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.

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May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have great day. Rain is expected and we surely need it. It is Donut Day here and later Bible Study. I plan to make egg dishes and listen to a seminar etc.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Many of us may agree we should talk less and listen more, for it is hard to hear the Lord or others when we are interrupting or thinking of what we will say next. There are many places in Scripture that tell us to listen carefully, so we need to pay attention. Eccl. 5:2 says, “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few.”
We live in a very noisy world, and to really listen we need quiet not only without but within. Years ago, Al and I went to a silent retreat at a Cistercian monastery. They practice silence and even at meal time no word was spoken. It was a new experience and I have to say I took more thought in what I was eating and was conscious of each bite. The silence was quite a change from our noisy world and times like that help us deal with ourselves. So much our lives are lived by reacting to outward things, and even the dings from our cell phones tell us someone wants our attention. But silence helps us to act from within ourselves and we begin to see our real needs and those of others.
When the weather is nice, it is restoring to just sit outside and listen to the sounds of nature, the singing of the birds and the breeze through the trees. We become more aware of the Lord and take pleasure in even the little things.
If we are honest with ourselves, there are probably times for most of us when we realize we have talked too much and should have remained quiet. Some time ago we had a couple over for dinner and we asked about their family and their lives and they shared and shared but never once did they ever address a question to us. I said to Al that they never found out anything more than what they came with as they only talked about their lives but nothing more. Let us all weigh our words and speak as the Lord directs us and talk less and listen more.
Challenge for today: Take time to be quiet and live more in God’s reality!
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a wonderful day. Our warm weather is holding until this weekend when it drops to 46! Meanwhile we enjoy the gorgeous days! Today Al is preaching next door and I go to my exercise class and then to Crafts and later to Bible Study.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We often talk about our desire to hear the Lord, but what about following the Lord in obedience? James tells us we are to be doers of the Word, not hearers only. (James 1:22) We are taught obedience in life when we are young, as parents seek to teach us the importance of obeying.  I remember being in the mountains overlooking a canyon hearing parents telling their children to stay close by their side, for it was a very long way down if they decided to bolt away. We don’t always experience the immediate consequences of our disobedience, but ultimately we reap  what we have sown.
Obedience is a sign of love. John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments and His commandments are not burdensome.” Jesus calls us His friend if we do as He says (John 15:14). Scriptures are full of verses on obedience and it is up to us to surrender our own way so we can go God’s way, which is far superior. If we obey the truth of His words, we will be set free and no longer a slave to our own desires.
In some ways I think of obedience as a matter of trust. Do I trust the Lord enough to choose His way, even when I don’t understand what He is doing or know the reason why? Do I believe He is all good, all loving, all wise, and able to steer me in the in the way I should go? I remember a verse I learned as a child from Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” It’s so good to know He sees us, knows what is up ahead and has His eye on us. He will teach us, guide us to find His path for our life and we will grow as we obey Him. When we disobey, not only do we suffer, but those around us as well.  We can say we love Him but the sign of our love is obedience.
Challenge for today: Pray or sing the words to the song, “When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word. What a glory He sheds on our way. When we do His good will. He abides with us still and to all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey for there is not other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.”
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a wonderful day! It is to be another warm day and we are so thankful that the repair man came and got our A.C. going again. I plan to do food prep, write, and later we are having friends over for fellowship and Blueberry Crumble with real whipped cream.Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Haven’t we all experienced times when a word is preached that touches our heart? Or maybe we read a particular scripture that stands out to us like a neon light and seems to be a direct message from the Lord. He is trying to get our attention and He sends us signs or a spoken word to make sure we hear what He has been trying to reveal to us. I was reading a message from Mark Roberts of Fuller Seminary and his word from the Lord was to be still, stop speaking and be quiet; in other words, let something go, drop it, abandon it and sit quietly.
Sometimes we all get in situations that may cause us worry or anxiety and we have no idea what the outcome will be. But that is the very time we need to call on the Lord and tell Him everything that concerns us. Maybe we are getting ready to go to work and have a lot weighing on our mind since we have to deal with a situation there. It has cost us some sleep and we want to jump in and solve the problem ourselves. But how much better to take even five minutes of time and just sit before the Lord, let Him calm our heart, and in silence give Him our attention. We ask Him to free us from the need to be in control and instead ask Him to take charge.
One night I got up from the chair after watching the news and later could not find my glasses. Since I have two pairs, it was not an emergency but those glasses are my best and it was like they disappeared. Al and I both looked for them high and low and as I write this, we are yet to find them. I wanted to tear the apartment apart, but after we both looked everywhere imaginable, I just prayed and remembered the verse Roberts gave from Psalm 46:10, “Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God.” Another verse said to turn our burdens over to the Lord and He will take care of you. (Psalm 55:22) So I did what Roberts said and spent five minutes or so, just sitting before the Lord, being quiet and did not speak. The Lord calmed my heart and though my eyes are ever alert, I let go. One day hopefully my glasses will reappear and Al and I will celebrate!
Challenge for today: Give both small concerns and big ones to the Lord and put quiet trust in Him.
P.S.  I wrote this devotional a couple weeks ago as I rarely send them out right away. But guess what?  My glasses were found under the bed when Al and I were shampooing the bedroom carpet. They must have slid off the bed and shoved under when I vacuumed. When we discovered them Al and I did a high five and PTL!
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

Breaking the Yoke

May 12, 2025 / / 0 Comments

I ‘ve read Ch.9 of Isaiah often,  especially during the Advent season.  Recently I was struck with the sheer force of verses 4-5, when I consider the yoke and emotional burden our nation is under.   “For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.  You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.  The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will be burned.  They will be fuel for the fire” (Is. 9:4-5 NLT). This would be an unbelievable occurrence for people, “walking in darkness……living in the land of the shadow of death (Is. 9:2). 

At the time of Isaiah’s prophecy, the Assyrians had invaded Zebulun and Naphtali, the two northern tribes of Israel. The invasion brought darkness and despair, but the Isaiah was giving the people reason for hope.  “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress” (Is. 9:1).  These words are given in the “prophetic perfect.” “Though the events were in the future, they were described as if they had already happened” (CSB Study Bible). Matthew quotes this passage in Matt. 4:15-16,  referring to the ministry of Jesus, who as the light of the world has come to  removing the darkness and lifting the despair 

When a nation feels like they are living in the shadow of death, it give the impression of little hope of a brighter future. “The oppressed nation is compared to an ox weighed down by a heavy yoke and an animal that is prodded and beaten.” (NET)  I have been pondering the yoke as a symbol of our nation’s despair and anxiety. In scripture the yoke is the image of subjection.  We read in Deut. 28:47-8, “Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you.  He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you” (Deut 28:46- 47).  The burden of carrying a yoke, can be the consequence of a nation having turned their backs on the Lord.

But God in His mercy will also release a nation from the yoke that they carry.  “They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them” (Ezk. 34:27).  Isaiah prophesied Israel being freed from the Assyrian yoke. “I will crush the Assyrian in my land; on my mountain I will trample him down.  His yoke will be taken from my people, and his burden removed from their shoulders” (Is 14:25). 

Isaiah points to David’s victory at Midan, when he was victorious with only 300 men.  It was unbelievable victory against a great army.  Isaiah promises a similar future victory for the people of God.  It will be a decisive battle, even though it will be bloody.  “The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned.  They will be fuel for the fire” (Is. 9:5).  “The burning of the boots and the bloody clothes of the enemy soldiers….signify a victory in holy war where spoils were dedicated to God and military equipment was se on fire” (CSB Study Bible).

As a nation we are under a cloud of darkness, causing much despair.  There may be some hope and relief as light beginning to shine.  But ultimately, the burden and the rod of despair can only be lifted by the Lord. Only he can “break the oppressor’s rod.” Is. 9:5 reminds us that it will be messy before it gets better.  

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a special weekend! It was very hot but a nice breeze by the lake where we spent Mother’s Day with our daughter and husband. We had a delicious steak dinner and went to hear our son-in-law preach and also had time to see Susan and pray together.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Mother’s Day was always special for me, but now I am only on the receiving end since my mother died 17 years ago. Although my mom has been in heaven for some time, I find her so often in my thoughts and what she taught seems imprinted deeply in my heart. The Lord was most important in her life and she prayed all five of us kids would know Him and serve Him.
When I wrote a devotional for Mother’s Day about our moms, I also included others who touched our lives and showed us the way of faith and love, I’d like to share one of the responses I got from a friend whom I have known since my days in nurses’ training.
“Your message sparked something I will share with you. When I was only 5, my mother was in a tractor accident in which she broke several vertebrae and was very close to being paraplegic as the spinal cord was “hanging by a thread.”  She had to be hospitalized for nearly 5 months.  We were all minors, living on the farm.  (Dad had, of course, passed away before my birth.)  Well, my sisters (age 16, 12, 11) became my mothers!  I don’t recall ever being worried or afraid.  (The church people, neighbors and relatives from afar helped where they were able.)  In 2013, I wrote a letter to my sisters in honor of Mother’s Day, thanking them for all the ways they had mothered me during that time, as well as the other acts of love and support throughout my life.
This coming Monday, some of our family will visit my sister and brother-in-law. If it seems appropriate, I will read my letter to them.  I hope it will be a blessing for all to recall how God used them in my life as ‘mothers’ and dear sisters.”
Perhaps God is using us right now as a spiritual mom or dad to someone else and He wants us to be faithful and to let our words and actions reflect Him.
Challenge for today: Memorize Matt. 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so they can see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

May 10, 2025

May 10, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend and one of blessings. Early this morning we are going to a sale at the Senior Center and tomorrow we will celebrate Mother’s Day with our daughter and son-in-law at the lake.  We plan to stop to see Susan on the way to church in Hackensack. It’s been so long since I have seen her and she has made a good recovery after her surgery.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
What kind of legacy do we want to leave behind for our children and grandchildren? It is a question Al and I often ponder personally along with those in our Bible study class. Although it is Mother’s Day tomorrow, I want to address this devotional to both men and women, for even if you are not a parent, you are influencing the lives of young people around you. I can think of our friend who is a librarian and deals with children every day. Her caring influence can make a difference in a child for life.
Of course, we are anything but perfect examples, but what would we want others to remember of us? What values do we want those after us to embrace? Many children today are being raised in homes with an absent mother or father that are often too busy to see their needs. One woman shared in Bible Study how when growing up, she asked God why she was put in such a dysfunctional home. Why couldn’t she have a good family like other kids?  In such instances God may use others outside the family that care and come alongside to influence for good. The Body of Christ should be such a place, for in Jer. 30:17 we have God’s promise, “For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord.”
Let us remember those who touched our lives and showed us the way of faith and love. I would like to share a prayer from Just Between Us magazine not just for mothers, but for both men and women. “Lord thank you for those who’ve shaped my faith—those who prayed for me, taught me, walked beside me, and helped me to grow. Help me to be one of those men and women. Let my words, actions, and love reflect Your heart. I may never know the full impact of what I plant, but I trust You to grow it. Teach me to live faithfully and love well—for Your glory and for their good. Amen.”
Challenge for today: Write down three faith-building qualities you want to pass on and ask God for help in living them out.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! Today looks to be warmer and by Sunday it will be in the 90’s for Mother’s Day.  We enjoyed the visit from Kurt and Jeff yesterday and hope they catch a big muskie on opening tomorrow!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
It is important that we count our blessings and not give undue attention to things we wish were different, easier and more comfortable. Each of us must decide how we will face whatever life brings us: sometimes sunshine but other times lots of rain. Of course, we’d probably all love only sunny days when everything is comfortable and going smoothly, but life is not like that, for we have storms that cause us to grow in ways we wouldn’t otherwise.
The enemy would try to have us respond to trials by feeling sorry for ourselves. Self-pity is not pretty and it will not make us feel better but rather far worse. When we feel sadness and pity for ourselves our focus is on me, me, me and it puts us on a downward spiral. Thoughts can range from, oh I wish I had an easy road like so and so, or why do I have to suffer when others go about their lives so problem-free. We can also blame others for our situations and then ruminate on how unfair it is. But all of that is a waste of time and energy when it will do nothing to help us overcome the negative emotions.
We have a choice whether to think God’s way and start counting our blessings or wallow in self-pity. I remember years ago when we were in Des Moines and I had a dream that I was going up our stairs to the second story. I was stopped on the way up and heard the Lord ask me if I wanted to be well, because if I was sick others would feel sorry for me. I was not sick at the time but I responded loudly that I wanted to be well. Maybe the question was asked of me as I would have to face some hard times in the church at a later time and self-pity was not the way to respond.
But we must remember the Lord will give us all that we need, and we don’t have to waste energy feeling sorry for ourselves or being a victim. No, we are His children, and we can go in His strength. Let us count our blessings and like Paul said, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil.4:8)
Challenge for today: Don’t welcome thoughts of self-pity, but think on your blessings.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
May you have a hope-filled day. Al will be going early to Men’s group and later leading Bible study here.  I plan to make a pot of stew and other food prep and go down for donuts!! This afternoon Kurt and a friend are coming by on their way to the lake to open up the cabin!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
What has happened to our country these past years as we see the decline in our moral culture, the breakdown of the family and disorder in our society? We may want to lift up our hands in disgust and frustration, wondering what is going to turn us around. I was given hope while reading Mary Eberstadt’s essay on the signs of cultural revival. She writes as a Senior Research Fellow at the Faith and Reason Institute, giving us positive signs that things may already be changing.
Today we see the signs of the rise of social conservatism. Even though young people today are less likely to attend church, they are becoming more conservative on social issues. The men are tired of being told they should be soft and more like a woman. They are 20% more likely to oppose abortion than women and realize also that the disorder of the family has injured society. Both sexes are finding something is missing in the predominant laissez-faire consensus about sex. The sexual revolution has complicated relations between the sexes more than any other force, and both men and women are scarred by it. Pornography is being seen for the harm it does, with fewer men getting married or even dating.
Another sign Eberstadt gives is educational entrepreneurship.  Parents of faith, seeing what is happening in the schools and what their kids are being taught, have wised up and sought alternatives. There has become a rapid growth in charter schools, homeschooling, etc. In 2023, 72% of parents considered new schools for their kids.
Religious solidarity also has taken place, as serious Catholics, Protestants, and Jews come together cooperating and standing against anti-Semitism, even when university administrators and students were silent or sided with murder of innocents. As many see the problems of the re-paganization of our culture, some are turning and renewing their faith. Instead of viewing everyone as victims and distrustful of others, many are turning to welcome the Christian creed that tells us to love our enemies and forgive those who harm us.
We have all seen what living without the core teachings of the Bible has done to our culture. The chaos of our day has left people diminished, miserable, lonely and afraid. Christianity teaches us the importance of family and that women are co-participants in the sacred act of creation. True liberation comes as we return to God, live according to His Word and don’t suppress truth, for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6)
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to show you ways you have given in to the evils of our culture and purpose to go God’s way!
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a listening day. What beautiful weather we have been having and each day on the trail we see the trees and flowers blossoming. I plan to go to Exercise class and Crafts and later Bible Study.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How open are we to God? We say we want to know Him in a deeper way, but often we just go on in our busy lives and don’t take time to be with Him, to hear what He has to say, and to know how He would lead our lives. We must be open to what He has for us and that means quieting down and seeking to hear Him and love Him.
The first step in our path to draw closer to the Lord is to humble ourselves and the Lord himself gave us His example. Philippians 2 tells us how Jesus was equal with God but He humbled Himself and took on the status of a slave. He lived a selfless, obedient life and died the worst death. Paul says to us in the same chapter, “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of Himself.” Without humility, we cannot draw close to God and offer our whole selves to Him.
Of course, we need to spend time in quietness and give our passions and thoughts to the Lord, all the while seeking to hear His voice to our hearts. We are to be in the Word, letting it speak to us. We are all unique and God speaks to each of us a different word, for He is forming us according to His plan and timing. We are to be honest and real with Him in our prayers, and He will transform what we give so that His image will be seen in us by others. It makes no sense to spend a lot of time rehearsing our plans to God and then ask Him for His will. Much better is to lay down our will and plans, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us in His way. Words are useless if we don’t live out what we say. Let us draw close to God sob that His imagine can shine out of us to the world!
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to open your heart door to desire more of Him and draw ever closer.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a blessed day! Al has an audiologist appointment this morning and I am going along to have my hearing aids cleaned. Later I have Women’s Bible study on Acts.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Belonging to a church or fellowship group is important for our Christian growth but perhaps church membership is made too light of today. Some families go from one church to another, like going through revolving doors, but never actually land and put down their roots. Of course, none of us will find the perfect church that meets all of our needs and desires, for we bring our own imperfections into the church fellowship.

I was reading way back in Roman times A.D. 215 that new believers were put into a training program for three years before they could join a church. The bishops had a manual on how to teach the essentials of faith, with only the most qualified and trained bishops and teachers being responsible to instruct them. Along with scripture, creeds, etc, they gave moral instruction and guidance on what jobs and forms of entertainment they should avoid, etc. They had each one make a formal confession of faith along with a moral examination. Then if the candidates passed, on Easter Sunday morning they were baptized and anointed with oil, prayed over and dressed in white robes. Encouragement was given to be faithful in worship, fellowship with other Christians and included private prayers 3rd, 6th, and 9th hours. What a wonderful way to enter into the Christian family.

That way of belonging to a church is quite different from one of the churches we joined after Al retired. All the previous times a church call committee came looking for Al, and now we were looking for a church body to join. One Sunday at the church we had been attending, the Pastor announced that he was going to receive new members and included our names, although we had not even told him we were interested in joining. That was quite a surprise! Al’s practice had always been to have new member classes that met each week and at the end asked them to pray and seek if this was the Body of Christ that they felt the Lord was directing them to join. It is a big decision as we are committing first to the Lord, then to belonging to the Body of believers that deeply care for one another and grow together as we share the Good News and reach out to the needy and lost.

It’s not all about dynamic preaching and massive church buildings, or a country club or an arm of the Republican party or Democratic Party. It’s all about Jesus and His kingdom. Our former church houses several different kinds of churches in the one building as they vary the times they meet. It is not exclusive and all are welcome. Let us be the church that Jesus gave His life for and share the Good News of His kingdom.

Challenge for today: Get planted in a church family and discover how you can love and serve the Lord together.
May you have a good day and prayers and love, Judy
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