Difficulties

First I want to thank you for your prayers for me last week for my eye surgery! Everything went well, I can see a little better with this eye. I'm so thankful for modern technology and what they can do for our eyes these days! PTL! I'll have the second eye done in three weeks. I'm looking forward to having better vision in both eyes soon!

Today I'm sharing another Joel Osteen devotional. I hope it encourages you. Go here for more inspiration on Spiritual Sundays.

He Will Harden You to Difficulty

Today's Scripture
"Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice" (Isaiah 41:10, AMP).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
It's easy to look around at what's happening in the earth today and be tempted to feel afraid or dismayed. Circumstances may seem overwhelming. Maybe your business is struggling, maybe you lost your job, maybe you're struggling in a relationship or concerned about the economy. During times like these, it's important to remember that God has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. In fact, not only is He with us, He has promised to strengthen us and harden us to difficulties. That means, when tough times come, they just bounce right off of you. You don't allow your circumstances to steal your peace and joy. You have the attitude that says, "This may be a big problem, but my God is bigger!"

Keep in mind that the enemy isn't after your checkbook; he's ultimately after your peace and joy. He knows that if he can get your joy then he can get your strength. But when you stay connected to the Father through prayer and studying the Word and declare His promises over your life, you'll be hardened to difficulties and stay safe in the palm of God's hand!

A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for Your precious promises. I renounce fear today and choose to trust that You have a plan of victory in store for me. Thank You for filling me with Your peace and joy and staying close to me all the days of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Prayer and Prayer Request

I need prayer. Today I'm feeling a little depressed. I've had problems with depression many years ago, and ocassionally it rears it ugly head again. I'm physically down, nothing serious, just a headache from eyedrops. I'm having my first cataract surgery Monday and I have to do two kinds of eyedrops three times a day for three days before surgery. My eyes do not like anything in them, the second a drop goes in I immediately get a headache, my whole head - eyes, teeth, nose, etc! My prayer request is for safety and protection of my eyes, and for skill for the doctor! Everyone I've talked to who has had this surgery says it is a snap! I hope I can say this! I know, I'm a big whimp!! LOL! (In three weeks I get to do all this all over again, when I have my right eye done!)

I received this prayer this week by email, and in lieu of my whining above I'm posting it as a reminder to all of us, especially me!!

Katherine

Lord,
WE THANK YOU FOR THE BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES.
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one
blessing after another. John 1:16
WE HUMBLY GIVE THIS DAY TO YOU.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be
glad in it. Psalm 118:24
WE COMMIT OUR FAMILY TO YOUR KINGDOM.
As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15
SURROUND OUR HOME AND EACH OF US WITH
YOUR PROTECTION.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in
trouble. Psalm 46:1
GIVE US PEACE EVEN WHEN WE HAVE MUCH TO DO
AND MANY PLACES TO GO.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. John 14:27
FILL OUR HEARTS WITH LOVE FOR YOU, EACH
OTHER, AND THOSE AROUND US.
Love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7
HELP US TO FULFILL YOUR PLANS AND MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.
“For I know the plans I have for you…plans to give you
hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
OUR FAMILY IS YOURS, TODAY AND ALWAYS.
AMEN.
-by Holley Gerth
From DaySpring

Go to Charlotte's Spiritual Sundays for inspiration and to post your Spiritual Sunday.

Love Quotes

Love quotes from Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.

Good works are links that form a chain of love.

I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I don't know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will NOT ask "How many good things have you done in your life?" Rather he will ask: "How much LOVE did you put into what you did?"

I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No, I wouldn't touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God.

If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.

Intense love does not measure, it just gives.

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home.

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. The success of love is in the loving - it is not in the result of loving. Of course it is natural in love to want the best for the other person, but whether it turns out that way or not does not determine the value of what we have done.

Go here for lots more inspiration!

I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with the love of God!

Katherine