Dear Ones, Hope you have a wonderful day. Last night was our last night to see Mark’s family before they go back home to N.C. We have had a wonderful 10 days with them and lots of sharing, games, meals together and we will miss them. I do already!  Today we are invited to friends for coffee and fellowship!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Friendships are important in our lives, and if we have all the money in the world but have no friends, we are poor. Since our family has moved around as a clergy family, we have friends in different parts of the country who remain good friends for life. I am always excited when we go to see Kurt’s family, as we also stop on our way to Kansas so I can have lunch with a friend that I see only a couple times a year. I look forward to those times, counting the days and always go away from time together with a full heart.

Recently, I read what Jamon Guinasso had to say about friendship with the Lord. He doesn’t mean calling on the Lord only when we have a crisis or some specific need when we want His help, but treasuring His friendship all the time. In other words, we want His friendship more than the outcome for us. We know Moses spoke with God face to face, and Abraham was called a friend of God three times in the Bible. In James 2:23 it says,” And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; And he was called the friend of God.” Jesus had many names given him: He is our Savior, Lord, Prince of peace, Wonderful, Counselor, etc. We have a wall hanging given us by our congregation in Brunswick on our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. Since then, it has accompanied us on all of our moves and hangs in our living room now. I often look at it as Al and I meet together for prayer on the sofa each morning. I am reminded of the Lord’s greatness, and yet He desires friendship with us.

Abraham built altars in pivotal places where God spoke to him as a mark of God’s nearness and friendship. We most likely will not make an altar, but Guinasso suggests recording in a journal the times God has met with us. If asked who we are, may we say with deep conviction, “I am a friend of God!!”

Challenge for today: Spend time with the Lord talking to Him throughout your day as your best friend.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy