Dear Ones,
Hope you wake to a day of peace. Today I will be going to my exercise class (much needed since I missed walking yesterday and have had rich desserts), craft class, and Bible study.  After our company yesterday our grandson came, and he cleaned up the leftovers. Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
When we come to know the Lord, we are traveling together with other believers on a road that leads us closer to the Lord and an eternity with Him and one another. We are going the same direction and have the same destination, so it is important that we get along and help each other along the way. I like to read scripture from more than one translation as it helps me see things, I may not otherwise be aware of. Today I was in Ephesians 4 in the Message translation, and it gives me a big picture of the Body of Christ traveling well together and hints as to how to get along on the journey.

  Because a person is a Christian doesn’t mean we will just naturally get along, but we may need to work at it; Paul gives some good pointers in Ephesians 4 as to how to stay unified. It made me think of our past mission teams to Mexico as we traveled many miles in the church van together, did ministry and then a long trip home again. We had to not focus on what we wanted but what was good for the whole. Some team members were easier to get along with and a few might have been challenging for the whole team. Paul tells us to have humility and “steadily pour ourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.” He goes on to say we need to all grow up and keep in step with one another and be permeated with Oneness. He encourages us to use the gifts we were given and let God reproduce His character in us.

 Paul also warns us against lying to each other and to be truth tellers instead, saying what would help them. We are to be gentle and sensitive to one another and watch out for back biting. Yes, we may get angry with one another, but we aren’t to stay that way but quick to make amends. What Paul is telling the people is not just for them but also for us today, whether it be with others at church or our family members, to remember we are on the same team with an awesome destination. Let us not make it harder for them but use our gifts to encourage them. Who knows, they may be ushered into heaven first and will one day reach out to welcome us into our eternal glory.

Challenge for today: Travel in oneness on the journey and be humble and forgiving with others along the way.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy