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! When I stepped outside much earlier, clouds covered the sky, and I thought perhaps we would have rain, but now the clouds have cleared and the sun is bright. It is warmer than I expected, so another beautiful day! God is good!
Well, Christmas is pretty much put away at this house. Thanks to Brian for his hard work in taking down the tree and packing it away, and for taking down the outside lights. I have all the candles and Santas put away, but keep the Ecuadorian nativity out all year. I keep thinking of goals I should set for 2009, and one of them, is being faithful to read my One Year Bible regularly. I had to skip a couple chapters last year, but did finish up on time. I have done this for the past ten years or so. Funny, how all the stories seem new each year. God's Word is timeless!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Why does God allow challenges in our lives?
James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
Challenges that threaten and try us are the very tools that God uses to strengthen and mature us. As we endure, we gain greater wisdom, integrity, and courage to face whatever comes our way.
Are some challenges too small to bother God?
Psalm 37:5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him and he will help you.
Nothing is too small for God. When we commit our plans to the Lord, he commits himself and his infinite resources to us.
What has God given me to face my challenges?
Joshua 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do.
God has given us his word to direct us. The promise of success is embedded in our commitment to obedience.
1 Chronicles 28:20 David continued, " Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged by the size of the size of the task, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.
Instead of being discouraged by the size of the task, we should be encouraged by the limitless power of God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
