January | 2014 | Devotions By Jan

January 6, 2014
by devotionsbyjan Leave a comment

Building Up or Tearing Down?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 14:1 “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.”

I stopped to watch this demolition the other day. I wondered how long the house had stood there. Living in Europe, I am accustomed to older buildings and appreciate their charm. Our own home is over one hundred years old. But in just one day, this home came down. All the memories associated with those rooms are gone. All the stories lived out behind its walls are now a little harder to recall. It made me a bit sad.

Our verse for today describes a house coming down. It is very much in the power of a woman to make or break a household. A foolish woman needs no help to bring the house down around her head. But a wise woman will fight for her home and her family. She will do everything in her power to protect those precious walls.

Who is the wise woman? She is the one who fears the Lord first and foremost (Psalm 111:10). Following God’s commandments in a marriage relationship and as parents is the surest way to keep that house standing. A foolish woman will consider God’s way as old fashioned and antiquated. Without realizing it, the foolish woman will tear her own house down little by little. Before long the roof caves in and she wonders what has happened.

There are cracks in my walls every now and then. Sometimes following God’s way is just difficult. I need His help to obey. Unless the Lord builds my house all this work will be for nothing (Psalm 127:1). But the result is well worth the effort.

Thank you, Lord, that my house is still standing! Keep me building my house Your way!

January 3, 2014
by devotionsbyjan 1 Comment

A Mystery

Scripture for today: I Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep. but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

I cannot read this verse without thinking of the church nursery where our children attended. The first part of the verse was written on the wall! And it was true! Whether the kids slept or not, I could count on them being changed!

The silhouette of Sherlock Homes is the association often made with the word, “mystery.” This fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is known for his use of logic and forensic science in solving mysteries. However, in Scripture, the word, “mystery,” has an entirely different meaning. It is a truth that cannot be discovered except by revelation. No logic or science will reveal this kind of mystery.

How exciting to have this mystery revealed to us in the verse for today! One day, these breaking-down bodies will be changed from perishable to imperishable! If believers are already dead and buried, they will be resurrected and changed. If believers at that time are still living, their earthly bodies will be changed. Imperishable bodies will be glorified ones that will be eternal. There will no longer be an old nature with which to contend. These new bodies will have no need of tear ducts! It will all be done in the blink of an eye. What an incredible day that will be!

As my body breaks down, it is a comfort to know that one day my body will be changed! The Lord’s promise of healing will be completely realized! Thank you, Lord, for revealing this amazing mystery!

January 2, 2014
by devotionsbyjan Leave a comment

The Slug

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 26:15 “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.”

The slug is a disgusting creature. It has to be part of the curse! Surely, the new earth will have no such nastiness! At least they move slowly enough that removing them is no problem, just very unpleasant.

My eldest daughter and her husband used to have a very lazy cat named, “Mrs. Hufflepuff.” She would eat her fill of cat food then lay down, her paw resting in the the dish; the picture of laziness!

Our verse for today uses a similar image in the sluggard. He is so lazy he cannot be bothered to lift his hand to his mouth, even to eat! Proverbs has a lot to say about the one who is lazy. He will sleep all day, would rather beg than work and any excuse, real or imagined, will keep him from leaving the house. I would not be honest if I did not admit to sometimes feeling like a sluggard, most notably after a large meal! There are those lazy moments when we are self-indulgent and quite frankly do not feel like lifting a finger! Thankfully, those moments do not characterize my life!

Anyone who comes in faith to Christ will receive a new nature. Lazy habits will be left behind with the old nature! The Lord keeps me motivated to move, to work, and to advance towards goals. He gives me purpose. He gives me energy. He keeps me balanced. Serving and glorifying Him with my life leaves no room for laziness!

Lord, thank you for keeping me motivated!