Opportunities

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 clouds were thick and the air was a little cool, but now the clouds have mostly gone and the sun is shining! Another beautiful day in Paradise!

We enjoyed a quiet day yesterday after church. I finished a book I had started, and then watered the staghorn fern, which was looking droopy. We haven't had much rain for a couple weeks, so I also watered the azaleas, which have a few blooms on them. Afterward, we took a drive to beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, and admired the lovely waterfront... saw lots of people walking, sitting at outside tables in front of restaurants, biking, running, and lots of dogs in the dog park near the water.

We also visited Sawgrass and noticed the Vietnamese society was having their yearly gathering under the large covered shelter. Lots of people there! On the way in we saw two peacocks looking at themselves in a window, and a big, fat gator sunning on the bank of the lake on the right. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I face challenging, sometimes intimidating, opportunities?

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.

Our ability to face challenges is rooted in Christ, not in ourselves. With Christ's help, we can make the most of every opportunity.

Revelation 3:6 I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.

We can trust that nothing will prevent us from fulfilling the opportunity God has for us.

How do I know if an opportunity is from the Lord?

Joshua 1:7:9 Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Bood of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. I command you-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Ephesians 5:15-20 Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God's opportunities conform to his word. Anything that contradicts God's word is not an opportunity from God.

What does God promise to those who make the most of his opportunities?

Matthew 25:29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away.

God honors faithfulness in little things with the privilege of responsibility for greater things.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Challenges

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 much earlier, clouds covered the sky, and I thought perhaps we would have rain, but now the clouds have cleared and the sun is bright. It is warmer than I expected, so another beautiful day! God is good!

Well, Christmas is pretty much put away at this house. Thanks to Brian for his hard work in taking down the tree and packing it away, and for taking down the outside lights. I have all the candles and Santas put away, but keep the Ecuadorian nativity out all year. I keep thinking of goals I should set for 2009, and one of them, is being faithful to read my One Year Bible regularly. I had to skip a couple chapters last year, but did finish up on time. I have done this for the past ten years or so. Funny, how all the stories seem new each year. God's Word is timeless!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Why does God allow challenges in our lives?

James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

Challenges that threaten and try us are the very tools that God uses to strengthen and mature us. As we endure, we gain greater wisdom, integrity, and courage to face whatever comes our way.

Are some challenges too small to bother God?

Psalm 37:5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him and he will help you.

Nothing is too small for God. When we commit our plans to the Lord, he commits himself and his infinite resources to us.

What has God given me to face my challenges?

Joshua 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do.

God has given us his word to direct us. The promise of success is embedded in our commitment to obedience.

1 Chronicles 28:20 David continued, " Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged by the size of the size of the task, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.

Instead of being discouraged by the size of the task, we should be encouraged by the limitless power of God.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Hope for today and tomorrow

Good New Year's Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Even though it's a bit chilly, (58), the sun is shining and a breeze blowing, so it should be a great day for the Bowl game in Tampa. I have been seeing pictures of the snow and bad weather conditions all over the north, so, once again, I am thankful for living in Florida!

Lots of people are in the Park these days, because of all the bowl games, and just visiting on winter break. They all look for gators, but sometimes none are around to be seen. Most of the leaves are off the trees now, and they look stark, but once spring comes, all the new green leaves burst forth, and everything is green again! God is good!

We have been seeing the peacocks again in the neighborhood outside the park. The sun was shining on the male yesterday and the colors were gorgeous! They may be a nuisance, with their yowl, and tearing up and scratching cars, but they are a sight to behold!

I thought this familiar verse from the NIV would be a good way to start off 2009:

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

And from the Promise Bible:

Philippians 4: 4, 12
Always be full of joy in the Lord . I say it again ---rejoice! I know how to live on almost nothing 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.

Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and our attitudes. God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.


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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Happy New Year!!

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 chilly air was kind of a surprise, because we have been warm for so long. But I know it will soon warm up and we will be at almost 80 degrees again! God is good!

Have you noticed the evening sky lately? For a gorgeous sight, look to the west, and see the crescent moon with Venus high above and tiny Jupiter far to the bottom west. God's Creation is Awesome!

I have enjoyed my brief vacation from the morning email, almost as much as I enjoyed having the family here for Christmas. It was wonderful to have our sons and grandson here and to spend time with them, even though Brian spent most of Christmas day in bed and did not feel too perky for several days due to some kind of virus. But the rest of us did not get it, and the weather stayed perfect. We were blessed!

My prayer for all in the New Year, is that you will be blessed with whatever you need; work, good health, rest and a deep reliance on our Lord for all you need!

From Hymns for the Family of God:

Prayer of Concern for Others

Father, help me to talk like a Christian:
to speak in such a way that I build up another person's
confidence in himself, instead of tearing down his reputation.

Father, help me to drive like a Christian:
to be watchful and careful lest I cause harm to someone else
on the highways.

Father, help me to give like a Christian:
without thought of return, without anyone knowing what I
do, and with Your approval as sufficient reward.

Father, help me to dress like a Christian:
by not attracting attention to myself for being too fashionable
or too casual; and help me to show by my appearance
that I want people to know me for what I am inside myself.

Father, help me to sleep like a Christian:
At peace with myself because sin is forgiven; and at peace with
others because I do not allow my anger to last through a day.

Father, help me to eat like a Christian:
to eat healthily, to eat moderately, to eat gratefully, giving
thanks to You who provide my food, and for the one
who prepares my food.

Father, keep me from being so pious that I keep You out of the
practical areas of life. Be with me when I am along, and
when I shed my inhibitions, lest in those moments I cancel
out all that I seem to be when I'm on my best behavior.

Father, I ask this because I follow a Master who was never guilty
of the slightest wrong-doing, and who always showed His love
in the small details of living. Amen.

- Bryan Jeffery Leech

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

One Solitary Life

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! Well, earlier this morning, when I stepped outside, the moon was very visible overhead and stars were shining, then, suddenly, the fog crept in and all was obscured. Reminded me of the poem I learned many years ago, "The fog creeps in on little cat feet"...can't remember all of it , or the author. Maybe c.c.cummings? Anyway, it is lifting now and the sky is blue. God is good!

Yesterday, I was trying to meet the goals I set, for getting gifts wrapped and last minute things done, before Daryl and Matthew come late tonight or early in the morning. But I took time to take a plate of Christmas cookies over to Mike and Francia at the Park, and we talked for a few minutes about the departed staff and how they were doing. Mike was so happy about the cookies, he gave me a big hug and kiss! I am happy he is still there.

This will be the last devotional until after Christmas, so I wish you all the most blessed Christmas and wonderful times with friends and family, celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus!

One Solitary Life

Born in an obscure village, He was the child of a peasant woman. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty years old, and then for three years He traveled around the country, stopping long enough to talk and to listen to people, and help where He could. He never wrote a book, He never had a hit record, He never went to college, He never ran for public office, He never had a family, or owned a house. He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. But when He was only thirty three years old, the tide of public opinion turned against him, and His friends all rejected Him. When He was arrested, very few wanted anything to do with Him. After the trial, He was executed by the State along with admitted thieves. Only because a generous friend offered his own cemetery plot was there any place to bury Him. This all happened nineteen centuries ago, and yet today He is the leading figure of the human race, and the ultimate example of love. Now it is no exaggeration to say that all the armies that have ever marched, all the navies that have ever set sail, all the rulers that have ever ruled, all the kings that have ever reigned on this earth, all put together have not affected the life of man on earth like this One Solitary Life.
Fred Bock (alt)

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Merry Christmas to all!

Reverence, not Ritual

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 half moon was shining brightly, as usual, and stars were visible, which meant a beautiful day! Then, a short time ago, fog came rolling in, but now, that has also lifted. This is the time of year, when we don't need heat or A/C. Glorious!

I was determined to walk in the Park yesterday, and found that the tree trimming crew was there, and had the boardwalk to the tower blocked off. They were working on cutting down a very old maple that was leaning over the walk, and had a ladder about fifty feet high propped against the tree. No way would I climb that high!

So, I walked the Hammock trail instead and enjoyed it very much. I took frequent pauses to gaze over the rail down into the swampy areas. I was really surprised at the water all the way until higher ground where the old orange orchard used to be. Unfortunately, when the new boardwalk was built some of the lemon trees were cut down. Since the trees have been trimmed, the orange trees have fruit very high up, so I was unable to reach any. Though the oranges are very sour and not edible just to squeeze or eat, they make wonderful pies!

God has a plan for everything!

From Quiet Moments with God:

He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?"
Luke 24:38

Have you ever met people who, when something good comes their way, start wondering when God is going to take it back?

Long ago, pagans in Germany and Holland believed this way. If Johann met Hans in the forest and said, " Hey Hans! I got that horse I wanted--good price too!" in a second both men would gasp. Johann would run to the nearest tree and start pounding on it.

The pagans believed that the gods lived in trees, and if they heard about any human happiness, they would cause mischief. Johann, realizing his mistake in the listening forest, would rap on trees to drive the gods away. Even when it was no longer a custom to literally "knock on wood," the phrase sufficed to fill the same purpose: "May my good fortune suffer no reversal."

In our lives, it's wither " Thy will be done" or " knock on wood." Either God is working for our good, or we must be working for our good.

How sad it must make our Heavenly Father to see us robbed of joy as we receive His blessings, simply out of fear! Furthermore, some people feel the only way to hold onto the joys of life is to perform good deeds.As a result, those parts of the Christian life that should bring us closer to the heart of God often end up as rituals performed out of duty and fear.

When the city of Hamburg was stricken with the plague and large numbers were dying, the healthy---in mortal dread of becoming ill---flocked to the city's churches. It was not a reverence for God that drew them to church, but the fear of cholera. As soon as the plague abated, their zeal for the worship of God also abated.

The Lord desires an intimate, honest relationship with you--not a relationship rooted in your fear of loss or failure. The "fear of God" does not mean you're afraid of God; it means you have respect for Him. This reverence is born out of trust in His love. Turn to Him this morning, to experience life, not merely to avoid disaster. When you do, you'll meet a Heavenly Father who loves you completely and unconditionally.

Don't come to the cross
out of fear of hell.
Come to the cross out of
Love for Christ.
Unknown

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Easin' thru Ephesians

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside earlier the funny shaped moon was shining brightly and actually, outshining the stars, but I did see a few of them. This morning I saw the weather in the rest of the country, on TV. I must say we are blessed to have this sunshiny, warm weather here. It is supposed to get up to 80 degrees again today. Almost time for AC again. :o)

Well, we have such a carpet of leaves all over the driveway, porch and grass, that I decided to tackle the blower once again. I really need practice to refine my technique. I have to get the long extension cord all pulled out first, and then be sure I keep the blower pointed down. I had leaves flying high in the air, and out in the street, which I didn't intend to do, But the porch got cleaned off and the driveway cleared. but...guess what? They are all covered again today! Now, if I could only figure out how to blow the leaves off the trees....

We saw lots of soft-shelled turtles sunning on the weir yesterday and the big, fat gopher tortoise once again trying to get through the fence. There is always something to see at the Park!

Ephesians 6:10-20 NEB

Finally then, find your strength in the Lord, in His mighty power. Put on all the armor which God provides, so that you may be able to stand firm against the devices of the devil. For our fight is not against human foes, but against cosmic powers, against the authorities and potentates of this dark world, against the superhuman forces of evil in the heavens. Therefore, take up God's armour; then you will be able to stand your ground when things are at their worst, to complete every task and still to stand. Stand firm, I say. Fasten on the belt of truth; for coat of mail put on integrity; let the shoes on your feet be the gospel of peace, to give you firm footing; and , with all these, take up the great shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take salvation for helmit; for sword, take that which the Spirit give you-the words that come from God. give yourselves wholly to prayer and entreaty; always interceding for all God's people; and pray for me, that I may boldly and freely make known his hidden purpose, for which I am an ambassador-in chains. Pray that I may speak of it boldly, as it is my duty to speak.

Prayer
Give us a pure heart
that we may see Thee,
A humble heart
that we may hear Thee,
A heart of love
that we may serve Thee,
A heart of faith
that we may live Thee.
Dag Hammarskjold

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis