Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful time celebrating yesterday and maybe capped it off with Fireworks too. The house is full of aroma as I just baked choc chip cookies on a stick and sampled one of them. Soon I am going to my exercise class and errands and later walk on the trail.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  We have just celebrated Independence Day and many of us have sung our national anthem and said the pledge of allegiance as we honor our country as one nation under God. But it is sad that many Americans no longer believe in our country’s godly beginnings. They choose to believe that America was not established for religious freedom, and challenge that Christianity had anything to do with establishing our country.
  Lynette Kittle writes about how in England in 1606 the Pilgrims sought to worship Jesus in the purity of the gospel. They fled to Holland and 3 years later got permission to take the Mayflower to the New world so they could worship Jesus in peace. She said because America’s foundation was laid in Biblical truth by the Pilgrims, our Founding Fathers based our Declaration of Independence on godly principles. These truths gave us the right to worship God freely and now it seems in our day that they are for grabs and many of our freedoms are now being denied.
  I pray each day for our country to come back to God and to be humble and seek the Lord. Kittle wrote a prayer that may be saying what is also on your heart, as it is on mine.
  “Dear Father, we come now to humble ourselves before You, asking you to move upon our nation and lead Americans to hold fast to our godly heritage, a legacy of religious freedom to openly worship and serve You in our land. As II Chron. 7:14 assures us, ’If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.’ Forgive us, Father, for the ways our nation has drifted and turned away from You. Remind Americans how Christians were led by You to sail and settle this land for Your glory. Restore America’s godly foundation and heritage. Let our leaders return to Your Word and Truth in writing laws, handing down judicial decisions and ruling over the people. Help Americans to understand that true freedom is a gift from you. Like John 8:36 assures us, ‘So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’ Let our nation look to You as our hope and Salvation, and put all our trust in You.’ In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
  Challenge for today: Spend some time praying for America and for the Lord to have mercy on us.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy