Devotions By Jan

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Do Not Follow!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 12:26 “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

In following this construction truck I was careful to keep my distance of at least two hundred feet.  Normally, when there is a sign forbidding a behavior, the rebel inside me wants to contest, ignore or disobey!  But because there was an explanation of possible damage with that second sign, I did not follow too closely.  I did not want to risk a broken windshield and so I hung back, regardless of the impatient car behind me!

In today’s verse there is a warning that motivates us to be wise in choosing our friends.  There is an explanation that encourages prudence in who we allow to become close.  A righteous person will take care not to associate with the wicked.  For even a righteous person can be influenced by a friend to participate in evil.  One can feel pressured to compromise morals and standards.  The pull can be subtle or progressive and barely noticed.  Friendship effects and impacts our character sometimes without us even realizing it!  This is why it was so important for the Israelites not to marry foreigners who did not worship the one and true God. They could be easily led away from Him.

I would like to think that my faith is so strong that I would never be influenced to do evil by someone wicked.  But if I were to become close friends with someone who does not have the same goal of living for the Lord, I could be gradually pulled away and faith could weaken.  Close friends have an enormous influence on my thinking.  They can encourage my faith or weaken it!  I want to choose carefully who I follow!

Lord, keep me closest to those close to You!


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Camel on the Menu

Scripture for Today: Matthew 23:24 “Blind guides! You strain out a gnat yet swallow a camel!

This camel looks a little ridiculous and undignified when really they are magnificent animals!  They can carry 200 extra pounds and travel 20 miles a day.  Camels can drink 40 gallons of water at a time and can eat anything without injuring their mouths.  They can close their nostrils against wind and sand, and store energy in their humps in the form of fat.  But one thing they are unable to do.  They cannot be swallowed whole!

In today’s verse the Pharisees are the blind guides that Jesus addresses.  One would have to be blind not to see the difference between a gnat and a camel!  The Pharisees were all about keeping every detail of the Law, including the tithe on their mint, dill and cumin.  But they were ignoring the larger and more important matters of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness.  Keeping the details of the Law had become for them a point of pride as details of the Law were visible to others.  Justice, mercy and faithfulness were intangibles and frankly, more difficult to follow.

I am afraid that sometimes I am just as guilty of this in my Christian walk.  I tend to use an accepted set of rules as a shortcut to spirituality.  I know the right words.  I can follow routine.  I can look like I have my act together.  Outside conformity to a set of rules can mask the real state of my heart.  But the Lord knows when my thoughts towards others are harsh instead of merciful.  He sees when I excuse myself but no one else.  And of course He knows when my heart is unfaithful.

Lord, keep my heart close to Yours.


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Burnt to a Crisp!

Scripture for Today: I Peter 4:12 “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

We are smiling here but not when we got the news of the fire!  Our two cars were burnt to a crisp as the result of a gang coming through causing trouble.  This form of protest in France is concerning but we never thought we would be a target!  It was surprising but the Lord had a plan in all of it.  He graciously replaced our cars with two that were newer with better mileage.  And He did this through the gifts of His people!  Through this test our faith has grown and become more fireproof!

Today’s verse tells believers not to be surprised at the hard times we suffer.  They are not the exception, but the norm.  We are not exempt from difficulties, although sometimes we think we should be.  The “fiery ordeal” in this verse is not something that is caused by our own wrong choices.  It is an ordeal that comes from living as a believer in an unbelieving world.

It is easy for me to think that I should be shielded from hard times.  But I am to view any suffering for Him as a privilege and a joy! (verse 13).  And the end result of this story is joy at seeing how Jesus used it for His purposes and His glory!  Our faith has been strengthened.  And the evil intent of this gang was turned around to His praise and glory in our lives.  Because of this drama I am less surprised at opposition and more confident that God will use it!

Lord, keep my faith strong in whatever I face.

 

 

 

 

 


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The Inchworm

Scripture for Today: I John 2:21 “I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.”

Do not believe everything you read!  This little inchworm is not a worm, nor is it exactly an inch long!  But the inchworm name is given to thousands of moth species in the Geometridae family when in their caterpillar stage.  The family name comes from the Greek, Geo meaning earth and metron meaning measure.  However, if you used this little guy to measure, your measurements would surely be off!

Today’s verse is clear that one can know what truth is and what truth is not.  That must mean that truth can be measured.  This verse contradicts the prevailing thought that in the spiritual realm, there is no objective truth.  There is “your truth” or there is “my truth” when it comes to spirituality.  The famous question of Pilate to Jesus, “What is truth?” was in response to what Jesus had just said.  “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:38)  Jesus is the standard of truth as He said of Himself, “I am the truth…” (John 14:6)

In a world where truth changes from one decade to another, what a comfort to know and be sure of objective, unchanging and eternal truth!  The truth of His Word is always a faithful measure.  Without it I would be lost!  He is my standard of truth.  He is the one and only measure of truth.  Because of Him I can recognize the lies that can so easily deceive me.  And because of Him being truth I can build my life on a sure and unmovable foundation.

Lord, keep me in Your truth.

 

 


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Through the Ages

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 15:54 “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true; ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.'”

This image from the Imagerie d’Epinal, France hangs on our wall.  For me it brings back memories of our tour of the ancient time-honored printing process.  This image was done by François George in 1826 and depicts the stages of life.  Each stair step corresponds to an age of life from birth to death.  The first fifty climb the steps but after that it is all downhill!  Under the stairway is the supernatural showing both eternal destinations.

Today’s verse reminds us that the bodies we have are perishable and mortal.  But they will not always be so!  One day, believers will be clothed with another kind of body, one that will never perish and will be immortal!  Death that for now seems to have the upper hand, will one day be forever defeated.  Death will be swallowed up in victory! (Isaiah 25:8)  The sting of death will no longer be felt (verse 55).  It is for this reason that we can stand firm in our faith and give ourselves fully to God (verse 58).

It does not matter where I am on that staircase.  Whatever age I am and whatever my body is doing in its slow downward progression, I have hope of an amazing future!  He has promised me an eternity with Him and the best is still ahead of me.  Because of what Christ did on the cross, death and evil do not win.  No despair can erase this truth.  No tragedy nullifies my hope.  In Christ alone, there is “No guilt in life, no fear in death; This is the power of Christ in me.”

Thank you Lord, for Your promise!