Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! The snow has been beautiful out our window but hope it will be disappearing soon so spring will come! Today I am going to spend time in the closet as I got some free containers that stack and want to use them for a less cluttered look.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Jesus’ way is so opposite of the world’s and as His followers our responses to others should show who we belong to. Our natural way is often opposite of what Jesus would do. I was reading in Luke 6 and Jesus is telling the crowd to do for other people everything we want them to do for us. He specifically mentions those who do not treat us well that we would respond His way. “Love your enemies. Be kind to those who hate you. Pray for those who insult you…Love your enemies, help them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back…Stop judging and you will never be judged. Stop condemning, and you will never be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven…Give and you will receive.”

These are all beautiful words but how hard they are to put into practice. We need to be filled with God’s love, need to die to self and not feed our egos, need to look at our own hearts rather than pointing out what we see in the hearts of others. God’s way is one of humility and when our hearts are right before the Lord, even the hard things can bring blessings and bear fruit. I also read from Proverbs 15 and wise King Solomon really opens our eyes to what happens when we go Jesus’ way. Instead of a sharp answer to others, “A gentle response defuses anger.”  Instead of cutting words, “Kind words heal and help.”

Our hearts are also amazingly changed as we go His way and Solomon says “The lives of God-loyal people flourish,” and “a cheerful heart fills the day with song,” also “an obedient, God-willed life is spacious.” He goes on to say we first learn humility, then we experience glory.

Challenge for today: The next time someone is angry calmly respond and use gentle words and watch God work.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy