Devotions from Judy’s heart
True success is knowing God and doing His will. Even if we reach the top of the corporate ladder, become famous and well known in high circles, we fail when we don’t live our lives for the Lord. Jesus asks His disciples an important question in Matt. 16:26 (ESV), “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits His soul? Or what shall a man give in return for His soul?” Nothing is more important than knowing Him and serving Him but how do we come to know Him more intimately? Spending time in prayer is so important and we can share anything with the Lord. Sometimes we may feel like giving up when distractions come and we find our mind wandering all over. But distractions are normal for us all and we can even ask the Lord what they are telling us about ourselves. Then after we acknowledge them and discern their message, we can let them go. If it seems like God is far away, some find it helpful to picture the Lord sitting across from them and like our best friend, we begin to tell Him our thoughts and feelings and whatever is going on in our lives. Of course, we should be silent after and give Him room to speak to us as well, as we listen. It’s also important to read the Word as it is God’s love letter to us. We don’t have to read a lot at one sitting bur rather take a few verses at a time and ponder what God is saying to us personally in our relationship to Him. We can ask ourselves what seemed to touch us and how do we need to change? Spending time also praising Him is so good for our souls and we can sing and dance before Him. I use to put praise music on while I held one of our grandchildren; we just danced around the room as they rang little bells. As we grow in the Lord, we will take more seriously doing His will above our own. It’s not always easy to discern as we may not get a bright blinding light as the Apostle had with a message from God. But He speaks in many ways through the Holy Spirit. We may hear Him as we are out in nature, like watching the birds and remembering that he takes care of the birds of the air, He will take care of whatever our problems are. Or maybe Pastor preaches a word that is exactly what we have been pondering; or the same verse is given from several different people in our lives. We might journal and as we look back over the pages, it becomes obvious how God is leading us. Knowing the Lord is not boring or burdensome but exciting for He always has new surprises for us. I know you know all these things but sometimes we have to remind ourselves to keep seeking Him, to keep growing, and to be open to His will.
Challenge for today: Spend a few moments just quietly enjoying the Lord’s presence in silence and listen to His whispers.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy