Category: Sister Judy (Page 198 of 271)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Yesterday at our Bible Study group we studied the book of Mark. What stood out to me was the story of Jesus transfiguration ( Mark 9)  on the mountaintop with  Peter, James and John  present. They must have been so filled with awe as they saw Jesus blazing whiteness and light, Moses and Elijah’s appearance, and the voice that spoke of Jesus’ belovedness. Wouldn’t you have wanted to be there too? The day before our study Al and I were in Grand Rapids to get our eyes checked. We had our eyes dilated and when we came out of the office we could hardly see. Usually they give us sunglasses but none were offered that day. Everything shown brilliantly and was so hard to just focus. I thought of Jesus transfiguration that day and then was so surprised when it was part of our lesson yesterday. Jesus brilliance reflects light from within Him and we can’t take it all in.  He comes to us in so many different ways and reveals His glory and purity and power. Sometimes we have those mountain top experiences like Peter, James and John, and we would really like to stay on the mountain and not come down. But there is much to learn in the valleys and the ordinariness of our lives. Let us praise Him in whatever way He reveals Himself to us whether it be a mountain top experience, or grace in the valley, or his presence in our every day mundane lives. He is always present with us. Always!

Devotions from Judy’s heart,
When the pastor’s who were here on retreat went for a sauna, Al had to empty out the frozen water in the pails and get fresh. So he dumped a big ice chunk in our back yard and it is still there and may be until spring. Every time I go out the door I see this block of ice and think what it takes to melt it. If I took it inside our house and put by the warm stove, it would be melted in a very short time. But out in the cold, it will take a long time. It reminded me of people who are like that island of ice and rather cold towards people and distant towards God. We may feel like leaving them alone but how will they ever change and come to know God? When we take them into our hearts and show them love, it may be the only way they will melt and be able to receive. Often it is the crustiest people that need the most love. How often God uses His children to show His love to those who might not even know their need for Him!  All people need love, even those that appear self sufficient and without need.  Let us be His welcoming presence to all we meet and not just to the warm friendly ones.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

On Sunday Al and I watched part of the Bronco came as we enjoy seeing Tim Tebow play. But since we had 3 pastors coming for retreat I had to record the last half of the game. After the pastors went to bed, Al and I were all excited to watch the finish of the game, even though we were tired. We were so disappointed as my recording cut off at the end of the game when it was tied but failed to show what happened in the over time.  We found out from the news what happened but didn’t get to see the winning pass etc. I thought of our spiritual race and how we may go “great guns” to begin with and then fail to finish the course. What a disappointment. We get tired and give up before the race is over. But Paul tells us in Heb 12:1 to throw off everything that hinders and entangles us so we can run with perseverance the race marked out for us. We are encouraged to fix our eyes on Him and keep the goal in mind that at the end we may say,”I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me o that day.”  ( II tim. 4) Let us not just go part way and give up but go, go, go to the finish line!

Devotions from Judy’s heart
Yesterday morning when Al and I woke up the moon was streaming in the windows and it really seemed as if someone had left the light on. We remarked to each other how nice it was that the pastors could enjoy the beauty too, but at breakfast they all said they had missed it. Why? Because they slept later and didn’t come out of their rooms or open their shades to see it. Oh, I wonder how much we miss what the Lord has in store for us as we keep to ourselves with our blinds shut or we don’t rise up early to seek the Lord.  Every day He has new and wonderful things for us, but we will never know how much we miss when we remain behind blinds or closed doors. After telling the pastors about the moon, this morning they did get up to look and were awed by the beauty. May we seek Him early and not after the day is done or just when we are in a tight place and desperate for His help.  Let us greet the dawn of new things He has and let the morning star arise in our hearts. (II Peter 1:19)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Yesterday as we were at worship and Pastor Judy was saying the liturgy, something leaped out at me. I hear this every Sunday but all of sudden it was speaking to me. “Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known and from whom no secrets are hid…” I started thinking of how God knows the inner heart of every single person, including me. I may think I know what is in my heart some of the time, but truly only He knows.  A short while later at our brunch to welcome our new pastor, a friend asked me about our Christmas etc. When I told her my dad died, tears filled my eyes, and I told her we would have to talk about it another time. Now just yesterday I was thinking how much my heart had healed over dad’s death and I could talk about it to others. Now all of a sudden I get choked up. I truly don’t know my heart.  But when we go through sorrows, it has a way of making us more sensitive to others and their needs. Later I sat at a table and listened with empathy to a friend who shared what she was going through. In the afternoon I read from a devotional given to me by my mom’s dear friend. The author, Paul Keller, says to recover from our sorrow, we need to see the goodness of God. “A thankful heart is an open heart, a positive heart, a heart that is able to receive mercy and to heal. “ We heal as we are able to be grateful for the blessings of God given to us. We can grow spiritually in our sorrows by giving thanks to God. I’m so thankful He knows me inside and out and His mercy and grace is always there in abundance. Let us be generous with our hearts and stay open to Him.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

We’ve all listened to friends who have shared an experience of someone treating them hurtfully, and we most likely been in that spot too. We may not know what we have done. Perhaps we remind them of someone who has mistreated them in the past. Or maybe it is because we are followers of Christ that they want to shoot arrows at us.  David certainly had that problem often and rehearses before God his dilemma. He says in Ps. 38:19-20, But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.”  At such times we need to be centered on the Lord and not what others think of us. It reminds me of our wood stove that radiates heat to the extent we go around in short sleeves. It may be freezing outside and way below zero, but we are warm as toast inside. Even so, when we might get the cold shoulder from someone, a cold stare, a frigid remark, we can remain warmed within by knowledge of whose child we are and His unconditional love for us.

Devotionals from Judy’s heart

Sometimes we want to be so helpful but can actually be in the way if we are not led by the Spirit. We are told to “keep in step with the Spirit” and what does that mean?  We need to pay careful attention to how He leads us and follow that lead. As we were quilting at church one Monday, a visitor stopped by from out of town. She went over to where someone was sewing and told her she could fix the brushes on the machine. The other gal said the machine was fine and didn’t need fixing. But the gal persisted that she could fix it and wanted to know when she could come back. Eventually she got the message, that her help wasn’t needed. The same day a gal watched another gal and me measure off and cut the large roll of batting into quilt-size pieces. She was free then and wanted to help out of the goodness of her heart. But  it actually took longer with her “help”. I wonder how many times the Lord has to tell us to get our hands off of something and let Him do it. We are in the way by doing what He has not called us to do. Let us be careful to listen to the Spirit so that are “steps are established by Him.” Ps. 37:23

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Next week we are going to the Dr. for our annual check ups. We feel fine but that isn’t always an accurate measurement of what is going on in our bodies. Some time ago, my Dr. ordered a DEXA Scan, even though I was exercising and felt great. It showed that I have some osteoporosis which came as a shock. I exercised more and took supplements etc and 2 years later we thought it would show an improvement. My dr. is a Christian and he was surprised too, that I had not made progress. I hope to get another DEXA scan and this time just maybe it will show some good progress, I don’t know. Sometimes in a spiritual sense we think we are just fine when God sees us on the inside and knows something needs to be corrected.  We need to expose ourselves to His light and take His analysis of our hearts and not our own read out. Often there are deficiencies of a Vitamin or minerals etc that can give us harmful symptoms. We may have to undergo tests etc to find out what needs to be given. If we don’t go the Great Physician, we may not get the help we need for our spiritual growth. He knows us better than we know ourselves and even knows the hairs of our head ( Matt.10) He wants to give us individual care for we matter to Him.

Devotions from Judy’s heart,

Today I read from Ps. 4:5 about putting our trust in the Lord. Then when I went to my devotional book, “Jesus Calling,” the word for today was the same. Don’t you love when the Lord does that? He wants to be sure we get what He is saying. The author is suggesting we form a new habit of saying, “I trust You, Jesus”, no matter what happens to us in our day. When we know He is control, fear flees away and we start to see things from His perspective. Then all our circumstances can become opportunities for growth as we affirm our trust in Him. I know growing up I had lots of fears, especially of storms and many other things.  I am finding though, that He gives grace to handle whatever comes. Just recently we have gotten e-mails from friends going through very hard circumstances and see them trusting, even though at this time it is difficult. God sees the whole picture and wants us to trust in Him even for the things we can’t see. Ps. 62:8 tells us to trust in Him at all times, and to pour our heart out before Him. He is so worthy of our TRUST in all things.

Devotions from Judy’s heart,

I just came from my prayer walk and was telling the Lord how grateful I am for all the cards, words of comfort, and times together as family that are so strengthening to my spirit. This morning I read from Heb. 10:24-25, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as it is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  The funeral for my dad was just a week ago and I am still left with the warm feeling and strength of just being together as family and friends. I thought of coals of a fire and how needful it is for them to be together to produce heat. If one coal is put aside, it will go out on its own. We need one another to fan the flame within us. Just like the battery on my lap top computer ran out, I needed to plug in again. When we are in the Body of Christ we bring encouragement to one another and stir one another up to love.  There is power there that we wouldn’t have on our own. Let us not neglect the Body but give as out we are led and receive with open hearts.