Devotions By Jan

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Temples in Taiwan

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

One can almost smell the musty interior mixed with the perfume of burning incense when looking at this temple.  When spending a summer in Taiwan in 1980, we saw many of these places of worship.  This one is the Longshan Temple in Taipei and it is one of the largest and oldest.  The worship taking place inside is a mixture of Buddhist, Taoist and for deities like Mazu.  Although very beautiful it made me sad, lacking the presence of the One and only True God.

Today’s verse explains where God’s Spirit lives today.  Rather than a physical building, God has chosen to reside by His Spirit in the hearts of His followers.  Our bodies become His temple.  What an amazing thought!  And what a privilege.  His presence is constantly with the believer.  He has purchased our freedom from sin and judgement by His death on the cross and we belong to Him.  Because this is true, we strive to honor Him with our bodies.  We honor Him by staying away from sexual impurity (verse 18).

It is difficult for me to understand just how holy and pure God is.  I need to grasp the truth that He is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29) to be worshiped with reverence and awe.  Instead of rationalizing what I do, see or think about, I want to keep my “temple” clean and pure because He is there.  I do not want impure thoughts to inhabit the same place as Him.

Lord, help me keep Your dwelling place clean today.

 


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Tatting Lace

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

In going through my Mother’s things my sister and I found some beautiful tatting.  As I am not talented in this area, I did not realize the effort that goes into creating this handiwork.  This method of making lace dates back to the early 19th century.  It seems a complicated and detailed process of forming a pattern of rings and chains.  There are gaps left between stitches that form “picots” along the outer edges.  All these knots and loops make for an intricate pattern of beautiful lace.

Today’s verse calls us God’s handiwork.  We are created for a very specific purpose.  God has prepared in advance the good works we are to do.  All those knots in our physical make-up, and all those loops in our personality and skill set are there for a purpose.  Nothing is by chance.  The works we are to do are matched up to the way He made us.  He knit us in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).  He wove us together before we ever saw the light of day (Psalm 139:15).  Each of us are uniquely made for Him.

As a believer, this verse gives purpose to my life.  I never have to wonder why I am on this earth.  My salvation is a gift (verses 8-9) and not earned by my works.  But my purpose in life is also a gift, and an incredible privilege.  He created me with everything I need to spend my life in service to Him.  He uses all my imperfections, my background, my family advantages and disadvantages.  He uses my talents and weaknesses.  He uses it all to serve Him.

Lord, show me how to serve You today.


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Beyond the Storm

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 50:10 “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of His servant? Let the one who walks in the dark who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.”

With all the technology at our fingertips, we are often forewarned of a storm on its way.  Other times a storm will descend suddenly with little or no warning at all.  With our many road trips we are sometimes stuck with no option except to go through its path.  But I am not too concerned when I can see the skies clearing ahead.  Just the thought of the storm being temporary helps me calm down and get through it.

Today’s verse talks about walking in the dark with no light at all.  There is no vision of clear skies ahead.  This happens for even those that fear and obey the Lord.  When those confusing dark times come, we are to trust in His name and who He is.  We are to rely on God rather than our senses or our intelligence.  Walking by faith has nothing to do with what we can see ahead that reassures us (II Cor. 5:7).  We are given no “light at the end of the tunnel” on which to focus.

I cannot see that patch of blue ahead.  But I can remain calm in the middle of a storm.  Trusting and relying on the Creator of that storm keeps me serene.  He is trustworthy and He is in control.  I have no reason to be fearful for what the future might hold.  And the only light I really need in that darkness is the heart conviction of how good and gracious He is.

Thank you Lord for Your reassuring presence even in the dark.

 


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Happy Spring!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 35:1-2a “The desert and the parched land will be glad. The wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom. It will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.”

Happy first day of Spring!  I do not see too many signs of the season in Cape Cod where we are expecting more snow today.  But this gallant purple crocus peeking out through that white stuff tells me that things are changing!  The trees here are still bare and the grass is not so green.  But this tiny burst of color gives me hope that the landscape will not always be so barren.

Today’s verse uses the image of the crocus to picture the joy of God’s redeemed people.  The desert of their distress and persecution will be transformed into joyful springs of water.  There will be a day when God will move on their behalf, coming with vengeance and salvation (verse 4).  Every wrong will be made right.  There will be singing, shouting, gladness and everlasting joy for the redeemed.  There will be complete healing and protection.  Sorrow and sighing will be no more!

What an incredible future awaits me!  I can choose to live with joy as I look forward to that day.  I do not have to be bowed down with sorrow over the struggles I face.  A different season is coming.  There is a promise of so much more to come.  All will be transformed in the blink of an eye.  At that point, there will be no containing my bursting joy!  It is so easy to look around at everything sad and negative in my life and become discouraged.  But instead, I am going to look for that small crocus flower today!

Thank you Lord, that incredible joy IS my future!


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The Leprechaun

Scripture for Today: Colossians 2:2 “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ.”

Today is a day for all things Irish.  And the leprechaun has been part of Irish folklore for centuries.  Our American ideas have changed him a bit as originally he is said to wear red.  The leprechaun in the beginning was a much scarier figure who would warn off people from sacred sites for their protection.  Now he is all about making shoes, granting wishes and hiding his gold at the end of he rainbow.  This leprechaun does not look so happy counting his gold!

Today’s verse talks about different riches.  They are described as “full” and have nothing to do with wealth in the traditional sense.  These riches involve understanding and knowing a Person, Jesus Christ.  Progressively coming to know God’s Son makes a life full and rich.  This kind of wealth is eternal rather than temporal.  Wealth of this kind cannot be stolen or taxed.  It is a wealth that has no limit.  The riches of Christ are boundless! (Eph. 3:8)

My riches are not tangible.  Their value is not easily recognized by the world.  Even so, I would never trade them for that “pot of gold!”  It cannot compare with the surpassing value of knowing and loving my Savior.  The closer I am to Jesus, the richer I am.  The further away I move from Him, the more impoverished I become.  Knowing, Him, loving Him and serving Him enriches me like nothing else!  How rich I am!

Thank you Lord, for the boundless and endless riches I find in You!