Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cool, windy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the crescent moon was valiantly shining through the clouds and the wind was blowing and quite cool, but a mockingbird was loudly chirping his good morning in the dark, telling all the other birds to get up! God is good!
I didn't walk yesterday, because my foot was quite painful, but we saw two peacocks with the tails spread... one had his back turned and he is not so lovely from the rear. :o) Then a little further in the park, we watched a gator lazily soaking in the sun. He looked black and shiny. The one I saw last week at the first shelter, was all dried out, and looked tan. They change color as they get older. The babies are black and yellow striped and very difficult to see under the fern, so God has given them protection from predators. God is Wise!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Where does Joy come from?
Nehemiah 8:10 "Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is to be a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength! "
Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with a 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 all the old world and its evils are gone forever."
Our joy is rooted in the certainty of heaven, where we will be fully and finally liberated from the trials and troubles of this life.
For those of you working today these words of wisdom:
Colossians 3:23-24 "Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward and the Master you are serving is Christ."
God promises a reward to those who work hard. that reward can include - but is not limited to - financial prosperity. It may be the rewards of respect and personal satisfaction or the joy of contributing to the welfare of another.
How will God help me when my work is hard?
Psalm 145:14 "The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads".
As with any burden we bear, we can trust God to help us on the job.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
