Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you!  Today is Birthday party day here so Al and I will be going to Costco soon to pick up the cake. I am going to make soup and do food prep but doubt we will walk in this hot weather today. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   What is the state of our heart? I wonder what God sees when He looks at each of our hearts. It is one of lightness, openness and compassion or is it hard and locked up and heavy? The state of our heart is important as it shapes our life.
  I must admit that there are too many times my heart is fearful and I need courage to do whatever it is that God puts before me to do. I’m sure I have missed things in the past that the Lord had planned for me and I have had regrets and asked forgiveness. I desire to have a courageous heart!                                                   
 Each one of our hearts has a different shape as no one else sees the world exactly as we do. Maybe you have a heavy heart and life seems burdensome and keeps you from experiencing the abundance of life God has for you. Or maybe you have a compassionate heart and feel for others and help carry their burdens. Perhaps you have a forgiving heart that experiences freedom because you don’t hold on to hurts but give them to the Lord. Or maybe you have a joyful heart that sees the positive side even in difficult things.                                                                                           But one thing we know that we all need to allow our heart to speak and to listen to what it is telling us. When we aren’t in touch with our heart, how can we know who we really are? Our heart’s longing is for the Lord, and it is the place where He lives. Most of us are busy all day long but at night in the quiet and darkness we often hear with greater clarity.                                                                                                   
  In Proverbs 4:23 it says, “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” May each of us guard our hearts and listen to what the Lord would say to us this day.
Challenge for today: Invite the Lord to show you the condition of your heart and ask Him to change it where needed.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy