Category: Sister Judy (Page 183 of 271)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

The other day while our relatives were gathered at the Point, I drove our car over to join them. But in the middle of the road was a pail used to get water from the well. I had no idea why it was there and had to get out of the car and remove it to the side of the road. I wondered who put it there. Later as supper was served they asked my brother what happened to the well water. He had put the pail in the middle of the road to remind himself to get water on his way back from swimming. So he had to make a trip back to the well!  Sometimes people around us do things we don’t understand and make no sense to us. We may get irritated or think it impedes our progress. But all I had to do with the pail was to simply set it aside.  Let us not get upset by the idiosyncrasies of others but be patient; go on with our lives. Sometimes we may get understanding but even if we don’t, let us not judge others. Just like my brother, there may be a perfectly logical reason for their action. When we focus on the negative we will miss the gifts God has placed inside others.  As it says in Ps. 149,  God takes pleasure in His people. Let us take pleasure in others and notice all their good qualities just as we would like them to see in us!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

One Sunday a man came up from me after church and tucked in a tag that was showing on the back of my blouse. He said it bothered him the whole service and he could hardly hear the sermon. ( I’m sure he was  kidding!) But how nice of him to let me know, and isn’t it good that in the Body of Christ others will let us know when there are obvious things in our lives that need changing?  We can grow if we are open to hear them. He was not trying to put me down but said it to help me. God sends people in our lives to speak His truth to us, but can we hear?  Sometimes we would rather reject the messenger and then we never deal with those things but keep going our own “crooked ways”.  Let us be open so that we will always be growing and becoming more like Him.
As it says in Ps.25, “Show me your ways, O lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior”.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Change is not always welcomed, even though we may say change is good. One night I played Scrabble on Facebook before going to bed and th next day I woke up to a whole new set up that was entirely different. At first I didn’t like it, as I couldn’t even find the dictionary check. But I am getting use to it and learning to use the new features. I still like the old one better at this point, but that is because I am still adjusting to the New.  In another sense, change is what life is all about. Sometimes it may be a little scary when we go into new territory that we have not been in before. We have to be careful not to give way to worry and fear, but to just hang on tighter to the Lord. Everything that helps us become more aware of our need for Him is good. As it said in my devotional book today, “I am pleased by your tendency to turn to Me more and more frequently… As you bask in the blessing of My nearness, My life can flow through you to others. This is the abundant life.”  So yes, change is good as we hang on to Him who never changes!  He is the same loving Father who loves us always.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

The other night I watched the movie, Courageous, for a second time, and was once again reminded of how important to live what we believe and to leave a legacy.
What a blessing it is for us to see Kurt leading the Men’s newly formed Bible Study group on Sunday evenings. And also to see our grandkids do skits about Bible stories they have heard in S.S. and ask questions about heaven etc . While at Ann’s last time, we were able to be present for Joe and Paul’s confirmation as they confirmed their faith. And at Mark’s as I read Bible stories to John Mark, he already knew what would happen and is only 21/2.  In Ps 103:17 it says, “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him and his righteousness with their children’s children.”   There is nothing better and richer than to know our children and children’s children are following the Lord.  I know we are also experiencing the answered prayers of our own parents and grandparents who prayed so long ago.

Let us not grow weary in prayer.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

This morning I read a hymn of praise from Ps. 148 where all of God’s creatures join in praise; heavenly bodies, the inhabitants of the sea and land, and people everywhere. “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His majesty is above the earth.” (verse 13) My heart also is so full of gratitude and praise as I think over the recent days, how He spared our house in the storm, gave me quick medical help for Lyme and Anaplasmosis, and a skilled dermatologist to take care of my skin cancer. He has given us warm fellowship with family and friends and the list goes on and on. He is truly, Emmanuel, God with us.  Like Sarah Young says, He is watching over us all the time.  He knows exactly what we need to draw us closer to Him. We need to accept every event as His hand-tailored provision for our needs. “When you view your life this way, the most reasonable response is to be thankful.” Let us not reject the gifts He sends but find Him in every situation.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Sometimes in our walk with the Lord we may back slide into old ways, may grieve the Spirit, and lose our power. It is not a good place to be and things are not right.  Maybe there has been a storm in our lives, something devastating, and we blame God.  We were without power after a wind storm hit Canaan on Monday night.  Only 24 hours without power but it changed everything. Dishes sat dirty in the sink, clothes couldn’t be washed, no e-mails, no hot food etc. But when the power came on, everything in the house started going again, including the Air Conditioning.  Things were right! , I think we felt like dancing and shouting.
We were made for the Lord, and when we choose to blame God or go our own way, we miss out on the abundant life that He has for us.  But He is so ready to receive us and forgive us when we recognize our plight and cry out to Him. It is like a new beginning….like the lights are turned on again. Yes, we will all have storms in our lives and things that want to knock us off balance. But let us hold on tightly to the Lord and He will take us through

Devotions from Judy’s heart

“I trust in you O Lord; I say ‘You are my God.’ My times are times are in your hands.” ( Ps. 31:14-15) This was so true yesterday as we felt His presence when we came from the cities in a storm. While at the Dermatologist, it took so long first to get into my Dr. and then extra time teaching a resident how to stitch me up etc. We got on the road late but later found out the delay was good.  If we had been sooner we would have been in the midst of the storm that hit here shortly before we arrived.  We had to also wait about an hour as lines were down on our road and an ambulance had to get through. But we did get home and we were so thankful.  I thought of how I had been impatient in my spirit at the Dr. but it was actually good as it prevented us from being caught in the brunt of the storm. Sometimes what we think are delays are God’s way of protecting us. Over and over again in scripture we read about time and how Jesus was always on God’s time. Let us also be on His time for He knows best!

 Devotions from Judy’s heart

Yesterday one of our Board members said that he was rejoicing that he found out he had diabetes. Now you may think that is really strange!  But he was happy to know that there was a reason for feeling awful,  his lack of energy, his thirst and many other symptoms.  It was a relief that he knew what was wrong and could do something about it. He is careful of his diet now and eats 6 meals a day, and no more diet cokes or things that are not good for him etc.  As he shared (this is with his permission) I thought of how we were before we came to the Lord. We were feeling bad and we knew something was wrong as we lacked deep peace. But the good news is that we are guilty and can go to the Great Physician for the remedy. He already paid the price for our salvation and wholeness and He wants us to agree with Him that we are sinful and in need of His grace and forgiveness. Then as we receive His diagnosis and treatment he puts us on the road to health and healing for our souls. So it is good news and it is news we need to share with others for He came for All! He came to give life and life abundant.( John 10:10)

 Devotions from Judy’s heart

Yesterday I took a prayer walk and it was my first one for a while since I have been sick. Everything looked so lovely to me, especially all the white daisies and yellow road-side flowers. I felt like the Lord had prepared a beautiful walk-way for me and even had colorful butterflies accompany me. The birds provided music too.  I noticed everything more clearly and thought every day should be like this. Isn’t it good to start each day seeking the Lord’s presence and recognizing that He has already prepared a path for us to walk on?  There are surprises along the way, much beauty, and often some trials too. But He is with us so let us not miss Him in all that touches our lives.  May He give us a new awareness of His presence and with that comes a gentle peace.  I read from Ps. 141 today, “But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord.”

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I was reminded how important it is to welcome the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  He gives life and freedom and counsel, and as I read today in Romans 8, He intercedes for us. But we are also warned not to quench the Spirit and sometimes we may do that little by little until we lose our spiritual power. Last night I was all set to do things around the house and work on my computer, and all of sudden our lights flickered and went out. There was no storm but in one moment, we had no power at all. Everything changed and we were in the shadows. When we keep resisting the Spirit and going our own way, He may not feel welcome and our spiritual power diminishes. We may do things over and over again that we know are not in alignment of His will, and He is grieved. But what a difference when the power came on again and there was light in our house!. I felt like dancing! Everything was right again!   May we not resist the Spirit but allow Him to lead us and guide us into the fullness of all that God has planned for our lives!   From the song of Bill Gaither, “Come, Holy Spirit, I need You, Come sweet Spirit, I pray; Come in Your strength and Your power, come in Your own gentle way!”