Canaan's Rest

Canaan’s Rest represents a quiet place “set apart” for the purpose of hearing God's voice, growing in intimacy with the Lord, and being renewed in soul and spirit.

Category: Sister Judy (Page 24 of 267)

January 9, 2025

January 9, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a peace-filled day. I plan to study, do food prep and make salmon/zucchini patties etc. It is Donut Day here and Bible Study this afternoon.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I think perhaps we all have trouble running our own lives in our own strength, rather than seeking the Lord and trusting Him to lead us. We were created by Him and for Him and to live our lives in Him and when we deviate from that we get in trouble. Maybe we start out submitting to Him and pretty soon we find ourselves in the driver’s seat and things are not going well. We begin to feel anxious or disheartened and just then a light bulb goes on, we realize we have taken over the wheel and driving on a course that God has not planned for us. We need to stop and confess our waywardness and give Him control once again.

I was reading from the book of Isaiah and the Lord used Isaiah to speak His word to the people. He warned them of what would happen if they went their own way. The people had become proud and trusted in themselves and said, in Isaiah 9:10, “The bricks have fallen, but we will build (all the better) with hewn stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put (costlier) cedars in their place.” In other words, we will do it ourselves in our own strength! The results were devastating as the Lord stirred up their enemies to devour them.

Our pride will bring us down when we choose to go our own way rather than God’s. It says in Proverbs 16:9, “A man’s mind plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” It’s alright to make plans but we must hold them loosely so that if the Lord shows us a different way that we go His way, and not ours. I usually have a plan for the day of what I hope to accomplish but then I need to always follow with, “Lord, if this is not your plan then may I go your way, not mine!”

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to help you choose His way each day and if need be, lay aside your plan, trusting His plan is far better!
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

January 8, 2025

January 8, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you wake to sunshine and some warm weather. We still walk each afternoon, but it is brisk. Al is preaching at Assisted Living this morning and our former neighbor is now there too. Today I plan to bake cookies, have Exercise class and Crafts and later Bible study.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Isn’t it wonderful when we just sense God’s love and presence with us and the Word just opens up to us with fresh insights? But as nice as that is, God doesn’t always choose to meet us in that way but there are times also of feeling alone and that the Lord is far off. It happened to those we read of in the Bible as well, and the Psalmist said in Psalm 10:1, “Why are you so distant, Lord? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” He felt the Lord was far off and avoiding him and he was needy and desperate. Maybe we feel that way at times also but the Lord never abandons us even when we feel he is far off.

The Lord desires to teach us in those dark times and it is important to stay open to Him, even when we don’t have warm feelings of His nearness. It is an opportunity not to turn to all of our coping ways, even addictions, but to ask the Lord to help us deal with things in our lives that we have put before Him, any idol that blocks us from fully depending on Him. The idols could be even good things, but that have kept us from completely trusting in Him.

When I wrote this, I noticed an odor from my pantry, as the door was slightly ajar. I have a good sense of smell, and I knew right away it was potatoes that had gotten rotten. We only have potatoes for when I make Finnish Pasty so the remainder of them can go bad. The dark pantry closet made me think of times the Lord takes us into the darkness to show us what is “rotten” and needs to go and it is really like a gift to us to discover.

Perhaps God is calling us to a deeper walk with Him, and we can come to even thank Him for the gift of the dark night as it reveals areas of our hearts that need to be surrendered to Him. Of course, that means our own defenses have to go, our old ways of protecting ourselves, and we are content to live in grace that frees us from ourselves and to trust Him fully. Why does it take us so long to realize we can’t go on our own and need to surrender all? Let us face the things that block us from doing that, and be done with hiding.

Challenge for today: Welcome those times of darkness and face the wounded parts of you that the Lord is wanting to heal.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

January 7, 2025

January 7, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Good morning!  Hope you wake to this new day knowing how valued you are by your Heavenly Father as His beloved child. Let us never forget the price He paid for each of us to be set free. Today let us think of people in our lives who also helped us know we have worth and if possible, thank them.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
If we are honest, haven’t all of us at times felt like we weren’t enough and need to prove our worth. We question if our life has purpose and if we belong and even if God really cares about us. The enemy loves to speak lies to us and cause us to doubt God’s love. We may have feelings of insecurity and shame and rather than dwell on those thoughts, we can look to such words as in John 15 when Jesus tells us to live in His love, love others, bear fruit etc. We all need to cultivate our relationship with Him and spend time in prayer, reading the Word and trust and rely on Him.

It’s wonderful when we are raised in a home where we were loved and valued and delighted in, but not all homes are like that. Many know what rejection feels like as in the life of a previous friend when his mom told him she wished she never had him. Words of rejection pierce our hearts, and we often end up not having a secure connection. Instead, we can get protective and defensive and try to hide from pain and from others. It often leaves us distant from the Lord and others as we hide behind walls.

But let us remember that our worth is in the Lord and He values us. Even when we have been wounded in our past by not having secure attachment relationships, our deepest self is hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:3) He is the one that can rewire us and give us security, love and understanding. Nothing can separate us from His love. Often, he steers us toward a fellowship group that opens their arms to us as well. At times therapy may be necessary to unlock us from our past. But the most beautiful thing is shared in what Henri Nouwen writes, “Our first and most important spiritual task is to claim God’s unconditional love for ourselves. To remember who we truly are in the memory of God…That we are God’s beloved.”

Challenge for today: Thank the Lord for people in your life that spoke words of kindness and compassion to you, and if possible, thank them also.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

January 6, 2025

January 6, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend and feel refreshed to start the week. I got lots of cleaning and organizing of cupboards done but more to go.  Ann surprised us and came to our S.S. and church service and brought me Red Light for my feet. Today I am going to make Chicken Parmesan Pasta and go to Aldi’s and my exercise class.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Recently I watched online, the work that Samaritan Purse is doing for those that were devasted by Hurricane Helene. I don’t think anyone can watch the video and not have tears in their eyes of the unbelievable devastation that resulted from all the rain, winds, and flooding. Our trip to N.C. was canceled but we didn’t realize the catastrophic results of Helene. In a moment some lost their home and everything they ever worked for, plus the lives of their loved ones. One woman called 911 as the storm was getting worse and was told to go up on her roof. But that was not high enough for the waters continued to rise and she saw other houses and cars floating by. Her young son was with her and before long they were also swept away and he died and she was able to survive. Another said the worst was hearing the cries of people in their houses being carried downstream to their deaths.

 Sometimes we may complain when minor things affect our lives that keep us from doing what we had planned, but it seems minuscule compared to what others suffer daily. The people affected by the hurricane were left in shock and felt hopeless as they were surrounded by total wreckage of all that was precious and familiar. Then Franklin Graham opened up The Cove Retreat Center and it became the hub for all the workers who came to help. But help comes not just in sawing up trees and removing the wreckage but in praying with those affected and giving them food and water and hope. Many are coming to the Lord as a result of seeing God’s display of love for them.

My own heart was touched deeply, not just to give to the cause, but to pray and to ask the Lord to give me more boldness in sharing Him with others. Many of these people who were swept away, did not have time to hear about the Lord and respond.  Each day we see people who don’t know where they would go if they died, and we are to share the Good News. Eternity is forever and whatever we suffer here on earth is worth it all when we see Jesus. The Lord said, “Behold now is the acceptable time; behold now is the day of salvation.” (I Cor. 6:2)

Challenge for today: If you are reading this and don’t know the Lord, ask forgiveness of your sins and invite Him in. For those of you who already know Him, be bold to share Him every chance you get.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

January 4, 2024

January 4, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying the weekend and keeping warm in this cold weather. Today I plan to do food prep and clean the apartment and maybe hit some of the cupboards too.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Would we say we are a thankful person, who is grateful for all of God’s blessings? As I read from I Thess. 5:18 I noticed the word everything, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Now most of us hopefully acknowledge that we are thankful for the big things but what about even the smallest blessings in our lives. Do we have grateful hearts?

I want to share a small recent blessing that Al was so grateful for and expressed thanks over a dozen times. Each New Year’s Day, Al likes to take the day off and watch football most of the day, which is quite unusual from much of his day being spent in his study. Now I know that food is an important part of the games, and one of the things I made Al was a Hot Pizza Dip with lots of pepperoni and cheese; all he had to do is hold a big dip platter on his lap with lots of chips and a drink on a small side table. He smiled from ear to ear. Later I was making frosting for Oh Henry bars that I had baked and there was lots of thick chocolate/butterscotch frosting left in the dish. I thought about the Butter Pecan ice cream I had bought for company and had plenty left so just put several big scoops in the chocolatey dish. Al’s eyes expressed surprise and so much gratitude. These things were so little and yet Al was so appreciative and happy, and the next day was still thanking me.

Oh, that we would be like that before the Lord, and pay attention to His goodness to us, even the smallest of blessings. We are told in Eph. 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Being thankful in the little things will help us have a positive attitude towards the big things and leaves us feeling joyful. We will not only have a positive attitude, but we will find we are drawn closer to the Lord. Our thanksgiving is really an act of worship as we acknowledge His provision and faithfulness and love. May our actions and words and attitude reflect a grateful heart.

Challenge for today: Express your gratitude to the Lord in all circumstances and trust in His constant love and provision.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

January 3, 2025

January 3, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones
Happy weekend! Hope you have an enjoyable one and time to be refreshed. I plan to do some baking today and get my hair cut etc.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
All of us are born with the need to be seen, to feel safe and secure and loved. As we grow, we have the desire to feel complete and fulfilled but we so often fall for Satan’s lies that says that we’re not enough and neither is God, and we end up trying to fill our needs in other ways. The problem is that we end up trying by willpower what only the Lord can give us by His grace, and we may end up with addictions trying to numb the ache in our hearts.

All of us can fall for the enemy’s lies that may open us to self-medicating or falling into addictions, substance abuse, gambling etc. to try to dull the inner pain we have that somehow, we don’t measure up. There are so many today that are addicted but it is important not to see the addiction as the problem but the underlying wounds that caused the problem in the first place. We read of the many young people today that are lonely and empty and given up on life. What is their larger story of the cause of the pain? It could be feeling unwanted and uncared for, not fitting in or feeling accepted, abuse, traumas, etc. and they often try to dull the pain and before long find themselves addicted. Chuck DeGroat, a seminary professor, shares in his book, Healing What’s Within, about how important it is to find the reason that the person disconnected from their true self in the first place to dull their pain. He said, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety but connection.”

Maybe someone reading this today is addicted to pornography, video games, alcohol or a host of other things as an attempt to medicate feelings of disconnection and deficiency. But the secret to feeling secure and connected is to turn to the Lord and let Him treat our wounds with compassion. It may include Christian counseling to find the ways we have used to self-medicate, and then to let the Lord meet our deepest needs. Jesus invites us to go to Him, “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matt. 11:28-29)

Challenge for today: When you attempt to numb the pain in your life by addictive behavior, go to the Lord and experience His grace as he goes to the deep underlying cause.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

January 2, 2025

January 2, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a good New Year’s Day! Al started out the New Year with a smile as he got his favorite snacks and treats as he watched football. Today gets back to normal and I am going for my treatment, and Al will be going to Men’s group and doing the Bible study this afternoon. Also, Donut Day!Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I suppose if all of us were asked, we would say we wish we were further along in our spiritual journey. But it is good to remember we are not just a problem to be fixed but the Lord loves us just where we are at, and will take us forward as we are willing. Some of us have glaring faults that need to be corrected but the Lord, even now, may be working on those in secret. Rather than get discouraged with what is wrong with us, as we see our faults, we need to surrender it all to the Lord and let Him come in and make us new. He has a time table and knows the order that it will happen so we need to be open but also patient with ourselves.

Many people suffer from anxiety and have feelings of worthlessness as they zero in on all the areas that are needing attention. But we also need to be gentle with ourselves and know that God has His timing and we don’t have to figure it all out, if we can give it to the Lord with an open heart. Sometimes the more obvious things we think need fixing in us, is not at all where the Lord goes to work first. Our wounds often make us feel disconnected from our true selves and sometimes from the Lord. But instead of going to the Lord, we may hide from him and from others and reveal someone other than our real self.

To be sure we all suffer in life and for some the healing takes longer. Most likely we will have to do lots of forgiving. But when we get to the place that we can forgive whatever was done to us or what we did to ourselves we may wonderfully experience that All is Well. But in the meantime, let us be patient and open and vulnerable and let the Lord guide the healing process on His timetable.

Challenge for today:  Read Jeremiah 30:17 as the Lord’s word to you. “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord.”
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

January 1, 2025

January 1, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy New Year! I wonder if you made it to midnight to ring in the New Year. Al and I however were soundly asleep at midnight. Today I plan to make Al his favorite treats while he watches football games, and I am going to my exercise class and Crafts and will be going through cards etc. later.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Happy New Year to you! The old is out the new has come! I wonder as each of us looks back over the past year if there aren’t some regrets of certain things we wish we would have refrained from doing or even missed opportunities for things we could have done. What comes to my mind often lately and is also my prayer, “Lord, I want to finish well! Help me to finish well!”  My desire is to make the most of my time and of course, none of us know how many days we have on earth, but I want to live well and finish well.
Recently I read what Pastor Mark Roberts at Fuller Seminary had to say about paying attention to how we live. We all need to be watchful that we don’t waste our moments on worthless activities and bad choices or mere busywork. He reflects on Eph. 5:15-16, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  It is so important to be wise and not live carelessly or aimlessly but seek to understand what God’s will is for our lives each day. We are to discern what path we are to take and live as one who knows and loves Jesus. I read how after Peter healed a lame man at the temple gate, the church leaders were all upset. Peter then preached to the crowd with great boldness and even the rulers recognized that he had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13) Wouldn’t that be great if others around us notice that we are Christ-followers, and that we live wisely and thoughtfully and express His love to all those around us?

Take some time to think what you could have done better this past year and ask forgiveness where needed. But then ask God to show you how to live more wisely, and to use the time He has given you for His glory.

Challenge for today: Spend 20 minutes quietly seeking the Lord and ask if there are any activities you need to give up so you can live with purpose.
Blessings on your New Year and prayers and love, Judy

December 31, 2024

December 31, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope your New Year’s Eve Day prepares you for the year ahead. I like to go over our Christmas cards and pictures and write down some scriptures for the New Year etc. I will be busy in the kitchen and baking today as my freezer is almost out of baked goodies after the Christmas gatherings. Two grandsons came for supper last night and went home with the last of my gluten-free cookies.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Soon we will ring in the New Year and say good-by to the old, remembering God’s faithfulness to us for His provision and His power in the high times on the mountain top and the low times in the valley. As we look back there were probably many incidences when we wondered how we were going to get through a challenging situation and yet we came through it knowing God’s grace was all-sufficient. We can count that we will be stretched beyond our own capabilities, but God wants us to really now that our strength is in Him.

As we anticipate 2025, let it be with faith that God will meet each need we have, help us face those difficult obstacles, and carry us if need be but with hearts of hope and peace. Let us walk closely with the Lord and share honestly whatever weighs on our hearts. I would encourage us to claim a scripture for the New year to help us to focus on Him in all of our circumstances. He is our strength as it says in I Chron. 16:11, “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”

I invite you to join me in my prayer for this coming year: Lord, I want to draw closer to you in this New Year and grow stronger in my faith, hopeful in my trials, content in how you will direct my life, being grateful for your love and mercy to me. I ask you to guide my steps and strengthen me to do Your will, not mine. Thank you that you will teach me to walk closer in your ways and help me overcome my selfish ways so I might bring glory to you. Amen.

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord for a scripture to carry with you into 2025
Blessings on your New Year’s Eve Day and prayers and love, Judy

December 30, 2024

December 30, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and time with family and friends.  The Viking game yesterday was very exciting! Today I am going to Aldi’s, my exercise class and then we are having friends over for dessert and fellowship time.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Have you ever noticed how those you pray for, seem to just occupy a special place in your heart? You rejoice when they rejoice and you weep with them when they weep etc. How wonderfully the Lord created us for relationships and to help bear one another’s burdens too. As many of you are familiar with Taylor, my niece’s daughter, and prayed for her through the years when she was a rebellious teen, then when she came to the Lord and served on a 9-month mission overseas and later met a Christian man who has become her husband. During Christmas we were excited we would have time at the hotel with her and Ethan along with many other relatives. When she came into the party room, she gave me a gift and told me not to open it until Al was with me. So, I got Al and when I opened the card, it said there would be another member of their family in the future. I had not known she was pregnant and we got rather boisterous and celebrated and gave praise to the Lord. Such good news!

But not everyone in our lives wants to celebrate our highs and comfort us in our lows, as there are some who may reject us, speak evil of us and not want our good. I read today from Joyce Meyer’s devotional of what we are reminded to do in such circumstances. Matt.10:14, “And whoever will not receive and accept and welcome you nor listen to your message, as you leave that house or town, shake the dust (of it) from your feet.” In other words, there are times we need to shake it off what others mean for our evil and move on. Instead of getting offended and saying things we shouldn’t, we simply shake it off and hold our tongue and keep our peace. Not easy always, but a witness when we can be peaceful even when mistreated. That’s because our peace comes from the Lord and not from perfect circumstances.

I remember in one of our churches where negative things were being spoken against Al and me and we didn’t even know where it all originated. But I remember going for walk, probably a tearful walk, and just telling the Lord all about it. He was my protector and of course, He understood. Things didn’t get better just because I prayed, but the Lord brought peace to my heart as I know it was all in His hands. We can’t control if others receive us or reject us, but we can have peace knowing the Lord hold us securely in His loving hands. Let us commit everything to Him, open our hearts to those he sends into our lives, and shake off the dust when needed.

Challenge for today: Don’t ruminate on those who may have negative responses to you, but give it all to the Lord.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
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