Canaan's Rest

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.

Category: Sister Judy (Page 117 of 270)

February 22, 2022

February 22, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a good day. We just arrived at the Holiday Express in LeRoy, IL. It is very windy out so we are going to exercise in the weight room tonight. We left N.C. at 5 am. this morning and drove in light rain much of the way. Thank you for your prayers as we had a wonderful time at Mark’s and a safe trip through the traffic today. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We were created to have a close relationship with the Lord and to live in fellowship with our Creator. But sometimes we ignore that longing of our hearts and go our own way and seek to fill that void with accumulating earthly treasures, going on one adventure after another etc. But it will never work. Only Jesus can fill that hole in our hearts that is meant only for Him.
Today I woke with the words of a hymn going through my mind, and maybe you know it:                                                    
“Nearer, still nearer close to thy heart
Draw me, my Savior, so precious thou art
Fold me, O fold me close to thy breast
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest
 Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.”
The closer we draw to the Lord, the more joy we have in Him. When He is our focus, we find we are strengthened for whatever comes into our lives. He will take care of us for we are His beloved. David said in Psalm 31:23-24 (Message), “Love God all you saints: God takes care of all who stay close to Him. But He pays back in full those arrogant enough to go it alone.”
All of our needs are met in Him when we are in close relationship with the Lord and as David also says in verse 19, “What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you. Ready and waiting for all who run to you.”
God will never force us to choose Him but He will use many different ways to draw our attention to Him. Things may happen in our lives as a wake-up call for us to get us back on track of what He has for us. When we say yes to Him and listen to Him as He leads us each day, we will come to enjoy close fellowship with Him.
Let us not settle for things that don’t satisfy but find joy and contentment in knowing the Lord and saying yes to Him!
Challenge for today: Tell the Lord you are done going your own way, and seek Him with an open heart. 
Blessings on your evening and prayers and love, Judy

 

 

February 21, 2022

February 21, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a good weekend. We heard a great sermon yesterday at Mark and Andrea’s church and then went to an Asian restaurant for dinner. We played outdoor games and indoor games and finished the day with a good movie and popcorn and blueberry smoothies. Today we have all day to play games as the boys are out of school. Tomorrow we plan to leave for home so would again be appreciative of prayers for our health and safety. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Our culture values strength and confidence, not weakness and vulnerability.  But the worldly values are so opposite from what Jesus teaches and exemplified in His life. The Apostle Paul writes how Jesus made Himself nothing by taking the nature of a slave…and He did this willingly.
We need to be more vulnerable like Jesus, although most of us would not choose to let our weaknesses be displayed for all to see. Matthew Dickerson writes and uses the example of a winning football team who suddenly loses the game when the coach of the opposing team discovers a weakness of the team and exploits it. They are exposed!
But isn’t it hard for us to choose the Jesus way and to be exposed and vulnerable and not cover up our weaknesses? But if we hide those vulnerabilities, we will not be able to get help or connect with others who have similar ones. Jesus showed vulnerability when he came as a helpless baby, or his tears while with His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.
I so vividly remember the prayer over me by a friend, just before I was to speak to a large group. I didn’t like to speak but was doing so in obedience, and his prayer just touched my inner spirit. It was from I Cor. 1:27 where Paul said not many were powerful and wise according to worldly standards, “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” That fit me perfectly as I felt weak and unworthy to speak. The Lord saw me through and I could only give praise and thanks to Him.
We all can benefit from those around us who share their weaknesses. I text back and forth with one who shares her vulnerabilities. I not only pray for her but I now see more clearly weak areas in my own life that are very similar to hers. How neat that we can pray for each other!
Let us be humble and vulnerable so that God can use us to shine His light through us, just like a cracked pot in a dark room…the light is seen through our cracks.
Challenge for today: Be open about your cracks and accepting of others with theirs.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

 

February 19, 2022

February 19, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a good weekend! We are having a wonderful time at Mark’s and spending lots of time sharing together. This morning we did indoor games with our grandsons while Mark and Andrea shopped and this afternoon we are going to do outdoor games. We look forward to going to their church tomorrow.  
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I believe in angels, although I have never seen one, I have seen evidence of them and perhaps you have had an encounter with one. A friend of ours shared he had physically heard angelic voices singing. We certainly know there are many instances of angels in scripture.
It says in Psalm 34:7 (RSV), “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.”
As J.P. Moreland wrote, Angels worship and obey God and serve on His behalf; they minister to our need and bring comfort; they protect us from harm; they reveal messages from God to us; they guide us; and they often attend to people at death.
Moreland himself had 3 angels attending him, although he himself has not seen them. They were witnessed by several others who had no contact with one other. Each one said Moreland had a tall angel behind him and two shorter ones on each side and they were seen in similar instances when he was preaching or teaching.
But one of my favorite stories is verified account of Mayme Shroyer, who went through a broken engagement. Soon afterwards she moved from Oregon to Virginia. She wanted to buy a house and could only afford one in a rather poor rundown neighborhood. It was next to a park but she soon discovered that it was also the hang out of gang members; drug dealers were often seen in her front yard. She wondered if she should get a security system for $35 a month or thought the money could be better used to sponsor a child in another country through Compassion International. She sensed God was telling her to support a child and He would be her security. Mayme often came home after dark and she felt God would protect her and started exercising again in the park. One night she sensed someone was following her and glanced back to see a police car slowly moving towards her. The police officer asked if she had seen any suspicious characters in the area and she said no. He then told her they had received several calls at the station from people living near the park and all of them described seeing a tall black man, around seven feet tall, wearing a white muscle shirt and carrying a long sword. After the officer drove away she began to laugh out loud and with much gratitude felt the officer described her guardian angel. Nothing ever happened to her while she lived there!
The supernatural realm is real for we have a a supernatural God!
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to open your eyes to unseen reality.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

February 18, 2022

February 18, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy Weekend! We are enjoying time at Mark’s and had yummy big steaks last night. This morning Al went out with Mark for breakfast and to have father/son time.  I enjoyed catching up  with Andrea. We will be having games and prizes and more games today!
Devotioins from Judy’s heart
Al and I always look forward to time with the grandchildren and is a special time for us to observe how their personalities are developing and to know their hearts more. We love to play games with them, listen to them share, go out to eat, and hear their prayers before they go off to sleep. Of course lots of hugs are nice too! But even thought these are fun things to do together, we hope that we are leaving something behind for them to remember us by.
I was reading an article by Jeime Jo Wright who talks about leaving a legacy of faith behind for our children and grandchildren. Legacy is something we transmit like a belief or way of life. We don’t want them to only remember games and fun but to leave behind the way of faith. That means speaking about the things of the Lord, sharing how we see Him at work around us, learning scripture verses, etc.
Like it says in Deuteronomy 6 we are to teach our loved ones to observe God’s ways; verse 2 says, “so that your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I will give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.” In verses 4-6 we are further told to love God with all our hearts , souls and strength, and to impress His commandments on our children while they are at home, walking, and going to bed and getting up. That means all the time from morning to night. We need to live it and use the opportunities throughout the day to teach our children to know and love God.
Last time we were at Mark’s, grandpa asked John Mark what he liked about their new church. He is only 12 but said he noticed that people lived holy lives. Kids notice the lives of those around them, and are influenced by them. If we are concerned about our children, then we need to make faith a part of our conversation and actions.
Mark asked us to bring the scripture references of the Bible verses we taught our family as they were growing up. It is a long list but perhaps his boys will learn many of the same scriptures he did. Let us not assume that our children will just somehow naturally absorb the Christian faith but speak and teach it in our every day lives.
Challenge for today: Ask God to show you how you can make a difference in the next generation.  
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

