Category: Sister Judy (Page 195 of 271)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

When we arrived here in Charleston, we were made to feel so welcome by Ann’s family. The boys had made us Valentines and had a banner on our bedroom door.  There was a bag of snickers on my bed and Al had big bag of M&M’s on his bed from Paul. There was even paper chain decorations and a balloon. We were eager to get here but so great to know they anticipated our arrival too. I wonder how it is in the Body of Christ, especially when there are new comers. Do they feel welcome?  Do we reach out and receive them with eagerness?  It is more than just being welcomed by an official person who is the greeter of the day. Jesus said if we welcome the stranger we are really welcoming Him.  As we travel we are now the visitors at different churches and appreciate when we feel genuinely welcomed. Today we felt especially welcomed here at the Base Chapel. One day Jesus will welcome us into His eternal kingdom and say, “Come you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Matt.25:34   What a glorious welcome party that will be!!!!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

It’s important to read the signs of the present times as things can change rapidly. We are to listen, be aware, and take heed. When we were at Sanibel we arrived on a sunny gorgeous day. We heard on the news that the weather was about to change so Stanton encouraged us to walk the beach, go the lighthouse, ride in the canals etc. which we did. And after we did all that, there was a weather change with cold temperatures and wind. We were so glad we hadn’t waited to do all the outside things. If we would have ignored the reports we might have missed so much. We made the most of the times here in Charleston as it was raining yesterday and on such days at the base bowling is much cheaper. So we took the grandkids for 3 games of bowling. On sunny days it is more. Let us be aware of the times and one thing we do know for certain…. that it is always time to see the Lord.  Hosea 10:12

Devotions from Judy’s heart

 While in Sanibel we went to a Community church and heard Dr. Daryl Donovan preach, and we all went home with so many things to ponder. He reminded us that we can change! All people CAN change through the power of God. He used Jacob as an example of someone who was always a wrestler and came out of the womb that way. God started a wrestling match with him and He could have smoked him but Jacob only walked away with a limp. (Gen.  32:22-32) .Jacob is transformed and his name is changed from Jacob ( Trickster) to Israel that means ,one who strives with God. I’m sure Jacob’s limp was a reminder of his touch by God. God often sifts us and through our brokenness changes us. As we willingly submit to the Spirit, He brings forth the change.  Bad habits don’t change all at once so we need perseverance.  We’d all rather have instant spiritual maturity but often the best ministry we have is through our scars, because we have come to depend on Him. Let us be willing to let the Lord change us and also patiently wait for the Lord to change others in our lives. If we draw near God, He will draw near to us and we will be changed.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I don’t think I have ever seen so many mansions as we did at Sanibel and up the coast. Gorgeous houses and one after another on the roads we traveled. But we rarely saw any activity. It was if no one was home in so many houses. We have many verses in scripture about our houses and in Matt 12 it says that one who has been delivered by an evil spirit, should occupy the house  or 7 other spirits will come and live there. Our houses need to be occupied and filled with fragrance of the Lord. It should not be divided or it won’t stand. We are either for or against Christ. It is a decision we each must make. I think the enemy waits and tries to enter our house to rob us.  How much better if we occupy our houses, have them filled with light and full of the aroma of the Lord.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

While at Sanibel we stayed in Matt’s room that was decorated with ocean fish, shells, lighthouses and huge baits etc. The whole décor was one of the ocean.  It would not fit our North Woods theme in MN any more than ours would fit his. Why do we often take something for someone else and think it should fit us too? Even though it is very good, it may not be for us. Churches also get caught up in thinking what is working somewhere else must be for their church as well. But instead each one should be praying and checking with the Lord. He knows what is best and we need to look to Him and not focus on what is happening elsewhere or in someone else’s life. Prov. 1:5 says, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” May we be in the place God has for us, looking and listening to His voice.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

While at Sanibel Stanton took us for a ride in his boat for miles in the canals. We saw the back side of mansions and big boats the owners had. Most every mansion had gorgeous landscaping with flowers and shrubs, palms etc. But some neglected the back of their homes by the canal thinking they would not be seen by many people. Some had lots of clutter they thought was hidden from view but we could see from our boat. I thought of how so often we can let others see the best side of us, but only a few see the “worst” in our lives. But God sees it all and those close to us often see our “junk”. Why do we hang on to our messes, when he wants to clean it up for us?  Nearly everyone in Sanibel has a gardener and he is the one who pulls the weeds, prunes the trees, fertilzes the shrubs, etc. In the same way the Master Gardener wants to remove our clutter and transform our heart homes into something of splendor. So let us not settle, but give Him permission to do a deep work

Devotions from Judy’s heart

On our first day in Sanibel when we had just come back from the beach, seeing my aunt’s place, and walking to the light house, Stanton asked if he should heat up the hot tub for us. I felt like he had already shown us so much he didn’t need to do more, and Al was tired after the long ride. But Al said “Let’s do it!” We had a delightful time not only in the hot tub but the pool. It has subtle lighting and we talked for a long time. Afterwards I thought I almost missed out, as I wanted to be “polite” and not put someone out. But we all enjoyed a great evening. I wonder how many times God has more for us but we settle for only a portion of what He has. Maybe we feel undeserving. Maybe we don’t recognize it as a gift from above, or that it is too good to be true.  In I Tim. 6:17 it says we are to “Hope in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment.” Let us receive today every blessing small or big that He has for us with gratitude and joy.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

As we are traveling I have been reading books and I just finished one by George Mac Donald. It spoke to me about pride and how it separates us from God and from others in the Body of Christ. We can outwardly be doing the right things and even be prideful of our goodness, but no person is good enough. Our own goodness is an illusion. In fact we usually end up judging others. But if we to be children of Light we must choose to come into the light, even when it seems painful to face what we see.  But we can’t really hide as ‘there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hid that shall not be made known.”(Luke 12:2)  When we open the doors of our spiritual house and let Him shine His light and blow a fresh breeze through, we experience more freedom than ever before. Walls crumble and love flows. Also the pride we may have in our own church Body is done away with and love and unity becomes the trademark demonstrating to the world we are One!  Let us be His humble children of the Light!!!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I was struck in my readings of how we can hide from our pain but hiding out gets real lonely. We all have pain and we are tested in our faith as we go through trials. Do we believe God is God?  Can we trust He can take us through our darkest hours and shine His light into our hearts to show us what we are made of and what we are made for?  I am reading about the children of Israel and how they saw the Red Sea parted before their eyes, they ate manna from heaven etc but when trials came they forgot.  Sometimes the reasons for what happens to us don’t seem good and the answers are not what we’d like but let us not forget He is God. He knows best. If the children of Israel would have reached out to the Lord and followed, He would have led them Home. So sad that those over 20 never got into the Promise Land.  Going through the hard times can make us a better person and help us see things we would never have seen in the good times. “Once we learn to love like the Lord loves us, like we’ve never been hurt before, than that’s when we find our home…our Promiseland.”

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Each morning when the grandkids got up, I had a little prize waiting that they got to open after breakfast. It gives me great joy to see their anticipation and delight, for when we love our hearts want to give. I have been reading in Exodus about the children of Israel and how “everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work of the Tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.” (Exodus 35:21)  What surprised me was that the people wanted to give so much that Moses had to tell them STOP!  They brought  gold, jewelry, fine linen, acacia wood, yarn, spices etc …so much he had to restrain them from bringing more as they had more than enough.  Wouldn’t that be every pastor’s dream for him to tell his congregation we have enough, give it some where else? I wonder if the lack of giving is really a heart problem. For each of us it is more than money but also giving of our time, our energy, our setting aside our schedules for His, etc. What is He asking of us at this time to bring to Him? Let us give with a grateful heart and the awareness that He delighted to give to us in the first place and we are only giving back.