Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: September 2017


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Cherry Picking

Scripture for Today: Romans 3:23-24 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely through His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Two cherry laden trees sat untouched half way through my vineyard walk.  Every day I would check on their progress.  Today the cherries were not only at their peak but some were even rotting on the branches.  It seemed the most natural thing to do to help myself to a few hand fulls.  The sweet juice dripped all over my fingers, staining them red and purple.  Although I was sure the owner would not mind, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I could be caught “red-handed” as technically I had taken something not belonging to me!

Today’s verse explains that we are all red-handed.  “Sin had left a crimson stain” on all of our hands as we are all guilty of breaking God’s perfect law.  There is no way to remove that stain on our own.  But thankfully, one pair of hands are not red but nail-scarred.  Because of His amazing grace we are justified or declared righteous through what Christ did on that cross.  He sacrificed Himself freely out of love for us and not because we deserved it.

I want clean hands and a pure heart.  It is only then that I can enjoy Him, receive blessing and vindication from Him (Ps. 24;3-5).  But there is no cleansing without the humility to admit guilt and come clean with the Lord.  Rather than hiding my hands behind my back, He invites me to discover grace and forgiveness.  He is faithful and just to always forgive and give me a clean start. (I John 1:9)

Thank you Lord, that I can always come clean with You.


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Claim to Fame!

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:17 “Now if we are His children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.” 

It was completely unexpected to casually run into Marine Le Pen!  Whether we agreed with her politics of not, we grabbed this photo opportunity as she was such a prominent controversial figure.  Perhaps we felt we had a small claim to fame by association!  As with anyone standing in the lime light, we ordinary people can hope that a bit of that shine will rub off on us if we stand close enough!

Today’s verse tells us that those who belong to God are His heirs along with His Son, Christ.  As believers, we are His children and have been graciously given the right of inheritance.  It is a heady thought.  Believers belong to the most important being in the universe and we are privileged to share in His glory.  However, sharing in His glory means there will be suffering.  If people persecuted our Master then believers, as His servants, can expect persecution as well (John 15:20).  But whatever it is we are suffering now cannot even be compared with the glory ahead of us! (Rom.8:18)

I love thinking about the glory that is my future but who wants to go through suffering?  In this fallen world I am not exempt from pain, disappointment, or heartbreak.  But there can be joy in the morning after a night of weeping.  He is faithful to bring me through the most awful circumstances.  I know this because He has!  And even now, He rewards me by sharing even a small glimpse His glory.

Thank you Lord that, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!”


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Celebrate!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 89:15-16 “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, Lord. They rejoice in Your name all day long; they celebrate Your righteousness.”

Who doesn’t enjoy a good party!  The celebration pictured here captures excitement and enthusiasm.  I can almost hear the beat of the music and the laughter.  A good party for me would always include balloons, confetti and Abba music!  Add good food and good friends and it’s a guaranteed success!  If my husband were ever to throw a surprise party for me, he would know to include all those important ingredients.

Today’s verse gives us reason to celebrate.  This party centers around the most important guest, the Lord Himself.  It is His righteousness and name that are celebrated.  I love how this verse talks about “learning” to worship and acclaim Him!  As we grow in our faith we grow too in our adoration and praise for all He has done.  Praising Him leads to joy and celebration.  Gone is the long religious pious face.  Our demeanor and our expression radiate the joy and blessing He puts in our hearts!

This is a celebration that is not confined to just one season, time or place.  We can walk in His presence and rejoice all day and every day!  I can just imagine how crazy happy Heaven will be with blasting trumpets and shouts of joy!  There will be no sad interruptions.  But we do have a “foretaste” now of that eternal party.  Whenever I consider and think on who He is and what He has done for me, my heart turns to Him in praise and my whole being fills with joy!

Lord, make this day a day of celebration!

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


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Sauna

Scripture for Today: I Chronicles 28:19 “All this…I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and He enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.”

The wet heat of a sauna is the preferred choice for many to lower stress and relax.  The deep sweating raises the core body temperature allowing the blood vessels to dilate.  The increased blood flow relaxes muscles and cleanses the skin of toxins.  It all sounds good, but for me there is one big problem.  I do not like to sweat!

I find myself repeating the saying, “don’t sweat the small stuff,” when trying to calm myself.  Recently, I have been drowning in details of administration.  The project was a stretch and outside of my comfort zone.  I had to continually remind myself that my God is a God of detail and I can trust Him to help me in the smallest fine point of planning.

In today’s verse David declares God’s faithfulness.  The Lord helped him with construction plans  for the Temple his son, Solomon, was to build.  God’s hand was on David to help him understand the smallest detail.  I love that!  Our God is big and powerful to do mighty amazing things.  But He is also a God of minute detail.  Because He loves and cares for us, He cares about the small things in our lives as well.

The following verse concludes the thought.  Because our Lord is a God who takes care of detail, I can trust Him.  He tells me to be strong and courageous and do the work, knowing that He will never fail me or forsake me!  In other words, “don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Thank you Lord, that for You it is all small stuff!

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


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Night-Blooming Cereus

Scripture for Today: Psalm 77:2 “When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and I would not be comforted.”

How amazing that this cactus flower only blooms at night!  Its flower is either white or a pale color, opening after nightfall and wilting by dawn.  It is native to Arizona and the Sonora Desert and is short lived in that harsh environment.  But it is beautiful and fragrant in its temporary glory.  I find it incredible that our Creator would fashion such a beauty, seemingly for His own enjoyment!  And the older the plant, the more blooms there will be.

In our verse for today, Asaph, thought to be King David’s director of music, describes the distress he was feeling in the middle of the night.  He sought the Lord.  He cried out to the Lord, but at the same time, he refused to be comforted.  His soul must have resembled the dry thirsty desert.  He was feeling those thorns of the cactus choke out the comfort he so needed.

When the lights are out and the house is quiet, there is ample opportunity to focus on the distress I have pushed to the corners of the mind during the day.  Like Asaph, I can turn to the Lord in those sleepless moments.  What seemed hopeless and without comfort turns around to something fragrant and beautiful; praise.  Like Asaph, I can remember what God has done in my past.  Remembering His faithfulness to me gives me courage to face the future.

No one sees that flower of renewed faith and intimacy with the Lord.  It blooms at night, and as I grow older, there are more opportunities for blooms to appear!

Thank you Lord, for Your comfort and reassurance in the night.

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