Devotions By Jan

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Neglected

IMG_20140801_050547Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:15-16 “I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways. I delight in Your decrees.  I will not neglect Your Word.”

I have always been partial to the Volkswagon Bug ever since owning one in my single days.  It was a 1963 model with a round window in the back!  However, I do not know much about car maintenance.  Had I remained single and kept that car, I wonder if it would eventually look like the one pictured!

My husband will attest to the fact that I do not know how to change a tire or change the oil and I detest filling up.  He very kindly does those things for me.  I think the “idiot” light on the dash was named after me!

The neglect of a car can be serious and contribute to its demise.  But the neglect of God’s Word can be just as serious!  Just as a car needs regular tune-ups and good maintenance to run well, so we need to be in God’s Word.  Without God speaking to us, we begin to be run down and all the wear and tear of life becomes obvious.

David’s love of God’s Word is the subject of the longest Psalm.  Our verse for today expresses that love and respect for God’s decrees.  He not only reads them but he meditates and considers them.  Bible reading is like that.  God’s truths can penetrate our thoughts throughout the day.  His Word is life changing, slowly transforming our minds and hearts.  God’s thoughts renew our minds (Rom 12:2) so that we live as we were meant to live, continually new and shiny!

When I neglect God’s Word, I start looking like that car.  I know that my own ugly thoughts are not His.  Lord, keep me motivated to stay in Your Word.


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Colors

10559200_10203545280864367_20298450_nScripture for Today: I Corinthians 2:9 “However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ – the things God has prepared for those who love Him.'”

The colors of the sky can be breathtaking!  The colors in God’s pallet continually amaze me!  His use of color is bold and startling.  I have trouble putting red and orange together but not Him!  In looking at furniture for sale on line, I am often confused about color combinations.  But our God is creative and masterful with color.  As He will be the only source of light in Heaven, I often wonder what different hues He will create there.  It is difficult to even imagine new colors.

Our verse for today speaks of our limitations in understanding what is prepared for us in Heaven.  Our earthly senses and even our imaginations cannot fully grasp the colors, light and sounds of our eternal home.  But the passage goes on to say that believers can have some spiritual understanding because we have residing in us God’s Spirit.  Our physical senses and our mental imaginings can only go so far in understanding spiritual truth.  We need the revelation of His Spirit.  It is because of His Spirit we can understand what He has so freely given us (verse 12).

So much of what He has so freely given to us is in our future.  But He has painted our world with the beautiful colors of His love now!  We see that color with spiritual eyes.  Surely it is the color of the sunset.  Am I seeing the color of His forgiveness?  It must be dazzling white!

Lord, open my spiritual senses to see and hear and feel all You have given to me today!


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Catching Fire!

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

I never learned how to make fire in any badge-earning program or camp.  It seems like such a “macho” activity!  In learning about making fires I was surprised to see so many methods, some of which seem quite unorthodox.  The lens-based methods include the use of flint and steel, fire from ice, a soda can and chocolate bar or batteries and steel wool.  But the friction-based method is the most difficult and what usually comes to mind.  Spinning a spindle against a fireboard creates the friction that produces the ember.

Our verse for today talks about believers gathering together for the purpose of stimulating each other to show love and be involved in good works.  When we rub elbows with other believers, there can be friction.  We can rub each other the wrong way.  There can be personality differences that cause friction.  But there is a positive side to this friction.  We are stimulated and encouraged to do our best for the Lord.

The Lord knew we needed to be around other believers.  On our own we have the tendency to become lax in our Christian walk.  On our own we tend to become self-centered.  Being around believers that are living out their faith is stimulating.   Seeing the enthusiasm of believers to invest in the lives of others serves as a spark to get my fire going!  My spark may seem small and insignificant, but it can be catching.

Thank you Lord, that together we do make a difference for You.

 

 


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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.