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 didn't really want to get out of bed this morning, but finally did, a little after six. When I stepped outside, it was already daylight and still the lopsided moon was in the same place as yesterday...guess it didn't move in twenty four hours. :o)
Yesterday afternoon was really busy..I went to the support group meeting, left early, so John could go to work, and then the rep from the Home Care org. came to talk to us about hiring a person for three hours a week. That took almost all the rest of the afternoon, so no walks in the park yesterday. But this morning, so many birds were chirping, it sounded like a heavenly choir all singing a different song. 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 times of famine. We depend on the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help us, 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 way, 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 call 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 a 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 made of flesh and blood, but against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this 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
