Devotions By Jan

Author Archives: devotionsbyjan


by Leave a comment

The Vineyards

Summer 2009 040Scripture for Today: Philippians 1:11 …“filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.”

My husband and I loved living in an area surrounded by vineyards.  Each season brought beautiful changes and the anticipated fruit was celebrated with festivals at its arrival.  Our landlords were vinedressers themselves and taught us much about the different varieties.  Alsace boasts 7 different grapes; Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sylvaner, and Pinot Noir.  Not only were these varieties distinctly different but the climate, the soil and the sun exposure all contributed to more subtle differences.  All it took was a difference of 100 meters in location to completely change the fruit.

Our verse for today is a prayer of Paul for the believers in Philippi.  He prays that they will  be filled with love (verse 10) in order to produce the fruit of righteousness.  That fruit cannot be produced except through Jesus Christ.  There is no fruit of righteousness without being connected to the Vine (John 15:5)  But connected to Him we can be filled with that fruit!

Just as there is so much variety among the grapes of Alsace, so there are varieties among the spiritual fruit of believers.  Each season of life is different.  Each person’s spiritual gifting is different.  Each believer’s circumstances are different.  I can get distracted from my own “fruit production” by comparing myself to others.  The fruit God is producing in me is supposed to be different than what He is producing in someone else.  I am a different variety!

I thank God for different varieties!  I thank Him that He is the One who produces the fruit in me.  It is all about Him and His glory and praise.

Lord, thank you that You use even my variety of fruit for Your glory!


by Leave a comment

Static

Scripture for Today: John 5:39-40 “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.”

Remember the snow-looking static we used to see on televisions?  Modern televisions automatically turn to a blue screen when not receiving a transmission signal.  The old image was just a random dot pixel pattern which made no sense.  In northern Europe the pattern is different, looking like fast-flickering black bugs on a white screen.  They do not call it snow but “ant soccer!”  In either case, the static makes no sense.

Our verse for today is a quote from Jesus speaking to the Jewish leaders.  These men were diligent about studying Scripture.  But they were missing the fact that the Scriptures prophesied and testified of Jesus Himself.  Their study was not the source of eternal life.  The Source was standing right in front of them.  But as long as they refused to come to Christ in faith, those Scriptures would be like unintelligible static.

God’s Word is just noisy static to people today as well.  Study can be diligent and life-long, but without coming to Jesus with a humble open heart, there will be no understanding.  That is because it is His Spirit who guides us into all the truth (John 16:13).  His Spirit opens our spiritual eyes in a way that study without Him could never do.

The Lord does not owe me understanding.  I do not earn it.  He helps me understand because His Word is His love letter to me.  If I am only hearing static, then I need to start over with humble prayer for His clarity.

Thank you Lord, for the understanding You give out of Your grace.

 


by 2 Comments

Tricky Crossing

brookunnamedScripture for Today: Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.”

I enjoy my walk in the San Juan hills every chance I get.  But this part is tricky.  It is not that the water is deep or the rocks too far apart.  They are in fact spaced just right.  The problem is that some of these rocks move slightly when I step on them.  Add to that my terrible sense of balance and the inevitable is sure to someday happen.  But for now, I have avoided slipping into the water.  Thankfully, there has never been anyone around to see my silly unsteadiness.

Our verse for today describes our God as a Rock.  He does not move.  His works are perfect and He can always be counted on to do what is absolutely right and just.  He never does anything remotely wrong or questionable.  He does not change with the times.  His actions are never capricious or based on whimsy.  He is faithful and just to His character.  The fact that He is unchangeable means He does not move.  He  does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17) or like rocks in a stream.

I love that the Lord is sure and steadfast.  I can build my life on His unchanging truth and character rather than the shifting ground of worldly values and views.  I can cross over water that is deep and scarey knowing that He makes my steps sure.  He is faithful and will not let my feet slip.  His promises are as rock-solid as Himself.  I will not be moved when trusting in Him!

Thank you Lord, that because of You I can walk with confidence today!


by Leave a comment

Perfume

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 27:9 “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”

Living in France all these years has given me a new appreciation for perfume.  We have had friends in the business and we have visited factories.  When my Bible study ladies got together, the subject would sometimes turn to their favorite scents.  They gave me a classic perfume as a parting gift.  Its fragrance reminds me of those ladies and their sweet friendship.  But even with all this exposure, I am not as knowledgeable as some people are who make perfume their hobby.  At least I know what I like even if I cannot say it gives me an “emotional rush” or “butterflies in my stomach!”

Our verse for today acknowledges the morale booster a nice scent can be.  And just as perfume and incense can bring joy to a heart, so also does the involved friend who gives sincere and heartfelt advice.  I do not always think of advice from others as being pleasant.  Perhaps I have been too often the recipient of advice that was not given by a true friend or was not heartfelt.

Heartfelt advice is recognizable.  When advice is given in a spirit of love one does not so easily take offense.  Even if the advice is off the mark, when it comes from the well-intentioned friend, it can be pleasant.  It means the person cares.  It means the person wants to see you succeed.  Advice, asked for or not, means that person is willing to get involved in problem solving and helping.  The wise person listens to advice (Prov. 12:15).

Thank you Lord, for friends that care enough to advise.  Help me be wise enough to listen!


by 1 Comment

The Ostrich

Scripture for Today: II Peter 1:9 “But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”

I was surprised to learn that the ostrich does not really bury his head in the sand!  It is such an accepted saying that I never questioned it!  But in fact, it just looks as if they do being that they press their long necks close to the ground.  They do this to avoid detection, and as their plumage blends in so well with the sandy soil it seems that their heads are buried.  No one is too sure where this idea originated, but the saying is well known.  Someone who exhibits this figurative behavior is one who does not face facts!

Our verse for today describes a believer who is figuratively nearsighted and blind, much like the ostrich.  Whether intentional or not, a believer who has not grasped the reality of true forgiveness is not seeing clearly.  We can easily bury ourselves in thoughts, memories and self recriminations from past sins.  When we do, we make ourselves ineffective and unproductive in our Christian walk (verse 8).

I do not need to bury my head in shame.  The Lord with His gracious forgiveness lifts my head.  He makes it possible for me to live out my faith, adding to it goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love (verses 5-7).  I continually remind myself that as far as the Lord is concerned, my sins are as far away as the east is from the west! (Psalm 103:12)  He has completely removed them.  Being convinced of this truth makes it possible to live for Him the abundant life He wants to produce in me!

Thank you Lord, for lifting my head to see Your wonderful and complete forgiveness!