One of my most favourite chapters - Romans 12 - and I am sure many of you understand that. There is much in it to ponder and put into practice in our daily lives.
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
So full of truth and God's holy ways!
I had a busy day of various things, bits and pieces.
Looking forward to corn...
...and an onion harvest.
Pistachio nuts...
...in the "Bible Garden" on our property which we planted with some trees that have mentions in scripture.
It also has almonds, mulberries, figs, pomegranates, wormwood, grapes and an olive tree. I guess the climate must be similar here to Israel.
A few of those scriptures for interest...
"For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;" (Deuteronomy 8:7-8)
I think this young hen looks so funny with it's comb flopping over!
I just opened this giant bag of rice, from Costco. It's 20kg (44lbs) and it cost $64 AUD/$48 USD. I wonder how long it will last us.
And made this curry rice dinner. When you cook from scratch, some recipes you think yes we'll be making that again and others not. This one has become popular. It's rice, curry powder, fried onion, sausage, and egg.
I want to be remembering these encouraging verses as I go about my daily life whether it goes smoothly or some "issue" arises. We know persecutions come with following Christ, and I do expect they could come at any moment...but He can give us power, love, and a sound mind in it all. How wonderful is that!
(And we do have beehives and honey here too:-)
Today, I had to go for a drive to pick up some chicken feed from a farm. I saw this field of hay bales...so I stopped to take a picture for you.
It looks like summer for sure!
Then I had to wait for a little bit for something so I went down to the lake in the small town.
There were lots of these birds there.
And finally a rose for my sisters:-)
I hope this blesses and encourages you, sisters:-)
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:"
(2 Timothy 1:7-10)
See the biblical gospel here.