Devotions By Jan

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Chinese Heritage

P1070353Scripture for Today: Psalm 112:1-2 “Praise the Lord.  Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands.  Their children will be mighty in the land, the generation of the upright will be blessed.”

I love this picture of our grandson and his Great Grandmother.  There is something so sweet in seeing different family generations together.  Unfortunately, the amount of Chinese genes in the family gene pool diminishes with each successive generation.  I so dearly want to hold on to the Chinese heritage of my husband’s family.  There are some traditions and values that are very much worth continuing.  But as one can see from the photo, there is very little physical resemblance.

Our verse for today describes special blessing for the children of those who fear and obey the Lord.  Genetic or cultural differences passed down to each generation cannot compare to the value of a godly example.  I am thankful for my Mother-in-Law’s faith in Jesus and the example she gives to both her sons and her grandsons.  I am thankful that our family is doubly blessed with Grandparents on my side of the family who love and obey the Lord.  I know that my siblings and I have been blessed because of their example.

Our lives as godly parents have a positive affect on our children and grandchildren as God blesses them for our sake.  But as the saying goes, “God does not have grandchildren.”  The step of faith to begin a personal relationship with God through Jesus is not a step any family member can make for another family member.   It is my fervent and daily prayer that each of my grandchildren make the most important decision of their lives; to follow Jesus Christ.

Thank you Lord, for the blessings in following You.


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Shut Door

P1070523Scripture for Today: Rev. 3:8 “I know your deeds.  See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.  I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My name.”

I am standing in front of what is called a “holy door.”  It is found in Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.  This is one of four holy doors in the papal basilicas of Rome.  In times past it was opened once every hundred years, then every fifty.  Now, it is cemented shut from the inside and only opened at special times at the discretion of the Pope.  It is opened to grant all who pass through a “plenary indulgence.”  According to the Catholic Church tradition, this means a removal of all temporal punishment due to minor sin.

Our verse for today is spoken by Christ to one of the seven churches; Philidelphia.  He commends them for their good deeds and perseverance.  The door to the Kingdom of Heaven is opened to them.  Nothing and no one can shut this door!  Jesus took on Himself all the punishment for sin.  It is only through Christ’s sacrifice that we have access to the Father.

There is a stern warning to the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees.  With their emphasis on works and their rejection of faith in Christ, they shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces! (Matt. 23:13)  They not only refused to enter themselves but used their influence to keep others from entering.

I am grateful the door of faith in Christ and entrance to Heaven stands open today.  There is still opportunity to enter.  But one day, He will shut that door.  Thank you Lord, for Your patience and grace today to keep that door open.


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Water Towers

235008815_11Scripture for Today: John 4:13-14 “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'”

One does not see too many water towers these days.  The one pictured here in Colmar, France is a great landmark for getting one’s bearings.  But it has not been used since 1984.  I think it is one of the prettiest ones and in fact, it is the oldest one in our region of Alsace, France.  Its German neo-Gothic style has been part of the landscape since 1886.  It stands 53 meters high and can hold up to 1200m3 of water.  The French nickname these structures “château d’eau” or “water castle.”

These water towers are basically an elevated tank of water.  Their height helps to provide pressure and their water storage helps with insuring adequate water during peak usage.

Our verse for today comes from the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.  Jesus is revealing Himself to her as the source of Living Water.  Any other source of water will not satisfy.  Only Jesus can satisfy the thirst coming from our soul.  He uses the image of water as it is such a necessity to life.  And just as one cannot live without water, so we cannot have true life or eternal life without Him.

Unlike a water tower that stores water in the event of a shortage, the water of life never runs dry.  That is because the source flows from the throne of God and the Lamb (Rev. 22:1).  His love not only completely satiates me but is a free gift!

I praise You Lord, for quenching my thirst forever!


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Good Deal

2014-05-30 16.23.27Scripture for Today: Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

I was recently in the city of Avallon, France with my French Gospel choir.  We had just enough time to do some shopping before the rehearsal and concert.  I normally take a lot of time when shopping to compare prices and make decisions.  But this time, I knew a good deal when I saw it!  The saleslady in a small shop said this hat was not for sale as it was part of the decoration.  But with a little cajoling, she agreed to sell it but was not sure what price to ask.  She ended up practically giving it to me for a ridiculously low price!  I am not sure the owner will be too happy with her.

Our verse for today talks about salvation being a free gift of God.  There is no better deal than that!  It is because of God’s unmerited favor that He offers us eternal life.  We cannot claim it as coming from our own good works or efforts.  It is entirely a free gift.

There is something about “free” that suggests a lesser value.  When something is free we are less likely to value it.  If we did not pay a high price than we tend to take less care about it.  But with eternal life, the cost was enormous!  It is just that Someone else paid that price.  The price was death, a death that I should have paid for my own sin.  Instead, Jesus paid the price for me.

Yes, His gift is free, but oh what He suffered to pay for it!  Thank you Lord, for Your salvation, so rich and full and free.


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Goodbyes

Tante Lily1Scripture for Today: I Thes. 4:13 “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”

I do not like to say goodbye.  I am sad to think that on this earth I will not see Lily again.  Ten years ago she passed on to me the leadership of her Bible study group.  As each member is roughly the same age, I am losing these dear women one by one.  Each year our numbers shrink and we must say goodbye.  Yes, I grieve but I grieve with hope.

The verse for today is beautiful as it reminds us of our hope.  Saying goodbye between believers is never forever.  The separation is painful and hard but there is a tomorrow.  Death has been swallowed up in victory!  Death is just a passage where the perishable is clothed with imperishable and the mortal with immortality! (I Cor. 15:53-54)  One day there will be an incredible reunion of laughing and singing and dancing!  The sting of death will be forever removed.  This is my sure hope.  It makes our temporary separation bearable.

“When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart and hope to meet again.”  And that hope is not just wishful thinking!  Hope in Scripture has a much stronger meaning of certainty.  My hope is built on Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for me.  It is on that cross that He insured eternal life for those who place their trust in Him.  It is this hope that changes my grief.

Thank you Lord, that grief does not crush me.  Thank you Lord, that Your hope is my comfort.