Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. We are home now after spending the weekend with friends at the Silver Chateau. Perfect weather and so great to have time to fellowship together. Also, had time with Ann’s family, time to swim and snorkle, a birthday feast, etc. Do pray for our friend though as she arrived not feeling well and is on medication and wanting to finish the rest of their trip to see friends and family. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I recall a song by Ralph Carmichael that we use to sing in youth group when I was a teen, “We are more than conquerors, through Him who loved us so/ The Christ who dwells in us is the greatest pow’r we know/ He will fight beside us tho’ the enemy is great/ Who can stand against us, He’s the Captain of our fate/Then we will conquer never fear, so let the battle rage/ He has promised to be near until the end of the age.”
We are truly in a battle today against the powers of evil and it is imperative that we are strengthened to stand in God’s power. I read today what John wrote in Revelation 3:10-12a (The Message), “Because you have kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test. I’m on my way; I’ll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown. I’ll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I’ll write on you the name of my God.”
When we resist the enemy and are faithful to stand for the Lord, we are called pillars. Pillars are important and essential for structural integrity. If they fail the entire structure fails. I read what author Kathi Pelton recently wrote about pillars as we have all seen what happens when there is pillar failure.The twelve-story condominium in Miami is a recent example. Three years ago, the owner was told he needed to do something to retrofit it to hold the structure in place. He delayed and 150 lost their lives as the whole structure crumbled and buried so many. 
Today there are also pillar failures in the church as people with big name ministries who were once trusted, failed to overcome and have caused many to fall away. But there are others who have remained faithful to the Lord through hard trials and testing, and they have conquered and are like strong pillars and will one day receive a crown.
We are also called to be pillars but we must be willing to resist the enemy and stand strong in the power of the Lord. May He strengthen us to be more than conquerors when times of testing come!
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to empower you to stand strong in the days ahead.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy