Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! All good things must come to an end and we are going home this morning after 2 wonderful days with extended family. We feel blessed in every way. Yesterday my brother and his wife invited us for a wonderful meal at their apartment and in the evening, everyone gathered together for pizza and games. Good news that Bill had successful open-heart surgery yesterday so thank you for the prayers.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We may take pleasure in God, but do we know that God actually has joy in our pleasure? I was reading today from Eccl 9:7 and Wise King Solomon says, “Seize life! Eat bread with gusto. Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes-God takes pleasure in your pleasure!” I imagine it is much like us as parents, as we find delight to see our kids having fun and enjoying life, it brings us pleasure too.

I have always believed that when we know the Lord, we should live in joy and delight in each day. We have been released from the bondage of our sins and we don’t have to spend all our days earning forgiveness and love, but just receive it. I guess I have never thought of the Lord taking pleasure in my enjoyment of the life He has given me right now. Things may change in our future but Iet us live each day in joy of His presence and the gifts He has given us.

Our part is to accept His gifts but not that pleasure is our goal that we need to pursue. In fact, haven’t we all seen people who live for retirement as they think of the things they want to do, but like Eugene Peterson writes, “The pursuit of pleasure leads to a swamp of boredom.” Pleasure is something we receive and a gift to enjoy but not our goal. Our goal is to love and serve the Lord and also to enjoy His gifts to us. There are times I may sit by the Lake in the sun, looking out over the water and realize how rich my life is and how content I am.

Let us realize pleasures can’t be bought and we are to look to the Joy Giver Himself, and receive His gifts to us that will result in pleasure. As we seek Him first and foremost, our hearts will also open up to be loving and generous with others and bring joy to them. I suspect that brings double pleasure to the Lord.

Challenge for today: Seek the Lord throughout your day and as you experience pleasure and joy, pause to give thanks to Him.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy