Devotions By Jan

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Passion Fruit Flower

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 12:2b “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I have always wondered why this flower is called the “passion flower.”  But it seems obvious when seeing the original Latin genus name of “passiflora,”  However, there is another explanation.  In the early 1700’s missionaries in Brazil used this flower as a teaching aid to explain the crucifixion.  They called it the “flower of 5 wounds” referring to the nail wounds in the hands and feet of Jesus and the lance wound in His side.

We are nearing the end of “Passion Week” which refers to the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.  Passion motivated the Lord to endure great suffering out of His love for us.  The word, “passion” or “passio” in Latin originally meant to endure suffering.  Later it came to mean any intense emotion.

Today’s verse gives us a glimpse into the passion Jesus felt as He hung on that cross.  He endured the pain, the humiliation and the shame.  He endured the scorn and the excruciating separation from His Father for the first time in all eternity.  He did it all for the joy set before Him.

Why was He so passionate?  What was the joy set before Him?  Could it have been me?  He rescued me because He delighted in me (Psalm 18:19).  He takes great delight in me and in His love will no longer rebuke me but rejoices over me with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)  Because of His sacrifice an eternal love relationship is now possible.  It has always been a joy for me.  How amazing that I am a joy to Him as well!

Thank you Lord, for being a passionate God!

 


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Yield Sign

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”

It looks complicated.  I would have to stop a minute to figure out who would have to yield to whom!  It looks as if the bike has to yield to everyone and the horse and rider to no one!  But I do not suppose there are many intersections to worry about on this trail.  If there were confusion I would think common sense and common courtesy would go a long way.  In any case, yielding is often the safest choice.  When maneuvering through those huge traffic circles in Europe, I do not argue with a yield sign!

Today’s verse tells us we are to yield or submit to the Lord in each and every way we choose to take.  By acknowledging His control, His superior knowledge and His goodness, we travel a path much less complicated by twists and turns.  He makes our paths straight, unencumbered by lengthy unnecessary detours.  We reach our destination in good time, or in His time.  When we give way to Him rather than insisting on our own plan, we find He had a better idea all along!

Yielding my will to His is so often a struggle.  Even knowing that my own understanding is limited, I stubbornly resist.  I like being the one who makes the decisions.  Trusting Him with all my heart is scary without having some measure of control.  But He promises that when I do, He will make my paths straight, choosing the best way.  No time will be lost in making U turns or encountering dead ends.

Thank you Lord, that I can fully trust Your heart of love for me!


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Back Scratcher

Scripture for Today: Matthew 5:46a-47a “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?”

This cat and cat owner have learned how to live out the saying, “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours!”  The owner scratches the cat’s back first and then the cat obligingly does the same for her!  What could be better than having your own in-house masseur?  This saying came from sailors in the 17th century.  When crew members were told to flog one another for an offense, they would sometimes do it lightly, only “scratching” the back, in hopes of being treated the same way.

Today’s verse points out that only loving those who will love you in return is not so admirable.  Greeting only those who will greet you back is no big risk.  Even those who do not follow Christ do as much.  The believer is held to a higher standard.  Jesus tells us to love our enemies (verse 44) which means loving those who will not respond in kind.  We are not to do for others in order to receive something in return.  We are to love and even pray for those who treat us poorly.

Our world does not work this way.  There are expectations and obligations that come from gifts and favors.  But as a believer I am to show love that is unconditional and not dependent on someone’s response.  It is not always easy to ignore the lack of a thank-you note or a return dinner invitation.  However, the Lord delights in rewarding and blessing my obedience.  Knowing this frees me up to give and give again without any strings attached.

Lord, make my love for others like Yours is for me!


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Chivalry

Scripture for Today: Philippians 2:3b-4 “…in humility be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.”

Chivalry is many times thought to be an outmoded idea.  But my husband still gallantly opens doors and pulls out chairs for me.  I always appreciate it as it makes me feel special, however he does stop short of throwing down his coat over a puddle!  The word, “chivalry,” was originally used to refer to qualities expected of a knight; courage, generosity, and courtesy, especially towards women.

Today’s verse does not use the word, “chivalry,” but certainly has the idea of treating others well.  Our concern should not be only for our own interests.  A believer is to be concerned about the interests of others as well.  To treat others’ needs as more important than our own can only come from an attitude of humility.  And that humility is not something that comes naturally.  What comes naturally is to put oneself first.  The following verses point to Jesus as our example and how far He humbled Himself for us.

It is not easy to ask interested questions of another and not have them return the favor.  It is difficult to allow another to go first when pressed for time.  To be genuinely happy for another’s success takes a humility I do not always feel!  Yet, this is what Jesus asks of me.  My life is in His hands along with all my interests, goals and needs.  I can afford to be gracious and others-centered.  He has all my desires and interests at heart and I can trust Him.

Lord, help me show the kind of self-sacrificing love You showed to me!

 


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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!