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 167 of 277)

September 15, 2020

September 15, 2020 / / 0 Comments
 
Devotions from Judy’s heart 
God can speak to us in the most unexpected times, through the most unexpected people, in the most unexpected ways. I marvel at the people in scripture that God used to accomplish great things and yet read later how they blew it. Somehow that is reassuring to all of us, that even when we fail, God can restore us, and use us for His kingdom in mighty ways. None of us are perfect; we all disappoint God, others, and ourselves with behavior that is not reflective of those who know the Lord. We often have to admit we fail and are so imperfect in loving others as we may yell at our kids, show impatience to those around us, gossip, wish the worst on our enemies etc.  Our pastor has been preaching about King David recently and though David killed the giant with a smooth stone, led armies to great victories, he also committed adultery and had innocent people killed; but yet He was called a man after God’s own heart. So amazing!! That in itself is a living parable of God’s grace to us after we have failed miserably and need forgiveness; yes, He can still use us as His instrument of blessing to others. I love being in groups where people can be vulnerable and admit their struggles. God uses even their confessions to bring a message to our hearts of His forgiveness and grace. I have been blessed over the years as God has given me a friend or a caring group in most every one of our churches that I could be real with and share my own struggles and need for prayer. Perhaps we get surprised at those whom God uses to speak a word to us that hits the intended target. At times He may use even a child but the message is clear. Let us respond and as it says in James 1:19 (Amplified), “Understand (this), my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear (ready listener), slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.” No matter how He speaks to us or through whom He may use, let us listen to His voice and go His way.
Challenge for today: Be open to those around you whom God is using to speak a message to you.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

September 14, 2020

September 14, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Not so good for the Vikings though.Emoji I got our favorite bars made and took our our Fall decorations. Soon we are going to the dentist in Remer for our check ups and cleaning. One day we will have to find a dentist here in Baxter. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Lately Al and I have known many friends and acquaintances that have died; some were older but some were young and suddenly taken. As a result, it has caused us to take more time to be reflective and talk about heaven as we walk on the trail each afternoon. Al happened to get a book recently by Larry Crabb, “Waiting for Heaven”, and I have read only a few chapters but it has caused me to rethink some things. Perhaps we keep heaven at a distance and think only of the here and now and miss the larger story. When we do that, we attempt to find our satisfaction in what the world offers and become self-centered, often addicted to so many things like food, drugs, sex etc. Our real satisfaction is to be found in God and He never promised us that life would be bed of roses in this world with comfortable circumstances.  In fact, he said we would have trials and testing and that they could make us stronger and more like Him in the process. Crabb says there is too much casual Christianity today and instead of living in humility and being other centered, people seek pleasure and get addicted to things that they think will make them happy. We must wait for heaven to provide complete satisfaction and not get self- absorbed in the meantime. Our hope is in Him and we wait for what is ahead rather than taking things into our own hands.  If we are honest, we may have to admit that we want pleasant experiences now and relief from anything that is difficult. Crabb writes of Complacent Christians that want a comfortable life now and live in self-protection with a desire for self-enhancement. Casual Christians want to avoid pain and find themselves often giving in to pleasures of the world. But Committed Christians choose to wait in hope without demanding satisfaction from the world now but expecting everything that is awaiting them one day in heaven. Peter says in I Peter 1:13 (Amplified), “So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.”
Challenge for today: Be willing to wait in hope for what God has promised for later.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

September 12, 2020

September 12, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! We had a morning rain and everything looks so fresh. I wrote letters this morning and went for some groceries and to get some prizes to wrap. Last night I got news that another friend died but thankfully she was with family and peacefully went home to the Lord. None of the deaths these past weeks have been from COVID and PTL our pastor’s son tested negative for it too.   
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Sometimes we just know when something is a God thing and that He has orchestrated every detail, leaving us with a sense of awe. That’s how I felt when I read an article by Jim Nelson who was the driver of a van on a mission to pick up Bibles one day for International Christian Literature Distributors. ICLD is a wonderful organization that sends Bibles and Bible-related materials all over the world to give to those who do not have access. While he was driving to pick up some Bibles, he wondered if it would be just a bag or two, but he was in for a big surprise.  When he arrived at the business that was donating the Bibles, he parked and was directed upstairs to the second floor. He was astounded when he saw the huge stacks of Bibles and wondered how he was going to manage to get them all downstairs and into the van; especially since he had undergone triple-bypass surgery. When he went back to start the van to move it closer to the building, it wouldn’t start. Of all places he was presently in the parking lot of an Automotive Repair shop!  How fortunate he was and they got right to work on taking out his old starter and putting in another. But while they were doing that, a Bobcat showed up and the owner was a Gideon who helped collect all those used Bibles and replaced them with new ones in hotels and hospitals etc. He was the boss and had a great solution to getting those Bibles to the van. He removed the second story window and raised the Bobcat to the window. Some of his men came and helped load it upstairs while others unloaded the Bibles downstairs into Jim’s van. There were over 30 boxes of Bibles which meant almost 1,000 Bibles could be sent to pastors and churches overseas who had requested them. When the last box of Bibles was loaded, you can guess how far along the mechanic was; he just finished putting in the starter!  Jim was soon on his way back to ICLD with praise in his heart and a wonderful story to tell. God arranged it all and His timing perfect. How many times does God do miraculous things before our eyes? He is a God of the impossible and there is nothing too hard for Him. Jesus said in Luke 18:27 (NRSV),” What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.”
Challenge for today: Be alert to God’s hand and timing in your life and give thanks.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

September 11, 2020

September 11, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,                                                                                                                                                       Hope you are having a good day and able to get out on this gorgeous sunny day. .Al’s sister is on her way home now and we enjoyed her visit so much. I am washing and cleaning up and making zucchini fries with Ann’s garden produce.                               Devotions from Judy’s heart                                                                                                           Today so many of us woke up remembering how we felt 19 years ago on 911 as we were shocked, almost to unbelief, by the terrorist attack. We most likely remember exactly where we were when we saw footage of the plane flying into the twin towers and the devastation that resulted. But we also remember how America came together and felt connected all across our country. We felt like one nation, under God and were united together. But there is even a deeper connection we experience when we belong to the family of God. We are joined with others in the Spirit, for we are God’s children seeking to bring glory to Him. It doesn’t matter if we belong to the same country, or the same family, or have known one another long, there is a deep connection. Al’s sister from Michigan was just here for a visit and it was wonderful after all these months of COVID to be together again. We spent hours catching up and sharing deeply; and because we know the Lord, even when we are not physically together, we still feel united. Not long ago we also had friends from Tulsa come that we haven’t seen for a year, and yet there was an immediate bond of sharing the Lord together. Or just a couple weeks ago, meeting with 3 other couples from our Board and being together in the joy of His presence. God has made us for Himself and if we live our lives apart from Him, we are missing the greatest opportunity of a life time, which has eternal consequences. We also miss out on knowing our Christian brothers and sisters who encourage us, who help us on this journey through life. It doesn’t matter that we are not all alike for we are joined by our one Father. Our three children, now adults, do not look alike or have the same gifts but they belong to our one family because we are their parents. Let us not miss out on the most important relationship of all with our Heavenly Father for when we know Him, we are eternally together. As it says in Isaiah 62:4 (The Message), “No more will anyone call you Rejected, and your country will no longer be ruined. You’ll be called My Delight, and your land Married.”                                                                                           Challenge for today: Delight in your Heavenly Father and use opportunities to invite others into the family.                                                                                                                             Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

September 10, 2020

September 10, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying this day. Al’s sister came yesterday afternoon and we are enjoying catching up with her. This morning we are going shopping at JoAnn Fabrics as there seems to be so few left open. We are also going out for lunch afterwards and spend a leisurely day together. Fun!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I don’t know if you are like me, but I often find myself praying to be less self-centered and more focused on the Lord and others. We are all on a life-long journey and each season has challenges. I am reading Ronald Rolheiser’s book, Sacred Fire and he writes about what lies beyond the essentials of discipleship and shares about the different stages. In the first stage of Essential Discipleship we struggle to get our life together. We may start out life in a secure home but when we hit puberty, we are insecure; we try to find our own identity and acceptance and go on to seek a career, mate and ask, “Who am I and where do I find meaning?” We want to make a name for ourselves and live a meaningful life, but of course, only God can give us significance.  The second stage is Mature Discipleship which is the longest season and a time we work hard and have responsibilities.  But it is also a time we struggle to give our life away more deeply, and more generously and meaningfully. It is usually in our 20’s to 30’s that we begin to experience this but for some it is far older and lasts until retirement. We begin to live more for others than ourselves and think of what we can contribute and not what we can get. The third stage is Radical Discipleship and this is where we struggle to give our deaths away. As I wrote recently, how we leave this earth has an impact on those we leave behind. We want to make a deeper life-giving contribution to them and the world. If we do it with faith and in peace, it is likely that our death may be our final and best gift to them. But whatever stage we are in, Jesus is always inviting us to a deeper relationship with Him and to open our hearts in new ways to all that He has for us. Col. 2:7 (Amplified) says, “Have the roots (of your being) firmly and deeply planted  (in Him, fixed and founded in Him), being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.”
Challenge for today: Take time to spend with the Lord and to know Him in deeper ways.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

September 9, 2020

September 9, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
It seems like we have entered a new season as it is only 37 degrees out today. Hard to believe family was swimming only a few days ago. Today I am doing food preparations and going to my exercise class this morning. Al is leading the Band of Brothers Soul Care group right now at church.This afternoon Al’s sister from Upper Michigan is coming for a visit and we enjoy times with her.  
Devotions from Judy’ heart
It’s exciting when God answers a need we have even before we are aware of what we lack and would be necessary for the future.  When that happens, we are so grateful and in awe of how He looks after us with the utmost care. But there are other times we pray and pray and wonder if God is really listening to us, for the answer doesn’t seem to come, at least not as quickly as we would like. I read an article from Jennifer Waddle on “Why don’t you hear God when you need Him most.” She gives several possible reasons and one is that we may not be listening. We are a very distracted culture today, especially by social media, and phones that seem almost attached to us day and night. We are left with wandering minds and interruptions even when we read the Word and pray. She suggests having a special place to go to meet in quiet with the Lord; it can be a study, a closet, a place in nature, but a place to be alone. The second reason we may feel the Lord isn’t speaking, is that He may be asking us to wait for the answer.  It was certainly that way for Job who suffered and wanted an answer long before it came. But for all of us, we are to rest and trust Him as we wait in anticipation until the time is ripe. The third reason we don’t hear God, is because the answer may already be given in the Word. There are some things that are very clear in the Bible and we don’t have to wonder about; we are not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to speak falsely etc. But for anything in question we are also told to ask Him, as it says in Matt. 21:22 (NRSV), “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” That means according to His will and timing. The last reason Jennifer gives is that God is asking us to trust Him, especially when our faith starts to waver. It helps to remember how God has been faithful in answering us in the past; or reading the lives of others who trusted God in times of testing. We can also ask for a verse to hang on to and then wait in confidence, knowing that He hears us. Let us not doubt but believe that God hears even our whispers.
Challenge for today: Carry I John 5:14 with you today. “And this is the confidence that we have towards Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy 

September 8, 2020

September 8, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Devotions from Judy’s heart
What an awesome God we have and One that we can put full confidence in, for He is in control, and we are not. Watching the news on T.V. is not the most uplifting thing, for it seems the whole world is a mess and spinning further away from what God ever intended. We have gone so far from life in the beautiful garden of Eden to this day of chaos and destruction. When God is left out, evil is rampant and causes so much heartache. We were made for God and to bring glory to Him. We need forgiveness for how we have overlooked Him in our lives and nation, and gone our own way. We must acknowledge that He is God and the One who is in control over all, and put our lives in His capable hands.  Max Lucado wrote about God’s power and control: “What controls you doesn’t control Him. What troubles you doesn’t trouble Him. What fatigues you doesn’t fatigue Him. Is an eagle disturbed by traffic? No, he rises above it. Is the whale perturbed by a hurricane? Of course not, he plunges beneath it. Is the lion flustered by the mouse standing directly in his way? No, he steps over it. How much more is God able to soar above, plunge beneath, and step over the troubles of the earth!” It’s in surrendering our lives to the One who is sovereign over us that we find all peace in this world of chaos. Let us give up our self-centered lives and place them in His capable hands. David said in Psalm 9:10 (Amplified), “And they who know Your name (who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy) will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for) You (on authority of God’s word and the right of their necessity).” Let us give up control over our own lives and rest confidently in His hands
Challenge for today: When you become anxious over things out of control, remember who is really in charge.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

September 7,2020

September 7, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have been having a wonderful Labor Day weekend. You can get a glimpse of our weekend from the devotion today. I did some food prep and made a quick trip to Aldi’s and then took some  choc covered raspberries downstairs again for our coffee time this morning. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
When we came home from a day at the lake with all the relatives, I felt so filled up with love. We gathered by the lake shore Saturday morning, on two docks and some in their boats, to be socially distanced while we spent time to catch up with one another. Because of COVID it had been months since we had seen some of them and we had time to ask questions and to find out what it was like to live close to the riots; what was it like to work from home, or what it was like to no longer  even have a job etc. Later there was time to swim and sauna, pray together, fish, and eat together as we roasted wieners and had smores. This is the family God put me in and I am grateful, especially that they know Him. And as wonderful as that is, I was reminded the debt of love we owe not just to our family but all those God puts in our lives. Romans 13:8a & 10(The Message) says, “Don’t run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along…Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can’t go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.” Jesus loved us with such great love that He was willing to take our place and die for us.  We can never finish the debt of love we owe Him. The only way to begin is to love others and help meet their needs. There are so many around us that can use help and our eyes need to be to open to see their physical and emotional and spiritual needs. Sometimes it just means beaming a smile or speaking an encouraging word to someone who feels down; or asking someone if they would want you to pray for them. Maybe it would mean providing a meal for someone just returning from the hospital or mowing the lawn for a widow. It could be giving child care so a busy mom can have a breather. Then there is also our finances; they can be used to help support missions, dig new wells, rescue children sold in trafficking etc. Love is shown in many forms and we have only to ask the Lord how He would have us express His love. Let us love not only in word but in our actions.
Challenge for today: Find a new creative way to show God’s love and just keep it between Him and you.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

September 5, 2020

September 5, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend. We are soon going to the lake and stopping on the way to see and pray with a friend at Birchview Gardens. Then on to the lake for a boat gathering around two docks where we can see extended family with social distancing. Later a picnic is planned and we will have to see about swimming in the afternoon as it is not predicted to be very warm. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
It is no surprise that there are difficult people in the church! Of course, we might be one of them as someone could be having trouble with us  and finds us hard to love. On Crosswalk.com Brittany Rust writes about 10 Ways to Deal with Difficult People in the Church; but her helpful ways may include others we deal with at times as well. Since we are all so unique with varied personalities and not like anyone else, we may end up rubbing someone else in the wrong way. They may struggle to know where we are coming from and can’t understand our logic and thinking. Brittany said we should expect conflict because it is inevitable. When those times come, we need to keep our cool and not lash out. It is an opportunity for us to be an example. We should also not fuel the fire and be defensive but give a gentle answer. Sometimes our pride gets in the way as we try to protect ourselves but we need to just own our part and ask forgiveness. We’ve all been in a group when someone says something critical. Rather than adding to it, we can show ignorance and may respond with, “Isn’t that nice!” or “What a surprise!” We must not forget that we are all broken in differing ways and have struggles in life, many with hurts as far back as childhood; so we need to show grace and mercy. We can choose to take the high road and respond in a positive way. If there is a lot of tension, Brittany says we may have to take a break to gather our thoughts and cool down. It’s a good thing to pray for the person as our own heart gets soften in the process. Finally, she said to practice Matt.18:15 (God’s Word) where Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone If the member listens to you, you have gained that one.” She goes on to say that if that doesn’t work, we should bring one or two other believers along and if the person refuses to listen then tell the church. Let us not turn away from others when conflicts arise but forgive and love, and show mercy.
Challenge for today: The next time a believer hurts you, take the high road and practice mercy.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy
 

September 4, 2020

September 4, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! I went early to the store today to avoid the many who will be getting ready for the holiday. I also made G.F. cookies and pork chops smothered with an apple topping and the house smells so good. Tomorrow we are heading to the lake and the forecast isn’t for very warm temperatures. Emoji But thankfully it isn’t rain. Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
 Loneliness is a big problem today and made worse by COVID-19. Today there are 35.7 million Americans that live alone and loneliness is only exacerbated during this time of isolation. But we don’t have to live alone to have feelings of separation from others, for many going through divorce and traumatic times are left feeling depressed and separated as well.  Our health is often affected, for our bodies feel the effects of loneliness that can result in anxiety, heart conditions, dementia, chronic health problems etc. We would think that since we have cell phones, zoom and video chats that it would help solve the problem. But if we see others enjoying fun times on Facebook, it can make us feel worse for what we feel we are missing. But we have a place to go, someone who understands and One who is there for us. Jennifer Slattery writes about how God deals with us in our anxiety and gives the example of the prophet Elijah. After his victory over the 450 prophets of Baal he was threatened by Jezebel and fled to the desert. He felt so alone and depressed that he wanted to die. But instead of rebuking him, God sent an angel to strengthen him and gave him food and water; he slept and was renewed from exhaustion and ate and was nourished. Or when Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane before his death, he agonized to the point of sweating drops of blood. God sent an angel to strengthen Him. When we feel alone and abandoned, we can look to the Lord and He will use whatever means He chooses to help us and to give us peace. We are told in Isaiah 41:10 (The Message), “I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you. Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Even when we may be by ourselves, we are not alone for the Lord is with us and will fill those empty places inside us.
Challenge for today: When you feel lonely, take time to spend with the Lord and hear His comforting words.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy
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