Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: August 2015


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Butterfly Collection

vintage-butterfly-entomology-collection5Scripture for Today: Psalm 104:24 “How many living things You have made, O Lord! You have exhibited great skill in making all of them; the earth is full of the living things You have made.”

The closet was full of at least thirty display boxes like the one pictured here.  Each one was filled with an amazing variety of butterflies.  The colors of the differently-sized butterflies were brilliant and each had a different pattern.  My elderly friend’s husband had died many years before.  But his butterfly collection remained.  I imagine it will soon be split up among her children and grandchildren.  I was struck with the same wonder this gentleman must have felt in gazing at their detailed beauty.

Today’s verse extols the creativity of our God.  The living things that He has made far outshine man’s creativity.  The most impressive man-made work of art pales in comparison to His creation.  The tallest building or newest technology does not even come close to the amazing skill God exhibited in making a single short-lived butterfly.  Every wonderful thing that man has made is but a poor shadow of what God has fashioned.

We understand just how powerful God is by contemplating what He has created (Romans 1:20).  It is obvious that there is intelligent and thoughtful design by Someone when we see the intricacies of a single butterfly wing.  Seeking to attribute the wonder of His works to lucky chance cheapens all of life and creation.  How does anyone really appreciate the beauty of creation without acknowledging the beauty of the Creator?!

It am humbled to think that this same powerful Creator loves me and wants a close intimate relationship with me!  What a privilege to know and love the Creator!

Lord, may the wonder of Your creation bring me closer to You!

 


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Follow Me!

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 1:12 “….One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.'”

It was easy following Paul.  He was driving a comfortable pace in the commuter lane.  We kept right up with him regardless of the boisterous noise of six French teens seated behind us.  It took the stress out of driving to have someone in the lead.  But when it looked as if Paul missed our exit, I was not too worried.  I just figured he knew a different way to our destination.  But when another exit flew by, I was worried enough to call him on my cell.  He had already arrived!  We were following the wrong car!

Our verse today was written by the apostle Paul to the church at Corinth.  The believers there were dividing themselves into factions.  Each group followed a different church leader.  Paul turns their thoughts and loyalties to the One who could bring them together in unity.  After all, it was not Paul crucified.  They were not baptized in his name but in the name of Jesus (verse 13).  When we all have our eyes fixed on Jesus, following Him, we will remain united.

It seems as if it is part of human nature to split up into separate groups.  Somehow, pride gets in the way of fostering unity.  We major on our differences rather than celebrating our common ground.  There is a danger of placing the group or the leader above Christ, making our allegiance to that leader the most important one.  But in following Jesus Christ above all else, we bond with others who do the same, regardless of church affiliation, regardless of race, age or locale.

Thank you Lord, that following You above anyone else brings sweet unity with others!


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Gates

Scripture for Today: Psalm 118:19-20 “Open to  me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord.  This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous will enter through it.”

Over the years I have seen many beautiful gates in France.  They can stand before a breathtaking château or just a simple garden.  They are often ornate and have stood the test of time.  The ones at the palace at Versailles near Paris are golden and impressive.  We had an electronic gate at the end of our alley way.  Our French landlord put it up for our group of six resident families to discourage theft.  It also discouraged people from parking and blocking access.  The problem is, it often was out of order and was more of an inconvenience than a help!

There is a gate in our verse for today that is called “the gate of the Lord.”  I imagine it being ornate, made of shiny gold and too high to climb.  There is only one group of people who are allowed to enter it; the righteous.  When I read that, it is easy to feel that I am excluded.  I know that I am not righteous!

Thankfully, there is a righteousness that is available to me; the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ (Phil. 3:9).  HE is my righteousness.  His righteousness is promised to those who believe on Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead (Romans 4:24).  I have no righteousness of my own.  The saving work of Jesus opens those gates into His presence!  I can enter the gate of the Lord with confidence, thankfulness and praise.

Thank you Lord, for opening those gates to me!

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)


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Horns

Scripture for Today: I Samuel 2:1 “….My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord.  My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.”

We were privileged to take a very long hike in the Massif du Chablais in the Haute Savoie.  We were just under the tree line at about 6000 feet.  The views were breathtaking but the most memorable moment was coming across a herd of some 30 Ibex mountain goats!  As a group they calmly crossed our path.  Their horns appeared impressive and menacing with their prehistoric-looking ridges.  I was amazed that they allowed us to be so close.  For a good fifteen minutes we silently watched them watch us!

The herd was made up entirely of males.  I learned that in the summers they form groups and hold big battles to establish superiority.  In fact, even during our short encounter, two of them started to get into it!

Our verse for today begins a prayer of thanksgiving.  Hannah had just dedicated her son, Samuel, to the Lord.  She is rejoicing in the fact that the Lord has vindicated her before her enemies.  She says that her horn is exalted in the Lord.  The horn is a symbol of strength and Hannah recognizes that her strength is in Him.  The Lord has made her victorious over those who had ridiculed her for her barrenness.

David calls the Lord, “the horn of my salvation” (Psalm 18:2) and Jesus is called a horn of salvation (Luke 1:69).  Because He is my strength, I too can call Him the horn of my salvation!  He fights for me.  Not only that, but He wins!  He will triumph over any foe in my life.

Thank you, Lord, that it does not depend on me.  You are fighting my battles!

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)

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Lavender

Scripture for Today:  Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Driving through Provence in the south of France is best done with the windows open!  The wonderful aroma of growing lavender is not to be missed!  Fields and fields of this beautiful flower delight the eye and its fragrance is calming.  I have a small bush of lavender in my yard.  I always take a little more time weeding in its vicinity, just so I can enjoy its perfume a little longer!

Lavender is said to have many healthful benefits.  The oil is an anti-inflammatory and helps with headaches, burns and insect bites.  It is also a good insect repellent and smells so much better than most!  But what intrigues me is its relaxing and soothing properties, easing stress and aiding sleep.

Today’s verse tells us not to be anxious. Rather than suggesting lavender to ease stress, a much more effective remedy is ours! Prayer. When overcome with anxiety, God offers His amazing peace. And that peace envelops both heart and mind, feelings and thoughts. Tension in the body can be replaced with an amazing sense of calm when we are able to give over to God every worry and every “what if?”

My first inclination is to worry and tense up about things over which I have no control. Not only is my sleep disturbed, but I can work myself up to the point of tension headaches! But when I give over my concerns to the Lord in prayer, I am acknowledging that total control is in His loving and powerful hands. In relinquishing to Him any flimsy control I think I may have, I can relax. Because He is love He will always do what is good for me. Because He is just, He will always do the right thing.

Thank you Lord, that talking with You calms me down.

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)