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 89 of 270)

January 16, 2023

January 16, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
   Hope you had a great weekend! We enjoyed church and hearing the guys from Teen Challenge share how God has changed their lives. We had a meal afterwards for them and the congregation and time to hear some of their stories. The afternoon wasn’t quite as great as the Vikings lost!Emoji 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   I have always admired Esther who had a rough start in life but didn’t let that be a hindrance to all that God had for her, which included becoming queen and saving her people. I don’t imagine she had a lot of say over the events in her life for she was an orphan and taken in by an uncle. She probably didn’t have those feminine touches of a caring mom but she must have felt very thankful for an uncle willing to take her in.
   To top it all, Esther was in the foreign land of Persia and had many things against her like being a Jew, displaced, and a woman of that time with no rights. But the Lord saw her and used her in ways that must have surprised even her. She was very beautiful and noticed by the king’s servants and brought into the King’s harem. I don’t know about you, but I would rather be the one wife of a man who loved me, than one of many wives of a king who only saw me on occasion. But Esther had very little to say about her life and was obedient and did all that her uncle told her to do, for she must have loved and respected him as a man who knew God. 
   But even though decisions were made for her she had faith in God and was led by the Lord. The crunch time came when she had to go before King Xerxes and plead for the life of her people.  In doing that she put her life on the line, and if the king didn’t put forth his septer, she would have been killed. But she did a wise thing and called on her Jewish people to fast and pray with her, rather than trying to do it all alone. It resulted that she was given much wisdom to bring down wicked Haman and also to save her people. I wonder how Esther reflected on all that the Lord did through her and I’m sure she was thankful that she listened and obeyed. As it says in Eph. 3:20 (ESV), “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think or imagine, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory…”  
  Let us also be willing to let God use us as He wills and to listen and obey His instructions.
Challenge for today: Whatever you are facing in your life right now, go in His power, and don’t hesitate to ask others to pray.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy
 

January 14, 2023

January 14, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
 Hope you are enjoying your weekend. We were blessed yesterday by having friends who we don’t get a chance to see very often. 
This morning I am going to Women’s Bible study at church and then helping set up for Teen Challenge who is coming tomorrow for our Sunday Service and a meal for them and the church following. Ann may stop over this afternoon too. Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   Recently we studied the kings in the Bible and spent quite some time on King David. He was not perfect by any means but he was referred to as a man after God’s own heart. Although he committed adultery and murder, he also experienced forgiveness and God’s grace and mercy. One of his prayers is recorded in Psalm 139:23, ‘God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through, find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through my anxious thoughts.”
  Would that all of us would pray that prayer often, asking God to sift through our hearts and motives and actions and show us where we need to repent. When we see how short we fall, and ask forgiveness, it also gives us compassion for others and to extend forgiveness for their wrongs. If we do not see our own need for grace, it’s hard to extend grace to others.
    I think of the pouring of grace and goodness of King David towards Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth and how much I often feel like Mephibosheth. He didn’t do anything to deserve the King’s attention and favors and when David sent for him, he was overcome by fear. He must have wondered why the King would want him to appear before him. And it wasn’t anything he had done, for he was crippled and unable to help protect the king etc. But because of whose son he was, (Jonathan’s son, the closest friend of Davids), he wanted to show him every kindness and gave him land, servants and provided for all his needs, including eating at the king’s table.
  In many ways we are all like Mephibosheth, for we are sinful and don’t deserve anything. Yet the King of kings wants for us to daily dine with Him, shower us with His gifts, and enjoy fellowship with Him. Yes, we are unworthy and undeserving, but we were bought with a price and when we receive His forgiveness, we have an open invitation to spend each day in His presence.
   Let us not cower in fear but rejoice in His goodness and favor to us.
Challenge for today: Spend some time letting the Lord search your heart and then go on to thank Him for His mercy on you.  
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy
 

January 13, 2023

January 13, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones.
Happy weekend to you. Snow flakes are falling again out my window! Beautiful but hoping for not too many. Al and I went to see a movie last night and enjoyed, The Man called Otto! This morning we are looking forward to our friends from the lake coming for coffee! 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  In our relationship with others, there is always room for growth and ways to communicate and get along better. Marriage is especially one such relationship where we need to be intentional if we are to have a loving, successful life together.
   On Crosswalk.com I read an article by Brent Rinehart, a Public Relations Practitioner, who writes about 3 things we should be doing with our spouse and probably aren’t. Perhaps we can apply his words to other relationships as well.
   The first way is Communicating well. We need to speak truth to one another and when we are hurt and bothered by what the other person has said or done, we should discuss it together. That means listening to where they are coming from and being patient and kind and wanting to seek truth. As it says in James 1:19(AMPC), “Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak( a speaker of carefully chosen words and), and slow to anger (Patient, reflective, forgiving).” We are not to let things smolder but deal with them in love.
   The second point Brent makes is to speak their love language. Gary Chapman has written about the 5 love languages and it is helpful to the understand what makes others feel loved and according to their love language, not ours. It may be words of affirmation so it is good to speak compliments, words of appreciation and that build up. It could be if it is quality time then it is good to schedule things to do together and give your full attention. Or if it is receiving gifts, to pick up those special things that they enjoy, to let them know you are thinking of them. If it is acts of service, it may mean doing those unexpected things around the house, like helping with the dishes and taking out the garbage. If it is physical touch then giving frequent hugs and holding hands will help them know they are cherished.
   The third point was to pray.  We can ask the Lord to show us where we need to improve, and to help us grow closer to Him and to one another. Al and I make it a habit to pray together early each morning as we start our day. When the kids were little, it worked better to do it at night, just before going to bed as mornings were so busy.
   May the Lord help all of us to be better communicators of His love and to work for harmony in our marriages and all of our relationships.
  Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to be the center of all your relationships and to communicate His love in new and varied ways. 
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

January 12, 2023

January 12, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you wake to a joy-filled day. Al is already at church this morning and soon the donuts will be arriving here for Donut day. I plan to go to Aldi’s this morning and also to make stroganoff. This afternoon we have Bible Study and we have a good attendance each week. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  One morning I awakened with the chorus singing in my mind, “Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Every day with Jesus I love Him more and more. Jesus saves and keeps me and He’s the one I’m waiting for. Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.” Is that true for each of us, that every day we are full of joy as He becomes more precious to us? Or are we overwhelmed by fear and discouragement by all that is happening around us in our world? It depends on where our focus is. When it is on the Lord, we can have joy in the midst of whatever is going on.
    Like David said in Psalm 30:11(NLT), “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.”  Really, can we have joy even in adverse circumstances? Only if our eyes are on the Lord and we trust Him and draw our strength from Him.
     I was reading this morning in my devotions how Paul and Silas were in jail for preaching about Jesus and setting a slave girl free, yet they began to pray and sing to the Lord. I wonder if we would be doing that or would we be questioning the Lord as to why that happened to us while we were trying to lead others to Him. Or asking the Lord what was going to happen to us now.  But as they praised the Lord, their chains were suddenly broken off and they were set free. In a sense, they were free even before their chains were gone, for they were praising the Lord in the midst of their circumstance.
   Perhaps today, rather than looking at the negative things happening around us and becoming fearful, we can in faith trust the Lord and begin to praise Him. Let us tell the Lord, “You are so worthy of our praise and our hearts trust in you no matter what!’’
Challenge for today: Sink your roots deeply into the Lord and praise Him from your heart of faith.  
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

January 11, 2023

January 11, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  When I think of our friend Connie, I think of a saint, for her life exemplifies Jesus in a myriad of ways. Just like Jesus said in Matt. 5:16(ESV), “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Connie’s light shines so brightly and all glory goes the Lord as she fights for her life after being diagnosed with a very aggressive Leukemia. She is so aware of Jesus presence with her in all of this, and has been in the hospital since Christmas, getting treatment. I’m sure everyone there also knows her love for the Lord for she is one not centered on herself but on others. The first day she could walk the halls she was greeting everyone and concerned for how they were doing.
  Connie is a hospital chaplain and also Executive director of Transformed by Love Ministries, that reaches out to the poor, the sick, and anyone needing help. Al and I came to know her when we attended her monthly ministry meetings. Her family has surrounded her with so care and love and priests come often to visit her and give her communion.

   A couple days ago she said it was the best day of her life, which is hard to fathom when she is going through so much. Her daughter wrote (and I will use some of her words)  on Facebook how Connie has been growing out her hair for the past year and loving her hair for the first time ever. But lately her hair has been falling out in a big way and the Dr. suggested maybe it may be time to cut it and not worry about it. Her hubby asked her how she felt about it and she told him she wanted a sign from God to tell her what to do for Connie has been trusting Him through all of this. God answered that morning. Her beautiful daughter Elizabeth who we also know, came to visit and as she was about to leave Connie said to her, “If I would look as beautiful as you do in a cap, I would get my haircut right now.” That is when her precious daughter removed her cap and said, “Now you know what you will look like with your haircut through me.” Tears started flowing. She had cut off all her beautiful blond hair for her mom so she would not have any worries or concerns. She sacrificed so her mom would have peace with this big step in her cancer treatment. Like her sister said, “What a beautiful and amazing moment that God would use her mom’s little girl as a sign that everything would be okay. This was a God filled moment as mother and daughter were united with a simple haircut and Connie knew how much He loved her and sent her own daughter to light the way.” After that the family, one by one, all shaved their heads as well, and it can be seen on Facebook. The daughter said her mom had taught all of them to put God first and there is so much love in the air as God’s presence is so evident amongst them. Please pray for Connie: If you would like to read more, her Caring Bridge site is: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/conniebruesch

 Challenge for today: Put God first in your life and let your light shine.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
 

January 10, 2023

January 10, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
  Hope you have a good day and stay warm and snug. It is rather misty out and looks like it is trying to snow here. I just made a  pan of choc chip toffee bars that we would love to sample but it is going to church and all 24 pieces are needed! Emoji I am going downstairs shortly for coffee and choc covered raspberries! 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   We can glean things from others but we also have to do things for ourselves! I became more aware of this when I was waking from a dream and asked the Lord what it meant. I believe God speaks to us in our dreams, as He often did in the lives of those recorded in scripture., and we need to pay attention to them. In my dream I was in a large place where tables of different types of merchandise was being sold. I love to shop and picked up different things here and there and one of them was just pieces of material that had been precut but had to be sewn together.  I asked if there were sewing machines in that enormous building that I could do that, but they said, “No, you have to go home and do it on your own sewing machine!” I bought the material and went home to sew and then woke asking the Lord what He was saying.
   Immediately, thoughts came to me of how we grow spiritually and shop here and there by listening to preachers online, reading spiritual books, going to seminars etc. We glean from others and it may stimulate some growth within us; but we can’t neglect going home and have personal time with the Lord. We need to pay attention to our hearts and have worship time, quiet to listen to Him, read His Word with an open heart etc. We need to clear out those things that just take up room but hinder our growth. Only we ourselves can make that decision and that happens in the quiet of our own hearts.
   In my devotions right after contemplating my dream, I read from Psalm 73:28 , “But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.”  It is so good to be close to God, and that means time to know Him for ourselves… it’s not just a sermon we heard or a message from a Christian author, it is what we heard God speak to our hearts. We can have all kinds of spiritual knowledge and still have a cold distant heart. Let us take personal time with the Lord and draw near to Him!
Challenge for today: Spend 10 minutes just quiet before the Lord and listen to His words to you.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

January 9, 2023

January 9, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a restful weekend. The Vikings had a good win yesterday! This morning I did food prep and have some more baking to get done and soon going to my exercise class. We have errands to do this afternoon before our walk.  
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  God shows His power for the big concerns of our lives but also for the smallest details. It is amazing to me how He works in various and intricate ways to bring about His “miracles” both great and small in our lives. I just read about Moses who was leading over a million Israelites to the Promise land and saw so many big miracles (including the opening of the Red Sea so they could walk on dry land), and yet he had doubts. The people complained about having no meat and he told the Lord about the impossible situation. But the Lord told him in Numbers 11:23, (Amplified), “Has the Lord’s hand (His ability and power) become short (thwarted and inadequate)? You shall see now whether My word shall come to pass for you or not.” God can do anything, anything, and His hand is not shortened or lacks power.
   Sometimes we find it easier to believe for the big things and think that the Lord shouldn’t be bothered by the small details in our lives, but He is concerned for all. Recently I told David who we daily walk together with on the trail, about the big sales at Kohl’s and asked him if he had any needs for Vickie, his wife with Alzheimer’s. Unbeknown to me at the time, David had prayed only a few hours before that the Lord would solve his jean problem for Vickie as he wasn’t sure she had enough jeans. He later said he had been stressed out and confused as how to buy them, plus they can be very expensive. I just happened to ask her size and on Saturday made a trip to Kohl’s. There were many jeans but scores of them were expensive or the kind that had holes in the knees, low rise, or such skinny ones that Vickie would have a hard time putting on. I almost gave up but prayed again that the Lord provide and set to looking on one last rack that was very messy. But there it was… a pair in her exact size, no holes, high rise and guess what? With the sale and my discount and Kohl’s dollars the $44 pr of jeans was $11. I couldn’t wait to give them to Vickie and David yesterday. And as you might guess they fit her perfectly for I believe the Lord handpicked them. David wrote a thankyou and expressed how awesome is our God and as close as our breath!
Challenge for today: Throughout your day give your concerns to the Lord, and then thank Him as you see His hand at work.
Blessings on  your week and prayers and love, Judy

 

January 7, 2023

January 7, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! Hope you are taking time to get renewed.  The house if filled with aroma as I have been baking. I also cleaned the apt and then this afternoon I’m going to do more shopping of the sales! 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  Have you ever been famished when you could hardly wait for a good substantial meal to satisfy your hunger? I can remember a time when Al and I were traveling in the mountains of Colorado and ended up in a ghost town, extremely thirsty and hungry, and no restaurants. But spiritual hunger is far worse and sometime a person may not know how to satisfy that emptiness.
  I was struck while reading the Newsletter from World Mission Prayer League. Each month they send out a newsletter and give missionaries’ prayer requests and also stories written by missionaries on the field. Julia and Vincent Leiyoole told the story of a young Samburu man, Ltapukan, who watched the Jesus film and was greatly touched; so much so that he asked to borrow a portable digital player and bring this important message of Jesus to his village; that way he could display the film and they could hear the New Testament in their Samburo language.
   On the way to his mountain village, it got dark and he stopped for the night but not before showing the film to the nearby shepherds. The next day on his journey home he stopped to rest from the heat in the shade of acacia trees and again showed the Jesus film to shepherd girls. After two weeks of showing the movie, he knew he needed to return the player; but he was later overcome with joy when it was given to him as a gift. He sat for hours listening to the Bible in his native language.
   When the missionaries went to another village, there was Ltapukan with his player and elders huddled around listening to Jesus talk to them in their language. The missionaries showed the movie on the big screen and then Ltapukan preached as the elders listened. This man’s spiritual hunger was not only met but he wanted all others to receive the gospel and satisfy their hunger.
  Here in America most of us have several Bibles and churches of all denominations to choose from, and yet so many remain spiritually hungry. If we don’t partake of His word and gather in fellowship with other believers, our hearts will hunger.  May the Word live in us richly and as it says in Psalm 107:9 (ESV), “For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.”
Challenge for today: Feed on God’s word and let Him satisfy your spiritual hunger but don’t forget to share with others. 
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

  

January 6, 2023

January 6, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! It is so beautiful out my window as everything is covered with so much snow. This morning I made a big casserole and worked on cleaning more cupboards. This afternoon we are going several places before we walk and I suspect Al has Culver’s in mind too! 
Devotions from Judy’s heart,
  Every morning when we awaken, we have a choice to make if we are going to follow God’s leading or if we are going to do our own thing. Maybe we can picture doors set before us of all sorts of possibilities but there is one door that is God’s divine will and we must decide if we are going to choose that.
  Yesterday I wrote down in my journal, “learn to be a servant”, for I had just read the scripture from Mark 10:43-44 where Jesus said to His disciples, “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.“ James and John had asked Jesus for the best places in his kingdom and Jesus had given them this answer. Now if we are a slave, we do what our master tells us to do, and we don’t argue or fret we simply do it.
   I wondered yesterday what the Lord was going to ask me to do when I got that scripture. I imagined something difficult. But first I thought of a request given me from a friend to pick up her package at Kohl’s for her as she was sick.  If the roads were clear that is the one simple thing, I knew the Lord wanted me to do. As soon as Bible Study was over, I went to Kohl’s and got her package and then that door opened up for multiple blessings. There were sales of 70% off all over the store and I thought of my friend in Assisted Living and got several items in her size. I got more presents for others as well and when I went to check-out, I not only got the items at 70%off but the woman behind me offered that the clerk click her code for 20% more on my purchases…Plus I am left with Kohl dollars for the future. That one simple door of obedience swung wide open to more than I could imagine. I thanked the Lord all the way home!
    Do you think that we often miss the blessings God has for us because we refuse to go through the door He has waiting for us? It doesn’t always result in sales and surprises but even in the hard tasks He promises to enable us and to be with us. We don’t know where it will all lead but He only asks for our obedience. May we choose Him and His ways and the rest is up to Him.
Challenge for today: Purpose to listen to the Holy Spirit promptings and obey.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

January 5,, 2023

January 5, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a good day and keeping warm. We have lots of snow but Al got to men’s group this morning and I just got back from Aldi’s.  I baked cookies for Al and am doing more cleaning of cupboards. This afternoon we have Bible study and we are going to start the book of Ephesians when we finish I Peter today. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  How wonderful that our Heavenly Father did not choose to keep himself distant but wants a close relationship with each of us. He loves to hear our voice and to accompany us throughout our day…that means through even the most difficult things that come our way. He loves us unconditionally ever since we were in our mother’s womb. His desire is not so much about what we can do for Him, but simply being with Him.
As I was reflecting on my own relationship with Him, the song came to mind:
  “Just a closer walk with Thee
   Grant it, Lord if you please
   Daily walking close with Thee
   Let it be, dear Lord; Let it be.
   
   I am weak, but Thou are strong
   Jesus Keep me from all wrong
   I’ll be satisfied as long
   As I can walk, dear Lord, close with Thee.”
 The song goes on to say He is the One we can share all our burdens with. There is nothing too hard for Him that He will see us through. Sometimes He also sends other believers to encourage us and help us if we fall.  How wonderful that the Lord gives us close friends on our spiritual journeys that if one falls down the other is there to pick up. As it says in Eccl. 4:12 (NIV), “Though one may be over powered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
   Let us remember this as we begin a New Year, that we don’t walk alone on our journey through life. We are not orphans.  We have a Heavenly Father who is as close as our very breath, and we may also have other pilgrims on the journey to accompany us. We are so very rich and blessed!
Challenge for today: Spend some alone time with your Heavenly Father and share your heart with Him.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

 

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