Dear Ones,
Hope you have a great weekend. Today is party day here so we will be going to Costco to get the cake.
So glad it is warming up a little so we can start walking outside rather than the underground.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I think most of us would admit we are weary of the fallout from the pandemic, even as some are still getting Covid and need to quarantine. For the most part we have made it through, but we find we need to strengthen our hearts and regain our weakened resilience. How do we do that so we live in peace and enjoy life without fear? We see so much turmoil in our country and can lose hope, but our hope isn’t in the right circumstances but in the Lord. John Eldredge’s book, Resilient, is about restoring our souls in these turbulent times by letting the river that flows from God flow through us. We need to open our hearts and souls to the One who rules over all, who has been, and will always be!

How do we gain back our resilience, have reserves, and live without fear? None of us know what will happen in the future, but one thing we do know is the One who holds the future. We read in Hebrews 3:1 that “He upholds the universe by the word of His power.” When we spend more time watching the news or reading the newspaper than we do reading the Word, our hearts will get fearful and anxious. No matter how dark the times we live in, we don’t have to fear for He is with us. It is good to memorize Psalm 23, remember who our Shepherd is, and to sit beside quiet waters so our souls can be refreshed.

Sadly, the enemy wants us to quit, and he has persuaded many pastors, long-term missionaries and many in public ministries to give up. Jesus warned us in Luke 21 that before He comes again, there will be distress on the earth and people will faint with fear. He warns us to watch ourselves and not to be weighed down, but to stay awake, pray, and stand strong. I think we would all admit we have become a Comfort Culture with kids growing up having everything done for them, but it leaves us all weakened. When trials and hard times come, many give up on God and feel He isn’t coming through.

The choice is ours if we are willing to fight against the enemy and choose to resist the enemy’s tactics. Our trust is to be in our mighty God, as the Psalmist says in Psalm 125:1, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” Let us have a single heart for the Lord and ask for His help to stay strong and not moved.

Challenge for today: Chose the Lord and His strength to help you stand strong in His power and never give up!
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy