Category: Sister Judy (Page 217 of 279)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Have you noticed how there is “in language” for various groups. In nursing we had our medical terms and language that we all understood. The Lawyers have their legal language too etc. One pastor was saying how we need to learn the language of another when we want to share Christ with them. Sometimes the words we use scares people away, even other pastors. I think in many senses, everyone has their own individual language .  It takes some time to learn their language to see where they are coming from before we can speak into their lives. It says in I Cor. 14:11, “If I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker “. We must be patient as we listen to another and “learn their  language”, and wait for an opening to share with them. Let us not short circuit the process and rush in and turn people off. Love is willing to be patient.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

One day I went for a walk to the garden and the sun was shining and beautiful butterflies accompanied me etc. I just enjoyed it all! But on my way back as I was looking at the trees and clouds, I almost stepped on a snake. It was right on the road before me and had not been there before when I was on my way to the garden. I immediately thought of how we must be alert for the dangers the enemy puts before us. Just because something was safe before does not mean that it is now.  We are warned in I Peter 5 to be watchful for the devil prowls around seeking someone to devour. We are to resist him and be firm in our faith so we can extinguish all the darts he sends at us. ( Eph. 6:16)  He knows the things that trip us up so we are to be alert for he will use every tactic he has to cause us to fall. Each day I like to pray to put on the whole armor of God for myself and for our whole family. (The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes shod with the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit.)  Let us be alert and stand against his schemes!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

One day when I went for my prayer walk, I saw a tree that was dead and had not one leaf on it. Soon it will either fall down or Al will cut it down. Sometimes it is hard to tell which ones are dead or simply which ones are losing their leaves in the Fall season. However in the summer it is easy to tell for all the live ones have an abundance of leaves. One day we will be known for our leaves (fruit) or lack of it. In Ecc. 12:14 it says, “For God will bring every deed into judgment with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”  One day we will receive rewards for the deeds we have done. What will he find on our trees? Those things that we did to be seen of others will be like leaves fallen to the ground leaving a bare tree. But those things done in His name will be rewarded…even a cup of cold water.  Let us remember that when we sow righteousness we will reap a sure reward. ( Prov 11:18).

Devotions from Judy’s heart

One day I was at a meeting and it was so cold in the place. After about 2 hours, I couldn’t wait to leave the 4 walls and get to my car that had been sitting in the sun. The hot car felt wonderful and when I got home I wrapped myself in a blanket to get warmed up totally. In the afternoon I took a walk in the sun and let the warmth soak down to my bones. In our own lives, why do we want to sit within our 4 walls where it is cold and dark and we can’t feel the warmth of His love? In I Peter 2:9 it says that we were called out of darkness into His marvelous light. So why stick to the familiar rather than venturing out into the warmth of the new? Years ago there was a gal in Ladies’ class who felt she was stuck in a deep hole. I offered to help her to come out of it but she said she didn’t want to because it was familiar. So sad!   We have the promise in Lam. 3:22 that “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.”  IT is always there for us so why don’t we expose ourselves to the warmth of that love more and more?  Come let us walk in the light of the Lord!  (Isaiah 2:5)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I was reading from Ps. 16 today which is one of my favorites. Verse 8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you are to go: I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” How open are we to God’s instruction through out our day? Sometimes we have our day so carefully planned out that we are not open to any changes He might make. At the Lake last weekend we had plans for a relative picnic on Saturday evening. When Al’s sister and I came home from the movie, we found out it was canceled due to wind and some of the gang out fishing. We had prepared food but had to change plans. Instead Al and his sister and I went to a little hollow clearing behind our sauna and had a wiener roast, just the 3 of us. It was a neat time of sharing and part of His plan for us. He has such good things in store for all of us, but we can miss them if we won’t receive His instructions and counsel.  When we barrel through, insisting on our own plan we can mess up other people’s lives too. It is a freeing thing to hold things loosely and be ready for any changes God might make.  His eye is always upon us!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I was reading from Jer. 29:11:  I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  I began to wonder just how God’s blueprint for our lives might look. He has a perfect plan set out for each of us but how many times do we take detours. I’m sure lots of detours!  When Al’s sister was here she was telling me about a chipmunk that was in her backyard in Michigan. She had put 3 kernels of popcorn out on a cement ledge and the chippy was only 5 feet away from it but did not take a direct route for his snack. He went up and down a fence, up a tree, over here and there, and finally after about 75 feet of zig- zagging he got his prized snack. I wonder how our map looks in regard to God’s plan?  Our route could be directly in line with His, but how often we take detours because we insist on our own way and may think our way is better. But let us submit daily to what He has for us and then we will hear His voice behind us saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” ( Jer. 30:21.)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I just got back from the Point where I wrote letters while sitting by the lake with my feet in the water.  It is a beautiful day without one cloud in the sky and the water was still and quiet except for a few fish that jumped up.

