Canaan’s Rest represents a quiet place “set apart” for the purpose of hearing God's voice, growing in intimacy with the Lord, and being renewed in soul and spirit.

Month: May 2012 (Page 1 of 4)

June 1st

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Yesterday the sun was shining as I took my prayer walk and decided to walk the labyrinth at my cousins. Since the snow has gone, I have not done that, and it felt right to slow down and just take some moments to be quiet and pray. As I walked the labyrinth I noticed again all the variety of stones: .all sizes, shapes and colors. It was a reminder to me of the many people that have had an impact on my life. They are so varied with many colored gifts.  I felt grateful as they are truly gifts from above and are sent into my life to keep me on the right path. As I walked slowly, I saw 2 green raspberry stalks growing in the middle of the path. They didn’t belong there and I pulled them out to clear the path. Sometimes there are even good things in our lives but they are not in the right place and timing, and tend to block what we are to do in the now.  We need to remove them so we are free to do what the Lord has for us in the present. When I got to the middle there was a large stone and I sat on it and spent some time in quiet. I thought of Jesus as my rock and I want to just rest in Him. “ The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge. Ps. 18:2  I leisurely walked back out from the center with all it’s turns.. into the world and hopefully to share what I received with others.  It is good to just slow down in our lives and take the time to enjoy the Lord and listen with our hearts.

May 31st

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Yesterday at our Renewal group we were in Romans 8 and talked about living the Spirit filled life.   “It is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God”.  We shared instances when we just knew that it was the Lord and felt led by the Spirit.  Later in the day Kurt called asking for wisdom and prayer to help someone who had was severely depressed. We talked about things that may help, including giving scriptures of hope and encouragement, starting a men’s group to have an “army of men” to stand with the troubled man etc.  When we got off the phone he asked the Lord what scriptures to give and just then a car passed him on I-435 in K.C. with a license plate that read Psalm 91.  Wow! That was also the very scripture that God used in my life when we were going through a difficult time in our church. I memorized it and would quote it over and over in my mind as I was driving places, swimming laps in the pool etc. It gave me strength and courage. When you think of it, we might say it is our 911 number. Ps. 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will abide in the shadow of the almighty.”   Later Kurt also shared that he is beginning a new men’s group that will start this Friday night!  The Spirit is at work and He wants to lead and guide us even in the smallest details, keeping us closely connected to Him.

May 30th

 

Devotions from Judy’s heart

This morning I read from Ps. 112 about how the godly man who fears the Lord is generous, righteous, trusting, gracious, merciful, just, etc. It says that his offspring will be blessed and mighty in the land!  As I read this Psalm I thought of my dad and mom who have given us a wonderful godly inheritance. They have exemplified great generosity, integrity, faith, love etc, Over the weekend we have been discussing with our extended family, the future of the Point ( land with lake on 3 sides) that was given to us kids. How can we preserve it for our future generations?  But we were also reminded of not only our physical inheritance but the godly inheritance that is ours. Al wrote on our blog about it at www.canaansrest.net.   It has been entrusted to us at a cost and now our part is to pass it on to our children. This cannot be bought and we need to fight to maintain our heritage with weapons of love and humility. ( Ps. 37:11)  I am so grateful for what we have been given and think of our eternal inheritance “that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven” for us. I Peter 1:4-5

May 29th

Devotions from Judy’s heart

 One day a friend was sharing about a vegetarian employee that was always telling others around her how they should eat…what was good and what was not. But one day she had to be taken to the hospital, only to be told that she was malnourished and dehydrated herself.  Sometimes we are quick to tell others what is good for them, but don’t discern for ourselves. God has so much to feed us, through many means and sources if we are open to receive. He wants to have balanced children so won’t feed us all sweet things, all acid things etc.  We have the promise in Ps. 81:16, “But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock, I would satisfy you.”  Let us not think we know , but put ourselves into His care to give us just what we need.

A Godly Inheritance

As I write this morning (28th) my heart is very focused on my inheritance and the inheritance that Judy and I have together in the Lord.  Scripture is full of illustrations of receiving an inheritance.  An inheritance is something that has been entrusted to you, sometimes at a deep cost.  God has given his children an inheritance of eternal life, made possible by the death of his son.  I Peter 1:3 tells us that we have received, “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you…”  What I feel deeply this morning is the inheritance I have received from others and in turn my responsibility to pass on to my family a godly inheritance.  “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children (Prov 13:22).

I am blessed to have married into my wife family (the Seburgs).  I have been enriched and nurtured by the spiritual heritage that Stan and Doris so humbly and graciously passed down to my family, both spiritually and materially.  I am very aware that I have a responsibility to pass that on to my family. To that I am committed.  I do not know what is ahead for Judy and I, but I know that we are committed to passing on a “godly seed” to our children and grandchildren.  Some years ago as I was struggling regarding this issue I read Ps. 37 over many times.  The following was  encouragement and a challenge to me. “The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.  In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty (v 21-22).  There is something lasting and enduring about a godly inheritance. 

Men, how aware are you of what you are passing on to your children.  Here are three factors to consider when you think of passing on a godly inheritance.  First, you have received an inheritance.  The fact that you are reading this blog gives an indication tha.t you are concerned about your spiritual life. This is the mercy of God having touched you through the life of others who have gone before.  Never forget, that you stand on the spiritual life imparted to you through others who have gone before you.   Secondly, you will have to “fight” so that your godly inheritance may passed on to your family.  I like to think of it as inheriting the land, similar to the people of Israel.  It was given to them, but they to fight.  When you fight to maintain your heritage and pass it on, you do so with the weapons of love and humility. “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity” (Ps 37:11).  A godly inheritance does not come cheaply. 

Finally when you think of passing on your inheritance, the biggest contributor to your legacy is who you were in the Lord.  Listen to how the Message translates Matt 5:5, “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are – no more, no less.  That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.”  What you pass on to your family can’t be bought.  It is all about what God has done in you.  So this morning, I plead with each man who is read this blog, commit yourself anew to a godly inheritance.   There will be temptations to compromise, doubts about the path ahead and those who will attempt to hijack your inheritance by discrediting who you are.  Determine to be a man of integrity.

Take to heart these words that God gave to young Joshua as he was about to lead the people of God into their inheritance; the promised land. “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them (Joshua 1:5-6).   So take heart, men  – be strong and courageous.  Don’t let anything and anyone rob you of your inheritance and what God is calling you to pass on to your family.

May 28th

 

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Often we may think we are in control and try to make our plans work. But it says in Prov.16:9:  “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”  On this holiday weekend we have been making plans but we can’t carry them all out, as we are dependent on the weather. We wanted to have an outdoor wiener roast but had to gage it according to the weather map which isn’t definite either. We hoped to have it after church but had to stay flexible as we didn’t know if it was going to rain and storm.  But also in our daily spiritual  life we need to stay open and flexible to catch the wind of the Spirit and go whatever way He leads us.  That takes discernment and willingness on our part and an openness to His way verses our way.  But He knows the beginning and the end and we see only partially and not far into the future….. and isn’t  the bottom line that His ways are so much higher and better than our ways?

May 26th

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Before we left on our trip, I walked to our garden and saw that a few of the veggies were peeking out of the soil. Not in every row but I was delighted to see growth in several rows. When we first planted, we had to wait in faith that our work was not in vain. And just seeing some seeds producing is encouraging to believe more is going to happen. I garden with a man who grew up on a farm so he is more expectant of the results than I am. I am always quite amazed when the garden produces a lot. When we sow seeds spiritually, we may get discouraged and think it was in vain if we don’t see results quickly. As we sow, we really don’t know which ones will produce. Some will “produce a crop, multiplying 30, 60, or even 100 times” (Mark 4:8) But let us sow seeds in faith and trust Him for the results. This morning I read a prayer from Mount Carmel ministries which made me think of my own heart: “Gardener God, thank you for tilling the soil of my soul and planting your Word within me. You refresh me with life-giving waters and warm me with the light of your Son. Forgive my fruitlessness. Help me to sow your Word in the soil surrounding me and to trust that your Word will take root. Amen.”

May 25th

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today I read from Ps. 107: “Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good…He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul, He fills with good things,”  Do we believe He is good and gifts us with good things, even when we go through a loss?  

When I was getting ready for company, I put on my favorite earrings that match a couple necklaces. I couldn’t find those little white beadlike backs and didn’t think it mattered since I was only going to be in the house. But later I discovered I had only one earring, and we looked around the house and it was no where to be found. Why didn’t I take time to put on the  backs to secure it?  While in the mountains at Breckenridge  I looked for the same kind of earrings to replace them. I went into a jewelry shop that was overflowing with every kind of earring, except what I wanted. I asked the clerk and he said the only place he may have this kind was in the $1.99 box at the front of the store, which I had overlooked. And what to my surprise, I found the exact earrings that go with my necklaces, and also two other sets for the same price. I came out of the store smiling and so thankful. It was my fault for not securing my earrings, and we can get disappointed and down when we lose something that we love.  But hold on….. God may have something even better for us ahead. I’m so glad He doesn’t give us what we deserve but is so merciful and good!

May 24th

Devotions from Judy’s heart,

Yesterday I went to our veggie garden as I hadn’t been there for 8 days due to our trip. What a disappointment as it was full of weeds. I had just weeded before we left and it looked so good and now it was peppered with weeds. It doesn’t take long so we need to frequently check. All the time I was weeding with a hoe or on my hands and knees, I was thinking of the weeds in our hearts. We all need a daily cleansing and washing with the Word.  Those little things in our lives, bad attitudes or habits, negative thoughts, judgments of others, etc etc can be fertile ground for weeds to set in. They can take over the garden of our hearts, unless dealt with. It is easier to do that when they are just beginning rather than when they become big “weeds” and are harder to remove. God is so gracious and He wants to tend our garden if we allow Him. When He shows us those weeds that we would rather ignore, we can agree with Him and let Him remove them, or we can go on our own way. But it won’t get better until we let Him remove all those things that put distance between us and Him. And why do we want to hang on when His plan is for a beautiful garden that produces much?   As it says in Isaiah 58:11 “And the Lord will guide you continually… and you shall be a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. “  May we give the Master Gardner free reign in our gardens!

May 23rd

 Devotions from Judy’s heart,

This morning at our Renewal group we discussed our lesson for this Sunday ( Acts 2)  about being filled with the Spirit. Verse 4 says, “ All of them were filled with the Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” What a difference it made it the life of the disciples and all those present on Pentecost….especially Peter who had not long before denied Jesus 3 times and now gave a strong witness of God’s power. When I was leaving this morning to go to church, I noticed one of our shrubs had filled out and was full of green leaves and beautiful pink flowers. When we left to go Colorado just a week ago it had only a few small leaves on it and most branches were rather bare. And now it was bursting with flowers and filled out so beautifully. It made me think of the Spirit- filled life and how it makes one come alive in the Lord and fills us full of joy, peace, love and beauty. The potential was always there but now we see the result of opening to the Spirit. I’m sure we all know people who are so full of the Spirit and just shine with His presence.  Let us open ourselves to Him each day and be amazed at what happens!

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