Category: Sister Judy (Page 190 of 271)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

We have just spent a few days with 3 of our grandkids. Although they have the same parents it is amazing how different they are — so individual and gifted in different ways. Their uniqueness is a gift and to be appreciated and encouraged. Paige is tall and slender and loves to write, act, play the violin etc. Lily is solid and a natural athlete who is very competitive. Grant is all-boy and very expressive and full of energy and imagination. As grandparents we rejoice over each of our grandkids and remember our Heavenly Father rejoices over us in a similar way…not for what we do or achieve, but just for whom we are. As it says in Zeph. 3:7 , “He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Imagine that!  As we look at others, may we also appreciate their uniqueness and not try to fit them into a mold. Ours is not the place to change them but give them space and affirmation to be who God created them to be.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Last night the grandkids had a program for us with interviews, a play etc.  Paige put the spotlight on Lily who was a dog in a fenced in yard and longing to be adopted. But Grant ( only 4 years old) could not bear to NOT be in the spotlight  so he barked and carried on to be noticed. Later on both of them were included and adopted and learned to do tricks but at that moment it was to be Lily’s turn to be in the spotlight. I thought of the Body of Christ and how this is too often the picture behind the scenes. Someone is in the “spotlight” and others try to hedge in too.  Even pastors whose churches are not growing at the moment feel left out of the spotlight by those who are growing by leaps and bounds. Or maybe the Lord is honoring a person for a hidden work they are doing, and others feel they deserve it more etc. You get the picture. But in Romans 12 it says we should not be proud or think more highly of ourselves than we ought. Also  that we are to honor one another above ourselves and rejoice with others. The Lord is the one who turns the “spotlight” on the ones he chooses!  If we are serving Him, it matters not if it is not on us for He sees even in secret. So let us serve him from a heart of love.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

We are here at Kurt’s in Kansas and today we all went to see 4 year old Grant play soccer. The team of nine 4 year olds did lots of practicing before they actually played the game. Grant did his best but fell 9 times. One time mommy had to comfort him but the other times he perseveringly got up and continued playing.  His team lost but mommy and daddy and all of us cheered him and told him what a good job he did.  They were up against all 5 year olds that played all last year.  But Grant didn’t give up and he played his best. It was a living parable about how we should live.  We are going to fall again and again and we need to glance away from ourselves to the people on the sidelines cheering us on… especially our heavenly Father.  He knows we aren’t going to do it perfectly but He looks at our heart motivation. Often He sends comfort and encouragement from  those around us too.  In Phil 3 it says, But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. .. I press on to the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Let us not give up but persevere!!

Devotions from Judy’s heart,

On the way to Des Moines yesterday at 5:30 am, I noticed a big smudge on my passenger side of the windshield. It was in my direct line of my vision so I couldn’t see accurately. We intended to wash it off the next time we stopped but we forgot. I took a snooze and when I opened my eyes again the window was clear as there had been a heavy rain. I thought of how we all have areas of damage in our lives and it distorts the way we view things. We don’t see things accurately and for real. But the Lord wants to heal us and give us clarity and to see things as they are. When He washes us and forgives us, we look out with new sight. It isn’t so important how the smudge got there, but rather our desire to have it taken care of. The Lord wasn’t to bless us and draw us close as it says in Ps. 24:3-4 “Who may stand in His holy place? He who has cleans hands and a pure heart. May we go to Him for cleansing and fresh sight!

  Devotions from Judy’s heart

The other day I defrosted and cleaned out our chest freezers in the garage. I spent part of my time almost upside down, as I had to bend over and dig deep into the bottom.  We may not remember what is even in there, and I was surprised by all the things that needed to be used up. It made me think of my heart and how so much has been put into it through out my life…teachings, my daily devotions, words from friends etc.. It is easy to forget what was put in long ago. We need that cleansing and airing out so new things can be put in. The former things were good but need to be used and put into practice and then the new can come in and build on that. If we neglect to use what was put in, it compromises the flavor and the taste. If it is too full of the old, we miss trying out the new. “ Behold, I am making all things new. Rev 21:5

Devotions from Judy’s heart
The other day I walked to the Point and along the road there were no signs of greens or bushes yet. I know that raspberry bushes will come forth but is not time yet. Even though I can’t see them now, I know they will be coming and I anticipate the muffins, pies, jam etc that I can make from them. It made me think of faith and how it is really believing before we see with our eyes.  “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” ( II Cor. 5:7)  Many things in life, we need to accept by faith and trust that one day they will come into being. As I was driving to church yesterday the sun broke through the clouds and it was as if the heavens opened up. I thought of how one day we will be ushered into glory but for now we can only anticipate by faith. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Rom 10:17)  May our faith be strengthened as we trust the promises in His word and wait for the time of fulfillment.  No, it won’t be long until I will be making raspberry pie!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I just took a rhubarb cake out of the oven and the whole house is full of the wonderful aroma. Al and I are fasting today in preparation for his retreat with the men in Iowa this weekend…. and fact that we are denying ourselves today makes the aroma even sweeter.  Yesterday we ate out at a Mexican restaurant and came home so full that I wouldn’t have even cared for a piece of cake. But today is different!  Sometimes when things are withdrawn from us for a time or we deny ourselves, it makes something even more appreciated and special. I’m sure we have all been disappointed when something we care for is withdrawn, but also remember the joy of when it is returned…it means even more!  I know that is true concerning my health when I was sick in the hospital. Getting home and feeling good again was heavenly. I was more appreciative of everything. Let us be thankful in all circumstances like Paul: “I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.  I’m just as happy with little as with much, whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”  From  Eph 4

Devotions from Judy’s heart

You may have heard of an oldie song, “Why worry when you can pray. Trust Jesus He will show you the way.”  I learned that as a child but it is not always easy to refrain from worries. It can be over big things or just small things….like I heard a few faint noises in our bedroom the other night and wondered if it could be a little mousey creature or just the furnace! And then there are big things like worrying about my cousin Mary’ and her mom’s recovery etc. There are many things to worry about but as we walk closely with the Lord the worrisome thoughts won’t have room to grow in our minds. He has given us many promises of how He is with us and how we can share all our concerns, leaving them in His hand. We need to keep from viewing our problems from our small perspective and look instead from His vantage point.  As we look at our problems through His lens of love, we will realize they are a gift to teach us deep things and make us a better person. May we have grace to let go of our worries and rest in His peace.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I have always thought that hospitality was important as I saw it being practiced in my own home growing up. There was hardly a Sunday mom didn’t have company for dinner, and often during the week. At one time we had missionaries stay with us for 6 months in our 2 bedroom home. Mom invited people on the spur of the moment if she thought there was a need, and didn’t stop to think if the house was perfect etc. She wasn’t out to impress.

The new issue of Conversations Magazine is all on Welcoming the stranger and it opened my heart more to what that really means.   Jesus gave us such a wonderful example as He welcomed and identified with all sorts of people that others avoided. How do we cultivate a welcoming spirit and openness to other’s needs and to give them a sense of “Home” ?  We have only to think of how Jesus welcomes us and to give up our self-absorption so we can receive others, who may be not like us. I think we will find that we are the ones that are changed and transformed, for “those that we are caring for become our teachers”. As we do it for the least of these … we do it for Him. ( Matt 25:35 and 40)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Yesterday morning I woke again to the moon streaming across the lake and beaming into the windows of our house.  It was like the Lord turned on the lights!. Then as I had my devotions, I was in Ps. 65 which seemed to express the coming forth of nature into Spring- time. It was evident when I walked the road that the buds are coming out now and all of nature is singing praise. “Those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe of your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy…….the pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together with joy.”  What an awesome picture and reminds me of the bursting forth of resurrection power. May we join all of creation in praise to our resurrected Lord who brought us into the Light and gives unspeakable joy!!!
Blessings on your Easter!