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!. "Sunshine on my shoulders, makes me happy"...can you hear John Denver singing that? While I liked the coolness that the rain and overcast skies brought, I do like the sun shining brightly, and perking everything up. Water drops are still shining like diamonds on plants and bushes, and my porch is wet, but will soon dry up. God knows our needs and He provides.
My crape myrtle is still showing beauty with pink blooms, although it is in the back yard and not visible from the front, but I can see it from my prayer room. Also. I saw a lavender one in front of the Christian Bookstore when I visited them yesterday. I had never seen that color before on a crape myrtle. The yellow golden rain tree in a yard on the way into the park, had shed yellow blossoms all over the driveway of the house. They looked very pretty , but the house is vacant and no one is there to look after it.
I saw more white toadstools scattered around the ground in the park , which we used to call "fairy rings" when I was a kid. There are dozens of them all over, which shows how wet the ground is. Sometimes the squirrels eat the ones in my yard, but the ones in the park must not be good for them, because they are untouched. I saw the great white heron fishing with his neck stretched out. They are so lovely and graceful! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How does the Lord protect me?
Joshua 23:10 Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised.
When enemies come against us, they really come against the Lord,. we are continually reminded that victory is assured when we let the Lord fight our battles. He can turn our enemies against each other so that they destroy themselves while we walk away unscathed.
Psalm 91:1-4 Those who live in the Shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord. He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every shelter with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
God guards us from the dangers that stalk us. God is a refuge, a shelter, and a place of safety from all threats. His promises shield us and inspire our faith and courage.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Joy
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! Well, it's overcast this morning, but no rain so far. Hooray! Maybe the rain is finally moving off, although I will certainly miss the cooler temps. that we have enjoyed the past few days. Back to the 90's soon!
I decided to take a walk last night after supper, because the rain had let up and it was just sprinkling a little, so off to the Park I went. Very few people were there, and no one when I started across the bridge. I stopped to watch an anhinga try to swallow a rather fat fish, He was so determined, he was paddling in circles, all the while juggling the fish in his beak, trying not to let it get away. I think he was headed for the bank which is quite overgrown where he was, but since he disappeared, I walked on. Coming toward me from the Hammock trail was a rather large, raccoon. He looked at me and I looked at him, and told him to stay where he was, because I did not care to have a close encounter with him. I walked on to the first shelter and kept looking over my shoulder to see where he was, and he was just ambling along some distance behind me.
After waiting at the shelter for a bit, I decided to walk back, and sure enough, he was still coming. I walked steadily toward him, and Mr. Raccoon turned around and found a rail he could fit between and off he went into the brush. I must say, I was relieved! Then, as I walked off, who should I meet but David Massey, coming from a run. Now, that was a divine encounter that I was happy for, instead of the raccoon! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Zephaniah 3:11 The Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.
Our joy springs from God's love, which is not dependent on circumstances nor on our performance. When we trust in his love for us, we are far less vulnerable to the depression and despair that could come from our problems and disappointments.
Revelation 21:4 He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.
Our joy is rooted in the certainty of heaven, where we will be fully anf finally liberated from the trials and troubles of this life.
How can I be joyful in hard times?
Habakkuk 3::17-18 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine, even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren, even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet i will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.
Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and our attitudes. God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I decided to take a walk last night after supper, because the rain had let up and it was just sprinkling a little, so off to the Park I went. Very few people were there, and no one when I started across the bridge. I stopped to watch an anhinga try to swallow a rather fat fish, He was so determined, he was paddling in circles, all the while juggling the fish in his beak, trying not to let it get away. I think he was headed for the bank which is quite overgrown where he was, but since he disappeared, I walked on. Coming toward me from the Hammock trail was a rather large, raccoon. He looked at me and I looked at him, and told him to stay where he was, because I did not care to have a close encounter with him. I walked on to the first shelter and kept looking over my shoulder to see where he was, and he was just ambling along some distance behind me.
After waiting at the shelter for a bit, I decided to walk back, and sure enough, he was still coming. I walked steadily toward him, and Mr. Raccoon turned around and found a rail he could fit between and off he went into the brush. I must say, I was relieved! Then, as I walked off, who should I meet but David Massey, coming from a run. Now, that was a divine encounter that I was happy for, instead of the raccoon! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Zephaniah 3:11 The Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.
Our joy springs from God's love, which is not dependent on circumstances nor on our performance. When we trust in his love for us, we are far less vulnerable to the depression and despair that could come from our problems and disappointments.
Revelation 21:4 He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.
Our joy is rooted in the certainty of heaven, where we will be fully anf finally liberated from the trials and troubles of this life.
How can I be joyful in hard times?
Habakkuk 3::17-18 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine, even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren, even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet i will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.
Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and our attitudes. God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, July 5, 2010
July Fifth
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the wet day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Even though it rained nearly all day and night, it did not stop the fireworks from popping off in the neighborhood until well after eleven last night. I stayed in bed as long as I could this morning, because of the loud popping, which sounded like it was right outside my window. I didn't want to call the authorities, because they have enough to do without chasing down illegal fireworks.
Church was pretty well attended yesterday, in spite of the rain. The very appropriate theme this year for VBS, is "Rainforest" . I know God is laughing at that. However, the people in charge of activities are probably having to exercise the children inside, instead of in the rain.
Denny was practicing "random acts of kindness" yesterday, as he met me at the car door with a big umbrella and escorted me to the overhang out of the rain. That was very thoughtful of him. Thanks again, Denny! We had a good preview of the puppet show, and I am sure VBS will be a big success again this year, due to the volunteers and Miss Jan and Jeannie's planning.
Brian and I decided to drive down to the outlet mall in Ellenton, even though it was late in the afternoon. The skyway was beautiful in the overcast light, but the water was choppy enough that there were few boats out. The mall was very crowded as it most always is, but there were special sales yesterday, so I got a bargain in sandals!
I have noticed the gorgeous display of golden flowers on what I think are "golden rain trees". It seems like a good name for the tree because the blossoms are falling like rain all over the streets and yards, just as the jacaranda dripped lavendar blooms all over for a while. There is always color on something! God is good!
I thought I would send along something written by Arthur Gordon for Guideposts planning calendar a few years ago;
Isaiah 43:4
Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you.
I once heard a talk given by Gen Mark Clark. Honor, the general said, is the ability to put morality ahead of expediency, duty ahead of self-indulgence, and to do this instinctively and every time. But, he added this shining quality does not occur spontaneously in people. It has to be learned. Parents have to teach it. Schools have to teach it. Churches have to teach it. Unless they do, our society will begin to crumble.
The sense of honor that our ancestors knew, the general said, has become weakened and diminished. We no longer understand how important honor is in the conduct of our daily lives. The men who signed the Declaration of Independence did understand, In the last line of that document, so dangerous to the signers, all of them pledged to one another "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." To them, honor was not just some casual concept. It was sacred.
---Arthur Gordon
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Church was pretty well attended yesterday, in spite of the rain. The very appropriate theme this year for VBS, is "Rainforest" . I know God is laughing at that. However, the people in charge of activities are probably having to exercise the children inside, instead of in the rain.
Denny was practicing "random acts of kindness" yesterday, as he met me at the car door with a big umbrella and escorted me to the overhang out of the rain. That was very thoughtful of him. Thanks again, Denny! We had a good preview of the puppet show, and I am sure VBS will be a big success again this year, due to the volunteers and Miss Jan and Jeannie's planning.
Brian and I decided to drive down to the outlet mall in Ellenton, even though it was late in the afternoon. The skyway was beautiful in the overcast light, but the water was choppy enough that there were few boats out. The mall was very crowded as it most always is, but there were special sales yesterday, so I got a bargain in sandals!
I have noticed the gorgeous display of golden flowers on what I think are "golden rain trees". It seems like a good name for the tree because the blossoms are falling like rain all over the streets and yards, just as the jacaranda dripped lavendar blooms all over for a while. There is always color on something! God is good!
I thought I would send along something written by Arthur Gordon for Guideposts planning calendar a few years ago;
Isaiah 43:4
Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you.
I once heard a talk given by Gen Mark Clark. Honor, the general said, is the ability to put morality ahead of expediency, duty ahead of self-indulgence, and to do this instinctively and every time. But, he added this shining quality does not occur spontaneously in people. It has to be learned. Parents have to teach it. Schools have to teach it. Churches have to teach it. Unless they do, our society will begin to crumble.
The sense of honor that our ancestors knew, the general said, has become weakened and diminished. We no longer understand how important honor is in the conduct of our daily lives. The men who signed the Declaration of Independence did understand, In the last line of that document, so dangerous to the signers, all of them pledged to one another "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." To them, honor was not just some casual concept. It was sacred.
---Arthur Gordon
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, July 2, 2010
Psoaring thru Psalm 146
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! We have had rain all morning, but my friend, my yardman came and mowed and edges in the sprinkle. He also trimmed the azaleas, which look much better.
However, before he left, I listened to his diatribe on why he doesn't believe in God. I told him I still pray for him, and he thinks that is OK, but he won't change his mind. He was raised in an ungodly home with sisters who have been in trouble with the law and a brother who is a drinker, so , although he was raised in a Catholic church, he still is convinced that he can get to heaven, (if there is one) he says, because he is a good person. Sigh. I have known him for about ten years or more, but I am not giving up on him! He still doesn't mind if I pray for him...says he is covering all his bases. Pray for him. His name is Dave.
I felt ambitious yesterday, so I vacuumed the house and mopped the kitchen floor, then ran a few errands and visited Publix, getting more than I went in for. Lots of cakes, decorated with red, white and blue, and cookies, the same and lots of picnic stuff prominently displayed. There was a short checkout line which I was waiting in, when an assistant mgr. opened up a register for me, so shopping really is a pleasure at Publix!
I went on to Sawgrass and saw very few people there, but it was shady and cool, so I parked and drank my bottle of water, (Thanks, Cheryl) I saw an egret looking for a tasty fish, but not much else. The city mowers were mowing around Lynch Lake near my house and lots of ibis were pecking in the newly mown grass and a couple of moorhens were walking on it, also. Mowing must stir up the bugs. God is good!
from The Message
Psalm 146
Hallelujah!
O my soul, praise God!
All my life long I'll praise God,
singing songs to my God as long
as I live.
Don't put your life in the hands of experts
who know nothing of life, of salvation life.
Mere humans don't have what it takes,
when they die, their projects die with them.
Instead, get help from the God of Jacob,
Put your hope in God and know real blessing!
God made sky and soil,
sea and the fish in it.
He always does what he says--
he defends the wronged,
he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners--
he gives sight to the blind,
he lifts up the fallen.
God loves good people, protects strangers,
takes the side of widows and orphans,
but makes short work of the wicked.
God's in charge---always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis Have a happy and safe fourth of July weekend!
However, before he left, I listened to his diatribe on why he doesn't believe in God. I told him I still pray for him, and he thinks that is OK, but he won't change his mind. He was raised in an ungodly home with sisters who have been in trouble with the law and a brother who is a drinker, so , although he was raised in a Catholic church, he still is convinced that he can get to heaven, (if there is one) he says, because he is a good person. Sigh. I have known him for about ten years or more, but I am not giving up on him! He still doesn't mind if I pray for him...says he is covering all his bases. Pray for him. His name is Dave.
I felt ambitious yesterday, so I vacuumed the house and mopped the kitchen floor, then ran a few errands and visited Publix, getting more than I went in for. Lots of cakes, decorated with red, white and blue, and cookies, the same and lots of picnic stuff prominently displayed. There was a short checkout line which I was waiting in, when an assistant mgr. opened up a register for me, so shopping really is a pleasure at Publix!
I went on to Sawgrass and saw very few people there, but it was shady and cool, so I parked and drank my bottle of water, (Thanks, Cheryl) I saw an egret looking for a tasty fish, but not much else. The city mowers were mowing around Lynch Lake near my house and lots of ibis were pecking in the newly mown grass and a couple of moorhens were walking on it, also. Mowing must stir up the bugs. God is good!
from The Message
Psalm 146
Hallelujah!
O my soul, praise God!
All my life long I'll praise God,
singing songs to my God as long
as I live.
Don't put your life in the hands of experts
who know nothing of life, of salvation life.
Mere humans don't have what it takes,
when they die, their projects die with them.
Instead, get help from the God of Jacob,
Put your hope in God and know real blessing!
God made sky and soil,
sea and the fish in it.
He always does what he says--
he defends the wronged,
he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners--
he gives sight to the blind,
he lifts up the fallen.
God loves good people, protects strangers,
takes the side of widows and orphans,
but makes short work of the wicked.
God's in charge---always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis Have a happy and safe fourth of July weekend!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Change
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! Well, I will try a repeat of yesterday's email that did not go through and hope the computer works the way it is supposed to.
We had more rain yesterday evening and night, so everything is soaked and weird looking toadstool are popping up in the yard. That's how wet it is. Can't complain, though, because now the water level is up where it should be and for once we do not have a drought.
The sky is overcast again today, so we may get more rain this morning, but I finished all my running around yesterday, so let it rain!
To continue the saga of the gecko; A friend volunteered to come over and catch it for me, but Mr. Gecko had decided to hide someplace other than the chair, so we gave up. Then Brian Sanford came over later to check out some repair work that needed done, and meanwhile, I spied the gecko on the windowsill watching me. When I mentioned it to Brian, the chase was on! He took it as a challenge and chased the gecko down the wall, on the floor, and behind the large sofa. Out came the sofa from the wall , moving a lamp and a basket and Mr. Gecko was captured and put outside, where he belonged. Score one for Brian and zero for gecko! My hero! It is good not to have the gecko laughing at me from the chair, anymore. :o)
I went to the park yesterday and everything was very quiet and still and wet. The canal will soon be totally filled with Hydrilla, which is not a good thing, so we will see how long it takes to clean it out. But it is still a peaceful place to be and walk. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Where can I find security and hope in the midst of tumult and change?
Lamentations 5:19 Lord, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation.
Malachi 3:6 I am the Lord and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already completely destroyed.
James 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes for casts shifting shadows.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Both our security and our hope are rooted in God's unchanging character. People will make promises one day but disappoint us the next. Sin or circumstances beyond their control prevent them from keeping their promises. God's faithfulness and love, however, are not subject to the fluctuations of time, space, or human mortality. We will never suffer because of God's fickle whims, irrational mood swings, or inability to handle the circumstances.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We had more rain yesterday evening and night, so everything is soaked and weird looking toadstool are popping up in the yard. That's how wet it is. Can't complain, though, because now the water level is up where it should be and for once we do not have a drought.
The sky is overcast again today, so we may get more rain this morning, but I finished all my running around yesterday, so let it rain!
To continue the saga of the gecko; A friend volunteered to come over and catch it for me, but Mr. Gecko had decided to hide someplace other than the chair, so we gave up. Then Brian Sanford came over later to check out some repair work that needed done, and meanwhile, I spied the gecko on the windowsill watching me. When I mentioned it to Brian, the chase was on! He took it as a challenge and chased the gecko down the wall, on the floor, and behind the large sofa. Out came the sofa from the wall , moving a lamp and a basket and Mr. Gecko was captured and put outside, where he belonged. Score one for Brian and zero for gecko! My hero! It is good not to have the gecko laughing at me from the chair, anymore. :o)
I went to the park yesterday and everything was very quiet and still and wet. The canal will soon be totally filled with Hydrilla, which is not a good thing, so we will see how long it takes to clean it out. But it is still a peaceful place to be and walk. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Where can I find security and hope in the midst of tumult and change?
Lamentations 5:19 Lord, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation.
Malachi 3:6 I am the Lord and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already completely destroyed.
James 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes for casts shifting shadows.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Both our security and our hope are rooted in God's unchanging character. People will make promises one day but disappoint us the next. Sin or circumstances beyond their control prevent them from keeping their promises. God's faithfulness and love, however, are not subject to the fluctuations of time, space, or human mortality. We will never suffer because of God's fickle whims, irrational mood swings, or inability to handle the circumstances.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
This morning
Due to a computer glitch only half of the daily gator bytes message was sent this morning, Since I don't save these and type as I go, I will try to remember what i wrote about the saga of the gecko and send it again tomorrow.
Love and hugs,
amaryllis
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Habits
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! We had a good rainstorm last night, so everything is still wet outside this morning. Overcast already this morning, so maybe more rain is in store for us, which is good.
Well, I had a surprise when I opened the front door this morning. There was a large possum sniffing all around the front porch, not paying any attention to me. I told him to buzz off and he headed straight across the street to my neighbor's house, I have a feeling there is a colony of them around here, because they have been seen walking on the wires between houses, and up in our oak tree several months ago. UGh! They look like big rats, which I guess they are.
And speaking of wildlife, the gecko or lizard is still on my living room chair. In fact, he is getting pretty feisty. Last night he was perched on top of the chair looking at me, until I walked over to try to catch him and he zoomed back down and hid. Then when I sat on the couch to read the paper, there he was peeking out at me on the side of the chair, just like he was daring me to catch him. I just walked by the chair on my way to the computer and there he was, peeking out from the side again. If he stays much longer, he will expire from lack of food and water, but it's his own fault for being too frisky.
My big adventure yesterday was a trip to Walmart. It is always interesting to see the different people there, including screaming babies. I feel their pain from shopping. Not that is is not a bad experience, just not my favorite thing to do. they have rearranged their produce section so it looks much larger. I bought some really sweet peaches and their bananas were just 49 cents a pound, I drove through the park on my way home and my, it is really overgrown from all the rain and the canal is full of hydrilla, Guess there is no one there to get in a boat and spray with all the lay-offs. Oh, well, God is on His Throne and He is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can God help me deal with bad habits?
Romans 8:5,6 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.
God has given us the Holy Spirit to help make us holy. While victory does not come immediately, we will progress as we fill our minds and hearts with spiritual truth and the promises of God.
Romans 6:12-14 Do not let sin control the way you live, do not give in to its lustful desires. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God's grace.
One of Satan's great lies is that we are victims who have no power to resist sin. the world teaches us that heredity, environment, and circumstance excuse us from responsibility. But God is more powerful than anything that seeks to control us. When we call upon his power through prayer and the support of fellow believers, God breaks our chains and set us free.
How can God help me cultivate good habits?
1 Timothy 4:7-8 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.
1 Corinthians 9:25 All athletes practice strict self-control. The do it ot win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
Godly habits--such as reading the Bible, praying and giving our time and money in service--give us spiritual stamina, purpose and direction for our lives. they also help us keep our eyes on the eternal prize.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Well, I had a surprise when I opened the front door this morning. There was a large possum sniffing all around the front porch, not paying any attention to me. I told him to buzz off and he headed straight across the street to my neighbor's house, I have a feeling there is a colony of them around here, because they have been seen walking on the wires between houses, and up in our oak tree several months ago. UGh! They look like big rats, which I guess they are.
And speaking of wildlife, the gecko or lizard is still on my living room chair. In fact, he is getting pretty feisty. Last night he was perched on top of the chair looking at me, until I walked over to try to catch him and he zoomed back down and hid. Then when I sat on the couch to read the paper, there he was peeking out at me on the side of the chair, just like he was daring me to catch him. I just walked by the chair on my way to the computer and there he was, peeking out from the side again. If he stays much longer, he will expire from lack of food and water, but it's his own fault for being too frisky.
My big adventure yesterday was a trip to Walmart. It is always interesting to see the different people there, including screaming babies. I feel their pain from shopping. Not that is is not a bad experience, just not my favorite thing to do. they have rearranged their produce section so it looks much larger. I bought some really sweet peaches and their bananas were just 49 cents a pound, I drove through the park on my way home and my, it is really overgrown from all the rain and the canal is full of hydrilla, Guess there is no one there to get in a boat and spray with all the lay-offs. Oh, well, God is on His Throne and He is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can God help me deal with bad habits?
Romans 8:5,6 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.
God has given us the Holy Spirit to help make us holy. While victory does not come immediately, we will progress as we fill our minds and hearts with spiritual truth and the promises of God.
Romans 6:12-14 Do not let sin control the way you live, do not give in to its lustful desires. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God's grace.
One of Satan's great lies is that we are victims who have no power to resist sin. the world teaches us that heredity, environment, and circumstance excuse us from responsibility. But God is more powerful than anything that seeks to control us. When we call upon his power through prayer and the support of fellow believers, God breaks our chains and set us free.
How can God help me cultivate good habits?
1 Timothy 4:7-8 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.
1 Corinthians 9:25 All athletes practice strict self-control. The do it ot win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
Godly habits--such as reading the Bible, praying and giving our time and money in service--give us spiritual stamina, purpose and direction for our lives. they also help us keep our eyes on the eternal prize.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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