Dear Ones,
A blessed Memorial Day as we honor those who gave their lives for our country.
We had a fun weekend at the lake and enjoyed being with family, a picnic/birthday party, games,
and time to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Beginnings are important but we need the Lord’s help to finish well also. We can start out in a ministry and be doing great and then go off on our own and suffer disgrace. We forget who is giving us the power to do the work God has called us into. Saul was such a person. He was anointed by Samual to be king and the people responded with enthusiastic approval. He was very tall and handsome and a good general winning victories over their enemies. But along the way he began to disobey God and didn’t fully carry out His instructions; like the time he was told to destroy completely the Amalekites and all their possessions, but he allowed the people to keep back animals for sacrifices. To obey only halfway is disobedience and it seems to lead to more disobedience and a bad ending.

Eugene Peterson writes how David was anointed to be king while Saul reigned, but it wasn’t until 20 years later that he actually ruled and reigned as king. In the meantime, he learned how to rule with a servant’s heart How about us? What does our work reveal about us? Does it express our values and convictions, or do we do we hide behind our role and present ourselves as how we think others want to see us in a certain way? Some employees are shocked when they see their boss at a Christian rally as they had no idea that they knew the Lord. That doesn’t say much for their everyday behavior at work. Peterson writes, “The place in which God’s purposes are developed in our lives is a workplace in which we learn how to do king work.”  The way we do our work is equally important as the work we actually do. That includes being the CEO or being a housewife.

If we are to finish well in life, we need to be aware of the Lord in whatever work we do and do it for His glory. Our work should stand as a witness to others as to who reigns in our lives. Each day God desires that our work will develop our character and express His love. As it says in Isaiah 60:1 (Amplified), “Arise (from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life)! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!”

Challenge for today: Let His light shine through all you do, and may you finish well, and all glory to Him.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy