Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Severe weather is predicted for us this afternoon with a possible tornado so we are praying for calm weather. I am going to Aldi’s and my exercise class this morning and will stay home this afternoon!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus prays for us? Before Jesus was crucified and left this earth, He prayed for his disciples and also for us that we would be one as He is with His Father. We read his prayer in John 17:20-21, “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me…that they may all be one.” The Message translation says that they can be of one heart and mind and that includes us today. Jesus wants to be intimate with us, but He also wants us to enter into deep relationship with one another. We are not rivals or competing with one another, but we are one Body with countless other believers who have gone before us, are with us now, or will be together with us in the future.
I like to read books I find in Al’s study and one lately that challenged me was learning from those who have gone before us: the saints who are now in glory. We can gain from their experiences, be inspired by their faith and sacrifices, and learn how to walk out our life with the Lord in a deeper way. Much of what we see in today’s church is shallow and watered down, as we seem to need worship to be glitzy, programs may be only self-help and somehow, we are missing what it means to worship and experience the Lord. We have much to learn from those in the past who sought the Lord, were devoted to serving Him, and sacrificed, letting us know there is more awaiting us to experience. Sometimes old ways will help us to live in new ways for the Lord. We can also learn from their mistakes and failures and see our own blind spots if we are open and teachable.
May we not get confused by contemporary spirituality that lacks substance and integrity. Spirituality is rather fashionable word in today’s world but often lacks discipline or even believing in any faith tradition. It can cater to our own interests and tastes. How different it is from those who were martyred for their witness, monastics, and missionaries who left all to go to foreign lands, etc. May we open our hearts to the Lord and learn from those in our past as well as those in our present.
Challenge for today: Take time to be open to new ways the Lord may speak to you.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy