Devotions By Jan

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Joyeux Noël

Noel unnamedScripture for Today:  Luke 2:10-11  “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'”

There are actually two Christmas messages in this garland.  First, there is the obvious; “Joyeux Noël” or “Merry Christmas” in French.  The second message is an unintended repetition; “no L.”  When teaching fourth grade I used to put the alphabet on the blackboard without the “L” and see who could find the Christmas message first!

The word,”noël” was first used in the English language in the 14th century.  There are two ideas about its origin.  The first thought is that “noël” is a variant of “nael” derived in turn from the Latin word, “natalis” meaning, “birth.”  As Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus, that makes sense.  Then there is the idea that “noël” is derived from the French word, “nouvelles” meaning, “news.”  In either case, the emphasis is on the good news of our Savior’s birth.

In our verse for today, there is good news announced of a great joy!  It is not just for those hearing the angel’s declaration but it is offered to all the people.  The birth of the Savior is astonishing news!  That the God of the universe would condescend to humble Himself and become a vulnerable baby is astounding!  But the truth that He did it for me is what is difficult to grasp.  He did it to become my personal Savior.  In His love, He stooped that low so that I could be saved from the entirely just punishment for my sin.  It is too wondrous to describe!

What joyful news!  Joyeux Noël!


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Stylish Hats

hat unnamed Scripture for Today: Isaiah 35:10  “And the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads.  And they will find gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

My husband loves his hats!  However, the one pictured here is only a distant memory!  It was the perfect hat!  It had metal in the rim and could be twisted this way and that for the perfect look!  He was able to enjoy it for only a few days.  On a ferry ride, it blew off his head and into the waters of the Atlantic.  Oh, the shock and regret of that moment!  There was nothing to do but watch it drift away.

In our verse for today, there is something very different on the head!  Hats will have to make way for everlasting joy!  This prophecy of Isaiah made reference to a literal return of the Israelites from exile in Babylon.  They would one day return to Jerusalem or Zion.  But in a larger sense it can refer to all whom the Lord has redeemed.  One day there will be a highway traveled only by the redeemed and it will lead right into God’s Millennial Kingdom.  There will be uninterrupted joy in the presence of our King!

In God’s presence is fullness of joy! (Psalm 16:11)  In the future there will be no sorrow nor sighing.  One day there will be no tears.  Even the memories of struggle and disappointment will completely fade.  It will all flee away in the overwhelming joy and gladness of His very presence!  What a day that will be when I see Christ!  “One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase.”

Thank you, Lord, that even today in Your presence I can live a bit of that joy!


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Captive!

Scripture for Today:  Colossians 2:8  “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of this world, rather than according to Christ.”

It just about kills me to see dogs caged up in animal shelters.  Of course, they have sometimes been rescued off the streets from horrible conditions.  Behind those bars they are receiving food, water and shelter.  But seeing their poor little faces peeking out with a soulful look makes me want to adopt them all!  No one likes to be behind bars.

Our verse for today describes another kind of captivity that is just as real as those bars.  Our thoughts can be taken captive through deceptive philosophies.  Rather than looking at the world through God’s truth, one can be looking at the world through a grid of man-made tradition.  This is the only time in the New Testament that this word, “philosophy” is used.  Its literal meaning is “love of wisdom.”  But as true wisdom is found in the fear of the Lord (Prov. 9:10) anything else is empty and hollow.  Any system of belief that does not accord with Christ’s teaching has the potential to imprison our thoughts.

God’s revelation through His Word stands in huge contrast to human thinking.  His thoughts are high above ours (Isaiah 55:8).  Jesus declares that the truth of His Word makes one free (John 8:32).  The Jews to whom Jesus was speaking did not realize that they were in bondage.  People today do not realize that they are imprisoned as well.  My heart is filled with sadness and compassion to see friends and family members behind those unseen bars.

Knowing Jesus sets me free from futile deceptive thinking.  Thank you, Lord for the freedom of Your Truth!


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Knitting

crafts 078Scripture for Today:  Col. 2:2  “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery; that is, Christ Himself.”

My daughter, sister and Mother all love to knit.  For whatever reason, the gene did not get passed to me.  This scarf was made by my daughter as a gift for a friend and I have also been a happy recipient.  It has been found that knitting provides the health benefits of lowered stress.  Somehow, the rhythmic and repetitive action has a calming affect.

Knitting has enjoyed a real comeback.  One can find lots of websites and knitting clubs today.  But I was surprised to learn how ancient an art it is.  The earliest example is a pair of cotton socks with a stranded knit color pattern found in Egypt.  It dates back to the end of the first millennium AD!  What surprised me further was to discover that knitting used to be a male-only occupation!

In our verse for today Paul prays that the believers in Colossae will be encouraged by having their hearts knit together in love.  What a beautiful image!  Just as those stitches cannot stand alone, so too we need each other.  Regardless of the kind of stitch used they all have one thing in common; one stitch is looped into the next.  Unfortunately, stitches can be dropped.  If a loop of yarn accidentally falls off the needle, the dropped stitch can cause the knitting to unravel.  One needs to go back and pick up that dropped stitch.

God’s love does bind us together.  We are stronger and more beautiful when interconnected.  Thank you, Lord, for the encouragement that comes from spending time with other believers!


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Pet ID

Tiger 996640_10152030118915115_1578389347_nScripture for Today:  Psalm 139:1-3  “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar, You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways.”

Our Tiger loves the outdoors.  As there are no fences between our neighbors, he freely roams where he likes.  I suppose Tiger cuddles up to our artificial Christmas tree because it reminds him of the tree out front.  I never said he was smart!

For years now, Tiger has had a computer chip in his neck.  We had the vet insert it with all the information needed in case he is lost.  It does not hurt Tiger and will last as long as 25 years!

Our verse for today is a beautiful description of God’s perfect and intimate knowledge.  Much better than a computer chip that tracks movement, He is aware of every movement and every thought!  Such knowledge is hard to imagine!  Not only is our God all-knowing, but He cares to take note of our smallest gesture.  He not only knows our thoughts but He understands why we think them!

Why would He care when I get up from this computer?  Why would He care when I worry about getting everything done in a day?  Because I belong to Him.  Because He loves me.  There is never a time when God is not thinking about me.  I know this is true from the number of thoughts He has toward me (verse 17 and 18).  They are as innumerable as all the grains of sand in the world.  In response, my soul echos the words of the hymn, “What wondrous love is this?”

Thank you Lord, for your detailed intimate knowledge and love for me!  Help me believe it today.