Devotions By Jan

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Emeralds

Scripture for Today: Revelation 4:3 “And the One who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.”

The color and brilliance of these emeralds take my breath away!  This gemstone is a variety of the mineral beryl.  But what classifies it as an emerald is its deep bluish to pure green color saturation.  And the more it is transparent the more it is valuable with its shine.  The small fissures in the stone are called the stone’s “jardin” (garden).  Some are treated with oil to fill in these natural fissures.  Although the emerald has been mined for centuries, today one can buy synthetic emeralds.  But somehow it is not the same.

The shine of an emerald is the image John uses in today’s verse to describe a rainbow that encircles God’s throne.  Its brilliance will be awe-inspiring and fitting for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  But He Himself will have an appearance just as brilliant as the stunning ruby and the crystal-like jasper.  These precious stones, as beautiful as they are, do not come close to describing God’s magnificence.  His glory would be blinding if not for our new bodies with its new eyes.  We will be filled with the wonder of His beauty as we fall to our knees in worship and praise.

I need to be reminded of God’s incredible beauty and glory.  Too often I over-simplify God in an attempt to understand Him.  I can only know His reflection for now, but one day we will be face to face (I Cor. 13:12).  Then I will know Him fully, as fully as He knows me!  What a day that will be!  No more flawed impressions, wrong ideas, or ambiguity.

Lord, give me another glimpse of Your glory today.

 

 


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Checkmate

IMG_20151204_152757Scripture for Today:  James 4:15 “Instead you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

My grandsons had no idea where each chess piece should be placed to begin or even continue a game!  Their Nana sure could not help, but they had fun anyway, confidently moving the pieces around according to some unseen vision in their little heads!  The strategy escapes me but I do know enough to recognize that “check” is not what one wants to hear, and “checkmate” even less, signaling that the game is over.

Today’s verse talks about making plans for the future.  Of course it is important in reaching any goal to carefully plan a strategy.  A building is not begun without considering the estimated cost (Luke 14:28).  But this passage is speaking to the arrogance of making plans without thought to the plans the Lord may have.  We do not know what tomorrow will hold or whether we will have life and breath to carry out our future plans (verse 14).  The unexpected can always “check” or “checkmate” our progress.

When I make plans I want to always recognize that the Lord may have something different in mind.  Recognizing this keeps me humble and it keeps me in an attitude of submission.  Recognizing His control also keeps me asking and listening to Him.  As wonderful as I think my plan is, I do not want to miss out on something better!  He knows what tomorrow holds.  He knows what health issues I may be facing later or what financial challenge lay ahead.  Being overconfident about my plans is seen as “boasting” in the Lord’s eyes (verse 16).  There may be a change of plan but through it I can trust Him.

Lord, keep me following Your plan.


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Message in a Bottle

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord appeared to us in the past saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'”

The idea of putting an important message in a bottle is nothing new.  There are records of it being done as far back as 310 BC!  But the story of a British WWI soldier, sending a message in 1914 was especially touching.  It did not discuss enemy movements, or a shipwreck story nor was it an experiment to test the movements of the currents.  It was a love note addressed to his wife.  This soldier died two days later and although the wife had since died by the time it was discovered in 1999, his daughter at the age of 86 was thrilled to have it!

The verse for today describes the Lord’s love for us as everlasting.  Much more dependable than a floating bottle, He has written His message of love in the Bible that dates back centuries.  It is a timeless message of a love that is kind and unconditional.  The everlasting nature of His love draws the receptive and searching heart.  But like the passerby pictured, too many walk by that message, never stopping to investigate.  He has been faithful to communicate His love clearly, but the message is not always received.  Or the message is misheard to be, “I will love you if…”

His love for me changes how I look at myself.  I am important enough for Him to actually write down how He feels about me!  Of course my husband’s love and my family’s love is important.  But nothing is as wide, long, high or deep as His love (Eph.3:18).  It is always kind.  It will never fail.  And He loves me in spite of who I am!

Thank you Lord, for Your everlasting love!

 


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The Cockpit

Boys in cockpit13335727_10157005095050254_8413032313725869777_nScripture for Today: Proverbs 4:11 “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”

It was an exciting moment for our two grandsons to be invited into the cockpit of the plane!  How sweet of these pilots to take the time and even let little William wear the hat!  That cockpit is usually off-limits and a bit of a mystery.  What actually goes on there is often surmised from television and film.  Yet, every time I board a plane, I am trusting that the pilots have a competent control of the plane.  I am trusting their instruments and education to lead me safely to the right destination.

The verse for today gives me that same kind of confidence.  I am trusting that following the way of wisdom will lead me to where I want to be.  The way of wisdom is quite simply following God’s way rather than our own.  Obedience to God’s timeless precepts and commands is wise, allowing us to avoid all kinds of pitfalls, pain, and detours.  Wisdom comes from fearing God enough to take Him at His word (Prov. 9:10).

The Lord does not often invite me into the cockpit.  He wants me to live by faith rather than by the sight of all those controls and gauges (II Cor. 5:7).  He knows what He is doing in my life even when I do not understand.  He asks me to trust Him.  He asks me to give over all the controls to Him.  He is leading me to the right destination.  He is leading me with His light and faithful care to His holy mountain, to where He is (Psalm 43:3).  What destination is more important than that?  I would rather trust Him than myself.

Thank you Lord, that Your control is completely trustworthy.


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The Skunk

Scripture for Today:  II Corinthians 2:15-16a “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.”

This baby skunk sure looks adorable but there is nothing cute about their smell!  That awful odor wafted into the open windows of our bus recently.  It was familiar enough for me, but for the French folks with me for two weeks in Quebec, it was baffling.  There are no skunks in France, despite the Pepé Le Pew cartoon.  Our tour guide had to explain what it was as we hurriedly raised the windows.  On a positive note, we stopped looking at each other with accusatory glances!

Our verse today speaks of differing reactions to our “smell” or influence.  To those God is calling to Himself, we have a pleasing aroma.  These people know of our relationship with Jesus and continue their contact with us.  We can and do pray that the Lord is continuing to draw them to Himself and that He will use our fragrance.  But there is another group that are in the process of rejecting the Savior.  Quite frankly, we stink to them.  We can be as friendly as humanly possible but they are continually offended by our stench!

It is not easy for me to know that I stink for some people.  No one likes to be shunned.  But the upside is that I smell wonderful to those with whom God’s Spirit is working.  And regardless of how I am perceived, what is most important to me is that I am a pleasing aroma to God when I speak of Him to others!

Lord, may today be a fragrant one for You!