Dear Ones,
May your day be blessed in every way.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Don’t you love getting together with your best friend as you share back and forth together. One person doesn’t do all the talking but listens as well. You feel good afterwards that you have caught up on each other’s lives and there is closeness and a bonded feeling.
Sometimes we may complain that we don’t feel close to the Lord and that He seems distant from us; we might want to check ourselves if we have been doing all the talking and neglecting time spent listening to Him. We may have a list of things we ask of Him and then we rush away without ever being quiet and hearing what He has to say to us.
I’m sure none of us hear perfectly everything God is saying to us, but listening is important. One of the ways we hear Him is through His Word and after we read scripture, it is good to just sit there quietly and listen. Lord, what is it you are impressing on my heart?  What comes to mind may be the exact Word He knows we need that day. But there are times I get up too soon and am on my way into a busy day and I miss what He has for me.
When Jesus was speaking to the crowd, He said in Mark 4:23-24 (God’s Word), “Let the person who has ears listen!” He went on to say, ‘Pay attention to what you’re listening to! Knowledge will be measured out to you by the measure of attention, you give. This is the way knowledge increases.’”
We are encouraged to listen well, and as we hear truth, more will be given us. But if we ignore what God is saying, why should He give us more?
Let us give our attention to the Lord and seek to know what He has to say to us. So often His words are words of assurance of His love.
May we make room for the Lord to speak to us and talk less and listen more. 
Challenge for today: After reading the Word, spend 10 minutes in quiet listening.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy