Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: July 2013


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Flying Like An Eagle

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 40:31 “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”

The eagle in flight is beautiful to see.  One of my brother’s favorite things to do is eagle watching.  Up and down the Skagit River Valley in northwest Washington one can see these beautiful majestic birds perched atop tall evergreens.  But what takes my breath away is to see them soar high above me!

It takes a tremendous amount of energy for the eagle to flap his very long and large wings.  Of course, to soar or glide takes much less energy.  The eagle can reach very high altitudes by soaring on the warm thermal air.  That same warm air keeps the eagle aloft so that he can go long distances without tiring.

Our verse for today promises new strength for those who wait and hope expectantly for the Lord.  Taking things into my own hands is like frantically flapping my wings twenty-four/seven.  I may gain some height but I will tire quickly.  Waiting with faith for the Lord to work is like allowing that thermal air to lift me up!  New heights are reached!  Long distances are maintained with minimal effort!  Trusting Him is a restful gliding experience.

Faith and trust are not tiring!  My own efforts certainly are.  My discouragement and fatigue are sure signs that somewhere I am doing things in my own strength.  There is nothing positive in crashing and burning out for Him.  He wants me to soar in His power.  His unlimited source of strength is always available when I trust Him for it.  Help me Lord, to wait in faith for You today!


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Sunshine

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is a Sun and a Shield; the Lord bestows grace and favor and glory!  No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

The sun has finally arrived in Alsace!  There were more clouds and rain than usual this year.  We even had our heat on through April!  Now, we have the windows open.  We are finally enjoying eating on the balcony.  Being so far north, we enjoy the sun all the way up to ten o’clock!

There is something about sunshine that improves my mood.  Science collaborates this idea.  Sunshine affects our brains by increasing the production of serotonin, a hormone connected with feelings of happiness.

Our verse for today describes the Lord as our Sun.  His sunshine is in the form of grace, favor and mercy.  There is no danger of getting too much of His sunshine or looking directly at Him!  His love warms us and makes us grow.  Like sunshine, He improves my mood too!

Everything He does for me is grace.  I do not deserve His kindness and favor.  His mercy is incredible when I think of my guilt.  He thankfully does not deal with me according to my sin (Psalm 103:10).  He does not withhold good from me.  In His wisdom He gives exactly what is needed.  I can trust Him with what He gives and what He does not give.

I do not always walk uprightly.  When I am living in rebellion, it is like a cloud has moved over the sun.  His love is still there, but I have blocked its warmth and I cannot enjoy His blessings.  But repentance breaks up the clouds and His grace, favor and mercy shine through once again!  Thank you, Lord, for being the sunshine of my soul!


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Standing Firm?

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 16:13  “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

There are days like this.  There are weeks like this!  I think I am fine and then suddenly I am face down in the dirt.  What happened?  Out of nowhere something unseen trips me up and I do not even have time to break my fall.

I will never forget slipping on a crowded city street in Orlèans.  I fell squarely on my bottom, but I did not care about that.  I cared more who saw me fall!  I fell because I was inattentive and distracted, just not paying attention.

In the spiritual realm, I can be just as inattentive.  I am lulled by routine.  When things are going smoothly, I am not necessarily looking ahead.  I do not see the pitfall to my faith that is just around the corner.  But there is plenty of occasion to fall.  Our verse for today tells me to be on the alert, watching.

For what am I to be watching?  The answer would be anything that could weaken my faith.  It could be worry over a family member or a health problem.  It could be financial concerns.  It could be loss of a loved one.  Everyday has the potential to weaken faith.  We are tempted to think God does not care.  We begin to doubt His love or His goodness.  Instead of standing firm, we sway and even fall.

Today’s verse sounds like a pep talk!  Thankfully, I am not left on my own.  When I look ahead He reassures my heart about the unknown future.  When I lose courage, He is there.  When I begin to sway, He reaches out His arm to steady me.  Thank you, Lord, for helping me stand firm!


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Buffet!

Scripture for Today:  II Timothy 3:16-17  “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

I have a love/hate relationship with buffets.  I enjoy the chance to see my choice before taking it.  I love having variety and control over my portions.  But I feel that to really get my money’s worth I need to stuff myself silly!  Invariably, I leave too full!

My parents would often take my siblings and me to buffets.  I still remember their strict injunctions to stay away from the carbonated drinks!  If left to ourselves, that would be all we would take as we did not have them at home.  The other danger when young was to make straight for the desserts!

Picking and choosing can be carried over to our attitude to God’s Word.  There is a real temptation to avoid those parts that are difficult to understand.  Some sections of the Bible just do not seem to apply.  Other parts speaking of God’s judgement are just too uncomfortable.

Certainly, Thomas Jefferson took the “buffet approach” to God’s Word.  On display at the Smithsonian Museum of American History, one can see his version of the New Testament.  He created it by slicing out the miracles and the texts that presented Jesus as God.

Our verse for today says that all Scripture is inspired by God.  It is not up to me to decide which passages seem credible and which do not.  Although it is less convicting to ignore some verses, all of the Bible is His inspired and powerful Word.  His Word is true and not a buffet.  It is “all or nothing” and I choose “all.”