And when life gives you lemons, thank God for the lemons and then ask God what you are supposed to do with the lemons. "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity. In all this Job did not sin with his lips." Job 2:10
Just read C. S. Lewis's "The Silver Chair" and Puddleglum said repeatedly, what a bad situation they were in but if they just trusted to Aslan's instructions, even though they were in the midst of their enemies, even if it meant their own deaths and destruction, that Aslan's plans would turn out right.
We can't see what God has planned for us, but if He gives us lemons, there's a reason and He'll provide the means of their resolution. That's really amazing to think about. And it takes away anxiety, too.
Trusting God and having the peace of God are critical. I love Philippians 4:4-9. It has been a favorite since high school many decades ago. 😉
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
In response to another comment I made to Janice about songs like "This is the day," "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice" is another song that came to me during my struggle last year. God is so good to us.
ever eateh a lemon, or a lime, sraight from the tree and fully ripe? Grapefruit, too. Travelling deep in Mexico I've been so dimbfounded I ciuld not recognise that this "tornoja" is a grapefruit, tree ripend the way God made it to be. Limes were easy to recognise because of their colour and size. Not a hint of bitter or acid.
How many other things do we "settle for" the common form (as in US grocery store fruit) when the way God made it is so far superior.
I once was brought a lemon from a lemon tree of a monastery in Arizona. It was like a precious gift. I cannot even explain how delicious it was and different from the ones we buy.
I grew Myers Lemons inside my house for many years. Easy to grow, put them outside in the spring to flower. They were delicious. Maybe I'll start doing that again. They sure were good.
I believe it is the dry climate and sun. I have traveled to Italy and Greece and the lemons, oranges, figs, tomatoes and peaches are from heaven. Not much here compares, but that lemon from the groves of that monastery did. Maybe it was a touch of God as well!
The Lord Jesus is able to turn what the enemy makes for evil into a great advance in His Kingdom for our lives, there are many examples in the Scriptures, one of my favorite is the life of Joseph: Sold by his own brothers, slaved in Egypt, imprisoned, but then…. The Lord showed up elevating him to the be the second most powerful man in the existing world!!!!!!
So many powerful lessons from the story of Joseph. He is the greatest “Type” of Christ in the Old Testament, as exemplified by the undeserved forgiveness that he gave to his brothers. He always looked to God for direction.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
Boy...old Ben sure had another side to his nature though--if you have read the history of his life on earth. . HOWEVER...I know he believed in the Holy, Triune Creator God and trembled at His magnificent authority of us, His "feeble creatures".
I think he was a great man -not perfect, but worthy of admiration. It’s easy to point fingers at someone’s flaws whilst overlooking their accomplishments. I don’t think Benjamin Franklin ever “trembled” over anything.
Following that verse, one should ask “What good can I do today?” It’s a powerful question that Benjamin Franklin asked himself each morning.
And when life gives you lemons, thank God for the lemons and then ask God what you are supposed to do with the lemons. "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity. In all this Job did not sin with his lips." Job 2:10
Just read C. S. Lewis's "The Silver Chair" and Puddleglum said repeatedly, what a bad situation they were in but if they just trusted to Aslan's instructions, even though they were in the midst of their enemies, even if it meant their own deaths and destruction, that Aslan's plans would turn out right.
We can't see what God has planned for us, but if He gives us lemons, there's a reason and He'll provide the means of their resolution. That's really amazing to think about. And it takes away anxiety, too.
Trusting God and having the peace of God are critical. I love Philippians 4:4-9. It has been a favorite since high school many decades ago. 😉
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
In response to another comment I made to Janice about songs like "This is the day," "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice" is another song that came to me during my struggle last year. God is so good to us.
I'm thankful that God is good all the time and He cannot be anything but good.
The ministry of song. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Lemons are wonderful! They only get a bad rap because they are sour but other than that they are awesome and a gift from God to the people.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/lemons#nutrition
ever eateh a lemon, or a lime, sraight from the tree and fully ripe? Grapefruit, too. Travelling deep in Mexico I've been so dimbfounded I ciuld not recognise that this "tornoja" is a grapefruit, tree ripend the way God made it to be. Limes were easy to recognise because of their colour and size. Not a hint of bitter or acid.
How many other things do we "settle for" the common form (as in US grocery store fruit) when the way God made it is so far superior.
I once was brought a lemon from a lemon tree of a monastery in Arizona. It was like a precious gift. I cannot even explain how delicious it was and different from the ones we buy.
I grew Myers Lemons inside my house for many years. Easy to grow, put them outside in the spring to flower. They were delicious. Maybe I'll start doing that again. They sure were good.
Possibly an heirloom variety like tomatoes. Assuredly non GMO
I believe it is the dry climate and sun. I have traveled to Italy and Greece and the lemons, oranges, figs, tomatoes and peaches are from heaven. Not much here compares, but that lemon from the groves of that monastery did. Maybe it was a touch of God as well!
Lemons and limes vary in bitterness and flavor according to their particular variety.
Lemon and lime blossoms smell so good, too!
The Lord Jesus is able to turn what the enemy makes for evil into a great advance in His Kingdom for our lives, there are many examples in the Scriptures, one of my favorite is the life of Joseph: Sold by his own brothers, slaved in Egypt, imprisoned, but then…. The Lord showed up elevating him to the be the second most powerful man in the existing world!!!!!!
🙌🏼
So many powerful lessons from the story of Joseph. He is the greatest “Type” of Christ in the Old Testament, as exemplified by the undeserved forgiveness that he gave to his brothers. He always looked to God for direction.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
Genesis 50:20 ESV
Yes, multiple examples throughout Scripture. His purposes will not be thwarted.
Psalms 16:8 (NIV)
I keep my eyes always on the Lord . With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
A-men!!!!!❤️
speaking of lemons........ look at this young man's lemonade stand...... His name is Rusty Cage....... he's a GenZ and it inspired me so much!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF7Uy5QP4hU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFhOMJ-pNVM&list=PLNCCnSeUbRyasjeRJSy-XmVlPro1XfETo
this young man gives me hope in God and in the USA.
Boy...old Ben sure had another side to his nature though--if you have read the history of his life on earth. . HOWEVER...I know he believed in the Holy, Triune Creator God and trembled at His magnificent authority of us, His "feeble creatures".
I think he was a great man -not perfect, but worthy of admiration. It’s easy to point fingers at someone’s flaws whilst overlooking their accomplishments. I don’t think Benjamin Franklin ever “trembled” over anything.