Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: November 2012


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My Author

Scripture for Today:  Hebrews 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We have way too many books in our home.  I am reminded of just how many every time we have to move.  We were fortunate enough this last move to have purchased extra bookshelves from a library that was renovating.  At least we can be organized.  I find it hard to ever throw away a book.  The collection just keeps growing.

In our verse today, Jesus is described as an author, the Author of our faith.  He is the One who creates and initiates.  He is also the Author of my personal faith.

As the Author of my faith, He wrote the introduction.  He planned exactly who I am, the family He wanted me to have, and the way I would come to Him in faith for salvation.  When I look at my past, I see all the ways He has used my circumstances for His glory and purposes.

As the Author of my faith, He has written the conclusion to it.  I already know the ending to my story.  It is not shrouded in mystery but revealed in His Word.  The ending to my story is a triumphal one where faith becomes sight and I will be with Him forever!

Right now, I am living the chapters in between.  This is the unknown part.  This is the part that can seem so uncertain.  Not only that, I want to tell Him what to write.  But as the Author of my faith, He is also its perfecter.  I can trust that He knows what He is doing with my life.


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Our Hearts

Scripture for Today:  Jeremiah 17:9  “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

When I see the form of a heart, I sure do not think of wickedness.  I think of romance.  I think of love.  I think of passion.  It is a beautiful symbol of what I like to think of as the best in human nature.

In the Bible, the heart is the seat of all our emotions and of our will.  It is what motivates and drives us.  When our hearts are right, that is a good thing.  When our hearts are rebellious, we get ourselves in big trouble!

I have often been quite sure about what I have wanted.  Then, when I have managed to receive it, I find that I did not want it after all.  That makes me think of the dog who chases after a car.  He has no clue what to do with it once he catches up to it!

My heart deceives me.  It will convince me that I will never be happy until this or that circumstance changes.  My heart will tell me that I will never be satisfied until I have a certain something.  But I have seen that the anticipated fulfillment is just not there.  In fact, after getting what I wanted, I sometimes am more unhappy.

The only One who really knows my heart is the Lord.  He searches it and tries it.  As my Creator, He knows what I really want and what will really make me happy.  I do not even know.  I think I do, but I do not.  The world is quick to say, “Just follow your heart.”  Embracing that philosophy is a dangerous idea.  My heart is wicked, prideful and selfish.  Better that I follow His heart.


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Tears

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 56:8  “You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle.  Are they not in Your book?”

I could not resist buying this simple bottle at the thrift store the other day.  I enjoy decorating with blue, a trait passed on by my Mother.  It does not hold very much, but it is big enough for a single rose.

There is a bottle belonging to the Lord that holds a lot more.  The liquid it contains is not water but salty tears.  What a moving image this is in our verse today.  The Lord is aware of every tear drop.

King David had plenty of occasions to shed tears.  When he wrote this Psalm he was on the run for his life.  His enemies were constantly after him.  Apparently, real men DO cry.  But he was confident the Lord knew of his circumstances and his feelings.  When David cried out, he was reassured that God was with him and for him.

He sees my tears too.  Although this is poetic imagery, I like to think of Him saving every drop.  It shows me that I am precious to Him.  He even sees the unshed tears.  God’s awareness of my circumstances and emotions would be meaningless if He did not also care.  But He not only cares, He has the power to do something about it!

Like David, I want to give my tears to Him.  He consoles like no other.  He comforts.  He sees and understands.  Just like He did with David, He reassures me that He is on my side.  No other one can dry my tears like He can.  In fact, one day there will be no more tears.  That is because one day, He will wipe away ALL tears from my eyes.


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We Shall Be Like Him

Scripture for Today:  I John 3:2  “Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.  We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”

I remember these old fashioned polaroid pictures.  It was fun to be able to see the picture right away without waiting for the film to be developed.  Of course, with digital photography, one sees the image instantly.  But back in the day, there was a certain anticipation seeing the picture slowly come to life before one’s eyes.

In the spiritual realm, our lives are like that slowly developing photograph.  Those who belong to Jesus are God’s children.  We know we are His by the assurance of His Spirit.  He is our Photographer and He is slowly developing a certain image in us, the image of His Son.  One day, the photograph of our lives will be completed and the clear image of Jesus will be seen.

It is a long process lasting a lifetime.  The rate of development seems to change daily.  There are days where His image in me is clearer than in others.  Some days, the photograph is dark and fuzzy.  Those are the days I am not walking with Him.  He does not continue His developing work in me without my cooperation and obedience.

One day, His development in me will be complete.  He has promised this in Philippians 1:6.  When the work in me is complete, I will be like Him.  A more beautiful image will just not be possible!  What a fantastic hope this is!  When I think on this truth I am more motivated to cooperate with Him in obedience.  Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me today!