Dear Ones,

I am sending this out early for tomorrow’s devotional since we will be leaving early for Des Moines and then on to Kansas on Friday. Prayers appreciated. We plan to see dear friends who we haven’t seen for some time and they coming to our hotel and also out for supper. 

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Jesus showed love to everyone and didn’t exclude those who some people thought were outcasts or those who differed in some way. Are we open as Jesus was to all and treat each person equally? So many promises Jesus made were to whoever believes in Him, or confessed Him, or called on Him. We are invited to be included in that whoever, for His promises are to those who respond to Him in faith.
Let us ask ourselves if we treat others without partiality, especially those who are not like us with different outlooks, views, and socioeconomic status, etc. In our hearts do we tend to exclude them, even when we may not do so outwardly? Does our circle of friends include only people who are just like us? When we lived in Des Moines we had a second parsonage that housed missionary families at various times, and also a sponsored family from Laos. I enjoyed trying to get a feel for their world, how they viewed things, sample their dishes and tried to make some of them as well. (Our kids especially loved when I made egg rolls!) We can learn much when we share our lives and our beliefs with others with open hearts.

We must remember we are all equal in God’s sight, and we should treat others without favoritism and with His love. It may take us out of our comfort zone when we include others that are far different from us, but as we open our hearts to them, our own hearts are enlarged. James says in James 2:8, “You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: ‘Love others as you love yourself.’” Jesus especially mentions loving the lonely, poor, oppressed, widows and orphans. As we do, we honor Him.

May the Lord help us to express His love to all we meet, especially those in need, and we may find that we are the ones that are poor if we lack love.

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the needs of others around you and be willing to open your heart to share His love.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy