Saturday, May 30, 2009

Rain

Since we've had so much rain here in Florida in the past weeks I think these two messages, both by Joel Osteen, are very appropriate and food for thought.

Go here for lots more inspiration. Thanks, Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays! I've missed a few Spiritual Sundays due to vacation and we will be gone again soon.

Living in the Rain

Today's Scripture

"Just as the rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, making things grow and blossom…so will the words that come out My mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do" (Isaiah 55:10-11, Message).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Rain is symbolic of God's blessing, favor, and refreshing. His Word is like rain that causes us to flourish and blossom in every area of life. The scripture says we should live like a well-watered garden, vibrant and growing. We should live under God's cloud of blessing. How do we do that? In the natural, a cloud is formed when moisture vapors rise up from the earth into the atmosphere. Eventually, the moisture is so abundant that the rain begins to fall. In the same way, your praise is like the invisible vapors that rise up to heaven and form a cloud. Eventually, your praise will activate an outpouring of God's blessing, favor, and provision in your life.

Do you feel like you are in a dry season? Begin to praise and thank God that He is bringing you through to a place of refreshing. Magnify and bless Him for His goodness in your life. As you turn up your praise, God will turn up the rain and you will experience His abundant outpouring. You'll experience His blessing and provision and live as an overcomer in every area of your life.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, today I choose to bless and honor You. Thank You for this day. Thank You for giving me life. Thank you for making me new. Thank you for saving me and filling me with Your peace and joy. Rain on me today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Living In The Rain of God's Favor

God longs for us to be like a well watered garden, flourishing, full of joy, always in blossom. Yet many times, due to situations that are happening in our lives, we don’t necessarily feel like we are in full blossom, rather we feel like we’re in a dry spell.

When this happens, instead of giving up and accepting your present circumstance as your lot in life, decide to praise God more than you ever have. In the Bible, the psalmist said, “I will keep on hoping for You to help me. I will praise You more and more.” When we decide to give God praise, something powerful and supernatural happens. Peace, joy and divine favor begin to rain down over our lives.

By praising God at all times, what happens in the natural with rain, will be the same spiritually over your lives; a cloud can only hold so much condensation, so many vapors, before it releases. In the same way, when you keep sending up praise, you keep singing, “God is good all the time,” that cloud can only hold so much before the blessings come bursting back down. When you stay full of praise, God’s blessing will begin raining down, making sure that you are always in blossom; causing you to bloom where you’re currently planted, even if you’re in a dry spell!

Thank you, Lord, for rain!

8 comments:

Becky said...

This is a good reminder to keep our focus on the Almighty. Thanks for sharing.

SmilingSally said...

Living in Florida during this drought, had us praying for rain, and we've been blessed. Our yard is looking lush once again. Thanks for sharing. Happy SS Sunday.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Katherine, thank you for this. I live in Florida, too, so I know how much we needed this rain. I've always felt, too, that praise (particularly in circumstances that aren't good) can bring down strongholds just as blowing the trumpets brought down the walls of Jericho. And God is so worthy to be praised!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Lisa said...

Thank you for this post! God has been dealing with me about praise lately. Thanks for the confirmation!

Musings of A Minister said...

Not ever much rain (the kind that falls from the sky) here in the desert. But I understand and appreciate the message. It's timely and needed.

Charlotte said...

Great post about God's blessings raining down. He has certainly rained down abundant blessings on my life. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

We need rain so bad here in CA. But my spritual life has not been dry in a long time. God is good!
Thank-you for the great post,
Ginger

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

I love the rain of God's blessings coming down. Here on the Island we get more than enough of the wet kind. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your Sunday.

Blessings,
Sandi