Dear Ones,
May you wake to a day of sunshine! We are again at Shelbyville, Kentucky at the same Fairfield that we were at on our way to Mark’s. We are on our way home now and got in a lot of rain and wind yesterday. We hope to make it to Iowa City tomorrow night and then home by Wed. evening. We thank the Lord for the wonderful time with Mark’s family and also thank you for prayers for our trip home.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
It is beneficial to count our blessings, for instead of thinking of losses in our lives we think of the treasures we have been given. Perhaps you have sung the song, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” It is important to live our lives fully, remember how we have been blessed and give thanks.
Sometimes we may count our regrets instead of blessings, but we can’t alter our past for it only blocks us from living a bright future. However, we can change our attitude toward what has been, giving thanks that the Lord has rescued us from our past and is present with us every moment. There are times we are not aware of His closeness and that is the perfect time to start praising Him and thanking Him. I find as I do this, it seems like the clouds part and I see deeper into His love for me. Maybe praising also helps us surrender on a deeper level to the Lord as we put Him first above all other things. He is to be our Center, not on the periphery and we were meant to live deeply in Him. May we keep a sense of joy and purpose for each day.
Let us be like the one leper who was healed and came back to Jesus to give Him thanks, unlike the other nine who never gave thanks for the One who changed their lives. Every day we are recipients of God’s mercy and grace. Are we grateful and do we use the gifts He has placed in us? Also, do we trust the Lord and not let anxiety dominate our lives. The Lord doesn’t want us to worry for He is on our side, loves us and His love is enough. We can love others because of how deeply the Lord loves us. Let us read the Sermon on the Mount often (Matthew 5-7) and be thankful and free as the birds of the air, giving thanks in all things.
Challenge for today: Spend 5-10 minutes just thanking the Lord for His gifts to you without asking for anything, but just expressing gratitude.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy