Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! We are going to the lake this morning and stopping on the way to see a friend. Weather looks warm and we plan to stay overnight. We love waking to a view of the lake through the glass doors at the foot of our bed, and it is camping in nature with comfort! 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How are our churches faring today in our culture where everything goes? Sadly, to say, many churches are aligning with our culture rather than with the Word of God. Chad Napier writes and asks the question, “Is your church losing its convictions?” He states that “a conviction is a concrete belief or stance that the church or individual believer will not sway away from despite the repercussion or change in the world’s social climate.”
Al and I are so thankful to find a church where the pastor refuses to compromise but preaches the Word rather than a self-help talk or self-empowerment message. Our membership has increased because other spiritually hungry people are looking for such a church as well.
Many churches however, seek to have enthusiastic worship with drums and strobe lights and have messages that are based on stories, contemporary books, movies etc. but no mention of sin and the need to receive the Lord. Today people are confused as the church seems to have the same standards as the world. That should not be.
Jesus said in Matt. 5:13 (ESV), “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” That is very sobering when we think of what has happened to so many churches.
Our churches need to hold on to convictions and be true to the Word. Jesus should be the primary focus and sermons preached to not only reach the lost but also for the Holy Spirit to do a work in all of us: to shine in our hearts and show us areas we need to change that are hindering our walk with the Lord and to give us power to live for Him each day.
Let us all be on guard that we not let the world squeeze us into its mold.
Challenge for today: Hang on to your convictions and ask for courage not to compromise.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy
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