Dear Ones,
Hope you have a joy-filled weekend. I plan to try a new recipe with zucchini, and go shopping before my Kohl’s coupons expire!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Some of us today may feel our circumstances are not what we would ever choose. In fact they seem unmanageable, and we may feel hopeless and start complaining. But we have a choice, and can choose our thoughts, words, attitudes and how we respond. Some may feel depressed and hopeless, but others may feel that it won’t always be this way and see the rainbow on the horizon. When we know the Lord loves us and cares for us, we can hope in the goodness of the Lord and praise Him even before anything outwardly changes.

It helps to review the past, remembering God’s power at work in our lives as David often did. He recalled when he killed the lion and the bear who were after his sheep, and the slaying of the huge giant with just a pebble. When we give praise to the Lord, we find faith arises in our heart and we find strength in Him. We don’t need to continually elaborate our problems, sharing them with all our friends. Rather share God’s promises that will break the enemy’s lies, and help us remember the Lord is on our side and He will see us through. We have David’s words in Psalm 37: 23-24, “The steps of a (good) man are directed and established by the Lord. Though he fall, he will not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him.”

Our biggest need is to trust the Lord, press on and find our hope in Him. When we studied Philippians in our Bible study at Northern Lakes, we discovered it is so full of joy. If we are to live a joyful hope-filled life, we need to believe the best, rather than the worst in our situations and in the people around us. See the good!! God is so worthy of our trust and He can take the hard things in our lives, use them for God and give us beauty for ashes!

Challenge for today: Hope in the Lord and let the joy of the Lord be your strength today. (Neh.8:10)
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy