Dear Ones,
Happy Weekend! Hope you are enjoying these beautiful summer days. I did some food prep and a veggie stir fry and love the aroma that fills the house. Al and I went to Costco for the Birthday Cake and this afternoon is the monthly Birthday party here. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Are we prepared for the days ahead? No one knows what tomorrow holds but there are ways we can be getting ready now and preparing for the future. I had a dream the other night in which I found myself at church with friends; but I was not dressed well and wished I could go home to change. I didn’t know the car I was riding in was headed to church or I would have taken off my work clothes first and put on something more presentable. I was not prepared! Just a day or so later one of our friends at Northern Lakes reminded Al and me of the birthday party we are in charge of the last Friday of each month that is happening today. It seemed to come early this month and Al and I had to order the cake, do some preparations and pick it up today. We needed to prepare! I felt like the Lord was speaking a word to me in a spiritual sense, that I need to be aware of the times and prepare for what is coming as well.  Of course, the enemy wants us unprepared and will whisper we have all the time in the world. But we don’t and it’s imperative that we be ready. I read this morning from Rev 22:12 (God’s Word), “I’m coming soon! I will bring my reward with me to pay all the people based on what they have done.”  The time seems to be short until His coming and things continue to get worse in our world. We are not to shrink back but rather prepare and seek to become strong in our faith. When Jesus told his disciples he was going to suffer and die, Peter was so confident he would stand with Him. He said he would be willing to go to prison with Him or die for Him, and yet that very night he denied Jesus three times. Our confidence and strength are not in ourselves and our own will power, but in the Lord. Like David prayed in Psalm 18:32 (NIV), “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” We need to let our roots go deep into Him that when hard times come, we won’t fail. Now is preparation time! It is the time to feed on scripture and maybe even put some key verses to memory.  Also, to fill our minds with things that upbuild and encourage us in our faith rather than tear it down… We will find it strengthening to unite with other Christians, and spend time sharing and praying together, knowing we can call on them when we feel weak and need help. Let us be in preparation mode and know that the Lord stands beside us and offers us His strength for whatever is ahead.
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to show you in what ways He wants you to prepare for the coming days.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy