Dear Ones,
Hope you had a blessed Christmas! We are home now from 2 days at the hotel with about 40 relatives and it was a wonderful time. So many good talks together and everyone also sharing about their families after our Christmas feast! We shopped yesterday at Mall of America and found the sales too. Emoji Thank you for prayers as we went home in lots of snow and icey roads about 1/2 way. Grateful to be back home safely!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Christmas is a reality, not just a story that we tell to children; Jesus really came and He makes all the difference in the world. This reality of His coming changes our lives in the deepest and most profound ways.
I was reading today from Psalms 33:21-22 (God’s Word), “In Him our hearts find joy. In His holy name we trust. Let your mercy rest on us, O Lord, since we wait with hope for you.”
Our joy is in the One who came and gave Himself for us. Jesus is God’s gift to us and He gave us the most precious gift ever; when we come to know Him, we experience a peaceful rest in our spirit and live in hope.
I am a bargain hunter and I do not like paying full price when I know it was on sale previously or will be on sale in the near future. But God did not hold back His best Gift for us and it came at an enormous price… He did this so we would be set free and come to know His love and joy. But this gift is something we are to receive; it is not just for those who try to live a good life, or those who are rich and famous…it is for the poor, blind, and all who know they are sinners and need a Savior. 
And when we receive this Gift we are not to hide it but to tell others the gift is also for them. When I find something of value, I love to tell my friends so they can get in on it too!
I think of the shepherds and how after they found baby Jesus, they went back to their flocks glorifying and praising God. I’m sure they couldn’t keep this wonderful news inside and told others all along the way.
As we begin a New Year, let us also ask God for boldness to share the Good News of His wondrous Gift.
Challenge for today: Seek to share the Lord with someone who God places in your life today.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy