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! Another beautiful day filled with the scent of orange blossoms and citrus! My frost-bitten hibiscus is now budding on the tips of the limbs that lost their leaves, and the beauty berry bush has new green leaves all over. I hope soon the seeds will be off the oak tree so the shedding will be over with. They put a fine blanket over the whole yard.
Yesterday, I did some shopping, then went to the park. Not too many people there in the early afternoon, but the trees were giving heavy shade, the squirrels were scampering everywhere and a great gray heron was standing very still looking into the canal. I did not see the gator. I am interested in a roofing job going on at a two story house on the way into the park, The man who owns it used to walk very early about twenty years ago, when I was going on early morning walks, after taking Louis to work. The man always had his cat, Tigger, and dog, Samantha with him. He usually was carrying the cat on his shoulder, but the dog would walk beside him. Anyway, the man started taking the shingles off himself, and just before the hard rain last week. He got the black tar paper on and secured before the rain, and now is working on the cover over the front door. It is a very hard job for one person and dangerous, but he has long boards secured all over for a foot hold. I just like to watch his progress.
But, as always, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 12:1-13
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
As God's messenger I give each of you this warning; be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.
God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don;t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful ....
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
