Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: June 2015


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Turned Around!

track unnamedScripture for Today: Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”

The sun was shining and there was a slight cool breeze.  The track was empty and everything was perfect for my first morning walk here.  I was walking at a good pace when I noticed the arrows pointing the other way.  I was walking well but in the wrong direction!  How annoying.  As I was monitoring laps and time for future walks, I did not want to turn around.  Although I was alone, I felt pretty silly going the wrong way.

Our verse for today includes the idea of going the wrong way.  To repent is to change one’s mind and turn around, going a different direction, in this case toward the Lord.  Peter is challenging his listeners through the words of their own prophets.  They were going the wrong way by rejecting Jesus.  And it was only by changing direction and accepting their Messiah that they could return to God.

To admit that our direction in life may be the wrong one is difficult to do.  On that track, I was not about to start all over.  I had covered a good amount of ground.  Not only that, it is excruciating to acknowledge error.  However, the arrows on that track were clear and I did not have any valid excuse.

God’s Word is like those arrows marking the right direction.  If I am not following them I am moving farther and farther away from the Lord and His refreshing presence.  I just need to change my mind and open my heart to Him.  I just need to turn around.

Thank you Lord that You are there, waiting to forgive and love on me!


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Ticks

Scripture for Today: Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

It is such a small insect.  The nymphs are as tiny as poppy seeds.  Their bite is so inconsequential as to not even be noticed.  With warmer weather comes the increased risk of being bitten by a tick.  But how risky can such a little thing be?  There is Lyme disease but now the experts are warning of a similar virus called “Powassan.”  However, unlike Lyme infection this tick-bearing disease can infect a person in a fraction of the time and in 10% of the cases it is fatal.

Our verse for today talks about serious consequences for our sin.  It is not fatal only 10% of the time but all the time.  Thankfully, the remedy is given to us as a gift in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  But an individual sin can look as harmless as that tiny tick.  If brushed off immediately, it has no chance to attach to the skin and do damage.  But sin, regardless of how inconsequential it seems, will always do damage.  It attaches itself to our soul and transmits disease for which there is no human cure.

It is easy to excuse myself for what was done with a good ulterior motive.  I can rationalize that lie as being little and white.  The French call that slip-up a “péché mignon,” meaning just a little weakness.  But my sins are fatal and I need His grace and forgiveness.  Left in my sins I only deserve what is coming to me.  But the gift of God wipes out my debt of sin and gives me true life!

Thank you Lord, for ridding me of what separates my heart from Yours.

 

 


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Sorting Trash

Recycling-4Scripture for Today: Hebrews 10:35-36 “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”

Sorting trash while living in France took quite an effort!  Garbage disposals do not exist there so biodegradable trash grew very stinky being picked up only once a week.  There are communal bins for glass, a recycle center for wood and electronics, and a once-a week pick up for recyclables as well as normal trash.  It could be very confusing!  When guests came I hated to bother them about where to throw their tissues!

Our verse for today tells us about something believers should never throw away; our confidence!  That confidence allows us to persevere in doing what God wants.  The believers addressed here had suffered being thrown in prison and having had their property confiscated!  Their treatment was unfair but they were told to stay confident that God would richly reward them for their sacrifice and perseverance.

One who has thrown away their confidence is one who no longer believes the suffering is worth it.  When the going gets tough it is just too much.  Abandoning the faith for an easier life, they forgo the reward for their perseverance that would have been theirs.

I can respond in one of two ways to a life-changing crisis. I can either blame God and run away from Him, or I can run to Him for the comfort and encouragement that only He can give.  My faith and confidence, rather than being thrown away, grows and strengthens when I choose that second response.

I do not know what hard thing may await me.  But please God, do not ever let me throw away my confidence!

 


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Early Riser

Scripture for Today: Psalm 127:2 “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for He grants sleep to those He loves.”

It goes without saying that “the early bird gets the worm.”  Yet I feel compelled to say it when I see this photo!  For his worms I wonder if that early bird stays up late too.  Perhaps the bird does not sleep so well wondering where to nab his next worm in the morning.  There are other birds out there to compete with after all.

Our verse for today was written by Solomon who has lots to say about vanity.  It is vain to make life all about acquisition.  He should know as he did not deny himself any possession or pleasure (Eccl. 2:10-11).  Yet when he surveyed all that he had toiled to achieve, it was meaningless.  God chooses to bless His loved ones and does so apart from our own toil, even in sleep.

The Bible is full of verses on being a good conscientious worker and not a sluggard.  But toiling incessantly is not the goal of life.  Living with constant stress is not God’s plan.  This world is so fast-paced seeming never to stop.  One is always in a hurry to do more, be more and produce more.  But when I put God’s Kingdom above everything else, God blesses me with everything needed (Matt. 6:33).  There is no point to burning the candle at both ends.  I can take that eight hours of sleep and not feel guilty.  I belong to Him and I trust His care and provision.  I can rest easy knowing He is faithful to provide.

Thank you Lord, that there will be sweet sleep tonight, knowing You love me.

 

 

 


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Road Rage

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 17:14 “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”

Road rage is unfortunately pretty common on the Southern California freeways.  Perhaps we can all learn from this chill dog!  But it can start slowly with mounting frustration at the inconsiderate or unsafe behavior of others.  The body tenses and the mutterings begin.  From there it can escalate into yelling and cursing, complete with hand gestures!  Rolling down the window and getting personal is never a good thing.  Stopping the car is even worse and getting out to confront is a sign of complete loss of control.  Road rage was on the news again this morning showing two grown business men resorting to blows!

Our verse for today pictures that mounting anger as a breach in a dam.  It begins slowly as a small trickle but can mount so quickly, pressuring that wall of restraint to the breaking point!  Letting it all out and losing control may give temporary relief.  But the resulting damage can last a lifetime.

My anger may be completely justified.  But allowing it to build and burst will cause pain for which I will need to apologize when calm is restored.  Anger is not so much the issue as the loss of control it can bring when left unchecked.  There is a way to experience anger without sin (Eph. 4:26) but they usually go hand in hand with me.  The anger robs my self-control if I allow it to seethe.  Time, unwillingness to forgive, and seeking revenge all work against me.  Usually, I am more hurt than the one with whom I am angry!  If my anger is controlling my thoughts and emotions than surely, the Holy Spirit is not in the picture.  His control gives self-control.

Lord, make this an “anger free” day!