Devotions By Jan

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At Work

Scripture For Today: I Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God continually because when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”

This sign made me smile.  Posting “Men at work” signs are meant to slow down the drivers, not the workers!  In their defense, working in the midst of traffic presents some real safety challenges.  If working a bit slower ensures their safety than I can understand that.  Certainly, watching my speed not only keeps everyone safe but avoids a nasty ticket.  In any case, this kind of work, though necessary and well-paid, would not be my first choice.

Today’s verse describes something that is at work in the life of a believer.  It is a life-long work done by God’s Word.  It does not get started transforming us until we receive it with faith and accept it as authoritative.  But once we trust God’s Word as being from Him, we see it doing a work in us.  It is active and alive (Heb. 4:12) revealing our attitudes and motives.  When we have it in our hearts it keep us from sin (Psalm 119:11).  When our souls are weary He strengthens us by His Word (Psalm 119:28).   Hearing God’s Word spurs us on to greater faith (Romans 10:17).  And we are set apart by the truth of His Word (John 17:17).

This work of God’s Word in me is such a slow one.  There are times when I read His Word and wonder about its relevance for that day.  There are moments when I skim over what is too familiar.  Although I get impatient, He has promised to keep working in me.

Lord, keep me motivated to read and obey Your Word today!

 

 


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Sandcastles

Scripture for Today: Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

I doubt that this sandcastle was built by a small child.  It seems too involved and complicated, perhaps needing some special molds and skills.  Sandcastle-building has become quite the art form with annual competitions all over Southern California.  Some of the competitions have been taking place for more than fifty years!  The entries are elaborate and take painstaking precision.  The results are impressive but no longer there.  These fantasy castles and kingdoms are eventually reclaimed by the ocean.  What a shame to see all that creative work washed away!

Today’s verse speaks of a kingdom that is eternal.  It does not erode with time.  What effort is invested in this kingdom will endure.  We are promised that when spending our lives living for God’s kingdom, we will be able to live our lives without worrying about tomorrow (verse 34).  The  mundane pursuits of food and clothing become less important.   Life is more than food and the body more than clothes (verse 25).  Seeking His kingdom means living for Him and for values that are eternal.

The most important component of any kingdom is its king.  Seeking God’s kingdom is to live as His subject and submit to His rule.  When I live for Him and His purposes, this gracious King takes care of the details.  But I sometimes get distracted by building my own little sandcastles.  I want my own kingdom, however small, in the hopes of having some say and control.  I want to be the one in charge!  But my pathetic kingdom is never as good as His.  And I do not want to waste my time on what will not last!

Lord, keep me focused on living for You.


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Sea Lion

Scripture for Today: Psalm 98:7 “Let the sea and everything in it shout, along with the world and those who live in it.”

We heard Diamond, the sea lion, long before we saw him.  His bark was loud and deep and seemed to echo off the walls of his Sea World habitat.  The workers told us he was easily the loudest of the sea lions.  This playful intelligent mammal is known for their noisy barking.  I remember hearing sea lions bark when living near the beach in Southern California.  Late at night when traffic noise subsided the noise of their barking floated up to the house quite often.

Today’s verse is a beautiful poetic passage describing the reaction of creation at the Lord’s return.  Not only does every living thing in the sea shout for joy but the sea itself will shout as well!  Because the rivers clap their hands and the mountains sing in unison before the Lord, the earth will be shouting for joy along with the sea (verse 8).  Why all this exuberant response?  God comes to judge (verse 9) and when He does, everything unfair will made fair.

There is a certain deep satisfaction when seeing right prevail.  When watching a film where the tension builds, there is often a concluding scene where evil is thwarted and justice prevails.  If not literally, I am at least jumping up inside and shouting for joy!  I want to see the “bad guys” lose.  Part of belonging to the Lord is hungering and thirsting for righteousness (Matt. 5:6).  One day that longing will be completely fulfilled when He comes to judge.  God will right every wrong.  Everything done in secret will be revealed (Luke 12:2).  The unrepentant heart will face His exacting justice.

Thank you Lord, for Your perfect justice and the forgiveness You have given me!


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Eucalyptus Tree Roots

Scripture for Today: Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

It seems that with every report of strong winds in our area, we hear of eucalyptus trees falling and causing damage.  These beautiful trees can shoot up to as much as ten feet in a year and can grow to the height of a six story building!  Their root system is strong to support all that growth, if they have enough soil.  Their taproots need to have at least six feet of soil to be well anchored.  Without that depth they are vulnerable to wind damage.

Today’s verse talks about being rooted and built up in Christ, strengthened by our faith and characterized by thankfulness.  Extending our roots into the deep soil of His strength makes us able to stand firm in any wind storm.  Standing tall in the world’s eyes can be deceptive if roots are shallow.  The philosophies of this world and human tradition (verse 8) make up that shallow soil.  Roots have no opportunity to grow there and a strong gust of wind reveals that weakness.  In contrast, the one who is strengthened by His power is rooted and established in His love (Eph. 3:17).

My root health is something no one sees but Him.  I can seem strong, pray beautiful prayers and say all the right things.  But when that huge gust of wind comes, I can so easily topple over.  I need to be nourished by His Word and strengthened by His promises before the winds arrive.  He will help me withstand them.

Lord, strengthen my roots by the power of Your Word.

 

 


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Big Bang Theory

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

It was interesting to read of all the evidence for the expansion of our universe.  The “big bang” theory says that roughly thirteen billion years ago our universe began as a concentrated single point which then expanded quickly through an explosion to what it is today.  This theory begins with a certain “something” as does the theory of macro-evolution.  With this theory everything evolves over billions of years from a single celled organism.  Both theories have difficulty in explaining how that first “building block” could ever come into existence.

Today’s verse has no such difficulty.  As an all-mighty all-powerful Creator God, He can create something from nothing.  He calls into being something visible just by His word.  He had no need to start with something that had previously existed.  Everything that has been created, visible and invisible, in heaven or on earth, has been created through Him, in Him and for Him (Col. 1:16).

No one was there at the beginning except God Himself (Gen. 1:1).  None our scientists or philosophers or poets were there to explain how our world came into being.  To believe any of the theories taught today takes faith.  And believers understand the earth’s beginnings by faith as well.

It all boils down to where I place my faith.  By science I can understand so many wonderful things.  But it is by faith that I understand that God created our world.  His creativity and attention to detail continually amazes me and prompts me to worship.  And if I can believe He created my world, than I can believe that He created me and loves me!

Thank you Lord, for being my Creator.