Devotions By Jan

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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.


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Disguised!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 26:23 “Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.” 

In a modern household, it is no longer the style to have much silver plated items in drawers or on tables.  I was offered my Mother’s silver plated dessert tray but turned it down.  I knew that there would be lots of maintenance to keep it clean and shiny.  Silver can so easily become tarnished and dark, losing its shine.  But with proper care, silver can be an eye-catching piece of decor.  However, I could not see myself buying special cleaning products and taking time to polish the silver!

Today’s verse talks about a different kind of silver.  Not only is it of inferior quality but it is covering something mundane and of little value.  Silver dross is used as a symbol in Scripture for what is base and worthless.  This silver includes impurities that float to the surface in the melting process.  It catches one’s attention but flaws are seen on closer examination.  Fervent or smooth talking lips are just like that silver.  Flattering words and warm expressions of friendship can hide an evil heart.

A vow of friendship.  A declaration of love.  A promise made.  Or a pretense of good will.  It can all be “silver dross” hiding a much different agenda.  The hurt caused by this kind of duplicity can be life changing.  We all have stories.  We have all been victims.  But there is One who will never be untrue.  His Word is always trustworthy.  He calls me His friend (John 15:15).  He affirms for me an unending love (Psalm 103:17).  He keeps every promise (II Cor. 1:20).  And His plans for me are good (Jer. 29:11).

Thank you Lord, that Your Word is pure silver and always trustworthy.