My Morning Prayer

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cloudy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

When I stepped outside in the darkness this morning, not a star was showing for the covering of clouds. the wind is still blowing, but not as strong as yesterday. I hear we are due some thunderstorms today along with the wind.

We have been invited to a retirement party for Terry, our friend from Sawgrass , and another super. who is also retiring. If it rains, we won't go, but they are planning for a hundred people at War Veterans' Park. Ribs, chicken, all grilled outdoors! YUM!

We had a doctors' app't yesterday morning, so once again, I missed my walk. The doctor has a cute puppy that he brought in with him on a leash. He wants to train her to be a therapy dog and she will be a good one, I'm sure. He has built a ramp, so she can climb into his bed and sleep with him. He was very happy, because she did her business outside  for the first time. :o)  The doc is a character, but very good.  God is good!

This is a prayer that I pray every morning. I have sent it before, but I still think it is worth repeating.

"Oh, God, for another day, for another morning, for another hour, for another minute, for another chance to live and serve Thee, I am truly grateful."

Do thou this day free me
  from all fear of the future
  from all bitterness toward anyone
  from all cowardice in face of danger
  from all laziness in face of work
  from all failure before opportunity
  from all weakness when Thy power is at hand.

But fill me
  with Love that knows no barrier
  with Sympathy that reaches all
  with Courage that cannot be shaken
  with Faith strong enough for darkness
  with Strength sufficient  for my tasks
  with Loyalty to Thy Kingdom Goal
  with Power to lift me to Thee.

Be Thou with me for another day and use me as Thou wilt for Christ's sake, I pray.
   Amen

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love! 

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Confidence

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 this morning, the stars were twinkling in the clear sky...just a few puffy clouds drifting by. It is usually quiet before the neighborhood wakes up. The wind was blowing again, reminding me of fall coming. But our acorns have not started coming down yet, although when the tree trimmers come, there will be plenty!

I was not able to take a walk yesterday,  because of a slight computer glitch, so the gators had to get along without me, ;o) However, maybe I will get to do that later today. We saw two peahens when driving down into the park, and they were getting pretty big. I haven't seen the peacock lately, though. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Where do we find confidence for every day?

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid? the Lord protects me from danger-so why should I tremble?

Psalm 121:8 The  Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

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.

Many of the greatest athletes say that their real contest is a mental, not a physical one. It's the same way in our spiritual life. Our confidence comes not from looking around at our physical circumstances, but from looking to God.

How can we have confidence in the face of life's greatest hardships?

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he wil direct your paths.

When we rely on God, he will not let us down. Our limited understanding  is no match for his limitless love and grace.

Romans 8:38-39 I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't and life can't . The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord..

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost noghing or with everything; I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.

Our happiness  rises and falls, but our steady confidence comes from the consistency of Christ. We depend on Christ - not on circumstances.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

God Knows

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 very early this morning, the stars were very bright and especially, Venus, which was visible in the east. God is Awesome!

I walked Saturday before it got too scorching, and stood at the third gator trail for a few minutes, hoping to see the mama, but, although the trail was freshly muddy and the traces of her tail were plain to see, no sign of her. I looked far out to the nest and it is a high mound, but doesn't look like anything has hatched. I guess she will have to carry them in her mouth to find water after they hatch.

I went on to the second nest and they were all under the boardwalk, so I couldn't see them, either. So, I walked on to Mama gator, and there i counted 18 of the little critters crawling all over the wet bank of the nest. One of them was croaking, but Mama didn't pay any attention to it. She was right under me with her nose visible.

One lady of a group. said. "Baby what?"  Duuh. I have to smile at some of the remarks I hear.

From Quiet Moments with God:

Matthew 10:30 AMP
Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Do you ever wonder if God has lost your address? Do you ever think perhaps He has lost track of you or even forgotten you altogether? God's Word answers those thoughts with a resounding, "Not so!"

Jesus taught His followers, "Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's leave (consent) and notice...Fear not, then, you are of more value than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:29, 31 AMP}

The psalmist also recognized God's thorough and intimate knowledge of us. Read these words from Psalm 139 and be encouraged. The Lord not only knows you, but He knows precisely what you are facing and experiencing today. Even if you are not aware of His presence, you can rest assured He is by your side..

O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment, you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head.

This is too glorious, too wonderful...I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God!

You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your Book!

How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day  your thoughts turn towards me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!
    Psalms 139:1-7, 16-18 TLB

Before God created the universe, He already had you in mind.
Erwin Lutzer

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Integrity

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 early this morning, the darkness was cool again and the stars were twinkling brightly. 

Our azaleas are blooming more, very out of season, but I hope this doesn't mean that they will not bloom when they are supposed to.

Our bird-of-paradise has more blooms on it, because of all the rain, so everything is slurping up the extra rain we have had.

Since I told you all about the baby gators, yesterday, in a bulletin, there is nothing more to add, except that I hope to find the third nest today. I will see if I can get a better description from Francia today. I am seeing more of our church people walking there lately, so sooner or later, you will see someone you know! I certainly look different than the way I dress to go to church!! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

What are the benefits of integrity?

Proverbs 11:3,5 Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty...The godly are directed by their honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.

Integrity keeps us from the trap of dishonesty and the destruction that can result.

Psalm 15:1-5 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives, and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend, and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.

Our character affects our ability to worship and enjoy fellowship with God. Worship is more acceptable to God and more meaningful to us when we honor the Lord in our daily conduct.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Night Watch

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 this morning, I was pleased to feel the cooler breeze blowing. Maybe fall is in the air at last? One can only hope.

The stars were shining brightly, as most of the clouds have blown away from Gustav. God is good!

I was too late to walk yesterday, but drove through the park a couple times as I did errands and not many people were out and about. Work and school cut down on traffic in the park. After I finish here, though, I hope to take a walk and check up on Mama gator.

I just finished meeting with the tree man who has arranged to trim our oak trees, which are drooping over the street light lines. He does a good job and they clean up nicely.

From Quiet Moments with God:

Vaclav Havel is a former president of what used to be Czechoslovakia. In 1948 the Communists took power in his country and confiscated his family land holdings. From that time, Havel was part of a defiant underground that opposed the Soviet government.

When the soviets marched into Prague twenty years later, Havel remained to form a coalition that would be ready to take over when the time was right. He spoke out boldly, writing defiantly against communism. He was put under surveillance and eventually jailed for his activities.

After being offered by the United States legislation that would allow dissidents to immigrate to the West, Havel replied by saying he was not interested going to the West. "What good would that do? he asked. "Only by staying here and struggling here can we ever hope to change things." Like a watchman in the night, Havel stayed on duty in his country.

Times of trial and struggle often seem like long, dark nights. But doing the right thing-even the hard thing--gives us hope. How do we maintain those long night watches when there seems to be little change in our circumstances?

1. Take one step at a time. Don't attempt to tackle
the whole task at once. "A man's steps are directed by the Lord." Proverbs 20:24

2. Keep your struggles in perspective. Separate the mountains from the molehills. "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

3. Cultivate the discipline of delayed gratification. "Let patience have here perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4 (KJV)

4. Learn to recognize the invisible God in the world around you. "By faith he (Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible." Hebrews 11:27

Placing your hope in the Lord helps you to do all these things. He will lead you; he will remove your mountinas; He will strengthen you, helping you to be patient; and He will open your eyes to His works all around you.

If it were not for hope
the Heart would break.
English Proverb

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love.

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Fear

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 am a little later than I wanted to be, due to a balky computer). We are so thankful that Gustav turned out not to be as devastating as first thought! God is good!

I went for a walk in the park yesterday, a little early for a change, and saw lots of twigs and branches on the boardwalk from the wind and rain, and a young tree down across Mama gators hole. I didn't see her when I first walked by, but went on to the tower, and came back and there she was.

Still waiting for activity from the nest. More people started coming as I was finishing up the walk, so I was glad I started early.

After I got home, while I was still very warm and damp, I started cleaning up our yard, which was trashy from the fallout from the oak trees. I was drenched with sweat after about an hour, but picked up most everything, so the yard looks better! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

What can I do when I am overcome with fear? How do I find the strength to go on?

Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubles or afraid.

God is greater than the most severe threats in life. We will not be surprised or overcome by trouble if we continually turn to the Lord.

2 Timothy 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Debilitating fear is not from the Lord. We can call upon God's Spirit to give us the power to face our foes, the love to overcome evil with good, and the discipline to persevere through our trials. We have been given the power to turn from fear to faith.

How can I confront the sources of my fear?

Psalm 27:1-3 the Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger-so why should I tremble? When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident.

Romans 8:31,32 What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?

Fear can come from human intimidation, fueled by irrational anxiety. Both the psalmist and Paul remind us to look not at the mortal creatures who threaten us, but at the Lord God Almighty who loves us. God is for us. Instead of fearing others we can face them with courage and confidence because we know their limitations. We also know our enemies will ultimately answer to God.

Isaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
God's presence calms our panic. God's care is the antidote to our despair. God's power resolves our problems.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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 am really late this morning, sending this, but getting hubby ready for the day takes about an hour and then breakfast and prayer time, but here I am and this is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

When I stepped outside in the dark this morning, the moon was no longer visible, so we will wait for the new moon in a week or so. Stars were much brighter, though, and once again, a plane was twinkling as I heard the far off sound of the engines flying through space!

Instead of walking through the park yesterday, I did my walking from one end of Sears Essentials to the other, as we waited for new tires to be installed on the van. That's a big place! The scenery definitely was not the same, but the air was cooler!

We did ride through the park later and not many people were there, because of heat and work. There is a little old lady who walks daily with her much younger relative or caregiver, and she always wears a sweater! I pass her dripping, and she looks very cool! God is good!

From Psalm 37 NLT:

Don't worry about the wicked.
Don't envy those who do wrong.
For like grass, they soon fade away.
Like springtime flowers, they soon wither.

Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land
and prosper. Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart's desires.

Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him and he will help you.
He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine
like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.

Stop your anger!
Turn from your rang!
Do not envy others-
it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed
but those who trust to the Lord
will possess the land.

Colossians 4:23
Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.

Enjoy your holiday, all you workers!

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis