January 8, 2021

Dear Ones,

Hope you have a good weekend wrapped in His peace! This morning I made egg dishes and went downstairs for coffee. It’s been a while. Ann came and we had a good visit before she went shopping.  I am a little sore today from my strength building class yesterday but I aim to go again! 

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Are we known as great lovers…lovers of God, lovers of others and even lovers of ourselves in the Lord? Jesus told us in I John 13:34-35 (God’s Word), “I’m giving you a new commandment; Love each other in the same way that I have loved you. Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other.” Jesus didn’t say just love those that agree with you, those that bless you and are kind to you and speak well of you. No, He includes those that persecute us, speak evil of us, and hate us. That is a tall order and we can only do this with the same love He loves us. Today it is so sad to see hate messages on Facebook from Christians who are the very ones called to love and bless others. The enemy rejoices when he sees churches divided, friends separated and families split. Satan has already won if we base our love for others on how well they treat us or if we are in agreement. No, we are told, “Let all be done in love.” That means feeding our enemy, not rejoicing when they fall, repaying evil with good, and blessing our enemies and praying for them. What would happen in our families and our country if we did this… a revival may break out! It is not our place to destroy others. Jesus didn’t retaliate in return for the evil done to Him but He entrusted himself to God who judges rightly. Whatever happens we can give it over to the Lord and let Him right the wrongs. One friend told me recently she almost quit going to church because of the hateful bashing by one of the members. That is a dangerous place to be as the enemy gets a foothold in our lives and evil takes over. So sad as we should be examples of those who love as Jesus did. Do we dare pray that the Lord would convict us of times we have wanted to get back at our enemies and wanted to even the score? Let us humble our hearts and ask Him to remove hateful thoughts and fill us with His unconditional love that brings blessings to others.

Challenge for today: Spend some time letting the Holy Spirit search your heart, repent and fill you to overflowing with His love.