Dear Ones,
May you have a grace-filled day today. I plan to do food prep, bake cookies and work on Christmas cards today and later have Women’s Bible study.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
It is sad when we see friends or family following the Lord, and then suddenly turning back because they are discouraged and feel they are failing and not having victory over their sins. But perhaps the biggest thing is they slip into self-reliance and try to go in their own strength rather than the Lord’s and it doesn’t work, for we all wear out. We have to go in the power of the Spirit with the humility to know we can’t do it on our own.

Our own efforts will never be enough, for the bottom line is that we must trust God and listen to the voice of the Spirit. So many start out well but then slip into trying to do it on their own or take back their will rather than doing God’s will. We need to be attentive to the promptings of the Spirit and respond right away, rather than waiting and deciding if we want to do what He is directing.

Maybe we have a wrong image of the Lord, thinking He is harsh and will hold us back from enjoying life. No, He came to give us fullness of life and joy as we cooperate with His grace. Without Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5) We must let go of self-reliance and grab hold of God-reliance and live in His grace.

What I have pondered lately is that we cannot do any good works for the Lord except if He produces them in us by His Spirit.  But even when we live a life of prayer and show compassion to others, etc., it was all prepared in advance by God. And of course, all the credit and glory then goes to Him, for it all originated with Him and not our own doing. We can plan and act, but all that we do comes from His grace.

Let us receive His grace and walk in it as we thank Him that all that we are and have and do comes from His grace.
Challenge for today: Memorize: “For by grace you have been saved through faith and it is not your own doing. It is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy