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 152 of 277)

March 24, 2021

March 24, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a good day. It is a cool, rainy day and makes me want to bake. I did some food prep earlier and than a wonderful “angel” from Al’s men’s group came over; he put in a light under my upper cupboards so now I can see when I am doing food prep! Emoji I also got to my Exercize class and this afternoon we are going to Costco. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
What do we do with the pain in our lives? We all have experienced pain in various forms and have felt hurt by comments made about us, betrayal by someone who we thought was a close friend, or maybe being left out and lied about. We could all fill pages of unfair treatment and life is full of hurts and disappointments but what do we do with all of that? If we hang onto those things and ruminate about them, gradually it will spill over to our kids and their kids and result in bitterness and depression and even sickness. But a better way is to let go of it and let our pain be transformed rather than being a complaining victim that keeps gathering evidence. We can use whatever words we want, but letting go is really about forgiveness. If we want a life of joy and peace, we need to forgive whatever was done to us, remembering Jesus experienced all of what we have and so much more. In fact, He gave His life so that we might be forgiven and we are to let go and forgive others. About 2/3 of Jesus teaching was on forgiveness in one form or another. We can’t look to others to fill the hole in our hearts for that only God can fill. And when we realize that, then people around us won’t feel pressured to meet up to our expectations. The Lord fulfills us, not words of acceptance from others that are changeable or working to be super successful in the eyes of the world. As a follower of Christ we are to lose our life for His sake. In Matt. 10:39 (NRSV) Jesus said, “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” Our false self (flesh) doesn’t want to die but unless it does our true self can’t come forth. Like the Prodigal son, we have wandered off and need to go home to our Father. Whenever we leave home to find something outside of ourselves to fill the void in our hearts, we will be disappointed. Instead we need to open up to His presence for He desires to live within each of us. As we empty ourselves and let His loving presence fill our hearts our pain will be transformed and we will come to know who we really are. Then we will begin to experience heaven here on earth!
Challenge for today: Forgive anyone who has hurt you and let the Lord transform your pain.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

March 23, 2021

March 23, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying the day. This morning I cleaned the apartment and went down for coffee and choc covered raspberries. This afternoon we are having friends over for coffee.Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
 Our world is getting darker and darker as we see what is happening all around us. God is left out and sin is rampant. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, it was also sin city in his day. Paul wanted to encourage God’s people to leave their sinful ways and be lights, reflecting God’s glory. He reminds the Christians in II Cor. 4:8-10 (God’s Word), “In every way we’re troubled, but we aren’t crushed by our troubles. We’re frustrated but we don’t give up. We’re persecuted, but we’re not abandoned. We’re captured, but we’re not killed. We always carry around the death of Jesus in our bodies so that the life of Jesus is also shown in our bodies.” He then goes on to tell them not to get discouraged and that their suffering is just momentary and will produce eternal glory. Even in our suffering, we are humbled and reminded of what Jesus suffered for us. We also keep in mind our ultimate goal and look beyond what is happening today. After watching the news, it is good to remember that this is not all there is. Even though things are falling apart on the outside, God is strengthening us on the inside and pouring out His grace. The Message translations also says He is preparing a lavish celebration for us one day and we will enjoy life with Him forever. I was reading today about Moses who reminded the people in Deut. 29 not to let down their guard or get side tracked but live life God’s way. It’s best not to let our focus be on our pain and struggles, but on the Lord and His power. We will discover God often uses those difficult things to demonstrate His power in us who are so weak in ourselves. We must keep in mind our ultimate goal and reward and the joy that lasts forever. Let us encourage one another, and remember what is ahead, waiting for us. Our lives on earth are like a drop in the bucket when seen in light of eternity. May we let our lights shine in the darkness!
Challenge for today: Look back on your life and all that God has taken you through, and give Him thanks. 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

March 22, 2021

March 22, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. This morning I made a peanut cake and went to Aldi’s and to my exercise class. It’s a beautiful day sunny and can’t wait to go on our walk. On Saturday we walked  at the Arbortum and they still had the Christmas lights up. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Have you noticed how often when we do something for someone else it seems to come back to us in a variety of ways? It makes me think of what King Solomon had to say in Eccl. 11:1(ESV), “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.” He uses this as a metaphor, and it could be a generous deed we do, which surprisedly brings us a return. Maybe the Lord impresses upon us to do an act of kindness and show generosity in some way, even though it may seem unlikely that the good we did, will come back to us. Such was the case for a friend of mine who recently shared with me about a loving music/voice teacher she had who had the most profound influence on her life. (He was second, only to her mom). Years ago, when she was a senior in high school, she was going through a hard time and attributes him to saving her from a “nervous breakdown”. I know my friend as a very hard worker for I observed her when we were in nurses training together. But at the time, during high school, she had so much on her plate that and she felt depressed and had a hard time to sing. She grew up on a farm and had an overload of farm work to do besides her own homework and trying to catch up after missing school because of having the Asian Flu. Her music teacher was very perceptive and made a way for her to have extra hours during the school day to study and encouraged her. He was very loving and wise and through the years gave her tutelage in music, and gave her wise counsel as she got her music degree. She is so grateful to him through all the years he has been there for her; and she uses her voice and playing for God’s glory. But just recently he has needed her help since he and his wife have no children or relatives nearby. He has serious health concerns and needs her to help navigate through his present health crises. I’m sure way back when my friend was in high school and college, her music director never imagined that one day she would return the kindness he showed her. It says in Prov. 11:18b (NRSV), “But those who sow righteousness get a true reward.” We are to do good as directed by the Lord, and then leave the results up to God. Often times our bread comes back to us, not necessarily always, but let us remember to always do it for His sake.
Challenge for today: When you are prompted to do some good deed, remember to thank the Lord if it should come back to you some day.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love Judy

March 20, 2021

March 20, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying your wekend. This morning I made egg dishes, wrote letters and went to Women’s Bible Study. It’s another nice sunny day for a walk this afternoon!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I love the Psalms as they are poetry and prayer and cover most every emotion that we feel in our hearts. Eugene Peterson says that Psalms are not given to teach us about God but to train us to respond to Him. They help us recognize what is going on inside of us, and so many times I can identify with David or other Psalm writers. Have you ever listened to a speaker who seems vulnerable and says exactly what you are experiencing at the time?  Sometimes through the Psalm writers, it seems like God is giving us a personal message for what He sees is going on in our hearts for He truly knows our heart. Psalms have a way of getting a response from us as in a prayer. Peterson writes that Psalms are not prayers for private use but prayers of a community gathered before the Lord in worship. We are called to come in community to hear His word and obey and to receive blessings. I have not thought before of Psalms being prayers specifically for community.  Psalms are also musical for often different instrument accompaniment is assigned to certain Psalms, like stringed instruments and flutes etc.  I have loved singing with the Sisters when I went with Al to St. Scholastica. Sometimes I noticed we were singing about enemies, hatred and anger which seemed almost strange. But even if we are not experiencing that at the time, when in community, the person next to us may. It’s good to pray all the experiences of the community and it is not all sweetness. There are times we do have a desire for our enemies to be brought low, and we can be honest before God. David sure knew how to do that! Once exposed, God does what is necessary in our hearts and will work things out according to His justice. Sometimes our prayers begin with pain and other times with gratitude but we need to pray what is real in our hearts and where we are at the time. Psalms closes with praise as it is the final goal that we arrive at. The last Psalm 150 (ESV) says. “Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens; Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with tambourine and dance: Praise Him with strings and pipe! Praise Him with sounding cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”  May the Psalms speak to us in a new way.
Challenge for today: Pray Psalm 150 back to the Lord and carry it with you throughout your day. 
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

March 29, 2021

March 19, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you and may it be filled with good things! This morning I made two spaghetti pies and a dish with many veggies and did some studying. Al is hyped about the games starting but later we will go for a beautiful walk on the Paul Bunyan. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How much of our lives are controlled by fear?  Some fears are imagined and may not be rational; other fears may be real and some even helpful in preventing us from falling, burning ourselves etc. I was studying for our Women’s Bible Study tomorrow and this time it is on not becoming a slave to fear. There are 365   “Fear Nots” in the Bible and it is the most repeated command of all. Fear is a robber of the life that God wants us to live. Fear began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve hide from God after disobeying Him. When God confronted them, they played the blame game and didn’t own up as they were afraid. It is important that we face our fears and replace them with God’s truth so not to become a slave to fear. Most of our fears and worries don’t happen and it does no good to be consumed with fears. Instead of fear that we might fail, worries over what others think of us, or fears of the future, we can go to the Bible and rehearse the promises that God has given us. God wants to empower us and have us cast all our cares and worries on Him. I know we are all concerned about COVID and we need to take the necessary precautions, but we are not to live in fear and dread. Stress is like an epidemic and kills us mentally, emotionally and often physically. Some Doctors tell us we are more apt to die from the anxiety, loneliness, and stress of worrying about the virus than the virus itself. Our security and trust is in the Lord and we must change how we think. He will keep us in peace when our mind is set on Him. We can store up His promises that He is with us always.  I memorized Psalm 91 a long time ago, but I don’t think I noticed back then that verses 9-10 speaks of the plague. It says in ESV translation, “Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil will be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.” The Psalmist also says that God is our refuge, fortress, deliverer, shelter. Aren’t those wonderful words when we feel fearful? We are all going to die one day but even death is not something we have to fear; for those that know the Lord death is the victory. We just get to heaven a little while before those we left on earth but we will join those that have gone before us. So whether we live or die, as Paul said, “we belong to the Lord”. (Romans 14:8)
Challenge for today: Confess any fears you have to the Lord and trust His promises to be with you always. 
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

 

March 18, 2021

March 18, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Devotions from Judy’s heart
There are many things we don’t understand and will find answered in eternity, if it should matter to us then. One question we may have all asked and wondered is why loving good people have to suffer and others who do such evil things seem to go scott free. But even though it seems unfair, God has a plan and one day we will understand His wisdom. We probably all know people who are full of love and serve the Lord that live with chronic illnesses. Every day they struggle with health issues. I have a friend that has numerous health concerns that others are unaware of, but she never complains and thinks of ways to serve others. I found a very old devotional book by Billy Graham that is literally falling apart, and he writes about how people with good health are often miserable and some of the world’s greatest people have huge handicaps. For example, the Messiah was composed by Handel who suffered with paralysis on his right side and arm. Catherine Booth said at the end of her life that there wasn’t a day of her life that she can remember that she was free of pain. And Helen Keller with all her challenges could say, “I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work and God.” We may all have questions to ask the Lord of the whys in our own lives or of those we know. When Jesus washed his disciple’s feet, the night he was betrayed, Peter resisted at first but Jesus responded by saying, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.” John 13: 7(The Message) No, there are many things we may not know even in this life, like why certain people have to suffer so much or why a loved one was taken, but later we will know. But for now, let us have simple trust, knowing that the Lord is all-loving and all-wise.
Challenge for today: Thank the Lord for some handicap you have and ask Him to use it for His glory in your life.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

March 17, 2021

March 17, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a wonderful day. We are back from the Lake and left early this morning as I made a visit to a friend in Birchview along the way. Also had my hair done before going to Ann’s for lunch. We got to see all that they have done with Canaan and you probably wouldn’t recognize it if you had visited us there before. Just Lovely!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Don’t you love to be around gracious people? They aren’t busy tabulating our mistakes or trying to persuade us to their way of thinking but just expressing acceptance and grace. It’s freeing not to feel pressured by others to be in the same political arena or have the same views on everything but just enjoy their presence in sharing the Lord. I am in the book of Corinthians now and reading how Paul handled the people with all their problems with much grace.  I was surprised today when up popped an e-mail of what Samuel Rodriguez’s take was on the church there.  The Corinthian church had many struggles but Paul didn’t capitalize on that, realizing that sin is the enemy, not the people. Instead, he risked his life for them, taught them, visited them 3 times, and spoke truth to them. He delt with their problems and encouraged them to live holy lives. Paul himself, had received much grace from the Lord, for he persecuted Christians before he had an awakening on the Damascus road and came to faith. He said in I Cor. 15:10, “But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not (found to be) for nothing.” I wonder when we are short on grace if we have forgotten how God’s grace was poured out on us and what He saved us from. Paul reflected grace to the people of Corinth and looked beyond their faults to their deeper needs. How well do we do that for others? Like Rodriguez said, we are never more like God than when we give grace to someone. I think of my aunt who recently died as she was a gracious person to all. I spent so much time with her, especially in my teens, and I felt like she always saw the best in me, even when I failed at something. We need people like that in our lives and we also need to be like that. That’s what grace is all about—God’s kindness and favor given when we don’t deserve it. Let us become more like Jesus and let His grace pour through us to others. I think we will find our souls enlarged as well.
Challenge for today: Accept where people are at and show God’s grace in your attitude and actions.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

March 16, 2021

March 16, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,
Hope your day is filled with sunshine! This morning I baked Starch free blueberry cinnamon bread and S.F. cookies and went downstairs for coffee. Got done in time to have brunch at the apt of a new couple here. They also invited friends of ours that we haven’t seen for sometime. So great to catch up and a rich time of fellowship!
Devotions from Judy’s heart,
I wonder if you know the song, “This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears, all nature sings and around me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas—His hand the wonders wrought.” The writer was Pastor Babcock and he use to tell his wife when he was going for a walk, in upstate N.Y, “I’m going to see my Father’s world!” God is so present in His world and He speaks especially through nature. I asked the question when sending out my daily devotional of what we liked best about Spring?” So many responded and one friend asked me what my answer was as well. I would have to say that Spring is about my most favorite season, although summer is very close. When I see new green growth peeking up from the cold earth after the long winter, it seems so miraculous. Since I am a daily walker, it’s in the spring of the year that I notice new life happening all around, and even from one day to the next there is a change. I love the bright yellow of the daffodils that seem to pop up overnight and other flowers of purple and white that almost hug the ground. The trees that were barren over winter start to bud and show a tad of green each day until they are all leafed out. It’s so amazing! It reminds me of rebirth and what our life in the Lord is like as we grow and blossom and burst with joy. When we come to the Lord it is just the beginning and He wants us to leaf out and to radiate the glory of our Creator. We are a new creation in Christ. As it says in II Cor.5:17 (God’s word), “Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.” One person wrote that spring is a time when birds seem to sing louder in the predawn and we can awaken to their song. We are reminded that just as the Lord cares for the birds of the air, He cares for us. Another wrote of spring as a season of hope for new life as faith wakes up from winter slumber. Someone else recognized the chatter of chipmunks and other creatures and everything coming alive in newness. So many reminders of Easter and celebrating that He is alive! Others noticed the beautiful blue skies and recalling, His loving kindness extends to the heavens and his faithfulness reaches to the skies. (Psalm 36:5) Also, the longer daylight hours and the sun coming closer each day reminding them of walking in the light of His presence. Let us let open our ears to the sounds of nature and listen to what God has to say to us.
Challenge for today: Take a leisurely walk out in nature and give praise to Him who made it all, including you!
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

March 15, 2021

March 15, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a relaxing and renewing weekend.  Saturday, after I wrote you to pray for Nancy, I got word later in the day that she died. She is now with the Lord but please continue in prayer for her family. She just went in for knee surgery and died so shortly afterwards. This morning I did food prep, went to Aldi’s and then to my exercise class. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Jesus was a great story teller and frequently used stories to help others see from His point of view. He often spoke in parables, which is a brief story, and requires the imagination of the listener. Eugene Peterson said parables are not used to tell us something new but to get us to notice something that has been right before our eyes and we have missed; or maybe we have simply dismissed it as we didn’t think it was important. When we listen to a parable, we are often surprised as it brings up a reaction in us that we weren’t expecting. We are all probably familiar with the Prodigal Son but Peterson’s favorite parable is the Manure Story. Really?! You may remember the time Jesus was walking with his disciples on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. He tells them the story of the man who had a fig tree that had not produced figs for the past 3 years. So, the man tells the Vinedresser to just chop it down since it is simply taking up space. But in Luke 13:8-9 (ESV) he answers by saying, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” The farmer is impatient but the vinedresser wants to give it a chance and to dig around it and put on manure. Often when Jesus tells stories He is calling us to action, but in this parable, He is trying to teach us restraint. We are to be patient and wait for God and His timing and His way to deal with things. Maybe there is someone that offends us greatly and we would just like them removed rather than taking up space. But Jesus may be saying, wait a minute, I want to give more time to work in this person’s life, just like putting the manure on. Of course, we know that is not a quick fix and will be a very slow solution which will require patience on our part especially. We would rather have instant results than to wait and suffer. But manure has lots of enzymes and nutrients and is full of resurrection power. Peterson said that silence can be the manure of resurrection.  He quotes Saul Bellow, “Silence is enriching. The more you keep your mouth shut, the more fertile you become.” Often, we must wait in silence and let things alone while God is working in another. We need to keep our hands off! It is God who acts and we who wait!
Challenge for today: Ask God to help you to be patient as He works in the lives of those around you. Remember His patience with you.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

March 13, 2021

March 13, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. The house is full of aroma as I made a big pot of stew and other food prep. Ann’s are stopping by this afternoon so baked cookies. Please pray for our friend Nancy who had surgery this week but now in ICU on life support and organs are failing. It is still hard to believe. Her whole family needs prayers. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
It’s wonderful to have good relationships with everyone but since we are all broken people, we have quite likely have felt the sting of being betrayed by a friend. It hurts and wounds but doesn’t need to destroy us. I read an article by Jen Allee and she writes about how Jesus was wounded and actually knew who was going to betray Him and when it would happen; yet he chose to demonstrate His love for his betrayer, Judas, and didn’t distance Himself from him. I wonder if we could do that under those circumstances. It is a difficult thing and maybe even harder if you know in advance that someone is going to turn you in. Jesus had supper with the disciples and then got up from the table and began washing their feet. This was normally done by a servant of the household but Jesus humbled Himself and washed all of the disciple’s feet, including Judas. Can we imagine what that was like? After He finished John 13:21 ((God’s Word) says, “After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” Jesus knew exactly what would happen next but He just kept loving and left a powerful example for us.  Even in our vivid memories of a friend who let us down in the past, most of us have never experienced such betrayal. Wouldn’t it have been easier for Jesus to wait until Judas excused himself and then washed the other 11 disciple’s feet? But Jesus knew who He was and the mission He had been given and didn’t base His happiness on His relationships with others. That is good for us to remember also, not to let how others treat us define who we are. We are loved by God, and our happiness should not depend on warm fuzzies from others. It’s wonderful to have good friendships but because we are all broken people, we are hurt by others and we also hurt others. Allee makes the point that our pain is not permanent because this world is not our home. Our mission here is not great relationships with others but to share Christ with them. In fact, we can actually grow stronger through our wounds when we forgive others and give our brokenness to the Lord. He heals and strengths us to rise above whatever is done to us. Let us love like Jesus, forgive like Him and serve others.
Challenge for today: Don’t run from prickly people but ask God to open your heart and pour out His love to them.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy
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