Dear Ones,
Hope you had a blessed Christmas Day as you celebrated the wondrous day of Jesus Birth. We left early yesterday morning
for a hotel in the cities where we were joined by almost 50 of our relatives. We had a feast for supper and so many goodies
to try as each family shared news of the past year and God’s faithfulness to us. Lots of games followed and so many treats.
My brother and wife also invited a woman they met at church that didn’t have a place to go and she joined us for supper and
an evening of games and was included in family.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
God comes to us in many ways and speaks to us through His Word, through others, through dreams and visions, even verbally. Our part is to be open, listen and do whatever He tells us. We have so many examples in scripture of those who heard God speak and then did exactly what He said. Moses, Abraham and the prophets were quick to obey, for the most part. Hearing is important, but also doing what is spoken to us.

I wonder if I have mentioned to you of the night I was soundly sleeping and woke in the middle of the night, unable to go back to sleep. A message came to me of something that I had never thought of before or considered, and it was a bit puzzling. It still is. At first, I wondered where it was coming from and wanted to ignore it, but yet it was so unexpected and definite. I asked the Lord if I was hearing right, gaving it thought and prayer for three hours. I could not go back to sleep until I said yes to the Lord. Even if I don’t understand the why, I know that when and if He desires, He will let me know. His will is always best!

Later, a friend sent me a message of the story of Samuel as a young boy who heard a voice in the night three times and thought it was Eli calling him. (I Samuel 3) But the priest realized it must be the Lord and told him to answer, “Speak Lord for your servant hears.” Samuel did exactly that and was open and willing to hear what God said.

Sometimes a word may come to us that does not fit our expectations or what we want to hear. But may we be like young Samuel and embrace whatever it is.

Challenge for today: When you sense the Lord speaking to you, listen with the intent to obey.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy