Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Joy

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners, a bit later than usual. This is the misty day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

Due to a balky PC, I could not get through earlier. I think that was God playing a trick on me, because I was going to write about "joy". I was not joyful over the PC acting up, but all is forgiven, now.

Because of the all day rain, yesterday, I did not walk in the Park, but hope to today. When I went out early this morning, the half-moon was shining brightly, so, we should have some sun today. I am really thankful for the rain, though. We sorely needed it!

From the Promise Bible:

Where does joy come from?

Nehemiah 8:10 "Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song."

Our joy springs from God's love, which is not dependent on circumstances nor on our performance. When we trust in his love for us, we are far less vulnerable to the depression and despair that could come from our problems and disappointments.

Revelation 21:4 "He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever."

Our joy is rooted in the certainty of heaven, where we will be fully and finally liberated from the trials and troubles of this life.

How can I be joyful in hard times?

Philippians 4:4,12 "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little".

Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and our attitudes. God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.

I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Work

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

Well, we did have rain yesterday and how welcome it was! Of, course, we did not get a walk in because of the dripping trees, but we we did ride over to the park and saw the peacocks putting on a show and only one gator was visible, but, then, there wasn't any sun to bask in.

I saw an unexpected and beautiful sight on our front porch wall in the afternoon. A bright red cardinal sat there for a minute and then hopped over to the water I keep for the birds and squirrels and then took off. God really knows colors!

From the Promise Bible:

What does the Lord promise to those who work hard?

Proverbs 22:29 "Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people."

Faithful work makes a way for us to do greater work. God promises to bless us as we use the gifts he has given us.

Proverbs 10:4 "Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich."

Proverbs 21:5 "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty."

Colossians 3:23,24 " Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ."

God promises a reward to those who work hard. That reward can include-but is not limited to-financial prosperity. It may be the rewards of respect and personal satisfaction of the joy of contributing to the welfare of another.

How will God help me when my work is hard?

Psalm 145:14 "The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.As with any burden we bear, we can trust God to help us on the job.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Monday, April 9, 2007

Soaring thru Psalms

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the overcast and hopefully, rainy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We had a wonderful Easter service yesterday and beautiful day and hope you had the same.

I went for a walk in the afternoon, in the crowded park.. lots of families with small children enjoying the windy, cool air and the hot sunshine. I had to shed my jacket before I finished my walk. Mr. Gator was holding court at the base of the first shelter, where he likes to hang out. Many people were lined up hanging over the railing looking at him. He was probably hoping for a handout from someone, which is a no-no. I looked at the hawk's nest, but didn't see any activity.

As we drove in to the Park the peacock was showing off for a lady peahen with his tail spread wide. He was turning round and round for her, while she admired him, There will probably soon be little peacocks to add to the flock! :o)

From the Promise Bible:

Needs

How can I be sure my needs will be met?

Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need."

The starting point for our assurance is the promise of God's love . Even as things must depend fully on a good shepherd, we must depend fully on the Lord. He is eager to graciously lead us through life.

Romans 8:31-32 "What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?"

If someone was offering you millions of dollars, you would not hesitate to ask them for just a few. God has met our greatest need by giving us his own Son to redeem us. Now, his great joy is in supplying all our other needs for the glory of his name.

Hebrews 4:16 "Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it."

We should not hesitate to come to God because he welcomes our requests.

Philippians 4:19 "This same God who takes care of me sill supply all your need from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."

God's resources far exceed my greatest needs.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, April 6, 2007

Then Came Sunday!

Good Friday Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Just some scripture from the Promise Bible today in observance of Good Friday...

What if I find it hard to believe that Jesus Christ was really resurrected?

1 John 1:1-4 "The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life. This one who is life from God was shown to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and announce to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was shown to us. We are telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy will be complete. "

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 "I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me - that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the twelve apostles. After that, he was seen by more than five hundred of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died by now. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, I saw him, too, long after the others, as though I had been born at the wrong time."

The resurrected Jesus Christ was seen by countless credible witnesses. The disciples were transformed from cringing cowards to courageous witnesses who could not be silenced. The truth of Jesus' claims was validated by his resurrection. If God can bring Christ back from the dead, he can overcome our doubts, too.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Happy Birthday, Daryl!!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Doubt, Part 2

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the transitional day that the Lord has made and we will be glad and rejoice in it! The moon has lost one of its edges but was shining brightly through the clouds surrounding it this morning as I stepped out. We should be getting the last of the cool days this weekend. But, Please Lord, we need rain!

The big, fat shiny gator was in his usual spot on the bank yesterday basking in the sun, only this time he had his head up, not on the ground.

I stood and watched the hawk nest overhead, and could see the Mama's tail as she busily tended to her eggs. She and Papa hawk take very good care of the nest. It is huge! They just added more to last year's nest. And another exciting sight! I saw the eagle flying over one of the lakes. I don't get to see that very often. God is good!

From the Promise Bible:

How can I really believe that the Lord cares about me?

Luke 12:6,7 "What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. "

Psalm 139:13,17 "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!"

We think too little of our worth. The Bible assures us time and again that we are God's precious children; the treasures of His eye. God is not so important that he doesn't care about us. He is too great not to care!

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Doubt

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cloudy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside about 5:30am, I was surprised to see the full moon almost totally hidden by clouds. We really need rain and I hope that is what the clouds mean.

Yesterday I was feeling stronger after my battle with this virus, so I thought I would walk to the first shelter at the Park. After viewing a fat, lazy gator sunning, I felt strong enough to walk all the way to the Tower, and there I saw a baby gator, plus two large ones swimming in the lake. We also saw a four footer sunning on the bank of the canal as we drove in. It's spring and gators are on the prowl!!

From the Promise Bible:

How Can I trust God when I can't see a way out of my problem?

Genesis 18:13-14 "The Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh?" Why did she say, "Can an old woman like me have a baby?" Is anything too hard for the Lord? About a year from now, just as I told you, I will return, and Sarah will have a son."

Luke 1:37 "Nothing is impossible with God."

Doubt often arises because we look at the problem instead of looking up to God. God is not limited by our circumstances or by our lack of resources or abilities. Sarah and Abraham, Mary and Joseph, and many other of God's people across the centuries have learned that God can do anything.

Matthew 21:21-22 "Jesus told them, " I assure you if you have faith and don't doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, "May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,' and it will happen. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Luke 12:31-32 "He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. "

Matthew 14:31 "Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. "You don't have much faith,"Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?"

When Peter was walking on water, he was overcome by doubt. But Jesus did not punish him and allow him to drown. He saved Peter.

Doubt can be a starting place for us. We can begin to learn more about our Lord and about our faith. Let your doubts drive you into the word of God and draw you into healthy fellowship with the Lord.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Discernment

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is another beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

Wow! What a surprise when I stepped outside early this morning! There was the full moon shining brightly in the clear sky! I didn't know it was full, except I had a hard time falling asleep last night... always happens when the moon is full.

But, Go Gators! Another national title won and a good game.

Yesterday as I drove to the Park, we saw Papa Peacock strutting his stuff against his favorite garage door with tail feathers fully fanned out. Two female peacocks were calmly pecking at the ground, ignoring him. God is good!

From the Promise Bible:

When I am confused, where do I turn for clarity, wisdom, understanding, and directions?

James 1:5-8 "If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do."

Psalm 119:125 "Give discernment to me, your servant, then I will understand your decrees."

Discernment is the ability to interpret events and to understand the true nature of people and situations. Discernment is an aspect of wisdom. It enables us to see behind the facades that mask the truth. Discernment shows us the way through the maze of options that face us. Like the sun that burns away the fog, discernment cuts through confusion and distractions. Whereas the devil is the "father of lies," God is the father of the truth and he gives discernment to those who seek it.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Monday, April 2, 2007

Forever Young

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

I am still coughing and have one more antibiotic to take today, but have decided that I will survive this virus and certainly hope not catch another!

Yesterday, I took a short walk at Sawgrass, because it had been so long, and though it was tiring, I saw a shiny black gator on the bank, sunning, and a Monarch butterfly was flitting from azalea blossom to blossom. I am hoping to get back to my regular routine sometime this week, when I feel stronger.

From Quiet Moments:

1 Timothy 4:6 NASB
"You will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine."

General Douglas MacArthur once said:

"Whatever your years, there is in every being's heart the love of wonder, the undaunted challenge of events, the unfailing childlike appetite for what is next, and the joy and the game of life. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts, as young as your self-confidence as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. In the central place of every heart there is a recording chamber; so long as it receives messages of beauty, cheer, and courage, so long are you young."

We are never too old to learn or to be used for good. We are never too old to be awed by a thing of beauty or to be thirsty for knowledge. Joyful living knows no age limits and filling our minds with delight in life may in some ways keep us forever young. Our age is not truly measured in physical characteristics and weaknesses, but by our spirit. We are always of value to our Lord. If we are willing to learn new things, develop new skills, and renew our spirits with the nourishment of His Work, we can always grow, regardless of our age.


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis