May 17, 2021

Dear Ones,

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Love this warmer weather! This morning I made 2 spaghetti pies and went to Aldi’s and my exercise class.This afternoon we are going several places, including Culvers for ice cream , and then our walk. 

Devotions from Judy’s  heart

Next Sunday we are going to be receiving a large group of new members into our congregation and it is an exciting time for all of us. They come bearing gifts that God has given them that will enhance the Body of Christ in many ways. Each one is a special gift that adds to the beauty of the whole Body and will bring glory to the Lord. I reflect back on when we received our two adopted grandsons from Korea into our family. There are no words for the joy and love we felt. The family of God is like that in opening our hearts to the new ones that are added to His family. And as wonderful as that is, we also know that there are unhealthy churches that have caused deep hurts in many of God’s people and gone on to bring a split. I was reading an article by Karen Rhea, a Bible Study leader, speaker, author; she writes about the pain and hurt in many churches over sometimes trivial things and other times over painful experiences but yet seldom over theological differences. Even though we know the Lord, we can be critical, gossipy, argumentative and combative. She and her husband resigned their positions and left their church over an issue and began staying home Sunday mornings. (before Covid) They missed their friendships with others and home groups and worship times for a period of over four months. One day her husband sat down by her and shared the scripture he had gotten for several days that spoke to him. Heb. 10:23-25, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” They were convicted and knew they needed to forgive the ones who caused them pain. When they forgave and opened up to God’s healing power in their lives, they were able to go back to church to worship and get involved again. The enemy will try in any way he can, to bring division to the Body of Christ and to magnify our hurts and keep us apart. But after we have grieved, we are called to forgive and to move forward. It could mean going to another church but we all need to be in a place we can be encouraged and spur one another on towards love and good deeds.

Challenge for today: Be inventive in encouraging others in the Body of Christ and forgive any hurts that have been done to you.