Devotions By Jan

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Car Wash

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 5:25-26 “Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word.” 

It was eerie going through the car wash and having that huge spinning material slap at the car!  We were in a place where a red fine dust had covered the car and my meticulous husband would have none of it!  Normally, he does all the washing by hand, making sure to clean all the hard-to-reach places.  How nice to just sit there and have the machines do the work automatically for you!

Today’s verse uses the image of washing with water to describe what God’s Word does for a believer.  Out of love, Christ sacrificed His life for the Church.  He makes it possible for the believer to be holy, set apart for Himself and cleansed.  One day we will be presented as radiant, having no stain, wrinkle or blemish!  And it is all grace, a wonderful gift received through faith (Eph.2:8-9).  But in the meantime, there is work to do!  God uses His Word to teach, rebuke, correct and train us to be righteous (II Tim. 3:16).

I find that when my only time in the Word is during a sermon, that washing of the Word may miss a few spots!  It is the daily wash that I need.  He knows just the areas where more water is needed.  There may even be times where a power wash is called for!  It is through His Word that I even see the dirt and feel His conviction.  How faithful He is to cleanse me completely when I humble myself and ask! (I John 1:9)  How refreshing that daily wash can be!

Lord, thank you for the loving cleansing power of your Word!


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OMG!!!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 145:18 “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”

If ferrets could talk this one might be saying what I hear all the time from surprised people; “Oh my God!” Shortened to OMG, we all know this expression as part of widespread internet chat.  One of the earlier appearances of the term was in a letter to Winston Churchill from Lord Fisher in 1917.  But more recently the rise of “Valley Speak” in the pop culture of the eighties made the expression popular.  Of course, its use usually does not include any thought of God.

Today’s verse is a wonderful promise for those who are crying out to God.  Whether a person uses the words, “oh my God,” or some other expression, the Lord sees the intent of the heart.  He knows who is calling on Him in sincerity and in truth.  He promises to be near.  He especially makes His presence felt for the one who cries out to Him in desperation.  It is especially when we are in distress that He hears our cry for help (Psalm 18:6).  He promises that His ears are attentive to the cry of the righteous (Psalm 34:15).

Those casually using the expression, “Oh my God,” may one day be using it sincerely and in truth.  When they do, the Lord will be there as He was for me.  Just recently, at a time of great distress, it was all I could say in my heart.  Over and over these were the only words that could come.  He made His presence keenly felt and with that realization I felt hope.  How good and attentive He is to His children!

Oh my God, I am so thankful that You are mine and I am Yours.


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Fishing Lures

Scripture for Today: James 1:14 “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

Learning about fishing lures requires learning a whole new vocabulary!  There are spoons, jigs, crankbait, spinning lures and plugs.  The variety of lures is impressive with so many different materials, shapes and colors.  The whole idea is to imitate as closely as possible the movements of a fish’s natural prey.  The fish is attracted to what he believes is a tasty snack and instead is nabbed by that hidden attached hook!

Today’s verse describes someone who gives in to temptation.  God is never the author of enticing someone to evil (verse 13).  And in fact, Satan is not necessarily involved.  This verse is addressed to believers and we are dragged away and enticed by our own evil desires.  The word, “entice” is also translated as “lure.”  Beguiled by that attractive promise of something better, we deceive ourselves.  The lure is strong but the Lord is gracious and is able to help, having experienced temptation Himself (Heb. 2:18).  He will always provide a way out (I Cor. 10:13).  We do not have to bite down on something that later hurts us.

Sin can be so attractive to me, especially through media.  But not always.  Sometimes it is just easier to indulge, to compromise, or to take shortcuts that I know in my heart are not right.  But what promises to fulfill never does.  What starts out as pleasurable brings consequences I never anticipated.  My heart and its desires can be so deceitful!  But doing things God’s way and just saying ,”NO,” to that lure keeps my life less complicated and brings His blessing!  I am not missing out on anything except pain.

Lord, keep me close to You and far away from those tempting lures.


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Happy Labor Day!

Scripture for Today: Philippians 1:6 “…being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

What do you do to celebrate Labor Day?  Forget the picnics, parades, and sports events.  In Wisconsin this day has been celebrated with a Cow Chip Throwing Contest!  Labor Day is normally considered summer’s last gasp and the signal for back-to-school.  Originally, the idea was to pay tribute to the American worker, recognizing his value in strengthening our nation and economy.  Created by the labor movement in the late nineteenth century, Labor Day was a positive outcome after years of strikes protesting deplorable working conditions.

Today’s verse describes a labor of love.  This work has no day off and is never on strike!  God is continually at work in the heart of every believer.  He has His work cut out for Him, changing us to be like His Son.  He has pledged to continue this work faithfully right up until the moment of Christ’s return.  He never quits.  He never gives up.  One day the work Jesus is doing in me will be complete.  One day I will be like Him (I John 3:2) and this life-long labor will be a thing of the past!  But for now, everyday He is at work.

He asks me to cooperate with Him.  He even creates in me the desire to cooperate! (Phil. 2:13)  It is a strange working partnership where He provides the strength and gives me the goal.  The incentives are the blessings He gives for my obedience.  There are rewards promised for faithfulness and perseverance.  The best thing about this work is that it is never in vain!  He has promised an incredible outcome!

Thank you Lord, for Your labor of love in me!

 


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Frustrated and Needing Help!

Dear Subscriber,  You are important to me!  There have been multiple glitches with WordPress and I need your help to resolve them.

Obviously, if you are receiving this blog post in your email inbox, then all is well.  However, I need to determine who is NOT receiving them.  So by process of elimination, would you take a second and reply to this post with the two words, “Got it.”  (This way I can avoid sending out quite so many emails one by one!)

Thanks so much and God bless, Jan