Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying the weekend. We had a wonderful day yesterday as Al had the morning with Mark and I had time with Andrea to really catch up. The whole afternoon was spent playing games outdoors with John Mark and A.j. Then we had a scrumptious steak dinner and rich evening of fellowship and prayer with their pastor’s family. Tomorrow we will go to their church and out to a Mexican restaurant they love. By the time you get my next e-mail we will be heading back to MN and would appreciate prayers for a safe and well journey. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  I pray daily for the Body of Christ to be bound together in unity and love, for the days ahead are going to get more difficult for all of us. We need one another and the Lord will strengthen us as we gather in unity of Spirit and stand against all that the enemy is pouring out against us. Does that mean we all agree on everything interpreted in scripture? Or that we politically agree? No, but we are not to major on the differences but stand together in oneness of Who we serve. I woke today with a song going through my mind of how it is in the cross we can hide and it is His grace that is sufficient so we can stand together at the foot of the cross.
  In war, we need others around us to protect our back, and we don’t care what color they are, what political party they are, or what their view is on the rapture. We are in a spiritual battle that is getting more intense and need to fight together but with spiritual weapons. That means we won’t have to argue about who is right on issues but humbly lay down our pride. Like it says in II Tim 2:24-25a (NRSV), “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, and correcting opponents with gentleness.” We can count on God to defend the truth of the matter and we can let it go. That may mean we are quick to ask forgiveness when we insist our way is the only way and fail to listen to others.
   The enemy loves to bring disharmony and cause us to look at fellow Christians as the enemy rather than him. Let us not use our swords on one another but only use the sword of the spirit to quench the enemy’s fiery darts.
   This should be a time when the fruit if the Spirit will be evidenced more. When we are put near others in the Body of Christ, we love them no matter what. We express joy even in our struggles and live together in peace. Also, we show kindness, goodness. Patience, gentleness and self-control.  May the Holy Spirit empower us to be faithful to the Lord and to love Him as He binds us together as His followers in a culture that doesn’t embrace truth.
  Challenge for today: Be willing to be closely knit with others in the Body of Christ and respond in humility and love.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy