Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: July 2016


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Classical Music

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

I was surprised to learn recently that one of our daughters does not enjoy classical music.  I grew up with courses in music appreciation, piano, and in a home filled with the sounds of classical music.  I am sure I could appreciate some of the intricacies better than I do, but I have always enjoyed it.  When I asked her why she does not like it, her answer actually made sense.  She resents getting in a calm peaceful place with one movement, only to be shaken up with the next movement in a faster tempo.  I understand this sentiment but most every piece, regardless of its different moods and movements, will have a theme that is always repeated in some form.  I enjoy listening for it and recognizing its reappearance.

Our verse for today can be a theme that reoccurs throughout a life.  Whatever a believer does, it is to be to the glory of God.  That covers a lot of movements and moods.  There are moments of the day where there is frenzied activity and one can hardly catch one’s breath.  Then there are calm slow relaxing times.  Always appreciated are the pauses and rests.  There are discordant parts of life where the melody can sound abrasive only to be followed by some soothing sounds.  Regardless of the style, a theme ties it all together.

If something as mundane as eating or drinking can be done for God’s glory than most anything in life can be done for Him.  This is the recurring theme I want for my life!

Lord, may You be glorified in every mood and every movement!

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

 


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Making Hay

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 3:12-13a “If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light…”

Living in our area, surrounded by fertile fields, these large rolls of hay are a common sight.  Of all the shapes possible when forming bales, the cylinder shape is thought to be the most economical and a favorite for those raising cattle.  The large ones are quite heavy at 2300 pounds.

I was surprised to learn that some bales of hay, if too moist when baling takes place, can actually catch fire!  Micro organisms begin breaking down the moist plant fibers and produce heat in the process.  If there is oxygen present and the temperatures rise enough, that bale of hay can spontaneously combust!

Our verse for today is also about burning up hay!  There will be a day when the works of all believers will be evaluated for the purpose of reward.  The foundation believers build their lives on is Jesus Christ.  But what materials we use to build our lives can vary.  What is done for God’s glory is considered gold, silver, and costly stones.  The works that are rewarded are those done to further His Kingdom.  The wood, hay and stubble are works done with selfish motives or for our own glory.  The context  teaches that the quality of our work is revealed by fire.  Whatever survives that fire is rewarded.

The old saying, “making hay while the sun still shines” means to take advantage of every opportunity and not waste time.  But I do not want to be building with hay or anything else that does not bring glory to Jesus!  Lord, keep me focused on living my life for You.

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

 


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Like Father Like Son

IMG_20140519_171407Scripture for Today: Hebrews 6:12 “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

I am so happy to have this old picture of my husband and son.  What a great rite-of-passage moment this was!  I, of course, was totally excluded from such a masculine activity.  Our son would certainly not have learned the right technique from me!  I know that some people start this learning process much earlier without inserting a razor.  But this was the real deal and all came through it unscathed.

Learning by example is so much easier than a written “how to” explanation.  The author of Hebrews understood this as did Paul in I Corinthians 4:16.  Imitating others is something we do naturally.  Whether it is cutting a candy bar on a plate with knife and fork, (Seinfeld) or taking on the habits of the father, imitating others is done almost without thought.

Imitating the faith and patience of others is something requiring not only thought but effort.  Our verse for today encourages us to make that effort and not to become lazy in our Christian walk.  The context talks of God recompensing our love and work for Him, helping His people and being diligent until the very end.

Who do I imitate?  There is quite a choice presented in the great “faith chapter” of Hebrews 11.  Some of these heroes of the faith did not even receive the things promised (verse 13).  Yet they stood firm, seeing them at a great distance with eyes of faith.  They were able to endure unthinkable hardships because of their patience and faith.

I can choose who to imitate.  Lord, help me to follow the best examples of faith.  May I be diligent and persevere in my faith until the very end!

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


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Frog Legs

Scripture for Today: I John 4:1  “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

The French are much more courageous than I am in what they choose to eat!  We went to a restaurant recently that specialized in frog meat!  Not only could you eat it off the bone, but you could order it without bones and on a pizza!  I guess it is an acquired taste, or perhaps it is just the idea of it that bothers me.  In any case, those trying this “delicacy” often say that it “tastes like chicken!”

One thing can be very much like something else.  An undiscerning palette is one thing, but failing to verify teaching can be very harmful.  Our verse for today talks about the possibility of confusing true prophets with false ones.  They can seem quite similar when they use the same religious vocabulary.  Both false and true prophets use Scripture.  There may even be miracles involved.  Perhaps there is a huge following.  How does one discern if a spirit is from God or not?

The most telling test is given us in the following two verses.  Those spirits who deny Jesus is God are false teachers.  No matter how popular the speaker may be, how many books he has written or how persuasive his speech is, we are not to listen.  This one amazing truth, that Jesus is God, is the most polarizing.  It separates sheep from goats, (Matt. 25:33) believer from non-believer, and false teacher from true.  There is no other name under heaven by which one can be saved.  There is no other Gospel.

Help me Lord, to be discerning.  Thank you that You make the test so very clear.

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


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Wooden Cookie Press

cookie pressil_570xN.222896840Scripture for Today:  II Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.”

These old fashioned wooden cookie presses are beautiful.  I see quite a few of them in the tourists shops, but I am more interested in the older ones in antique stores.  The images are so imaginative and are very detailed.  The resulting cookie is almost a work of art and a shame to eat!

My own experience with these molds has been frustrating!  I tend to not press the dough hard enough into the mold for fear of it sticking.  But that pressure is needed to set the image.  If the dough gets stuck, then a sharp tap on the back of the mold will release it.

Our verse for today describes a different kind of pressure.  We are hard pressed on every side by different trials and problems.  The difficult times are often perplexing because we just do not understand what God is doing. But we do not despair.  No matter how hard life can get, when we belong to the Lord we are never destroyed or abandoned.  He is in control and is revealing Himself through all that is happening (verse 10).

All the frustration, all the grief, and all the suffering are intended to form the beautiful image of Jesus in me.  Nothing is random.  Our God is not capricious or fickle.  He is loving and faithful.  He is just and true.  Even though I do not understand what He may be doing in my life, I can always count on who He is.  One day, when I see the finished product, I will understand.

Thank you Lord, that I can trust You even when I do not understand.

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