Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: January 2015


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Ripe Plantain

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

My husband wanted to help so I sent him out for some groceries, including bananas.  He mistakenly came home with these.  I do not have much experience with fresh plantains.  They did not look so good with their big black spots.  After looking at some recipes on line, I learned that the blacker they become on the outside, the more edible and sweet they were on the inside.  I let them get completely black and then opened them with some misgiving.  Sure enough, their flesh was beautiful on the inside and as sweet as could be!

I could not help but think of this verse.  Outwardly and with enough time, we are all wasting away.  We do what we can to minimize the effects of age, but eventually we look more and more beat up!  Our bodies break down but that does not have to be true for the inside.

Life can be full of hardship and struggle.  Like Paul we may feel that we are “hard pressed on every side” (verse 8) but that does not mean we despair.  We may feel crushed by the weight of our trials but we have hope.  I do not want to lose heart because God is at work creating me beautiful on the inside.  Within I am becoming more mature.  Inside I am becoming sweeter as I respond to the Lord in faith and perseverance.

Despite all the bruising, I can be confident that God is using it all to make me more like His Son.  Thank you Lord for this hope!  Keep me focused on what You are accomplishing on the inside.


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Not Fair!

Scripture for Today:  Matthew 20:15 “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous.”

Whether it is pizza, cake or pie it is important to cut those pieces evenly!  Those who get the larger pieces feel special but the one with that skinny piece may feel a bit slighted.  If my hostess is the one doing the paying, the cutting and the serving I certainly cannot say anything.  But I may fume inside with the thought, “It isn’t fair.”

Our verse for today comes from a parable Jesus told about workers who had come in early in the day.  They had made a contract with their employer to work for a certain sum of money.  Then at the very last hour of the day a second group begins work and they are paid the same amount.  Understandably, the first group was unhappy.  It is not fair.  The employer reminds these disgruntled workers it is his money and he can be generous if he chooses.

It is not uncommon to have the same thoughts about God.  It seems there are times He is generous with someone so much less deserving than ourselves.  Perhaps we have worked harder and longer and feel we should be compensated differently.  Rather than rejoice at the generous blessings given to another, we grumble that we deserve more.  It is not fair.

I am so glad God does not listen to this.  If I got what was fair I would be completely lost.  The wages of my sin is death (Romans 6:23) and I cannot say I deserve anything else.  Eternal life is not fair.

Thank you Lord, that Your grace is better than fair!

 


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Thank You Notes

Scripture for Today: Revelation 5:12 “In a loud voice they were saying, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.'”

It seems everyone enjoys receiving a thank you note.  It feels nice to be appreciated for a service rendered or a gift offered.  Of course, we tell ourselves we do not do something in order to be thanked, but it certainly does not hurt to be acknowledged.  However, sometimes a “thank you” can feel uncomfortable.  Someone who gushes or repeatedly brings up their gratitude can make us squirm.  It can feel uncomfortable or embarrassing when someone goes on and on with their thanks.  Why is that?  Probably because we know we do not deserve all that praise.

Our verse for today describes the scene in Heaven where Jesus as the Lamb of God is given all the honor, glory and praise that is His due.  There is no One who is more deserving.  The phrase, “I cannot thank you enough,” will for the first time be absolutely true!  We can never thank Him enough for our salvation and what it cost Him.  We will spend all eternity praising Him and even then, it will never be enough.

The Lord does not engage in false humility as we do saying, “Oh, don’t mention it.”  He accepts our continual praise and gratitude because He deserves it.  I can never come to the end of thanking Him because He continually gives.  I can never thank Him too much because I am so undeserving.  I do not merit any of what He so graciously gives me.

Lord, may my life be a continual thank you for all that You do for me!


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Mockingbird

Scripture for Today: Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.”

Growing up we had many mockingbirds in our suburban yard, much to the chagrin of our cat!  He would slink across the yard, hoping to avoid the swoop and attack of these territorial birds!  I always loved their singing although my parents were not too thrilled to be awakened early by their loud song.  Their mimicking of other species means that they are not too original with their own music.  In a recording of one mockingbird in Massachusetts, thirty six songs of other species were recognized!

Our verse for today describes a song that is an original.  It is a new song of praise to the Lord.  It resembles no other but is a tribute to what the Lord has done in an individual life.  There is no need to mimic other songs as personal experience makes up the lyrics.  The Lord Himself has put this song into the mouth of the psalmist.

As believers we too have a new song!  Our song stands out from the others.  It sounds different and distinctive, unlike all the other music around us.  This new song is full of praise for what God has done for us.  Each of our songs tells a story of His love and faithfulness.  Included are some of the discordant notes or minor chords that depict the hard times.  But it always ends on a high note as we look forward to an eternity with Him.  If I sing it loud enough and often enough, others hear and are challenged to trust Him!

Lord, keep me singing Your song today!


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Nit Picking

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 13:7 “It (love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

I wonder how much this poor monkey is enjoying the nit picking part of the daily grooming.  The process of having the eggs of those lice squeezed off his head cannot be all that comfortable!  The nit picking that humans do is not all that comfortable either.  We sometimes get overly concerned with details and things that do not really matter in the behavior of others.  Details that are not worth mentioning are mentioned to the detriment of a relationship.

Today’s verse is part of the famous “love chapter.”  Love is described as forbearing.  It bears the pain of unmet expectations and hurt.  It continues on even when disappointed.  This kind of love is a committed one that does not give up easily. And true love is a faithful love that believes the best about a person.

Believing the best of a person means that I will not get overly concerned about details or get critical about the small stuff.  Believing the best of a person means that I am according them respect.  When I am criticized I am not motivated to change but will instead “dig in my heels” and continue.  But when I am faced with a love that believes in me, I want to live up to that belief.

Nit picking can look very much like seeing a speck of dust in another’s eye while ignoring the log in one’s own (Matt. 7:3).  If I want to have an offense overlooked on my part, I surely need to extend that same kind of grace to others.

Lord, keep me from nit picking today.  Make me as gracious as You are!