Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners, (and I think it is still morning by a minute) This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, the wind is picking up and the rain woke me last night and from the looks of it, it was a lot of rain.
I would have been a bit earlier sending this, but realized I needed to run a couple errands before any more rain came, then when I came home I discovered some vandal had cut a slice of our yard off by the curb and cut two deep muddy grooves in the neighbor's yards across the street. Grrr! I think today's Words are very appropriate.
On a brighter note, I saw a flock of ibis pecking happily away in the yard yesterday and today seagulls were gathered on the bank of Lynch Lake, along with many ducks and woodstorks. So, God is good!
Where do I find protection from the threat of evil?
Ephesians 6:10-18 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, 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. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
This is perhaps the Bible's most comprehensive teaching about the resources believers have to overcome evil. Spiritual forces lurk behind many of our conflicts. Therefore, we should not attack the people manipulated by evil but focus directly on the evil itself. We rely on truth, faith, the power of our testimony, the wisdom of God's word, and the power of prayer. When these are mobilized, evil succumbs, God wins, and we win.
Jude 1:24-25 All glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen
Ultimately, it is God's hold on us, not our hold on him, that insures our preservation from evil. That is why we praise and worship him!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
