Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! Hope you enjoy this beautiful weather and last days of summer. Al woke up sick today also so now both of us have low grade fevers and not much energy. Unfortunately they will be celebrating our birthdays downstairs today but we will miss it. EmojiJust had a nice nap and it felt heavenly!  
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  How many times do make decisions on our momentary impulses rather than considering the long-term consequences? It seems like our culture is one of wanting immediate pleasure rather than being willing to wait for long term blessings. The enemy certainly plays on this for he convinces us that our desires are urgent and need to be satisfied now rather than waiting.
  We have only to think of how this is played out today as couples are committing adultery, seeking to satisfy the desire for immediate pleasure while disregarding marriage vows. The results are devastating as families are broken up over momentary pleasure.
   I was reading today about two very different twins, Esau and Jacob. Esau was a hunter and loved to be in nature, and Jacob was quiet and spent time in the tent. One day when Esau came in from the field, he asked his brother to give him some of the lentil stew for he was famished. Jacob was rather cagey and told him he could have some if he sold him his birthright; that meant honor and a double portion of the family inheritance. Esau did not value his birthright and sold it to his brother for a pot of stew, acting on his immediate impulse that had long term consequences.
   Before we judge Esau, let us examine our own hearts of the times we want something so much that we don’t even ask the Lord if it is His will; we just impulsively get it and it may seem to give us momentary pleasure. But often it isn’t long before it loses its luster and we have regrets.
   Let us live in such closeness to the Lord, that we seek God’s will in making decisions and are willing to wait for however long it takes. I have even found that sometimes when I have waited, the Lord has provided my need through someone He has touched to do so
   May we do as it says in Prov. 3:5-5 (Message), “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.”
  Challenge for today: Before making decisions, check with the Lord and let Him direct.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy