Devotions By Jan

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Lily of the Valley

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Today is what Americans would call, “Labor Day” in France.  It is called “Fête du Travail” or “Fête du Muguet.” (Lily of the Valley)  It originated in the 19th century when demonstrating workers would wear a red triangle representing 8 hours of work, 8 hours of sleep, and 8 hours of free time.  Later the triangle was replaced with a sprig of Lily of the Valley.  Today, bouquets of this flower are offered to friends to wish them luck and happiness and most people have the day off from work.  As in the States,  Labor Day seems to be a misnomer as few people actually labor on this day!

Our verse for today is a real comfort.  Labor done for the Lord is never in vain.  There is a sense of purpose that transcends the mundane routine of work.  Our work when consecrated to the Lord will never be in vain.  “Work of the Lord” is not confined to those in full time ministry.  Any work can be for the Lord as we  seek to glorify Him and make Him known.

“Work for the Lord” is also outside the workplace.  When I see a neighbor in need and make myself available, that is for Him.  When I visit someone who is sick or struggling, that is also work for Him.  When I answer questions about my faith, that is work for Him.  We can get “weary of well doing” (Gal. 6:9) but one day we will see the intangible results of labor done for Him.

Thank you Lord, that work for You is always worth doing!


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He Promised!

Scripture for Today: Romans 4:20-21 “Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He promised.”

Alsace has lots of rain, but how can I complain when I see beautiful rainbows like this one!  It is especially breathtaking when two are formed.  If there were a rainbow for every promise God has made to us, the sky would be ablaze with color!  The rainbow brings to mind the promise God gave Noah after the flood; that He would never again send a world-wide flood.  I imagine that when the first rains came after that flood, Noah and his family must have looked up at the sky with anxious eyes.  But God always keeps His Word, and the rainbow serves as a reminder of this beautiful truth.

If the rainbow reminds us of God’s faithfulness to His promises, what would a second rainbow represent?  It could stand for any one of the many promises in Scripture.  Perhaps the most important one is the promise of eternal life (I John 2:25).  But the second rainbow represents for me the power God has to fulfill all of His promises!

Our verse for today explains why Abraham could stand so firm in his faith.  God gave him the promise of a son; something that was physically impossible.  Abraham believed God without wavering because he was fully persuaded that God was powerful enough to do the impossible.  God has the power to keep all of His promises.  “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen.18:14)  The answer is an obvious “No!”

I want to be just as fully persuaded as Abraham!  Thank you Lord, for Your amazing power to do the impossible!


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Out Loud

Scripture for Today: Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

We have been planning big changes in our lives.  For a time we did not talk about it with others as we prayed and waited to hear back from the Lord.  Now, we are at the point of sharing our news with others.  It is amazing what talking on the subject has done for me!  As long as our plans stayed private, they seemed to remain abstract.  But the minute I spoke them aloud, it all became very real!

In our verse for today, declaring out loud our faith in Jesus as Lord authenticates our salvation.  True belief in our hearts will find its way to our mouths.  The mouth reveals what is in the heart, good or bad (Luke 6:45).  With each declaration of our faith, our belief grows stronger.  We reaffirm to ourselves what is truly in our hearts.  Our faith becomes more real and vibrant as a result of speaking it out loud.  Faith no longer is something undefined and abstract.  With words we take a stand and commit ourselves to the Truth.

I know it pleases my Lord when I speak out loud my faith in Him (Matt. 10:32).  He is honored and glorified.  Verbally declaring my faith not only challenges others to consider the Truth, it also helps me to stand firm and it glorifies the Lord.  It is all good.  Then why do I sometimes ignore the opportunity to do so?  It could be that I am not seeing the opportunity, being too self-absorbed.  Maybe I stay silent to avoid possible confrontation.

Make me bold Lord, to declare out loud the very best thing that has ever happened to me….You.


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Downsizing!

Scripture for Today: Philippians 3:8  “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

We are getting ready for a big transatlantic move.  Because we will be downsizing, there is quite a lot to sort through.  After twenty five years in France, items have piled up in cupboards, drawers, armoires, and the attic.  It is an emotional roller coaster to decide what is worth keeping and what I must let go.  There are so many precious memories attached to so many things.   The questions are endless.  Will this fit in the smaller place?  Will I someday regret throwing this?  A particular object may not be my style, but I hang on to it because it was a gift from my kids.  There are boxes and boxes of photos from pre-digital times.

Sifting through all the accumulated stuff has made me think of what Paul said in our verse for today.  He counts everything as “rubbish” when compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.  The context is in reference to all his accomplishments in being a good Pharisee.  His own efforts in earning salvation are only rubbish.

I do not feel guilty to have some attachment to my “things.”  It is normal.  But when I compare them to the treasure of knowing and loving Jesus Christ, then indeed, it is all rubbish.  When I place that item in the box for the thrift store, I know that it makes no difference whatsoever when looking at eternity.  Whatever it is, it will not last.  Only two “things” will last forever; our souls and His Word.

Keep me focused, Lord, on what is really important!


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Blind Trust

Scripture for Today: Romans 15:13  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

These tiny newborn birds have their mouths open wide in anticipation of the next morsel of food from their mother.  These little birds are so new that their eyes have not yet opened.  They cannot see their mother but they sense she is there.  They have no choice in the menu but seem confident enough to eat and swallow without question what the mother provides.  Theirs is a blind trust.

Our verse for today describes the joy and peace that is ours when we trust the One who is totally trustworthy!  When we trust His provision we overflow with hope.  This hope comes through the power of His Holy Spirit.  It may sometimes seem like a “blind trust” as we cannot understand the work of God completely (Eccl. 11:5).  We do not see the path of the wind or how the bones are formed in the mother’s womb.  There is so much we do not understand.  Like these newborn fledglings, we trust our Heavenly Father without knowing all the details.

What is reassuring about our trust is that it is not really blind.  We know the One in whom we place our trust and that makes all the difference!  When I cannot understand what He is doing, I can still trust that He will be true to His character; loving, good, faithful and true.  I can trust that He will be true to His Word.  He is never random or capricious.  I can open my mouth wide to receive whatever it is He has in store for me.

Thank you Lord, for the joy and peace that comes from trusting You.