Judy Nay

No Dry Places

Jul 052010

“There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God . . .” Psalm 46:4

Our family just completed two years at Fort Irwin, California. It is one of the most dry, barren, isolated places to be assigned in the military. The first PWOC meeting I attended proved to be a deep, rich stream of living water that ran through this desert.

When we move from place to place there is a tendency to think that one assignment is better or worse than another. But when we are carried along the current of God’s plan, every person, place, and circumstance is divinely placed in our life to give us what we truly need to accomplish His perfect work in us. Because of Christ’s work on our behalf we are objects of God’s love, which has come not just to make us feel good, but to make us more like Him.

Our relationship to Christ as our “living water” gives us everything we need to live life the way God calls us to. When the Holy Spirit reveals our desperate need of the Savior, we confess our sins to the Lord and the blessings of Jesus’ sacrifice flow to us like a wellspring upon our hearts. Continual unhindered access to God works heart-changing truth about our identity into our innermost being. Then our minds are flooded with thoughts like “I am forgiven, relentlessly loved, accepted, and beautiful in God’s sight.” These truths are the present blessings of the Gospel running over us every moment of every day. Those who drink them in bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.

Are you going someplace you don’t want to go? Are you living in a place that has everything you want but leaves you dry spiritually? Drink in the fullness of Christ and take part in God’s plan to make glad the people of God.

Beholding the Beauty of the Lord

Devotions

May 312010

Since January the Lord has directed me to change the way I study the Bible each day. I learned that the goal of reading God’s word is to behold the beauty of the Lord. What I learned came from a study I participated in at PWOC a couple of years ago by Tim Keller; which is a series of studies on prayer.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the deeper truths and as you listen to God’s word write down the answers to the following five questions. The first three ask questions of the text.

1. What does the passage say about God/Christ?
2. What does it say about yourself/mankind?
3. What is the most compelling truth you learned?

The last 2 questions are the reflection portion of God’s word where you allow the verses to ask questions of you. This helps what you learned drop down from your mind into your heart.

4. How would you be different if this truth were explosively alive in your inmost being?
5. Why is God showing you these things today?

The key to reading scripture and meditating properly on God’s word is to keep Christ central. When you read a verse such as “the Lord watches over the way of the righteous” it can be very discouraging because realistically who is righteous enough for God? Constantly pointing to Christ and saying “He did it!” brings the fire of God’s love to bear on every word. Jesus made it so our sins are credited to His account and His perfect righteousness lived for us is credited to ours. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

As time goes by, I have seen God’s beauty and I praise Him for the lessons I learned about Him during my prayer time. As you get used to studying the Bible this way, the amount of time it takes to do this process can be decreased by 5 or 10 minutes. Try it out on Psalm 1. You’ll be amazed at how the Holy Spirit can make even one verse explode truth and God’s beauty before you. Especially in light of what He’s done for you in Christ.

Love’s Sacrifice Brings Joy

Devotions

May 032010

One day as I was seeking to encourage a downcast person, my words were met with a harsh rebuke. It left me feeling rejected and judged. Resisting the urge to leave, I sat down and asked the question I know the Lord gave me. “What would it look like for me to encourage you?” The person changed from silent and withdrawn to talking and sharing. If I had left this person after the initial rebuke, I would have missed an opportunity to see how the Lord could use me to minister to this person. Because I stayed, I experienced an intimacy with this person I would have never shared had I left. The joy and blessing I felt left me thinking, “Wow, I need to do this more often!”

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1 John 3:16

When Jesus was on the cross for our sins, he was insulted and rejected by those around him. Even though he could have called down angels in heaven to stop the madness and the insults, he remained faithful to carry out the mission of the Father. That mission was to take upon himself our sins so that we could have eternal life. Even while enduring the pain on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” As we encounter people who sometimes reject us we need to remember what Jesus did upon the cross. He forgave them, committed his own spirit into the Father’s hands and allowed God’s will to be done.

How does a person lay down his/her life for others? Believers can sacrifice (die to self) because Jesus sacrificed His life for us. When we realize in our hearts how our sin grieves God and the cost of His Son on the cross, it results in a gratitude for what He did and a growing desire to please and obey Him. One of the ways we please Him is by loving others. Because we are sinners we are utterly incapable of doing even the smallest of things right without His grace and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Sin no longer reigns in our hearts, but Jesus reigns, resulting in a constant access to His unconditional love, compassion, mercy, acceptance, and all the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. We can now respond in new ways to the people and circumstances of our lives. He made it so we can give our lives for others by laying down our need to be right, our desires, and our agenda, even our demands to be loved and accepted. Living life remembering all He did to free us from our sin and the way He lived brings a sweet communion with Jesus that produces that inexpressible joy in relationship with Him and others.

What relationship is before you that needs the Redeemer’s work? Allow Christ to work through you in your words and actions; He will indeed bring healing. Love’s sacrifice does indeed bring great joy; for in that we know Christ and knowing Him results in abundant life.

Resolutions for 2010

Devotions

Jan 182010

During the Christmas/New Year season each year I find myself evaluating my life in terms of what God calls me to do. I ask myself, how am I loving and obeying my Savior? Also, how well do I love my husband, my children, and my friends? As I look towards my ability to keep the particular resolutions, I’ve often gotten discouraged when I think of my past success in keeping them. Where does the strong resolve I need to keep them come from so I don’t end up dropping them by the 2nd or 3rd week?

First, I need to aim high, because following God with unwavering obedience will lead me to new heights. Psalm 119:106 reads, “I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.” An early Puritan once said, “A soldier unresolved to fight may easily be defeated.” Psalm 119 also shows the Psalmist making vow after vow couched in constant dependence on the Lord to help him.

Second, the only way such high standards can be fulfilled is by His grace. My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). When I come to the end of myself and my ability to keep God’s laws (or any resolution I make before the Lord), I confess the sin to the Lord and then experience complete forgiveness and the gift of Christ’s perfect righteousness. He continually gives me the overwhelming grace I need for every single moment. Most important, He gives me His abiding presence that I can know and trust in the midst of any circumstance. This is what scripture and life are all about.

Love inspired by the mercy of God in Christ is what will most powerfully and persistently compel me to pursue righteousness. May we all echo what Psalm 27:4 says “To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord” every moment of 2010.

The Heart of Christmas

Devotions

Dec 212009

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me One Who will be ruler over Israel, Whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

Micah 5:2

700 years later, Joseph and Mary come to Bethlehem to fulfill that promise. God Incarnate, who chose to make His dwelling among us through this only begotten Son. In Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest, he says “His life is the highest, the Holiest entering in at the lowliest door. His birth was an advent/coming.”

As we enter this last week of Advent, we should be putting the finishing touches of preparation to our hearts and homes for the Lord’s coming. As Chambers so beautifully puts it, “Just as our Lord came into human history from outside/heaven so He must come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to become a Bethlehem for the Son of God?” Is Jesus in my heart? Do I have a saving faith and if so does the Lord Jesus have His rightful place in my thoughts and affections? Does this love of God loom before me as I see that for which He destined His Son, the redemption of mankind? Do we bask in this unhindered sweet fellowship with the God of heaven and earth? It is He who poured all of His wrath on His Son – towards all the sin committed past, present and future – so we could have the privilege of knowing Him intimately. We were made for God, to know Him and worship Him with all of our hearts. To the degree that we live with an abiding sense of His love for us in Christ, to that degree will we love God with all our heart, soul and mind (2 Cor. 5:14).

As you read the Christmas story, may you be reminded that your heart is a “Bethlehem” for the Son of God. Don’t let anything squeeze this one true pearl, one true bread, one true drink of the Lord Jesus Christ that forever satisfies (Ps 27:40).

Thanksgiving, Faith and Freedom

Devotions

Nov 232009

Have you ever thought about passing along a legacy of faith? Or what this means to our culture?

William Bradford, one of the original Pilgrims, wrote Of Plymouth Plantation. In this easy-to read history, you see examples over and over again of the Pilgrim’s faith. They stood on the biblical fact that salvation is by faith alone placed in Christ alone. Salvation does not come out of the empty traditions of men or by works. In Europe, they suffered much persecution as a result of their faith. When they arrived at the New World, they encountered great trials and near starvation. They looked not on their suffering, losses, and persecution, but lifted their eyes to the heavens on behalf of their country and quieted their spirits. Their Christian behavior left a deep impression on the minds of many. Their peace, courage, and shining testimony came out of a faith already present and a repeated commitment to look to Christ and God’s word.

If you are not familiar with this portion of history, it is partly because within this century there has been an overt attempt to strip the historical record of any mention of God and His providential dealing in the matters of nations and peoples. Today we are seeing different organizations pressure our leaders to remove God’s name from money, buildings, textbooks, and end public prayers. The example of the Pilgrims sets the record straight that God was and still is involved in the affairs of America. Without remembering our true roots, it is inevitable that we as Americans will lose sight of our original call from God.

Judges 2:7 reads “And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua who had seen all the great work the Lord had done for Israel…and there arose another generation after them who did not know the work that He had done for Israel. And the children did evil in the sight of the Lord and served Baal.” They forgot their history!

This Thanksgiving, may we also look to Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, seeing the incredibly compassionate, merciful, just, loving Father God behind this whole free gift of Salvation – giving this awesome legacy to our children, husbands and whoever will hear and believe by God’s amazing grace. And don’t forget the Pilgrims and their example as you celebrate. The spiritual wellbeing of future generations depends on it.

Reformation Day

Devotions

Oct 262009

Most people see October 31 as Halloween. But there is another celebration that many Christians are not aware of, and that is Reformation Day. A monk by the name of Martin Luther started the Reformation on this day in 1517 by nailing the 95 theses (points to consider) to the Wittenburg door in Germany. The 95 theses started a debate that continues to reverberate to this day and will continue to do so through the ages.

The main point of those 95 theses was that our righteousness before God comes by faith and not by our works or good deeds. You cannot make what you’ve done wrong right by doing something else like penance/more good works/ paying money. Luther was converted on Romans 1:17 “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” No wonder, then, that when he read and believed this portion of scripture he said “Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates…”

Luther learned from the Bible that the holy and righteous God demanded righteousness and he (Luther) was not righteous enough to satisfy His requirement. Luther would confess for three hours and still feel unworthy. He learned from looking through the Scriptures that we are not merely sinners because we sin,we are sinners at the very root of our being. Sin is not what we do it is a matter of who we are. Nothing we can do can overcome that. He learned that it was futile to look to any mediator besides Jesus (1Timothy 2:5). We come to God only through Christ, and we come to Christ on the cross, for He bears the penalty of our sin and suffers in our place (Galatians 3:10-14). The resurrection is our victory over sin and death. We are not justified before God by our works or merits but by faith alone through grace alone. When God looks at us He sees the perfect work of His Son, not one spot of our sin. Christ paid for it in full. We are righteous because our Savior was righteous for us. Our great God is a merciful God who gives us the gift of faith through His Son Jesus Christ. He loves us with a love that is beyond the bounds of human imagination. This is the fuel behind everything we do to the glory of God. And when we live life – all of it – for the glory of God, we are engaged in the most profound of activities. We are doing something that matters truly and ultimately. In the service of the glory of God there is nothing little at all. Consider this October 31st be one more day of the year to celebrate what Jesus did for you.

Quotes from“The Reformation, How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World.”

Spiritual Renewal

Devotions

Sep 142009

A close family member had died. During the three days it took to travel home, God prepared me to enter the world of deep loss, pain and suffering. For different reasons, I knew I would need what Stephen had in Acts 7:55-60.

As Stephen is about to be executed, we are told that he, “full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this they covered their ears, and yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him…While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed…Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

What happened here? First, Stephen prayed by looking at up at Jesus. Second, the Holy Spirit made what Stephen knew in his mind a reality to his heart. At the very moment the earthly court was condemning him, he realized that the heavenly court was commending him. He experienced fullness from what Jesus made possible for him through His work on earth, the cross, death etc. This is an experience of the gospel. At that exact moment, Stephen got an extremely vivid, powerful sight of what he already knew intellectually—that in Christ we are beautiful in God’s sight and free from condemnation (Col 1:23).

