Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Brrr! When I stepped outside in the chilly dawn, the wind was blowing but the sky was almost clear... just a few wispy clouds over the bright crescent moon. However, the temp. has dropped since I arose and will be even colder tomorrow. Looks like March will roar in like a lion!
We had a little rain yesterday, (thank you, Lord) and could use more, but at least the pollen got settled for a while. It didn't seem to make much difference when we drove through the Park. Leaves were still on the ground, but the azaleas looked very pretty. They were trimmed way down last year, so that means fewer blooms, but they still looked nice. God is Good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard address the nature of true humility by suggesting we think of an arrow soaring on its course toward its target. Suddenly the swift moving arrow halts in mid-flight to see how far it has come, how high it has soared, how its speed and ease with which it flies. Right at the moment when it turns to focus on itself, the arrow falls to the ground.
Preoccupation with self is counterproductive to reaching our goals. It is the opposite of humility, which is preoccupation with the Lord.
As for evaluating ourselves, the Bible says we are to examine our hearts, making certain wee are walking in faith and purity toward the Lord. (1 Corinthians 11:28 and 2 Corinthians 12:5.)
Second Timothy 1:6 exhorts us to stir up the gifts God has given us, and Jesus made it quite clear in the parable of the talents that we are to use all the abilities and resources God gives us to give glory to Him.
Whether we are examining our hearts or using the gifts and talents God gave us, our focus is always on the Lord. Our motivation is to please Him, draw closer to Him, and serve those He leads us to serve.
The irony of the Christian life is that when we give our lives to God and to others, we receive true joy and fulfillment. It is when we hold onto our lives and are consumed with our own selfish desires and interests that we are miserable and nonproductive.
Take your mind off yourself, and concentrate on your loving Heavenly Father. Ask Him about His plan for your life.
Trust the past to the mercy of God. The present to his love, and the future to his providence.
Saint Augustine of Hippo
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
