Abundant & Overflowing.......Seafood?

I want to thank our Lord for seafood buffets.  Have you ever been to one?  My goodness.  The scripture in Philippians that God will meet all our needs is an understatement.  Well I know it does not "specifically" apply to seafood buffets :), but the one I went to this weekend was seafood 'never ending.' Just when you thought they had pulled all of the crab available in the ocean, they refilled the buffet with more!  Where do they get all that crab?!

We were having a wonderful time on this special occasion; we were celebrating, laughing, taking pictures, our hearts (and bellies) were full. While sitting there, I began to ponder how I had found out about that particular restaurant. I realized that a dear friend recommended it. Here I am sitting in the abundance of food that the Lord provided, grateful for the financial ability to go to this restaurant and I am humbled by one more blessing that our LORD provides for my family.......friendships.

This is an area where my husband and I feel truly blessed for the LORD's grace, and that is our friends.  They are always here for us in times of need.  We pray for each other, we pray with each other. We can see God's glory in so many ways in our relationships. I feel truly blessed watching my friends grow in Christ each and every year. I love watching them raise their families.  We do not have children; yet, I know it is so hard raising children with moral values in today's world.  Parents have to make the tough decisions; trying to allow their children to fit in, but still hold firm to their Christian beliefs. I watch my friends teach their children every day who Christ is and what the bible says. Decisions Christian parents have to make are not always the popular decisions, but they are important in being "set apart."  Christ teaches us that we are to be IN the world and not OF the world.  My friends have many opportunities to teach their children these principles every day.  And my husband and I are blessed to be a part of it all.

I am certain that each of you reading this have these same struggles.  Perhaps you struggle with these types of decisions with your children, with you and your spouse or even drawing the lines for yourself.  It's tough.  But you are not alone, God gives abundantly.  He gives you the Holy Spirit, and he provides you with a spirit not of fear but of power, love and self-discipline.  And if you are struggling and you need wisdom, ask and he will give it to you generously.  You are also surrounded by people who love you.  Reach out.  Ask for prayer. Pray for others.  Get involved and ask to be held accountable, because that will help you grow.  Be strengthened by the Lord and glorify him.  May all we do, point to the creator, healer, provider, who provides abundantly and overflowingly for all. Praise and glory be to the Lord God Almighty.  

I would like to share this scripture. This is an elegant prayer from Paul that he prayed for the congregation of Ephesus. Lord, I intercede this prayer for all whom this blog touches.  Eph 3:16-19:

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge  - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

Scriptures Referenced: Phil 4:19, Rom 1:1, Rom 12:2, John 17:15-18, 2 Tim 1:7, James 1:5 NIV