Dear Ones,
Hope you have a blessed day. I plan to make apple pie and go to Exercise class, Crafts and Bible Study. So far my computer is still holding and I am thankful.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How many of us like times of testing? And yet they come to each of us, usually unannounced.  When God tests us, he sees if we really trust Him or if we are full of a lot of empty words. Testing times show us as well what is in our own hearts and if what we say is true and genuine. We may be surprised at times how we may overreact when going through small tests and then do well in the big ones. I suspect it is because we go in our own power when the trials seem rather insignificant but we acknowledge how much we need God’s help in going through the big trials.
Sometimes we have to take the test again as we didn’t pass the first time. The Lord may not move us on until we do, or we would not be ready for what He has for us next. When Al and I went through a testing in one of our churches, we learned a lot and came to know in a deep way that the Lord would see us through. It was what we needed before we ran a retreat house for pastors and wives in order to understand problems they faced. I thanked the Lord that He tested us, but did wonder afterwards if we passed? Would we have to go through something like this again?  So far we have never had to. It was a learning time, a hard time, but one thing I came to know: that God is enough! He will walk with us through whatever comes. He is trustworthy, faithful, and loving.

The Lord wants to refine us and as it says in Psalm 66:10, “ For you, O God, have tested us as silver is tried.” The Message says, “He trained us first, passed us like silver through refining fires…pushed us to our very limit, road-tested us inside and out.” The Amplified says, “He wants to prove us, try us as silver is tried, refined and purified.” I’m sure all of us have experienced the heat of the refining fire, as our imperfections are burned. May only the silver remain that we will be ready for whatever He has for us next.

Challenge for today: When going through the fire, ask the Lord what you are to learn and lean hard into Him.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy