Devotions By Jan

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Coals

coalsunnamedScripture for Today:  Proverbs 25:21-22  “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head and the Lord will reward you.”

Some folks are not so happy to see what they feel are these ugly receptacles on the beach.  But having them there means people can continue to have bonfires in the rings provided or cook with charcoal.  No more killing trees with dumping coals or ash near their base.  No more accidents with coals still hot, buried in the sand.

Our verse for today has another use for burning coals.  There has been a lot of speculation as to the meaning.  Some believe that sharing hot coals with your enemy is another act of kindness, ensuring that his hearth fire is not extinguished.  Others believe it is an expression that means to shame the enemy into repentance.  Still others believe that if one’s enemy does not respond to good works done for them, they are somehow under greater condemnation.  In any case, the message is clear that to respond to an enemy by serving him is commended by the Lord and rewarded.

Loving one’s enemies, praying for them and meeting their needs is completely opposed to my natural inclination!  Yet, it is what God calls me to do.  Romans 12:20 repeats this verse while also teaching that vengeance belongs to the Lord.  Whatever evil I have suffered at the hands of an enemy is repaid by His perfect justice.  I cannot overcome evil by taking revenge in my own hands.  I only make things worse.  I overcome evil by responding with good towards that person.  Leaving room for the wrath of God is revenge enough.

Lord, keep me trusting in your perfect justice!


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Building Up or Tearing Down?

house unnamedScripture for Today:  Proverbs 14:1  “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.”

I stopped to watch this demolition the other day.  I wondered how long the house had stood there.  Living in Europe, I am accustomed to older buildings and appreciate their charm.  Our own home is over one hundred years old.  But in just one day, this home came down.  All the memories associated with those rooms are gone.  All the stories lived out behind its walls are now a little harder to recall.  It made me a bit sad.

Our verse for today describes a house coming down.  It is very much in the power of a woman to make or break a household.  A foolish woman needs no help to bring the house down around her head.  But a wise woman will fight for her home and her family.  She will do everything in her power to protect those precious walls.

Who is the wise woman?  She is the one who fears the Lord first and foremost (Psalm 111:10).  Following God’s commandments in a marriage relationship and as parents is the surest way to keep that house standing.  A foolish woman will consider God’s way as old fashioned and antiquated.  Without realizing it, the foolish woman will tear her own house down little by little.  Before long the roof caves in and she wonders what has happened.

There are cracks in my walls every now and then.  Sometimes following God’s way is just difficult.  I need His help to obey.  Unless the Lord builds my house all this work will be for nothing (Psalm 127:1).  But the result is well worth the effort.

Thank you, Lord, that my house is still standing!  Keep me building my house Your way!


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A Mystery

Scripture for today: I Corinthians 15:51-52  “Behold I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep. but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

I cannot read this verse without thinking of the church nursery where our children attended.  The first part of the verse was written on the wall!  And it was true!  Whether the kids slept or not, I could count on them being changed!

The silhouette of Sherlock Homes is the association often made with the word, “mystery.”  This fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is known for his use of logic and forensic science in solving mysteries.  However, in Scripture, the word, “mystery,” has an entirely different meaning.  It is a truth that cannot be discovered except by revelation.  No logic or science will reveal this kind of mystery.

How exciting to have this mystery revealed to us in the verse for today!  One day, these breaking-down bodies will be changed from perishable to imperishable!  If believers are already dead and buried, they will be resurrected and changed.  If believers at that time are still living, their earthly bodies will be changed.  Imperishable bodies will be glorified ones that will be eternal.  There will no longer be an old nature with which to contend.  These new bodies will have no need of tear ducts!  It will all be done in the blink of an eye.  What an incredible day that will be!

As my body breaks down, it is a comfort to know that one day my body will be changed!  The Lord’s promise of healing will be completely realized!  Thank you, Lord, for revealing this amazing mystery!


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The Slug

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 26:15  “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.”

The slug is a disgusting creature.  It has to be part of the curse!  Surely, the new earth will have no such nastiness!  At least they move slowly enough that removing them is no problem, just very unpleasant.

My eldest daughter and her husband used to have a very lazy cat named, “Mrs. Hufflepuff.”  She would eat her fill of cat food then lay down, her paw resting in the the dish; the picture of laziness!

Our verse for today uses a similar image in the sluggard.  He is so lazy he cannot be bothered to lift his hand to his mouth, even to eat!  Proverbs has a lot to say about the one who is lazy.  He will sleep all day, would rather beg than work and any excuse, real or imagined, will keep him from leaving the house.  I would not be honest if I did not admit to sometimes feeling like a sluggard, most notably after a large meal!  There are those lazy moments when we are self-indulgent and quite frankly do not feel like lifting a finger!  Thankfully, those moments do not characterize my life!

Anyone who comes in faith to Christ will receive a new nature.  Lazy habits will be left behind with the old nature!  The Lord keeps me motivated to move, to work, and to advance towards goals.  He gives me purpose.  He gives me energy.  He keeps me balanced.  Serving and glorifying Him with my life leaves no room for laziness!

Lord, thank you for keeping me motivated!


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Looking Back

looking back83Scripture for Today: Psalm 89:1  “I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.  To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.”

Today is the last day of the year.  Every year seems to pass by more and more quickly!  The television channels often have programs that summarize the entire year.  Each time I view these I am surprised at how much I have forgotten.  There are reminders of which celebrities have died.  There are the highs and lows of big news events.  And there are reports of new records set throughout the year.

Not everyone enjoys looking back.  Some things are better forgotten.  Reliving some of the negatives can be very depressing.  But looking back can help change our perspective.  With hind sight comes some understanding.  Problems that seemed insurmountable while living them take on a completely different light after some time has passed.

Our verse for today proclaims the faithfulness of the Lord.  This beautiful characteristic of our God is best seen when looking back.  Many times it is not until the trial is over that we see the positives.  It is often after the fact that we see God’s hand.  His faithfulness brings us through, developing patience, making us more like Him.  His faithfulness means we can count on His Word and His promises.  His faithfulness brings about that “good” that Romans 8:28 describes.

This past year He has been faithful.  He has been faithful every year.  I am confident He will be faithful next year!  It is His nature.  I can look back these last twelve months and pinpoint all the ways He has shown His faithfulness, not only to me but to my family and my friends.  Regardless of any negatives, He makes looking back a joy!  Great is His faithfulness!