Category: Sister Judy (Page 187 of 277)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

How easy it is to tell God how we think He should do things according to our own preferences.  Each of us may have in mind what we think is a perfect worship service or the best way to do something. But the problem is not everyone else will agree with us, for they have their own preference.  Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone in church agreed upon the same kind of worship music, or the best way to conduct things?  Just this past weekend in Michigan at the 125^th Anniversary of Immanuel church, I was very comfortable with the temperature at the banquet. But I noticed the pastor was not…he was hot and sweating profusely and had to mop his face often. But overnight the weather changed and at the outdoor service the next day, I was very cold and he was comfortable. Even though I had several layers of clothes on, I was freezing and he felt great in his short sleeved cleric shirt. After the service he told me he was sorry as he could tell how cold I was, but it was great weather for him. Isn’t it good that God does things according to His divine purpose and plan and not just the way we want?  As it says in Isaiah 45, it is not up to the clay to question the potter and tell him what to make. Let us be content with how He does things, even when it is not up to our personal preference.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I’m sure we have all met people that left a lasting imprint on our lives. When we were in Michigan we met the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran at their 125^th anniversary celebration. I was struck by the warmth and love that he expressed to all those around him. He went out of his way to help us all to feel at home and truly has a Pastor’s heart.  He seemed to live in the present moment and was relaxed as he connected with others. When he preached he needed no notes and gave all the glory to God for the 125 years that God was with their church.  He cautioned us not to wish to go back to “The good old days” but to enter into what the Lord has for us now. Although he gave a wonderful sermon, it is God’s love flowing through Him that touched me.  It made think of Matt. 5:16 that I learned as a child,” Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Pastor’s light shines so brightly!

Devotions from Judy’s heart  as I sat by Lake Superior

At Presque Isle I looked out at a large island and some inlets but couldn’t see on the other side.  Everything looked so beautiful in the morning mist but much was hidden too. I thought of Glory and the remainder of my days on earth. I can’t foresee how they will play out and what is ahead, but there is peace and quiet rest. In Prov. 27 it says we do not know what a day may bring forth. But we know we are to number our days and to gain a heart of wisdom.( Ps. 90:12)  May we use each earthly day to prepare  for the glory that awaits us some day.  It is on the other side, like the island view, but because we know Him, we know the best is yet to come.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

This morning Al and I drove to Presque Isle where we have spent many mornings in the years past.  It is a special holy place to us, as God has often spoken to us there, giving us direction for the future. In between the dark clouds, we saw the sunrise over Lake Superior and made Prov. 4 come alive.  “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day…Let your eyes look straight ahead and fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.”  This is a good word for the present and also for the future full light of day.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I just got back from sweeping the deck, patio, and long steps down to the lake. Also, did some weeding as I see greens peeking up between the rocks where they shouldn’t be.. Today I am still catching up as I have let things go for over 3 weeks in order to spend time playing with the grandkids. There is a price to pay when you take a vacation though as it takes longer now to get things back in order. Plus, we had drop- in company and things were certainly not too neat or tidy!   I thought of how easy it is to let things slip by in our spiritual lives and say we will deal with them later. Doesn’t seem too serious at first but soon things accumulate and we feel like we are overrun. But we have a choice and can face things as they come, for we are promised grace to deal with each challenge. He wants us to lean into Him and allow Him to lead us through everything that we encounter, confident in His strength. We may find we will grow stronger and we won’t feel so scattered, like when we let things go on and on. May we allow the Spirit free reign to help us deal with everything we face each day.  “ Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

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Devotions from Judy’s heart

Sometimes we need to admit we don’t know and to ask an expert. Even Jesus disciples weren’t able to cast out demons from a boy and Jesus told them this kind came out by prayer and fasting only. Jesus is the supreme expert!! Lately we have needed an expert too….like when we got our new boat and it didn’t start, we had no idea what to do. My cousin Scott helped Al to get it in the lake and answered questions from the mechanic at Crystal Pierz . But even the mechanic did not know what the problem was when he came all the way out from Brainerd. He had to take our boat back and it took some time to find the problem in the wiring, after taking a portion of the interior apart. .  When we got our boat back and it was running smoothly, we rejoiced and knew we never would have found the problem if it had been left up to us. There are times in our lives we need to also go to someone who is the expert, as we are way in over our head.  Of course, Jesus knows everything and is THE EXPERT, but He also uses others to help us on our way Let us remember how much we need His help and expertise and receive the help He sends. “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!” Rev. 7:12

Devotions from Judy’s heart

As you received the picture of us tye-dyeing our shirts, you can see how we put rubber bands in many places throughout the shirts. Then we sprinkled on the dye and let it sit overnight before washing and seeing the beautiful results. I thought of how it is much like our lives when circumstances come that may cause us restrictions and pain… situations of hard learning etc. It is not pleasant and yet necessary for our growth. Then grace (dye) is poured out on us and we wait while God does His work in our hearts and we remain still. But the glorious thing is that when the bands are removed we can see the beautiful pattern of what He was doing all along in our lives. He knows what it takes for each of us and sees the end result. Our part is not to resist His hand on us but cooperate and trust that He knows what He is doing. Notice how different all our shirts are and His work is unique in each of our lives.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Sometimes it seems like many things go wrong at once and yet we are told to be thankful for trials.  The other day, after getting our new boat home, through the channel and into our lake and dock, the new motor would not start.  The grandkids were disappointed as we were going to christen the boat and have a celebration, a wiener roast etc, which we postponed.   The same day I also got a huge bill from my Dermatologist, and other things that went wrong. We have choices when such things happen. We can complain, blame God, have self-pity etc or we can trust Him and give thanks.  I read from “Jesus Calling” just after this happened, “Thanking Me for trials will feel awkward and contrived at first. But if you persist, your thankful words, prayed in faith, will eventually make a difference in your heart. Thankfulness awakens you to My Presence which overshadows all your problems. “  How timely!   As it says in Ps. 16:17,,”I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.”

Devotions from Judy’s heart
Words are so important and have the power to build up or tear down. We have all said things we wish we could take back but it is too late. I’m sure we have all received words that have wounded us too.  In Matt. 12 it says that we will have to give account for every careless word we speak. With the grandkids here we are doing something to help us with our words. I gave each of us 10 pennies and if someone hears us say a negative thing about someone else they get to take a penny away.  Before they leave to go home, whoever has the most pennies will get a prize. So far a few pennies have been exchanged and I’m sure more will in the future. In Prov. 16:24, it says that “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”  May we have up-building words for others that will bring health and healing to our souls.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

We are enjoying the grandkids so much but if you looked at our house, you would say it is rather messy. Does it matter? NO!  Usually things are in their place, but the counter is cluttered; the Scrabble board is on the floor with games going on continually; comics here and there and some hidden under the sofa etc. You get the picture. But I read from Jesus Calling today, “Glorifying and enjoying Me is a higher priority than maintaining a tidy, structured life. Give up your striving to keep everything under control- an impossible task and a waste of time….Let me prepare you for the day that awaits you and point you in the right direction. …Keep your eyes on Me, enjoying Peace in My Presence.” 

Let us be light hearted and enjoy the present rather than being tidy and structured, lest we miss the peace and joy of His presence.