Hello my friends! Another beautiful day in the neighborhood! Made a large batch of homemade hamburger (used ground turkey) soup, using all veggies from the garden, onions, potatoes, carrots, beans and cabbage, putting ground up kale and collard in it from the garden too, plus our rosemary. Yes, it's a garden soup and so delicious and healthy! What a blessing it is to have our own garden - yes, we'll miss it. Salad first using our own lettuce etc.. Blessings upon blessings. Another important blessing is getting to know you here!
Today let me find simple ways to bring joy to others. Lord, when I feel
that I have nothing to give, give me the confidence to believe in myself
so that I can touch the hearts of those around me.
S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y
"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." ~Matthew 11:28-30
M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y
I can have faith, no matter what may come my way. I can be patient,
even in the midst of troubles. I need not fear the strain of life,
because I believe that God knows how much I can bear and will be there
to help me. I can look to the future with confidence. I know that
God will not ask me to bear anything that could overcome or destroy
me.
P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y
I pray that I may put this day in the hands of God I pray for faith,
so that nothing will upset me or weaken my determination to live in
God's way.
The Old Man and the Sea
After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief introduction of his childhood friend. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit to speak, "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean."
The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. He continued, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life....to which boy he would throw the other end of the line. He only had seconds to make the decision.
The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he threw the line to his son's friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered."
By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth. "The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us." With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.
Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."
"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me."
"You see.... I was the son's friend."
To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE
This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I
do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.. And, remember... If life happens to deliver a situation
to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly
put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY
TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours. Once the
matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it.
Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched
their life in ways you will never know!
Now, you have a nice day.
God
A Prayer
Lord, God above
You who are love
You make me feel like singing praise
Lord, God of all
Please hear my call
Help me to learn Your loving ways
Though each day
From You I stray
This I am confessing
Yet if forgiveness I seek
To You I speak
And receive it with Your blessing
Lord, King of Kings
On high, on Angel's wings
You chose death that I might live
Most Holy One
Until my days are done
I thank You for the love You give.
JESUS IS MY EVERYTHING
HE IS MY SONG THAT I SING
HE IS THE JOY THAT A NEW DAY BRINGS
HE IS MY STRENGTH WHEN I AM WEAK
HE IS MY VOICE WHEN I SPEAK
HE IS MY FRIEND WHEN I NEED A HUG
HE IS MY LOVER, WHEN I NEED REAL LOVE
HE IS THE LAWYER WHO PLEADS MY CASE
HE IS THE ONLY RIGHTEOUS JUDGE WHO FORGIVES ME,
THEN, ALL ME SINS HE ERASES
HE IS THE DOCTOR WHO HEALS MY WOUNDS
HE IS MY REDEEMER, AND HE'S COMING BACK SOON
HE IS MY COMFORTER WHEN I'M FEELING DOWN
HE IS MY ANGEL THAT IS EVERPRESENT, ALWAYS AROUND
HE IS MY PROVIDER ALWAYS SUPPLYING WHEN I NEED HELP
HE IS MY WATER, MY BREAD, STORED UP ON THE SHELF
HE IS MY TEACHER, WHO SHOWS ME WHAT TO DO
HE IS MY ENCOURAGER, WHEN I REALLY DON'T WANT TO
HE IS THAT FIRE BURNING DEEP DOWN IN MY SOUL
HE IS MY FORTUNE-TELLER, FOR IN HIS HANDS, MY FUTURE HE HOLDS
HE IS THE REPAIRMAN WHO COMES TO FIX MY STUFF
HE IS THE EVERLASTING FATHER, WHO IS MORE THAN ENOUGH
HE IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE, YES A PEACEMAKER IS HE
HE IS MY EYES, MY LIGHT, MY PATHWAY, WHEN I CAN'T SEE
HE IS MY MIGHTY COUNSELLOR WHEN I NEED SOME ADVICE
HE IS MY DEBT CONSOLIDATOR, FOR HE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE
HE IS MY HOPE FOR TOMORROW
HE IS MY EVERFLOWING INCOME, SO I DON'T HAVE TO BEG, STEAL, NOR BORROW
HE IS THE MERCY WHICH HE RENEWS FOR ME EVERYDAY
HE IS MY TRUTH, MY LIFE, THE ONLY WAY
HE IS THE WARDEN, WHO UNLOCKS THE CHAINS AND SETS ME FREE
HE IS MY ROLE MODEL, FOR I ALWAYS LOOK UP TO THEE
HE IS THE AUTHOR, THE FINISHER OF MY FAITH
HE IS THE PATIENCE THAT ALWAYS TELLS ME TO WAIT
JESUS IS MY EVERYTHING, ALTHOUGH WITH MY NATURAL EYES, HIM, I CANNOT SEE
JESUS IS MY EVERYTHING, MY EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING I WANT TO BE
JESUS IS MY EVERYTHING, THEREFORE, I DON'T WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER 25TH FOR HIM TO HEAR
HOW HE IS MY EVERYTHING, ALL THE TIME, EVERYDAY OF THE YEAR.
--CYPRA MARSHALL
July 22 - Jesus Calling
Find freedom through seeking to please Me above all else. You can have only one Master. When you let others’ expectations drive you, you scatter your energy to the winds. Your own desire to look good can also drain your energy. I am your Master, and I do not drive you to be what you are not. Your pretense displeases Me, especially when it is in My “service.” Concentrate on staying close to Me at all times. It is impossible to be inauthentic while you are focusing on My Presence.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
—Ephesians 5:8–10
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.”
—Matthew 23:8
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
—Matthew 6:1
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