Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Crisis 2

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! This morning when I stepped outside in the warm, moist air, a little frog hopped in front of me all the way down the driveway, For being so tiny, those little critters can cover a lot of ground in just a short time!

One more day without rain, but our gutters are still full of water, so the ground is pretty much saturated. The Park is lush with green grass and weeds. The workmen were back yesterday, putting up the plywood to cover the gaping holes left by removing the displays...not the same any more. I have not seen the gopher tortoise lately, but it must be in the same territory where his hole is. I saw a white egret standing watchfully by the water, waiting for lunch to come swimming by. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

What happens to us through times of crisis?

Romans 5:3-4 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.

God's transforming power often touches us most deeply in times of crisis. Times of crisis can strengthen our character.

2 Corinthians 12:10 Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Spiritual strength can grow from physical weakness. Being physically weak teaches us that we cannot rely on our own strength to see us through-we need God's strength.

1 Peter 1:6-7 Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith. to show that is is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Times and crisis are like a fire that refines, like a knife that prunes. like a wind that sifts the wheat from the chaff. Ask God for strength to hold on and for the strength to let go of ungodly things. Look to the joy that awaits on the other side of the trial.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis