Month: June 2012 (Page 2 of 3)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

As we traveled from Kansas yesterday, we got behind some slow vehicles and sometimes there was a string of cars behind, causing everyone to slow up. I wondered if they knew how they were causing potential accident conditions and holding people up. Sometimes we think that what we do only affects us, but it really affects everyone around us. Our bad habits, our negative attitudes, and our sin patterns affect us foremost but they also have a ripple affect on our families and friends and even strangers. We are all responsible for our own selves, and like on the highway, we can go around people that are slow. But wouldn’t you like to say to them, “Let’s get going!  Join us! Pick up the pace! “?
Sometimes our part is to encourage those who have slowed down and other times we are the ones that need to quit lagging behind and speed up. In II Tim. 4:2, we are told to “encourage- with great patience and careful instruction.”

Devotions from Judy’s heart

While at Kurt’s the 3 grandkids did a very creative skit about Jonah.  They made the face of Jonah on a balloon and out of paper created a big fish. From second floor they lowered them on long ribbons to the first floor sea.  Even Grant was involved and had “a baby whale” that he put in the story. But before the program, they were not in agreement, as Lily wanted to do a skit about the ocean and Paige wanted to do a Bible story about David and Goliath. There were a few tears and  I tried to negotiate and told them they could do 2 stories, one of the ocean and one from the Bible. It wasn’t long until there was joy and excitement as they decided on their own to do Jonah which would include both the sea and the Bible. It made me think of disagreements in the Body of Christ and how we may want “our way”, because it is the best!!! Hummm! We can do separate things but how much better to come to agreement and to be in harmony and oneness. What pleasure it gives the Lord when we are in unity. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity…for there the Lord bestows His blessing and life forever more.” Ps. 133.  Let us not be so quick to insist on “our thing” but to be in harmony with the Body.

 Devotions from Judy’s heart

This is the first Father’s Day that I am “fatherless”, as my 100 year old dad went home to the Lord at Christmas time. But because of his unconditional love and care for me throughout the years, I am left with a positive picture of my Heavenly Father whose love is not based on my performance.  There are so many scriptures of how He is a Father to the fatherless ( Ps. 68:5)  and how He willingly receives us as His sons and daughters. ( II Cor 6:18). Even when He disciplines us it is for our good that we can share in His holiness. ( Heb 12:10).  Yes, I miss my dad, but I know my Heavenly Father is with me always and loves me perfectly and completely. Someday my dad and I will united again and together worship our Heavenly Father together around the thrown.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I was reading in Romans 13 and 14:1 this morning of how we are to owe a debt of love to one another and to accept those who are weak in faith, without passing judgment. I thought of last night and the program the grandkids put on for us. Paige (10 years old) was the moderator and Lily ( 8 years on Sunday) was a helper. Grant who is 4 ½ did not want to be outstaged by his sisters and wanted the limelight. Paige and Lily knowing this let him give long drum rolls before each new thing on the program. ( He used long wooden spoons over many Tupperware bowls and could really drum away!) We all did freeze dances, and they played instruments, and had fun things. But even though Grant played the drums he “needed” more attention. They interviewed him and he had cute answers but because of his age, they gave him longer and longer drum rolls etc. They made allowances for him and treated him with much love, even though their program had to be altered. In the Body of Christ there are those who are new in faith or immature and we need to make allowances too, rather than judgment. As they grow, they shouldn’t need to be center stage but gradually be part of the Body and function as the Lord directs. May we show His love no matter where someone is at, just as others did for us!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

We are with our grandkids these days and always a time to learn through them. We were met with lots of hugs and kisses and made so welcome. Grant ( who is 4 ½ years old) loves to tease grandpa and grandpa likes to tease him. So when Grant wants to get even with grandpa, he asks me to spank grandpa and even brings me a big wooden spoon. It is all in jest but sometimes does our heart rejoice when we see others get what they “deserve” when they have done something hurtful?…hummmmm!  And do we hope that we don’t get what we “deserve”?   Sometimes, instead of spanking grandpa I go over and give him a huge long kiss and Grant just giggles and thinks it is so funny! I am so glad that God doesn’t give us what we deserve or He would have His spanking stick out all the time. When we are dealing with others too, there are some times it is better to give the kiss ( loving acts) that can turn them around, when a “spanking” wouldn’t work!  We need wisdom to know when to do that. God may let us suffer the consequences of our hurtful actions, but there are also times He just covers us over with His merciful love and gives us what we totally don’t deserve.  As it says in Ps. 25 “ Remember , O Lord, your great mercy and love…. According to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.”

Devotions from Judy’s heart

On our trip to Kansas today, I slept some of the way and also read, so I missed seeing many things along the way. But when I drove I was very engaged and was aware of the signs, the scenery, and even the clouds It made me think of our spiritual journeys and how we are often spectators along the sidelines and not really attentive. We miss so much! But when we enter in with our whole being, life is rich and we find Him in all of life’s happenings. King Solomon addressed the people with a loud voice and told them to fully commit their hearts to the Lord.( I Kings 8:61 ) Moses also told the people: “But if you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deut 4:29) Let us not just be passive spectators on our spiritual journeys but let us be fully engaged and take in all that the Lord has for us.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

We are told often to be aware of the enemy who seeks to “steal, kill, and destroy”.  We may picture evil lurking in darkness and ugliness etc. But sometimes it is hard to discern evil and we need to always be discerning because Satan also disguises himself as and angel of light.” II Cor.11: 14.  So we need to be on guard and need protection.  When I went outside one morning, I saw that the deer had used my beautiful huge Hosta as their salad. I was disappointed as it was eaten down to just a few inches above the soil. Those little stinkers!  The one next to it is huge too but not eaten yet! I need to spray and protect it or soon it too will be gone. Now those deer that often go through our front yard look so innocent but they often “steal” from me, just as the enemy of our souls is out to rob us. We need to be on guard and also look to the Lord to protect us and as it says in II Thes. 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. “

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I had a call from a friend who made a mistake, but didn’t know it until after the fact and felt sad. She thought she was doing the loving thing but it didn’t turn out as she had anticipated and she had regret. And haven’t we all done that multiple times and wished we could “undo” those decisions we now regret?  But as I was reading from my devotional book today, we can release our mistakes to the Lord rather than getting down on ourselves.  He can use even our mistakes and weave them into something useful and good. In fact it is our pride that makes us think we will not make mistakes! As Sandy Young writes in her book, “Jesus Calling”, Your failures can be a source of blessing, humbling you and giving you empathy for other people in their weaknesses. Best of all, failure highlights your dependence on ME. I am able to bring beauty out of the morass of your mistakes. Trust Me, and watch to see what I will do.”