Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: December 2013


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Captive!

Scripture for Today:  Colossians 2:8  “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of this world, rather than according to Christ.”

It just about kills me to see dogs caged up in animal shelters.  Of course, they have sometimes been rescued off the streets from horrible conditions.  Behind those bars they are receiving food, water and shelter.  But seeing their poor little faces peeking out with a soulful look makes me want to adopt them all!  No one likes to be behind bars.

Our verse for today describes another kind of captivity that is just as real as those bars.  Our thoughts can be taken captive through deceptive philosophies.  Rather than looking at the world through God’s truth, one can be looking at the world through a grid of man-made tradition.  This is the only time in the New Testament that this word, “philosophy” is used.  Its literal meaning is “love of wisdom.”  But as true wisdom is found in the fear of the Lord (Prov. 9:10) anything else is empty and hollow.  Any system of belief that does not accord with Christ’s teaching has the potential to imprison our thoughts.

God’s revelation through His Word stands in huge contrast to human thinking.  His thoughts are high above ours (Isaiah 55:8).  Jesus declares that the truth of His Word makes one free (John 8:32).  The Jews to whom Jesus was speaking did not realize that they were in bondage.  People today do not realize that they are imprisoned as well.  My heart is filled with sadness and compassion to see friends and family members behind those unseen bars.

Knowing Jesus sets me free from futile deceptive thinking.  Thank you, Lord for the freedom of Your Truth!


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Knitting

crafts 078Scripture for Today:  Col. 2:2  “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery; that is, Christ Himself.”

My daughter, sister and Mother all love to knit.  For whatever reason, the gene did not get passed to me.  This scarf was made by my daughter as a gift for a friend and I have also been a happy recipient.  It has been found that knitting provides the health benefits of lowered stress.  Somehow, the rhythmic and repetitive action has a calming affect.

Knitting has enjoyed a real comeback.  One can find lots of websites and knitting clubs today.  But I was surprised to learn how ancient an art it is.  The earliest example is a pair of cotton socks with a stranded knit color pattern found in Egypt.  It dates back to the end of the first millennium AD!  What surprised me further was to discover that knitting used to be a male-only occupation!

In our verse for today Paul prays that the believers in Colossae will be encouraged by having their hearts knit together in love.  What a beautiful image!  Just as those stitches cannot stand alone, so too we need each other.  Regardless of the kind of stitch used they all have one thing in common; one stitch is looped into the next.  Unfortunately, stitches can be dropped.  If a loop of yarn accidentally falls off the needle, the dropped stitch can cause the knitting to unravel.  One needs to go back and pick up that dropped stitch.

God’s love does bind us together.  We are stronger and more beautiful when interconnected.  Thank you, Lord, for the encouragement that comes from spending time with other believers!


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Pet ID

Tiger 996640_10152030118915115_1578389347_nScripture for Today:  Psalm 139:1-3  “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar, You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways.”

Our Tiger loves the outdoors.  As there are no fences between our neighbors, he freely roams where he likes.  I suppose Tiger cuddles up to our artificial Christmas tree because it reminds him of the tree out front.  I never said he was smart!

For years now, Tiger has had a computer chip in his neck.  We had the vet insert it with all the information needed in case he is lost.  It does not hurt Tiger and will last as long as 25 years!

Our verse for today is a beautiful description of God’s perfect and intimate knowledge.  Much better than a computer chip that tracks movement, He is aware of every movement and every thought!  Such knowledge is hard to imagine!  Not only is our God all-knowing, but He cares to take note of our smallest gesture.  He not only knows our thoughts but He understands why we think them!

Why would He care when I get up from this computer?  Why would He care when I worry about getting everything done in a day?  Because I belong to Him.  Because He loves me.  There is never a time when God is not thinking about me.  I know this is true from the number of thoughts He has toward me (verse 17 and 18).  They are as innumerable as all the grains of sand in the world.  In response, my soul echos the words of the hymn, “What wondrous love is this?”

Thank you Lord, for your detailed intimate knowledge and love for me!  Help me believe it today.


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Cuckoo Clocks

Scripture for Today: Colossians 4:5  “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”

We live near the cuckoo clock capital of the world!  Black Forest, Germany is just over the border and they are known for their wood carving and clock making.  The variety is impressive.  Some are quite ornate and detailed.  We have  a simple one with just the cuckoo but I have always enjoyed those with figurines that dance on the hour.

Once I saw a very unique cuckoo clock that was difficult to leave behind.  On the hour a man seated in his chair would appear and behind him stood his wife with a rolling pin poised over her head.  With each cuckoo that rolling pin would come down on this poor man’s head!  I guess my husband would not want me getting any ideas!

Our verse for today is about redeeming the time.  It is said in a very specific context; that of our relationship with nonbelievers.  Paul, in the preceding verses, is asking for prayer.  He wants to make the Gospel clear to others.  But to do so, he wants God to open the door of opportunity to him.

Walking in this wisdom is knowing how to communicate with grace (verse 6).  Our speech is to be “seasoned with salt” so that we know how to answer anyone asking a question.  There is a certain urgency involved as doors of opportunity not only open but close.  That cuckoo sounding reminds me that time is fleeting and limited.  Am I praying for opportunities to share His Good News?  Do I have the wisdom described in Proverbs 11:30, that of winning souls?  Quite frankly, there are times I am too self-absorbed.

Lord, make me aware of fleeting time, open doors and sensitivity to people’s questions.  I need Your wisdom!


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Missed Rendez-Vous

front-of-rendezvousScripture for Today: Rom. 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

My husband and I were to have a rendez-vous at a particular “salon de thé”.  We arranged to meet there after doing our shopping.  As planned, I arrived at the appointed hour.  I then waited close to two hours for my husband, not knowing whether to be angry or worried!  As this was before owning cell phones, I had no choice but to wait.  Randy, on the other hand, was having much the same experience in a salon de thé across the way!  We laugh about it now, but a missed rendez-vous is no fun at all!

One of the Bible studies I lead is called, “Rendez-Vous Avec La Bible.”  Normally in French, a “rendez-vous” is a term used only with meeting people.  But in a sense, when studying God’s Word, one meets with its Author!  Unlike any other book in the world, there is a meeting or rendez-vous with the One who spoke through the writers.  No other book is “God breathed” like the Word of God.

In our verse for today we are reminded that the Scriptures are written for our learning.  Through reading His Word, we are encouraged to persevere and to have hope.  The next verse goes on to say that it is God who is the source of endurance and the One who supplies that hope.

There are many ways God encourages me to persevere and to hope.  He uses the testimonies of others.  He uses a beautiful hymn.  He uses the prayers of others.  But the biggest source of hope and encouragement is God’s Word.  That is one rendez-vous I do not want to miss!