Category: Sister Judy (Page 190 of 279)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

The search is on!  We are looking for a boat for our family’s use these days and going various places trying to find the right one. Also, we took the grandsons to Brainerd yesterday and they searched for a prize which is like an early birthday gift. They combed all the toy shelves and one came back with his “treasure” and the other 2 are still looking. But isn’t the search good, as it causes us to weigh what is important etc? We are told many times in scripture to seek and to search. Just this morning I read from Prov. 2 and it says to seek wisdom like silver and search for it as for hidden treasure.  We are also to seek righteousness and humility; to seek the things that are above; to seek His Kingdom. We are promised if we seek Him diligently we will find Him, the one our hearts are made for. (Prov. 8:17) Let us not be passive or apathetic, but let us be actively seeking and searching for then we will find the Real Treasure!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

The other day I was using a funnel to pour a big jar of olive oil into a smaller container. I started by using a large funnel but realized it was too big for the smaller hole in the oil bottle. I noticed some of the oil spilling down the sides of the bottle. But I had a smaller funnel and it fit perfectly and I could pour in the rest of the oil without spilling a drop. I thought of how sometimes we may try to pour into others things that they are not ready for….it doesn’t fit at the time for them and much of what we try to teach is lost. But if we pour out what is for the season they are in and for where they are in their journey, it will be taken in and used. Let us not “overload” others with things that were not meant for them at the time..“Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.” Prov. 16:13

Devotions from Judy’s heart

The other day I played a lengthily game of Scrabble with 2 of our grandsons. It was down to the last few letters and one grandson was prancing around thinking he won by 20 points, since his brother had only 1 letter left. I told him to be humble and not to celebrate before the time.  What do you suppose happened? His brother played his last letter on a double word and they ended up in a tie. That was a disappointment for the one who was leading. Sometimes we think we know how things will turn out and then God does a “fast one” on us. He humbles us to let us know that we are not in control and don’t know how things will turn out in the end.  In Prov. 16:18 it says that “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”  We don’t know everything but “God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.” ( I John 3:20). Let us listen to His Spirit’s leading and not jump to conclusions that we know!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Yesterday I went to the garden to get some lettuce and tomatoes for our salad. I was quite surprised when I saw the whole row of lettuce was all eaten and also some of the cabbage etc.  We had been robbed!  A critter had feasted on our veggies and then napped on cabbage leaves in the corner. My gardening friend was there too, and we looked around and found that the critter had snuck in at the bottom of the fencing. Right away he put out a trap and today we may find out who the robber was. In scripture we are told often to be alert, to be on guard, as we know the enemy wants to gain access to our souls and rob us.  Luke 21 says we are to watch, to stay awake at all times.  The enemy seems to know our vulnerabilities and tries to trip us up and gain a foothold in our lives. Even though we had taken some measures to protect our garden, we still needed to be alert to any area that is vulnerable. Every day in prayer I put on the armor of God and also pray for each one in our family. We need to be alert and particularly to ask Him to protect us in our vulnerable areas where healing is still taking place.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Isn’t it easy to get attached to things so that we miss the new the Lord has for us? Maybe it is a certain way He seems to relate to us, and all of a sudden it changes, and it no longer “works’!  I still remember when the way I had had devotions for so many years seemed dry and no longer “fed” my spirit. I was introduced to a more contemplative way and after a time, it was so nourishing to my heart. But it is not easy to abandon what has always worked and then to embrace the new ways. Just the other night as we sat by the camp fire, we were talking about getting a better boat that is conducive for use with the grandkids. We were all dreaming and excited about the possibilities, until Kurt realized he would need to put his boat in as a trade. Oh!!!!!  He would have to give up his boat with all its memories and that needed some thought. Later he came back to say he would let go of the old one to embrace a different one that better met the needs of his family. Things change and that means we have to change with it. In Rev. 21:5 the Lord says, “Behold, I am making all things new.”  May God give us grace to let go of what was, for what is now!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Yesterday Mark’s family and Kurt’s family left and we have Ann’s family here now for a couple more weeks. It was wonderful to all be together!  Before they came I tried to put many dishes and baked goods in the freezer. With 3 different diets and 12 miles to the store, I was concerned how it would all work out. But I read from “Jesus Calling” such a neat word and will share with you. “Rest in Me, My child. Give your mind a break from planning and trying to anticipate what will happen. Pray continually, asking My Spirit to take charge of the details of this day…when you try to peer into the future and plan for every possibility, you ignore your constant Companion who sustains you moment by moment. As you gaze anxiously into the distance, you don’t even feel the strong grip of My hand holding yours….never lose sight of My presence with you. This will keep you resting in Me all day, every day.”  And that is how it was…He arranged everything so perfectly. He is soooo worthy of our trust.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

If you got the picture I sent of our whole family at meal time, you will see that we are not so fussy about everything being perfect. With some sitting at the cluttered counter, some at a little children’s table and others at the big table, it looks rather messy. But the important thing is not that everything is picture-perfect but that we are fed and satisfied and enjoy the experience together.  Today I was reading from Matt 23 about the Pharisees and how they were all about appearances. They wanted to look good even though what was in their hearts was full of uncleanness and hypocrisy.  We can also be all about appearances like putting on an elaborate dinner where everything is just perfect, but people are not getting along, the food is so rich they have indigestion etc?  But what is far more important is what we take into ourselves…. what we receive into our hearts?  We don’t really need to be concerned about how it looks to others, but more about taking in what the Lord has for us each day. Sometimes we are rather messy and imperfect, but the Lord looks at our desire and intention of our hearts. He gives us just what we need and we are nourished and fed what is life-giving. So let us be honest before Him and others, not so concerned about outward appearances

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today I read in Matt. 19 about how Jesus did not want the little children hindered but to come to him as He laid his hands on them and blessed them.  We have all 7 of our grandkids with us now and our desire is to bless them. Each one is so unique and special!  We do not have favorites but love each of them in different ways for they have one-of- a kind personality. We want to treat each of them according to what is meaningful to them, although we are so imperfect at doing that.  But it gives us a sense of our Heavenly Father and how He knows exactly how to love and nurture us. I’m so glad He doesn’t have favorites but treats us as His beloved children, wanting to spend time with us to express that love. Just as our grandkids aren’t perfect angels all the time, He loves us unconditionally and sees the potential in us and what we may become. Let us be more aware of His love for us and become more rooted and grounded in that perfect love.  Eph 3:17-18.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

The other day I was making stew and I like to use spices to make if flavorful. I took many different ones out and sprinkled it into the pot of stew. But when I got to Cumin, nothing came out. I pounded the bottom on the counter thinking it could need to be loosened but still nothing. I opened the lid and there was a seal across the top that I had not opened yet, since it was new from the store.
It didn’t take me long to pull it off and the spice came sprinkling out. I thought of many of the promises in scripture that we say “ they just don’t work”, but we forget there is a condition attached to it. God may say, “If you do this…. I will do that” but we only take the last part and then blame Him for not coming through.  II Chron. 7:14 it says: “IF my people who are called by my name, humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  Or in I John 1 If we confess our sins, he will forgive and cleanse us. And If we walk in the light, we will have fellowship with other believers and be cleansed from all our sin. Let us open the seal by doing our part and then let God pour out His blessings upon us.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today we went to pick up a motor for our boat as the old one “died”.  Just yesterday Al and Mark went to look at motors and came home excited about one of them, even though the price was higher than Craig’s List. I said, maybe we could get the price down and they left it in my ball park to call the dealer. I didn’t think I had anything to lose and called him up and just asked if he would take a $100 less. He said yes, and we were all dancing with joy. He even gave us another $100 for our old motor.  I thought immediately of the verse in James 4:2 “You do not have, because you do not ask.”  Scripture is loaded with verses on asking and we are encouraged to ask Him for what we need. Sometimes it is so surprising how He answers!  In Matt. 7 we are told to Ask, seek and knock. “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”  As we come humbly before the Lord and seek His will and persist in prayer He will provide us just what we need. I wonder how many blessings we have missed out on because we don’t go to Him and ask in faith. Just like we love to give gifts to our kids and grandkids, the Lord delights to give to us.