Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying the day and especially the sunshine!  This morning I made cookies and bars and went downstairs for Donut day. This afternoon we have Bible Study and then tonight we have a gala for Teen Challenge. Several from our apt. complex are going. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   Our words that we speak are very revealing to show what is really in our hearts. Jesus said in Luke 6:24 (ESV), “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” 
   It is interesting that I should read a devotional upon rising  from Lynnette Kittle who shares about the importance of our words; for in the night, I awoke and was in remembrance of a time I hollered (screamed is more like it) at our son when he was about 5 years old and probably had teased his siblings. As I finished my tirade on him a neighbor from church showed up at our door. What could I say, for she heard the whole thing?  She saw first-hand what was in my heart. In the night, what also came to me was David’s words said in Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in your sight.” When we sin, we not only hurt others but we sin against God.                                                                                                                 Today, there is so much focus on food, with cooking shows and many movies with story lines revolving around chefs and food. Much attention is given to what we put in our mouths but hardly a word is said of what comes out of our mouths. But in our world today we hear so many hateful and hurtful words that are spoken to destroy others and their reputations, often using social media for all to see. Those harmful words that come out of our mouths cannot be taken back and it also reveals what is in our hearts. Jesus said in Mark 7:20, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him.” Those hurtful words have power to not only destroy others but ourselves.                                                                                                                                                We need to think before we speak and ask the Lord to put a guard on our mouths. If we lash out with our words, we need to not only to ask forgiveness of the ones we have hurt but to repent before the Lord, for we have sinned against Him.                                                                                                                                                                    Challenge for today: Before you press the send button on your computer, pause and pray.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy