Category: Sister Judy (Page 4 of 278)

I recently got a phone call with the news that my dear friend Susan, who so many of you have prayed for over the years, died suddenly. We went to see her three days before Christmas as she was in the hospital in Brainerd with a broken leg and had been recovering from Covid. She was still upbeat and thankful that all her needs were met, for she had many physical needs. She hasn’t walked for many years and was wheelchair bound; she was hard of hearing, legally blind and had a special cup for her coffee since her hands were so gnarled by arthritis. She listened to tapes each day and didn’t feel sorry for herself when there were things she couldn’t do. Susan was a light shining just where the Lord put her as she witnessed to those around her.

I learned a lot from Susan, for she was so thankful and appreciative even though she had so little in worldly goods. Her son and grandson lived far away and rarely came to see her, but she still wanted to buy them a gift each Christmas and we would look for that special something at the Art Fair. She thought she had the best room in Birchwood and often remarked, “How could it be any better?” Each time I visited, she shared any concerns and we prayed over them. She loved when I brought chocolate cake with lots of frosting and cookies on a stick, and she spared some for her closest friends. She loved to give to others, even though she had so little.

I could go on and on, for God brought Susan into my life to help me rejoice in all circumstances, to trust in deeper ways, to not focus on material things or even on one’s health, but to be thankful, to give and that even the smallest gifts can bring joy to others. It’s not to say I haven’t shed tears as I miss her, but I rejoice for her that she is now with Jesus and can walk and leap and hear and see and know how much she is loved.

Challenge for today: Use the opportunities each day to share Jesus with others and learn along the way from those whom He sends into your life.

1.     What do you need to leave behind in 2025? (Toxic mindsets, sin patterns, addictions, toxic relationships, etc.)

2.     What word or phrase is going to define 2026 for me? (Spend a great amount of time on this one.)

3.     Jesus, what do you want my spiritual life to look like in 2026? (Time in the Word, prayers and church)

4.     Jesus, how can I better steward my soul this year? (Emotional health and hobbies)

5.     Jesus, how can I be a better steward of the body you have given me this year? (Health and fitness)

6.     Jesus, what does relational health look like for me this year? Who do I need to invite in and where do I need to put up boundaries? How can I better steward my marriage?

7.     Jesus, how can I be more generous with what you have blessed me with this year? (Commit to tithe, give to missions, serve, etc.)

8.     Jesus, how do you want to use me this year at work and in my sphere of influence?

I hope you will spend some time with these questions and begin the New Year with anticipation for what the Lord will do in you and through you.

thing but he has thanked me numerous times!

Then it is good to leave behind the work and have a little playtime and unstructured time to relax and enjoy life. All work and no play is not good for our souls, and each of us may find different ways to find balance. Just like children who are in school all day and hear the bell to go home: they switch gears and begin enjoying some fun free time. Some people even write “Play Time” into their datebook to be sure to rest from their work. I often refer to free time as my reward time when I sit down and play a Scrabble game online after cleaning or working a long while in the kitchen. A time away from work actually makes us more productive and frees our mind to think more creatively.

We need to acknowledge the Lord in all we do, and as it says in Proverbs 3:6 & 8: “Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track…Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!” Throughout our day let us acknowledge the Lord and at the end of the day, let us give thanks.

Jesus knew what it was like to be rejected, but His security and acceptance was found in the Father only. I was reading in John recently that after Jesus cleansed the temple, many people entrusted their lives to Him, but others rejected Him. It says in John 2:25, “But Jesus didn’t entrust His life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn’t need any help in seeing right through them.“ Jesus was hated by many without any cause though He lived a perfect life.

We are to believe what God says to us about who we are, not what others say about us. He looks beyond the outside and knows what is in our hearts. Do we accept that He says we are His beloved child, or do we continue to go by what the world around us says? The Lord is for us and wants to love and care for us. Like the song says, “Be not dismayed, whate’er betide, God will take care of you! Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you. Lonely and sad from friends apart, God will take care of you! He will give peace to your aching heart, God will take care of you!”

I wonder if I have mentioned to you of the night I was soundly sleeping and woke in the middle of the night, unable to go back to sleep. A message came to me of something that I had never thought of before or considered, and it was a bit puzzling. It still is. At first, I wondered where it was coming from and wanted to ignore it, but yet it was so unexpected and definite. I asked the Lord if I was hearing right, gaving it thought and prayer for three hours. I could not go back to sleep until I said yes to the Lord. Even if I don’t understand the why, I know that when and if He desires, He will let me know. His will is always best!

Later, a friend sent me a message of the story of Samuel as a young boy who heard a voice in the night three times and thought it was Eli calling him. (I Samuel 3) But the priest realized it must be the Lord and told him to answer, “Speak Lord for your servant hears.” Samuel did exactly that and was open and willing to hear what God said.

Sometimes a word may come to us that does not fit our expectations or what we want to hear. But may we be like young Samuel and embrace whatever it is.