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 156 of 165)

November 3, 2020

November 3, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope your day is filled with peace. As we go into this election day may our hearts rest in His peace, knowing our future is in God’s hands. We  have a dual citizenship for we are earthly citizens of the U.S. but most importantly our citizenship is in heaven! I baked choc chip cookies on a stick, as requested by some of the residents here, and Al and I plan to go downstairs for coffee. What are you doing on this election day? Be sure to vote!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I woke in the night and was very thirsty and gulped down some filtered water that was just what I needed. I didn’t need food or anything else, for it was my thirst that needed to be quenched.  Today there are so many voices telling us that we need their device to be happy, we have to have a particular item to have a good life, or we can’t get along without their product to be fulfilled. But even if we had all those things that are advertised, we would still be thirsty. Spiritual thirst is something that is not satisfied by things but by a person, the person of Jesus Christ. He invites us to come to Him for living water so that our spiritual thirst will be satisfied. In John 8:37 (The Message) Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let Him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believe in me this way, just as the Scriptures says.” When we drink of this living water, we are given the Holy Spirit and living water will flow from within us and flow continually out of us. We can have peace and joy even in the midst of whatever happens. The worry level is very high in our world at this time as we face so many unknowns dealing with COVID, the election, and all that is before us in the future. But what do we really need? More things are not the answer, but we need the One who holds the future. We can fully depend on Him for everything and have peace no matter what happens. Let us spend time with the Lord, and drink deeply of His life- giving water. I find I get very thirsty when I go to my exercise class and work out. I can hardly wait to get my water bottle during any little break. Oh, how satisfying that is! Also, when we are in hard work-out situations in our everyday lives, we especially need the Holy Spirit. Let us read God’s promises and take them to heart, pray in faith, and drink lots of pure living water.
Challenge for today: Spend some time in the Word and open your heart in new ways to the Spirit.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

 

October 31, 2020

November 2, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Happy All Saints day. Just found some cookies on our door knob to celebrate the day. I made apple crisp and we are going to have a new couple here for coffee early this afternoon. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I think friendships are made in heaven and they are one of the most valued and precious gifts. True friendship can’t be bought or even sought, but received from the Lord who brings us together with special people for His purposes and to enhance His joy in our lives. I am blessed as a pastor’s wife that we have lived in many places and each time the Lord has given me special friends that I can be real with, pray with and especially share Him with. Just the other day, as I was leaving our apartment, I noticed a card taped to our door. When I opened it, I was touched by beautiful words from a friend in our apartment complex that I had just taken shopping with me and had a fun time together. I thanked her and the Lord, for I believe God has special things to impart to us through those he sends our way. Later down getting my mail was a new gal who has recently moved here and eager to get acquainted. We invited her and her husband for coffee today and who knows if God has something special in this relationship too. We never know but we need to treasure those that God puts into our lives and receive the gifts He imparts to us through them. But of course, the greatest friendship ever, is our friendship with the Lord who knows us, is always there for us, takes us as we are, wants the best for us, and loves us through and through. We must not take Him for granted but spend time with Him each day and seek to know Him greater depth.  In John 15 Jesus tells us to make ourselves at home in His love and in verses 12-15 (The Message) says, “Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.” Isn’t it neat that Jesus, the One who sacrificed everything for us, should call us His friends? Let us respond by loving Him, listening to Him, obeying Him, and reaching out to love others as well.
Challenge for today: Thank the Lord for old friendships but be open to the new ones He also sends.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and much love to you both. May you have a good night. love, Judy

November 2, 2020

November 2, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Dear Ones, Hope you had a wonderful weekend!  Yea for the Vikings too! The house is still full of aromas as I made cookies and porkchops with browned apple slices on top, roasted Brussel sprouts etc. I went to Aldi’s and my exercise class this morning and this afternoon we have a couple places to go before our walk. The snow is melting and almost gone now. Devotions from Judy’s heart I’m sure we can all remember times our parents told us if we continued with our present bad behavior there would be consequences. They didn’t always say what the consequences would be, but we knew we were in for it if we kept on. We can acknowledge it was for our own good, as they wanted us to grow up to be persons of character and integrity with hearts that would obey. I remember one friend who told me he was not disciplined as a child and he clearly remembered that people dreaded when he came to their house. That is not love that lets our child just go his own way. In Proverbs 3:11-12 (The Message) it says, “But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under His loving correction. It’s the child He loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.” I believe God has been trying for some time to not only get our individual attention but that of our nation as well. How many warnings do we need to bring us back to be a nation under God?  We are like children who have strayed so far and He will not keep tolerating it but bring correction to us. I am reading Jonathan Cahn’s book, The Harbinger II and recognize the warnings we have been given already, that should have awakened us.  He goes into detail about signs and warnings given before 9/11 and how we did not heed them. All throughout the old testament whenever God’s people followed Him, they were blessed and fruitful and prospered. But when they strayed from God, had idols and forgot God, they were taken over by their enemies. When it happened to Israel, Judah did not learn and later suffered the same fate. David said in Psa.18:27, “For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.” America is proud and has been going the way of the world, contrary to God’s commands. He has sent us watchmen that have been sounding the alarm but it seems not to be heard. It is time to wake up, time to repent for the time is short and we don’t know when God’s judgement will fall. Let us pray as never before and heed His warnings. Challenge for today: Gather with others to pray for our nation. Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

October 30, 2020

October 30, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. This morning I cleaned the apt and this afternoon we had  a mini celebration for Leif’s birthday, which is on Monday. I made a G.F. Choc birthday cake with gobs of choc frosting and they stopped over after their shopping trip. Soon we will get our walk in and work off the calories we just ate.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
As I put my robe on one morning and prepared to write, the thought came to me that every day is a gift of grace! We don’t know what each day will bring and we have no assurances that we will be here tomorrow, so let us celebrate every moment filled with grace today. It was a reminder to me as I reflected on the sad news Al and I heard the other day  when we went downstairs for coffee. We were told that a lovely friend from our apartment complex was in an accident over the weekend. She didn’t drive and that day a friend was taking her out of Dodge, so to speak, which is a treat. But on the way out of town they were in an accident and hit by another car, leaving Joann who was in the passenger seat, hurt badly. She had to be airlifted to the cities where she is recovering from a collapsed lung, broken bones etc. and will need rehab. I’m sure she had no idea that morning when she awakened that she would end up in the hospital, but is God’s grace she is alive. None of us really knows about what tomorrow, will hold, and we must live each day with the awareness that the Lord walks beside us no matter what happens to us. Like the song goes, “I don’t know about tomorrow/ I just live from day to day/ And I don’t borrow from its sunshine/ For its skies may turn to gray./ And I don’t worry about my future/ For I know what Jesus said/ And today He walks beside me/ For He knows what lies ahead./ Many things about tomorrow/ I don’t seem to understand./ But I know who holds tomorrow/And I know who holds, who holds my hand.” The Lord extends His hand of grace to each of us that we may take hold of it, and as Paul says in II Cor. 12:9 (The Message), “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” His grace is enough and let us depend wholly on Him.
Challenge for today: Receive this day as a gift of grace and give thanks to the Lord. 
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

October, 29, 2020

October 29, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Are we grumblers or are we grateful people who desire to serve others?  We have all been around people that gripe and complain about many things and it creates a negative atmosphere all around them. But contrast that with people who are positive and encouraging and we come away feeling uplifted. We are told in Phil. 2: 14-16 (The Word), “Do everything without complaining or arguing. Then you will be blameless and innocent. You will be God’s children without any faults among people who are crooked and corrupt. You will shine like stars among them in the world as you hold firmly to the word of life.”  We are told to be cheerful and to be like a breath of fresh air in this polluted world and the difference will be readily seen. When we have hearts of gratitude it just naturally wants to spill out in serving others in so many ways. If we listen to the Lord each day, He will direct us in doing things that will bring blessings to others, and also seem to boomerang on ourselves. In our previous church the Lord impressed a friend to start a Care Ministry for women; the first person she called is one who creates cards and was only too happy to help. Each month caring baskets are put together and cards sent to encourage and support women dealing with loss and/or struggling with personal trials. I know the recipients are very blessed but I think the givers are blessed just as much. When we do it out of a grateful heart, we have joy; but if we grumble when we are doing something for another, it is no longer a gift and we miss the blessing. What if each morning we told the Lord that we are His servants and to use us to be His hands with a willingness to do whatever He asks of us. No day would be boring, and nothing would be beneath us for He is doing the directing. Jesus gave us such a wonderful example by washing his disciple’s feet. He took the lowest place and humbly washed their dirty feet, something a servant would do. Let us willingly and joyfully serve others from grateful hearts and be done with complaining.
Challenge for today: Catch yourself when you are tempted to complain and give thanks to the Lord.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

October 28, 2020

October 28, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a good day! I was busy in my kitchen this morning and made a couple Spaghetti pies made with chickpea noodles, G.F. cinnamon raisin bread, and flourless peanut butter/choc chip muffins. I went to my exercise class and more exercise later as we walk. It was a very brisk walk yesterday.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
It seems today that fear abounds everywhere as people are living with so many unknowns. We don’t know how long COVID will plague us, we don’t know what will happen after the election, we don’t know if our finances will hold out etc. Fear, fear, fear! It seems that so much of the advertising today plays on our fears as we are told what things we need to purchase to relieve us of our anxieties. But even though we can’t see into the future, we don’t need to fear if our lives are hidden with the Lord. I read today from Psalm 16 as David prays for protection and finds his security in the Lord. He acknowledges that God is the one who determines his destiny and he says in verses 8-9 (God’s Word), “I always keep the Lord in front of me. When He is by my side, I cannot be moved. That is why my heart is glad and my soul rejoices. My body rests securely because you do not abandon my soul to the grave or allow your holy one to decay.” Our security is found in the Lord, no matter what happens in the world around us.  David goes on to say, “Complete joy is in your presence.” We can rest securely in the Lord, even when there is chaos around us if we keep the Lord before us and find our refuge in Him. Our trust is not found in our government or any person but only in the Lord. He will give us counsel and tell us what to do in each situation as we seek His wisdom. Perhaps more than ever before, He is teaching us to trust Him in greater depth as we have never been this way before; we don’t know what is going to happen but all we really need to know is the One who holds our future. It may mean going through hard times and we will have to hold on tighter to Him. But let us also use this time to share Him with others who are living in fear that they may come to peace and know the joy of His presence.
Challenge for today: Spend some silent time in His presence and let Him quiet your fears.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

 

October 27, 2020

October 27, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope your day is filled with sunshine! It’s cold here but  lots of sunshine and going to warm up in the next few days. This morning I did food prep and brought choc covered raspberries downstairs for coffee time. This afternoon we have several errands to run and then go for our walk.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
God has not left us during COVID or during the coming election, and more than ever we need His help in the midst of it all. How wonderful that we can give Him all the concerns that weigh on our hearts and help bring peace where there is chaos and division. There is concern about the election that no matter who wins, and if there is a clear winner, what will the aftermath be like? There seems to be so much anger and even families are divided, as well as, our nation. Noelle Kirchner, a Presbyterian Pastor, writes on Crosswalk of constructive ways to make this election time less divisive. As Christian we can become part of the change that is needed if we are open to the Lord. We can start out by standing for peace and safety for all people. There is a place for peaceful demonstrations but not criminal anarchy. It helps to get a balanced perspective rather than feeding off news outlets that seek to divide us. We can choose our words to encourage rather than tear down. That means having constructive conversation and debates rather than heated shouting matches with those whose views are different. When we share our views and stories, we should do it in a humble way and create a safe space to really listen to one another. There is room for growth for each one of us and we can join with others to improve upon the generations before us. Noelle encourages us to sow seeds of positive concrete actions and start with small steps. We can all do something! We can start by enlarging our prospective and learning from others, respecting their views, even when we disagree. The bottom line to remember is that our hope is not in any man or in any philosophy but in the Lord. He is over all and in control and we are not, One day as it says in Phil. 2:10-11 (God’s Word), “So that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
Challenge for today: Do your part to help bring peace and weigh your words before speaking.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

October 26, 2020

October 26, 2020 / / 0 Comments

 

Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend! It was good to be back to worship at our church again. I got our favorite bars made and individual egg dishes and went to Aldi’s to stock up this morning. This afternoon it’s off to the Dollar Store! 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We are to be lovers of truth and Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  I think we all have had experiences of people who talk a good talk but later find out it was all a lie. It makes us feel violated and it’s hard to trust again. I grew up never doubting that my parents would spell out the truth for they knew the Lord and were honest. I’m sure that was the same for many of you; we also had others that we looked up to that were people of integrity. But what has happened to our culture today as truth seems to be relative, and people make up their own truth?  Ron Rolheiser writes about the frightening eroding of truth in our culture. Two plus two is no longer four but whatever you want it to be. He said the truth that anchors our sanity is becoming unmoored. When we refuse to acknowledge the truth but continue to perpetuate the lie, eventually we believe our own lies and see them as the truth and the truth as a lie. Satan is the father of lies and loves to sow his seeds of untruths to cause us to doubt God’s love for us. It’s so sad to hear of people who have believed lies for a good share of their lives and have felt unloved, thinking no one cares. One mom was only protecting her daughter from her abusive husband, but the enemy sowed lies in her daughter’s heart leaving her feeling no one cared for her. Lying is dangerous when we lie to ourselves or when others lie to us, for it blocks our relationship with God. But we have been given the truth of scripture and can rely on God to be consistent and worthy of our trust. We are to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Jesus said in John 8:32 (The Message), “If you stick with this living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” We need to live in reality and pray as David did in Psalm 25, by asking the Lord to take us by the hand and lead us down the path of truth. Let us be done with untruths and seek to be taught truth and live truth.
Challenge for today: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal lies you have been believing and seek to live in truth.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

October 24, 2020

October 24, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying your weekend. No more snow for now but haven’t looked at the forecast. This morning I wrote lots of letters and did food preparations and made chili that will taste good when we come from our walk.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We are in desperate times in our culture! Sometimes when I am reading scripture it sounds like what is happening today in our world, is very much like the days of Noah. So many people have turned from God and are filled with hate, lies, greed, lust, selfishness etc.; we have only to watch the news and see this verified. And in the midst of it all, what are we asked as Christ followers to do? We are to walk the way of love. Love is the only salve for our wounded world.  Paul says in Eph. 5:1-2 (The Message), “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us. Love like that.” The Lord wants us to be co-lovers with Him to love the world through us. How wonderful to live each day with the knowledge that we are loved extravagantly. It is out of hearts that really know this that we can trust Him for each day; and as we hold out our hand to receive whatever He brings into our lives, we also extend giving hands to others. It is not our love, but God’s love that can bring people together, even people who are divided in many ways.  When we see others as the Lord views them, we can welcome even their differences and let them know they are valued and loved. I’m sure they can sense the difference when we have an attitude that says, “I’m glad for you and I enjoy your presence” verses, “How can you possibly believe such nonsense, I’m here to straighten you out!” Let us follow Christ’s example and delight in others and walk in love. Just as He sacrificed Himself, we too are called to be self-sacrificing for others.
Challenge for today: Do an act of love for someone today who is not easy for you to love.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

October 23, 2020

October 23, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! I love looking out our window and seeing the beautiful trees overladen with snow. Everything looks so fresh. This morning  I cleaned the apartment and made stroganoff to share. Today we plan to do our walk outside and enjoy the fresh air.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
 I have enjoyed reading “Sacred Fire” and have gleaned so much from the book and will share a few thoughts from it. The author extends the invitation to us to not settle comfortably where we are at, but to grow and to become more like Jesus. There is always room for more growth as none of us have arrived. We are to be rooted in gratitude and recognize everything as a gift. No one owes us life. If you think about it, the most loving person we may know is probably the most grateful person. It is wonderful to be around grateful people and it gives us a sense of godliness. Of course, we will all go through suffering at times and get hurt and be treated unfairly, but it’s how we respond to the hurt that determines what kind of a person we will be.  If we forgive the person our heart becomes softened; if we choose to hold on to bitterness our heart gets hardened. But any time we are humiliated in any way, God can actually use it in our lives to help us grow and deepen our understanding of others and give empathy to them.  We must confess it is not fun at the time but later we may see the fruit of it. The author also encourages us to live openly and honestly, without hiding who we are. He warns us against living a lie for a long time, as our conscience gets warped and we won’t see our need of forgiveness. Therefore, we need to live in such a way that we would have no reason to lie about our behavior. Of course, we are all unique and we need to accept those differences we might have and be open and life-giving. We hear a lot of lies and name calling today when we hold differing views, but that shouldn’t be as Christians. We are to show respect and openness to others for none of us know perfect truth in everything. We are to be like water purifiers that take the anger and bitterness of others, and rather than dishing it back, transform it and transmit love. The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4, that as we grow our very lives can become, ”fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fulling alive like Christ.”
Challenge for today: Commit to grow in the Lord and live this day to the fullest.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

 

 

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