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.

Page 175 of 358

February 5, 2021

February 5, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
We got up very early this morning(2:45) to be on our way to Olathe, Kansas to see our son’s family. We just arrived and had a stop in D.M at the mall and Barnes and Noble. So wonderful to see family and hug again. Thank you for prayers. We saw many cars and trucks in the ditch.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
It is time to seek the Lord! It is time to stand for truth! It is time to praise the Lord! As we see things happening so quickly in our country, we may wonder how we are going to navigate in the future. How can we remain faithful to the Lord in a world that seems to be embracing lies and warring against God’s truth? I read an article on Elijah List by Faith Marie Baczko who warns us about agreeing with the lies of the enemy and principles of the world; and instead, how we need to agree with the will and Word of God. Do we desire to live for His purpose and pursue truth and faith? It is only God’s wisdom that will scatter the enemy and tear down the lies of Satan. Just like a sermon Al preached, she wrote how God is calling His people into the Ark, who is the Lord. There we gather with others who want to serve and praise Him, and find courage as we are united, to stand up and not to give in. The flood is not coming but rather has begun, and we need to get into the Ark.  Baczko also sensed God was saying to her that praise is how we will make it through the coming times. She felt like she was standing in a small boat in a bad storm with lightening and dark clouds around her. But she had her hands raised in worship and God saying to her, “Praise me in the storm, because praise will bring you through the storm.” When everything is getting darker by the minute and changing so quickly, we need to look to the Light and the One who is Power and victory. Baczko went on to say that now is the time to put on the armor of God  and get our house and marriages in order and stand in unity. It is time to fast and pray and worship together. It is time to seek God’s wisdom as it says in James 3:17 (ESV). “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” Only God’s wisdom will win the war over truth and let us stand together. We won’t make it standing alone, just like the animals that get separated from the herd when a predator is nearby. We need to get into the Ark and to stand together with praising hearts.
Challenge for today: Don’t agree with the enemy but seek to know more intimately the One who is Truth.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

February 4, 2021

February 4, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying the day and burr the weekend looks to be very cold! This morning I cleaned the apt and went downstairs for rhubarb muffins and cookies on a stick.Emoji This afternoon Al has someone coming to see him and I hope to do a little fun shopping. Tomorrow we leave very early in the morning for Olathe Kansas so your devotion will get to you later. Appreciate prayers for a safe trip and staying well! 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
When I sent out my daily devotional yesterday, I asked the question, “What has been the hardest for you in this year of COVID?” I have never before had so many responses as I did to that question. For most of you, the most difficult thing was the lack of being able to physically see your loved ones and to actually hug them. Grandparents expressed missing this growing up time with their grandkids and not being present to see their birthdays and accomplishments. Care workers were most saddened in seeing their patients isolated from loved ones and suffering alone. But with that said, there were many of you that saw this time as a time to draw closer to the Lord, to reflect, and not have as many distractions and meetings to go to. Time with family was cherished and spending more time in the Word was definitely a blessing. We have all had radical changes take place this past year, and what do we do when faced with them? We can complain and get depressed, or we can ask God what He wants us of us; what can we learn and what is His plan for us during this time? I was reading from an old worn book by Billy Graham and he said we can become embittered or we can grow through adversity. He gave an example of George Handel who wrote the Hallelujah chorus. At the time Handel lived in poverty and was suffering from his paralyzed right side and arm and yet the music he wrote has blessed all of us and brings much glory to the Lord. He also told of George Matheson who was the oldest of 8 children and very bright, graduating with honors. When he was 19 years old, he began going blind as he had an incurable condition. While he was at the University, he fell in love but when his girl found out of his blindness, she said she did not want to be married to a blind man. When Matheson’s sister got married, he was reminded of his own painful feelings of rejection and he wrote the song, “O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, That in thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be.” He wrote it in a place of suffering but committed himself to the Lord, becoming a wonderful pastor, got his doctorate, and wrote many books. Perhaps COVID and other harsh things that happen in our lives are meant as opportunities to grow stronger and deeper and to share the Lord with others. And we have the promise that he will sustain us until the end. ( I Cor. 1:8)
Challenge for today: Write down what you think you have learned through this time of COVID
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

February 3, 2021

February 3, 2021 / / 0 Comments
 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking the Christian life should be one of ease and without struggles. But the desert saints who lived in the 4th and 5th century thought that struggle was necessary and normal for a healthy spiritual life. It’s not something we try to run away from but to embrace. Our goal should be intimacy with the Lord rather than a life of ease. Jesus said we must die to ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him and that is always a struggle. Jesus said in Matt. 16:24 (God’s Word, “Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses and follow me.” This is something we need to do daily, and in many ways, moment by moment. When things are easy, we seem to let the world flood in on us and we become like the world. We read of the desert saints who chose that barren life in isolation and loneliness so that their spiritual growth would not be hindered by distractions and possessions. They wanted quiet and distance from the world, and felt comfort and wealth were enemies of the spiritual life. Many of the desert saints had a life of rhythm of work prayer and solitude. They prayed even as they worked. Of course, we don’t all have to live like the desert fathers but we can accept struggles in life as a means to help us humbly grow and be transformed more into His image. If we think back in time of when we grew the most and were dependent on the Lord, it would most likely be in times of struggles. The world we live in is fast paced and people are seldom satisfied and want more and to do more; many are in a constant state of busyness, and we miss what is really important which is what is going on in our hearts. And if problems come, we may feel we have to quickly get out of them rather than asking the Lord to teach us from them. My frustrations come with the computer and can send me for a loop. But I have to live with my computer if I am going to write devotions and send out e-mails so I can’t wiggle out of dealing with the issues that come up. As with any of our struggles we have Someone who we can go to, that will listen, calm our hearts, and bring change. We can ask Him what it is you are teaching me that I need to learn, and the Holy Spirit waits to help us. Let us be open, receptive and accept whatever means God chooses.
Challenge for today: Thank the Lord for the next struggle that comes, and seek to learn what God is teaching you.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy 

February 2, 2021

February 2, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope your day is full of sunshine! This morning I went to Aldi’s and then brought a friend with to the Dollar Store to get some prizes etc. Fun! This afternoon I need to wrap and do some food prep etc. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How attentive are we to the Lord, recognizing His hand in what is happening in our lives and things around us? As Christians our stance should be to notice how God is working and to watch for Him to act. Maybe right now things do not seem okay as our world is in an upheaval and news is hard to watch. But our ultimate hope is not in this world, and we wait for the day things will be made right. Our hope is in the future when one day all things will be made new. Tish Warren and her husband (both Anglican priests) were having marital problems and she shares how they went away without their kids to try to work things out. At the time they didn’t have much hope to save their marriage but they bought a magnet that said, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” They purposed to forgive and listen and love, even though their marriage was not ideal at that point. She quotes Julian of Norwich who said, “All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” Things may be far from what we would like right now and it may seem like a dark night; but we can learn to watch and wait in hope for the morning to come. We don’t know how God will answer our prayers or even if things will get worse, but we know that ultimately, we have a glorious future. One day we will enter into an eternity of all that God has promised for us! Tish writes to encourage us to also wait and watch for signs of his kingdom here and now and not miss what He is doing. He is always at work and sometime we need to slow down and be still and watch. I know I need to do that. Because of technology we take in small bits of information but don’t have much sustained attention. We find it hard to wait. But let us take time to see God’s presence in the world, to pray with others, to wait with hope. In Micah 7:7 (Amplified) it says, “But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch: I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” This is not a time to be asleep but to be awake, and to recognize His grace and mercy as we wait for the dawn to come.
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to make you more aware of His presence and how He is at work.
Blessings on  your day and prayers and love, Judy

February 1, 2021

February 1, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a good weekend! We have been enjoying walks on the Paul Bunyan while the weather has been mild. Al has two Doctor appointments today and I went with him to one this morning and this afternoon he hopefully gets the ear stitches out. So good the Dr. caught this when she did.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Our relationship with the Lord is the most important relationship of all. Sometimes we show by how we spend our time that we don’t value this deep connection with Him as a priority and He is somewhere down our list. Our life was not meant to be lived that way but rather with Him as number one and all the rest of our life flowing out from that. I was reading today from Matt. 6:33 (Amplified), “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” When we seek the Lord first, we can relax and not have to worry or be pre-occupied with getting our own way. When we give our full attention to Him and His kingdom work, everything will fall into its proper place. But sometimes we have a mental schedule of what we want to accomplish in a day and hold to that; and then we can get frustrated when it doesn’t work out!  But if we give the day into what God has planned, we can sail along even with anticipation, wondering what He has in store for us. We need to be flexible and remember He is in charge; I especially have to remember that! Too often I speed into my day, after I have my devotional readings, rather than taking quiet moments to just sit and listen and commune with the Lord. After Jesus told us to seek His kingdom first, He went on to say, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.” (verse 34) In may ways it gets down to a matter of trust. Do we trust God with our whole lives, relationships, work, needs? If we are in charge, worry will set in, but if we give Him first place, we can be at peace, knowing He will work it out for His glory. May we put Him in first place in every area of our lives.
Challenge for today: Start each day with setting yourself aside and giving the Lord His rightful place.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

Mercy in the Midst of Judgment

February 1, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Jeremiah is known as “the weeping prophet.”  He kept warning the people of Judah of God’s approaching judgment at the hands of the Babylonians.  They ignored his warnings.  God even instructed Jeremiah not to pray for the people. “Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah.  Do not weep or pray for them, for I will not listen to them when they cry out to me in distress” (Jer. 11:14). The pain and sorrow that God felt for “hardened rebels” was experienced by Jeremiah himself. 

Jeremiah knew he would live in the midst of God’s judgment.  That is the background of his prayer in 10:23-5. “This prayer of Jeremiah entered into the prayer life of the exiles as well.  This is clear from the way the words are built into Psalm 79, a psalm of lament that clearly comes from the stinging trauma of those who survived the destruction Jeremiah foretold” (Bible Speaks Today).  “Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need” (Ps. 79:8). 

Jeremiah’s prayer can be instructive for us today, living in what Eugene Peterson called “disruptive times.”  Could our current cultural crisis be a sign of God allowing his judgment to come upon us as a nation?  If so, believers will be caught in the middle of this collapse. Jeremiah can help us as we journey through any dark days ahead.

Jeremiah then affirms God’s sovereignty and the limits of finding our way through the darkness.  “Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jer. 10:23).  Proverbs 20:9 also reminds us, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”  

Remember that history is God’s story.  He sees the beginning from the end.  Isaiah reminds us, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.  I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please'” (Is. 46:10).  The future of our nation is in his hands.  He will guide our steps through whatever He allows to happen.  Begin to see yourself as part of the faithful remnant (Rom. 11:1-5).

In the midst of what he saw coming, Jeremiah prays for himself.  “So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle.  Do not correct me in anger, for I would die” (Jer. 10:24 NLT).  Jeremiah in his prayer identifies with the people.  He asks the Lord to be merciful in the midst of judgment.    

We may very well be experiencing the judgment of God on a culture that has turned its back on him, but we can pray for God’s mercy to see us through whatever he sends upon us. Referring to the deeds of God in the past, Habakkuk prayed, “Renew then in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy” (Hab. 3:2b). 

Finally, Jeremiah appeals to the justice of God.  “Vent your anger on the godless nations, who refuse to acknowledge you, and on the people who won’t pray to you” (Jer. 10:25 Message).  The prophet asks God to deal with the enemies of his people.  He is leaving the judging of the nations in the hands of God, since God knows the intentions of the heart. 

In the end, we cry out for God to be merciful, knowing that God in his justice must bring judgment.  We leave those opposed to God in his hands.  We are not responsible.  Vengeance belongs to God, not to us. 

January 30, 2021

January 30, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying the weekend. My nephew’s family just stopped in for a visit and they have another hockey game next. This morning I baked cookies and did food prep and studied, and this afternoon we hope to get outside for our walk.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How then do we live? Each day is an opportunity to live for the Lord rather than to live for ourselves. Do we live with the belief of who we are in the Lord? When we come to receive the Lord, we are made new as it says in II Cor. 5:17 (God’s Word), “Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.” We are to live each day as His new creation and apply faith to our daily life. Brother Lawrence said, spirituality depends less on what we are doing and more on why and for whom we do it. A question to often ask ourselves, “Am I living to please the Lord or am I living to please men?” If the answer is to please the Lord, it could be that we will have to make changes in our lives to live more deliberately for His kingdom. We are called to die daily to our own false self that wants to be in control, that wants to live for ourselves and our own comfort. But in dying to ourselves we come to really live! We are not meant to be the center of the universe but to center our lives on God. Yes, life is not always easy as we go through struggles, but in the process, we come to know how much we need the Lord and to rely on His strength. We can do all kinds of spiritual disciplines like fasting, centering prayer, memorizing scripture etc. but the truth is if it doesn’t affect our daily life and how we relate to others, then something is wrong. We should be known for how we treat others and show them love. We are called to live for God right where we are.  When change happens in us, the world around us can be changed. How much that is needed right now in America! The Lord wants to work through us if we are willing, but He won’t force His will on us. However, if we practice living God’s way, we will find our hearts are full, and our lives have meaning and purpose. Let us live for God right where we are, no matter the cost!
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to help you daily die to self and to please Him by expressing His love to others.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

 

January 29, 2021

January 29, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy Weekend to you! We are expecting my nephew’s family to stop by as they are here in Brainerd for their son’s Hockey games. Our granddaughter is playing Soccer in MN too but unfortunately only one parent allowed into the game. EmojiAl is off to have lunch with one of the men from his Band of Brother’s class. This morning I cleaned the apartment and made a stir fry dish and studied. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Do we feel at times that God is stretching our faith? Perhaps we feel He is asking us to do something that doesn’t seem to make sense at the time or could be beyond what we feel capable of doing. And yet He wants our obedience even before we understand or see results. I think many people we read of in the Bible must have had questions at the time and yet they did what Jesus asked. Now what if we were one of the servants at the wedding of Cana and Jesus told us to fill 6 big water pots with water; would we do it and whine under our breath of all the work to fill containers that held up to 30 gallons of water and for what? But Jesus had purpose and turned the water into the best wine ever! Sometimes when we are called to do something small and obey, the Lord turns it into something big. Years ago, two students at Whitworth University went to a run-down hotel in downtown Spokane and made a few sack lunches for the poor people living there. Other students joined them and years later there is a wonderful ministry happening as hundreds of meals are distributed each week to those that live in shabby hotels  there, plus they are able to share the gospel with them. All because two students took a step of faith and obedience. We may have no idea why God is asking us to do something but Gerald Sittser said, “Give God an inch and He takes a mile, one step at a time. We take one small risk; years later we look back and marvel at what has happened as a result.” It could be that we invite a neighbor or two for coffee and it leads to having a weekly Bible Study. Or maybe going on a short term mission to Mexico and ending up being a missionary. That happened to two gals from our church in D.M and they ended up in South America. Often we see a need and pray as we take a small step to address the need; before long,  others may respond and join us and it can lead to a full time work for the Lord. Our part is to obey when we feel the Holy Spirit prompting us and leave the results up to Him. Like the song goes, “Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. Jesus said in John 15:14 (ESV) “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
Challenge for today: Step out in faith and obedience when you sense the Holy Spirit directing you.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

 

January 28, 2021

January 28, 2021 / / 0 Comments
 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How well do we love ourselves?  Humm! Many of us find it hard to know the fine line between a healthy loving of ourselves and self-centeredness. I read an article on Crosswalk.com by Cortni Marraggo on reasons to love ourselves so we can better love others.  Jesus said in Matt. 22:39 (The Message), “Love others as well as you love yourself.” We don’t want to be selfish but neither should we look down on ourselves and not feel valued. Cortni used I Cor. 13, the love chapter, to help us know how to love ourselves in the right way, the same way we love others. She said love is patient. We need to be patient with ourselves, just as Jesus is with us. We haven’t arrived yet and need His grace when we make mistakes, so let us not be hard on ourselves. Love is kind and we are to be kind to ourselves. It is easy to think only of the needs of others and neglect ourselves When we take time to enjoy a massage or an evening out, we have more in reserve to give to others. Love doesn’t envy. When we know God has a plan for our lives and loves us, we have no need to envy others. We can rejoice with their successes. Love is not boastful and proud. When we recognize all that we are and have is a gift from God, we can live in thankfulness and not pride. Love doesn’t dishonor. We are to be polite with ourselves and not engage in self talk that calls ourselves stupid or a loser etc. Love is not self-serving but instead we choose to go with God’s plan. As we do, we will have peace and can extend grace to others. Love is not easily angered. That means we don’t get all worked up over things and harbor resentments. Instead we remain at peace and have a calming influence on others. Love is forgiving. If we refuse to keep a record of all our mistakes and let them define us, then we can better love others. Love doesn’t delight in evil or rejoice when bad things happen to others but rather rejoices when they are blessed with good things. Love protects our own needs and helps us to live in a balanced way with time for God. Love trusts and believes God is working in our lives so we can also believe in others. Love hopes and believes we can be changed and more like Him. Finally, love perseveres and doesn’t give up on ourselves but stays positive. May we love ourselves so that when others observe us doing these things, they will believe God can work in their lives also.
Challenge for today: Do something kind for yourself today.  
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
 

January 27, 2021

January 27, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a peaceful day. I made several dishes this morning and went to my exercise class. I also took a picture of Al’s ear wound and sent into our dermatologist so he doesn’t have to go back until Monday to have stitches out. It looks ugly but is healing. Al had  the men’s Soul Care group this morning and soon we are going for our walk early today. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Has anyone ever called you a saint? In the New Testament all believers were called Saints but some showed great faith and willingness to lay down even their lives. In Hebrews 11 we can read of the Hall of Fame (or the Hall of Faith) of those saints who gave their lives for the Lord in some extraordinary ways. We are given examples to follow of those who conquered kingdoms, built an ark before it rained, left home to go to a country God would show him etc. But some of them by faith also endured being imprisoned, tortured and stoned to death. These are examples to help us look to Jesus and to run the race set before us with perseverance. (Heb. 12:1). We can also read spiritual biographies of saints who inspire us to be faithful to the Lord and become transformed more and more to be like Him. We all grow through the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and not by self-effort that will run out. It doesn’t happen all at once either and sometimes we need encouragement and to read of someone who has blazed a trail for us. We are uplifted by their example of total abandonment to the Lord and their obedience. Some people today meet regularly with a spiritual mentor who is ahead in years and learn from them. Perhaps we can be inspired by stories of such people as John Chrysostom who was a pastor, leader, preacher, writer, scholar, and known as “Golden Mouth” because of his great preaching. He was born in Antioch and his father died when he was a young boy. His mother raised him and his sister with the best education; but instead of law, he went to a monastery for two years and was in isolation for four more years where he prayed and memorized most of the New Testament. He became a priest in 386 and when rioting broke out in Antioch, he preached every day with great passion and became quite famous. He was kidnaped by a government official who wanted this great preacher to serve the church in Constantinople and the imperial family. But Chrysostom didn’t just serve those in power but fed the poor and widows, built hospitals, reformed the clergy etc. He preached about God’s compassion and said the church is a place where forgiveness is granted and not a place where punishment is exacted. He spoke boldly about the abuse of wealth, even though there were wealthy members of the court present. He told them to invest their resources in the poor. A jealous bishop brought charges against Chrysostom and he was removed from office and from the city; people rioted until he was brought back. Another time the emperor sent him into exile and he went to a remote place by the sea and collapsed. He gave his clothes away, received communion and died after saying, “Glory be to God in all things. Amen.” His life touched so many people and God wants to use our lives to make a difference too.
Challenge for today: Be aware of those who God may put in your life to help you in the transformation process. 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
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