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 82 of 270)

April 6, 2023

April 6, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you wake to a fresh day of His grace with you. Today is Donut day here and  Bible Study this afternoon and Maundy Thursday communion service tonight. Holy week is a good time to be reminded of our tendancy to sin and why we need a Savior. The question this week is: Are we aware of our own sin patterns and is it easier for us to recognize the sins of others? 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   How honestly do we know ourselves? Do we believe we blow it because we are sinful and can we see ourselves with particular patterns of our failings? Once we come to know the Lord and forgiven of our sins, we are freed from the power of sin and experience grace, although we still continue to fail. But so good to remember that we are loved and welcomed back, just as the Loving Father embraced the prodigal son.
  Perhaps each of us have unique patterns of sin and temptations may come to me, that would not necessarily be the same for you. Some of us have more of the Elder Brother syndrome and notice the sins of others and think we are not as sinful and rather squeaky clean. Or we may identify more with the prodigal whose sins seem more obvious and who wants to run his own life, living for pleasure. But we all have the sin of pride and it may show up in different ways and sin patterns. I need to pray daily, “Create in me a clean heart, O Lord and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) For it matters not if our sins are obvious or more hidden, we need to confess them and throw them off…root them out rather than trying to keep them under control.
   I am reading “Signature Sins” by Michael Mangis who is a professor of psychology at Wheaton College. He shares how we all have specific patterns of sin in our lives which has an effect on our thoughts, actions and relationships. We may choose to try to manage our outward behavior but neglect and ignore the poverty of our hearts. But he encourages us to face our sins and confess them and find freedom in grace. That will help us from paying more attention to the speck in our brother’s eye and ignore the plank in our own eye.
  Let us face our own sins for we all sin in thought, word and deed! We may sin outwardly for others to observe but we also sin by omission for the things we neglect to do.  Maybe you will be led to pray the Jesus prayer that I pray often, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me a sinner.” Sometimes I go for a walk and repeat that verse many times. I have an idea you will be getting more devotions from me on sin patterns as I go through Mangis’ book!
  Challenge for today: Quit the ways of pretending to be good, and let the Holy Spirit show you your heart.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

April 5, 2023

April 5, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a day of sunshine! I just made almond/ cranberry bread and soon going to Aldi’s and my exercise class. This afternon is crafts and a walk. We didn’t get the amount of snow predicted yesterday and that makes us happy although other places weren’t as fortunate. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   As I wrote this yesterday it was starting to snow and about 5” or 6″ was predicted. Somehow it is hard to think of Spring and of flowers and gardens just yet. I was given a plant that is blooming with yellow daffodils and many purple and lavender flowers and it brings a breath of spring to my heart. But in reality, it is winter out my window!
   I am reminded of my days when we lived by the lake. A neighbor (former farmer) and I had a large fenced in garden a few blocks away. After he tilled the soil, planting time was so exciting for we sowed many kinds of seeds: thereafter I walked over there most every day to see the results. At first there was nothing showing above the soil, of course, but things were happening underneath. It didn’t take long until the soil broke open and I saw greens come forth and it was exciting. I could see in my mind’s eye, that if I waited long enough, we would be at the table eating lettuce and radishes, carrots and onions and cabbage etc. Those thoughts helped me press on to tend the garden and weed and water it.
   Are not our prayers like seeds that are planted? We sow them often out of concern for our family members, friends who are sick, for others to find the Lord, or problems we are facing.  We don’t know how long that seed will be in the ground before we see results but when we sow in faith, we know that it will produce. Our expectations won’t usually be met immediately or else we may feel we just don’t need the Lord. But we can water those seeds by praying often and doing works that are led by the Spirit. We must remember that God has a plan for each seed to produce and our part is to sow and wait patiently. It says in II Cor. 9:6, “Whoever sows bountifully, will reap bountifully.” I’m sure the result may exceed what we imagine. I use to picture the big zucchinis that would multiply or the heads of cabbage that just kept growing; it seemed there was always enough to be shared with many.
   So let us be faithful to sow in prayer bountifully and plant seeds into our marriages and families, jobs, churches, and not lose heart no matter how long it takes. Who knows what beautiful fruit will come from it?
Challenge for today: Sow seeds in prayer, be patient and then thank Him when you see the fruit.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

April 4, 2023

April 4, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a peacefilled day. It is suppose to snow lots here today but hasn’t started quite yet. I just scrubbed the kitchen and did food prep as we are having friends come for coffee. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  Are we lazy in our spiritual lives or are we alive and on fire for the Lord? After we receive the Lord, our love for the Lord seems to burn brightly. But after a while are we guilty of being similar to the church in Laodicea that was lukewarm? John wrote and said to them in Rev. 3:15-16, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot! So, because You are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” He tells them they don’t realize their spiritual condition for even though they don’t think they need anything they are really wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Wow!
   When we come to know the Lord, our road just begins in the lifelong journey to love the Lord and become more like Him and conformed to His image. When we neglect this we are guilty of being slothful…even the word sounds rather disgusting. For my personality type, that is one of the key sins that we are to be watchful for. We can become spiritually lazy and neglectful in loving the Lord and coming to know Him more intimately. It may be seen in  something that God asks of us, but we don’t do it.  Maybe we don’t spend time examining our hearts for sinful behavior, and especially for inward wrong attitudes that others may not always see. Instead of going along ho hum, we need to make use of the opportunities to grow, to become more like Jesus.
   All of us can slowly become indifferent and the things that use to prick our hearts, don’t seem to bother us anymore. There is a whole world around us that needs the Lord, and we are to be sensitive to their needs, to help, to share Jesus with them. When we get too comfortable in our own lives and fail to serve others, a part of us gets lukewarm and then finally cold.
   Let us wake up, obey the Lord, serve as He calls us to, and get over our selves. Again, it goes back to He must increase and I must decrease!
Challenge for today: Do something for someone else today out of a serving heart of love.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

April 3, 2023

April 3, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a good weekend and that this will be a blessed Holy Week for you. Last night we had a choral musical candlelight srvice by our choir with forcus on Jesus going to the cross. It was so beautiful and meaningful! Today I am baking cookies and a dessert and going to my exercise class. We hear more snow is coming tomorrow.  Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
    How many of us could say that we have left everything to follow Jesus? Is it more truthful to say we have left some things behind but have kept things for ourselves and our own will and comfort?
   When I married Al, I was not saying that I was only partially committed to him but rather only to him and no other man; I was done looking around at others as I had found the one! He would be the first to say he is not perfect, just as I know I am not perfect, but we are fully committed to love one another.  
   But even more important in our lives is the place the Lord has. He wants to be in first place in our hearts? Are we willing to leave everything behind to love and serve Him? It’s wonderful when we can do that as a couple but each one individually has to make their own decision. It makes for peace when our hearts are not divided but totally given to the One who loves us most of all
    While reading my devotions this morning I was struck how when Jesus called men to follow Him, they left everything behind. In Luke 5, after Jesus had used Peter’s boat to preach to the crowd, He told him to go out into the deep and lower his nets and get ready for a big catch of fish. Peter had fished all night and caught nothing but he obeyed and got so many fish they had to call for help from James and John. Jesus told Peter that from now on he would catch people and not fish and it says in verse 11 that he pulled the boat up on shore and “left everything, and followed Jesus” The same thing happened when he called the tax collector Matthew, he “got up, left everything and followed Him.”  He walked away from everything and went with Jesus. 
  Like the song goes, “All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Him I freely give: I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.”  As the song continues, let us forsake all the worldly pleasures and be filled with His love and power.
Challenge for today: Be fully committed to the Lord and leave behind those worldly pleasures.
Blessings on your Holy week and prayers and love, Judy

April 1, 2023

April 1, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! It is a sunny day today and no more snow, at least for now. I just finished making egg dishes and stir fry and later this afternoon Ann may come.  At noon we are going to the funeral of a pastor’s wife who lived only two apartments down the hall from us. Her husband preceded her in going home to be with the Lord and now they are reunited. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   I think we would all admit that at times we have talked too much and often our words have gotten us in trouble. We read in scripture how our tongue needs to be bridled as it is restless and has the power of death and life. King David must have recognized how hard it is to tame our tongues as he prayed in Psalm 141:3 (SV), “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
   I recently read about sacred silence in John Michael Talbot’s book and he writes that unless we have something helpful to say, it is better to remain quiet. In fact, it is a sign of wisdom when we know when to speak and when to be silent. He shares the discipline of Abba Pambo who carried a pebble in his mouth for 3 years in order to learn the gift of silence.
   Al and I have been to monasteries where silence is practiced, and even as we ate, no words were spoken. It is quite a change from the constant noise of chatter, TV going, and phones ringing. It’s a nice change and gives time to think and ponder. Even if we aren’t speaking out loud but rather using our smartphone, we are still talking constantly to others. Studies show that today a person lasts only 30 seconds of inactivity before reaching for their phone! I think that much of it is meaningless and often the person being texted has never had a face-to-face encounter with the other.
  But even when we are not on our phones or talking to others, our own minds can be busy with constant thoughts. I find that when I take time to just sit and listen to the Lord, my thoughts can still be jumping from one thing to another. Silence is not easy and like Talbot said we need to hear the space between the notes in the music of our lives. “You have to hear not only the words but also the silence between the words to hear God’s word.” Let us have times of silence both inwardly and outwardly.
  Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to guard your words and to speak only as directed. 
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! The snow has stopped and we didn’t get very much. PTL!  I am cleaning and doing food prep as we have company coming this afternoon. I will see if I can send a picture to go with this devotional.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  Each day we make many decisions based on if we are going to go God’s way or our own way. I was reading from Deut. 30:19-20 (Message) this morning where Moses exhorted the people to love God and follow His way and they would be blessed and have life and prosperity. If they choose not to, he said it meant death and adversity, but the choice was theirs. His words, “Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to Him, firmly embracing Him. Oh yes, He is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that God, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
    Our choices not only affect us but also affect our children and grandchildren for scripture also records that whole families were saved at one time. Like the jailer who was guarding the prisoners when Paul and others did not try to escape when the earthquake released the doors of all the prison cells; it resulted in the jailer and his whole household being saved.
   At our weekly Bible study, requests come up for prayers of concern for our children and grandchildren to know the Lord. That is our great desire, and since we are in the 4th quarter of our life, we want to be fruitful, and to share Him with our loved ones. Al mentioned how we all are a container and in it we all have all that we learned in life, our walk with the Lord etc. Some of our containers are rather full and some are getting ready to have beautiful fruit. The picture came to my mind of a lovely plant I recently received from a friend. When he gave it to me, there were no flowers on it yet, but we could see it was getting ready to produce. The next day I had a miniature yellow daffodil that sprang up, and a day or two later I had some purple flowers. Each day I seem to have more and more flowers. The bulbs that were buried long ago are now bursting forth and the result is so beautiful.
   Let us remember that we may not see the fruit of what the Lord has put in our containers right now, but after our kids leave home and even after we are gone, fruit may appear. May we share Him with our loved ones, pray for them, and trust that they will also come to know Him.
Challenge for today: Keep choosing the Lord every day and let Him fill your container and pray it will bear fruit in the lives of others.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy
 

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you will have a day full of surprises! Al is off to Men’s group at church already and today is Donut day here so I usually have a donut waiting for him when he returns. I am going to bake as we have company tomorrow and this afternoon is Bible Study. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  The Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword that can pierce our hearts and point us in the right direction. (Hebrew 4:12) Sometimes it seems like just a word or a verse of scripture stands out to us in a new way and today the whole chapter of Psalm 37 spoke to me. I love the Psalms and David wrote this Psalm when he was old; he tells us to trust in the Lord and be in step with Him and to do good things. From his own experience he says God will act on our behalf and give us the desires of our heart.
  Our part is to open up to the Lord and not to hold anything back, but rather let Him do what needs to be done. David also goes on to say that we need to quiet down before the Lord and let go of our preoccupations and patiently wait for Him… but we are to hope as we wait. That takes faith and confidence in the Lord that He will act in our behalf and in His timing.
    Verse 23 especially stood out to me, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” He is close to us and knows everything about us, even the fine details. That means we need to be flexible and yield to the Lord, even though we may have made plans. He wants to lead us by His Spirit and that can mean that we let go of our plans and move forward on the path He has chosen for us to walk. It means living in the present moment and surrendering to Him for He sees the whole picture and every detail of our life.
  David goes on to tell us to open up before God, keep nothing back; He’ll do whatever needs to be done. He also says we will experience happiness and even if we fall, we will not be down for long as God has a grip on our hand. What a comforting Psalm for it shows us how to live a spacious, free life of victory. Our part is to simply yield to Him and let Him direct every detail of our lives.
Challenge for today: Sit with a Psalm and ask the Lord to speak to your heart.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023 / / 0 Comments
ear Ones,
Hope your day is full of sunshine! I just finished making cookies for our grandkids and soon going to my exercise class. This afternoon is craft time and then soup supper and Lenten service. Easter is coming soon! A full rich day!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  We are a culture that wants things now and become impatient when we have to wait. We want immediate attention and things done quickly. But that is not always God’s way for often the work He is doing in us now is teaching and preparing us for something in the far-off future.
   Think of Joseph who was a favored child and had hard lessons to learn, who spent time in a pit, later in prison, and then as a prison guard; finally, he was made a ruler of Egypt and second only to Pharaoh after his preparation time. Then there was David who must have learned so much as a shepherd boy alone with his sheep and protecting them with his life against bears and lions. That also must have come in handy when he faced Goliath or was running from Saul.
   We all can think back on our own lives and thank the Lord for things He took us through to prepare us for what He had next for us. When I was a nanny for my aunt’s family, we often had company and I worked side by side with my aunt in preparation. I followed her directions as we worked quickly together and she also had me plan games for the parties. So much of what I learned from her was a help when I became a pastor’s wife and had to entertain and plan parties for the council, youth etc. When we were in the midst of a challenging time in one of our churches, I may have wondered what I was to gain from it; but it was perfect preparation for helping those pastors and wives who came to Canaan’s Rest for healing.
   It’s important we pay attention to what God is teaching us through the circumstances in our lives now and not try to rush through. In fact, we can even be thankful while going through those times; and like Paul said to the Christians in Philippi, may it be also said of us, “There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.: (Phil. 1:6).
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to teach you through the circumstances in your life right now.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a day of comforting peace. I chose today to include a prayer for those who are experiencing so much loss and pain. May we all remember them in our prayers. 
This morning I have 2 Mexican pies made and going to Aldi’s soon. I think Ann will be stopping by for lunch and to pick up our old dresser. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  I’m sure most all of you are aware of the terrible tragedy that took place at the Christian school in Nashville yesterday where 3 students and 3 teachers were killed. How do grade-schoolers and teachers and families deal with all the pain and sorrow that has touched their hearts? I read a prayer this morning by writer and editor, G.Conner Salter, as perhaps it is one that will help us to know how to pray for them and for ourselves when we suffer loss.
  “Lord, a terrible tragedy has struck, and we are again left with pain. Please be with the children at Covenant School. Bring them comfort after this trauma. Give them understanding counselors and kind parents who can ease their pain. Give them the courage to talk about their feelings, so they can grieve and heal.
  We ask that you be with the parents and extended families of the students. So often, in these cases, we either try not to talk about what happened because it seems negative or unspiritual to talk about pain. We are also prone to say careless things to our family members in difficult times. We tell each other to “get over it” when we need to talk about it. We remember past traumas, and that leads us to say or do careless things. Help them to find a better way. Help the parents to see that grief is part of healing and to let their children talk about their pain rather than bottling it up in the name of being positive. Help their extended families to know when it’s right to talk, what to say, and when it’s best to just hold someone and let them cry.
  We ask that you would be with the teachers and administrators at Covenant School. Give them peace and guide them as they learn to support each other. Show them how to be gracious with each other as they respond in different ways to the trauma. Help them to be honest about their fear and seek the help they need in the months ahead. Guide the school as a whole as it decides what direction to take in the coming months—in the discussions with students, with parents, with the media, in all these areas help them to be wise and caring.
  Lord, we are forced each time this happens to remember that this is not a safe world and that you did not tell us it was. You told us that you designed this world to be good, but sin has broken it. Creation itself groans as it craves your return, where all things will be made new, redeemed. As we struggle to understand this pain, remind us that our hope is in something beyond the present. You said, “the kingdom of God is here” when you came as Jesus, but we are still waiting for the kingdom’s fulfillment. As we live in the “already-not-yet” phase, where we know the kingdom is coming but so much is still broken, remind us to hold on to the hope of a better future. Show us how that better future can aid us to provide healing, find joy, and rebuild what’s been broken.”
Challenge for today: Pray this prayer for those affected by this tragedy and for others who are going through loss at this time.
Blessings on  your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
  Hope you had a great weekend. We enjoyed our time with our dear friend who was here on retreat. This morning I have been doing food prep and soon going to my exercise class. I need to work out after all we ate over the weekend!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  Haven’t we often told the Lord at certain times that we need to hear His voice clearly? Like we really want to know if we are to take a particular position and make a move, or to know if this is the one we are to spend our life with etc.? We may pray and tell the Lord to open the door wide if we are to go through or close it tight so we know for certain that this is not His will for us. But there are times when it seems gray when it is not clear to us and so we wait.
   I read what author, Peyton Garland, had to say about the signs God may use to close doors for our own well-being and to protect us from those things that would hurt us. Rather than trying to break down the door, we need to get in touch with reasons He may have for closing it. First of all, we would know He has shut the door because we are praying for something that violates scripture. He would not tell us to do something against His will and principles. One gal in a prayer group I was in, announced to us one day that God told her to divorce her husband, although no grounds for the divorce. Perhaps she was tired of him or had another guy in mind, but not what God was saying. 
   Peyton says another way to know if the door is shut if all those who we respect like our pastor, mentor or a trusted spiritual friend, give us the same wisdom that we need to let go of our pursuit. God may be telling us through them that this door is closed and we need to move on. If all of them agree and discern this is a no, then we need to listen.
   Another factor could be a gnawing feeling we have. Things may look good and it would be easy to just act on it, but something holds us back. Sometimes I get an intuitive sense that I shouldn’t do something, although I don’t know why. Then later I find that God had something far better for me and I am glad I didn’t go through the previous door. Let us not ignore those gut feelings we have or we may miss God’s best.
   Sometimes we know the door is closed as we lack sleep. Our bodies are tired but our spirit is awake as God is trying to get through to us, bringing conviction. It could be we need to repent and surrender our will for His will and come to know His best. When I look back on my life, I can see how the Lord saved me out of situations that would not have been good for me.
  Lastly, when doors are shut, we need to recall God’s loving nature and character. In our hearts we know that He has more for us and He will open another door of opportunity that is His best. Like the words of the song go, “Have thine own way Lord/ Have thine own way/ Thou art the potter/ I am the clay/ Mold me and make me/ after Thy will/ While I am waiting/ yielded and still.”
Challenge for today: Sing or say the words of the song and tell the Lord you want His best in your life
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

 

 

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