I took water along and drank there but I could hardly wait until  I got home as I was sooooo thirsty again. Flooding my mind were scriptures about water and nothing else would satisfy me except a drink of cold water.  I didn’t need coffee or something to eat but water to quench my thirst. What we need for our spiritual thirst is Jesus and nothing and no one else will satisfy us. In John 7:37 it says, ”If anyone is thirsty let him come to  ME and drink.”. And as we believe in Him and drink, streams of living water will flow from within us.  It also says in John 4:14 that the water He gives us will become a spring in us. When our hearts are filled with Him, His love springs forth within us and we are totally satisfied. Our thirst is quenched! Let us drink deeply of Him.  Let us also remember that there are so many others out there that are thirsting for Him and need to know where to find the water.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today I read from Mark 6:50 and the words just jumped out at me:  “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”  The disciples were on the sea in a terrible wind somewhere between 3 and 6 am. They must have been frightfully scared and then Jesus shows up. I thought of all the times I have been fearful and wondered what was going to happen. Even as a little child, I remember being afraid of literal storms and my stomach would just turn when the sky got dark and eerie. But one day His words got through to me and I was no longer afraid. It was like a miracle.  Even when I originally wrote this, it was lightening and thundering outside but my insides were fine and I was at peace!  I wish I could say that all my fears flew away at once but I know where to go and He gives rest. The song that came to me today also is, “Be not afraid, I go before you always. Come follow me and I will give you rest.”  What a neat promise as we face the down hill economy, growing older, health issues, etc.  Let us not fear but TRUST. No matter what happens, He is with us to go through it and will give peace in the midst of our storms.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today I read for my devotions from Isaiah 26:3, “You keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”  I thought of how important it is to keep our focus and mind on the Lord.  Even though we may be busy with many things, there can still have an awareness of His presence with us. He is always there for us and loves as we share with Him each happening of the day. But when our minds get so filled with other things, we can get very distracted and miss out. When I go to Line Dancing I must remember to focus on the particular dance we are doing.  If my mind gets filled with other things, as it often does when I begin planning meals etc in my mind, I can get off and am not in line with others. It is a wake up call to get my focus back where it should be.  Likewise our minds can get so pre-occupied with worldly things that we can miss Him in the present.  Our peace gets disrupted and we get stressed. But if we are trusting Him and our mind is stayed on Him, we have perfect peace. And as it says in the next verse, we can trust the Lord God for He is an “everlasting rock.” 
May you have a peace filled evening  and day tomorrow. Blessings and love, Judy

Devotions from Judy’s heart

It is such a blessing to have mentors on our journey to help keep us on the path and point us to the Lord. As I shared yesterday about Line Dancing and keeping my focus, there are times that I need to look at those around me to help me get the right dance steps. One gal particularly is usually next to me and knows all the dances. I look to her if I am in question but occasionally she has her mind elsewhere too and is gets off. Most of the time I can catch it right away and will continue in the dance, in sync with the rest of the group.  I thought of how good it is to have special spiritual mentors in our lives, but we still need to discern for ourselves. Everyone can get off center at times and our eyes really have to be on the Lord and listening to Him. I just read today from Mark 9 where the voice comes from heaven on the mount of transfiguration, “This is my Beloved Son Listen to Him”. Let us have mentors but constantly be listening for His voice to our hearts.