Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Blessed Assurance

Good chilly 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, our warming trend is supposed to take place today, and while I welcome the opportunity to wear winter clothes again, I have to admit that I prefer it a little warmer.

Yesterday, I didn't take a long walk because of the wind and chill, but I did take a short walk along the sidewalk, and saw the trees that had bent almost to the water from the storm and one branch was in the water. Terry said a large maple had broken off and fell on the rail of the boardwalk on the hammock trail. The Park was a mess of moss and branches from the storm, and so was our front yard. We didn't have the moss, but lots of leaves and twigs and branches from the oak trees. The front porch was piled with leaves, which I swept off. Hard to do against the wind, but I got it pretty clean. But God is good, because we did not have a tornado like Land O Lakes!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I be assured of God's lasting care for me?

John 6:37 "However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them."

John 10:28-30 "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me. the Father and I are one."

Lamentations 3:22-23 "The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day."

Our confidence is rooted in God's hold on us, not our grip on God. His mercy and love are eternally new and never exhausted..

How can I be assured of God's love in difficult times?

Isaiah 43:1-2 "Now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says," Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."

Life's circumstances don't come between God and his people. They don't get in God's way. Hard times are often when God reveals his infinite love and care for us.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis