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 161 of 165)

September 5, 2020

September 5, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend. We are soon going to the lake and stopping on the way to see and pray with a friend at Birchview Gardens. Then on to the lake for a boat gathering around two docks where we can see extended family with social distancing. Later a picnic is planned and we will have to see about swimming in the afternoon as it is not predicted to be very warm. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
It is no surprise that there are difficult people in the church! Of course, we might be one of them as someone could be having trouble with us  and finds us hard to love. On Crosswalk.com Brittany Rust writes about 10 Ways to Deal with Difficult People in the Church; but her helpful ways may include others we deal with at times as well. Since we are all so unique with varied personalities and not like anyone else, we may end up rubbing someone else in the wrong way. They may struggle to know where we are coming from and can’t understand our logic and thinking. Brittany said we should expect conflict because it is inevitable. When those times come, we need to keep our cool and not lash out. It is an opportunity for us to be an example. We should also not fuel the fire and be defensive but give a gentle answer. Sometimes our pride gets in the way as we try to protect ourselves but we need to just own our part and ask forgiveness. We’ve all been in a group when someone says something critical. Rather than adding to it, we can show ignorance and may respond with, “Isn’t that nice!” or “What a surprise!” We must not forget that we are all broken in differing ways and have struggles in life, many with hurts as far back as childhood; so we need to show grace and mercy. We can choose to take the high road and respond in a positive way. If there is a lot of tension, Brittany says we may have to take a break to gather our thoughts and cool down. It’s a good thing to pray for the person as our own heart gets soften in the process. Finally, she said to practice Matt.18:15 (God’s Word) where Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone If the member listens to you, you have gained that one.” She goes on to say that if that doesn’t work, we should bring one or two other believers along and if the person refuses to listen then tell the church. Let us not turn away from others when conflicts arise but forgive and love, and show mercy.
Challenge for today: The next time a believer hurts you, take the high road and practice mercy.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy
 

September 4, 2020

September 4, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! I went early to the store today to avoid the many who will be getting ready for the holiday. I also made G.F. cookies and pork chops smothered with an apple topping and the house smells so good. Tomorrow we are heading to the lake and the forecast isn’t for very warm temperatures. Emoji But thankfully it isn’t rain. Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
 Loneliness is a big problem today and made worse by COVID-19. Today there are 35.7 million Americans that live alone and loneliness is only exacerbated during this time of isolation. But we don’t have to live alone to have feelings of separation from others, for many going through divorce and traumatic times are left feeling depressed and separated as well.  Our health is often affected, for our bodies feel the effects of loneliness that can result in anxiety, heart conditions, dementia, chronic health problems etc. We would think that since we have cell phones, zoom and video chats that it would help solve the problem. But if we see others enjoying fun times on Facebook, it can make us feel worse for what we feel we are missing. But we have a place to go, someone who understands and One who is there for us. Jennifer Slattery writes about how God deals with us in our anxiety and gives the example of the prophet Elijah. After his victory over the 450 prophets of Baal he was threatened by Jezebel and fled to the desert. He felt so alone and depressed that he wanted to die. But instead of rebuking him, God sent an angel to strengthen him and gave him food and water; he slept and was renewed from exhaustion and ate and was nourished. Or when Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane before his death, he agonized to the point of sweating drops of blood. God sent an angel to strengthen Him. When we feel alone and abandoned, we can look to the Lord and He will use whatever means He chooses to help us and to give us peace. We are told in Isaiah 41:10 (The Message), “I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you. Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Even when we may be by ourselves, we are not alone for the Lord is with us and will fill those empty places inside us.
Challenge for today: When you feel lonely, take time to spend with the Lord and hear His comforting words.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

September 3, 2020

September 3, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
 
Hope you are having a good day. It is sunny here but windy and cool and high of 65. Hope it warms up for this holiday weekend. This morning I made individual egg dishes and bars and went downstairs for coffee. I need our walk today as I didn’t have time for it yesterday.
 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
 
Our lives on earth are just the prelude to the biggest day of all, our homecoming. But how we make the transition also has a great effect on our loved ones we leave behind. We don’t have a choice of when that will happen to us, but only that it will happen to all of us one day.
 
We have had several funerals recently, and for two young dads, death came suddenly from a heart attack without warning. Another man was elderly and sick, and had time to plan his funeral as he knew he didn’t have much time left. Al was able to pray with him several times and they talked about death in peacefulness as he was ready to go to his home to glory. Another man who is dying is questioning if there is an after-life and he cannot rest in peace yet and so we pray. Ronald Rolheiser writes in his book, Sacred Fire, about how our deaths can be a final gift to our loved ones. He said we choose if will we struggle against death in freedom or in clinging? Graciousness or bitterness? In anger or in forgiveness? Our attitude towards our final journey will leave a lasting impression with our loved ones.
 
Just yesterday Al and I visited my 94 year- old aunt who is in hospice now and staying with her daughter. She is very special in my life, like a second mom; we prayed together and talked about when the Lord would take her home one day and also the joy of seeing loved ones etc. She has no fear of death and is looking forward to that day in being united with the Lord.  My own mom was taken suddenly with a heart attack and my last memory of dad is tucking the covers around him and telling him I loved him before he was going to sleep. He responded with words that he loved me and I treasure that. Rolheiser said that we in many ways don’t fully appreciate others until after they go away; for later we sense that they are still with us for we are connected in spirit. Jesus told His disciples in John 14:3(The Message), “And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live” Let us live in peace and look forward to the day the Lord comes back for us, for we will be with Him for all eternity.
 
Challenge for today: Live today with eternity in mind!
 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

September 2, 2020

September 2, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a good day. We just got home and left 11 hours ago to head to the cities to see my special aunt who is now in Hospice and staying with her daughter.What a blessed time together as we talked about heaven. We spent the rest of the day shopping at St John’s and many bookstores and out to eat. My book loving hubby is purring tonight!  
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I woke up today with the words going through my mind, “God sees”. He knows and sees everything that is going on in our lives and all around us and doesn’t miss a thing. It’s likely we all had experiences when we were young, of times we got blamed for something we didn’t do and wished our parents had been there to see what was really going on. But God is El Roi, our God who sees and knows everything and nothing is hid from Him. We can remember Hagar, an Egyptian slave, who was mistreated by Sarah, and ran away. Being pregnant and alone she despaired of life but an angel appeared and gave her a message. She responded and it says in Gen. 16:13 (The Message), “She answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, ‘You’re the God who sees me!’ “ Yes! He saw me; and then I saw Him!” She went back to her mistress and was encouraged by the message given her.  Isn’t it comforting to us to be assured that God sees all and knows every need we have? He isn’t asleep, He is always aware of our circumstances and knows our needs better than we do. Maybe others have failed us in our lives, or maybe we are sick or in a difficult situation. He knows! He is on the lookout and it says in II Chron. 16:9 that he his eyes range throughout the earth to help those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. That doesn’t mean that bad things don’t ever happen to us but that He takes us through them and gives us the help we need. None of us know what is ahead of us and what tomorrow may bring, but if we know the One who holds our future, we can rest and be at peace. God sees us so let us pray that our spiritual eyes be opened more and more to see Him who is our God of miracles!
Challenge for today: Sit quietly before the Lord and picture His eyes of love on you.
Blessings on your evening and prayers and love, Judy

September 1, 2020

September 2, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
 
Hope you are having a good day. The weather is cooler and seems like Fall is here and summer is over. This morning I made blueberry/cinnamon bread which we are anxious to try. I also went shopping with a friend from church to decide on decorations for an upcoming women’s event. But then we topped it off at the Mall and hit super sales! On the way home we saw a man collapse near his car and went over to help him and 911 was called. Like my devotional today, we never know what may happen in a day.
 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
 
We don’t know the future or even what is ahead of us today but it is comforting to know that God does. He is aware of everything that will touch our lives and is our solid rock.
 
I just read today on Facebook about my cousin’s granddaughter, Maci, who is overseas with YWAM. She called home and shared with her folks how she lost everything except what she was wearing and a few items in her backpack. She told how they had a dryer hooked up by a technician and everything looked properly done. However, there was a leak in the pipe somewhere, and when one of her roommates went to take a shower the spark from the water heater caused an explosion. One of Maci’s friends was napping at the time in Maci’s room, and it was that room that took the brunt of the explosion. Maci had to pry the door open to get her friend out and quickly carried her out to the street where they loaded her in a car and took her to the hospital. She is undergoing skin grafts for 2nd and 3rd degree burns from head to toe. Maci told her folks that she felt God had been asking her for the past few months if He is enough. Through all this she responded that “Yes, He is.” If you are prompted, pray for her as she will be going to a different YWAM base in two weeks and needs to replace her passport, glasses, guitar and many things. When Maci woke up that morning, she had no idea what was ahead of her but the Lord strengthened her, as He promises.  
 
We can also think of the Apostle Paul who endured so many hardships, beatings, ship wrecks etc. And he said in Phil 4:11b-13 (The Message), “I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” He goes on to say that God will take care of everything we need according to His riches. Let us face each day with confident trust that He is with us and will take care of all of our needs, no matter what the day holds.
 
Challenge for today: Thank the Lord that He is faithful and entrust this day and your whole future into His hands.
 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

August 31, 2020

August 31, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Devotions from Judy’s heart

When we know the Lord, we are called to be lights and we are to let them shine, shine, shine. As a child I and our whole Sunday School, memorized the scripture in Matt.5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” It didn’t seem so dark back then, for our pastor preached the Word as truth, we believed our elders that they would speak truth, and we knew we shouldn’t compromise and go the way of the world.

But today it seems that there is a blurring of right and wrong, lights are flickering and growing dim. Mark Roberts of Fuller Seminary writes about a “flickering light” and how leadership and organizations are flickering and growing dark. In Isaiah 42:6-8 (The Message) it says, “I am God, I have called you to live right and well. I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe. I have set you among my people to bind them to me., and provided you as a lighthouse to the nations, to make a start at bringing people into the open, into light: opening blind eyes, releasing prisoners from dungeons, emptying the dark prisons.” God wants to work through us powerfully and let us not get overwhelmed by the darkness.

When we met recently with 3 couples from our former Board for Canaan’s Rest, Al spoke out about us being lights and what does that mean for us today. All couples are being used in their churches and one couple was especially being lights to their grandchildren. Another couple He is using with Celebrate Recovery and also their house as a place for refuge. Another couple was being used in their workplace and mentoring others, as well as family. We are all called to let our lights shine and come along side others who are discouraged and flickering. Some may be like smoldering wicks or bruised reeds and need the light to shine on them and give them hope. Let us not be flickering ourselves but burning brightly and pointing others to Him.

Challenge for today: When you find yourself flickering, get into the Word and find fellowship with others.

Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

 

 
 

August 29,2020

August 29, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying the weekend. We left early this morning for Mora and had a day of fellowship with our former Board members of Canaan’s Rest. It was a wonderful time as we shared our lives together and had a yummy lunch. We are going for a walk now and then having our grandson for church and dinner tomorrow. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Do others know we are Christians by our love? Or do others know us ones that need to strongly express our opinions and build walls of division?  A question we need to ask ourselves often is, what is the loving thing is to do in this situation? What will bring us closer together and not divide us? Mark Roberts writes on Crosswalk about breaking down the walls of separation. He uses Jesus example for He made the way by fulfilling the laws demands for us through His death. When he did this, it brought down the wall of hostility that divided the Jews and Gentiles. We become one in Christ when we accept Jesus and His sacrifice for us, even though we way differ in many ways. His sacrifice paved the way and made it possible to end the hostility between us and others, whether it be groups of people or even members of our own families.  When we are members of His Body, we are not to be judgmental and try to convince others to think just like we do, worship like we do, and to view situations as we see them. But we are rather called to peace and to express His love and allow the Holy Spirit direct each person’s life. It’s prideful and unwise to play Holy Spirit for others for how do we know God’s plan for them?  When we do this and it is like putting bricks in the wall between us; they feel the pressure from us and it hurts the Body of Christ. Jesus said in Matt.5:8-9 (The Message),” You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see the outside world. You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” When we are secure in the Lord, we can accept others and let others be who they really are. We can put down our bricks that cause division and let them be at ease without being just like us or thinking like us. Let us be peace workers and build relationships, not walls.
Challenge for today: Ask God to help you dismantle any walls you have erected between you and others.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy 

 

August 28, 2020

August 28, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
 
Happy Weekend to you! Hope you enjoy it and get refreshed. This morning I cleaned our apt. and Al and I went to a funeral Mass of a friend who lived in our apt. building. Al took me out for lunch at Poncho Lefties after which we got a surprise yummy dessert.  (A nearby table  had people from our apt. complex and one of them ordered the dessert for us) Enjoying the day with phone calls which began early this morning and as you may have guessed I am a year older now! If you did not receive devotionals again go to https://www.canaansrest.org/whispers. Sorry and will let Mark know.
 
Devotions from Judy’s heart.
 
Life is not about me, me, me! It is really about the Lord. Just think what it would be like if our identity was found in what others thought of us, or how we performed as a boss, or in being a good spouse or parent. It wouldn’t take long for us to lose confidence for we are sure to blow it. Our lives are meant to revolve around the Lord, and our Identity is in Him; He is our confidence, our source.
 
When we get upset when things don’t go our way or when we have expressed behavior that is not godly, we soon realize that we have strayed from our Source. I don’t know about you, but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t sense my need of the Lord and realize that I can’t live life on my terms. When our focus is on ourselves, life becomes very shallow and meaningless. Perhaps this is seen as it is played out when people have a need to put their whole life on Facebook to validate their worth and importance. But when our focus is on the Lord and then others, everything shifts to a life that has meaning. We experience deep joy!  I was reading Psalm 34 today when David escaped from his enemy. Some of his words from The Message translation are: I bless God every chance I get… I live and breathe God…God met me more than halfway, He freed me from my anxious fears……Worship God if you want the best; Worship opens doors to all His goodness…God seekers are full of God…..God keeps an eye on His friends, His ears pick up every moan and groan….God is listening, ready to rescue you….God is there every time.”  We don’t need to spend time thinking of all our weaknesses or wondering what others are thinking of us, but rather to praise the Lord and rejoice that He loves and accepts us as we are. Our identity is in Him!
 
Challenge for today: The next time someone puts you down, go to the Source and thank Him for his unconditional love.
 
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

August 27, 2020

August 28, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
 
Hope you are enjoying this day!  So good to see the sun again! The is morning I went to Aldi’s shopping  and made cookies, choc covered raspberries and individual egg dishes.  The house is full of aroma!
 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
 
Yesterday Al and I went for our daily afternoon walk and I mentioned to  him how good it is when we are pointed home again. We walk almost a mile and a half on the Paul Bunyan Trail through the woods until we get to our marker which is a bench on the side of the trail. Al does a few stretching exercises and then we begin our mile and a half back. On the way there, I look especially at the flowers and changing leaves and any animals we may see, but on the way home, it seems like the time goes faster in anticipation of getting home and having supper etc. I shared with  Al how it is much like life for in the first half we are busy building our careers, trying things out and discovering our gifts. But in the second half of our lives, which some of us are in, we let go of thinking of those things as being most important; we think more of eternal things, rather than the transient. In fact, we begin to get ready for the day we can put aside these earthly bodies and are home with the Lord…that is our true home! We find ourselves anticipating the marriage feast of the lamb and the day of no more tears or pain, but being forever with the Lord and all believers. It’s hard to even imagine what that day will be like but for now we need to stick it out here and now.
 
Paul says in Col. 3:1-3 (The Message), “So if you’re serious about living this resurrections life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ–That’s where the action is. See things from His perspective.” Our lives are meant to be centered in the Lord and then we can see things as He sees them, from His perspective. Let us not be so focused on our temporary lives, but focus on what will last forever.
 
Challenge for today: Let go of those transient things that take up your time and let your focus be on what is lasting.
 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

August 26, 2020

August 28, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
 
Hope you are having a wonderful day. I made a zucchini/choc cake with fresh zucchini from Ann’s garden and also surprised one of the couples here with a huge one that got overlooked!Emoji I wrote cards and went to my exercise class this morning and tonight we have Bible Study. 
 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Great things happen when we pray for one another! We are reminded in James 5:16 (The Message), “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.”
 
When I have been with friends who ask for prayer and share an area they are struggling with, it draws me closer to the Lord and to them; it lets me also know I can be free to share my own sins and offences as well. This should be a common practice and not something that is rare.
 
Lisa Lakey gives a warning of what our attitude should be, for at times our very tone we may be saying, “O you struggle with that sin. Not me but I will pray for you.” Very self-righteous sounding and where is our humility and love? Instead, we can say, “How can I pray for you?” As husband and wife, Al and I share our areas of weakness and sins that we need to repent of and in doing that we experience forgiveness and freedom. We can’t fix each other, for that is God’s work, but we can all pray for one another and watch God work. The enemy likes for us to bottle things up and work on our problem areas in our own strength. That doesn’t work. God wants us to bring our sins out into the light and if we humble ourselves and confess our need of His forgiveness, the Lord steps in and forgives and heals us. We will find ourselves healthier spiritually but often physically as well.  It is so wonderful to hear the words of absolution, “You are forgiven in the name of the Lord.” As fellow believers we are priests to one another and have that privilege to speak those words to those who have confessed their sins. Let us make confession that we may be forgiven and set free.
 
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to use you in listening to others and praying for them.
 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
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