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, the power came back on within thirty minutes yesterday and we rushed to get to the Dr. appointment on time, only to sit and wait for an hour and a half because he was running late. That's the way it goes sometimes.
We drove through the park in the afternoon and all was quiet and serene. Very few people were out... just the usual ones walking their dogs. It is a popular place for dog-walking. Some people have two or three, large and small.
I saw a great blue heron on the way in and we saw a very large snapper turtle, which must have come out of the lake, trying to dig under the fence to get to the canal. He would have had to cross the road to get to the canal, but I don't know what would be better there than in the lake. Oh, well, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Why can't we depend on our own resources and rescue ourselves?
Psalm 33:16:22 The best equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory--for all its strength, it cannot save you. But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in protecting us like a shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
When trouble comes, our first reaction is usually to try and solve the problem using our financial assets, human connections, talents, and abilities. Though these will all fail us in time, God never will. God alone is our greatest defense. God alone has the infinite resources we need.
Is there anything we can do to rescue ourselves?
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
There are times when we bring problems on ourselves through our own disobedience. Our rescue depends on our faith and obedience. God calls us to humility and repentance to make way for his rescue.
How does God rescue us from the spiritual forces of evil and darkness?
Matthew 6:13 Don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Prayer is the primary means by which God rescues us.
Ephesians 6:10-13 Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil, for we are not fighting against people make of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Matthew 10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
Though we are embroiled in a spiritual war with this world, we stand tall because we have full confidence in Christ's authority. We stand strong in the strength and protection of the Lord. This faith overcomes all fear.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis Go Rays! Go Gators!
