Dear Ones,
Hope you take time for the Lord today. Yesterday afternoon Al and I went to see Susan who you have prayed for in the past. She is in the hospital with a broken leg and getting over Covid. Please pray for her healing. It is so beautiful to see her rest
in the Lord. I’m sure she would love to get back to Birchwood for Christmas but it may be some time before that happens.
This afternoon Al and I are going to friends for coffee and sharing time and prayer.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Let us ask ourselves during this Advent season if we are making room for Jesus and taking time with Him. We can get caught up with many things we could do to prepare for Christmas, but what is most important? How do we keep spiritually awake and give our attention to the Lord?

One morning, Al left before 7 a.m. for the men’s group while I baked some cookies, filling the apartment with aroma. I had my devotional time and decided to just sit in the dark with only our little Christmas tree lit up and have time with the Lord. I had just read about the shepherds who were interrupted in their night watch by light from heaven and an angel who announced good news of Jesus birth, accompanied by a host of angels giving glory to God. The shepherds were not too busy to quickly go to see Jesus, returning full of joy and praising God. What if they had felt they were too occupied to go? Just think of what they would have missed!

Jesus waits for us every day and desires to spend the day with us, but how much we miss when we hurry by and don’t give our attention to Him! What if we slowed down our pace and let lesser things go. I had just read an email from a friend who was excited to be going to go to a praise service that afternoon, and had also been fellowshipping with a new Christian. She was on God’s time! As I sat in the dark my focus went to the cross on the wall and the words to a song came to mind that gave words to what was in my heart. “How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me? Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee. To God be the glory…”

Let us slow down, enjoy His presence and listen to Him speak to our hearts.

Challenge for today:  Meditate on Psalm 145: 2-3, “Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.”
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy