Devotions By Jan

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Rocking Horse Collection

horse6Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 1:8 “All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing not the ear its fill of hearing.”

During a move, one realizes just how many of something has been accumulated over the years!  I have been collecting rocking horses for decades, most of which only come out at Christmas.  After taking inventory, I have come to realize that I really do not need to add anymore.  At some point there comes a point of saturation, and I was sure I had reached that point.  However, in checking for just the right photo for this post, I am starting to re-think whether I could not add one or two more!  This Victorian beauty especially caught my eye!

Our verse for today came from King Solomon.  He was able to lay his hands on and enjoy just about anything he could wish.  His wealth was staggering.  Whatever collection intrigued him, he could add to it to his heart’s content.  He was so rich he denied himself nothing his eyes desired (Ecclesiastes 2:10).  And yet, he concluded that it was all wearisome beyond description.  The eye never sees enough.  The ear never hears enough.

The point of saturation never really comes. Whether it is experiences or objects, there is always longing for more and more.  It is never enough.  Solomon concluded that more was meaningless, chasing after the wind.  The world is just not enough.  That is because we were created for something more.  That something more is Someone.  It is in my relationship with the Jesus Christ that I find meaning and satisfaction.  Regardless of how many beautiful things surround me or how many adventures I have lived, it is the Lord who makes my life worthwhile!

Thank you Lord, that You are infinitely more than enough!


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Surrounded!

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

During our four years in Grenoble, France, we were spoiled with beautiful mountain views.  The city sits in a basin, surrounded by several mountain chains.  There is the Chartreuse, the Vercors and the Belledonne chains.  It was nearly impossible to look up and not see mountains!  Grenoble is considered the capital of the French Alps and we never tired of gazing on those magnificent mountains surrounding us!  It was a constant visual prompt to consider the grandeur of our God.

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 unmoving 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 my own waywardness and rebellion, but it continues on.  His love continues today, tomorrow and for eternity!

May I feel His love today surrounding, supporting and reassuring me.

 


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Rocking the Boat

2512077-Falling-off-the-boat--on-purpose-of-course-1Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Everyone knows not to fidget and stand up in a boat.  Those that do are at risk to lose their balance and fall overboard.  Changing places with someone while in a moving boat can be especially tricky!  All that moving around rocks the boat and makes everyone aboard nervous.  There is much less risk of a fall overboard when calmly staying still in one place.

I feel like I am changing places in a moving boat.  With our transatlantic move, everything seems to be in upheaval.  The boat is rocking many times a day as we prepare.  Not only are we preparing our departure with a myriad of details but also our arrival on the other side.  Sometimes, anxiety gets the best of me with so much internal rocking and fidgeting that I feel I am falling.

I know from our verse for today that the Lord does not intend for me to react this way.  Whatever is rocking my boat is included in the phrase,”in every situation.”  For each and every emotion or logistic detail, He is waiting for me to give it to Him in prayer.  When I do, the tension dissipates.  The rocking stops.  I am not falling overboard.  In thanking Him, even in the difficulties, I am recognizing His hand and control.  I can sit still in the boat and feel His peace that goes beyond all understanding (verse 7).

Thank you, Lord, that You offer a life without anxiety and worry.  Your shoulders are big enough and I can give it all to You to bear.  Help me just sit still and enjoy the ride!


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Childbirth

Scripture for Today: Hosea 13:13 “Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he doesn’t have the sense to come out of the womb.”

One never completely forgets the childbirth experience, even after decades have past.  But the memories of the pain give place quite quickly to the joy of holding that precious newborn!  My firstborn was two weeks late but the wait, though hard, was well worth it!  Experiencing the miracle of birth is a privilege I am glad God gave to women!

I cannot imagine a baby refusing to be born!  Our verse uses the image of childbirth to describe Israel’s rebellion.  It was a dark time of idol worship.  The people had become proud after being satisfied with God’s provision.  They forgot Him and turned to Baal.  It is a difficult chapter of painful judgement.  But God’s judgement is always just.  There is opportunity to repent but in this instance, there was no wisdom or sense to do so.  Ephraim, or Israel, acted like a child refusing to exit the womb towards life.

Sin hurts.  Whether it is enduring its consequences or undergoing judgement, there is pain.  I am thankful for God’s grace that gives the opportunity to ask forgiveness.  There is pardon and mercy for those that do.  There is life when exiting that sinful behavior.  There is life for me because of Christ.  He took all the pain and death that rightfully should have been mine and bore it Himself.  Because of Him I am born again!

The time has arrived as “today is the day of salvation!” (II Corinthians 6:2)  My prayer is that today, family members and friends will “exit the womb” to new birth, forgiveness and new life!


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Dead in the Water

blogger-image--1887243036Scripture for Today: John 3:8 “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

We have had some unusually calm warm weather lately.  We took advantage of the sunshine and drove up the Vosges mountains all the way to Lac Gérardmer.  The sailing club was out in full force but no one was moving.  It was absolutely still and calm with glassy unruffled water.  There was nothing to do but wait for the wind to pick up again.  They were dead in the water without that wind to move them.  How long they were to be stuck no one could predict.

Our verse for today is part of a discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus.  The Lord is describing spiritual matters using images in nature.  No one can know the origin of wind or its direction.  So it is with the Holy Spirit.  Although God’s Word teaches the role of the Spirit, there remains something mysterious in the way He works.  One cannot predict or reduce to a formula the movement of the Spirit.  Revivals can happen in the most unlikely places and at the most unexpected times.  The Spirit is God and He will do what He wills.

I may never completely understand the work of God’s Spirit but I do know that without Him I am “dead in the water” going nowhere. It is the Spirit that gives power and strength.  There is no progress without Him.  It is the Spirit that keeps me moving in the right direction, giving wisdom.  He knows when to push hard with hurricane force!  He knows when to be a gentle breeze.

Lord, I need your Spirit to fill, move and direct me today!