Dear Ones,
Hope you have a wonderful weekend. I plan to make Finnish pasty today and do some writing and maybe start cleaning closets etc.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I am reading the book of Ephesians in my early morning devotions and as I read Eph. 2:10 recently I was reminded that we were created to join the Lord in the work He does, and specifically for the things He has for us to do each day. In Eph. 2:10 Paul says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” If we are following the Lord, then we may have to make changes daily to follow His will so we can embrace what His plan is for us.

Do we always welcome change? I doubt it, at least I don’t. When Al says, “I’ve been thinking…” I say to myself, Oh no! What does he have in mind and will I be changing my plans!? Often after he teaches Bible Study, he says to me, “I’ve been thinking…”  I can finish his sentence for I know he wants to go to Culver’s for ice cream and I proceed to get ready. That change is not hard to make, but not all change is easy.

When we know the Lord and follow Him our life will be full of changes, for we want to live like Him. That means rather than depending on our own strength and abilities, we lean into His strength. Instead of being angry and holding grudges, we forgive. We think first of others rather than ourselves and what will make us happy. It means we change and become generous rather than selfishly holding on to everything. We begin to live by faith rather than how we are feeling at the time. It could be that our heart begins to trust the Lord in deeper ways as we go through hard times rather than getting upset.

Others should be able to tell we are Christians if we are loving, rely on the Lord, and are other-centered. We could ask: are we willing to change, enter into all He has for us to be and do, and to share His love with others? His plans are best and we can do all things through Him because He gives us strength. (Phil. 4:13)

Challenge for today: Memorize Phil. 4:13 and take it with you today.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy