Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: August 2016


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In or Out?

Scripture for Today: Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”

What this cat is doing looks very familiar.  Our Tiger does the same thing.  He stands at the door waiting to go out.  Then, when he is out, not two minutes go by before he is back at the door waiting to come in!  And before I know it, he is waiting to go out once again.  He never seems happy about where he is!

There is a store in France called, “Un Jour Ailleurs” meaning, “One Day Elsewhere.”  That store name sums up the problem of cats always wanting to be elsewhere!  I can identify with Tiger.  Often I find myself longing for my homeland, only to be pining for France soon after my arrival!

Our verse for today promises happiness and satisfaction.  But the condition is that I long for the right things!  The one whose desire is to live a life in right standing with God can find contentment.  He has already given us everything that is needed to live a godly life (II Peter 1:3)  He does not frustrate our desire to live for Him.  He will enable and equip us.  He gives immense satisfaction in our service for Him.  When we hunger and thirst after a righteous life, He will make that life worth living!

Can I really be happy and complete regardless of whether I am in or out, here or there?  God says, “Yes!”  He offers to satisfy the desires of my heart when I make living for Him my delight.  My contentment and satisfaction will never come from style of life or location or material goods.  It all comes from my relationship with Him.

Lord, may hungering and thirsting for You bring me blessing today.


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Wake Up Call

Scripture for Today: Luke 22:34 “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me.'”

When I see a rooster, I think of denial; denial of sleep!  We recently spent some time out in the countryside of the Bas Rhin of Alsace.  The rolling green hills were beautiful and I even enjoyed the baaing of the sheep next door.  But what I did not appreciate was the noisy roosters!  It was barely light out before they would start their sleep-denying racket.  There was certainly no need for an alarm clock!

Our verse for today also associates the rooster with denial.  Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Him.  I am sure Peter was shocked to hear this, especially after confidently declaring his commitment to Jesus.  But the Lord knew as well that Peter would turn back to Him (verse 32) and because of this experience, he would be able to strengthen his brothers in Christ.

God’s grace is so surprising!  Jesus, after His resurrection, gave Peter three opportunities to again declare his love for Him (John 21:17).  The Lord did not need to hear it so much as Peter needed to say it!  The guilt from that denial could have destroyed Peter and the chance to serve Him.  As it is, God’s grace covered that denial as it does for all repented sin.  Peter goes on to become a force for God’s Kingdom!

I am so grateful that Jesus uses imperfect people!  If not, where would we be?  After failing the Lord, Peter could move on.  After David’s sin with Bathsheba, he could move on.  After being responsible for the death of Christians, Paul could move on.  After my sin, I can move on!

There is no denying it; His grace is amazing!  Thank you, Lord.

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