Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the somewhat cooler day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I saw many stars twinkling brightly for the first time in a long time, but I thought the moon was supposed to be full ...no sign of it. I will be able to tell if it is full if I can't sleep tonight. :o)
I was delighted to see a Cooper's hawk sitting on the wire by the lake near our house, yesterday. I don't see them so often. Also, Friday when I walked in the Park, Mama Gator was keeping vigil by the nest. Her babies should be breaking out toward the end of this week or next. What a blessed event!
I hear about lots of things going on in people's lives lately, so am sending these words about challenges 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 to 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.
And from Ecclesiastes 5:18-20:
"Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine, and enjoy their work-whatever they do under the sun--for however long God lets them live. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life--that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy".
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs.
Amaryllis
