Dear Ones,

Hope your day is filled with blessings. This morning I will be doing food prep and cleaning the apartment as we have a friend coming for retreat this afternoon for 3 days. Al is off to church already and later will lead Bible study here. Of course, we won’t miss Donut Day either! 

 Devotions from Judy’s heart
  God has a plan for each of our lives and He knew us before we were born for He formed us in our mother’s womb. His plan is the best and will bring us joy and peace as we follow it rather than our own crooked path that leads to dead ends and detours and misses the beautiful things He has for us. Why do we at times think we know better than Him? Big mistake!
  It makes me think of the old road that went from Hackensack to our cabin on Man lake. My parents went on that road before they were even married and at that time it was only a path 2 wheels wide with lots of turns and bumps. It wound around big boulders and went up high hills and they always hoped they wouldn’t meet a car from the other direction. It took so long to get to their destination, and one could probably walk as fast as it took for the car to get there. When we were young it was then a gravel road with 2 lanes and fewer curves, but we could still see the old winding path that use to be the only way to get there. Now today, why would we want to take the inferior rocky winding way when we can go on the better road that gets us to where we want to go without the bumps and sharp turns?  It makes me think of the scripture I read today from the Amplified version of the familiar Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s (own) handiwork (His workmanship), created in Christ Jesus, (born anew) that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time), that we should walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live).”
  We need to ask ourselves often if we are going to go God’s way that He has planned even before we were born or are we going to go our own way? Jesus came to give us a full abundant life and has the best plan for us. That of course, does not mean we won’t go through hard times in our lives, for we have an enemy that wants to destroy what God has purposed for us and we also mess up. But He can still work things out and weave them together for good in our lives if we are willing to put our lives in His hands and go His way.  Let us choose the best way!
Challenge for today: Pray each day to go God’s way and not go off on side trails of our own choosing.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy