God's Blessings

"As we bow our heads each day over warm meals and under dry roofs, we must never forget that God’s gracious provision relates very little to our jobs, our homes, and investments.  He can provide for us anywhere and at any time.  But life in our good land is only good in relation to our relationship with God."  Wayne Stiles

I should be devoted to my Savior God, if for no other reason than because He loves me!  He shows His love for me every day by taking care of my needs.....and sometimes even my wants!  But, I find too often that I'm not as devoted as I should be because I get in the way.  My devotion more than not is to myself, not God.

I read today's devotion from Kay Arthur's "Lord, I Give You This Day."  And in reading it, there were some questions to ask of myself to show what standard I am devoted to:
Who sets the standards of my day?
Who determines what is right? moral? correct? socially acceptable? just? fair? how I should dress, think act, behave?
My standard should be God's as found in His Word.
What do I admire?
What do I want to imitate?
What is my dream? my desire?
Do I come closer to the world's standard or to God's?

Paul told the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 11:3, "...I fear, lest by any means, as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

I don't want my mind to be corrupted by the things of the world.  It is one of the reasons I don't watch much TV.  Even the commercials are corrupt!  But, I have to be careful of the internet, too!  This world system belongs to the Serpent and I must be very careful because he is roaming the earth and "seeking whom he may devour" by any means he can, as we are told in 1 Peter 5:8.

And this from Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" for tonight:
"O Christian, the vows of God are upon you.  You are God's priest:  act as such.  You are God's king:  reign over your lusts.  You are God's chosen:  do not associate with Belial.  Heaven is your portion:  live like a heavenly spirit, so shall you prove that you have true faith in Jesus, for there cannot be faith in the heart unless there be holiness in the life."

O God!  Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me!  Help me not to be conformed to this world, but transform my mind so I will follow your good and perfect will for my life!

Tim has not felt great today.  Just very tired and fatigued.  He was running a slight fever this evening.  The naps he takes doesn't seem to do him any good.  I'm going to ask the doctor this Friday about taking vitamins.

We went to Walmart to make the deposit and find a big, flat pad of calendars for his desk.  Until his health improves, the phone just isn't working for him very well for keeping up with appointments, etc.  So, if you text him, or call and don't get a response, don't take it personally.

We did spend a little time outdoors tonight after supper.  But, he just wasn't feeling great and ended up going back in the house.  I stayed out to capture some pictures.  I had to refill all of the bird feeders again tonight.  I also loaded up one of the suet cages with peanuts for the blackbirds and moved it away from the other feeders.  I moved the other suet cage practically inside the tree, hoping the blackbirds will not find it!

Supposed to be lilstening to a podcast!  :D

The mushroom began to turn under today and (even though you can't tell it here) began to turn brown.

Peanuts to lure the blackbirds away from the feeders.

Enjoying fresh seeds!

Mr. owl is just to the right of the suet cage, barely visible.

The blackbirds eating seeds off of the ground.......right underneath the peanuts they never did see.

It was such a beautiful day today.  Lower temps and lower humidity!

You can see a chimney swift bird just to the left of the tree, about center of the picture.

I am determined to capture a close-up of a chimney swift one of these days!

Last, but certainly not least, we got a card from a woman that we graduated high school with.  Sheree included the sweetest note in the card.  She also included some restaurant cards for "a day when you need a break."  Just such a blessing.  But the greatest thing and the most appreciated and cherished thing is knowing she is praying for us!

The prayers of God's people around the globe are soooo appreciated!  And I know they will all be answered!  Thank You, Lord, for special Christian friends, some we have never even met, yet because of our being Brothers and Sisters in Christ, known or not, we love them and appreciate them!  Oh what a meeting in heaven someday!

Gloryland is not so far away,
And we’ll reach it some glad day;
Heaven’s home is now my final goal,
There to live while ages roll.

What a happy day will be,
What a glorious Jubilee;
And all of heaven will be there,
What a meeting in the air.