Daughters for His Glory

God's Word & Keeper at Home

Precious words about our Saviour...and the power He gives His children.

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

(John 1:10-14)

"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him."

(1 John 2:28-29)

If this picture sums up my day...as doing many keeper at home jobs...it would be true.

...and including

baby care starting at 7 am

Cuddling, entertaining, guarding and reassuring babies

Feeding little one

Mopping floors

Cleaning the stove

Washing many nappies (diapers) and regular washing

General tidying up

Yes this all is of course pretty standard keeper at home work...but for godly women it's an important role in the Lord even if it has to be done day after day. We all have similar things to do but each uniquely different in the places the Lord has called us.

It glorifies God as we do it unto Him and joyfully without complaint.

And we do our serving...

"Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:"

(Ephesians 6:6-7)

All around the world, many women are labouring hard to serve their families, some rich and some poor. May those of us who are born by the Holy Spirit do it for God's glory and as obedience to His will for us and out of our love for others also.

We have indeed been bought with a great price. We are not worthy but may we do our serving in a way that is becoming of God's daughters. And with a thankful heart that we can be His. Alive from the dead!

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;"

(Ephesians 2:1)

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This is an older video from July that I took of some of the chicks we were raising at home. I hear that a lot of them turned out to be roosters...so perhaps I will be selling roosters when I get home (and being kept awake:-) We raised them in this huge cardboard box that the solar panels for the house had just come in.

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"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."

(Malachi 3:16-18)

See the biblical gospel to eternal life here.

Hope Deferred & Everyday Life

"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life."

(Proverbs 13:12)

The verse comes to mind particularly in this "corona" ordeal we are facing as we try to go about our daily lives as believers. While we might like to ignore what the world does, it is a reality that is staying around. For me, it's being "trapped" interstate away from my earthly home. And often there is hope that things will change...but then again things change and so it isn't to be. This is just minor for sure and I'm not saying it's a large issue for me but there could be many things in our lives where we can't look at the circumstances but trust in the Lord instead. And so that verse from Proverbs came to my mind.

This could obviously happen in many different areas of life where we might "hope" something to happen so I know we women must have a very deep trust of the Lord that HE will work it all out for His purposes.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

(Romans 8:28)

And know that we are just to be going about our business faithfully even if we don't know what this world is doing. I'm sure that He has us in our spots for a reason.

But if we think Who we are living for and where our lives are to be lived for, takes a whole lot of concern about these earthly things away.

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:"

(Philippians 3:20)

We can rest and trust that if we are obedient to what we ought to do then God can work through situations even if it isn't what we want or hope for.

But we do know that God is faithful and He has given us the hope of eternal life for those who obey Him. That is something we can know that He will keep Himself...

...but we must ENDURE,

one

day

time!

"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;"

(Titus 1:2)

This is our ultimate hope that we have in Christ (if we are born again by the gospel)!

"And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever."

(Revelation 22:1-5)

But back to everyday life for now........

I had to run some shopping errands for the family today which took me to the gardening section of the hardware store. So I share some more of God's handiwork in flowers. Perhaps you will appreciate them sister/s! I seem to have run out of flowers to photograph where I stay...so next best will do:-)

And then I did some grocery shopping. Yeah, it's just everyday things, but being out about in the world you never know what could happen as we go about our keeper at home and serving jobs and we should be ready to give an answer and certainly being biblically dressed will set us apart for our God. Coming into the warmer months here, you can't help but know that you will stand out amongst the shameful undress of our day. But our God is holy!

And some more cheery flowers.

I was given this ice cream treat for dessert (from the family I stay with). It was really good for the end of a hot and busy day.

Know what this is?

It's a blessing that I came across and so I thought I'd give it a try on my sore feet and it helped quite a bit. No it doesn't help it all, but it's worth mentioning I thought:-) So if you're on your feet a lot of the day, you can rub some of this on in the evening and your feet will feel refreshed for a new day in the morning. It has taken away some of the more extreme painfulness that I had at times after the long days. I didn't go looking for this but my mother had some and I thought perhaps it might help. Praise God, it does!

And finally setting out for a warm yet peaceful evening walk; surrounded by the sounds of birds, frogs, and insects.

"O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"

(Psalm 8:9)

See the biblical gospel to eternal life here.

Garden Stirfry

This is just a random post about a keeper at home item from my day. And sharing how I used some garden produce.

My dear little one year old niece helped me pick and shell the broad beans. Some of them had little teeth marks in them afterward:-) So sweet! I had to half open them for her but then she did well and put them where I told her to. And once she got the idea that we weren't sitting down to eat them, she took her job very seriously and kept at it till the end.

I boiled the beans.

Fried leeks from the garden and onions. Added some beef, celery, and carrots from the garden.

Added mushrooms and the cooked beans. Then I flavoured with garlic, soy sauce, cumin, pepper etc. And added some cream and corn flour to make it a bit creamy.

This is not a real recipe but just sharing a bit from my day and about the blessing of home grown vegetables.

- a quick and simple stir-fry for dinner with carrots, beans and leeks from the garden.

I told my family I hoped it tasted alright. I had a cold, so I couldn't taste too well; not the best for when you are making a meal from scratch. Praise God for the sense of taste!

Rejoice in the work we can do as keepers at home wherever the Lord has us. And thank Him for His provisions.

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;"

(1 Thessalonians 4:11)

I hope and pray all who read are standing strong in the faith.

"Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." (Psalm 111)

Love to all the saints of God,

....from a daughter of God

Good news to find eternal life. See here.

Homeschooling - A Little of My Story

I had the privilege of being home schooled my entire school life, along with my seven siblings. This was done because my parents saw the evil state of the school system and they wanted to do better and protect us from those dangers. I'm grateful for that choice they made for me...when I was too small to make my own decision:-) And of course I'd want to do it myself if it was the Lord's will to ever have children of my own.

I know homeschooling is frowned upon by the government (at least over here in Australia). I am not sure about if there are any legal requirements etc so I am not going into them. I know Christian parents will want to raise their precious children in godly and biblical ways so I hope that can continue to be done. I wouldn't be surprised if it was totally outlawed one day but I know we must obey God rather than man.

I won't go into all the minute details of how my homeschooling worked but I enjoyed it myself and it was very thorough.

I've heard quite a few excuses as to why homeschooling is apparently "bad" but all when examined in scripture and real life examples prove to be nothing but excuses. A main one being an apparent lack of "socialisation" for the children, which isn't a real problem if you are walking in the Lord's ways vs man's foolish ways. Yes I may well be the quietest and most shy, and lack the most "social skills" in my family but in Christ I strive to be useful for Him and that is what matters. Every child is different and really only needs to be with parents and siblings and, if blessed to have them, other true believers.

The other one was to do with higher education and can they go on to do this. I'm not going to discuss that here other than to say "education" in our culture has become all about study and college etc and it's a wrong focus in my belief. Some of my siblings have gone on to greater studies for their work etc and I did an online course/certificate in business admin after I had finished school. But we got a good solid education on what matters in terms of being able to function in life and earn a living...and much more. No homeschooling-hater could say that we cannot function in society. But for godly parents it's about protecting the children from evil and doing what parents were meant to do to train their own children in God's ways most of all. Yes we need to learn things to get along in life and be useful for the Lord but coming from a biblical and eternal perspective we will not see education as the world does.

My parents chose a range of publishers for our learning etc. Most of which were Christian in some form and so we were kept from some of the obvious unbiblical things that might come with secular sources. Of course all resources anyone chooses to use will need to be tested and any corrections and adjustments put in place.

At the height of our schooling, it was obviously quite a large operation with most of us at school at one point for a small time. There were a whole two rooms of the house dedicated for these purposes. One was the teaching room and the other room where we did our own work. As I said I enjoyed it...from what I can remember at least as I admit to having a very poor memory.

