Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying the weekend. We left early this morning for Mora and had a day of fellowship with our former Board members of Canaan’s Rest. It was a wonderful time as we shared our lives together and had a yummy lunch. We are going for a walk now and then having our grandson for church and dinner tomorrow. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Do others know we are Christians by our love? Or do others know us ones that need to strongly express our opinions and build walls of division?  A question we need to ask ourselves often is, what is the loving thing is to do in this situation? What will bring us closer together and not divide us? Mark Roberts writes on Crosswalk about breaking down the walls of separation. He uses Jesus example for He made the way by fulfilling the laws demands for us through His death. When he did this, it brought down the wall of hostility that divided the Jews and Gentiles. We become one in Christ when we accept Jesus and His sacrifice for us, even though we way differ in many ways. His sacrifice paved the way and made it possible to end the hostility between us and others, whether it be groups of people or even members of our own families.  When we are members of His Body, we are not to be judgmental and try to convince others to think just like we do, worship like we do, and to view situations as we see them. But we are rather called to peace and to express His love and allow the Holy Spirit direct each person’s life. It’s prideful and unwise to play Holy Spirit for others for how do we know God’s plan for them?  When we do this and it is like putting bricks in the wall between us; they feel the pressure from us and it hurts the Body of Christ. Jesus said in Matt.5:8-9 (The Message),” You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see the outside world. You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” When we are secure in the Lord, we can accept others and let others be who they really are. We can put down our bricks that cause division and let them be at ease without being just like us or thinking like us. Let us be peace workers and build relationships, not walls.
Challenge for today: Ask God to help you dismantle any walls you have erected between you and others.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy