Devotions By Jan

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Indebted

debt-collectionsScripture for Today: Matthew 6:11-12 “Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.”

Only 12 percent of Americans believe they will die in debt (according to a phone interview done by Princeton).  This is actually down from 21 percent a year ago!  Perhaps we are less concerned about “keeping up with the Joneses.”  It is great we are feeling more optimistic but the Federal Reserve tells another story.  According to them, credit card debt has been steadily rising over the last five years and is now close to one trillion!

Today’s verse is a familiar one being part of the Lord’s Prayer.  We are all indebted to the Lord for forgiving our sins and erasing the payment for them.  He forgave sin at great cost to Himself on that cross.  He took on Himself the awful payment sin deserves.  We could never pay it ourselves and if not for Him, would still carry the heavy burden of guilt.  Because the debt of our sin has been paid, we are to show that same forgiveness towards others who have wronged us.

If God were really to forgive me only as much as I forgive others, I would be in big trouble!  Thankfully, His forgiveness is based on His unconditional love.  The payment for my sins comes from His mercy and His grace.  But when I refuse to forgive the one who wronged me, I conveniently forget how much of a debt the Lord paid in my case!  Somehow, pride is at the root of my failure to forgive when thinking I deserve forgiveness, but they do not!

“Jesus paid it all.  All to Him I owe.”  Surely the price He paid for me was so much higher than any price I pay in forgiving others.

Lord, help me to forgive.


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Oil Dipstick

engine_oil_dipstickScripture for Today:  Ephesians 5:18b-19 “…be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your heart to the Lord,”

If our car maintenance were up to me, we would be in real trouble.  I am one of those women who are totally at sea when opening the hood of a car.  Even so, my husband put the tiniest bit of faith in me to research and find a particular dipstick on line for his upcoming trip to the cold eastern states.  He wanted a dipstick that was heated so there would be no issues with the weather in getting an accurate reading.

Today’s verse provides us with an accurate reading on whether we are filled with the Holy Spirit.  We are filled with Him when we are filled with praise and thankfulness.  The Spirit’s presence in our lives is evident when our hearts are filled with song for all that He has done for us.  The “oil of praise’ keeps us in good running shape.  Like the car, we will start to grind, seize up and then completely stall without the Spirit’s filling.  We burn out.  But when we are filled with Him than we are also filled with song.

I can almost feel myself sputtering and slowing down when I am complaining and negative.  When I cannot acknowledge and thank Him for all of His blessings, everything seems to grind to a halt.  But when my heart is filled with gratitude, not only do I gain new impetus praising Him, but I will want to share that praise with others.  When I am filled with praise I am filled with Him!

Lord, may today be a day of making music in my heart to You.

 


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Unusual Fountain

fountain-543c3d4dccddce5081fd7b425285a310Scripture for Today: James 3:10-11 “From the same mouth come praise and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?”

We had been to this small Alsacian village many times, having coffee at the “place de la Marie” with a view of this fountain.  But on the occasion of the “Fête de Ribeauvillé” there was a happy crowd surrounding it.  The streets were full of costumed people participating in a parade.  But there seemed to be just as much interest in the fountain.  We checked it out and found to our surprise that instead of dispensing water, there was white wine flowing from those spouts!  No wonder there was a crowd and no wonder they seemed happy!

Today’s verse talks about what pours out of our mouths.  With that one opening we can curse or praise others.  The same mouth that prays piously on Sunday at church can also be a source of filth at the wheel when cut off by another driver.  James tells us not that this is impossible or never done.  He tells us that this should not be.  As believers, that uncontrollable tongue can be controlled by the indwelling Spirit.  As believers, we are to be characterized by fresh water speaking only what is helpful and good to hear (Eph. 4:29).

That bitter water pouring out is a sign that something is not right in my heart (Matt. 12:34).  Even if no one hears those ugly bitter words, it reveals a problem needing to be resolved.  I cannot control this tongue on my own.  It is impossible without Him.  But with His help my mouth can always be a blessing to those listening.

Lord, I need You to control my mouth today!


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Carob Pods

Scripture for Today: Luke 15:16 “He longed  to fill his stomach with the  pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.”

I have never seen a carob pod growing although they have been cultivated in California since being imported in 1873.  They almost look like locusts the way they hang off a branch, which is why they are also called, “locust bean.”  This tree grows well in the Mediterranean climate and the pods are used to feed livestock, but we enjoy them too.  The seeds when pulverized are a great substitute for chocolate.  Carob chocolate has only half the fat of regular chocolate, but then I only enjoy it half as much!

Today’s verse from a parable describes a young man who was desperately hungry.  After asking for his inheritance from his Father and then squandering it, he finds himself feeding carob pods to the pigs and wishing he could fill up his stomach with them as well.  It is finally at this point that the “prodigal son” comes to his senses and returns to his Father.  His Father, representing our Heavenly Father, runs out to welcome him.

So many are living contentedly with carob pods in the pigsty when they could be dining at their Father’s table (and with real chocolate!)  So many do not come to their senses.  And the Father did everything right.  There was no lack of love or failure to communicate truth.  He raised that son perfectly.  Yet, the son rebelled.  It serves no purpose to second guess or feel guilty that something more could have been done.  It is the Lord who does all the “doing” to draw us to Himself.  And thankfully, there is always hope that a loved one will return to God’s waiting arms.

Lord, keep me hoping and praying.


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Reality Shows

lifetime-unrealScripture for Today: Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

The popularity of the reality show has soared since the early 90’s.  Candid Camera was an early prototype, first airing in 1948.  But since then there have been many different genres including: court shows, soap opera styles, elimination competitions, documentary styles, self improvement or renovation shows, to name a few.  The most popular seem to be the “Fly on the Wall” shows directly involving big names, also called “Celebreality.”  Of course reality has little to do with these shows as scenes are staged and re-staged.  The participants are coached and the editing is deliberately misleading.

Today’s verse has the secret to what constitutes real life.  The fear of the Lord leads to life as it is meant to be lived.  Anything else is a life without that spiritual dimension.  Without a relationship with our Creator, we have edited out what is essential to a life well-lived.  The fear of the Lord is an attitude of respect, awe and obedience to Him.  This fear leads to  true real life and is also the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7)  Fearing and obeying Him allows us to be and stay content, untouched by the trouble that comes from a grasping envious life.

The media and our world system in general tends to stimulate in me a state of discontent.  I can be swayed by watching those who are wealthy, influential trend setters.  It is easy to look on my own life and wonder if I am missing out.   What I am seeing may seem perfect but it is not real.  Nor is it satisfying.  My life becomes richer and fuller as I turn to the Life-Giver!

Thank you Lord that I find real life in You!