Dear Ones,
  Hope you are enjoying the weekend! This morning I made a new chicken recipe and the house is so full of good aroma. Will see if the taste matches it. Bill is doing well and may possibly go to the Transplant House today where he and his wife will be for quite some time. Thank you for prayers for him. A friend Bernadine could also use your prayers, as you will read.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
After a night of sleep I wake up most mornings with the question to the Lord of what He would have me write. I never know how He will lead me and often it is a surprise. I go to the scriptures and also to some devotionals online from Fuller seminary and other writers and often it sparks something in me to write.
   Recently I have been concerned for friends going through some serious health issues and as I read Debbie McDaniel’s words, she shared scriptures to start our day. One of the scriptures was Psalm 91 which is one I memorized when going through a tough time years ago. But this day the words meant more as I thought of our friend Bill, who I asked you to pray for, as he received his kidney transplant. I prayed that the Lord would be his refuge and strength and that no evil would befall him; also that God would protect him and as verse 16 says, “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” I praised the Lord for His watchfulness over Bill and how well he was doing with vital signs good, kidney working and walking laps around the nurses’ desk.. Bill’s help came from the Lord!
    I also have concern for my friend Bernadine who was just healing up from a fractured wrist and other symptoms from an encounter with a dog. She emailed that she was going to the ER as she had fallen down the stairs and later found out she had 3 fractures ribs and a broken collarbone etc. She lives alone but her former roommate was finally able to get a hold of her by phone and prayed for her. She emailed that Bernadine was a trooper and upbeat and full of faith.” Just like another scripture McDaniel had given from Psalm 46, Bernadine’s help was from the Lord, her very present help in trouble. She was not fearful for she knew the Lord was with her and she was not moved but trusting Him.
    A third scripture given was Psalm 121 about our help coming from the Lord. I thought of our friend in a nearby apartment whose sight is failing and her hearing diminishing. She is aware of her need for help from the Lord and as it says in verses 7-8, “The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.” Even though her sight and hearing is poor, God is with her and she is in His keeping power.
   As we read verses of scripture each day, may they speak to our hearts and applied to our lives as we claim the wonderful promises that are given.
Challenge for today: Read one of the Psalms and meditate on it as you go about your day. 
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy