Devotions By Jan

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Nasty Gopher!

lilian_darling@yahoo.com credit photographer

Scripture for Today: Ephesians3:17b-18 “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

My Dad grew extensive gardens with award winning irises.  As an adult I can understand the war he had with gophers.  But as a young girl I was on their side.  I was horrified that Dad would run the hose through their burrows and flush them out with water.  When the root-eating rodent popped out my Dad would be ready with his shovel.  There are more humane methods to be rid of them.  But they sure are a menace to enjoying all those beautiful cared-for flowers.

Today’s verse talks about being rooted and established in God’s love.  Having roots is essential to grow in faith and enjoy good spiritual health.  But then there are those nasty gophers.  They burrow underneath where we cannot see them and gnaw on those roots.  We start to doubt His love.  Before long what is happening below the surface starts to be visible in the flower that droops.  God’s love has not changed but we are no longer drawing from it.

God’s love for me is wider, longer, higher and deeper than I can realize on my own.  I need His power to really grasp this truth.  But when I do, His love nourishes me and makes me strong.  When I live out the truth of His love, my faith and confidence flourish.  Those gophers do not have a chance to erode anything.  The Lord is so good to continually reassure me of His love.  Regardless of how I feel, His love is constant and true.

Thank you Lord, for holding me up with Your love.


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Polish Flint

polish flint s-l1600Scripture for Today: Isaiah 50:7 “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.  Therefore, have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.”

Normally when I think of a stone with origins in Poland, I think of amber.  But the polish flint is another that almost mesmerizes with its swirling patterns.  The markings can even look like abstract landscapes.  This stone can be found in cream, taupe, grey and brown giving it a natural coloring that can go with just about anything when worn as jewelry.  But more common is the grey or black quartz-like hard flint that formerly was used in making weapons, tools or in starting fires.

In today’s verse, Isaiah is using the image of flint to picture his resolution to be faithful to God’s calling.  As a prophet, Isaiah sometimes had a message that was difficult to hear.  The truth he spoke was sometimes unpopular and he was persecuted for it.  He was mocked, spit upon, and beaten.  Yet, Isaiah could reaffirm his commitment to obedience.  He could not be shamed into giving up.  That is because he trusted the Lord to vindicate him (verse 8).  He set his face like flint and was not deterred, counting on the Lord for his help.

What an incredible model!  Isaiah was faithful to the Lord and resolute to continue despite opposition.  I have not been tested like he was.  But I do have the same promises as Isaiah.  The Lord is my help to continue despite rejection.  I will not be put to shame because He has promised His power, His help, and His vengeance on my enemies!  Because I can trust Him, I can set my face like flint as well and be faithful.

Lord, I need Your help to always be faithful.

 


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“Earworms”

Scripture for Today: Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see it and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.”

There are a few songs out there that can really get stuck in one’s head.  The popular term for this is the “earworm.”  One such song for me is the Disneyland song, “It’s a Small World  After All.”  You’re welcome.  But there are others too that stay with you all day.  That catchy tune just repeats itself over and over and before long, you give up fighting it and just hum along.

Today’s verse is about a new song that we can enjoy having in our heads!  It is a personal song that praises and gives glory to God for what He has done in our life.  This song is not only directed to the Lord but others are affected by it and helped to faith.  This new song of David’s praises God for lifting him out of the mud and setting his feet on a rock.  What happened to him was worth singing about!

I have a new song too.  It is new because His mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3)  The lyrics change daily as He continues to faithfully work in my life.  My song is not a rehashing of last season.  It is not someone else’s song.  It is unique as it reflects my praise for my story.  He is honored by it despite whether it is in tune or beautiful to anyone else.  He is both my audience and the inspiration for the lyrics.  If this song turns into an “earworm,” I am fine with that.

Lord, I loved yesterday’s song but please give me a new song today!

 


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Memorial Day

Scripture for Today: I John 4:10 “This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Today on Memorial Day, North Americans remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.  We commemorate the war dead with special ceremonies, parades, speeches, and graveyard visits.  Some consider the origins of this day as coming from “Decoration Day.”  After the Civil War, graves were decorated with flowers, although this had been the practice of women for centuries.  It is good to remember how costly freedom is and to honor those who paid for it with their lives.

Those who gave their lives for freedom did it out of a love for their country.  Today’s verse speaks of another sacrifice also motivated by love.  There is no greater love than this; than to lay down one’s life for another (John 15:13) and that is what the Lord did for us.  And it was also a sacrifice made for the sake of freedom.  Christ died to free us from the power of sin.  The believer is no longer mastered by sin but is able through God’s Spirit to live differently.

We remember this sacrifice not only on Good Friday and when taking communion, but hopefully everyday.  Though sometimes I forget how costly His sacrifice was.  It was not only physical pain for Jesus but the incredible pain of separation from the Father.  It was the first time in all of eternity that God turned away from His Son.  And it was because of my sin.  Jesus endured that separation from God so I would not have to.  “What wondrous love is this?”  Every time I think on it I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Oh Lord, I want to remember every day.


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Muzzled!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 39:1 “I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.'”

I am always a bit sad to see a dog muzzled.  I feel bad for him but safer, as I am sure there was a reason for it being there.  Many states have dangerous dog laws that are imposed by the courts for public safety.  Special restrictions are enforced for dogs that threaten or attack others.  But the dog pictured here looks to be   guilty of only too much enthusiasm!

Today’s verse talks about a voluntary muzzle needed for our mouths, especially in the presence of the wicked.  David was feeling down and discouraged with what he felt was God’s rebuke and discipline (verse 11).  He expressed anguish over the fact that life is short and seemingly vain (verse 6).  But David did not want any of these feelings voiced in the presence of the wicked.  Even when upset with God, David did not want to malign His name.

I need to muzzle my mouth as well, especially when I am questioning the Lord or discouraged in my walk.  That does not mean I cannot share these feelings with a trusted believing friend.  But when I am with those who do not know the Lord, I would not want my emotional outburst to keep them from faith.  I would not want my words to be an obstacle to someone else.  The tongue is described as a small spark that can set on fire an entire forest (James 3:6).  The damage my tongue could do could have eternal consequences!

Lord, do not ever let me malign Your beautiful and holy Name.