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 was really surprised when I stepped outside early this morning, to feel the wonderful cool air. Fall is definitely here! The oak trees have an abundance of acorns this year, and every time I see a squirrel, it has one in its mouth. They are always ready for a peanut treat, though, and sometimes I put crunchy peanut butter on the tree. It doesn't last long because the blue jays like it, too. They also steal the peanuts from the squirrels.
I have to admit though, even with their raucous screech, the blue jays are clever about opening the peanuts. They just pound the shell until it breaks and then eat the treat. God is Awesome!
When I drove through the Park yesterday, I noticed the mowing crew had been there, so everything looked very nice and trim. Very few people were there in the late afternoon, but due to a very sore foot and leg I did not try to walk. Sometimes getting old is no fun, other times, I really enjoy it! :o)
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Does God promise us success in this life?
1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person's thoughts and intentions."
God's standards differ greatly from our own. Success is measured by faithfulness and fruitfulness not by results and quantities. We measure success in terms of appearances and externals, but the Lord looks on the heart. God measures success by weighing our devotion and commitment to him.
1 John 2:15-17 Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.
Success in this world can mean failure in God's eyes. While we live in this world, we are not to be controlled by this world's system of values. God promises that if we do his will, we will have true success.
2 Corinthians 3:4-5 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God.
Jesus followers know that real success comes only from the Lord.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs.
Amaryllis
