Category: Sister Judy (Page 1 of 274)

1.     What do you need to leave behind in 2025? (Toxic mindsets, sin patterns, addictions, toxic relationships, etc.)

2.     What word or phrase is going to define 2026 for me? (Spend a great amount of time on this one.)

3.     Jesus, what do you want my spiritual life to look like in 2026? (Time in the Word, prayers and church)

4.     Jesus, how can I better steward my soul this year? (Emotional health and hobbies)

5.     Jesus, how can I be a better steward of the body you have given me this year? (Health and fitness)

6.     Jesus, what does relational health look like for me this year? Who do I need to invite in and where do I need to put up boundaries? How can I better steward my marriage?

7.     Jesus, how can I be more generous with what you have blessed me with this year? (Commit to tithe, give to missions, serve, etc.)

8.     Jesus, how do you want to use me this year at work and in my sphere of influence?

I hope you will spend some time with these questions and begin the New Year with anticipation for what the Lord will do in you and through you.

thing but he has thanked me numerous times!

Then it is good to leave behind the work and have a little playtime and unstructured time to relax and enjoy life. All work and no play is not good for our souls, and each of us may find different ways to find balance. Just like children who are in school all day and hear the bell to go home: they switch gears and begin enjoying some fun free time. Some people even write “Play Time” into their datebook to be sure to rest from their work. I often refer to free time as my reward time when I sit down and play a Scrabble game online after cleaning or working a long while in the kitchen. A time away from work actually makes us more productive and frees our mind to think more creatively.

We need to acknowledge the Lord in all we do, and as it says in Proverbs 3:6 & 8: “Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track…Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!” Throughout our day let us acknowledge the Lord and at the end of the day, let us give thanks.

Jesus knew what it was like to be rejected, but His security and acceptance was found in the Father only. I was reading in John recently that after Jesus cleansed the temple, many people entrusted their lives to Him, but others rejected Him. It says in John 2:25, “But Jesus didn’t entrust His life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn’t need any help in seeing right through them.“ Jesus was hated by many without any cause though He lived a perfect life.

We are to believe what God says to us about who we are, not what others say about us. He looks beyond the outside and knows what is in our hearts. Do we accept that He says we are His beloved child, or do we continue to go by what the world around us says? The Lord is for us and wants to love and care for us. Like the song says, “Be not dismayed, whate’er betide, God will take care of you! Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you. Lonely and sad from friends apart, God will take care of you! He will give peace to your aching heart, God will take care of you!”

I wonder if I have mentioned to you of the night I was soundly sleeping and woke in the middle of the night, unable to go back to sleep. A message came to me of something that I had never thought of before or considered, and it was a bit puzzling. It still is. At first, I wondered where it was coming from and wanted to ignore it, but yet it was so unexpected and definite. I asked the Lord if I was hearing right, gaving it thought and prayer for three hours. I could not go back to sleep until I said yes to the Lord. Even if I don’t understand the why, I know that when and if He desires, He will let me know. His will is always best!

Later, a friend sent me a message of the story of Samuel as a young boy who heard a voice in the night three times and thought it was Eli calling him. (I Samuel 3) But the priest realized it must be the Lord and told him to answer, “Speak Lord for your servant hears.” Samuel did exactly that and was open and willing to hear what God said.

Sometimes a word may come to us that does not fit our expectations or what we want to hear. But may we be like young Samuel and embrace whatever it is.

       Christmas Light Eternal

In the hush of winter’s night,

A star breaks through the veil of sky,

Guiding hearts with gentle light,

To where Love’s promise will not die.

No gold, no crown, no earthly throne,

Just straw and breath, a manger bare,

Yet Heaven’s gift is fully shown—

God’s own heart, laid open there.

So let the world grow still and hear,

The whisper born in Bethlehem,

That every soul, both far and near,

Is cradled in His diadem.”

 On this Christmas day, may we look beyond the glitter and gifts we will receive and celebrate the greatest gift of all: Jesus and the revelation of His love for us and His presence with us.

1. O what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I will never forget;
After I’d wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Savior I met.
O what a tender, compassionate friend, He met the need of my heart;
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart.

Chorus
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, (filled my soul)
When at the cross the Savior made me whole; (made me whole)
My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day,
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! (filled my soul)

2. Born of the Spirit with life from above into God’s family divine,
Justified fully thru Calvary’s love, O what a standing is mine!
And the transaction so quickly was made, when as a sinner I came,
Took of the offer, of grace He did proffer, He saved me, O praise His dear name!

3. Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure after the passing of time;
I have a future in heaven for sure there in those mansions sublime.
And it’s because of that wonderful day, when at the cross I believed;
Riches eternal and blessings supernal, from His precious hand I received.

May you know for certain the joy that comes from knowing the Lord. If you are reading this and have never received Him, on this Christmas Eve day confess your sins and invite Him into your heart. He will wash away all your sins, giving you joy, hope and a future in Heaven.

We can start by recalling what we did to cause the other person to suffer as we try to see it from their perspective. We shouldn’t try to defend or excuse ourselves, but see things from the viewpoint of the one who is hurt and ask for forgiveness so the healing process can begin. The Lord is so full of mercy and pours out His grace to us. We can live this one day at a time. It should just be a regular practice for us to confess our sins and make amends quickly so that we are in tune with the Holy Spirit.

At the end of the day, we can review our day and ask to see it as the Lord sees it. What were the blessings that we can be grateful for? For what things do we need forgiveness? How can we grow and learn from our mistakes? How do we live in peace with ourselves and others? Let us not get discouraged when we blow it, but keep going, keep repenting and confessing, and let the Lord draw us ever closer.