I remember having fun with my brothers as we were studying the stars. We would go out at night (in the countryside away from the city lights) where we lived and watch the beauty of the night sky. We learned the names of the constellations and waited to see meteors.

I'm in awe of God for what I know the night sky looks like. I have not seen a good starlit sky for FAR too long! It makes you speechless to be honest. It's so awesome. It makes you feel so small and God so big.

"O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"

(Psalm 8)

We studied plants around the property and many other things, and the adventurous brothers did scary science experiments with chemicals.

We did math, algebra, English, spelling, science, geography, history, Bible, and much more.

A large part of our curriculum was conservative Anabaptist but as it wasn't teaching theology for the most part, it was just good in the way that it was pure and free from what might come with secular or liberal Christianity.

Of course homeschooling can be, and is, more than just books and study. It can be anything to do with running a household like cooking, gardening, animal care, cleaning etc, and just learning how to live together and hopefully be taught from scripture how God wants us all to live.

So being the second oldest of eight children, I got to help and teach the younger few once I had basically finished (and our mother got a break:-) So I have a good experience in this for if ever I need it again. Perhaps I might get to help teach some other little ones one day. Only God knows.

So that's the basics of my homeschooling. Perhaps I might think of some other aspects to share in time.

I know it is even more important to grow to know and obey the Lord, to be born by the Spirit to follow Christ and His holy ways.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

(Proverbs 9:10)

Yes a good education is good in many ways and to be useful to earn a living and to be used of God in whatever He has for you. But most important of all is the gospel and living to glorify our Creator who made all things by His Word. The best education in the world will not profit anything in the end if you lose your own soul.

See the biblical gospel to eternal life here.

Scripture Encouragement

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning:

great is thy faithfulness."

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

Amen!

We were given a loaf of fresh homemade sourdough...which was breakfast for me.

But...

"And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written,

That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

(Luke 4:4)

Love to the saints,

...from a daughter of God

See the gospel to eternal life here.

My Day in Pictures

We (my mother and I) ended up at a nice park for dinner thanks to the GPS that took us to a random park. I praise God actually because I had tried to drive to another one but had gotten a bit lost. This one was better:-) I was able to take a quick walk down to the river. Even though it is on the outskirts of a city of 5 million people there is still much beauty of God's creation.

We very rarely get takeaway...but we were out and about in town so it worked out best. I praise the Lord for food to eat.

"Give us this day our daily bread."

(Matthew 6:11)

Earlier in the day, Sunday, we were able to go to a few op shops (thrift stores). There were these lovely flowers on the walk from the car park to the shop.

Whether it's a small op shop...

...or a large one (that I went to the other week)...

...there will not be much in the way of biblical clothing for godly women. It's a quick job looking for long skirts where you can quickly look at their length to find them. Then of course most have other problems like being adorned or too tight etc. I hope to do more posts on the practical aspects of looking for biblical clothing.

You also might come across "pet idolatry"...like I heard and saw today. In one shop, I overheard two ladies talking about how much nicer pets are than people. And the one lady was enquiring about the lady behind the counter's dog. She asked it's name and then said to send her regards to it. Then she asked the lady's name as an afterthought. Then she went on to say that many times people know their neighbors pets and their names well but not the people's. It's sad but true.

Then I saw this in the next shop. A little dog getting wheeled around by a couple.

Some beautiful flowers in the grocery store.

I mentioned that it was Sunday and that we were going shopping. Well there was a time in my past that I used to think that Sunday was the Lord's Day and so tried to avoid doing any extra things like that, which I must have confused with the Saturday Sabbath where there was to be no unnecessary work done. But I know now that New Testament scripture teaches nothing of this and so all days are equal.

But I hope and pray you are all ready for the real Lord's Day when Christ is coming back to judge the world.

"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

(2 Thessalonians 1:7-12)

If you are not prepared and living for God today, see the biblical gospel to eternal life here.

Living as Truly Believing

This thought came to me.

I want to live as though I truly believe.

That may seem strange to say that, yes...but so many around seem to live as if they don't really believe in God and all He has said in His Word. And it could be easy (perhaps?) for women to get caught up in that mindset.

It is truly about living by faith...

"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"

(2 Corinthians 5:7)

...and about truly believing in God and His Christ which leads to obeying all He has commanded. Faith in God to dress biblical, to be quiet submissive women, to be keepers at home, to know that God is faithful who has promised us eternal life for those who have obeyed the gospel.

Even though the true saints on this earth are in a battle, most of us have it easy. Will our faith stand strong through the greatest trials? I'm reminded of the great people of faith. May those of us godly women be striving for a quiet life of a strong and unwavering faith in this great God that we have not seen, yet we have believed. What a worthy God we have that His people should suffer these things!

"Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
(Hebrews 11:33-40)

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

I sometimes think about what Christ said in this passage and how those who fall away from the faith didn't rightly count the cost to follow Christ. It reminds me to endure faithful

day

until the end.

"And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Luke 14:25-35)

Be encouraged women of God!

The end will come!

"For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry."

(Hebrews 10:37)

"...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

(Revelation 2:10b)

Endure faithful having counted the great cost to follow Christ.

This precious promise from the Son of God...is true and faithful.

"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

(John 3:15-18)

Do you truly believe on Christ today which leads to obedience in all things...or is it just a "head belief", a dead faith?

See the biblical gospel to eternal life through Christ here.

The Word of God

It's late here after a long and busy day, but the Word of God is...always important.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

(Hebrews 4:12)

"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."

(Luke 8:11-15)

What is the ground of your heart like, ladies?

I pray you have good ground,

...and be fruitful...in Christ.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John 15:1-8)

See the gospel to eternal life through Christ the Vine here.

Scripture Encouragement

When this daughter of God has no words for now...

...let the Word of God speak, and bless, encourage or convict, edify and strengthen the godly women who are faithfully following after the true and living God.

"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah." (Psalm 61:1-4)

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 55)

Praises to our great God; for His great mercy in allowing us all to live, though we sinned against Him.

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

(Jude 1:21)

Strive on sisters...

...loving and living for our Lord as humble servants of His. What a blessed and most privileged occupation under the sun!

A Spring Walk

I share some pictures and videos of God's creation from springtime in my areas of Australia.

My niece (1 year old) always wants to find the cow and sheep and cannot always see them from the house window...so today, she and I went looking for them. So I took this video of the spring time grass and the pretty surroundings.

I am reminded of God's promise...especially when many in this world seem to be alarmed and fearful about man destroying the earth with pollution etc etc. It's not going to come to an end until the Lord wills (and of course we shouldn't abuse His creation either). Yet we know also that there is a time of great tribulation coming before the Lord's return.

Yes there might be times of drought, and fire, and flood, and pestilence...yet God's promise is faithful and true.

If we are His, we don't need to fear.

As the Psalmist said,

"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

(Psalm 37:25)

And our Lord and Saviour also said we need not worry about such things...but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." (Matthew 6:24-34)

Then on an evening walk later on I heard rustling in the grass...so I went to investigate. And it was an echidna! It's been a few years since I've seen one of them. I'm not sure if he was eating ants or trying to get through the fence. They're definitely interesting creations of God. They are one of few egg-laying mammals...along with the platypus which is also here in Australia.

Here is a better picture I took at home some years ago.

He's definitely well protected with his armour! Which reminds me of this scripture passage. I hope we all have on our armour for the spiritual battle we are in.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" (Ephesians 6:10-18)

I remembered I had pics I took of an evening walk around my home property last year (which I had taken to remind my interstate sister of the beauty of springtime where she used to lived). So I share a few here...

I finish with this wonderful psalm.

Psalm 147

"Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.

While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:

The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:

The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord."

Amen!

Glory to God!

Are you obeying this great God today? See the biblical gospel to eternal life through Christ here.