Dear Ones,
Hope your day is filled with sunshine and recall of many blessings you have received. This morning, I have women’s Bible study and this afternoon we are having friends over for a time of fellowship.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  How often do we focus on the negative in life and miss the beautiful things the Lord has for us in the present? Such an attitude can lead us to become self-absorbed and not pleasant company to be around. How can we keep from coming a complaining, griping person that misses the joys in life by our negative attitudes?
  I was reading an article by author Lisa Elliott in “Just Between Us magazine (My favorite), and I read of her how life was radically changed through a simple act of posting her own thankful list. She has seen firsthand what had helped a friend of hers by doing that every day for about a year. So, what can it hurt? She decided to publicly post five things she was thankful for that was honest and simple and centered on the Lord. It helped her begin her day on a positive note than previously, by watching for blessings instead of the negative. She based her new outlook on Psalm 92:1-2 “What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God! To announce your love each daybreak, sing your faithful presence all through the night.” When we proclaim His love in the morning and watch during the day for His faithfulness, it’s bound to make an effect on our lives. Most days she named simple things she was thankful for like sunshine, a meaningful chat with a friend, a chance to serve etc. Even those that were reading her daily list were encouraged and inspired to do the same. Not everyone has to put it online, but maybe write in your journal.                                                                  Lisa quickly found that cultivating a grateful heart resulted in her own life spilling over with joy. She started to focus on the Lord and learn from the example of His life and attitude. She began setting her mind on things of a heavenly viewpoint, what is true, pure, lovely etc. She discovered her selfishness was being replaced by a humble spirit. She also reflected back on how God had been faithful in her life, through all the crises she had experienced. She began her day now with thanksgiving and an attitude of gratitude, expecting that God would show up… and looking for Him to reveal Himself. She also challenges us to let others know what we are thankful for; maybe when we gather for coffee or Bible study, just begin with sharing the blessings you have received that day. Some of you reading this may even want to post it on social media.
  The article closes with encouraging us to gear our praise to the Lord Himself for He is the One who has blessed us in more ways than we can ever count. Let us praise the Lord from our inmost being!
Challenge for today: Make a gratitude list of 5 things you are thankful for every day for a week and share as you are prompted by the Spirit.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy