Good cloudy morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! What a nice rain we had last evening and this morning, early. God always supplies what we need when we need it, even if we have to wait awhile!
I mentioned the woodstorks yesterday and saw the flock again by a canal near our house. There were six or seven, some lying down and some standing with heads down. They seem to form colonies, but they are really interesting to watch.
I saw lots of people at the park yesterday, because it turned out so warm in the afternoon. Since we are still in the midst of the bathroom makeover, I have been sticking closer to home, but we are almost finished! Praise God for good people who are conscientious about their work! Thanks, Brian S.!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Do I have the power to resist overwhelming temptation?
Matthew 4:5-7 "The devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, "He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone." Jesus responded, " The Scriptures also say, "Do not test the Lord your God."
James 4:7 "Humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you."
The devil can tempt us, but we can resist him just as Jesus did - by responding to the temptation with the truth of God's word.
1 John 4:4 "You belong to God my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."
1 John 5:4-5 "Every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus in the Son of God."
We can break free from temptation when we change our focus and our minds. Instead of thinking about our weakness, we can fill our minds with the presence of God's strength. In Christ we have power. We must never forget that the Holy Spirit is great enough to overcome any threat against us.
Jude 1:24-25 "Now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen."
Our ultimate confidence is in the Lord. As we depend more and more fully on him, he will give us the power to resist temptation.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and Hugs,
Amaryllis
