Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Living by the Spirit's Power

Good morning Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cloudy, cool morning that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! No stars or moon visible for the last couple days, because of clouds, but bright sunshine will probably come this afternoon. God is good!

I arrived at the Park yesterday in time to watch a large gator swim lazily down the canal in back of the building, with a small crowd watching him. More azaleas are blooming and the oak trees are shedding seeds, making for allergies! Even though it is dark later, now, I heard a mockingbird chirping an early morning greeting to anyone who might be listening. It was a cheerful sound to start the day.

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Ephesians 5 excerpts:

"Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are. And where your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds. This is why it is said;
Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light."

So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ..

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

And in the same way, you masters must treat your slaves right. Don't threaten them, remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis