Devotions By Jan

Author Archives: devotionsbyjan


by Leave a comment

Saying Thank You

Scripture for Today: I Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Somehow, that small addition of “thank you” at the bottom of this sign makes the message more tolerable and a little softer.  There have actually been studies on the effect “thank you” has on relationships.  Using the “find-remind-bind” idea, gratitude helps find new contacts, remind old contacts of friendship and binds active friendships.  An attitude of gratitude can go a long way in making one happier and positive, generous and compassionate, as well as healthier with a lower blood pressure and a stronger immune system!

Today’s verse is more than a suggestion.  It is a command to give thanks in any and all circumstances.  Our thanks in this passage are directed to the Lord in prayer (verse 17).  Quite clearly, it is what God wants from His children.  And when we withhold our thanks, we are somehow quenching His Spirit in us (verse 19).  Thanking God for what just happened is a recognition of His control over the situation.  It is a reminder that He has a plan that is good in allowing that circumstance, good or bad.

When I thank Him, I am reaffirming my faith that He knows what He is doing.  Even when I am pleading with Him for action or change, I am told to include thanksgiving in my prayer as an expression of trust (Phil. 4:6).  Just as thanking others can improve a friendship, so thanking the Lord brings me closer to Him.  As I thank Him, I can feel the tension in me dissipate.  He knows and He cares.  Whatever I am facing He has a plan in it and He is using it.  A heart-felt “thank you” completely changes my attitude.

Lord, remind me to thank You today.

 


by Leave a comment

Jacaranda Tree

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 15:52 “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed.”

I love this time of year when the Jacaranda tree is in bloom.  Their purple color is so vibrant it almost looks unreal, like something out of Dr. Seuss!  When several of these trees line a street, their blooms resemble a sea of lavender.  And when their blossoms drop to the ground, their beauty continues as a lilac carpet.  It seems appropriate that their flowers are in the shape of a trumpet, as they herald the coming of summer!

The trumpet in our verse today has a very special meaning.  Sounding it will signal the resurrection.  It does not say who will blow this trumpet, perhaps an angel, but it will be heard all over the world.  When it is blown, those believers who have died will receive their new incorruptible bodies.  Those believers still living at the time will also be changed.  Death will forever be swallowed up in victory! (verse 54)  What a day that will be!

One future day I will hear a trumpet sound that will announce the end of time.  Death will no longer sting and sin will be powerless.  My body will be changed to be imperishable.  Knowing this helps me to stay steadfast, immoveable and involved in what He wants me to do.  He has promised that my work for Him will never be futile or in vain (verse 58).  Thinking about what is to come keeps me motivated and encouraged!

Lord, keep me listening for that trumpet!

 

 


by Leave a comment

The Sea Turtle

Scripture for Today: Psalm 126:5 “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”

My grandson was entranced with this sea turtle off the coast of Hawaii!  His family had specifically risen early and gone to where they were known to congregate.  But rather than going out to them, this gentle reptile came up close and personal!  If it had been on land it probably would have been a female nesting.  When laying her eggs, the sea turtle will shed large sticky tears that wash off excess salt from their bodies and prevent sand in the eyes.

Today’s verse mentions tears that can be a prelude to songs of joy.  Being filled with joy can follow a time of long arduous preparation and waiting.  The Lord fulfilled His promise to the Israelites to bring them back from captivity and restore their health.  Other nations took note and God was glorified!  After many tears, their mouths were even filled with laughter! (verse 2)  Despite the weeping and waiting they could say, “The Lord has done great things for us!” (verse 3)

The Lord has given me a similar promise.  In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11) and one day that joy will be overflowing!  All tears will be wiped away from my eyes (Rev. 21:4).  All the waiting and longing and disappointment will come to an end.  The new song He has put in my mouth (Psalm 40:3) will continue on into Heaven.  It is my firm hope and conviction that I will be trading in my tears for astonished and eternal joy!  I look forward to the time when the sowing will be over.  But even here and now in the midst of tears I can say, “The Lord has done great things” for me!

Lord, I praise You for a future without tears.


by Leave a comment

Anyone There??

Scripture for Today: Psalm 40:1 “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.”

It is called many things: hotel reception bell, call bell, desk bell or counter bell.  I just call it annoying.  Back in the day they were used much more frequently to call the attention of people in the service industry.  I suppose ringing this bell is preferable to shouting, but the sound of that bell can jangle the nerves, especially when one rings it a bit too enthusiastically!  I imagine that as with Pavlov’s dogs, we can all be conditioned to respond to the sound of a bell (or metronome).  But in any case, the ring of that bell normally gets results.

Today’s verse is a testimony of David’s to God’s faithfulness in answering him.  He cried out to the Lord, perhaps over and over.  Then at some point David waited and he waited well with patience.  It is not that God was too busy to attend to him.  It was not that God was indifferent to David’s distress.  The Lord hears, encourages and listens to our cries (Psalm 10:17).  But He asks us to wait for His response with patience.  God’s eventual response was to lift David out of his slimy pit and set his feet on rock.

The Lord will always turn to me and hear my cry.  It might help me to ring that bell over and over but He heard it the first time!  He asks me to wait and to wait with patience and confidence that He has heard.  I may receive a different answer than expected at the end of that waiting period.  But I know He has heard and His plan is best!

Thank you Lord, that You hear and I can trust You.


by 3 Comments

Pack Your Patience

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 19:11 “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

Today we leave for France.  With long lines, security hassles, and tired feet the thrill of travel is definitely lacking!  I cannot think of a better training ground for practicing patience than when flying.  I am so careful in my packing but I am not sure I always pack patience!  Flight delays and missed connections strain my patience to the very limit.  And showing patience is especially difficult when fatigue is added to the mix.  I easily take offense at the slightest provocation, whether it be someone knocking into me or cutting in line.

Today’s verse tells us from where patience comes.  It comes from wisdom.  Showing patience is always the wiser course.  Blowing up or throwing a tantrum never changes anything.  Wisdom determines when to grin and bear it when nothing else can be done.  Overlooking that rude remark or crying baby not only is the wiser more patient response but it makes one a better person.  Any other reaction risks being “inglorious.”  Wisdom is the source of patience and the fear of the Lord is the source and beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10).

I have been told (tongue in cheek) never to actually pray for patience as it always seems to come as a result of testing (James 1:3).  But I am encouraged to learn that patience can be a by-product of wisdom as well.  Fearing and respecting God’s power and control of my circumstances calms me down and helps me keep my emotional balance.  So whether I am waiting in long lines or learning that my suitcase did not make it, I can be confident that He knows and He has my back.

Lord, make me wise today especially!