Words to Live by....Endurance

As I woke this morning my thoughts went to thinking about the day and the days past. Yes,

time is going by and each day there are blessings.

This year and last year hasn't been easy for my hubby and me. There's been personal problems and health problems. I can see where God has brought us through so much which I am thankful for, but some days I say, O Lord when will this all turn to joy!

Yes, we must endure those times with Faith believing that God will bring us through. We must endure so our faith will grow stronger. Our strength comes from our Lord, rely on his love for us.  I remind myself of this daily. Trusting his love and guidance, his mercy and that this time of testing is to strengthen my faith. My times is in his hands. He is refining me through these tough moments. 

He is growing me to be like he wants me to be. If he left it up to me, well you know this human flesh wouldn't desire to be like him, but my heart does!

As each day goes by he's watching over me as my Shepherd, leading, guiding and protecting me from things I may not ever know. Thank you Lord for your patience with me.

 

Dear Lord, help us to run our race we are called to run with perseverance relying on your strength.

You are refining us through our toughest times, to be more like you, to strengthen and purify us.

Amen

Have a Blessed Sunday

Sylvia

 

OUR LIGHTHOUSE

Charity Island Lighthouse

In Michigan in the waters of Lake Huron, is an island called Charity Island. On this island stands a Lighthouse. The Lighthouse has stood for many 

years and provided navigational aid and as a safe

harbor for those sailing the waters.  The island received the name "Charity" because sailors believed it was there "through the charity of God".

We have to navigate through storms of circumstances sometime in our lives.  Like the sailors that needed guidance on those stormy waters, we sometimes need and seek a safe harbor. 

"He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven"

Psalms 107:29-30

We don't ask for the storms that comes into our lives but they can cause us to appreciate the guidance and refuge that God provides. He offers us the light of His Holy Spirit and His Word to guide us during those times. It is a safe harbor of His love, from those storms that we seek. He alone can be our "Charity Island".

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.

He cares for those who trust in Him."

Nahum 1:7

Today we can become confused or doubt when we read or hear others talk about things that they believe that may be different from what we've been taught and believe to be the truth and can  cause a storm in us. Always seek the truth in God's Word, the bible, and through prayer. We can always find shelter in His love.

Heavenly father, help me to seek your light to guide me and keep me through those storms in my life. Amen

Have a Blessed Sunday

Sylvia

Weeding our Garden

When I was a young girl I remember going to my Aunt Ruby's. She lived on a very large farm. Cows, goats, chickens and all that stuff. Beside her house was a huge garden of roses. 
Yes, being young everything was huge or large to me!

Maybe that's who I got my love of roses from.

Her garden was always well manicured, no weeds or bugs that I could see. It smelled heavenly from the scent of the Roses.

After I married, I begin to garden in my own yard,

I could stay out there from sunup to sundown, pulling weeds and planting flowers, did I say 'pulling weeds'. If it wasn't for those weeds it would be so much more enjoyable!

Today there's another kind of weeds I have to pull, not from my garden but from my life. Those things that are not pleasing to my heavenly father. My attitude,  anger, pride and more. If not attended to, as the weeds in my garden, they would grow and become unmanageable and life, like my garden would not have the sweet fragrance like the roses I love to smell and makes my garden lovely to look at.

This reminds me of another garden where Jesus went with his disciples to pray before He was crucified . He prayed to His father God in heaven,

Matthew 26:42

"O Father, if this cup  may not pass from me, except I drink it, thy will be done" 

Surrendering to God's will lets us become victorious over the weeds or sins in our life.

We do have to be diligent though and watch for them to pop up like the weeds in our garden.

Matthew 26:41

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit is willing but the flesh is week." 

 Since Jesus surrendered in the garden of Gethsemane, we can have 'amazing grace', as we surrender to His weeding of our sins from our life.

On this day of remembrance, let us remember
what Jesus said,

11 Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall
humble themselves, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from 
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal
their land."  

"Dear Lord, thank you for the price

you paid for me at Calvary!

Help me to surrender to you 

those weeds in my life that 

aren't pleasing to you, so that 
my life may be fruitful for you"!

Amen  

Have a Blessed Day!

Sylvia

linking to Roses of Inspiration