Thoughts from the Bible | The Clarion Newspaper

Thoughts from The Bible: – 04/22/20

Thoughts from the Bible

Tuesday, 21 April 2020 13:11

God’s Rainbow Of Love
by Terry Broome

The story is told of a man out west who had a fine spring that furnished him with sparkling cold water for all his daily needs. One morning, however, an earthquake shook the earth and ruined the spring. The man was stunned and saddened by his apparent loss, but the next day a big gushing oil well appeared to take its place. The loss of something that he treasured actually opened the door for something better. In all likelihood this is more parable than fact, but it illustrates a very important truth for our lives. Many times God allows some apparent loss to come to us so that He might give us something better in its place.

It’s been said that for every cloud there is a rainbow, but we have to be in the proper position to see it. For instance, Noah and his family saw the rainbow of hope and promise set by God in the sky (Genesis 9:11-17); however, only after they had endured the flood and in complete submission to God’s Will could they experience this rainbow of hope. They had to get into the proper position by turning their backs to their home and the old world of sin that surrounded them in order to see God’s rainbow and learn of His promise to not destroy the earth again by flood waters. There had to be a cloud before they could see the rainbow of God’s love and promises.

Similarly, when the shadows of life fall on us, if we get in the proper position, facing Him in Christ, we can see God’s love shining through. Even as God’s Rainbow was set in the sky as a promise that He would never destroy the world again by flood, we have the hope of His promise that God will never leave us or forsake us as long as we stay in the right relationship with Him (Hebrews 13:5-6). We can see in the rainbow a kind of metaphor of God’s care for all those who are His.

Literal clouds come into every life. Hardly a day passes in which we cannot see a cloud and are reminded of God’s promise to Noah. Also, hardly a day passes but that there is a “cloud” of some kind in our lives. God knows that all sun and no clouds only creates a desert. If we never saw the “clouds” of life with all it’s heartaches, we would never see the rainbow.

He builds our lives by adversity as well as by prosperity. More character is built in the face of sorrow than in success. Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) 3 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Heb 12:5-11 “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord…”

When we see all things in their true light, we see that life is made more beautiful and more useful because of the few hardships that God allows to come our way (1 Pet. 1:3-7). The same God who allows the clouds to come also sends the rainbow of hope and promises – deliverance through the trials we face, and ultimate salvation to those who are obedient to His Word and who walk in the light!!

The clouds do often cover our pathway, but just look up into the Father’s face, and you’ll soon know that He has a rainbow of hope and promises for you: Romans 8:1-2 (KJV) 1“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489

Fishing tip of the week: – 04/15/20

Fishing Tip of the Week

Tuesday, 21 April 2020 09:45

Big Fish Time
by Captain Mike Gerry

I realize that most anglers prefer the warmer winter day; I certainly understand the more comfortable feeling of a better day when the temperature has warmed in the middle of winter. The problem is, if you’re after a trophy size bass, they are now in the feeding mode. We constantly change weather in the spring, and it always presents the chance of that trophy fish.

Sure, some days are a challenge in North Alabama, as the temperature changes, and weather pattern swings are constant for at least another month. The downside is, it’s hard to stay focused and continually work the proper depths and structure to find that trophy fish. The elements fight against you, your hands are cold, it’s hard to feel a bite, the wind challenges you many days in a row during this constant change. Steadying the boat enough to feel those slow methodical bites during this late pre-spawn is not easy.

Don’t waste time. Fish where the big fish should be in this type of weather. In my opinion, this is extended off the long deeper points. I find that in a bad, cold, winter day, the bigger fish extend themselves off under water points from the first break extending down to ten feet or more of water. The reason for this is there is generally still grass near the shallow top and stumps with muscle beds off the deeper points. These are all ideal locations for that big trophy bass, and with some patience and hard fishing, you just might find it.

It is also true that many of the big fish are in the shallows already, moving up to the hard bottom areas of the lake. Look for red clay banks and work them thoroughly.

Lastly, fish small baits. Work them slowly and make very precise casts. Use your Lowrance structure scan to find the structure where the big fish have the best chance to hide. Work those pieces of structure very thoroughly. Make several casts so you cover every angle. You won’t feel big bites, you’ll just feel a twitch or heavy rod tip, make a good hook set because it could be the fish you have been waiting for!

Thoughts from The Bible: – 04/15/20

Thoughts from the Bible

Tuesday, 21 April 2020 09:40

Our God Is Able
by Terry Broome

If we know anything about God whom we worship and serve, we know that He is able to know all (Omniscience); See all (Omnipresence); and do all (Omnipotence). He has proven to people in all ages that false gods are powerless – but that He alone is ABLE to do all things consistent with His nature and His Will. In Our Trying Circumstances Today, We Need to Cling to this Truth, Our God Is Able!

Consider the Three Hebrew young men of Daniel Chapter Three. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, made an image of gold that was 60 cubits (90 ft.) tall. At his dedication, he called for his princes, captains, governors, treasurers, and counselors, to worship the image. The three Hebrew young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to yield to the king or to an earthen image in worship: Daniel 3:16-18 (KJV) 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so, OUR GOD WHOM WE SERVE IS ABLE TO DELIVER US from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” God was there for them and they lived through the fiery furnace heated seven times its normal heat.

God has promised us He will be with us today just as certainly as He was with these young men. “Yes,” some say, “but this was in the days of miracles. He works differently today.” We know that God doesn’t work miracles through men as He once did, but let us note from Scripture what He is able to do for us now:
Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Matthew 7:9-11 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

According to 2 Timothy 1:12 He Is Able to Be Trusted: 12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

The question is not whether he is able, but whether we believe it. I wish we all had the faith of Abraham. Suppose you were commanded to offer your child. Notice, Hebrews 11:17 17 “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.”

hy did Abraham do this? Hebrews 11:19 19 “Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” God didn’t want Isaac as a sacrifice. He wanted Abraham’s heart. When he saw that he had that through this act of submission, God accounted him as a righteous man, and provided a different offering for Abraham to sacrifice. God doesn’t want us to offer another person as a sacrifice. He wants us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2) who walk by faith and submit to His Will!

John 14:23 (KJV) 23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.