Devotions By Jan

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New Birth

Scripture for Today: John 3:5-6 “Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.'”

I am quite sure that the baby growing in my daughter’s tummy is unaware of the life that awaits him.  As far as he knows, he is experiencing all there is to life now.  He does not realize there is something more.  His little needs are being met.  He feels comfortable and protected being fed without effort.  But there is a whole world out there he is yet to see.  Before long, he will open his eyes to light and sound that he never knew existed.

Our verse for today is in the context of a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus.  Jesus is saying one must be born again, born into true life, born into real life!  Jesus says HE is that life (John 14:6)  Those who have not experienced this new birth believe they are living life.  But in fact they are not living true life  which is only found in Christ.

Jesus goes on to say that the Light has come into the world (verse 19).  How marvelous to see a newborn open his eyes for the first time and gaze into the love of his mother!  In the same way, when one is born anew, we can see Him with our spirits and we also see Love.  With this new birth comes hearing new sound; the sound of His voice!  All our spiritual senses are in play.  A whole other dimension in life has opened up to the one who comes to Jesus.  This is living!

Thank you Lord, that Your Spirit gives me true life!


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Teeter-Totter

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 75:6-7 “No one from the east or from the west or from the desert can exalt themselves.  It is God who judges.  He brings one down.  He exalts another.”

It has been a long time since I have seen one of these teeter-totters in a public park.  I remember playing on them as a child and coordinating my movements with a friend so we could enjoy the up and down motion.  More often than not, there were some rough landings.  Not all of them were accidental!  I managed to survive this now outdated playground equipment.  Being that it is considered a safety hazard there are very few still seen today.

Our verse for today teaches that it is our sovereign God who brings down one person and lifts up another.  Regardless of our origin we can not exalt ourselves.  This psalm of Asaph declares that God puts down the wicked and lifts up the righteous.  He has the right to do so and He does it with justice.

When we try to exalt ourselves we can make a mess of things.  That is because all who exalt themselves will be humbled (Luke 14:11).  There is nothing better than hearing compliments and praise from someone else for a job well done.  When one sings their own praises all that is heard is pride.  How much better it is to leave the matter of recognition to the Lord.

God does promise to exalt us in due time.  We are to hope in Him and faithfully keep His way as we wait to see that happen.  Not only will we see ourselves exalted but we will see the wicked destroyed (Psalm 37:34)  It is a comfort to know this.  He is just and I can trust Him.

 

 


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Erasers

388213_cookie_eraser_round_brownScripture for Today: Luke 16:17 “It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.”

I had no idea that erasers came in this form, looking good enough to eat!  If little ones were around who could not read, these erasers would probably end up in their mouths!  The erasers I grew up with were just the boring grey or pink kind.  When our children were growing up in the French schools, they were not asked to bring pencil erasers.  That is because they were required to write in pen and had special pen erasers.  But regardless of the type or form of eraser, we all need them for the many mistakes we know we will make.

Erasers are definitely needed for a few man-made laws still on the books.  It is against the law in North Dakota to serve beer and pretzels at the same time.  You can be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer in Florida.  And it is a crime to molest butterflies in California!

Our verse for today describes the permanence of God’s Word.  His moral Law is without any mistake.  God is perfect and He does not make them, not in any area.  There is no need for erasers.  There is no need to revise or change His Law in order to be relevant.  What He says stands for all eternity.  His Law can not be explained away as being something true for another time but not for our day.  It is all valid and always will be.  Being inspired by God makes this Law different than any other standard.

Thank you Lord, that Your Law makes clear what is right or wrong.  And thank You for fulfilling that Law for me.

 

 


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Chocolate Debt

Scripture for Today: Romans 13:8 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the Law.”

Who can resist Belgian chocolate, said to be the best in the world!  We were just in Brussels where there were chocolate shops every few feet!  We finally had to break down and buy some!  The problem came with the bill.  The saleslady, harried and tired, accidentally charged us 1,055.00 euros for a 15 euro purchase!  We thought it amusing until she explained she could not reverse it.  She suggested we leave our bank information and the store would reimburse us!  We were flabbergasted!  Even though she did not know how, she tried to annul the debt and ended up charging the same amount AGAIN!  Finally, after some expensive minutes on our cell phone to our bank in California, it all got straightened out.  And the chocolate ended up being free!

There is a much more important debt in our verse for today.  It can never be completely paid and it is the debt of love.  It is a continuing debt as no one can say they have paid it in full.  Perfectly loving others completely fulfills the Law.  This is because all of the Law is summed up in loving one’s neighbor as one’s self (verse 9).  There is only One who has been able to fulfill the Law with a perfect love; Jesus.

Quite frankly, we did not feel a tremendous love for this saleslady, although the Lord worked in our hearts to eventually show compassion and patience.  We all fall short.  Thankfully, Jesus has made His love available to us in the person of His Spirit.  His filling and control can change any situation with a difficult person.

Lord, fill my heart with Your love today.


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Fête de la Musique

21062011262Scripture for Today: Psalm 149:3-4  “Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with timbrel and harp.  For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory.”

We just celebrated the Fête de La Musique here in Alsace.  Every June 21st, the streets are filled with free concerts and impromptu dancing, celebrating the first day of summer.  This all-day music festival was launched in 1982 by the French Ministry for Culture.  The idea was to make concerts free and accessible to everyone.  Its purpose was also to encourage the amateurs, especially after a study showed that in 1982 one of every two French children played a musical instrument.  Since its beginning it has spread to over 100 countries in Europe and all over the world.

Our verse for today speaks of another reason to sing and dance.  The Lord takes delight in me!  The context of this verse says that the Lord is my Maker.  He has personally fashioned me and created me to belong to Him!  He is also my King.  My allegiance is to Him and He rules my life.  Having a humble attitude as His subject means that He crowns me with victory.  As wonderful as the arrival of summer is, these reasons to celebrate are far more impressive!

I am overwhelmed with the idea that God could take delight in me.  It just does not seem possible.  I know my own black heart.  But He sees me through the righteousness of His Son, Jesus.  He sees the perfect me.  That is reason enough to burst into jubilant song with music! (Psalm 98:4)  He delights in me and has given me victory!

For the believer, every day can be a Fête de la Musique!  May this day be filled with praise and song to You!