Dear Ones,
  Hope you wake today with a sense of joy and peace. Did you have a good New Years and make it to midnight? We were fast asleep! This morning I hope to get downstairs for coffee and choc covered raspberries and this afternoon we have friends coming! The question this week is, are you aware of things you need to let go of and other things that you want to embrace in this new year?
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  I love new beginnings as it gives me a sense of a fresh start. It often means we need to let go of something in order to enter into the new. As we have entered into the new year, we need to lay aside those things that will weigh us down and lead us away from the Lord, rather than closer to Him.
   Debbie McDaniel writes on Crosswalk.com about toxic attitudes that we need to let go of if we are to have a rich and blessed 2023. Most of the things she shared really have to do with battles of our old self, for the flesh doesn’t die easily. The first toxic attitude she mentions is apathy as we can get ho-hum in our relationship with the Lord and get caught up in other things that take our attention away from Him. Instead, every day it is vital that we spend time in the Word and in prayer if we are to grow and not to wither.
   Pride always seems to pop its head up and life isn’t all about us, but all about the Lord. Let us choose the road of humility that draws us closer to Him instead of me, me, me that puts us at a distance.
   We must also let go of toxic worry and fear that can rob us of our joy and freedom. Let us remember that the Lord is all powerful and greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world. We are weak but He is strong!
   Anger can definitely be toxic and it may come out in harsh words and looks and putting others down. Instead, we need to be loving and encouraging in our relationships and trust that the Lord will change others as that is not our job.
    Addictive behavior has to go also or it will control our lives. Drugs and alcohol may bring a short high but will not bring lasting satisfaction…only a life founded in the Lord.  
    Debbie mentions materialism as we can get our focus on riches, rather than the Lord. Some of the happiest people I know aren’t rich in the world’s goods but rich in love and faith. God is our provider, and our hearts are to be set on Him.
    Unforgiveness is another toxic attitude we need to let go of or it can ruin us if we hang on to it. We may not always feel like forgiving but it is always the right thing to do. We must choose to let go and let the Lord restore and heal in His timing.
   Let us all begin the New Year with an open receptive heart and dump those toxic attitudes for a desire to follow the Lord!
Challenge for today: Confess your old toxic attitudes and live in His forgiveness with a fresh desire to follow Him.
Blessings on your new year and prayers and love, Judy