Category: Sister Judy (Page 74 of 270)

July 10, 2023

July 10, 2023 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

A new week beginning and hope you had a restful weekend. This morning I will doing food prep and going to my exercise class and then we have company coming. It is the Best Man from our wedding long ago and his wife and it is always a fun time full of laughter!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I’m sure we have all had those times when we have experienced conflict with fellow believers and experienced hurt and disappointment. Sometimes it is those people closest in our lives and it can cause much pain. The scripture is full of examples of those who did not get along with each other and since we are all imperfect, that is a real possibility until we reach heaven. We are given scriptures to help us and stories of people who worked things out to help us.

Pastor Mark Roberts from Fuller Seminary writes about how this happens in church leadership also and we have many examples in today’s world. Some years ago, Al and I saw how the Pastor and assistant of a large church didn’t see eye -to-eye on some things and the assistant went across town and started a new church, taking many members with him. Some years later they reconciled but our responses can affect a whole congregation.

Roberts shared what Apostle Paul had to say in Col. 3:12-13, “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Paul must have known that scabbles would arise and patience would be needed with lots of humility and compassion. The people in the church back then had some of the same scabbles and challenges that we have today We all have to put up with each other’s idiosyncrasies and they have to put up with ours. Forgiveness is key for it doesn’t matter who is the most at fault for we only have to deal with our own failings.

We shouldn’t be surprised when conflicts arise, but we should be quick to offer forgiveness and accept responsibility for our part. Even if the other person never apologizes, we can be set free when we deal with our own wrong attitudes, words, and actions and receive His grace and forgiveness.

Challenge for today: The next time a conflict arises take a moment to examine your own attitude and respond in kindness, and meekness.

Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

July 8, 2023

July 8, 2023 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a great weekend and time to get refreshed. I just finished doing food prep and cleaning the apartment. It is a beautiful sunny day and perfect for a walk on the trail.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Lately I have been proofreading the book that a good friend is putting together of Al’s weekly blogs for men (canaansrest.org/wildmanjourney). I find myself saying “Amen” to what Al has written about Maleness, Toxic Masculinity, Fatherhood, Manhood, Marriage etc.

I am glad that someone is calling attention to what is happening in our culture to manhood as many males are prolonging their adolescence and failing to launch and grow up. They don’t want to accept responsibility and frown at working hard or many hours and seem not to have purpose or know what it is to be a man. Many are made to feel like they are the problem, especially if they are white males and beaten by the message of “toxic masculinity.” The virtues of courage, truth, assertiveness, independence, responsibility, direction etc. are downplayed and more feminine qualities being emphasized.

I am married to a man, who is not feminized, and has taken his God given role as my protector, provider, leader, and spiritual shepherd. I want him to flourish as a man, and not be just like me. The enemy has broken down the family, and created a negative image of manhood that is toxic and anti-male. An article in World magazine was entitled “The War on Men” and the common consensus was that masculinity “is harmful both to those who express it and those affected by it.” We can see how the male role has been devalued and discouraged and is detrimental for living life as God ordained. Of course, we are all sinful, and don’t live out life perfectly but we when we know the Lord, He takes away our sin and failures and clothes us in righteousness.

God wants to raise up godly masculine men as well as godly feminine women. As it says in Genesis 2:27 (God’s Word), “So God created humans in His image. In the image of God He created them. He created them male and female.” Let us encourage one another to fill the role God has placed on us and not fall prey to our culture that leads us away from God’s best plan.

Challenge for today: Encourage men you know to step into their God given masculine role.

Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

July 7, 2023

July 7, 2023 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Happy Weekend to you! Yesterday afternoon Al and I went to see Sound of Freedom and it is worth seeing. I kept reminding myself during the movie that this actually happened, and a man sacrificed so much to rescue a young girl and many others. Today I am going to do some baking for upcoming company and serving.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

What is most important in our lives? Is it to accumulate wealth and fame or is it to live for His glory? Jesus was very clear when he spoke to the crowd, and in Mark 8:35-36 (God’s Word), He said, “Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me and for the Good News will save them. What good does it do for people to win the whole world yet lose their lives?” Jesus is asking us to look at the long-term consequences of our lives and how we live them.

Life is short and we only do it once so we must let it count. When we live for the Lord, and not ourselves, we gain everything plus a future in glory. I was reading today from Psalm 73:24 and it speaks of what happens at the end of our lives. The choir director, Asaph, wrote this Psalm for the choir to sing in the temple and it reminds us of what is really important. “You guide me with your counsel and afterwards you will take me into glory.” Jesus is our guide until the very end of our lives, when we breathe our last breath. How we live our lives today make all the difference if we will experience an eternity in glory. We need to make our days count and live in the hope of an eternity with the Lord. When we refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord of our lives and go the way of the world, we will lose out, lose everything.

It is important to live life for Him now as we don’t know how many days we have left. Each day on the news we hear of people very young dying and they were probably expecting a long life ahead of them. But though we may have a short life or live long, living life with the Lord is the very best. Every day is new, and we have no idea what blessings He will pour out on us. We live freely for our past is forgiven and we have joy in the present, even when our circumstances are not ideal, for He goes with us through all that we encounter.

Let us live this day as if it were our last one on earth and keep heaven in view as we anticipate eternity in glory with the Lord.

Challenge for today: Ask yourself what am I going to do today that counts for eternity?

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

July 6, 2023

July 6, 2023 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a sunny day! Our house is filled with aroma as a pot of stew is simmering.

Al is back from Men’s group and this afternoon we have Bible Study here.
Devotions from Judy’s heart

While coming back from our walk on the Paul Bunyan trail yesterday, we noticed our elderly neighbor from next door pulling up part of her garden. I have written of her before as she has amazed us with her persistence when she tilled the soil and planted flowers that are in the middle of a service road adjacent to our courtyard. When we moved here that space was full of weeds and occasionally wacked when the lawn crew mowed the yard. But a couple from our apartment complex and one from the adjacent complex started planting flowers and changing the terrain to look beautiful rather than an eyesore. There were 2 plots left for quite some time until this neighbor next door from Assisted Living chose to make a difference. She is so persevering and went out each morning to till the soil and later to plant. On occasion, Al has had to rescue her when she was not able to get up from her sitting position but that does not detour her. Her work has paid off as there are beautiful flowers of all colors blooming and transforming the roadway.

But sadly, yesterday she was tearing up part of the garden and we wondered why. All along we have been trying to guess what some tall green plants were going to produce, and kept waiting for cucumbers, or zucchini or anything. But we just found out it is called Velvetleaf and is a noxious an invasive species that is very hard to get rid of; it only grows in a few states, Minnesota being one of them. What a bummer! It is important to remove it or it will take over, and for farmers it can cause millions of dollars in damage. But this morning as I look out our window, I see she has already cut down all the weeds and disposed of them. She must have been out there until dark!

I was reminded of my own life and how there are times I am not sure if something is good or if it is something I need to cut out of my life. Things that compete with the Lord may be subtle at first but before long our spiritual life can be taken over by weeds of evil. We must be always alert, and watchful to not let that happen. What better herbicide than the Word, that will help us quickly get rid of anything the enemy is using to invade our souls. Let us be alert and quick to be done with all that diminishes our life in the Lord.

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to make you alert to weeds in your spiritual garden and root them out quickly.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

July 5, 2023

July 5, 2023 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you had a wonderful time celebrating yesterday and maybe capped it off with Fireworks too. The house is full of aroma as I just baked choc chip cookies on a stick and sampled one of them. Soon I am going to my exercise class and errands and later walk on the trail.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

We have just celebrated Independence Day and many of us have sung our national anthem and said the pledge of allegiance as we honor our country as one nation under God. But it is sad that many Americans no longer believe in our country’s godly beginnings. They choose to believe that America was not established for religious freedom, and challenge that Christianity had anything to do with establishing our country.

Lynette Kittle writes about how in England in 1606 the Pilgrims sought to worship Jesus in the purity of the gospel. They fled to Holland and 3 years later got permission to take the Mayflower to the New world so they could worship Jesus in peace. She said because America’s foundation was laid in Biblical truth by the Pilgrims, our Founding Fathers based our Declaration of Independence on godly principles. These truths gave us the right to worship God freely and now it seems in our day that they are for grabs and many of our freedoms are now being denied.

I pray each day for our country to come back to God and to be humble and seek the Lord. Kittle wrote a prayer that may be saying what is also on your heart, as it is on mine.

“Dear Father, we come now to humble ourselves before You, asking you to move upon our nation and lead Americans to hold fast to our godly heritage, a legacy of religious freedom to openly worship and serve You in our land. As II Chron. 7:14 assures us, ’If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.’ Forgive us, Father, for the ways our nation has drifted and turned away from You. Remind Americans how Christians were led by You to sail and settle this land for Your glory. Restore America’s godly foundation and heritage. Let our leaders return to Your Word and Truth in writing laws, handing down judicial decisions and ruling over the people. Help Americans to understand that true freedom is a gift from you. Like John 8:36 assures us, ‘So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’ Let our nation look to You as our hope and Salvation, and put all our trust in You.’ In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Challenge for today: Spend some time praying for America and for the Lord to have mercy on us.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

July 4, 2023

July 4, 2023 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Happy Fourth of July! May freedom reign in our hearts for when we know the Lord, we can walk each day in grace because we are pardoned and set free.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Are we living our life with purpose and passion for God or are we living our life for ourselves and our own comfort and pleasure? If it is for God, each day will be exciting and meaningful but if it is for ourselves, we will soon get aimless and bored.

Those who know the Lord and live for Him experience great joy as life has eternal purpose and meaning. One morning as I was reading from scripture, from Crosswalk.com and from a devotional book, they all spoke of a life of grace and how it can transform our lives. But of course, we have to receive grace, for it is a gift and we know that we didn’t earn it, or it wouldn’t be a gift.

I love the word grace and I love singing about grace for deep down I know how imperfect I am and how needy I am for His grace. Like the song goes, “Grace, Grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace that is greater than all our sin.” Our own efforts are fruitless for we can’t earn forgiveness, but it is only by grace through faith. The apostle Paul was very learned and steeped in the scriptures and the law, but he said in II Tim. 1:9, “He saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” When we receive this gift of grace, the power of the Holy Spirit is given us to change and to do the works that He has purposed for us all along. His plan for our life is exciting and like no other but we must choose if we will live for Him and accept His free gift to us.

We see people around us striving so hard to live a good life, to earn the respect of others, but none of us can measure up and we are in need His grace. We were meant to live for the Lord, to love Him and to enjoy Him and bring glory to Him. Yes, we fail every day and that is why we need grace.

Let us live for the Lord and do the works that He has planned for us each day. And for those times we fail, let us receive His grace and forgiveness and ask Him to transform our lives that we might live passionately for Him.

Challenge for today: When you sense you are striving, thank the Lord for His grace and live in new freedom.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

July 2, 2023

July 3, 2023 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday time and keeping cool. Al and I went to the lake yesterday afternoon and joined over 2 dozen of the relatives for a picnic, swim, games etc. Loved seeing everyone and was a fun time. I just finished making Al’s cookies and soon going to Aldi’s and my exercise class.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Sometimes people seem like angels in disguise. They are right there when we need them and make a difference in the outcome. God often uses others to meet a particular need we may have, and in our eyes, they seem to shine forth like angels. Such was the case for me recently. I was having a problem on my new computer, and it seemed like it should be so simple to solve and I tried but wasn’t able to do so. We called in for tech support and we got first tech who couldn’t solve it and then he gave our case to another tech who was more advanced, and he couldn’t solve the problem either. We were told to call Yahoo as it must be a result from their upgrade. So, we prayed, and Al felt like we should just go over to Best Buy and see if the Geek on hand for the weekend could solve it. We told him the same thing we told the other two techs, but he said, “I think I can solve it!” That was music to our ears, and he didn’t work long at all and he had my computer running the way it should. He also added some other things on my computer that will make life easier for me. We thanked him profusely and told him he was an angel. Al said a prayer of blessing for him, and it may be that it was the first time such a response was given the geek by a customer. I went home smiling and happy and thankful, and the Geek must have felt good that he brought so much happiness!

There are times we have no idea what some action we may do for someone else may just be an answer to their prayers. God wants our ear tuned to hear Him so if he gives us a directive, we obey and do it in His timing. Paul said in Eph. 2:10(God’s Word), “God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that He has prepared for us to do.” When we know the Lord, He gives us joy in doing good works that will bless others. We have received so much from Him, and it is natural that we want to reach out and touch others with His love and deeds of kindness. The Lord prepares us to do whatever it is that He has planned, and let us respond!

Challenge for today: When feeling prompted by the Holy Spirit, follow His leading in obedience.

Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

July 1, 2023

July 1, 2023 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones

Hope you are having a great Holiday weekend. I just finished doing food prep and cleaning and Kurt’s family is due here shortly on their way to the lake. Lots of relatives will be gathering this weekend and a picnic is being planned. We may get more family here tonight too.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I have written before of the gift of God’s grace, but do we notice how subtly we slip out of grace and start striving to earn that which is freely ours. We forget that it is by grace we are saved through faith, and it is not our own doing, but the gift of God, lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9) A gift is a gift, not something we work hard to earn but simply receive. In fact, we can strive all we want but we will get worn out and discouraged for we keep sinning and are in need of grace.

I was reading a devotional by Joyce Meyer today and she also writes about grace as God’s power flowing into our lives, freely helping us to do what need to do. God’s grace never runs out and it is always available but we need to receive it by faith. She describes it as the Holy Spirit’s power flowing out from the throne of God toward people to not only save them but enable us to live holy lives and do His will. Each day is a day of grace and brings us into close fellowship with Him. It allows us to cease from working up a sweat in an attempt to be worthy of salvation but rather to be joyful and live in ease as we receive His gift of grace.

We may realize all the more that we need His grace when we get stressed and disappointed with ourselves for some failure. We are not perfect but the Lord loves us just as we are right now! He wants us to be willing to receive His gift of grace and then to follow with a willingness to do His will and walk with Him. And when someone does something hurtful to us, it is a chance for us to extend that same grace to them as well. As we have freely received, we can give to others.

I remember a specific time in my life when I was so grateful to Al when He showed me grace in an area that I had no control over and just had to walk through it. But down the line, I was able to show him grace in a similar area, remembering his kindness to me. If we think of all the grace that the Lord has poured out on us, there should be no hesitation when we are called to extend grace to others.

Challenge for today: Think of a time someone showed you grace and thank that person in some way.

Have a wonderful weekend and prayers and love, Judy

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2023 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Happy Weekend! Hope you have time to enjoy this holiday weekend and have time to relax and be with family and friends. Today is party day here so we will be going to Costco to get the Birthday cake and then setting up for the party. Devotions from Judy’s heart When we come to know the Lord, that is just the beginning of our journey, for just like a baby we need to be nurtured and to grow. Too many Christians stay in the baby stage and don’t go on to become mature in the Lord. It is as we spend time with the Lord and in His word, that we will recognize His voice and be able to follow Him in obedience. But there is more! We are not to stop there but also to share our faith in the Lord with others and be witnesses and lights. There are so many broken and lonely people today that need someone to point them to the Lord. Jesus told His disciples, “Look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting.” (John 4:35) We have a whole mission field right around us every day! We see so many hurting people, going about aimlessly and lonely, and in need of a the One who can give their life purpose. Before the Lord left this earth, He gave us a final charge and He said in Matt. 28:19-20, “Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” What if the disciples had kept the message to themselves, where would we be today? The Lord means for all of us to not just know Him but to share Him with those in our lives and then nurture them so that they can in turn win others. We can be used to help them know how to listen to the Lord, let the Word speak to them and to become mature. Don’t you love to see new believers sharing their faith as there is an excitement, a freshness, a boldness that we all need. We are all called to be His witnesses, His lights and to share Him until our last day of our journey when we are ushered into glory with Him.

Challenge for today: Pray that the Lord will give you love and boldness to share Him with someone today.

Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

June 29, 2023

June 29, 2023 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a sunny day. The rain is over, and the sun is trying to peek out. I just finished making Gluten free cookies, having donuts and coffee with Al, and cleaning the blinds in the living room. We have Bible Study this afternoon and a party tomorrow and then the Holiday weekend begins.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Are we known for having a Grumbling heart or a Grateful heart? Would others around us call us complainers or would they say we have a gracious grateful spirit? Big difference and I would rather be around someone who is the latter.

We are told to be thankful and grateful for as I read today in Psalm 136:1-2, Let everyone thank God, for He is good, and He is easy to please! His tender love for us continues on forever! Give thanks to God, our King over all gods! His tender love for us continues on forever!” God’s love for us never quits. If our hearts are full of gratitude to the Lord, it affects all aspects of our lives. We will come to have a contented spirit that is selfless and sets us free to express His love to others. Don’t you love to be around people that are focused on the Lord, and also other centered? It isn’t all about them, but they genuinely want to know about others.

If I had been Moses, I would have gotten exasperated with all the complaining he had to listen to during those years in the wilderness. “This water doesn’t taste good! I am tired of manna! I don’t want to move on just yet. Can’t we stay in this place a few more days!” But the people were given a vivid awareness of the Lord with them in the cloud by day and the pillar of fire at night. But before we judge them, let us examine our own hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to show us our own ingratitude and times we complain. We may not be so overt about our complaining but may say we are thankful for a particular item and then add that we were hoping for more or a better updated model. If we are focused on a comfortable life without any problems or accumulating wealth, we will be disappointed as the Lord never promised that. God is good whether or not He answers our prayers in the way we want or whether a problem is something we have to go through because He has a higher purpose in mind.

Let us trust that He is faithful, and He knows what is best for our lives instead of complaining. May we welcome all the opportunities He sends to draw us ever closer to Him.

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord for a grateful heart and to change you rather than your circumstances.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

Category: Sister Judy (Page 74 of 270)

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