Category: Sister Judy (Page 169 of 277)

Now is the time to seek God and to draw closer to Him. Every day is an opportunity to know Him in a deeper way for the day is coming when, as the familiar song goes, “Every tongue will confess You are God, One day ev’ry knee will bow.” But now is the time to willingly surrender our lives to God, while we have the opportunity, and then to share Him with others. John says in I John 4:15-16 (The Message), “Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.” People are looking for love but so often in the wrong places. There is a hunger in all of our hearts to know God, for He put it there; that hunger will not ever be satisfied with substitutes of other people or things. Some reach the top of the corporate ladder and realize that it leaves them empty; others are surrounded by friends, but still lonely for the One. Only God satisfies that longing we each have within us and one day we will run out of time to accept Him, so as the song goes why not “gladly choose Him now!” As we come to know Him, we will want to tell others so they can know real love too. We all do this in different ways for we are all different personalities and have various gifts. The Holy Spirit will direct us for He knows the heart of each person, and who is ripe and open. Just recently Al took a young man out for coffee that we have met on the Paul Bunyan trail where we walk each day. We always say hi when we see him and exchange a few words; but one day Al asked him if he would like to meet together. He said yes and really questioned why Al would want to do that. But Al just told him he would just like to get to know him and hear his story as they met outside at Caribou. Maybe down the line, as they continue to meet, Al can share the Lord with him but for now it is a chance to listen and be open to where he is at. May each of us seek the Lord daily and allow the Holy Spirit free reign to use us to win others for Him

Challenge for today: When you are afraid, go to the Word and praise Him with a trusting heart.”

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

Dear Ones,

 

Hope you are enjoying this day. The house is full of aroma as I have been busy in the kitchen this morning. Kurt stopped in for a visit and this afternoon I am taking a couple friends from here to the Mall and Dollar Store. Tonight I have our Women’s Bible Study at church. I would ask for prayers for a Matt, a young father from our former church in D.M who has tested positive for COVID-19. His wife tested negative but they have two very small children and need prayer for entire family that was gathered together on Sunday. Thank you!

 

Devotions from Judy’s heart

 

God created us to bring glory to Him and our lives should show evidence of His love by the works we do. We are not saved by doing those good things, but our outward acts should bear witness that we are God’s children. In Eph. 2:10 (God’s Word), it says, “God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that He has prepared for us to do.” Sometimes those works are so perfectly timed by the Lord to fit a present need, that a person may feel like God has sent an angel! I think that is how some people in Iowa feel right now who have been devasted by the Derecho that hit them last week.  So much devastation left behind of downed trees, power failure, crops ruined, homes damaged etc. People were in shock and wondered how they would ever get it cleaned up.  I read how a man from Kalona bought a boat from someone in Cedar Falls a few months ago; he called after the storm to see how the family was doing and they shared about the terrible damage they had incurred. The man said he would be there in the morning and the family had quite a surprise  the next day when a whole crew of over 20 volunteers came in blue outfits from the Christian Aid Ministries with equipment, chainsaws, rakes etc. to help them. They worked hard and helped not only this family but many families to clean it all up and refused any pay.  Some wept and said it was if God sent angels to them. Al and I also remember when we were overwhelmed by the terrible storm that hit us 4 years ago. When we saw a friend and his relatives who were staying at a nearby resort come down our road carrying a cooler and prepared to help us, it was like also  seeing angels. They climbed on the cabin roof to put on a tarp, helped us with down trees and got our generator going etc. God’s timing is so perfect and He wants to use each of us to be His angels of mercy and grace to others. When we think of all that we have received from God, out of gratitude and love let us do good works as the Holy Spirit directs.

 

Challenge for today: Tell the Lord you are available to be one of His “angels” to help others.

 

Dear Ones,

 

Hope you are having a peaceful day! It is overcast here and looks like it could rain. I made healthy quinoa/chic/veggie soup this morning and wrote letters before I went to exercise class. Tonight we have Bible Study at church and hopefully a walk before.

 

Devotions from Judy’s heart

 

It’s so important as Christians to walk in truth and not be false. We are told in Eph. 4:15 (The Message), “God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love,—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.”  In verse 25 Paul goes on to say, “What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, or more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.”  It seems like in our culture today, there is so much pretense and lies being told that one doesn’t know what to believe or who to believe. How sad that is. I remember growing up that my parents were people of integrity, and I didn’t have to wonder if what they said was truth. Where are the people of integrity today? Truthful words are a gift and when we lie, we are lying to ourselves and lose self-respect. That doesn’t mean that we have to agree with everyone around us but when we disagree, do it in love and an openness to learn where they are coming from. It is very sad when people are afraid to speak up and some feel if they disagree it may cost them even their job. It takes courage to speak the truth and to not compromise because we want to be accepted; It feels right and good when we speak from our hearts, even when it may mean standing alone and saying we will not go along with something that goes against our convictions. Recently, I read about Cornel West of Harvard, a black Baptist liberal, and Robert George of Princeton, a white catholic conservative who couldn’t be any different. They debate one another but yet they respect one another and are the best of friends. Yes, we can disagree with others not from our tribe but may we not ostracize them or exclude them; rather take time to listen and find out where they are at and not be so quick to tell our side of things. Let us be known for seeking truth and loving much.

 

Challenge for today: Spend some time with someone of differing views, and listen in love and openness.

 

Dear Ones,

 

Hope you are enjoying the day. It’s a beautiful sunny day and I look forward to our walk. This morning I studied, did food prep and took fresh bars downstairs for coffee time. Al had an appointment this morning and another this afternoon. I am off to the Mall!

 

Devotions from Judy’s heart

 

We cannot carry the world on our shoulders, and were never meant to do that. Only God can! We have strength to do only what He asks of us, and for that we can be assured He will give us what is needed at the time. I read an article by Alan Shlemon as he tells about how 2020 is taking a toll on our souls, and how we feel responsible to respond to what is taking place in our country and also many parts of the world. We see so many tragic events happening in faraway places, since we have a ringside seat because of technology, but we weren’t created to handle all of it. Prior to the internet we weren’t aware of so much evil and mostly carried around those events closer to our communities; but today we see one tragedy after another on the news and it is played over and over again as we feel the pain, almost like we are there. We can’t handle all the world’s hurts without feeling overwhelmed, but God can and He is the only one capable of such a weight. There is so much negative news and as Alan says, God didn’t wire us to carry every event as if it were ours. In fact, he says we need to care for ourselves by taking times to unplug from the internet and social media; go for walks in nature, notice the birds and flowers, and breath in the beauty of creation. It helps us escape for a time and regroup before we return to the harsh realities of our world. Then we can pray and ask the Lord what burdens of others, that He wants us to help shoulder, as well as, sharing our own burdens with friends who can help carry ours. David said in Psalm 55:22 (The Message), “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders—He’ll’’ carry your load, He’ll help you out. He’ll never let good people topple into ruin.”  We can cast all our burdens on Him for He cares for us. And as we do that, He will help us bear the burdens of others, as He directs, and not try to take on the weight of the whole world.

 

Challenge for today: Go for a nature walk and release the weight of all the problems before you to the Lord.

 

Dear Ones,

 

Hope you are having a good weekend and not hit by the tornadoes last night. So lovely to see the sunset later after the very black clouds disappeared.  PTL!  

 

Devotions from Judy’s heart

 

Just recently a friend called and said he had experienced a God-thing and we shared in his excitement and delight. I Love when I hear of such happenings, when you know that you know that it’s just all God and see His fingerprints all over it. But it wasn’t long after that I also experienced a God-thing and want to share with you. Some of you know, we have been serious about getting new phones and we asked our son for his suggestions for what would be good for two “old timers!” He suggested 3 different phones but when we went to get one, the first two stores had none of them in stock, and couldn’t order them either. So we ended up getting another brand and when we went to get them set up, the store was so crowded we left it for another day. Good thing because in the meantime, our daughter found out we could get on her plan and the monthly fee would be cut in half. So we were gladly took the phones back and planned to go with her provider. That night a verse of scripture came to me about asking the Lord and it struck me deeply that I needed to specifically ask the Lord for the right phone and see him provide. It says in Jer. 33:3 (The Message), “Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” So I prayed and asked the Lord for His provision and that we would know the right one. I looked on-line and noticed they had only one of the phones Mark mentioned in stock. I also prayed that we wouldn’t have to wait a long time as our daughter and grandson were helping us. When we got to the store, we were the first ones and only one person came in after an hour. The higher priced phone our son suggested was in stock and they got them for us. I said to the manager, “It’s too bad you don’t have the other one as well.” and she answered. “We do and you can get two phones free!” What? It was a three-day promotional and we hit it perfectly and only had to pay the activation fee. We couldn’t believe it. My husband put his hands in the air and exclaimed, ”It’s raining blessings!” Truly it was. In my heart I began praising the Lord for answering above anything I could have asked or thought. The timing of everything was truly a God-thing!

 

Challenge for today: When you face a need, ask the Lord and let Him provide in His way and His timing.

 

Dear Ones,

Hope you had a great weekend! The sun is out and it is a beautiful day.  I baked S.F. Choc chip cookies this morning and went to Aldi’s and my exercise class. Soon we are going to Fleet Farm before our walk.  

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Our lives are in God’s hands and they are precious in His sight. I was reading today some statistics from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University. They found that only 39% of Americans believe today that human life is sacred and has intrinsic worth. 12% claim that we are simply “material substance-biological machines”. Seven out of 10 believe that human beings are basically good which is not according to the teaching of the Bible. The truth is that we are born in sin and in need of redemption. We are not innately good, for it says in Romans 3:23(ESV), “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That includes everyone!  If by chance, we were all good, then it would make sense to defund the police but we have seen what happens when man is left to his sinful self. Or if we think that violence happens simply because of poverty, discrimination and external forces, we must admit that rich people commit crimes as well as poor people; and others that may be poor and come from broken homes can have godly character and make good choices. I read Dr. George Barna’s words (CRC Director of Research) as he said the answer won’t be more legislation, more laws and compliance, but rather we need a heart change. Our real problem is not bad parenting, poverty, and lack of education but rebellion against God, for in ourselves we are selfish rebellious human beings. Our problem is spiritual and we are all in need of a Savior.  The bottom line is that each person is a precious human being but in need of forgiveness. Jesus paid the ultimate price by his life on the cross for us.  It is by grace we are saved through faith and it is not something we earn but a gift of God. (Eph 2:8-9) Our part is to humbly confess our need of Him and accept this wonderful gift of forgiveness. Then He changes us on the inside and we become more like Him with compassion and willingness to help us others and share His love. Dr. Barna said, “Given the cultural challenges we are facing today, our best strategy is to collectively turn to God, humble ourselves before Him, earnestly seek His love and forgiveness, and follow His wisdom and guidance.”

Challenge for today: Pray for opportunities to share with others how valuable each life is, and how they can know the Lord.

Dear Ones,

Hope  you are having a peace filled day. We had a good rain and everything looks so fresh and green. I made cinnamon/raisin bread and our favorite bars before going to my exercise class this morning and tonight we have Bible Study.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

A couple days ago after a wonderful birthday celebration for Al on the deck of our daughter’s house, we went down to the cabin (Silver Chateau); our nephew joined us and we discussed the stressful situation in our country and the importance of being alert and not sleeping spiritually. I was reminded of an article I recently read by Pam Farrel, author of 50 books, who writes of God’s faithfulness when we feel we are drowning in bad news. When tough times come at us, whether it be in our own personal lives or in our nation, we can feel like we are caught under a powerful waterfalls and waves pounding on us; negativity tries to keep us under the water and it’s hard to breath and function. David must have felt that way as he says in Psalm 42 that his soul is cast down and he feels overwhelmed and cries out to be rescued. Farrel goes on tell how David handled the situation of getting out of the blows of the waves by praying expectantly and praising repeatedly. He says in Psalm 42:5(The Word), “Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise Him. He is my Savior and my God.” We can pray in faith that God will direct our lives and that His love will hold us fast, even when circumstances are difficult. Our hope is not in life being easy but in God whom we praise. Even if things don’t get better outwardly, we can be strengthened inwardly and be expectant for what God will do. Then as we spend time praising Him for all that He is and His presence with us, it is like a song in the night. Instead of feeling like we are drowning under a waterfall, Farrel says that we see the waterfall as a healing tool and the spray being a mist of refreshment. We start believing in our hearts that God will use the difficult times in our lives to work together for good. She quotes Charles Spurgeon’s words, “I have learned to kiss the wave that slams me into the Rock of Ages” As I was writing this from the cabin at the lake, there were actual whitecaps crashing against the shore as a reminder to me of His powerful love.

Challenge for today: Sit quietly in God’s presence and let the waves of His love wash over you.