The Spirit took that intellectual concept and electrified his entire soul, mind, heart and imagination. Finally, Stephen was able to exhibit the new humanity that God is creating. He had courage. He forgave his oppressors. He faced his accusers not just with boldness, but with a calmness and joy. That is spiritual renewal. It is not simply an emotional experience—it is a heart changing and therefore life-and-practice shaping work of the Holy Spirit.

What circumstances are surrounding you? Do you face them with the fullness Stephen had – no matter how little or big they seem? What Jesus did for you is for right now. Pray for courage to let the Holy Spirit show you where you specifically need renewal and for that prayerful dependence to increasingly characterize your life.

Spiritual Mothering

Devotions

Jul 132009

The teenager was unmarried and pregnant. She had experienced incredible emotional highs and lows during the last several days. We don’t know what emotions were swirling inside Mary as she raised her hand to knock on the door. But we do know that less than five minutes inside that door, she experienced a joy and confidence unexpected in one so young. Only a few moments in Elizabeth’s presence and Mary burst into a magnificent song of praise to God, recorded for us in Luke 1:46-55. What happened between these two women is the essence of spiritual mothering.

Though Mary and Elizabeth are powerful examples, they are not the ultimate reference point for spiritual mothering. To use God as the reference point is not to feminize God but to relate all of life to Him. God compares Himself and the church to a mother (Is 66:10-14a). The person who experiences this motherly affection and protection rejoices and flourishes.

Susan Hunt, in her book Spiritual Mothering, quotes the 18th century poet Matthew Arnold, “If ever the world sees a time when Christian women shall come together purely and simply to encourage and equip other women to live for God’s glory, it will be a power such as the world has never seen.” Hunt added the word “Christian” to women because coming together purely and simply is impossible except for the power of grace working in their lives. The love of Christ compels such women as they remember over and over that they are forgiven sinners living under the constant banner of Christ’s righteousness for them. This, and many other countless blessings Christ has given to us, grows that desire to give people the love of Christ.

Is God your reference point? Does He have supremacy in your life? If so, you have much to offer younger woman. Begin praying for an opportunity. Also seek out an older woman who displays this kind of focus in her life and learn from her.

Used by permission.

Divine Partnership for Life

Devotions

Jun 082009

Change – nobody likes it except a baby with a dirty diaper. In the military change is a frequent part of life. Do you deal with it at some times with peace and calmness and then at others with anxiety, worry, and panic? Why is it that we end up dealing with change in either of these extremes?

As we grow up we are often told that we are children of God but this is not true. We are by nature children of judgment and wrath, until we receive Jesus into our hearts, and are placed in Christ by faith. God gives us the gift of righteousness that is not our own. This righteousness encompasses all the deeply obedient deeds that Jesus did while on this earth. When God looks at us we are no longer condemned/guilty but forgiven and accepted as righteous as Christ is righteous. The consequence of this justification is adoption. We are adopted into the family of God. In Luke 11, when Jesus is asked how we should pray, He said to pray “Our Father who art in heaven… Until Jesus came, “Father” was never used in Jewish prayers to refer to God.

As Christians, we can have an orphan mindset or a son/daughter mindset. A daughter lives in partnership with the Heavenly Father: She is empowered by the Holy Spirit as she seeks God’s will; She sees her sin/failure living under the banner of Christ’s righteousness and not her own; She trusts in the Spirit’s ability to change her and others; She knows forgiveness, and God’s complete acceptance of her, regardless of whether she succeeds or fails in her daily endeavors to live a life pleasing to the Lord.

An orphan mindset is the opposite of all of these: being self reliant; doing life in her own strength; not looking to Lord for guidance or strength; unforgiven and unaccepted. We as believers can fluctuate between these two mindsets, but as we grow and mature in Christ, the mindset of a daughter of the King of King and Lord of Lords prevails. So, as we go through our days twists and turns appear that bring us to the end of ourselves and our abilities, do what you do in partnership with your Heavenly Father. You will be pleasantly surprised at how the Holy Spirit can empower you to bear forth love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self control – and thank Jesus because He made all this possible through His life, death, resurrection and ascension.

Used by permission.

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Judy Nay

No Dry Places

Beholding the Beauty of the Lord

Love’s Sacrifice Brings Joy

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The Heart of Christmas

Thanksgiving, Faith and Freedom

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Spiritual Renewal

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