Browsing Tag

signs

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Pay attention to signs from God

Insomnia Image source: https://getbestmattress.com/insomnia-meme/

Insomnia
Image source: https://getbestmattress.com/insomnia-meme/

Last night I had insomnia (again), tossing and turning all night long, so this morning I’m running on some good, hot coffee and am “loaded for bear,” as my friend Suzy Bunton often says. Later today I’m sure that I will crash, taking a nap, even though it’s advised not to take a nap if you have insomnia!

sunflower8

I just changed my website header to a sunflower and recently finished writing the third and final book of my non-fiction Metamorphosis book series, Transformed From Despair to Hope, available for sale at Amazon here.

This is the last book that God told me to write, which makes me very happy–because I obeyed God (for once!), doing what He said to do.

If I were to die today, I’d have peace knowing that I had completed the books God told me to write. My friend Stephanie asked does that mean I won’t be writing any more books?

If Jesus tarries and I live longer, probably not. I believe I’ll be writing books the rest of my life! What has God told you to do? Are you doing it? What is holding you back?

Me and my books in print; amazon.com/author/bethmjones

Me & my books

For me, finishing writing the list of books that God spoke to me about is a HUGE accomplishment. I plan to celebrate soon by getting my hair done (trim, color, and blonde highlights)! Whenever you reach a goal, whether it’s big or small, I encourage you to reward yourself in at least some small way.

Maybe it’s a Starbucks coffee, savoring some chocolate, eating chips and salsa, having a tasty lunch or dessert with a friend, traveling to a new fun place, getting a mani or pedi, going for a walk on a nature trail or hiking a mountain, watching a chic flic, getting new Sharpie pens (or your fave brand), buying a cute pair of ripped jeans, taking a pottery class, or _______________ (you fill in the blank). Just be sure to celebrate your accomplishments!

My graphic designer at Fiverr, who I love, is pro_ebookcovers and she rocks! Below are all three book covers that she made for me for my butterfly Metamorphosis series–beautiful!

Book 1

 

Book 2

 

Metamorphosis: Transformed From Despair to Hope

Book 3

I love butterflies. For me, they are a powerful symbol–like the red male cardinal, the eagle, mourning doves, dolphins–of freedom and happiness. Whenever I see a butterfly or a red male cardinal (like I did yesterday outside the kitchen window, after tripping over a little girl right behind me in line at the store and badly skinning my knee; thank God she was okay!), I sense God’s Love for me and His presence.

red male cardinal Image source: Pinterest

red male cardinal
Image source: Pinterest

Usually I see a cardinal or butterfly on the worse days, and it always comforts me and lifts my spirits. These things are tangible signs to me that God loves me, He sees me, and He is here for me.

What signs do you see around you that speak to you about God and how much He cares for you?

The Bible shares about many signs from God:

  • The sign of the Messiah who would crush the serpent’s head and save sinners (Genesis 3:15);
  • The sign of the rainbow, of the covenant between God and the earth (Genesis 9:13);
  • The sign Gideon asked God for, of the fleece wet with dew and then the ground wet with dew (Judges 6;33-40);
  • The sign of the plagues on Egypt because Pharaoh’s heart hardened (Exodus 7-11);
  • The miraculous parting of the Red Sea, so God’s people the Jews could escape bondage and go to their Promise Land (Exodus 14:21);
  • An angel appearing to shepherds announcing Jesus’ birth and a host of angels praising God (Luke 2:8-20);
  • The prophets foretelling of the Messiah in the Old Testament;
  • Jesus turning the water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:11);
  • Jesus’ and the Apostles’ miracles (in the four Gospels and the book of Acts);
  • The signs in the end times, spoken of by Jesus and in the book of Revelation.
Jesus on the cross

Jesus on the cross

Although we shouldn’t base our lives and faith on outward, physical signs, they are important. Pay attention to signs and, like Mary the mother of Jesus, ponder these things in your heart. (Luke 2:19, 51)

Some signs you might notice are:

  • God’s still small voice;
  • Confirmation through God’s eternal word;
  • A billboard or car bumper sticker;
  • A hymn, worship, praise or other song on the radio;
  • Nature–the sun, the moon, a rainbow, the stars, the wind, a storm, fresh flowers, animals;
  • An encouraging rhema word someone speaks to you;
  • Something amazingly wise and startling that a child says to you (for of such is the Kingdom of God!);
  • A Divine appointment that is too interesting and timely to be just a coincidence!

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

Blog

A red male cardinal on Easter: a sign I am loved

red male cardinal Image source: Pinterest

red male cardinal
Image source: Pinterest

This morning I texted our family “Happy Easter! Love you!”

Just as I was leaving out the back door to drive to church, I saw a red male cardinal fly to a tree branch in our yard. I stood still, and it flew right in front of me, to the bird feeder nearby. 

For those who don’t know, the red male cardinal is very special to me. Years ago I read an article about a woman whose mother had died. She was in deep grief, as they were very close. One day she looked out her kitchen window and saw a red male cardinal perched on a tree branch. She felt the bird was heaven-sent and that it was God’s symbol to her that He saw her and He loved her.

Since then, every time I’ve seen a red male cardinal I have felt like it is God’s special way of letting me know He sees me, He is with me, and that He loves me. I often see one on the worst days, which is very comforting to me.

What’s interesting is that I haven’t seen the red cardinal lately, and had been praying to see one. I felt God sent it to me this morning on Easter Day to remind me of what Jesus did for me on the cross out of His great love for me.

God also knew ahead of time what would happen today to me. After church, a situation occurred which deeply hurt me and made me feel very rejected. Crying, I  remembered the red male cardinal, knowing that God always loves me unconditionally, even if others don’t.

I was in my kitchen after lunch, and looked out the window, when suddenly I saw the red male cardinal again on the feeder. I smiled through my tears and thanked God my Father, who I felt was emphasizing His love for me.

female & male cardinals

female & male cardinals

Then the female cardinal (brown with a little red) joined him. First she was on the ground, then she joined him together on a feeder. They seemed to kiss. This made me smile and reminded me of the verse Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NKJV, and of a husband and a wife with God at the center:

Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

I’m so very thankful God did this for me today. He knew what would happen ahead of time, and He was giving me a visible, tangible demonstration of His love for me.  

More than anything, Jesus demonstrated that agape love for all of us on the cross through His death, burial, and resurrection. Today on Easter, know that you are greatly loved by God.

What special signs has God given you that are meaningful and personal to you? Leave your comments below.

Blog, Faith, Marriage, prayer

The sign of a mourning dove

mourning dove

mourning dove http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/mourning-dove

This morning I overslept but maybe my body just needed more sleep. As I sat in my office ready for the day, I heard the sound of a mourning dove outside. I love doves. They are so peaceful.

Ray had to work some extra shifts this past week, and we weren’t able to have Passover on Friday night, so we had it Sunday night. Since I met Ray, we have celebrated a Messianic Passover as an annual tradition.

Ray was doing this when I first met him. I’d never heard of a Messianic Passover before. He’d read in the Bible where God commanded His people to celebrate it each year (Exodus 12:14-30), and felt convicted that he should do it, too, but from the perspective of the Messiah Jesus already having come.

He studied more about it and began celebrating it each year. We’ve always celebrated it together, with our children. This was the first year that we didn’t; Heather and Eden are grown, and Leah was with her friends Sunday night.

Unknown to the Jews, there is symbolism of Jesus all throughout the Passover! I’m thankful God has passed over my sins because of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross!

During the Passover, there is a part where someone in the family is supposed to open the front door to “let Elijah the prophet in.” When I did this Sunday night, I opened our front door and saw a dove outside. It made a sound, and then flew up into the sky. I thought it was so cool, and Ray did, too. We took it as a prophetic sign of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10)

When I heard the dove this morning, I remembered the dove at Passover. I felt it was just God confirming as a sign that He is with me and my family, He loves us, and He is watching over us. This is reassuring since there’s weather reports of severe thunderstorms, hail, and even a tornado in the midwest tonight! 

Do you believe that God speaks through signs, nature, and other unusual ways? Leave your comments below.