Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today we went to pick up a motor for our boat as the old one “died”.  Just yesterday Al and Mark went to look at motors and came home excited about one of them, even though the price was higher than Craig’s List. I said, maybe we could get the price down and they left it in my ball park to call the dealer. I didn’t think I had anything to lose and called him up and just asked if he would take a $100 less. He said yes, and we were all dancing with joy. He even gave us another $100 for our old motor.  I thought immediately of the verse in James 4:2 “You do not have, because you do not ask.”  Scripture is loaded with verses on asking and we are encouraged to ask Him for what we need. Sometimes it is so surprising how He answers!  In Matt. 7 we are told to Ask, seek and knock. “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”  As we come humbly before the Lord and seek His will and persist in prayer He will provide us just what we need. I wonder how many blessings we have missed out on because we don’t go to Him and ask in faith. Just like we love to give gifts to our kids and grandkids, the Lord delights to give to us.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Our credit card expired and a new one was lost somewhere in the mail. After a couple calls a new card was on the way, but in the meantime I tried to use our travel card. I had never noticed there was an expiration date on that one, since you can reload it. Even though there was money in the account we were unable to use it as it had expired. Later after several calls to the bank, the money was deposited in our checking, but not without difficulty. There are times when the Lord has a blessing in store for us and we are to act on a promise He has given us, a gift to be received. But we may delay and refuse at the time, and before we know it, this grace- filled time has expired. I suspect sometimes we have all had times like that…we have been slow to respond to His grace and we miss what He has for us. Let us be sensitive to His Spirit and welcome all that the Lord has for us each grace-filled moment..

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today I read from Prov. 3 and 4 of a father who wants to parent his child like the Lord’s parenting.  He wants his son to accept his words and go the way of wisdom, that same wisdom that went back through many generations. “ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”  I see this being carried out with our grandson John Mark as his parents discipline him out of love. If John Mark could get by with things, I suspect he would, but he knows his parents mean it when they say he will have consequences when he doesn’t listen. He has already had spent a couple times in his bedroom when he failed to listen but afterwards he is quick to obey. The Lord must rejoice when we listen to the Spirit and obey, but like John Mark, we don’t always do that. Sometimes we have to suffer the consequences but it is for our own good, as it may save us from something more severe down the line. As it says in Prov 4 when we listen and accept His words, our steps will not be hampered and we will not stumble when we run. May we be attentive to His words for they are “life and healing to those who find them.”

Devotions from Judy’s heart

While working in the kitchen at Kurt’s I got a stain on a shirt I happen to like.  When I washed it, it came out with the stain just as prominent as before. Since it had gone in the dryer too, I felt it was futile to wash it again and would probably have to throw it away. But when I got it home, I sprayed it and then washed it a second time. I was so surprised when the stain was completely removed and I can wear the shirt again. Have you ever wondered if you can ever get over something that you did or was done to you? A big stain in your life! It may seem impossible but the Lord is able to wash us and make us 100% clean and white. We may try other ways to get over it, but when we give it to the Lord, He is able to remove it completely. After David had committed adultery and Nathan revealed his sin, he cried out to the Lord, “purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”  Let us go to the One who can cleanse and heal us and make us new.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

The other day while our relatives were gathered at the Point, I drove our car over to join them. But in the middle of the road was a pail used to get water from the well. I had no idea why it was there and had to get out of the car and remove it to the side of the road. I wondered who put it there. Later as supper was served they asked my brother what happened to the well water. He had put the pail in the middle of the road to remind himself to get water on his way back from swimming. So he had to make a trip back to the well!  Sometimes people around us do things we don’t understand and make no sense to us. We may get irritated or think it impedes our progress. But all I had to do with the pail was to simply set it aside.  Let us not get upset by the idiosyncrasies of others but be patient; go on with our lives. Sometimes we may get understanding but even if we don’t, let us not judge others. Just like my brother, there may be a perfectly logical reason for their action. When we focus on the negative we will miss the gifts God has placed inside others.  As it says in Ps. 149,  God takes pleasure in His people. Let us take pleasure in others and notice all their good qualities just as we would like them to see in us!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

One Sunday a man came up from me after church and tucked in a tag that was showing on the back of my blouse. He said it bothered him the whole service and he could hardly hear the sermon. ( I’m sure he was  kidding!) But how nice of him to let me know, and isn’t it good that in the Body of Christ others will let us know when there are obvious things in our lives that need changing?  We can grow if we are open to hear them. He was not trying to put me down but said it to help me. God sends people in our lives to speak His truth to us, but can we hear?  Sometimes we would rather reject the messenger and then we never deal with those things but keep going our own “crooked ways”.  Let us be open so that we will always be growing and becoming more like Him.
As it says in Ps.25, “Show me your ways, O lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior”.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Change is not always welcomed, even though we may say change is good. One night I played Scrabble on Facebook before going to bed and th next day I woke up to a whole new set up that was entirely different. At first I didn’t like it, as I couldn’t even find the dictionary check. But I am getting use to it and learning to use the new features. I still like the old one better at this point, but that is because I am still adjusting to the New.  In another sense, change is what life is all about. Sometimes it may be a little scary when we go into new territory that we have not been in before. We have to be careful not to give way to worry and fear, but to just hang on tighter to the Lord. Everything that helps us become more aware of our need for Him is good. As it said in my devotional book today, “I am pleased by your tendency to turn to Me more and more frequently… As you bask in the blessing of My nearness, My life can flow through you to others. This is the abundant life.”  So yes, change is good as we hang on to Him who never changes!  He is the same loving Father who loves us always.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

The other night I watched the movie, Courageous, for a second time, and was once again reminded of how important to live what we believe and to leave a legacy.
What a blessing it is for us to see Kurt leading the Men’s newly formed Bible Study group on Sunday evenings. And also to see our grandkids do skits about Bible stories they have heard in S.S. and ask questions about heaven etc . While at Ann’s last time, we were able to be present for Joe and Paul’s confirmation as they confirmed their faith. And at Mark’s as I read Bible stories to John Mark, he already knew what would happen and is only 21/2.  In Ps 103:17 it says, “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him and his righteousness with their children’s children.”   There is nothing better and richer than to know our children and children’s children are following the Lord.  I know we are also experiencing the answered prayers of our own parents and grandparents who prayed so long ago.

Let us not grow weary in prayer.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

This morning I read a hymn of praise from Ps. 148 where all of God’s creatures join in praise; heavenly bodies, the inhabitants of the sea and land, and people everywhere. “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His majesty is above the earth.” (verse 13) My heart also is so full of gratitude and praise as I think over the recent days, how He spared our house in the storm, gave me quick medical help for Lyme and Anaplasmosis, and a skilled dermatologist to take care of my skin cancer. He has given us warm fellowship with family and friends and the list goes on and on. He is truly, Emmanuel, God with us.  Like Sarah Young says, He is watching over us all the time.  He knows exactly what we need to draw us closer to Him. We need to accept every event as His hand-tailored provision for our needs. “When you view your life this way, the most reasonable response is to be thankful.” Let us not reject the gifts He sends but find Him in every situation.