Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying the weekend. My nephew’s family just stopped in for a visit and they have another hockey game next. This morning I baked cookies and did food prep and studied, and this afternoon we hope to get outside for our walk.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How then do we live? Each day is an opportunity to live for the Lord rather than to live for ourselves. Do we live with the belief of who we are in the Lord? When we come to receive the Lord, we are made new as it says in II Cor. 5:17 (God’s Word), “Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.” We are to live each day as His new creation and apply faith to our daily life. Brother Lawrence said, spirituality depends less on what we are doing and more on why and for whom we do it. A question to often ask ourselves, “Am I living to please the Lord or am I living to please men?” If the answer is to please the Lord, it could be that we will have to make changes in our lives to live more deliberately for His kingdom. We are called to die daily to our own false self that wants to be in control, that wants to live for ourselves and our own comfort. But in dying to ourselves we come to really live! We are not meant to be the center of the universe but to center our lives on God. Yes, life is not always easy as we go through struggles, but in the process, we come to know how much we need the Lord and to rely on His strength. We can do all kinds of spiritual disciplines like fasting, centering prayer, memorizing scripture etc. but the truth is if it doesn’t affect our daily life and how we relate to others, then something is wrong. We should be known for how we treat others and show them love. We are called to live for God right where we are.  When change happens in us, the world around us can be changed. How much that is needed right now in America! The Lord wants to work through us if we are willing, but He won’t force His will on us. However, if we practice living God’s way, we will find our hearts are full, and our lives have meaning and purpose. Let us live for God right where we are, no matter the cost!
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to help you daily die to self and to please Him by expressing His love to others.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy