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: Whispers (Page 109 of 171)

August 8, 2022

August 8, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. We enjoyed having Mark’s family here and now they are enjoying time at the Silver Chateau! This morning I did food prep and made a casserole and went to my exercise class. We are meeting our walking friends this afternoon. Tomorrow we plan to go to Duluth, as Al wants to celebrate his birthday a day early, since he is preaching on his birthday.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   Sometimes it pays to wait! It’s hard to be patient but there are rewards if we learn endurance and wait in trust that the Lord has things under His control. Sometimes we need to just be still and quiet our souls to become aware of what God is saying or teaching us in times of waiting.
  Recently Al and I went to Culvers one hot afternoon for ice cream. There were a lot of young people working and after we gave our order and were given an order number. we waited for our waffle cones filled with red raspberry frozen custard. Al and I conversed for a while and after about 20 minutes we asked one of the young workers to check on our order. Nothing happened and we waited some more. An older worker came by and we told her we still hadn’t gotten our cones and she asked if we had ordered a meal. No just cones. She said a blue order number was given us which meant we ordered a meal; Since we had not ordered that, our frozen custard would never have made it to our table as the order went to the cook; it rather needed to be a white order number, so she corrected the mistake of the young man who took our order. In no time at all after that we got our cones, but not only that, she gave us a pint of red raspberry custard to take home with us because of our wait. Was the wait worth it? You bet! 
   There are times in our lives that we can’t figure out what the holdup is as we pray and wait and wait some more. It could be that the Lord wants to straighten some things out in our own lives and it is a wakeup call. Just like when we finally asked a seasoned worker, she was able to tell us right away what the problem was. God puts others in our lives, mentors and pastors etc., that can help us when we feel stuck and so we can move on.
   But let us not get impatient or anxious in our waiting times, but seek to slow down our minds and remove distractions and focus on the Lord. David said in Psalm 37:7 (ESV), “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” 
Challenge for today: Be open to the Holy Spirit to teach you in the waiting times and keep your focus on the Lord.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy
  

August 6, 2022

August 6, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
  Hope you are enjoying the weekend. We woke to rain today and we hope it will clear as Mark’s family from North Carolina is coming  here for lunch and to see our place and go to the Silver Chateau, which has been radically changed since the storm nearly demolished it a few years ago. Can’t wait to see famiily!!!!!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   A question we might ask ourselves each day is: Have we grown lax in pursuing the Lord?
  Jesus wants us to live in closeness to Him and be teachable and to listen for His voice. He tells us to be on guard against the enemy who will throw lies at us to keep us off balance and to trip us up. He may do this subtly by telling us we are worthless, that God won’t love us if we mess up, or that He can’t forgive us for something from our past. But if we place those whispers against scripture, we will know for certain that those are lies.
   Recently I wore a white capris to our monthly Birthday party here at Northern Living. The thought ran through my mind that I hope I wouldn’t spill on them but since it was not choc cake this month, I should be fine. But I was not fine. While hurrying to put on another big pot of coffee, I took the hot grounds out and some dripped right down my capris. I didn’t see it at first as it was congested by the counter, but someone pointed out that I had coffee drips all down my pants. Nothing I could do then and they all wondered, as I did, if my capris were ruined. Later as I followed directions for stain removal that I found online, I also wondered if it was fruitless but kept on in faith. Much to my surprise the spots all came out and it was like my capris were brand new again. I was left feeling so grateful and praised the Lord.
   To me it was a visual picture of the enemy telling lies that we have done something so horrible that we are ruined for life and that there is no fix. But of course, that is not true. The Lord knows we are going to mess up plenty but He has given us the way to be forgiven and made new. We are to confess our sins and He is faithful and will forgive us and cleanse us. As it says in Isaiah 1:18 (Amplified), “Though your sins are like scarlet they shall be white as snow; thought they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.” Just like my white capris, we are restored and made new, as if we had never sinned.
   Let us walk close to the Lord so we may hear His voice of mercy and grace, and give no heed to the enemy’s lies
   Challenge for today: Pursue the Lord and ask for discernment to recognize the lies of the enemy.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

 

August 5, 2022

August 5, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy Weekend! Hope you have time for some rest and renewal. This morning I made some s.f. cinnamon raisen bread and cleaned the apartment. This afternoon I have an idea that we will be going to Culver’s for ice cream! EmojiTomorrow morning our son’s family from North Carolina is coming and we can hardly wait.  
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   If we are honest with ourselves, we probably all realize that there are things in our lives that need to go…get cut away! They may have been okay when we were baby Christians but now the Lord is seeking to mature us. The Holy Spirit will show us, in His timing, what we may not have been able to see before.
  Recently we were with a friend who had just had cataract surgery the day before. He looked different that day as he no longer needed glasses. But he said that everything seemed so bright that he at times had to wear sunglasses in the house. That was a change from prior times of having to click on more lights when he spent time reading. Because he underwent surgery, he had a different outlook. I’m quite sure he now saw more clearly our wrinkles and imperfections, as well as his own, since he had sharper sight that he lacked before.
   That’s how it is when the Holy Spirit touches our hearts and shows us our need to have sinful things removed from our lives. When we agree and give permission, the Great Physician removes those sinful reactions, prideful attitudes, etc. out of us, so they no longer hold any power over us. It results that we see things in a new way, and truth has such clarity that it is like a bright light.
   In this day when everything around us is getting darker, the Lord is purifying His Bride. Paul says in Eph. 5:27 (KJV), “That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Since He is coming for a bride without spot and wrinkle, that means we all need to undergo the transformation process. Just as our friend, was willing to have the surgery, are we willing to let go of anything that stands between us and God?
  Let us be quick to agree with the Spirit of truth when He shines His light in those hidden areas of our hearts, and let Him do the necessary surgery.
  Challenge for today: Allow the Holy Spirit free reign to expose those things that need to come into the light and remove them.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

 

August 4, 2022

August 4, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying your day. This morning I went downstairs for donuts, made parfaits and took a friend to the Dollar store. This afternoon we have Bible Study and a walk and then a birthday celebration.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   It’s what is inside that counts not what is simply visible to our eyes! Our spirit within us is most important for it is through the Spirit that we are connect with the Lord, much like a branch is attached to the vine. 
   We love the couple we walk the trail with each day, but Vicky is gradually declining since she has Alzheimer’s. She was a wonderful Doctor but can no longer practice and is not able to carry on conversations. But she has a beautiful soul and continues to exude love with a radiant smile. Now it is hard to say good bye to our loved ones when they die, but it is also very difficult to lose them gradually as in the case of Alzheimer’s. Tomorrow is Vicky’s 67th birthday but today we are going to have a simple celebration in our courtyard with chocolate parfaits and chocolate chip cookies on a stick with coffee.
   While shopping one day I came upon a figurine of a tall lovely woman dressed in blue and looking very regal.  I was impressed to buy it as I thought of Vicky’s beautiful blue eyes, and her sweet smile.  It was symbolic to me of what Vicky once was outwardly as dignified and queenly with a warm smile. We are to always remember her that way even on the days in the future when she may not be able to remember her name or can no longer dress herself. The true person seems hidden but she is there deep inside where only a few will find her.
   I outwardly lost my mom the same way but I kept going back in my heart and mind to who she really was. We would visit her each week and pray for her and remember the person we loved was still there inside.    
  Some of us may be dealing with loved ones who are sick and not able to function as they use to. May we see the real person inside of them just as Jesus does and give them the love and respect and honor that they are so worthy of. Paul said in Rom 5:5, “For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” Let us receive His self-giving love so that we can freely love others for who they are.
   Challenge for today: Show love in a tangible way to someone who others may overlook.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

August 3, 2022

August 3, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
  Hope you are enjoying this lovely summer day! I just finished making 2 spaghetti pies and soon going to my exercise class; this evening we have Bible Studay.  We PTL that our son Mark’s family made it from N.C to Kansas yesterday and are with Kurt’s family now. We look forward to their coming here on Monday! Emoji 
 Devotions from Judy’s heart
   we say we are growing in our life with the Lord like seeds that have been planted in the ground and taken root? In Mark 4, we find the parable that Jesus shared about the Sower and the seeds that fell on the path, the rocky soil, the thorny soil and the good soil.  We can ask ourselves if we are firmly planted in the good soil and growing in our spiritual lives and producing a good crop.
   Outside my window as I write, there are many trees, the courtyard, and also two fire lanes with lovely colorful flowers planted between by volunteers. Next door to us is the Assisted Living complex, where there are no flowers planted in the space between the lanes; but one elderly woman has a determined mission. Amongst all the weeds and grass, she has cleared out two small spaces to plant cucumber seeds. This was no small task for her frail body, as one morning at 5 a.m. Al had to go help her up as she was sitting on the pavement by her plants and could not get up. Another day we came upon her as we were going for our walk and helped her as she had fallen and had gotten a goose egg on her forehead. That however, has not deterred her for she is faithful to water her two plants and tend them. One kind elderly man also helped her by cutting around the cucumber plants with a trimmer. These seeds have been well cared for and can you imagine the joy this woman is going to experience when she sees the first fruit of her labors and tastes the cucumbers!
  How well do we tend the seeds that the Lord has planted in our hearts? Do we respond by spending time in the Word for our nurturance, and drink in the water of the Holy Spirit? Do we sit quietly in the sunshine of His presence and just bask in His love? Without tending and care we won’t grow, and the fruit the Lord would want to produce through us will be thwarted. How sad that is. I know I have missed opportunities to respond to the Holy Spirit and am regretful afterwards. Just recently I was asked to do something that I didn’t really want to do, but later confessed it to the Lord and did it…but the joy wasn’t the same if I had done it gladly the first time.  Let us be mindful of the seed the Lord has planted in our hearts and as it says in Mark 4:20 may He say of us, “They hear the Word, accept it, and produce crops-thirty, sixty or one hundred times as much as was planted.”
   Challenge for today: Tend the seed that is within you and let your roots go down deep into His love.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

August 2. 2022

August 2, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
  Hope you wake to a glorious day! I plan to go downstairs this morning for choc covered raspberries and then to friends this afternoon for fellowship and prayer. The question this week is: What prayer answer are you especially grateful for? 
Devotions from Judy’/s heart
   A few days ago, I read from Sarah Young’s book, Jesus Always, about how we need to remain for a while in an attitude of grateful joy after the Lord has blessed us in a special way or maybe granted us our request. Too often we move on so quickly to what is next rather than savoring and remembering what He has done for us.
  That thought stayed with me and I feel I am guilty of that and need to recall and maybe even write down those prayer answers and surprising things He does when I just know it is Him. I may tell all of you about those special times when I write a devotion but then,  I too quickly go on rather than lingering in gratitude?
  I wondered about the Children of Israel who crossed the Red Sea on dry land when the Egyptians were breathing down on them; how long was it before they forgot that wondrous miracle? We read of their complaining about their same old, same old diet of manna or grumbling about their leadership. Did they quickly forget His miraculous intervention for them?
   Something good happens deep inside of us when we remember and live in gratitude; we have a positive outlook on our day and expectation for whatever the Lord has for us in the now. It says in I Chron 16:12 (NKJV), “Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders and the judgments of His mouth.”
  As we live in remembrance, even though hard things may hit us during the day, we will be able to endure and become stronger.  We can pause and rehearse times of when God cared for us in supernatural ways and carried us through. That is especially good to do each night as we turn out the light and remember how He was present and involved in our day. May it cause us to give thanks with a grateful heart.
Challenge for today: Before going to sleep tonight, think of specific blessings that God has poured out on you today.
Bleesings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
 

August 1, 2022

August 1, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. This morning I made Al’s favorite cookies and am soon going to Aldi’s and my exercise class. It’s another beautiful summer day and already August! Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   We’ve all had disappointments in our lives  and when things didn’t turn out as we hoped, may have left us discouraged. Or maybe we didn’t get the desired promotion; or could be we were counting on someone and they didn’t treat us fair and left us defenseless. But if we are to move on in our lives, we have to let go of our past regrets and disappointments and not get resentful.
  I am reading a book by Juliet Ann Canha, a pastor, counselor, speaker and writer, who shares how important it is to let go of those disappointing things of our past that we are holding on to; otherwise, we have limited space for the Lord and also caring for others. She names a few disappointments, some of which we may identify with.
    Are we disappointed with God when He didn’t answer in the way we were hoping for? David and others express their displeasure quite explicitly in the Psalms of such disappointing times; but we also read how they went on to put their trust in the Lord.
    We could be disappointed with ourself for things we have done or wish we would not have done. The enemy will be sure to remind us of those things and bring them up again and again, but we need to resist his tactics
  Disappointment could come from those in leadership over us. Juliet names governmental leaders, parents, church leaders, bosses, or people we are leading. Instead of complaining and criticizing them, we need to pray for them.
   We may be disappointed with life itself and have a broken heart. Bitterness can also take root. The Lord wants to heal that in us and restore us which will also then enable us to reach out to others.
    Juliet gives the key of what we should do with all our disappointments and she actually suggests we respond with joy. Really!  We can only do this if we focus on the end result. James says that we should consider it joy when these kinds of challenges come at us and in James 1:3-4 (NRSV) says, “because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”
   Let us not delay but let go of our disappointments and give them all to the Lord. He will bring on the new and will take us on to maturity.
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to give you joy and strength the next time you face a disappointment in your life. 
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

July 30, 2022

July 30, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend with time to get refreshed. It is another beautiful sunny day. This morning I cleaned the apt, made egg dishes, veggie stir-fry… and shortly am going to dip yogurt covered raspberries in hot chocolate. Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  Technology has changed us, perhaps all of us, and robs us of our time and attention. We get so distracted that we find it hard to even give space and time to feed our souls. People don’t feel more connected but rather isolated as a result of digital media. I hear young people talk about a good friend, and yet they have never met the person and had any face- to- face interaction. Even adults can be with family in a restaurant and no one is talking but everyone is on their phone and maybe texting to a casual acquaintance or gaming. This all leaves our interior life wanting and affects how we think and what we do and how we view ourselves.
   Many people who loved to read and write now surf the web instead and makes for more shallow thinking. Some have even checked into rehab for digital addiction, and gone through withdrawal. 
   If we become hooked on modern technology, we have no time or space left for our souls as we become so distracted in numerous ways. Maybe instead we need to go for a walk out in nature or read a book, or exercise self-awareness and learn to feed our souls. Instead of digital stimuli to shape what we do, we ask the Holy spirit to guide and direct us. Or we may carve out space for times of quiet and silence and make room for the Lord to direct our hearts. We also join with other believers in face-to-face fellowship and absorb biblical teaching that feeds our souls.
  Let us not give modern technology control over us, but rather be open to let the Holy Spirit direct and feed our souls. May our focus be on the Lord without distractions that rob us of a rich life.As it says in Psalm 39:7, “And now, Lord, what do I expectantly wait: My hope (my confident expectation) is in You.”
  Challenge for today: For part of the day, put your phone aside and instead listen for the Lord to speak.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

 

July 29, 2022

July 29, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
  Hope you are enjoying this lovely sunny day! Today is party day again for all the Birthdays here in July and we are going to get the cake from Costco when it opens; I hope to make a big pot of chicken soup between setting up. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  Decisions aren’t always easy to make and we can vacillate back and forth and find ourselves getting stressed. Our soul needs to be centered in Jesus so that when decisions need to be made, we choose to do however it is that the Lord directs. We are in such a situation right now as we have invitations to  two special occasions that happen to fall on the same weekend and in different parts of the country. We have to choose one! Of course this decision is nothing compared to life altering decisions like a deciding on a life mate or medical treatment that can prolong our days etc.
  Juliet Canha, minister and counselor, writes about how important it is to not be double-minded but that our soul is centered in the Lord. James warns us in James 4:7-8 to “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” If our soul lacks a center, we are like the wave of the sea that goes back and forth.  We are vulnerable and try to do what we think others want us to do and so we waver back and forth. Rather than being dependent on God, we try to be in control of our own lives and so we find our identity in externals; we end up defining ourselves by our accomplishments, appearance and titles etc. which can be quickly lost.
  But our souls need to be centered on God with singleness of heart that our one desire is for Him.  Then it doesn’t matter if others agree with our decisions or not for our desire is only to please the Lord. He is the one to whom we will have to give account some day and it is His pleasure that we desire.
  Challenge for today: Decide this day that the Lord be the center of your life and live in dependency on Him.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

July 28, 2022

July 28, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying this beautiful day. We had an fun time yesterday at the lake and saw some relatives and friends that we hadn’t seen for a long while. Today I made cookies as I was all out of them, and went down for donuts and this afternoon we have Bible Study here. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  I came back from working at Share and Care yesterday and told Al what an amazing fun morning I had. Both my daughter and I worked downstairs of the thrift store, opening bags full of surprises, never knowing what we will find. We could find something brand new with the price tags still on or it could be so old that it has to be discarded. Each bag Is a mystery and I love it. Most things are used but have some wear left In them. On this particular day a friend working there found a dress and said it looked just like me, and I went home with it and the cost was only $1. Another friend took me upstairs to the 3rd floor and helped me find just the item I needed for an upcoming wedding. She wanted me to try on several dresses but none of them were my size or my particular style. However, I came home with just what I needed and also a very thankful heart.
  I compared it to my spiritual life as the I go to the Word each day for the Lord to give me what I need. Sometimes it is a particular scripture that I have read before but I discover it is just what I need for the circumstances I will encounter, much like the used clothes. Other times I go to the Word and there’s a verse that jumps out and speaks to me in a brand-new way; I never thought of it quite like that before and reminds me of the new lace top with the price still on it. Sometimes the Lord has someone give me a verse that is fitting for a situation I am in, just like the blue dress…it’s perfect. Other times people may take a verse out of context to fit their preference or point of view, reminding me of the friend who thought I should try on dresses that were not my size or style. But the Lord is the One who knows exactly what we need and when we need it and will supply it according to His riches. As it says in Phil. 4:19 (God’s Word), “My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus.”
   He tells us we don’t need to stress about what we will eat or drink or wear, for He knows and will provide.
Challenge for today: Give the Lord your needs each day and ask Him to provide in His way and in His timing for He knows!
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

     

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