Dear Ones,
Hope you had a good weekend. We had a wonderful time at Mark’s and Andrea’s in N.C .and enjoyed time with the family. We played lots of games, including nerf gun wars with our grandsons, steak dinner, sundaes before bed etc. We are in Tennessee now and soon heading out to Kurt’s in Kansas today. We want to be there to see our granddaughter play soccer tomorrow. Appreciate prayers as we were in heavy traffic yesterday especially.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We have probably all belonged to organizations and clubs during our growing up years. Maybe we were on a Debate team, or joined Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, or went to Christian Fellowship club. When others wanted us to join, they told us all the advantages of becoming a member and made it sound like we were privileged to get in. But as I was reading scripture, I thought of how opposite it is when we join the family of God. We are not promised that we will be important but rather we may have the status of a slave. We are not told we can look forward to great privileges and be applauded by others but that we will actually have to suffer and even be hated by them. In fact, we may be persecuted for joining and put out of places, sometimes even losing our lives. Now that isn’t exactly the kind of news you would put on a club poster to entice others to join. In John 15 Jesus said that if the world hated Him, they would also hate us; if they persecuted Him, they will also persecute us etc. So why join? Well inside of us is a deep desire for something more than a life of ease; it is a desire to be loved and to be understood and forgiven and to be set free; and only the President of this unusual club can ever offer that. He makes many promises and we can trust Him as not one of them will fail. He has assured us that He will always, always be there for us and never leave us. He has promised us the best future ever, for He is preparing for us a mansion in glory with Him; but in the meantime, it could be that we may live in only a cottage. He will also provide a helper for us as rough times come, and He says in John 14:16-17 (Amplified),” I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Stand-by), that He may remain with you forever—the Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you will know and recognize Him, for He lives with you (constantly) and will be in you.” Now that is good news and we are to share that news with others and invite them to make the most important decision ever. Let us not hold back for all are welcome!
Challenge for today: Be alert for those who are searching and invite them to become a member of the family of God.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy
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