Devotions By Jan

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Germs!

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 7:1  “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reference for God.”

I do not think I am a “germaphobic,” but I do admit having one of these hand sanitizers always within arm’s length!  My husband with his chemistry background has concocted his own solution for just pennies.  It does not smell as nice as the store bought variety but it gets the job done.  I think the concern over germs comes from his side of the family.  We bought my mother-in-law a plaque that says, “Jesus and germs are everywhere.  So wash your hands and say your prayers!”  I am not sure our preventive measures keep us healthier than anyone else, but I would like to think so!

Our verse for today talks about being uncontaminated not only in the body but in the spirit too.  There is a special motivation to keep ourselves morally pure.  The context teaches that our bodies are the temple of God (6:16).  His desire is to live with us, walk among us and be a Father to us.  Because of these promises, He wants us to keep ourselves holy or set apart for Him.

Staying healthy spiritually takes a consecrated effort.  It is too easy to be contaminated by the world’s values.  It is too easy to compromise our standards for a relationship with a nonbeliever.  But when we do, that special relationship with our Father is compromised.  I do not belong to any human being the way I belong to the Lord.  He has bought me at an incredible price and I belong to Him.

Lord, take my heart, my soul, my mind, and my body.  They are exclusively Yours.


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Antique Mirrors

Mirror2_blog_2Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 13:12 “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

I would love to buy an antique mirror from France before moving.  It would be a classy remembrance of my years here but would also serve to enlarge a small living room.  The one pictured here is said to be from a French chateau in the 1800’s.  A true antique mirror will be made of mercury glass.  This would be glass blown with a double wall then silvered between the layers with a liquid silvering solution, then sealed.  Regardless of the method of fabrication, the mirror is limited in giving one a true and accurate reflection.

Our verse for today expresses this same thought.  The mirrors used in biblical times were much less accurate.  They were made of polished metal, probably bronze.  This poor reflection is an image of our very limited understanding of the Lord.  We will not truly see Him as He is until we are with Him.  It will then be a knowledge that is similar to how the Lord sees us now and knows us intimately!

One day I will see Him face to face!  What a thought!  Fanny Crosby, the renowned hymn writer, said that her consolation in being blind is that her first sight will be that of His dear face.  Will I recognize Him?  Will His face be familiar to me?  If I have listened to my heart that tells me to seek His face today (Psalm 27:8) then I will immediately know Him.

How I look forward to gazing on the wonder and splendor of His face!  Thank you Lord, for even a partial glimpse today.


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Cymbals

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 13:1 “If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love. I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”

I am one of the lucky ones.  None of my children ever expressed interest in playing percussion instruments!  Perhaps with the arrival of grandchildren I will not be so lucky!  For a year, we did have a young man live with us who played his drums and cymbals with gusto in the basement.  But he was considerate to choose his practice times with care.  It was never fun to jump in my chair with the sound of crashing cymbals!

Our verse for today describes spectacular feats as meaning nothing without love.  Speaking in tongues or even in an angelic language may cause a stir and even impress.  But without love, it is nothing more than the clashing noise of a cymbal or gong.  It will cause people to sit up and take notice, but that is all.  I was interested to learn that the religious ceremonies of Buddhist monks use cymbals and hand held-gongs during their chants and hymns.

The context of our verse is the spiritual gifts in the church.  Very often, it is the visible spectacular gifts that are eagerly sought.  Here, Paul explains that no gift or service to God is as important as showing love.  That love is something available to all believers through the fruit of His Spirit (Gal. 5:22).  Any service to the Lord done without love for Him and love for others is just annoying noise.

I sometimes feel my service to the Lord is not of the very best quality.  There are always those with more talent.  But God sees the heart and to Him what is done with love makes beautiful music!


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Dust Bunnies

dustbunniesScripture for Today:  Psalm 103:14 “for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.”

We have a scene just like this one in our future.  As soon as we move out our very heavy bookcases, there is sure to be  some “dust bunnies” hiding out.  Between bird dander, cat hair and dust from the yard, our dust bunnies continue to grow each year we are here!  I sneeze just thinking about it!  But it is nothing in the face of a little vacuuming and water.

I have no compassion for this dust, but our verse for today is written in the context of God the Father’s compassion for His children.  He is not only compassionate but gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love (verse 8).  For those who fear Him, He forgives rather than accuses and does not treat us as our sins deserve (verses 9-10).  He calls to mind how very weak we are.  We are formed from some weak material; dust.

There are times I need to remember how I was formed as well.  Prideful thoughts can have me believing I am really something and without a real need for God.  But in fact I am nothing without Him.  I am weak and as inconsequential as a dust bunny blowing around under the bed.  It is in the hands of my Creator that I can become something of value.  He works in me to give the desire and the strength to please Him (Phil. 2:13).  I may be as weak as dust, but in Him I can be strong.

God invites me to “Look to the Lord and His strength and seek His face always.” Psalm 105:4.  His strength is equal to anything He asks of me.

Thank you Lord, for your gracious patient compassion for me!

 


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Flowering Weeds

???????????????????????????????Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:20  “But the wicked will perish:  Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.”

Spring is a wonderful time of new growth.  It is exciting to see the first iris and roses of the season.  But unfortunately, there are other kinds of new growth as well; weeds.  It seems a constant battle to pull them out.  Sometimes I am unsure as to which plants are actually weeds.  Some of them sprout little flowers and can look pretty nice.   The dictionary defines a weed as, “a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants.”  Sure enough, if left alone, that weed will start taking over and choking out what I have planted.

Our verse for today describes the enemies of the Lord as flowers springing up unwanted in a field.  The wicked are like that weed that can produce flowers, but if left alone will choke out what has been planted.  Unlike my work in my garden, it is not up to me to decide which is a cultivated plant and which is a flowering weed.  The Lord is the only One who can see the heart and know who are truly His own.

For now, the Lord is showing patience towards the wicked.  He is not willing that any one of His enemies perish but that all come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).  Weeds are left to grow along with the wheat.  But one day there will be judgement and He will separate out the weeds from the wheat (Matt. 13:30).

Until that day, I want to grow and bear fruit, unconcerned about fast growing weeds alongside.  I can trust the Divine Gardener to take care of me in His garden!