January 15, 2021

Dear Ones,

Happy Weekend to you! The snow has quit and left us with a beautiful white landscape. This morning I cleaned our apartment and made a pot of stew and cinnamon raisin bread. The house is full of wonderful aroma!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Sound the alarm! I still remember in grade school when a teacher asked me what I would do if there was a fire. I responded with saying I would go in the hall and break the glass and push the alarm button and he said, “Do it now!” I did what I was told and fortunately it was just a drill but if it had been a fire, it would have been the quickest way to evacuate the school. We also have alarms that go off in our Apartment complex and make a great deal of noise, like early one morning. Al and I were awake but most people here were sleeping in. We dressed and went downstairs where some others were gathered until we got the all clear. Today the alarm is sounding for the church to wake up from our spiritual slumber. It seems that the enemy wants to hush the voice of the church who stands for God’s truth and love. The church has compromised in a variety of ways to the culture and many have chosen to just sit on the sidelines and be silent. Sadly, we have become lukewarm and passive and neglected the calling God has given us. But can you now hear the alarm sounding for the church to wake up from its slumber and complacency and become bold witnesses and warriors?  I believe that this time of unrest and chaos can be used to strengthen the church if we heed the alarm. We are being called together which may take the form of small groups meeting in homes where we discern with others what God is saying. Just like it was comforting to gather with others in the early morning hour here at our apt, we can be strengthened as we gather to hear what God is calling us to do and not waver. But we can’t just play church but we must rise up and be the church that Jesus loves and gave His life for. I think it is time for us to be on our knees and to seek His forgiveness for how we have strayed, compromised and become lukewarm. We have to decide and choose who we really want to serve and then point others to the way. As the apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesian church in Eph. 1 (The Message), may it also be a prayer for us, “to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing Him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life He has for His followers, oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him—endless energy, boundless strength!..,at the center of all this, Christ rules the church!” May we refuse to be silent and let our voices be heard and actions express our love for the Lord. Let us wake up and become the church!

Challenge for today: Join with others and discerningly pray for the church to become focused and strong.