Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying your weekend. No more snow for now but haven’t looked at the forecast. This morning I wrote lots of letters and did food preparations and made chili that will taste good when we come from our walk.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We are in desperate times in our culture! Sometimes when I am reading scripture it sounds like what is happening today in our world, is very much like the days of Noah. So many people have turned from God and are filled with hate, lies, greed, lust, selfishness etc.; we have only to watch the news and see this verified. And in the midst of it all, what are we asked as Christ followers to do? We are to walk the way of love. Love is the only salve for our wounded world.  Paul says in Eph. 5:1-2 (The Message), “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us. Love like that.” The Lord wants us to be co-lovers with Him to love the world through us. How wonderful to live each day with the knowledge that we are loved extravagantly. It is out of hearts that really know this that we can trust Him for each day; and as we hold out our hand to receive whatever He brings into our lives, we also extend giving hands to others. It is not our love, but God’s love that can bring people together, even people who are divided in many ways.  When we see others as the Lord views them, we can welcome even their differences and let them know they are valued and loved. I’m sure they can sense the difference when we have an attitude that says, “I’m glad for you and I enjoy your presence” verses, “How can you possibly believe such nonsense, I’m here to straighten you out!” Let us follow Christ’s example and delight in others and walk in love. Just as He sacrificed Himself, we too are called to be self-sacrificing for others.
Challenge for today: Do an act of love for someone today who is not easy for you to love.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy