Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: April 2017


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Knee Jerk Reaction

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

No one enjoys this part of a physical exam!  When that reflex hammer strikes just below the patella, the leg is supposed to extend as an automatic reflex.  This reaction is what helps maintain balance and posture without conscious thought.  But the term has also come to mean an immediate unthinking and emotional response.

Today’s verse addresses the problem of worry, which for me tends to be my knee jerk reaction!  Worry just seems to come naturally as a first response.  Sometimes my worries do not even have a basis in reality but arise from my imagination!  But Paul, who had plenty to worry about as a prisoner, gives us the solution.  Paul could experience God’s peace even when in chains.  And that is because He gave over his worrisome thoughts to the Lord in prayer.

Worrying changes nothing, but praying can.  Talking to the Lord and unburdening myself to Him helps my heart to trust Him.  He already knows what worries are running through my head.  But He asks me to name those worries in the form of petitions.  What freedom can be mine when I give it all to Him!  He replaces that worry with His peace that guards my heart and mind.  Instead of being consumed with worry, I can get some distance from that problem.  And in faith I can thank Him in advance for His answers.  My mind and heart can be at rest, knowing I can trust His hand to work.

Lord, keep me from that knee jerk reaction of worry.  Help me turn every anxious thought into heartfelt prayer.


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Taxed

Scripture for Today: Mark 12:17 “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’ And they were amazed at Him.”

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” (Benjamin Franklin 1789)  Both are thought to be inevitable.  Paying taxes has even crept into our Monopoly game!  But it is no game to wade through our extensive tax law.  The Gettysburg address has 269 words.  The Declaration of Independence contains 1,337 words.  The Bible numbers only 773,000 words.  But our American tax law has grown from 11,400 words in 1913 to 7 million words today!!

Today’s verse is the Lord’s response to a trick question from the Pharisees and Herodians.  They were trying to catch Him in His words (verse 13).  Jesus, knowing their hearts and thoughts, knew their question was insincere and full of hypocrisy.  They had asked if one should pay the imperial tax or not?  Jesus recognizes our obligations to the governing authorities.  At the same time He challenges His listeners with another more lofty obligation; to give to God what is rightfully His.  The simplicity and wisdom in His answer astounded them!

What do I owe God?  His salvation is a gift with no strings attached (Eph. 2:8-9).  But when I accept His gift I want to give to Him.  A tithe is too small.  No amount of money can repay Him for His incredible sacrifice.  A good work here and there at my convenience somehow does not answer.  What I can give back to Him is a love involving my whole heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30).  He has bought all of me at a huge cost to Himself (I Cor. 6:20).  “Jesus paid it all,” and all to Him I owe!

Lord, may I love You today with every fiber of my being!

 


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Easter Egg Hunt

Scripture for Today: Psalm 9:10 “Those who know Your name trust in You, for You Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.”

I love the expression on the face of this little boy at the very moment when he discovers that the egg opens and there is something inside!  Egg hunts add such excitement to Easter.  It takes awhile for young toddlers to understand what they are to do.  A family member sometimes needs to model how to search and gather the eggs, although they are often “hidden” in plain sight.  There is excitement as baskets begin to fill.  But oh how enthusiasm mounts when the egg contents are discovered!

Today’s verse talks about seeking for the Lord.  It is not that He is hiding.  It is just that it takes eyes of faith to see Him.  And He wants to be discovered.  He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Heb. 11:6). But it is a search that requires faith and trust.  Knowing His name, who He is and His incredible character helps us trust Him.  His faithfulness and that empty tomb help us to continue seeking Him.  He promises never to leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).

He is ready to be sought and found.  He waits for me to turn to Him when I am in trouble.  He promises to be my refuge and stronghold (verse 9).  And just like those eggs scattered for the youngest searchers, He is there is plain sight.  When I seek Him He is ready to reveal Himself and deepen our relationship.  But so often I am too busy, distracted or full of doubts to do the seeking.  I need to slow down and listen to my heart say, “Seek His face!” (Psalm 27:8) as David’s heart told him.

Thank you Lord, for allowing me to find You!


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Passion Fruit Flower

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 12:2b “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I have always wondered why this flower is called the “passion flower.”  But it seems obvious when seeing the original Latin genus name of “passiflora,”  However, there is another explanation.  In the early 1700’s missionaries in Brazil used this flower as a teaching aid to explain the crucifixion.  They called it the “flower of 5 wounds” referring to the nail wounds in the hands and feet of Jesus and the lance wound in His side.

We are nearing the end of “Passion Week” which refers to the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.  Passion motivated the Lord to endure great suffering out of His love for us.  The word, “passion” or “passio” in Latin originally meant to endure suffering.  Later it came to mean any intense emotion.

Today’s verse gives us a glimpse into the passion Jesus felt as He hung on that cross.  He endured the pain, the humiliation and the shame.  He endured the scorn and the excruciating separation from His Father for the first time in all eternity.  He did it all for the joy set before Him.

Why was He so passionate?  What was the joy set before Him?  Could it have been me?  He rescued me because He delighted in me (Psalm 18:19).  He takes great delight in me and in His love will no longer rebuke me but rejoices over me with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)  Because of His sacrifice an eternal love relationship is now possible.  It has always been a joy for me.  How amazing that I am a joy to Him as well!

Thank you Lord, for being a passionate God!

 


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Yield Sign

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”

It looks complicated.  I would have to stop a minute to figure out who would have to yield to whom!  It looks as if the bike has to yield to everyone and the horse and rider to no one!  But I do not suppose there are many intersections to worry about on this trail.  If there were confusion I would think common sense and common courtesy would go a long way.  In any case, yielding is often the safest choice.  When maneuvering through those huge traffic circles in Europe, I do not argue with a yield sign!

Today’s verse tells us we are to yield or submit to the Lord in each and every way we choose to take.  By acknowledging His control, His superior knowledge and His goodness, we travel a path much less complicated by twists and turns.  He makes our paths straight, unencumbered by lengthy unnecessary detours.  We reach our destination in good time, or in His time.  When we give way to Him rather than insisting on our own plan, we find He had a better idea all along!

Yielding my will to His is so often a struggle.  Even knowing that my own understanding is limited, I stubbornly resist.  I like being the one who makes the decisions.  Trusting Him with all my heart is scary without having some measure of control.  But He promises that when I do, He will make my paths straight, choosing the best way.  No time will be lost in making U turns or encountering dead ends.

Thank you Lord, that I can fully trust Your heart of love for me!