Category: Uncategorized (Page 3 of 3)

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a peace filled day. Al and I left early this morning and I visited a friend in Hackensack and then went on to my former Bible Study group while Al visited a friend. We had a great video, singing of carols, and a luncheon; it was a wonderful time of fellowship.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

God puts others in our lives to help mentor us and show us a way that draws us closer to Him. Some have a spiritual director who knows just the right questions to ask to help us know the direction the Lord may be leading us. Sometimes we read a book that seems to be exactly where we are in our walk with the Lord and it gives us the courage to take the next step on our journey. As we observe the lives of those that have a close relationship with the Lord, we learn from them as we see their deep faith walked out in their lives. I love to read the lives of saints who have gone through so much and found joy in the midst of their suffering, and experiencing that Jesus is more than enough. From them we learn the importance of seeking God for Himself alone and not what we can get from Him. Prayer is a way of life and their whole day is one of being present to the Lord and receiving His love, not trying to earn it or achieve something. It’s not about what we do but trusting what He has done for us. Our part is to surrender to Him our will and plans and to receive what He has for us. St Therese of Lisieux lived close to God and saw her poverty and nothingness. She looked for opportunities for self-giving and wanted to please God. She died of Tuberculosis before she reached 25 but left behind a way of love for others to follow. I also read about Saint Elisabeth who was a Carmelite  at 21 but died at 26 of Addison’s disease. Her life was one of surrender to God and letting God love her. She knew the importance of removing obstacles to God’s love and being attentive to His will. She wrote of how we are holy as we let God love us and desire to do everything with Him. We are all a unique creation of His love so there is no place for competition but only the desire to receive and express His love and beauty in our own unique way. Let us not be so concerned about praying the right words or saying a lot but rather loving much.  James 4:8 (God’s Word) says, “Come close to God, and He will come close to you.” Our Heavenly Father desires that we come to really know His love so let us draw close.

Challenge for today: Spend some time just enjoying His presence and with few words.

Dear Ones,

Hope you had a good weekend. We enjoyed the children’s Christmas program during church but not the Vikings loss in the afternoon. I am writing on my new computer and had to have the geeks install a couple more things yesterday but I think we are up and running now. PTL. This morning I went to Fitquest and Aldi’s and  made a wild rice hotdish for a potluck at my former Bible Study group in Hackensack tomorrow.  Do you suppose we will see the Christmas star after sunset tonight? I hope so!  

Devotions from Judy’s heart

How does God look at us? Always with love, even when we fail. When Jesus was speaking to a huge crowd of people, he told them He knows the very number of hairs on their head; and that since He loves them, they didn’t have to worry what they will have to eat or wear as He will provide. In Luke 12:29-32 (God’s Word) He says also to us, “Don’t concern yourself about what you will eat or drink, and quit worrying about these things. Everyone in the world is concerned about these things, but your Father knows you need them. Rather, be concerned about His kingdom. Then these things will be provided for you. Don’t be afraid, little flock. Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” In the Message translation it says we can just relax and not get preoccupied with getting so we can respond to God’s giving to us. We are not to fuss over how He is going to do it, but we will be surprised at the many ways He meets our needs. Jesus goes on to say “Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” Just think of how He provided for all the needs of the Israelites when they left Egypt for the Promised land; they had manna provided every day, their shoes didn’t wear out, and they lacked nothing. Jesus tells us not to worry for He doesn’t ignore our needs; as we seek Him and His kingdom, He will give us all that is necessary. Even more importantly than our physical needs, He provides our spiritual needs and gives us abundant life here and now. But we can also look forward to an eternity with Him. Let us not get side tracked with consuming more and more things or worrying that we will have enough, but let us bask in His love and trust that He will give us what we need.

Challenge for today: Spend some time just thanking God for his blessings and provisions for you.

 

Devotions from Judy’s heart

There is an assault on marriage and the family today as never before and we must fight for our families. God created the family and He is to be the center of the relationship. How easy our society has made it to enter into marriage and easy to dissolve it quickly as the solution for any problems we encounter; but it says in Mark 10:9 “Therefore what God has joined together let no man separate.” God intended our homes would be a sheltering place where it is safe and a place to love and serve others. We don’t just exist for ourselves alone but for God. Our marriages are really a picture of Christ and the church and the enemy is using every tool to destroy the marriage bonds. He wants to destroy the family. We must fight for our marriages, fight for our families and let our homes be places offering freedom to serve God and be ourselves. Now that doesn’t mean that we worship our children and cater to them in everything, but rather help them become what God has intended for their lives and teach them to serve others. It’s important that we live in truth and teach our children to recognize what is right and wrong. The culture is not doing that as children see their parents breaking laws in the name of so-called freedom. We must practice and teach our children that as Christians we are different and won’t fit into the world’s mold. It takes courage to stand up for what is right rather than blending into the crowd. Also, that it is more important to obey God, even when it may bring ridicule from others. In these days Christian families need to be countercultural rather than living like everyone else and hoping our children will turnout okay. We are going to have to teach them more to stand up for what the Bible teaches, no matter what the culture says. We also need to help them understand that the family doesn’t exist for itself but for the Lord and service to others. I have been reading Rod Dreher’s book, Live Not By Lies, and he said, “If you want to love and serve the church, the community, and the nation, you must first learn to love and serve your family.” Let us start at home building strong marriages and loving and teaching our children God’s ways that they may have strength and faith to stand in the days to come.

Challenge for today: Pray daily for each one of your family, and use every opportunity to point them to the God’s ways.