Hello my friends! Blessings today - temps in the 20's, Praise the Lord!! Should be nice all week, too. We went out for supper tonight at the Cafe - Jim is out of the country on business, so visited with his brother, Al, the cook. We also met a handsome looking lad - a waiter, who we started talking to, and here he was Al and Jim's nephew! He's here from Persia, and he's going to school to be a dentist. Had a nice visit with him! Missed Jim, but Al was really good to us, made sure we got a free dessert - chocolate cream parfait, I don't know if that's right, but it's very delicious! Everytime we go there, we are blessed! We are so happy to hear Jan's good news! Praise God for taking care of her through our prayers. Thanks be to God for her good doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Another blessing I remember is that I can do my whole list from my phone and have the last couple of days. I was so amazed that I could do that! Thanks be to God for all His blessings and all He does for us, even in our everyday lives. May we never cease to thank Him.
Do the ordinary things in your life well because they are your preparation
for what is yet to come. Lord, You slowly teach all that I need to know.
May I never be a complaining student.
S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y
"We do not boast beyond limits, that is, in the labors of others; but
our hope is that, as your faith increases, our sphere of action among
you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may proclaim the good news in
lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in someone
else's sphere of action. 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the
Lord.'" ~2 Corinthians
10:15-17
M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y
I can pray daily for faith, for it is God's gift. On faith alone
depends the answer to my prayers. God gives it to me in response to
my prayers, because it is a necessary weapon for me to possess for the
overcoming of all adverse conditions and the accomplishment of all
good in my life. Therefore, I will work at strengthening my faith.
P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y
I pray that I may so think and live as to feed my faith in God. I
pray that my faith may grow because with faith, I can better use God's
power.
Overwhelmed
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
This year the Christmas and holiday decorations have been getting packed up a little later than usual. I heard somewhere that if you feel like there’s a lot going on, it’s probably because there’s a lot going on. And that’s how it felt this year after Christmas. Good stuff, just busy.
Found myself dragging my feet, and prayed and literally asked the Lord for an energy boost to get up and get going! The ‘overwhelmed’ feeling was weighing me- down, spirit, soul, mind and body.
While flipping thoughts around in my head about this, it occurred to me that I might be ‘stepping into the future.’ Not in a weird way, just in anticipation and looking ahead on my calendar.
For sure, too much thinking and planning can absolutely get me feeling overwhelmed. One day at a time is the ticket. The bible says to not worry about the future, because each day has enough “troubles” of its own. (Matthew 6:34) So true.
Prayer for today: Lord, when I feel overwhelmed please help me to remember that You came to save us, restore us, AND carry our cares and concerns of all kinds. Thank you that You are always with me, go ahead of me, and will never leave me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
THE WAY TO GOD
If my days were untroubled
and my heart always light
Would I seek the fair land
where there is no night;
If I never grew weary
with the weight of my load
Would I search for God's Peace
at the end of the road;
If I never knew sickness
and never felt pain
Would I reach for a hand
to help and sustain;
If I walked not with sorrow
and lived without loss
Would my soul seek solace
at the foot of the cross;
If all I desired was mine
day by day
Would I kneel before God
and earnestly pray;
If God sent no "Winter"
to freeze me with fear
Would I yearn for the warmth
of "Spring" every year;
I ask myself this
and the answer is plain--
If my life were all pleasure
and I never knew pain
I'd seek God less often
and need Him much less,
For God's sought more often
in times of distress,
And no one knows God
or sees Him as plain
As those who have met Him
on the "Pathway of Pain."
By Helen Steiner Rice
Hope
Hope opens doors where despair closes them.
Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot.
Hope draws its power from a deep trust in God.
Hope "lights a candle" instead of "cursing the darkness."
Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities.
Hope cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism.
Hope sets high goals and is not frustrated by repeated difficulties or setbacks.
Hope pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit.
Hope puts up with modest gains, realizing that "the longest journey starts with one step."
Hope looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst.
- Author Unknown
ABC of Faith
A - Accept anything with joy and peace will then dwell in your hearts.
B - Be willing to change in those areas that are preventing growth
C - Cleanse your soul and live, live the beatitudes
+++
D - Depend on the Divine and He will give you the strength needed.
E - Each must use their time wisely on this earth.
F - Fervently trust, trust, the Divine's mercy and love.
+++
G – Give thanks for all the blessings.
H - Have hope, and be patient, kind and loving.
I - It is so important to remain hopeful and live each day with joy
+++
J – Joy is given to those who do the will of the almighty.
K – Keep your hearts open to the Graces.
L – Let go of hate; and love, love one another.
+++
M – Many Graces are given to those who gather and pray
N – Nothing is impossible with God, so please trust and know that He is
with you.
O – Open your hearts fully to God’s love and mercy.
+++
P – Peace cannot exist if there is unforgiveness and division in your
homes, and community.
Q – Quiet time will truly help to nourish your prayer and spiritual life
R – Receive the grace needed to live a pure and holy life.
+++
S – Share those gifts God has blessed you with.
T – Take a moment today and reflect on all that God is teaching you.
U – Unite in prayer and encourage each other to live a pure and holy life.
+++
V – Victory over evil can be achieve if you keep your focus on the good and
worthy virtues
W – Walk in love and walk as children of light in order to bear fruit.
X – Xeric habits that prevent growth of the soul and spirit must be avoided
+++
Y – You must learn to be more patient with those around you.
Z – Zeal and faithfulness is needed to live a good and blessed life.
Angel Blessings to you!
Another year is dawning
With the chance to start anew.
May I be kinder, wiser, Lord,
In all I say and do.
Not so caught up in selfish gain
That I would fail to see
The things in life that mean the most
Cost not a fancy fee.
The warm, kind word that I can give,
The outstretched hand to help,
The prayers I pray for those in need--
More precious these than wealth.
I know not what may lie ahead
Of laughter or of tears;
I only need to know each day
That You are walking near.
I'm thankful for this brand new year
As now I humbly pray,
My hand secure in Yours, dear Lord,
Each step along the way.
Kay Hoffman
Mother Teresa Said...
Faith is a gift from God.
When God comes to you or you go to God,
then you will have the chance to accept Him or reject Him.
Accepting Him is the gift of faith.
January 17
Come to Me with a thankful heart, so that you can enjoy My Presence. This is the day that I have made. I want you to rejoice today, refusing to worry about tomorrow. Search for all that I have prepared for you, anticipating abundant blessings and accepting difficulties as they come. I can weave miracles into the most mundane day if you keep your focus on Me.
Come to Me with all your needs, knowing that My glorious riches are a more-than-adequate supply. Stay in continual communication with Me, so that you can live above your circumstances even while you are in the midst of them. Present your requests to Me with thanksgiving, and My Peace, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your heart and mind.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
—Psalm 118:24
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus… Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:19, 6–7 nkjv - From Jesus Calling
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