Dear Ones,
Happy Weekend to you! Hope you have time to relax and reflect. Al is going to his dentist appointment and I plan to be in the kitchen cooking and baking.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We all go through battles and sometimes they may seem endless. They don’t define us but rather refine us and have purpose. Most of us will say, as many of the Psalmists, we want the battles over and ask, “Lord, how long is this going to last and when will it be over?” Only the Lord knows as He sees our hearts and is training us, transforming us to be people of faith and courage, and to know how to fight the enemy.

We have choices to make in the midst of whatever is happening as to how we will respond. We can feel sorry for ourselves and become hopeless and fearful, or we can respond in faith and hope, becoming courageous. It is helpful at such times to remember the promises He has given us that remind us we are not alone, He walks beside us and equips us for the battle. I often pray Psalm 91 that God is my refuge and fortress no matter what comes. Verses 14-15 are especially encouraging, “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.”

The storms that come into our life expose our foundation. Do we really trust the Lord? Do we believe He loves us, will deliver us and protect us? Even though we don’t know how long the battle will be, He will never leave us and we can count on that. Let us give Him our fears, our questions, our trials and trustingly wait for His answers. Then as we look back on the hard places God took us through, we know it was only His strength that carried us.

Challenge for today: Dare to ask the Lord to refine you through each battle you encounter and never give up, but grow in His strength and purpose.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy