Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: April 2016


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Murphy’s Law

Scripture for Today: Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

I am not sure who Murphy is but I would like to have a word with him!  The old adage says, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”  There are many versions of how this saying came to be.  But in any case, the identity of Murphy, if ever real, has been lost.  His law was definitely at work on me as my computer crashed the same day as I dropped and broke my cell phone.  It was not a good day.  I hesitated to get into my car!

Today’s verse describes the Christ-like qualities that the Holy Spirit produces in a believer.  There will never be a law against these beautiful characteristics in any culture or in any century.  The previous verses describe behaviors for which all kinds of laws are needed.  But laws will never be needed to control or stifle these admirable qualities.  Even with Murphy’s Law, a Spirit-controlled person will respond to that horrible awful day in a different manner.

I guess I was not so Spirit-controlled as all those negatives happening at once caused me to lose it!  Where did the patience go?  What happened to forbearance and self-control?  Responding with the flesh is so much easier.  But some days I can laugh it off or at least take things in stride.  The toast landing wrong side down is the perfect litmus test of where my heart is with the Lord.  Regardless of what problems arise, I cannot respond like Him without His help.  It is only by His Spirit that I can keep it together!

Lord, keep me filled and controlled by Your Spirit today.


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Climbing the Switchbacks

Scripture for Today: II Peter 4:19 “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

I loved hiking in the French Vosges mountains.  Most of the trails we chose were gentle and easy.  But for those rare occasions when we chose a more difficult trail, switchbacks, whether by foot or by car, are my least favorite option.  Certainly it is better to climb switchbacks than trying to go straight up.  But the progress is slower.  It can be very demotivating to cover what looks to be the same ground with the same view as I double back over and over.

Today’s verse is an encouragement to continue on doing good.  Even if our path requires pain and suffering, we are to remain committed to our faithful loving Creator.  Suffering according to God’s will is suffering the Lord allows for a particular purpose.  It makes the climb slower and more difficult but the view from the top can be magnificent!

My lessons in suffering can feel like switchbacks, going over and over ground I thought I already covered!  My progression almost feels like one step forward and two steps back.  But in fact, God is using those hard times to slowly transform me.  He is faithful to use that pain for good.  I am confident that I am progressing to higher ground where my view of Him becomes clearer and more unobstructed.  He has promised to continue His good work until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).  In His grace, He uses every difficulty to bring me into a tighter closer relationship with Him.  Whatever suffering He allows, He does not want me to sit down and give up.  In persevering, I will receive what He has promised (Heb. 10:36).

Lord, keep me climbing!


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Baby Book Memories

babyIMG_20160412_184735Scripture for Today: Psalm 106:7 “When our fathers were in Egypt they gave no thought to Your miracles; they did not remember Your many kindnesses and they rebelled by the sea, the Red sea.”

Thumbing through my children’s baby books was not something I had done for years.  Dates, times, and numbers carefully noted brought back a rush of memories. Pictured here is a congratulations from President Ronald Reagan in response to the birth announcement I sent him!  With the arrival of each of my three children, I tended to be progressively careless about noting facts.  The first born’s book is bulging but the third baby’s book is pathetically thin.  At the time I thought I would always remember.

The miracles the Israelites experienced would surely be remembered!  They had lived through and been protected from the plagues in Egypt.  But when the next obstacle confronted them, they gave no thought to what God had just done for them. God was kind and gracious to deliver them from the Egyptians by parting the Red Sea.  But apparently not everyone was too enthusiastic to enter those waters.  Today’s verse says that some were rebellious.  However, when they saw the miracle, they believed His promises and sang His praise (verse 12).  But, they soon forgot what He had done (verse 13).

I relate to these people.  I have seen God do some incredible things in my life.  His provision for us over the years has been nothing short of miraculous!  He has moved government officials to overlook our mistakes.  He has provided opportunities that I could never have scripted for myself.  Yet, when faced with a new challenge, I give no thought to His past miracles.  I do not remember.

Lord, keep my faith strong.  Help me remember all Your miracles and respond with trust and praise!

 


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Hide and Seek

IMG_20160322_090333Scripture for Today:  Colossians 3:3-4 “For you have died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

It is not too difficult playing hide and seek with my grandson!  He is so sure no one can see him if he cannot see you.  In his mind all he has to do is hide his eyes to be totally hidden!  My two older grandsons have graduated to actually hiding from the one who is “it” in some pretty obvious places.  Hiding behind a curtain, pillow, lamp or a dog brings to mind the phrase, “Hiding in plain sight!”

Today’s verse talks about the life of a believer being hidden with Christ in God.  When we come to Christ for forgiveness, we die to our old life. Former habits and ways of thinking are a thing of the past.  Desires and goals change.  In Christ we become a “new creation” (II Cor. 5:17).  But even more than that, our real life, our true life is found in Christ.  It is hidden there, safe and secure.  No one can touch our souls.  And one day, our true lives will no longer be hidden but will be revealed, sharing in His glory.

I love life.  I am blessed with many wonderful gifts from His hand.  But at the same time, I feel that there is something lacking.  This life is not my true one.  Everything around me will pass away (I John 2:17).  As wonderful as this world is, it does not compare to the perfect world and life that is coming!  What He has prepared is something so much better than anything seen, heard or imagined here (I Cor. 2:9)

Thank you Lord, that You are my life.

 


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No Footprints

 Scripture for Today: Psalm 77:19 “Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, though Your footprints were not seen.”

When walking on the beach, I prefer making my own footprints rather than following the prints of someone else.  They may be too far apart or too close, or perhaps going a direction I don’t want to take.  One set of footprints brings to mind that well-known poem where two sets of footprints change to just one as the Lord carries us through the hard times.  That set of footprints is evidence of someone’s presence and a reassurance that we are not alone.

Today’s verse refers to a time when the Lord’s footprints were not seen.  The Israelites were led through the Red Sea.  God’s mighty power brought them out of bondage but there were no footprints to follow.  There was no precedent.  It had not been done before.  Those mighty waters blocked their way, but they obeyed God’s command to enter them.

There may not be footprints to follow as I walk by faith and not by sight (II Cor. 5:7).  There are times the Lord asks me to step out without seeing the next step so clearly.  He always reassures me of His presence but I sometimes wonder if I am on the right path.  Does He really want me to go through those waters?  Isn’t there an easier way?

I doubt God is really leading me when I see the path strewn with obstacles.  Something in me expects the path to be smooth, straight and relatively easy.  But He does lead me through deep waters.  He does it to show me His incredible power.  He does it to increase my faith.  And He does it so that I will depend on Him.

Lord, lead me today, even without footprints.