Devotions from Judy’s heart

Often we may think we are in control and try to make our plans work. But it says in Prov.16:9:  “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”  On this holiday weekend we have been making plans but we can’t carry them all out, as we are dependent on the weather. We wanted to have an outdoor wiener roast but had to gage it according to the weather map which isn’t definite either. We hoped to have it after church but had to stay flexible as we didn’t know if it was going to rain and storm.  But also in our daily spiritual  life we need to stay open and flexible to catch the wind of the Spirit and go whatever way He leads us.  That takes discernment and willingness on our part and an openness to His way verses our way.  But He knows the beginning and the end and we see only partially and not far into the future….. and isn’t  the bottom line that His ways are so much higher and better than our ways?

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Before we left on our trip, I walked to our garden and saw that a few of the veggies were peeking out of the soil. Not in every row but I was delighted to see growth in several rows. When we first planted, we had to wait in faith that our work was not in vain. And just seeing some seeds producing is encouraging to believe more is going to happen. I garden with a man who grew up on a farm so he is more expectant of the results than I am. I am always quite amazed when the garden produces a lot. When we sow seeds spiritually, we may get discouraged and think it was in vain if we don’t see results quickly. As we sow, we really don’t know which ones will produce. Some will “produce a crop, multiplying 30, 60, or even 100 times” (Mark 4:8) But let us sow seeds in faith and trust Him for the results. This morning I read a prayer from Mount Carmel ministries which made me think of my own heart: “Gardener God, thank you for tilling the soil of my soul and planting your Word within me. You refresh me with life-giving waters and warm me with the light of your Son. Forgive my fruitlessness. Help me to sow your Word in the soil surrounding me and to trust that your Word will take root. Amen.”

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today I read from Ps. 107: “Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good…He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul, He fills with good things,”  Do we believe He is good and gifts us with good things, even when we go through a loss?  

When I was getting ready for company, I put on my favorite earrings that match a couple necklaces. I couldn’t find those little white beadlike backs and didn’t think it mattered since I was only going to be in the house. But later I discovered I had only one earring, and we looked around the house and it was no where to be found. Why didn’t I take time to put on the  backs to secure it?  While in the mountains at Breckenridge  I looked for the same kind of earrings to replace them. I went into a jewelry shop that was overflowing with every kind of earring, except what I wanted. I asked the clerk and he said the only place he may have this kind was in the $1.99 box at the front of the store, which I had overlooked. And what to my surprise, I found the exact earrings that go with my necklaces, and also two other sets for the same price. I came out of the store smiling and so thankful. It was my fault for not securing my earrings, and we can get disappointed and down when we lose something that we love.  But hold on….. God may have something even better for us ahead. I’m so glad He doesn’t give us what we deserve but is so merciful and good!

Devotions from Judy’s heart,

Yesterday I went to our veggie garden as I hadn’t been there for 8 days due to our trip. What a disappointment as it was full of weeds. I had just weeded before we left and it looked so good and now it was peppered with weeds. It doesn’t take long so we need to frequently check. All the time I was weeding with a hoe or on my hands and knees, I was thinking of the weeds in our hearts. We all need a daily cleansing and washing with the Word.  Those little things in our lives, bad attitudes or habits, negative thoughts, judgments of others, etc etc can be fertile ground for weeds to set in. They can take over the garden of our hearts, unless dealt with. It is easier to do that when they are just beginning rather than when they become big “weeds” and are harder to remove. God is so gracious and He wants to tend our garden if we allow Him. When He shows us those weeds that we would rather ignore, we can agree with Him and let Him remove them, or we can go on our own way. But it won’t get better until we let Him remove all those things that put distance between us and Him. And why do we want to hang on when His plan is for a beautiful garden that produces much?   As it says in Isaiah 58:11 “And the Lord will guide you continually… and you shall be a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. “  May we give the Master Gardner free reign in our gardens!

 Devotions from Judy’s heart,

This morning at our Renewal group we discussed our lesson for this Sunday ( Acts 2)  about being filled with the Spirit. Verse 4 says, “ All of them were filled with the Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” What a difference it made it the life of the disciples and all those present on Pentecost….especially Peter who had not long before denied Jesus 3 times and now gave a strong witness of God’s power. When I was leaving this morning to go to church, I noticed one of our shrubs had filled out and was full of green leaves and beautiful pink flowers. When we left to go Colorado just a week ago it had only a few small leaves on it and most branches were rather bare. And now it was bursting with flowers and filled out so beautifully. It made me think of the Spirit- filled life and how it makes one come alive in the Lord and fills us full of joy, peace, love and beauty. The potential was always there but now we see the result of opening to the Spirit. I’m sure we all know people who are so full of the Spirit and just shine with His presence.  Let us open ourselves to Him each day and be amazed at what happens!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

One day I was about to go out the door to church and Al noticed the tag on the back of my shirt was sticking up. He put it in place but I would not have noticed it and gone to church with it up and showing.  I think there are soooo many things that we are unaware of in our lives that need correcting, and we need to welcome others to help us to see the things that are yet hidden to us. It is easier to deny that we have such things and then to decline help from others. But when God speaks into our lives through his word, or through others that He uses as His instruments, it is because He loves us and wants what is best for us. It says in Ps. 94 that He sees everything and even knows are very thoughts.  Certainly His motive is to help us become more like Him and to get rid of the things that are obstacles in our lives. Sometimes we might be tempted to resent the one God sends to teach us or show us our “junk” , since they are not “perfect” either. But let us receive whatever means the Lord chooses to bring us into more of His fullness.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

While here at Mark and Andrea’s we have had time with John Mark who is 2 years old. What a joy to see his obedience at his young age. He has learned that there are consequences if he chooses not to obey and occasionally he may test the waters. But when we babysat on Friday, he was an “angel” and obeyed us, so we actually had more time to just have fun…like going to the park.  We had his best in mind but we didn’t let him get by with things. When it came time for bed, we had him help clean up his toys and put them away etc.  It must give the Lord such joy when we obey His word to our hearts instead of throwing a “temper tantrum” when we don’t get our way. We know He knows what best and He is looking at the big picture and sees what is going to happen down the line. Too often we test Him as we may try to get by with things. But when I was reading from Ps. 94 today it says how the Lord knows our very thoughts and it is to our advantage if we are disciplined by Him. “Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord, the man you teach from your law: you grant him relief from days of trouble.” (verse 12 &13),  Let us be obedient children of His and bring joy to His heart.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

On our trip to Colorado  we went past the dome of the sports arena of the University of S.D. in Vermillion. Many years ago when Kurt played football for Augustana, we were at a game there. We sat in the bleachers and the players bench was almost beneath us. We were quite shocked at their talk and foul language. But just last month, Kurt called home for us to watch a video of one of the players. We listened to his excellent preaching with such passion for God. He is now pastoring a thriving church. Wow!  Was this the same guy?  What a difference the Lord makes. It is a beautiful thing to see the change the Lord makes when we give our lives to Him. It is not all about outward behavior but our heart’s condition. II Cor. 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”

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