Dear Ones,
Hope your day is full of good things! We are in Olathe, KS, and enjoying time with Kurt’s family. We are excited that we will get to Grant’s football game to see him play later this afternoon.Yesterday we went to Redeemer in D.M. for church and got to see friends from years ago. Lots of hugs and catching up and then had dinner with the Donhowe’s who just got back from Bolivia. Many memories as we had dinner at the parsonage, which we lived in for years and brought back many memories of council dinners, birthdays parties and rich times. Our hearts are full of gratitude to the Lord.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
    We were made for God and the desire for God is engraved on our very being. Those who have not received Him are left with an unfulfilled longing that they try to unsuccessfully stuff with other things; but it won’t work because only the Lord can feed the deep longing of our souls.
    But we must choose God rather than self. Our ego wants its own way and to satisfy our own desires but it doesn’t work. We must come to grips with our own poverty and living for self, and in faith come to God and allow Him to direct our lives.
  Only a life lived for God will fill that void that is within all of us. He feeds the hunger of our soul and helps us live out the unique life He has planned for each of us. He will give us whatever we need to become that person we were created to be.
  In many ways it also brings relief that we don’t have to figure it all out for we can’t see into the future; but instead, we can by faith entrust our lives into His hands and let Him direct it. When we place our dependence on Him that is the very best place to be.
    I think of Mary and her response to the angel who told her she would carry the Son of God in her womb. In Luke 1:38 (ESV), she said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” In other words, let Him do what He will with me! Later she magnifies the Lord and we read of Mary’s beautiful song of praise in the Magnificat.
   When we also choose to let God have His way in our lives and to call all the shots, our souls feel full to overflowing. The more emptied we are of self the more room there is for Him to fill. We come to the realization that it is Jesus that matters and our only goodness is Him living in us.
   Let us be done with living our lives on our terms and trying to fill the void; instead may we set our hearts on the Lord and live in total dependence on Him.
  Challenge for today: Seek the Lord and let Him direct every aspect of your life.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy