Category: Sister Judy (Page 207 of 279)

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.

Devotions from Judy’s heart,
While at Kurt’s we had so much fun with the grandkids. Four year old Grant, comes up with the funniest things and is quite dramatic. One night he said he couldn’t possibly eat another bit of his supper because he had a bad day. I wonder how silly words are as we make excuses to the Lord of how we can’t change or how it is every bit someone else’s fault on something and not our own. Each of us is responsible for our own behavior for it says in Rom. 14:12-13, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.”  Change is good as the Lord desires we become more like Him. We need to let go of our old ways, our excuses, our rationalizations. As it says in Heb. 4:13, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” May we go into the New Year with open tender hearts that seek to be transformed into His likeness.

Devotions from Judy’s heart,
While at Kurt’s we had so much fun with the grandkids. Four year old Grant, comes up with the funniest things and is quite dramatic. One night he said he couldn’t possibly eat another bit of his supper because he had a bad day. I wonder how silly words are as we make excuses to the Lord of how we can’t change or how it is every bit someone else’s fault on something and not our own. Each of us is responsible for our own behavior for it says in Rom. 14:12-13, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.”  Change is good as the Lord desires we become more like Him. We need to let go of our old ways, our excuses, our rationalizations. As it says in Heb. 4:13, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” May we go into the New Year with open tender hearts that seek to be transformed into His likeness.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

When we arrived at Kurt’s, Grant greeted us outside and asked if we had a prize for him. (We usually have a prize wrapped for each day we are here for the grandkids.)  At age 4 it is understandable that he would think of a prize and ask for it, but if he were 24 that would have been rude. Are we often that way with the Lord with the attitude of “Give me, Give me!”?  Do we think more about what He gives us than who he is?  Paige and Lily are older and had hugs and kisses first and never asked for a prize. As we grow in the Lord we need to be more focused on Him than on his gifts to us.  As I read today from Ps. 48, “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise….we will meditate on your unfailing love.” He is so worthy of our praise and desires that we come to Him, not for what we can get from Him but for who He is.  And just like we like to hear a Thank You from our grandkids, I’m sure the Lord loves when we praise and thank Him for all his gifts to us…. especially for “the gift of God that is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

My dad loved nature and every tree was important to him. At his funeral my brother Paul made reference to when he and my uncle cut down a small tree behind the outhouse and tried to cover up. But dad found out and was disappointed they took down a live tree.  On our last trip in November, when we drove through the thick forests of Blue Ridge Mountains, we saw trees on high ridges that almost seemed to be growing out of the rocks. We wondered how they could grow in places that seemingly had so little soil. They must have a deep root system as they were growing so tall and straight. Someone told me their secret is that they grow very slowly and push their roots down into the crevices between the rocks.  They look for any little place they can find and have been known to even split apart rocks. It’s so important that we sink our roots deep down into the Lord. As we do this the power of the Holy Spirit with in us will cause us to stand against the devil’s schemes and to break through difficult circumstances. As it says in Ephesians  to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, to be rooted and established in His love, so that we can stand our ground in the evil days ahead.  So let us grow deeper into Him and stand firm and in His power!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I think my dad’s passing has prompted deep things inside of me. It has reminded me that time is short and each day is a gift to be used and savored. I need to live in the present moment and not rush through many activities and multitasking. Instead of lingering over a cup of coffee in the morning, I am usually up and at it either cooking or cleaning, exercising or something. But at the end of the day, it isn’t about a clean house, more food, more things… it’s my awareness of being in God’s presence and being sensitive to what His Spirit is leading me to do. We miss many wonder moments by rushing and getting on to the next thing. I keep asking the Lord to teach me in this area, and not to feel guilty if I sit for extra minutes to enjoy the sunset.  In eternity, I don’t think we will be rushing about but rather enjoying everything fully that our Father puts before us. Let us get ready for heaven now by taking the time now!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Yesterday was a day of His grace and blessing as we celebrated dad’s life.  I think who he was, was portrayed well at the funeral. In Rev. 14:13 it says, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on…they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Dad can rest from his labor and is now with the Lord FOREVER!  His many acts of love and generosity will live on in our hearts in the days to come. He gave us a wonderful example of joyful giving that I hope will continue on in our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren. We feel so rich in the Lord and the Godly heritage we have been given. Thank you for your prayers for us during this time of Home coming for dad.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today is the day we celebrate my dad’s life and I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful dad. I never wondered how he would receive me as I felt his arms were always open with unconditional love. The last time I was with him, I tucked a prayer shawl around him to keep him warm.  His speech was getting hard to understand but he mentioned the picture of Hackensack on his wall, and we talked about the wonderful memories there. Oh how he loved nature and the beauty of the woods. His bed was low so I just knelt by his bed and prayed for him. The last words I said to him were that I loved him and those were his last words to me. I didn’t know at the time that it would be the last time I would see dad here on earth. But even if I did know, that would be the message I would want him to know. Dad you did good. You were the best dad! I love you!  How important it is to let the people around us know how we feel about them, and not just take for granted they know.  God can use our words to bring encouragement, comfort, love, peace, hope, joy, etc. Let us be led by His Spirit to speak words of love and life to others. In Col 4:6 Paul encourages us to “let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” When I think of it I don’t remember my dad ever putting me down by his words. Sorry to say I’m sure our kids can’t say the same about me.