Dear Ones,
Happy weekend! May we live this day with an open heart! Cleaning is on my agenda today and hope to do some writing etc.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We all need people we can be real with and disclose what is going on in our hearts. Recently, a friend wrote that her pastor is preaching on relationships and emphasized how important it is to have trusted friends who will speak Jesus into our lives. That means freedom to share anything. When I got her e-mail, I had just read a chapter in John Ortberg’s book about that very thing! Ortberg writes of how he fully discloses himself to another man each weekday morning before 7 a.m. as they share and pray together, for they know each other’s struggles.

It isn’t easy to tell someone else about our blunders, our embarrassing moments, and the many things we are ashamed of. But the truth, is we all fall short, we all have problems and we all do wrong and sin every single day, if not in actions, we sin in our thoughts. We don’t have to share it necessarily with our counselor, pastor, or life coach, but it can be an ordinary person who is willing to hear our story and help us be known and accepted. Instead of hiding, we share things and bring them into the light where healing may take place. It is truly a gift! James says as he nears the ending of his letter, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

Lately, I have been praying that I would be more of an open book before the Lord and others. That means also showing my struggles, being honest about areas I need to change in my behavior, and also in my attitude. Proverbs 28:13 (Message) puts it well, “You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.” We will experience God’s mercy as we are open, confess our sins and receive forgiveness and healing. Let us admit our faults to ourselves, to God and to another caring and listening friend when led.

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to reveal a hidden area of your life that needs to be dealt with, then confess it to Him and to another.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy