Devotions By Jan

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How Many Steps?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 4:11-12  “I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.”

If 10,000 steps are needed daily to keep in shape, then reaching that quota would be no problem when visiting Dubrovnik, Croatia!  This beautiful medieval town on the southern coast sits inside ancient walls.  Its historic old town is charming and filled with stone steps.  A team of young people took it upon themselves to actually count them.  Including the stone steps on the city walls, the grand total is 5,423!  No wonder the picture shows two tourists sitting down on those steps to rest!

Today’s verse talks about our steps.  When walking in the way of wisdom they are not hampered.  When walking straight paths we can even run without stumbling.  Wisdom gained from God’s Word and instruction makes the path more doable.  God’s Word is our source of wisdom allowing us to see our feet and making our steps sure.  Steps are hampered when we rely on our own understanding rather than taking Him at His Word (Prov. 3:5-6)

I do not normally think of running up and down steps, but I do find myself running headlong into decisions without asking for the Lord’s guidance first!  The resulting “stumble” is God’s way of reminding me that there is a better way……His way!  A stumble and boo-boo on the knee is uncomfortable but not life-threatening.   But how much more agreeable my life can be without all the band-aids on skinned knees.  I am to give “careful thought” to the path I choose (Prov. 4:26).  His wisdom is always there and available.

Lord, please guide my steps today.

 

 


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Scrabble Words

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.”

It was all over the news!  The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary has come out with a new edition for a new generation, adding 300 words.  They have added “OK” as well as other two-letter words including “ew”.  The dictionary has about 100,000 words but for North American tournament play, a supplement is added.  This addition allows for 90,000 more words that are “not sanitized to protect children and sensitive players.”  Really, that many?

Today’s verse raises the standard for what comes out of our mouths.  If children need to be protected from what comes out of my mouth, then perhaps I need to stop and think about what I am about to say.  I may not know if someone is sensitive.  The better part of wisdom is to treat everyone as sensitive and watch my words.  The standards of Scripture are high.  If what I am saying is unwholesome and not helpful, it is better left unsaid.

I can still hear my Mother’s voice.  “If you can’t say anything nice about a person, than say nothing at all.”   The problem is that my need to say it often overrides that caution.  So much of what displease my Lord comes from my mouth, whether it be gossip, lying, arguments, criticism, swearing….the list goes on.  Like James 3:5 says, such a little  member of my body does such huge damage.  But thankfully, the Holy Spirit offers His control.  His power changes my words from unwholesome to wholesome.  His control changes my words to be helpful and a benefit.

Lord, I need Your help to control my mouth today.


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Elephants Never Forget

Scripture for Today:  Phil. 3:13b-14 “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

It is a common adage that, “elephants never forget.”  There have been many scientific studies done and it has been established that although they don’t remember every little thing, elephants do have remarkable memories.  The older females leading a herd are especially likely to remember previous watering holes.  They remember the urine smells of up to 30 other elephants in their herd, distinguishing friend from foe.

Today’s verse talks about the value of forgetting something very specific.  Paul is saying that to make any progress in our Christian growth, we are to FORGET what is behind.  I always assumed, knowing Paul’s past of persecuting the Church, that he meant his past sins.  However, the context of the passage speaks of his Jewish lineage, his zeal and his righteousness.  He counted his religiosity and good works as rubbish in order to know Christ and to have the righteousness which comes from faith in Him.

What does this mean for me?  Do I pride myself in past accomplishments in the realm of good works?  Am I on  “cruise control” in my spiritual journey, thinking what I’ve already done for the Lord can somehow carry me along?  Or am I motivated to keep on keeping on?  It is a sobering thought to realize that any spiritual pride or SELF righteousness will keep me from moving forward.  Better to forget even the good things in my past if they cause me to be complacent in the present.  The Lord does not want me to relax but to keep pressing on to a deeper and more satisfying relationship with HIm.

Lord, keep me motivated to press on.

 


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Grandfather Clocks

Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

These beautiful Grandfather clocks stand proudly in the World Museum in Liverpool, England.  The first Grandfather clock (or Longcase clock) was produced around 1680 by a British clockmaker, William Clement.  The name “Grandfather” clock is thought to be the result of a song written in 1876 entitled, “My Grandfather’s Clock.”  Our modern ones have an eight day movement.  But earlier less expensive models had only a thirty hour movement.  In either case, time would run out if not wound by a key or if the chains were not pulled.

Today’s verse is another reminder that time is the great equalizer.  We all have the same daily twenty four hours handed to us.  But what is so amazing is that our God is in control of time.  Not only is my time in His hands but all time is.  He is eternal and outside of time.  His kingdom is an eternal one and His dominion endures forever (Dan. 4:3).  Here on earth we are frustrated with time constraints.  But time and seasons will only exist “under Heaven.”

Imagine having time for everything!  Someday it will be true, but today I need to trust the Lord to provide the time needed for what He thinks is important.  I love the song lyrics that say, “He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today…” He is in control of time, and He is the source.  The Lord is more than able to free up minutes I did not know I had!  As a result of trusting Him I find comfort that there is more than enough time for His plans.

Lord, help me to trust You, even when I seem to be running out of time.


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The Silverback Gorilla

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 12:9 “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

The Silverback gorilla is the strongest and most experienced male leader of his “troop.”  He is the one who decides where the others will travel, forage and sleep.  He is responsible for the safety of the group.  When challenged by interlopers he will beat his chest, scream, bare his teeth and charge, sometimes shaking a branch broken off from a tree!  What an amazing show of strength!

Today’s verse talks about a different Source of strength that empowers the believer to accomplish more than what was thought possible.  It seems so paradoxical but to experience His power and strength, we admit and even boast about our weaknesses!  There is no “show of strength” on our part.  For the believer, all the power and strength has Christ as its source.  It is through our weakness that God has the opportunity to manifest His strength.  And when this happens He gets all the praise, glory and recognition.

My pride keeps me from admitting to weakness.  No one wants to appear weak.  In fact, “The biggest weakness of all is the fear of appearing weak.”  But the more I admit to my weaknesses, my limitations and my failings, the more He can and does use me when I turn to Him.  He is so good to take that weakness and transform it into something strong.  He is so loving to ask me to be strong and then give me His strength!

Lord, make me strong today.