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

God set the rainbow as a promise to the people that God would never again flood the earth with water.  It is interesting that the rainbow is only seen when there is water present.  After a rain or a storm, we can sometimes see the rainbow and remember God’s Promise.  It makes us smile and feel comforted.  We need that feeling during our walk through the nation’s crisis.

I have recorded some of the promises of God.  You can almost see the rainbow promise as you read them.  You can click on the verse to read the complete passage.

Joel 2:32  “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

 

Psalms 23  The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…

 

Psalms 91  He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty…

 

John 14:1-6  “Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me…I go and prepare a place for you…I am the way the truth and the Life.

 

Romans 8:37-39  “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Standing on the Promises of God  Hymn by R. Kelso Carter (1849-1928)

I used to sing this song as a child in church.  As we sang this hymn and it would repeat over and over “standing on the promises of God.”  That means constantly looking and believing the promises in the scripture.  I want to share verse 2 and the chorus:

Verse 2

Standing on the promises that cannot fail.

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living word of God I shall prevail

Standing on the promises of God

Chorus

Standing , standing, standing on the promises of God my savior,

Standing,  standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

Look at the rainbows of God’s word.  Even if we face difficulties and trials, just like the rainbow in the sky is present with the water,  look to God’s word for His rainbows of scripture. As you are “Standing on the Promises” your lightnside will reflect God’s rainbow to others.

Luke 12:6-7 

 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

 

Today, the world (thanks to media) is in great fear and worry.  Not only for the Coronavirus but the upcoming election,  stock market, health.  Many are living in fear and stress.   Jesus said don’t be afraid of what might happen on earth.  God is completely aware of everything about you. There are over 10,000 different species of birds and an estimated 100 billion birds on earth. God is aware of each bird.  He knows when they fall to the ground.  Imagine that, all the thousands and thousands of birds that have almost no earthly value, but “Not one of them is forgotten by God”.  You are worth more than many sparrows. 

God created fear

Why did God create fear?  It should help us run away from harm.  God told Adam and Eve to not touch the tree of life or you will suffer death.  I am sure for a while just the sight of the tree caused fear.  But the devil manipulated God’s word to transfer fear to lust.  Today we are sidetracked from God’s commands and warnings because of selfish desires.  As Christians, we are to have a clear understanding of  God’s commands and consequences.  Where there is no fear,  there is no restraint.

Faith in God

We must trust the scripture.  God is watching over his followers.  Does that mean nothing bad will happen to us?  No, but it means as events take place God is there with you and His grace is at work.  We are to rest in verses like Psalms 91 speaking of God’s rescue in troubled times and His presence in our lives.

What Jesus says about fear—eternity

Luke 12:5   But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Jesus says we should have fear of God’s ability to place us into heaven or hell for all eternity. Many would say it is not real fear but just respect.  I believe we should honor and respect God but also have a fear of His all-seeing eyes and His holiness.  After our physical bodies die,  your soul and a resurrected body will live forever and ever.  I am now 63 and one day in eternity I will be 100063!  I will be where God places me in eternity.  THIS TRUTH IS SOMETHING TO PONDER ON AND FEAR.

Have faith in God for His presence and blessings and have enough fear of eternity and God’s authority over it to follow Christ and live according to God’s word. I fear God and I love God.  I trust God and I believe God loves me.  It is the fear and honor of God that helps me live holy.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,  but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Psalms 36:1 I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes.

God is aware of all the tiny sparrows.  God is very aware of you.  Come what may in this life,  know that God is watching over His children.  Live under God’s law and have faith in Christ.  Let your lightnside shine bright as you look forward to eternity.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

How should we use this verse?

Is this a superman verse?

You hear it all the time.  It’s quoted when under pressure or when trying to get the courage to ask a girl out on a date maybe.  When speaking to a group of people or applying for a new job.

 

Former football star Tim Tebow had the superman verse reference right under his eyes.  The verse is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  So if you have two athletes competing against each other and both claim this verse doesn’t one have to lose? Does that mean the verse is not always true? Maybe the verse is misused or can this verse really mean you can do ALL things. How about running the mini-marathon without training.  I mean what does the meaning of “all things” really mean?

While I do believe Christ does give us power,  this verse has been used way outside its original purpose. In fact, the original use of this verse was not to do fantastic feats never before seen by man.  It was used at the end of a discussion about living life in such a way to be happy and content whatever the situation.  Being content may be a challenge in today’s hyper-emotional, fearful, hurting and socially confused society.

A closer look

To understand the meaning of this verse we need to start at the beginning of Paul’s statement. He is talking to the church about how to live a calm life when all around there are temptations to your emotions and faith.  Paul gives us three specific rules to follow which will enable us to endure and manage anything in life without losing our sanity and do something we will regret later.

In Philippians 4:4-13  click here to read verses

We are to rejoice in Lord always. This is number one.  In any situation no matter the tragedy there is always something to rejoice in the Lord about.  By making the choice of finding something to rejoice even in dark times we are protecting ourselves from the dark places our mind and heart would go.  In everything, you can find something to thank God for and rejoice.  Second, go to God in prayer about your situation.  Tell Him all the bad, the good, the ugly, and the dreams.  Verse six tells us not to bottle up our stress in worry but rather express our fears and hopes to God.  Just telling God our issues brings peace to the heart.  And finally in verse eight Paul says we need to choose what we allow our minds to think about.  The verse says “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

In tough times  “Praise, Pray, Ponder”

Paul is telling this church if you practice these three things, “Praise, Pray, Ponder” you will enjoy a life of contentment rather than stress and worry.   This takes practice.  You have to learn to apply these rules.  They are not natural to our emotions.  It is a learned behavior.  But if applied through intentional efforts you will be able to handle situations you find yourself in and be more at peace.

Paul ends up this instruction with the more correct version of the super verse.  In the NIV Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all THIS through him (Christ) who gives me strength.”  The word THIS refers to the three steps mentioned in verses 4-12.  

You can do all these things through Christ who strengthens you!

I don’t know what you are facing this week.  But I know this truth can be applied to you if you practice the three steps of Praise (find something to thank God for in the situation), Pray (tell God all about it), and Ponder (control what your mind dwells on).  Practice these three steps and you will able to endure and enjoy life.  With Christ’s power and a determination to practice these steps and you will become a superstar.  Live life in peace and contentment and you will live with LIGHT-N-SIDE.