Dear Ones,
Hope your day is full of joy.  Al will be off to Men’s group this morning and I plan to go for my treatment and also bake bread and make crock pot stew. This afternoon we have Bible study Emojiand later going to Costco.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Would we say our source of joy is the Lord, or in our hearts do we live life that depends on the actions of others to make us happy? If it is the latter, we will always be disappointed. I think of newlywed couples who have expectations that their mate will meet all their needs and not disappoint them. But it isn’t long into the marriage when each ones’ selfishness sort of oozes out and they are left feeling let down and even angry. But we must all come to know that no person can meet all our needs, only the Lord.

The Lord is to be our source and strength, not others. Even though they may be close to us, the pressure on any person for our happiness is too much, for only the Lord can fill that place.   David sang in Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped therefore my heart exalts, and with my song I shall thank Him.” There were many people in David’s life that would certainly have been disappointing, including King Saul and his own son Absolum etc. Our expectancy and our hope must be in the Lord. (Psalm 27:2)

We must also guard against thinking the worse will happen to us, especially if we have had a troubled childhood or abusive marriage or been betrayed. Instead of looking for that to happen again, we can ask the Lord to change our expectations, for the Lord is the source of goodness and joy. John Newton penned the words to the song Amazing Grace as he recognized that all goodness is from the Lord. “The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be as longs as life endures.”
 
Challenge for today: Give up expectations of others for your happiness and thank the Lord He is your source of all goodness.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy