Follow Him

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! More sunshine, more thunderstorms, the same ole, same ole! But it could be a lot worse! So I am thankful for the weather we have during this hurricane season.

I have already been out to the lab for fasting lab work. I was really hungry by the time I finished, which didn't take long at all, so, since there is a MacDonald's in the same shopping strip, I ordered a sausage egg biscuit, if not for the first time, but it has been so long that I cannot remember ever ordering one before. I also ordered an orange juice and could hardly wait to get home to eat my fattening, hi chol. breakfast! But it was good to have my usual hot tea with the food. I'm really happy to have the lab so close to home.

Yesterday, after running some errands and grocery shopping after the thunderstorm, I went on to the park and was surprised at how quiet it was. Once again, very few people and not many signs of wildlife. I guess I did not get there at the right time. But, anyway, I am thankful for the birds and squirrels which are always busy!  As I left the park, I was careful to straddle a large snake that was making its way across the road! God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:

Whoever serves me must follow me.
Then my servant will be with me everywhere I am.
My father will honor anyone who serves me. 
John 12:26 NCV

Whom will you walk with today? Will you walk with people who worship the ways of the world? Or will you walk with the Son of God? 
 
Hopefully, you will choose to walk with Him today and every day of your life.

Jesus has called upon believers of every generation (and that includes you) to follow in His footsteps. And God's Word promises that when you follow in Christ's footsteps, you will learn how to live freely and lightly ( Matthew 11:28-30)

Are you worried about the day ahead? Be confident in God's power. He will never desert you. Are you concerned about the future?  Be courageous and call upon God. He will protect you. Are you confused? Listen to the quiet voice of your Heavenly Gather. He is not a God of confusion. Talk with God; listen to Him, follow His commandments and walk with His Son--starting now.


                                                     Great Thoughts

Peter said, "No, Lord!" But he had to learn that one cannot say "No", while saying "Lord" and that one cannot say "Lord" while saying "NO.
                              
                                                            Corrie Ten Boom

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

Love and hugs, 
Amaryllis

Endurance

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! Another bright, sunny morning with lots of heat promised...although, in fact, it does not cool down much even at night. My son, in TN, says they have already had temps in the high sixties, so fall is coming soon, maybe not here but in other places.. This morning on the news, I heard how the people in Tampa plan to have heat stations throughout the downtown area for the RNC. Water, and shade  to combat the heat for the thousands coming who are not used to our temps.

I also logged on early to see how the Rays did in Seattle last night, and once again, they won! Yay! I don't like the west coast games, because they don't start until 10 our time, so I don't stay up to watch. In fact, this morning, as I was praying I was also dozing off...had a hard time staying awake, until all my notes slipped off my lap! Well, I need to stay awake and get things done around here. I did some ironing yesterday, but have more to do today.

I also took time to go the the library, which is a very busy place on Mondays. Then I went to the park and only found six cars there. It was very hot and the teachers had started back to school , so that probably accounted for some of the little traffic. I have been watching the construction progress on St. Pete Christian School, near me, and they are working frantically on the parking lot now, to get it finished. The teachers had to park on the east side and use some of the nearby church's parking lot to get everybody situated.

There were ducks parading across the road in the park, and an ibis was pecking for food, moss was blowing in the gentle breeze and the shade was welcome. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Where do I find the strength to keep going when I'm tempted to give up?

Galatians 6:9 Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.

Endurance comes from keeping our thoughts on the promise of the harvest, not the promise of the moment.

Philippians 1:6 I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

Philippians 2:12:13 Dearest Friends, yuou were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.

We do not endure through our own strength alone. God is at work in our lives. He gives us the strength to keep going when we are exhausted and the reasons to keep believing when we are discouraged.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 112

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! I am a little later this morning, because the Acme man came early to service the A/C and all is well, which is good news. He also had a gadget which checked the temp coming out of all the outlets in the house, to see if a duct was leaking. Never had that done before, but the temp was the same coming out of all of them. I would hate to be without cooling A/C as hot as the weather has been!

Just as I was ready to leave for church yesterday, I saw a big pile of twigs and leaves on the driveway, which had been nice and clean. I assumed a squirrel was building a nest, since that is what they do, but now I am not so sure. I saw two doves fly in and out in that same spot this morning, Now, doves do not build nice nests...they are usually very messy, bit the squirrels chew off twigs to build theirs, so it may be that two families are building in nearly the same spot. Wish they weren't so messy about it!

I watched the Rays sweep the Twins yesterday afternoon and then the closing program of the Olympics. In between times, I took time to go to the park and saw a great white heron looking into the canal with neck all curled up..wish I could be that flexible! I saw an anhinga perched on a telephone line airing out the wings and an osprey looking for lunch. The grass had been recently mowed and looked very neat. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 112
Praise the Lord!

Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Yes, happy are those who delight indoing what he commands.
Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
They themselves will be wealthy,and their good deeds will never be forgotten.
When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
All goes well for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
They do not fear bad news; they confidently  trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.
They give generously to those in need
Their good deeds will never be forgotten.
They will have influence and honor.
The wicked will be infuriated  when they see this.
They will grind their teeth in anger, they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

A Prayer

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 official! July was the hottest month on record! As if those who live here did not know! My lawn guys were here this morning and said they did not come yesterday because it was so hot they quit work early. I am thinking roofing guys have it really bad in the summer! We all have to be cautious and not get overheated.

I attended memorial services for an old friend yesterday, which was a nice tribute to him, and then did a few errands. I wound up at the park, which was steamy and quiet. A flock of ibis were gathered together in the canal and a lone anhinga was perched on the weir with wings folded. Then, coming home, I spied an osprey on a line st Lynch Lake. Wild life is everywhere! God is good!

This is a prayer from a friend;

Dear Jesus,
I long for my spiritual and physical life to become such a blend that I can not separate the two I also desire to be a Lighthouse for your love with friends, 
neighbors, and extended family. I want to be able to do more for others than
what I can accomplish on my own. I am so thankful for now I have been pulled out of the darkness and into the light. I am so thankful that You regenerate and
prepare me for each day. What an awesome thought to know that I am your brother-and God's child. I so desire to receive power and direction from You in
sharing hope and direction with other people. I come to you and give you my life today-seeking the love, guidance, power and majesty of the Father, Son and  Holy Spirit. 
 Amen


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

Love and hugs, 
Amaryllis

A Fathers Loveletter

This was sent to my last night and I thought it very appropriate for today's blog..This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

A Father's Love Letter
 
The words you are about to experience are true. They will change your life if you let them. For they come from the very heart of God... He loves you...and He is the Father you have been looking for all your life. This is His love letter to you...

My Child...

You may not know me, but I know everything about you ...Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up ...Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways ...Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ...Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image ...Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being ...Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring ...Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived ...Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation ...Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ...Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ...Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made ...Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb ...Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born ...Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ...John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ...1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ...1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father ...1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ...Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father ...Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ...James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ...Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ...Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love ...Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ...Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing ...Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you ...Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession ...Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ...Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things ...Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ...Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ...Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires ...Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ...Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager ...2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ...2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ...Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ...Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ...Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ...Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ...John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ...John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being ...Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ...Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ...2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ...2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ...1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ...Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ...1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ...Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ...Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father ...Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is...Will you be my child? ...John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you ...Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad... Almighty God

Healing

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! Wow! What a thunderstorm we had yesterday afternoon! I don't know just how much rain fell here, but I think it was several inches. I don't mind the rain, but I jumped every time a loud blast of thunder cracked! I was so glad I was in and snug and did not have to go out!

I had run a couple errands earlier in the day, because I had heard the report that thunderstorms were expected in the afternoon, so I included a visit to the park in my running around. The water in the canal was down yesterday, but I am sure it is very full today. I will have to take a ride over there and check it out later on. I saw a flock of ibis and the squirrels running around but not many people were out. I was noticing the moss on the oak trees, how some trees have long, hanging strands and other very little. I can understand what a curiosity it is to northern tourists, while I have been used to it all my life. We used to be warned against it as kids, because of red bugs. Don't ask me what red bugs are...maybe they don't even exist! But God does, and He is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Luke 5:12-13 In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he fell to the ground, face down in the dust, begging to be healed. "Lord", he said, "if you want to, you can make me well again." Jesus reached out and touched the man. "I want to," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly, the leprosy disappeared.

Jesus has the ability and the willingness to heal us. We are not bothering God when we pray for healing; we are expressing our faith and trust in him. 
 
God's healing can reach  every level of our lives. His healing brings a joy and freedom that cannot be contained.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Hebrews 13:5-6

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 thunderstorm yesterday afternoon with another one expected today, but it is sunny and very warm this morning, as usual, this time in August.

Speaking of warm, Brian came over Saturday afternoon for a visit, and he heard water dripping, (we were in the living room) and then I heard it, so went to the garage and, sure enough, water was coming out of the A/C unit and rushing to the door. I knew the drain pipe must have been stopped up, so I called Acme, hoping they worked on weekends, and was given the owner's number, so called him, and in less that 45 minutes the problem was taken care of, with no loss of coolness! Praise God! I have been dealing with Acme for about 35 years and they are always dependable and thorough. It is good to know reliable trades people. Note to self...be sure to check on drain pipe and have A/C unit serviced regularly.

I drove to the park yesterday after church and a stop at CVS  and, even with the windows closed, I could heard the very loud noise of the cicadas! I think they come every seven years, but what a noise!  I saw lots of ibis down in the canal busily pecking through the hydrilla and quite a few people walking about even in the heat. But, God is good!

Hebrews 13:5-6 Amplified Bible or, (the Amp Bible, as the preacher said yesterday)

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money including greed, avarice, lust and craving for earthly possessions--and be satisfied with your present {circumstances and with what you have}; for He (God) himself has said, "I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you with support. {I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake nor let you down, relax my hold on you.---assuredly not! (Josh, 1:5)

So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently  and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, I will not be seized with alarm--I will not fear or dread or be terrified. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6, 27:1)

(This is from the scripture yesterday which Pastor Dwight preached with great enthusiasm! He encouraged us to repeat this every day for 31 days!)

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

Love and hugs, 
Amaryllis