Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. This morning Al is going to get his wisdom tooth extracted as there was a mix up last week. Early yesterday morning Leif’s mom went home to the Lord and is now free of all pain. Thank you for those that prayed as Leif was able to preach a few hours later. Please pray now for family to be comforted as Shirley will be missed.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
 Have you heard it said that Christians are prideful and have a tendency to look down on others? That is a sad commentary if we are viewed as arrogant and feel superior to those around us, for then we have forgotten God’s grace to us. It’s hard for love to get through to the hearts of others if we come across as boastful and better than. Pride has a focus on ourselves, but if on the other hand we are full of gratitude, we can focus on others.
 But sometimes we don’t recognize pride in our own lives for we can become boastful in our sharing as we put the emphasis on us rather than the Lord’s strength and power. It may be that we tell others about an honor we received or a victory we overcame, and everyone celebrates with us; but we must also be aware of who we tell, and when to share it and always do it in a humble spirit. The glory belongs to the Lord and the focus is foremost on Him. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he reminds them in chapter 13 that we are not to boast or be arrogant and rude!  When Jesus saved us, we became a new person in Him but not that we get puffed up with self- importance and pride. It is a work of God that we are changed and being changed daily.
   As our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord, we will desire to serve others as Jesus did and gave us an example to follow. He did the work of a slave when He washed his disciple’s feet on the very night He was betrayed. Even Judas’ feet!  Out of love and gratitude to the Lord, He will empower us to serve others in a myriad of ways. There is no place for arrogance and pride. It is good to remember that we are weakest when we feel strong in our own strength and are self-sufficient. But we are truly strongest when our strength and identity is in the Lord, and we go forth in His power.
 Let us not be boastful and proud but have a servant’s attitude towards others, as we serve the One who lifted us up from the lowest place to be with Him.
  Challenge for today: Do a humble deed for some unsuspecting person today.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy