Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Challenges

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another warm, clear day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the moon had a small halo around it. I too off my glasses to look again and it was still there, so I don't know what that means!

Butterflies flitting and fluttering about, anhingas drying their wings, ibises intently poking their beaks into the ground, hawks feeding their young, and alligators basking in the sun. All this and more we see at the park as the waters have come up considerably from the good storm Barry! It did such a lot of good. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Why does God allow challenges in our lives?

James 1:2-4 "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

Challenges that threaten and try us are the very tools that God uses to strengthen and mature us. As we endure, we gain greater wisdom, integrity, and courage to face whatever comes our way.

Are some challenges too small to bother God?

Psalm 37:5 "Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you."

Nothing is too small for God. When we commit our plans to the Lord, he commits himself and his infinite resources to us.

What has God given me to help me face my challenges?

Joshua 1:7 "Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do."

God has given us his word to direct us. The promise of success is embedded in our commitment to obedience.

1 Chronicles 28:20 David continued, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see o it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly."

Instead of being discouraged by the size of the task, we should be encouraged by the limitless power of God.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (17 and counting)