Thursday, April 16, 2009

Hope

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! When I stepped outside this morning, the half moon was shining brightly, casting shadows in the south, and Venus was beaming almost as brightly in the east. A gorgeous sight! It was a little chilly last night, so it looks like one of the last "cold" spells of spring. But the sun is shining brightly, and temps will be in the eighties today! God is good!

Yesterday, I drove through the Park, and saw many people out enjoying the beautiful day after the storm. Bird-watchers were present, and even Mike, who was fishing for food for the aquarium residents, had his binocks raised and was intently looking at something high in the trees. I went bird-watching with him last year, and the first one we saw was on the cover of Peterson's Guide to Birds. I have not seen it since.

We have a new squirrel family in our oak and they seem to enjoy the peanuts I throw out, but one baby is very aggressive and chases the other all over the tree, trying to get the peanut from it! All the while, I am standing with more peanuts trying to coax it to come get its own... just like humans!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Hope

How can I have hope when times are tough?

Hebrews 10:23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Our hope is rooted in God's integrity and faithfulness. When everything else fall apart we can cling to the fact that God keeps his word.

John 14:1 Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me.

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Our troubles do not surprise the Lord and should not surprise us. Trouble is rampant in this fallen world. Our focus should be on Jesus who has overcome this world and all its troubles.

Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always,, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Romans 15:13
I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
(this is my favorite scripture)

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis