Dear Ones,
Hope you had a great weekend. Al enjoyed his birthday yesterday as we went out for dinner after church, all the kids called, had popcorn and cake and watched football etc. Today I need to go to my exercise class to help get rid of all the calories!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How faithful are we to do the work that God has called us to and to do it for His glory, not for any self-importance. I have been reading Ann Graham Lotz’s book Preparing to Meet Jesus and love her emphasis on doing what God calls us to do in the little things as well as the big things in our lives as we prepare to meet Him some day. Her book centers around the story of Abraham who sends his servant to seek a woman of character from his home town of Haran to marry his son Isaac. He did not want him to choose one from any pagan tribes but wanted a godly wife for his son from his extended family.

The servant was faithful and traveled far as he prayed that God would show him the right woman to bring back for Isaac. He came to a well where a young beautiful woman carried a jar on her shoulder to get water. Not exactly exciting work, but she was faithfully doing her work with God’s eye upon her. The servant asked her for water and must have been dusty and thirsty after his long journey. Rebecca responded quickly and kindly to the stranger. When she had given him a drink she said she would water his camels too. That was no small chore for he had 10 camels and could each drink up to 30 gallons of water which could have been as much as 300 gallons of water. She came from a privileged family but was humble and did more than asked. It was exactly as the servant had prayed that he would recognize Gods choice if the woman would not only give him a drink but offer to water his camels too. Rebecca did not know this but she was rewarded and received a blessing that changed her life.

The servant asked her questions about her family and went home with her where her father and brother heard the story of his mission and granted permission for Rebecca to go. Quite a shock for her to leave her home and family to go with the servant to become the wife of Isaac whom she had never met. She must have thought God was at work in all of it, for her heart was open and she was willing to ride a camel for 450 miles to marry Isaac. What if she had said no and missed Gods best for her life.

Our journey is different that of selfless Rebecca’s but are we willing to forsake our plans to choose God’s will above our own will. Let us keep our eyes on the Bride Groom and prepare ourselves for the day He will welcome us into our heavenly home.

Challenge for today: Be focused and make yourself ready for the Marriage feast of the lamb.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy