Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: March 2021


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Leprechauns

Scripture for Today: Colossians 2:2 “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ.”

Today is a day for all things Irish. And the leprechaun has been part of Irish folklore for centuries. Our American ideas have changed him a bit as originally he is said to wear red. The leprechaun in the beginning was a much scarier figure who would warn off people from sacred sites for their protection. Now he is all about making shoes, granting wishes and hiding his gold at the end of the rainbow. This leprechaun does not look so happy counting his gold!

Today’s verse talks about different riches. They are described as “full” and have nothing to do with wealth in the traditional sense. These riches involve understanding and knowing a Person, Jesus Christ. When believers are encouraged in heart and united in love, they are progressively coming to know God’s Son and in turn making their lives rich and full. This kind of wealth is eternal rather than temporal. Wealth of this kind cannot be stolen or taxed. It is a wealth that has no limit. The riches of Christ are boundless! (Eph. 3:8)

My riches are not tangible. Their value is not easily recognized by the world. Even so, I would never trade them for that “pot of gold!” Temporal wealth cannot compare with the surpassing value of knowing and loving my Savior. The closer I am to Jesus, the richer I am. The further away I move from Him, the more impoverished I become. Knowing Him, loving Him and serving Him enriches me like nothing else can! How rich I am!

Thank you Lord, for the boundless and endless riches I find in You!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2017)


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Timing Is Everything

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

 

 

 

 

 

For 20 years in France we enjoyed our talkative Gaby. She so easily picked up words and phrases in French and in English. But she did do something very annoying and discouraging. Every time I finished a piece on the piano, she would yell out in a derisive tone, “Whatever!” I would turn around, look at her and fume. Things changed for the better when I taught her to say, “Bravo!” when coming to the end of a song.

Today’s verse tells us that what comes out of our mouths matters. Unwholesome talk is talk that is also rotten and useless. Not only do these words fail to build someone up, but they have no benefit at all. However, our words can have tremendous value in helping another to grow and thrive. Our words have the potential to meet the need we all have for encouragement and affirmation. Even just one word spoken at the time of greatest need can lift someone up and keep them from falling into a pit of depression.

Sometimes, all it takes is one positive word to turn around what is negative. I want my words to be gracious, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Prov. 16:24). I want my words to be like His; kind, compassionate and forgiving (verse 32). But that cannot happen without a heart that is changed by Him. My mouth reveals what is in my heart (Luke 6:45b). If my heart is full of selfishness and pride, I am less likely to even care about encouraging someone else.

Lord, change my heart and so change my words!


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What Time Is It?

Scripture for Today: Romans 13:11 “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”

Time changes can be so annoying. Even just a one hour difference can completely throw us off! Daylight Saving Time has arrived and I find I am always checking the clock. I am not sure when to be tired or when to be hungry. But I am not the only one confused. This time change is used in over 70 countries and affects one billion people every year! It was first used in Canada in 1908. Throughout history, the changes have varied between two hours, 20, 30 or 40 minutes!

Today’s verse talks about an hour that has already come; the hour to wake up from spiritual slumber. The night is almost over and the day is about to arrive. This is something for which we need to be prepared. We are to understand our times, the present time and the time that is to come. Thankfully, God’s Word gives us signs for what is coming. Although there are lots of different ideas about how to interpret them, one thing is sure; our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed!

It is easy for me to be sleepy and to believe that things will always continue as they are. I need to “wake up” and realize that my time is limited. Knowing that Christ’s return could happen at any moment changes my priorities and how I live. When I live with this certainty, it makes me want to live a pure life that pleases Him (I John 3:2-3). I want to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity the Lord offers me (Eph. 5:15-16). I need to keep an eye on that clock!

Lord, wake me up today!


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Dandelion Bouquets

Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:17 “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him and his righteousness with their children’s children.”

How sweet it is  when a child painstakingly picks those dandelions and offers them as a bouquet! There is pride on his face for thinking of it. There is hope there too, that you will recognize the effort and be grateful for his gesture of love. The problem comes almost immediately as those flowers begin to wilt in his hot little hand. One hates to disappoint a child and so we put them in water in hopes they will last a little longer.

Today’s verse is a contrast between what will last and what will not last. Mortals are pictured as grass and like the flower in the field (verse 15). We flourish for a short time and then are no more. Like the dandelion, our lives can be full of beauty but oh so short. How incredible is the contrast with God’s love for His own! His love is from everlasting to everlasting. It does not wilt. His love is evident now and continues without interruption into eternity. And it is so much more beautiful than the lowly dandelion!

I need to know His love for me will not waver. As fickle as I am, He never changes. I do not know this because I always feel it. I know it because He has promised and He is always faithful to His promises. If I am not feeling particularly loved, the problem is not with Him but with me! The eyes of my heart sometimes close and I do not feel His nearness. But nothing separates me from His love, not even my feelings (Romans 8:35, 38-39). When I remind myself of this truth, an amazing thing happens; feelings follow!

Thank you Lord, that Your love is everlasting!

(Look familiar? This is based on my previous post from 2014)


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Chasing Marbles

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Playing marbles seems to be out of fashion. But not for my grand nephews! It is a great way to pass the time on a rainy day. It’s a good opportunity to improve eye-hand coordination and for little ones, to improve counting skills. But don’t let that circle fool you! Playing marbles ought to be described as “chasing marbles!” For days afterwards, marbles can be found under the couch, under furniture and in the corners of the room!

Today’s verse seems like chasing down those errant marbles! Taking thoughts captive can be much the same scenario. Our thoughts run away with us, leading to wrong attitudes and actions. Those thoughts sometimes just do not cooperate. The thinking of the believer is not to be the same as that of the world (verse 2). But the world’s influence is so strong that thoughts just naturally conform to worldly independent thinking, leaving God out of it.

Thankfully, the Lord does not make managing our thoughts impossible. He has given us His divine power to control and redirect our thoughts (verse 4). On my own, my thinking becomes full of pride and disobedience. But because of His Spirit in me, I am not subject to merely human judgements. As a believer, I have the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:15-16). What a wonderful thought that is! He is there to turn my heart and mind from what is false and harmful. He brings those wandering thoughts back into the circle of His unchanging truth!

Lord, may my every thought today please You.