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! Since my oak trees were trimmed, the sun shines brightly through the front windows, now, where before the graceful fall of the branches kept the brightness out. But it only last for a few minutes, and then the sun keeps rising.
It looks like good weather for our trip tomorrow, so I hope it is still good in Georgia. It will be good to get away for a couple days.
Yesterday, after running around doing errands, I drove to the park for a little peace and quiet, and was pleased to see the ancient gopher tortoise munching his way through the grass in his usual spot. Some things never change and that is good. Most of the shrubs have been whacked way down, but not the grass, except where people walk most often. I filled up the bowl that I keep on the front wall so that critters can come and get a drink. Some of the birds take baths in it, which splashes out most of the water, but I keep refilling it for them. Even the squirrels drink out of it. I saw a tiny frog when I brought the dumpster back a little while ago. The frogs are even hurting for moisture, too. But God is good, and He will bring rain when we need it!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Shouldn't those who believe in God be free from crisis?
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Crisis should not surprise us. We expect crisis and difficulty because we live in a fallen world. Jesus' warning keeps us from panic, and his promise of victory keeps us from discouragement.
1 Peter 1:6-7 Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Times of crisis are like a fire that refines, like a knife that prunes, like a wind that sifts the wheat from the chaff. Ask God for the strength to hold on and for the strength to let go of ungodly things. Look to the joy that awaits on the other side of the trial.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (Have a Jesus-filled weekend, friends)
