Devotions By Jan

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Cracked!

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 11:10 “He (Abraham) was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

In the midst of renovations, we discovered a nasty surprise.  In pulling up all the carpet, a crack much like this one was revealed, extending almost wall to wall in the living room.  We were told by our contractor that ours was a minor one and nothing to worry about as in our part of California the ground does shift.  These cracks are sometimes a result of settling on a site with poor soil preparation.  It is a bit unnerving to know about that crack and to just cover it up again!

Our verse for today describes the faith of Abraham, looking forward to the Celestial City with sure foundations.  He does not have to worry about cracks in his life due to “settling” as he is living as a stranger in a foreign country (verse 9).  The foundation where he eventually settles will be built by a Master Architect and Builder with no chance of cracks.

I can see that the more I settle into the world and its way of thinking, the more I risk living with “cracks.”  The foundation this world offers is never a sure one.  It continually moves and shifts.  Trying to settle on it is like trying to nail jello to a wall!  When there are no absolute truths there can be nothing sure and certain on which to build one’s life.

I am feeling very unsettled right now being between two homes.  But it is OK not to feel settled as my true foundation is in my future anyway!  Looking forward to that sure foundation makes living with uncertainties possible.  The Lord is my Builder and Architect and He is preparing a future home with no cracks!

 


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Crowned

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 103:4 “who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.”

While living in France, we enjoyed the “Fête des Rois” (Three King’s Day) every January, celebrating the visit of the wise men to baby Jesus.  It was an occasion to get together and eat a traditional “galette,” a flat flaky cake only available at this time of year.  There is always a ceremony to be followed when eating a galette.  An extra slice was cut for a lost loved one or for the poor.  A child is asked to hide under the table and designate to whom each piece is served.  The guest who finds a small “féve” or figurine in his slice becomes king or queen for the day and wears the paper crown!

In our verse for today God’s love and compassion are depicted as a crown that gives us value and honor.  The context is forgiveness of sin and healing.  In His love He lifts us  up from the pit of guilt and condemnation.  We were unable to crawl out of that pit on our own.  But He had compassion on us and redeemed us at a great price to Himself.  He wore a humiliating and painful crown of thorns in order to crown us with love and compassion!

The fact that He knows every dirty little secret and still loves me is an incredible thought!  He has lifted me up and made me precious with this crown!  His love and compassion make me valuable.  He has set me apart with His crowning distinction.  I can have no other response than to praise Him with my whole life and my entire being!

Thank you Lord, for Your love and compassion crowning this undeserving head!


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Renovation

3563583617_df2bbee613Scripture for Today: Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Our small condo is slowly being renovated.  Each time we visit to see how the work is progressing, I try to be realistic.  It all takes longer than I had anticipated.  Thankfully, we do not need to live there during the work.  With each visit, new things are seen that should be changed or upgraded.  I will be very glad when all the work is finally finished.

Our verse for today speaks about being glad to enter the house of the Lord.  To be with other believers and worship our Lord together is a glad event.  However, we are all in the process of some serious renovation in that house.  There may be some rough edges on people that need sanding down to make smooth.  There may be a hanging hinge on a door which makes opening up difficult to do.  Perhaps, there are “damaged” people in that house that need repair.  Can I really be glad to enter a house like that?  Wouldn’t it be better to come in after all the renovations were complete?

I can be glad to enter the Lord’s house knowing that God is working in others just as He is working in me.  He promises to continue working right up to the day of His return (Phil. 1:6).  The on-going changes He is producing in others are the same kinds of renovations He is doing in me.  As believers, we are all in the process of change and growth into the very image of His Son.  It is a renovation that we live with, knowing that the outcome is worth it!

Lord, help me to be patient with Your work in me, and in others!

 

 


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Blurry Vision

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

I recently had my eyes checked by an optometrist.  I knew there would be issues as this was a visit that was long overdue.  It is never a comfortable experience as different lenses are tried and vision is blurry for some of them.  The doctor was very kind and gentle always repeating, “Is this comfortable?”  The question was not if I could read a particular line of letters but if I was comfortable doing so.  We were finally able to reach that level of vision and comfort and I left with a new prescription.

Our verse for today speaks of a vision that is never very comfortable.  It is a vision using “eyes of faith” and goes against our natural inclination.  It is a vision that sees what the human eye cannot, but it requires faith.  Faith is assurance about what we do not see naturally (Hebrews 11:1).  And it is not always a comfortable experience.

The popular expression, “seeing is believing,” is an idiom that first appeared in 1639.  But the idea behind it was certainly expressed by the apostle, Thomas, when hearing of the resurrection of Jesus!  He was not willing to believe until he had seen concrete evidence with his own eyes.  Jesus lovingly and graciously gave him that visual evidence but explained that there was special blessing for those who believed without seeing.

Walking by faith will never be as comfortable as walking by sight.  But it is the only way to “see” the blessings of His love, His faithfulness and His care.  I cannot see what is ahead, but my “spiritual eyes” see Him holding my hand!  His blessings are well worth whatever discomfort there may be!

Lord, help me to see You more clearly today!

 

 


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Cliff Notes

CliffScripture 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.”

At one point, Cliff notes were indispensable!  It was the preferred method for understanding the plot of a book without actually reading it.  It was widely considered cheating, except for the busy student who had no time to study!  The summary given in the Cliff notes gives others the impression that one knows everything there is to know about a book.  Of course, today there are on-line search engines that can give that same impression.

Our verse for today was addressed to the Jewish leaders persecuting Jesus.  Jesus affirmed that they took no shortcuts but diligently searched the Scriptures.  But they refused to believe the testimony of those Scriptures.  Rather than believe that Jesus is the Source of Life, they preferred to believe they could obtain eternal life through study.

Somehow, these religious leaders missed the whole theme of the Bible.  It was as if they had only read the Cliff notes.  In spite of all their study, they came to the wrong conclusions and refused Jesus Christ who Himself is the theme of the Bible.  In coming to Him, we not only receive eternal life, but we have our spiritual eyes opened to understand His Word.

The Scriptures are like no other book as they allow me to draw closer and closer to its Author.  He reveals Himself and communicates His love through those pages.  To study the Bible for the sake of study does not interest me.  To study the Bible to deepen my relationship with Him motivates me!

Thank you Lord, that Your Word leads me to You!