We Overwhelmingly Conquer

Victor shows us - those of us at our "Gathering of Gratitude" - a video of a courageous man who has no arms or legs who teaches us how to get up when we fall down.  He keeps on trying and keeps on trying and keeps on trying until he is standing once again.

 He echos the words on the wall with my children's picture and names:  "Never, never, never give up!"

Above it all - the children's picture, each one's name, and "Never, never, never give up!" - hangs the key to the power that unlocks the courage.  Above it all is:  "My God is an Awesome God."

The verse from "My Utmost for His Highest" this morning sums it all up.  Romans 8:27 says, "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."

The devotion expressed it like this:
"The surf that distresses the ordinary swimmer produces in the surf-rider the super-joy of going clean through it.  Apply that to our own circumstances, these very things - tribulation, distress, persecution, produce in us the super-joy: they are not things to fight.  We are more than conquerors through Him in all these things, not in spite of them, but in the midst of them.  The saint never knows the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it - "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation," says Paul.
Undaunted radiance is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can alter.  The experiences of life, terrible or monotonous, are impotent to touch the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

This love that inspires such courage is the love displayed on the cross.

Day 9 - gifts from God:
1.  Gathering of Gratitude
2.  courageous man who doesn't give up
3.  friends bringing us pretty flowers
4.  one gift blessing over and over, multiplying
5.  hopeful answer to Sarah's inquiry
6.  Victor's love of rocking chairs
7.  Victor's love of cleaning, just call him "Mr. Clean"
8.  "Come unto Me, and I will give you rest." (Emily and Gwen in boots)
9.  Laura's heart for the Lord
10.  Cameron's baby boy, Cameron

Day 9 note of thanks for sharing gratitude.

Thank you, Lord, for Your Love.
 Love so amazing so divine demands my soul, my life, my all.

With gratitude,
Sally