Dear Ones,
Hope your day is filled with peace and joy. It looks to be a beautiful sunny day! The house is filled with aroma as I just finished baking choc chip cookies. Soon I am going to my exercise class and then to crafts and tonight to Bible Study.
Devotions from Judy’s hart
  We are told in scripture to be watchful and to be aware for we are all in danger of backsliding in our faith if we do not stay alert spiritually. Most of the time it happens gradually and then one day we realize that we have grown cold in our love for the Lord and we feel distant. When did that happen? Not all at once but slowly we compromised, we spent less time in the Word and shortened our time listening to Him; we got spiritually sleepy.
  We are exhorted to be watchful and Paul says in I Cor. 16:13 (Message), “Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.” That doesn’t sound like someone that is falling asleep spiritually.
   Recently, I had a sinus problem and gradually felt worse, especially after being outdoors with so much blowing in the air. I did my usual work but was lagging in energy as my head hurt, and I couldn’t wait to take a nap each day. But after what seemed like a long time of many days doing healthful things etc., I woke up yesterday and my sinuses didn’t hurt and I had no headache! I couldn’t believe it and felt like it was too good to be true. I told Al and all day long I kept thanking the Lord. I realized I had forgotten what it was like to feel good, and the head pain had been my new normal. But now I felt great and it was wonderful!  
  My thoughts went to our spiritual lives for we can be out of sorts with the Lord and slowly move farther away from him. It seems to happen gradually and all of a sudden, we realize we aren’t experiencing the joy of His presence any more. We go through the motions, as I did my usual work, but we lack love and passion for Him. But then when we repent and ask for His forgiveness and grace, it’s like everything changes. We are filled with joy and love and our outlook on our day changes. I think I went around the apartment smiling as I felt so good and was so grateful that my head no longer hurt.
  Let us be watchful and resolute, and as Paul warns us, be alert and not fall sleep spiritually!
Challenge for today: Note when your joy and love wane and spend some time with the Lord!