Dear Ones,
May you wake to a day filled with love! Al will soon be off to men’s group, and I have cinnamon/ craisin bread in the oven that he can sample when he gets home; later we have Bible Study.
 Devotions from Judy’s heart
  When we commit our lives to the Lord, it is just the beginning of a lifetime relationship of growing to know Him and love Him more. There is so much more awaiting us, and we need to keep responding to the Spirit who desires to draw us closer into His presence.  Instead of thinking it is the end, and I am going to heaven, it is rather the beginning of a lifelong pursuit to know and love Him more.

  It made me think of the marriage relationship. When we become man and wife, it is the beginning of a life to be lived together in oneness, as we get to know each other in deep ways. We want to know our spouse’s heart, their mind, what they are thinking and feeling.  It is not like well, now I am married and just function independently as before, but now we are blessed to get to know one another in intimacy. That is what the Lord also wants of us. He wants us to sit in His presence, to have an intimate fellowship together. He wants us to choose Him above all others. His love is perfect, unlike ours, and it is unconditional so we can rest in knowing He will always love us, even when we fail.

 King David prayed in Psalm 27:4 (Passion translation), “Here’s the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else; I want the privilege of living with Him every moment in His house, finding the sweet loveliness of His face, filled with awe, delighting in His glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to Him that He takes pleasure in my every prayer.” When we have come to know the Lord, He our One thing, our top priority? God is with us but are we with Him?!  Just as in marriage, Al and I make each other our priority, next to the Lord who is first, and we spend time daily sharing and praying together; and even after 58 years of marriage, there are still new things I am learning about him. Let us press on to know the Lord and to enjoy His presence daily.
  Challenge for today: Spend time alone with the Lord and receive His love that He desires to pour into you.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy