Devotions By Jan

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Daddy’s Here!

IMG_20130423_164817Scripture for Today:  Romans 8:15 “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

The artist, Norman Rockwell, has certainly captured the joy of homecoming between daughter and father in this image.  Our children may be brunettes rather than blonds.  And Randy did not wear the suit and hat.  But the feeling tones remind me of when our children were small and there was joyful reunion when Daddy walked through that door!

I remember when my own Father would come through the door after a long business trip.  My Mother would be relieved as things settled back to normal.  The homecoming often included little gifts from his travels.  I did not fear his coming as our relationship was a positive one.  I understand that not everyone can say that and I know I am blessed.

Our verse for today describes God as our Father.  This concept of God can be marred by negative memories and disappointments from our own earthly fathers.  But He chooses that image of Father to communicate love, care and belonging.

Jesus addressed God as His personal Father in prayer and invites us to do the same.  God, being named our Father, makes Him approachable and endearing.  This relationship is intended to be intimate and tender.  He is our perfect and loving Daddy.  It is by grace that we are adopted as His very own.  He wanted us and He chose us.  There is no fear in approaching my loving Father.  But so often I am too proud, too independent or too busy to come and crawl up into His lap.

Lord, help me to remember, Daddy’s here!

Look familiar?  This is a re-post from 2013 in honor of Father’s Day.


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The Spotted Dalmatian

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 5:27 “That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things (that she might be holy and faultless).”

Disney’s 101 Dalmatians always come to my mind when seeing one of these sweet dogs.  They come from the Dalmatia province in Croatia and were used in the past to run alongside a carriage and ward off highwaymen.  Now their high energy and agility make them a perfect choice for hunting, guarding, and circus performing.  The dalmatian is also known as a firehouse mascot.  They love to be in the middle of the action.  But what makes those dalmatians so adorable are their spots!

My spots are not so cute.  But today’s verse says that one day I will be spot-free!  No more age spots.  It is true that I will have a whole new glorified body for eternity.  However, this verse is speaking of the spots and wrinkles as sin.  Because of what Jesus did on the cross, I can look forward to being completely without sin in heaven.  As part of His Church, I will be presented to God without spot or wrinkle.

Christ’s love and sacrifice sets me apart and makes me clean.  Being washed by the water of His Word is a life-long process, but with a promised result of being one day holy and faultless before Him.  What a day that will be!  No more guilt or shame.  No more self-condemnation.  And no more interruption to a perfect closeness with my Lord.  I am tired of my own sin.  Those spots and wrinkles are plenty ugly.  But the future is all glorious splendor.  Spot, wrinkle, and all ugliness of any kind will be gone forever!

Thank you Lord, for Your cleansing perfect forgiveness!


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Donating Blood

Scripture for Today: I John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”

After the recent horror of this latest mass murder, I was encouraged to see on the news the long lines of people waiting to donate their blood.  Hundreds came out to help the victims and their compassion warmed my heart.  Many of these volunteers were perhaps unaware that yesterday was World Blood Donor Day.  This event highlights the need for donors and is held every year on June 14th.  “Blood connects us all,” is their motto.  And certainly, giving blood saves lives.

Today’s verse talks about the blood freely given by Another.  This blood also saves lives and was given out of love and compassion for our condition.  The blood of Christ saves us once for all from the eternal punishment for our sin.  His blood makes it possible to walk in light rather than darkness.  His blood makes it possible to walk with others in sweet fellowship, rather than discord.  His blood cleanses and purifies us from sin and its consequences, in this life and in the next.

He shed His blood so I would not have to.  His blood saved my life.  My faith in His blood pays for of all my ugly sin (Romans 3:25).  More than just a needle in the arm, His gift of blood cost Him everything; separation from the Father, the mockery and violence of others, and His life.  How amazing and deep the love that motivated Him!  And how unworthy I am to be a recipient of such a precious life-changing gift!

I am so grateful Lord, for that precious flow, “that makes me white as snow.”


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Nibble Fish

Martine 13315582_10154508815284381_162048146630937990_nScripture for Today: John 15:2 “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

A French friend of mine and her daughter recently sat through this fish spa treatment.  These tanks are filled with small hungry Garra rufa fish who gently suck off the dry and dead skin on the feet.  Although this treatment is popular in Asia and Europe, it is banned in some US states because of concerns over health and safety.  But some say the risks are minimal and the resulting soft smooth skin is worth it.  For my ticklish feet, this is not even an option!

Our verse today refers to the pruning of vines to produce more and better grapes.  But the idea is the same; that old dry dead growth needs to be removed before new growth can be produced.  The One who does the pruning in my life is the Lord.  He does not want me to be content with the fruit He has already produced.  He wants me to cooperate with His pruning shears in order to produce more fruit that is richer and more excellent.

Pruning does not feel so good.  It is a painful process.  Just after pruning the plant does not look so good either.  But He knows just where to cut and how much.  When the Lord allows the hard times to come, He has in mind to produce new growth in me.  There is purpose in the pain I feel.  It is not for discipline or as a consequence of sin.  Instead He is using all the negatives in my day to produce a beautiful and fruitful life.

Thank you Lord, that I can trust You with those pruning shears.


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The Narrows at Zion

Scripture for Today: Psalm 125:2 “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.”

The Narrows at Zion National Park are breathtaking!  We approached it from the bottom and only hiked a few miles in along the Virgin River.  The 16 mile hike is a wet one with a third of it done in the 45 degree water.  We were not quite that adventuresome.  But what impresses me most are the vertical sheer canyon walls soaring high above.  Surrounded by these majestic rock faces of the mountains, one cannot help but feel very small.

Our verse for today likens the love and protection of the Lord to surrounding mountains.  Jerusalem is not surrounded by a ring of peaks, but it is situated in a mountainous region.  God’s care is as constant and unmovable as mountains.  Those who trust in Him and His care are not shaken (verse 1) but are themselves like Mount Zion.

What a wonderful assurance to know that I am surrounded by God’s constant faithful love!  There is nowhere that I can turn that I cannot see it and feel it.  Like a ring of mountains, His love surrounds me.  He reminds me with every mountain view just how wide, long, high and deep His love is for me (Eph. 3:18).  He especially reminds me when I read His Word with His promises of love.

There is nothing I can do to remove those mountains far from my presence.  His love is too strong.  Nothing can separate me from that love.  My view of it may be blocked by the fog of my own waywardness and rebellion, but it continues on.  His love continues today, tomorrow and for eternity!

Lord, I need to feel your love surrounding, supporting and reassuring me today.