February 17, 2022

February 17, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
We have arrived safely in Statesville, N.C. at our son’s home after driving 1700 miles. Thank you for your prayers! We have been looking forward to good times together and soon our grandsons will be home from school and games etc will begin! Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Today we are reading of mama bears and now papa bears as well, who are standing up for their children and saying enough to a culture that seems to be stealing them away. They want to protect them physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually but sometimes it may feel like the battle is being lost. The statistics are so high for children who are depressed and anxious and suicide rates have soared. So many parents today feel overwhelmed.
I read an article on Crosswalk.com by Victoria Riollano, an author, professor and pastor’s wife, who tells of her desire to protect her daughter who had a physical struggle. At age 4 her daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy and for many years Victoria lived with anxiety and depression, wondering if her daughter would die during a grand mal seizure or if she would be treated normally. She spent many sleepless nights worrying but of course, none of us parents can protect our children 24/7 and we have to get to the place where we fully entrust them to the Lord. He loves them more than we ever can. Victoria felt like God was saying to her that He knew her daughter while in her womb and loved her more than she did. Finally, she was able to release her daughter and her prayer was:
“Dear Lord, 
I thank you for those you have given me the privilege of nurturing. Although it comes with much responsibility, help me to never forget that you love them more than I ever could. Father, if there are times I become obsessive or overwhelmed by the circumstance, I ask that you give me your peace. Show me, Lord, how to surrender my parenting to you.
I thank you Lord that you are a good God. Even when I don’t understand why, help me to trust your heart for me and my child. Teach me to walk in faith and courage, even when its hard. Thank you for your love for me and those you have entrusted me with. 
In Jesus Name, Amen.”
Then came a surprise after 10 years, God healed her daughter completely!
It could be our children, grandchildren, close friends, or even parents that we are concerned about and we want to protect them; but the truth is we can’t control their circumstances or be there to meet their every need. Our part is to pray and to surrender them to the Lord, the One who loves them more than we do and knows best.
Challenge for today: If you are full of worry over a loved one, pray for them and release them to the Lord in faith.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

 

February 16, 2022

February 16, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying your day. We left Chattanooga this morning and had a fun day as we hit a large Christian Book Store that is connected to the seminary. We both had a prosperous time! Emoji We went through some beautiful winding roads this afternoon looking out on mountainous peeks and rushing waters and ended up tonight  in Sylva (western Carolina). I just had another wonderful swim in the hotel pool and Al is out walking. Tomorrow we head to our son’s family in Statesville, N.C. and we are so eager to see all of them. Thank you for your prayers. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Traveling is fun and enjoyable and gets us out of our regular routine to see our family, enjoy beautiful scenery, and meet new people. And as wonderful as that is, I find that at times I feel lonesome for the Body of Christ where we are planted. Since we left home, a member there who we have come to know and love, has died and we will miss his funeral. We also have church at our apartment complex and miss gathering of fellowship that meets each Thursday. 
I read what Rev Mark Roberts from Fuller Seminary had to say about how important it is to flourish where we are planted and to be in fellowship with others. If we just go to church but not actively engaged and in fellowship with other believers, then we are missing out on a huge blessing that God has for us. As Paul said in I Cor 3:16 (NIV) “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”
Like one pastor said, we are living stones in God’s temple and we are bound together with other stones. We don’t just roll in on Sunday morning and then roll out again; but we are living stones strategically placed next to others as God would have.
Last Sunday we were at Life Church, which is just one of the Satellite gatherings of the largest church in America. We heard a great sermon that Pastor wove into the Super Bowl theme. It was also stressed at the end of the service by one of the pastors that we need to be involved in serving and in loving fellowship together. It can be too easy to just come to the service and leave without talking to anyone or serving in any way.
Digital connections have been important during Covid and zoom helped us keep in touch remotely, but we also need intentional relationships with other believers, We are not meant to be loners but planted in the sacred soil of Christian community as God’s temple. God is present among us and wants to bless us through Christian brothers and sisters who help us grow.
Let us not miss out on one of God’s great blessings by holding back from being tightly knit together with other believers and serving one another.
Challenge for today: Intentionally talk to someone at church who seems on the fringe and include them in your fellowship
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

February 15, 2022

February 15, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a wonderful day. I just came from a walk and a swim in the pool here in Chattanooga, TN. We just changed our watches to their time as well. Thank  you for prayers as got through downtown Nashville and through lots of traffic and arrived here safely! PTL!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
God’s timing is perfect and it is we who have to adjust our clocks and schedules to be on God’s time.
We may sense that God is telling us something about what He has planned for our future, but the time is not yet, and so we wait. How long, we don’t know but He will let us know when the time is ripe.
Like the wise King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3 that there is a specific time for every activity under heaven. He goes on to say in verse 11, “It is beautiful how God has done everything at the right time. He has put a sense of eternity in people’s minds. Yet mortals still can’t grasp what God is doing from the beginning to the end of time.”
Since God does everything in the right time, we need to adjust to His time table. He may be using this time in our lives to prepare us for what He has next. At the right time, it will happen according to His plan. We waited so many years to have a retreat house for Pastors, but they were years of preparation not only for the building of Canaan’s Rest but for our own hearts to be prepared. Abraham and Sarah had to wait until they were aged to have a baby. Moses waited 40 years in the desert while God got him ready to lead the children of Israel to the Promise Land. Now, I’m not sure how we all would have fared waiting that long!
The enemy often comes to tempt us to jump in and do something so things happen more quickly but that is a big mistake and we can ruin things. God may have the person just where He wants them and then we mess it up.
He sees the future and has a good plan for each of us and perfect timing.
It is reassuring when we have ordered something online and we get an email saying our purchase is on its way. They may even say not only the day but the approximate time it will show up at our door. Now if you are waiting for a response about a job offer or maybe trying to sell your business, wouldn’t it be nice to know that on a particular day and time it will happen? But God is not like that and it causes us to exercise faith and trust in Him. But one thing we do know, is that His timing is perfect and what He has for us is on the way!!
Challenge for today: As you wait, thank the Lord that His answer is on its way!
Blessings on your evening and prayers and love, Judy

February 14, 2022

February 14, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy Valentine’s Day! Hope you are enjoying the day! We are here in Sikeston, Missouri at the Holiday and I just had a wonderful swim. We celebrated Valentines day with a steak dinner at Applebees!! We enjoyed the Super Bowl last night and had lots of good food as we watched the Rams win. This morning we were on the road at 5:30 and heading towards N.C. Enjoying sunny nice weather and no snow. Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
God speaks in so many varied ways and let us be open and not miss how He may be trying to get through to us. I read today from Psalm 105:4-5 (NIV). “Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced.”
God delights when we seek His face and wants to communicate with us in many varied ways.
Of course the ultimate standard way is His word and nothing He will say to us will counteract His word. If it goes against His word, we know we are the ones that need to correct our hearing!
As I am reading J.P. Moreland’s Book Experience Miracles, he shares the many ways God speaks to us. God may use impressions we receive, thoughts and feelings that suddenly come to us, prophecy, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, dreams and visions, angelic visitations and life experiences. Sometimes He speaks through these means to give us guidance, to correct us, encourage us or tell us what he wants us to do next.
Our part is to recognize His voice and if we are not listening we miss it. Samuel as a young boy failed to recognize God’s voice at first, but the priest,Eli,told Him to listen for it was God speaking.
Sometimes God may give us a word to give to someone else and we need to be obedient to share it. One Sunday at Moreland’s church, his pastor invited people to come to the front of the church if they needed prayer. He also said that he believed the Lord spoke to him that there was a woman name Sally, who was present and despondent and needed hope. The Lord saw her situation and she was welcome to join the others upfront for prayer. Moreland’s wife,Hope, who was on the ministry team went up front and silently asked the Lord that she could minister fo Sally. Hope approached a woman she had not seen before and asked if she could pray for her. Yes, said the woman, “ My name is Sally, and I am the one Lance was talking about. I have lost hope that the Lord sees and cares for me.” Hope shared that her name was Hope and that she had prayed that she could minister to her. The woman went home that day, after receiving ministry, encouraged and knowing God saw her and loved her.
How important it was that the Pastor spoke what He heard God say and that Sally responded..
Let us have our ears open to the Lord and then willingly obey!
Challenge for today: Seek the Lord’s face and carefully listen to any words He may be speaking to you.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

February 12, 2022

February 12, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! It was so good to arrive  at Kurt’s safely and we are grateful for your prayers. We had a good evening as e prayed for Lily as she played soccer for the first time since her surgery and she made 3 goals! Paige and I went to a coffee house to hear her friend’s music group perform and later we all went to get ice cream at our favorite place. Today we plan to go to Grant’s game this morning and then out to Five Guys to eat. We  look forward going to their new church tomorrow and then all watching the Super Bowl! On Monday we plan to leave for N.C. to see Mark’s family and would appreciate prayers for safe travel.  
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Why do we remember things we should forget and forget things that we need to remember?
As we traveled yesterday to see our son’s family in Kansas, I read a Psalm that I had memorized a long tie ago—Psalm 103. Even though I knew the words by heart, as I slowly read it, new things stood out to me—mainly, “Don’t forget!”
This is a praise Psalm of King David and verses 1-2 says, “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits. He goes on to list things we are not to forget.
I am not to forget how He has forgiven me….like from those careless words and those unloving acts I have done.
I am to remember how he has healed me…so many times He has touched my body and given me good health.
I am not to forget how he has given me new life as He took me from the pit and showered me with love and compassion.
I am to remember that He has satisfied my deepest desires with all that is good so that I feel younger than my years!
I am not to forget His love and that he doesn’t treat me according to what I deserve, but with compassion. In fact, He has removed all my sin as far as the east is from the west.
I am to remember that He is not like a harsh judge but a loving Father who knows my frailties and loves me as His child.
Just like David, I also must not forget my life is short on this earth; even though I am like a little flower that flourishes for a short time, when my life is over, His love still remains with me always and forever.
Then, with the angels and all of those who have accepted the Lord, we will praise Him for all eternity.
My heart is full as I rehearse His goodness to me and may we all never forget what it cost the Lord and give Him praise forever!
Challenge for today: Read Psalm 103 slowly and spend some time thanking Him for how He has personally blessed you.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

February 11, 2022

February 11, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! We left early this morning to head to Olathe, Kansas, to see our son Kurt’s family. We have arrived and thank you for prayers. Going with my granddaughter to a coffee house in a few minutes so more tomorrow.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How many of us are addicted to social media? When we wake up in the morning, before we are even out of bed, do we reach for our phones before we can start our day? How much endless time is consumed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus, and Pinterest etc? Sometimes I feel almost apologetic that I don’t carry my phone everywhere and neglect to check it very often, but maybe life should not be lived by social media.
I read an article by Kia Stephens who is a home school mom and author, and she wrote 10 Good Things That Social Media Can Never Offer Us. A few things that caught my attention…
First of all, Social Media cannot offer us truth. It may give a mixture of different philosophies and views but no absolutes. Jesus, however is the way, the truth and the life.
Social Media cannot give us worth, although it can give us feedback when we post our most complimentary pictures. But our worth is not based on that, but on being loved by the One who knows us so well, the good and the bad. We will come up empty if we are dependent on what others think of us, and opinions can change in the blink of an eye.
Social media takes away precious time. We are being hood-winked if we believe that the information we get on our phones is more important than actual time spent with someone. When I recently saw a dear friend who I hadn’t seen for a couple years, believe me, it was a whole lot better than e-mailing!
Social Media can’t fill us with hope. When we post something sad, God can give us people to befriend us and offer comfort, but bottom line, our hope is in the Lord. He is the one who lifts us up.
Social Media can’t offer us wisdom. It may give us lots of information and facts but wisdom comes with applying the knowledge we have. That comes from the Lord.
Social Media can’t offer us Christlike character and dignity. We post only the best parts of ourselves that others see but He sees our unseen parts and helps us become like Him.
Social Media can’t offer contentment and I think it really seems to create more envy in hearts as posts are read of what great things others are doing.
The biggest thing is that Social Media can’t offer us God. He is greater than anything we find on Facebook and our life is fulfilled when we spend time with Him and His Word. Let us not waste our day on trivial things but seek the One who is Life.
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to help you spend more time with Him and less time on Social Media.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

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