Dear Ones
  Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Happy the Vikings won again!! This morning I did food prep and will soon make a quick trip to Aldi;s on my way to  exercise class. Tonight we have another party, Octoberfest with German dinner. Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  We are not called to be quitters who throw their hands in the air and say, “I’ve had enough. I’m done!”  When we know the Lord. we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us to spur us on and to help us persist to the desired end. We are often faced with challenging times and maybe we’d like to run away, but we need to be firm in our faith and hang in there. Endurance is something we all need if we are to stand strong, especially when it involves suffering on our part.
   We see today that so many people are giving up and relying on themselves rather than God. One area is in marriages that fall apart so quickly and brings the divorce rate soaring. We are invited to two weddings in October (another one postponed)  and it’s beautiful to see couples in love. I’m sure all couples start out with dreams and hopes but too often when problems arise, they quit working at the marriage and throw in the towel. Instead of putting the other before themself and dealing with the issues, they give up. How very sad!
   Yes, we all fail, at our jobs, marriages, parenting, etc. but that is not to say we should quit but rather call for God’s help and to get up again and go on. We can grow through those tough times if we don’t depend on ourselves but lean into the Lord. We were never meant to live life on our own but to entrust ourselves to Someone so much greater than we are. The Lord waits for us and we are never to give up on Him.
    King David knew what it was like to rely on the Lord, and yes, he blew it too; yet he knew where to go for help. He said in Psalm 31:23-24 (ESV), “Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!”
   Let us not be those who quit when hit with challenging times, but ones that run to the Lord and get our help from Him!
Challenge for today: Don’t give up but give the Lord all that concerns you and watch what He will do. 
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy