Dear Ones,
Hope you have a day of remembering. I plan to go to Exercise class and Crafts and later Bible Study today. Your question this week is who in your life do you feel has sacrificed for you? You probably have so many but which ones come to mind first when you think of people who have put their own needs aside to meet needs you have had. I’m sure you have sacrificed for others as well.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Have you ever thought of the people in your life that have sacrificed for you? It is a question my prayer partner and I are to think about and write about until we meet together next time. Maybe your first response would be to think of your childhood and all that your mom did in selfless acts for you, often ignoring her own needs. Or would you think of a friend who stood by you when going through the worst times of your life?

When I was reading from a devotional from Mark Roberts of Fuller Seminary, he shared about the four friends who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. (Mark 2:1-12) At that time, Jesus had gained so much popularity that the house he was in as He preached was jammed with wall-to-wall people wanting to hear Him. When the friends realized they were never going to be able to get past them to get their friend close to Jesus, they didn’t give up. Instead they decided to carry him up the outdoor stairway to the rooftop and lower him down between the rafters. That meant removing the branches and the dried mud of the roof first, which may have put them in trouble with the homeowner. It didn’t deter them, for they had already sacrificed to carry their friend there on his mat to make sure Jesus healed him. When Jesus saw their faith, He healed the man and told him his sins were forgiven. Wow! The paralytic’s life was forever changed. Wouldn’t we all like to have friends like that who sacrificed and didn’t give up?

We might ask ourselves if we would also be such a friend who is bold and sacrificial to help bring others to the Lord. How much do we care about those around us who have no idea who Jesus is and are headed towards an eternity without Him? Will we do all we can to carry them in our prayers and share our faith with them and not give up? Let us be grateful for those who have prayed for us and sacrificed for us, and then be those who will do the same for others.

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to show you those that He would have you carry in prayer and to boldly share your faith with them.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy