Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Confidence

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

Wow! We went to bed last night to thunder and lightning and pouring rain! That was unexpected, because I thought rain was not predicted. Oh, well, the weatherman has been wrong before!

The boardwalk at the Park was still wet from rain Sunday, so I splashed through the puddles on my walk, but, unfortunately, they did not keep me cool. I spoke to Mama gator, still guarding faithfully at the base of the nest. In case I hadn't told you, the nest is about three ft. high, and the eggs are buried at the top, with trees and stuff growing all over the mound. Not like a bird's nest or a chicken nest.

Amazingly, no trash was in the nesting area, so maybe the signs are doing some good!

As I walked to the tower, I heard the chirping of a bird and looked carefully, and saw a blackbird in a tree, just sitting there chirping. He kept it up the whole time I was looking around and seemed content to stay in one spot. God is amazing!!

From the Promise Bible NLT

Where do we find confidence for every day?

Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid?

Psalm 121:8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever."

John 16:33 " I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Many of the greatest athletes say that their real contest is a mental, not a physical one. It's the same way in our spiritual life. Our confidence comes not from looking around at our physical circumstances, but from looking to God.

How can we have confidence in the face of life's greatest hardships?

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths."

When we rely on God, he will not let us down. Our limited understanding is no match for his limitless love and grace.

Philippians 4:11-13 "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. 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. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need."

Our happiness rises and falls, but our steady confidence comes from the consistency of Christ.-not in circumstances.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis