Dear Ones,
I am sending this out tonight as we are leaving very early tomorrow morning to go to Kansas to be with our son’s family for Thanksgiving. Appreciate prayers for safe travels. We will be having a Thanksgiving dinner when we arrive and then another one on Thanksgiving at the home of Devin’s grandparents. Hope each of you will have a very blessed thanksgiving!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Our hearts matter! The Lord looks on our hearts and sees what is real and not our glowing words that are not backed by reality. I am in the book of Isaiah now and Isaiah was called of God to awaken the people’s hearts, warn them of what would happen if they didn’t obey God and encourage them to go God’s way. The Lord was sick of their sacrifices because the people were at the same time being unfaithful to Him. In Isaiah 1:11a the Lord says, “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to me (unless they are the offering of the heart)?” He goes on to tell them He has had enough of their hallow offerings and says, “Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (verse 17) In other words let your actions show what is in your hearts.

This word is also for us today for our actions speak volumes of what is really in our heart. We can give a big check in the offering plate on Sunday morning, but yet our heart can be far from the Lord. God’s love is to be the motivating factor for all that we do. In fact, others will know that we belong to the Lord by the love we show to everyone. (John 13:35). That doesn’t mean just showing love to those who treat us well but even our enemies. (ouch! That is a hard one)  But we become more selfless, and our lives will begin to overflow with kindness and generosity to all, even those who mistreat us. We also share what the Lord has given to us and in selfless openness to the needs around us. We are to be guided by the Spirit and He often leads us to surprising places to share God’s love. All the while we are learning more how to die to our own selves and be faithful to Him.

Let us not forget the Holy Spirit is our helper and wants to guide us and help us respond with His love that will splash out on others. May we continually let Him change our hearts like the song goes, “Change my heart O God, Make it ever true; Change my heart, O God, May I be like you. (Chorus) You are the Potter, I am the clay; Mold me and make me, This is what I pray.”

Challenge for today: Let your prayer be the words of the song, Change my heart O God.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy