Devotions By Jan

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Punctuation

Scripture for Today: I John 5:11 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

I had no idea that there is a National Punctuation Day!  It was established in 2004 and since then has been celebrated every September 24th.  The idea is to promote correct usage of punctuation.  The founder encourages people to send in pictures of everyday errors they encounter.  A rich source is maybe the Facebook news feed!  Without strategically placed commas, one can say some pretty outrageous things!

I recently heard a pastor use punctuation marks to describe life.  Because of eternal life in Christ, the believer does not end his life with a period.  It is not over.  There is more.  The life of the believer ends with a comma.  It is just a brief pause as he crosses over to his eternal home.  His life continues on and in fact, the period never even makes an appearance!

Eternity is the only way to make sense of life.  God has set eternity in the human heart. (Eccl.3:11)  We long for it to be true and there is something deep inside us that hopes that it is.  When we see a life cut short, when we grieve over the early death of an innocent child, we know that cannot be all there is.  And we are right!

Today’s verse tells us that we can know we have eternal life.  God does not keep us wondering.  He assures us that this life is found in His Son, Jesus.  We can know because He said it.  We can know because He promised.  What Christ did on that cross made possible a relationship that continues on into eternity!

Thank you Lord, that death is not the end.

 


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Label Maker

vintage labele3c665929d7ca66da41dd3bba3d94e07Scripture for Today: Isaiah 43:1 “But now, this is what the Lord says — He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel; ‘Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.'”

I did not realize our label maker was vintage!  It does look strange but it gets the job done, marking items with our name.  We do it because we have the silly optimism that those same items when loaned to others will have a better chance of making it back to our home!  We do not try to label everything with our name, just the little treasures we would like to have returned to us.

Today’s verse reassures us that the Lord knows us intimately.  He has called us by name and we as believers belong to Him.  The verse refers specifically to the nation of Israel but it is true of all those who are His own.  He calls His own sheep by name (John 10:3).  He not only formed and created each one of us, but He has bought us back at a tremendous price to Himself! (I Cor. 6:20)  He thought us valuable enough to call us by name, redeem our lives and mark us as His very own forever! (Rev. 3:12)

Because of His intimate knowledge and love for me, I do not have any reason to fear.  If God is for me, who can be against me? (Rom. 8:31)  Plenty of people I suppose but they will not get far.  I belong to the Creator of the universe and nothing and no one can separate me from His love! (Rom. 8:35-39)  No one will ever touch my soul.  He has labeled me as His very own!

Thank you Lord, that You know my name and make me Yours!

 


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Woodpecker

whitebacked_woodpecker_img_0166cScripture for Today: I Corinthians 10:12 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”

I had never seen a woodpecker until living in France.  There was one who frequently visited our yard and with his red markings he was easy to spot.  There was one fruit tree that he especially liked to peck for insects.  I was always happy to see him, not realizing what he was doing to that tree.  One night we had an huge windstorm and with an impressive crack, that tree came down, snapping at exactly the very place that woodpecker had been working!  I feel differently about woodpeckers now.  I missed that mirabelle plum tree!

Today’s verse is a loving warning.  After describing the failures of the Israelites in the wilderness, Paul cautions that falling is a real possibility.  We can think that we are standing firm while at the same time being slowly weakened by compromise.  Like the small attacks by the beak of  a woodpecker, our resolve can slowly erode leaving us vulnerable.  A strong wind of temptation can come along and knock us flat.  We fall to the ground and we no longer bear fruit.

No one wakes up in the morning and decides to give in to temptation.  Being drawn away from Him is usually a slow sneaky process.  And it can come from something normally beautiful or agreeable.  The next verse is such a comforting promise.  God will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear.  He provides a way out.  I have a choice.  That enticement to sin is never so strong that with His help I cannot resist!

Don’t let me fall, Lord.  Keep me firmly standing and bearing fruit.


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Like, Follow and Share

Like-Follow-Plus-ShareScripture for Today: Psalm 96:3 “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

We place quite an importance on three simple words in social media; “like,” “follow,” and “share.”  Whether it be Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin, we look for the feedback of our readers on different social media platforms.  There is a definite progression from simply liking an entry, to becoming a regular follower, to then sharing and promoting the content to others.  Sharing with others seems to involve more effort.  In fact, analysts have found that sharing is a whole lot less popular that liking.  They found that sharing feels more like work while liking seems more like play!

I could not help but see the spiritual parallels!  Today’s verse is about moving to that last step of “share.”  Of course, for the believer the word “like” is much too watered down for what is felt for the Lord.  To really know Him is to love Him with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength!  And a love like that wants to follow Him in the “paths of righteousness” He sets before us.  But getting to that third step of sharing with others is sometimes the most difficult.  We are to declare to the nations His glory and tell others of all the wonderful things He has done for us!  We are even to proclaim the salvation He has given us “day after day!” (verse 3)

What the Lord has done for me is too good not to share!  He has shown His grace and faithfulness to me time after time.  The way He has met my needs over the years is nothing short of amazing.  The way He has led me is nothing I could have ever scripted for myself!

Lord, give me the opportunity to share You today!


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Buzz Lightyear

Buzz Lightyear 2015-09-04 04.49.56 1Scripture for Today: Psalm 108:4 “For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”

What little boy does not enjoy dressing up?  My grandson sure does and he just loves his Buzz Lightyear outfit!  Wearing it he almost flies as he jumps on the bed, even without the wings that light up!  This Toy Story character is best known for the catch phrase, “To infinity and beyond,” as he strikes the pose, ready to fly.  After defeating the evil Emperor Zurg, this space ranger now cares more about keeping his toy family together.

There are not too many things that can be said to truly be “to infinity and beyond.”  But today’s verse describes God’s love and faithfulness in much the same way.  His love is so great it goes beyond the heavens.  God’s faithfulness is so immense it reaches to the skies!  A faithful love like that is beyond our limited comprehension.  It surpasses anything that man can stir up in his own heart.  But this is not fiction.  His love and faithfulness have been proven over and over.  This incredible love compelled the Son of God to lay down His life in our place.

What other love will never never let go?  What other love is completely unconditional?  There is no other love that even comes close.  His love is eternal and the world cannot even contain it.  His love surpasses the far reaches of the skies.  Our God IS love (I John 4:8).  God’s love upholds me, guides me, instructs and disciplines me.  His love rescues me from a meaningless life and a hopeless future.  He crowns me with His love and compassion (Psalm 103:4).  “Amazing love, how can it be?”

Lord, I am so undeserving of such a love.  I am eternally grateful.