Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: January 2013


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Old and New Together

Scripture for Today:  Colossians 3:9-10  “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him –“

I love living in France and seeing the old next to the new.  Side by side the old looks older and the new looks newer.  Pictured here is the beautiful Louvre in Paris, built in the late 12th century.  But as you can see the Louvre’s newest addition, the pyramid, looks much more modern and new having been built in 1989.  For me the contrast is striking!

Our verse for today talks about the old and the new for the believer.  Although we are a new creature in Christ (II Cor. 5:17) the old self is still hanging around.  As long as we live on this earth in the flesh, we will always need the reminder in these verses to “lay aside” or “put off” that old self.

We have a new self.  Someday, the pyramid of the Louvre will begin to show signs of age.  One day, it will no longer look so new.  Already, the French press were talking about renovations needed at the occasion of its twenty-year celebration.  But our new spiritual selves are continually being renewed by Christ Himself though His Word.

Every time I lay aside that old self, I am cooperating with Christ’s renewal in me.  Every time I choose to obey Him rather than having my own way, He is bringing me closer to His image.

My prayer today is that I will clearly see the contrast between the old and the new in myself.  I pray that in my communion with Him, my new self will be renewed!


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Brillo

brilloScripture For Today:  Ephesians 4:32  “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you.”

My husband enjoys taking his Mom to different museums and art galleries.  They especially enjoyed the exhibitions at the Huntington Library in California.  Their Modern Art section included this display of Brillo pads.

Brillo pads were invented when the shift was made from cast iron cookware to aluminum.  Their steel wool infused with soap was effective in removing  the black and restoring the shine.  In fact, the word “Brillo” calls to mind the word in French for “shine.”  (briller)  The only way a brillo pad can do its job is to rub, scrub and irritate the blackened residue until it is lifted off.   The result is clean and bright.

There are brothers and sisters in Christ who rub me the wrong way.  I love them better at a distance.  It may be that they have an annoying habit.  Perhaps, I do not appreciate the way they speak to me.  Whatever the reason, it is unavoidable.  Like the brillo pad, they irritate.

Our verse for today talks about what my attitude should be towards brothers and sisters in Christ.  Because of the Lord’s forgiveness and grace to me, I need to be gracious as well.  Tenderness should be what characterizes my demeanor.

I believe the Lord uses other believers to rub and irritate out of me what does not belong.  If I did not have to rub shoulders with difficult people,  opportunities to clean up and shine would be lost!  The Lord reveals the blackened bits in me through my relationships.  I am sure that I unknowingly play the role of that brillo pad in the lives of others as well!

Thank you Lord, that you want to shine through me!


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Wise

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 14:2-3  “The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.  They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one.”

We live in an area where there are plenty of roads through forests.  Not too long ago, my husband was driving home quite late on one of these roads.  He saw a quick flash of wings and heard a sickening thump.  An owl had crashed into his windshield.  We often think of owls as wise, but somehow not this one!

I am not sure why we equate the idea of wisdom with the owl.  The French have the same idea in their thinking.  Perhaps it is because they are always asking questions!

There are so many verses in Scripture that describe wisdom in both the Old and New Testaments.  When thinking about how wisdom begins I normally think of Psalm 111:10 saying, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…”  Knowing Him and fearing Him starts us on the path of wisdom.

Our verse today talks about the very first step on that path of wisdom; to seek God.  Those who are actively seeking the God of the Bible are already showing that first glimmer of wisdom.  In contrast, Psalm 14:1 describes the fool as the one who says in his heart that there is no God.

Those who are seeking God are easy to distinguish from those who are not.  Those seeking God will allow the Lord to change their behavior.  Wisdom shows itself in right and godly living.  If I question whether I am wise, I need look no further than the way I live my life.  Ouch.

Lord, help me live wisely today.


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Moving Forward

Scripture for Today:  Jeremiah 29:11  “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope,”

The French celebrate New Year Eve much as the Americans do.  There are fireworks.  There is time off work.  And there are lots of special foods with family and friends.  Everything is closed on New Years Day.  The streets are quiet and deserted.  Many are sleeping in, having a “grasse matinée” after too much of everything the night before.

I think I am too old to make any New Year’s resolutions.  I have seen too many of them quickly abandoned in my life.  I do not need that kind of pressure.  I would hope that as a believer, I have an every-day motivation to please my Lord.

As I look forward to this New Year, I am faced with all kinds of potential changes, both positive and negative.  I have a very vivid imagination for what could be.  That is why today’s verse is so important to me.  The changes that the New Year could bring are no surprise to the Lord.  He is sovereign and over all.  The movement from one year to the next is only the next step in giving me a future and a hope that HE has planned.

How wonderful to be able to face the unknown future with this confidence!  Worry and fear need have no place in my thinking.  He holds me in the palm of His hand.  Whatever hard thing may be in store will be lived through with His help and love.

Thank you, Lord, for all the gifts and blessings that await me!  Happy New Year!