Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a good day full of sunshine. I just finished making pork chops smothered in apples, Christmas blossom cookies, and rice krispie treats. Al loves to be my sampler and also gets to lick all the bowls. We had a fun party last night with so much food, fun games, Santa and his helper showing up, and ended with Silent Night by candlelight. This afternoon we are invited to friends for fellowship and prayer.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  How much do we think we are worth? Not our net worth but worth to our parents and friends and others? If we don’t think we are worth much we will not develop all the gifts God has given us and those traits of our own uniqueness that sets us apart from all others. Maybe we have an inferiority complex as we had to live in a sibling’s shadow, or a parent died when we were young and we didn’t receive much affirmation. Even if that were true, we can know we have great worth in God’s sight. We are the crown of His creation, the apple of His eye, and someone He delights in, loves, cherishes and gave His life for. Good to know He does not have favorites: we are priceless to Him for He loves each of us as if we were the only one.

  So why do we doubt or think that others are worth more? The enemy loves to tell us others are more gifted, better looking, more successful, and surely, they are worth more. But we need to view ourselves, not with self-doubts but in light of how Jesus sees us. He willingly gave His life for us, so He must have felt we were worth a lot. How many of us would give our lives for another? When I see a new born baby being loved by parents and adored by grandparents, it helps me take in my own worth. That baby doesn’t do anything to earn love; in fact, the baby demands a lot of time and attention. But the baby can’t do anything to prove his worth, only let himself be loved. We need to accept our place as His beloved child and receive His love that sets us free to be who He made us to be. It’s almost too good to be true! The Lord doesn’t compare us with others, as there is only one like us ever and we are a unique person of His creation.

  In faith we need to open our hearts and receive from the Lord as He desires to pour out His love on us and tell us how precious we are as His sons and daughters. No one else is a threat to us, as He shows no favoritism, and His love is unconditional. Since He loves you also, I don’t need to fear He won’t have enough love for me for He is love!  As Jer. 31:3 says, ” I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

  Challenge for today: Be aware of how much you are loved and valued and be spontaneous and uninhibited and just yourself!
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy