual need.  I recognize my true spiritual condition of pride and self-sufficiency, and I am broken over my need to cast myself upon Your mercy. But I am covered by the blood of Jesus!

Blessed are those who mourn.  Matthew 5:4
God, break my heart with what breaks Your heart. Let me embrace the true grief of the Man of sorrows. I die to unholy grief (self-pity). Let me receive Your holy comfort in my losses (Isaiah 61:2). Wipe away my tears in Your tender mercy.

Blessed are the meek. Matthew 5:5
Work in me the grace of spirit and soul to receive Your restraints for my strengths. My Lord Jesus was meek, lowly, and gentle of heart (not to be confused with weakness). He knew He had all the infinite resources of God at His command. Rein me in, so that I will be gentle in Your strength. I accept all Your dealings with me as good. Help me get angry at the right time, in the right measure, only for the right reason. Replace my self-assertiveness and demanding my rights with Your holy long-suffering and humility. More than anything, I want to respond to Your invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:26-30).

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Matthew 5:6
I want to fast of being satisfied with my own righteousness. I intensely long for more of You with unquenchable thirst. My spirit and my soul will be completely satisfied only in the living water of Your presence. I won’t try to satisfy my soul’s appetite at the world’s table. I’ll taste and see that You are good. I ardently desire You as much as I need food to sustain life (Psalm 36:8-9, 42:1-2, 63:1,5; Isaiah 55:1-2).

I look to the promises… for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, for they will be comforted, for they will inherit the earth, for they will be filled. Give me the Beatitude kind of satisfaction in You. Thank You for these promises of blessing, more of heavens reign here on earth, the comfort of the Comforter, inheritance.

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission

The post Praying the Beatitudes appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
2 Corinthians 3:6

A new covenant — God willingly entered into a new agreement with us, his creatures, sealed it with the blood of his Son Jesus, and sent the Spirit to give us the power to live the life of this new covenant. God has made a covenant of love and grace with us. The Almighty has then turned around and made us worthy and competent to share that covenant with others. Now wonder it is life-giving: it brings life to us and through us!

Prayer:

O holy and majestic God, thank you for your grace that has saved me from sin and has redeemed me from the law of sin and death. Thank you for sending the gift of your Son and the gift of your Spirit so that I can live with you in a covenant of life, grace, and love. While I confess my weaknesses, I also promise you that I will live to honor your sacrifice, love and covenant, trusting that you will ultimately empower me to be what you are calling me to be. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

by Phil Ware
used by permission

used with permission. You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on https://www.verseoftheday.com

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https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

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