Devotions By Jan

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Chestnuts

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 45:3  “I will give you hidden treasure, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”

These chestnuts are all over the ground of the forest up above our house.  They are brown and furry by the time they drop and look like something out of a Star Trek TV episode (the mythical “tribble”).  When they are still green and fresh, the chestnut is difficult to handle with its spiny bur.  But getting at that delicious treasure is worth all the effort!  There can be up to seven chestnuts in one bur.

The chestnut here in France is most often roasted but is also candied, boiled, steamed and grilled.   For Christmas and New Year’s the “marron glacé” is traditional fare, a chestnut that has been glazed in sugar syrup.  For some, the chestnut is an acquired taste, but I enjoy them!

Our verse for today talks about treasures that are hidden.  The riches that the Lord reveals are not so obvious.  Like the chestnut, they are sometimes stored in places difficult to see.  The outside of that hidden treasure makes it easy to miss.  Getting at that treasure may involved going through some tough prickly times.

It is through the hard times that I see God’s love and gentleness with me.  It is when life is difficult that He reveals the treasure of who He is.  His comfort and His grace are the unexpected surprise behind that negative experience.  Through a trial He becomes MY Lord, calling me by My name.  Faith becomes very personal as He reveals to me the treasure of His power and presence.

Help me, Lord, to discover that treasure.  Reveal to me the secret places of Your love!


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Presentation is Everything!

Scripture for Today:  Colossians 1:22  “But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”

Living in France has given me a special appreciation for the finer points of dining.  The French believe that appetite starts with the presentation of a dish.  And they are right!  Looking for just the right picture of a well-presented meal has made me hungry!

When a platter is served with those small touches of creativity, the mouth waters in anticipation.  Even the addition of a little parsley can add so much.  At the open market this morning, the lady threw some parsley in with my vegetables, just because!  I have seen some beautiful presentations both in restaurants and in private homes that have added so much to the meal.

Our verse for today also talks of a presentation.  At one point we were estranged from God, hostile in our attitude as well wicked in our actions.  There was nothing beautiful or appealing in us.  Our sin made us ugly and unappealing.  But while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).  There was nothing in us to attract His love.  It was all grace.

Because of what He did for me on that cross, I am now presentable!  Christ will one day present me faultless and irreproachable to the Father!  He has paid the ultimate sacrifice so that I can share in His righteousness.  When I am presented to the God of the universe, it will be without shame!  I will be beautiful and spotless!

Christ’s presentation of me to the Father is my solid hope; “dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!”  Presentation is everything!


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Living Faith

Scripture for Today:  James 2:17  “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”

Living in Europe gives daily opportunities to see some beautifully crafted statues.  There are military ones all over the place commemorating great battles in times past.  We used to live in the home town of Joan of Arc; Orleans.  You could not turn  around there without bumping into her!  Then there are the religious statues.  They are not found only in churches.  Some are placed prominently on the roadside or more discreetly in little stone alcoves.  There is one just a hundred meters from our house of Jesus on the cross surrounded by weeping women.

Statues, regardless of their beauty are dead.  They may be placed in an awe inspiring cathedral.  They may have a pious look on their  face.  They can be in a position of humble prayer.  But they are dead.

Our verse for today talks about the nature of authentic living faith.  Saving faith is a faith that expresses itself in action.  Faith without works is much like that cold dead statue.  It can look very religious and pious, but it is not real.  True faith is not a noun.  It is a verb.  It is active and visible to others.  Our lives of obedience authenticate our faith to those around us.

James reminds us that faith if not accompanied by works, is not true saving faith.  It can also be said that good works without faith does not save either (Matt. 7:22-23).  Our salvation is totally unmerited as Ephesians 2:8-9 makes clear.  But genuine faith will always express itself.  It is its nature to act and breathe and do for others.

Thank you, Lord, that Your gift of salvation makes possible a living working faith!


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Backwards

Scripture for Today:  Mark 9:35  “After He sat down, He called the twelve and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.'”

The Rhine River runs through all of Alsace.  It originates in Switzerland with the melting snow of the Alps.  And it terminates in the North Sea of the Netherlands.  All along its banks can be found fairy tale castles and vineyards.  What is particular about this river is its northern flow.  We live in southern Alsace.  But it is called, “Haut Rhin” or Upper Alsace.  The Northern part of Alsace is called, “Bas Rhin” or Lower Alsace.  All of this confusion is due to the direction of the river’s flow.  I always have to think twice as it all just seems backwards to me!

Our verse for today can seem a bit backwards as well!  Jesus is speaking to the disciples who had just been arguing among themselves as to which of them was the greatest.  He tells them that true greatness comes from service to others.  This is completely opposed to what one would normally think.

When I think of people considered “great” I usually think of those who have enormous influence and who are visible.  Normally, a position of power and fame along with wealth is all that would be required to achieve greatness.  Jesus turns it all around.  Someone who serves others does not necessarily have any of those advantages.  Yet, in God’s kingdom the one who takes a lowly position of service is the one who is great.

I am not to follow the “flow” of this world’s values.  It may seem backwards, but God’s direction for greatness is the only one that matters.  Change my thinking, Lord.  Make me a willing servant today.


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Harvest Time

Scripture for Today:  Philippians 1:11  “May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God….”

It’s harvest time!  The vineyards above our house are filled with workers, tractors and even horses and carts for the steep places.  The “vendange” or grape harvest is a happy exciting time around here.  After months of hard work tending the vines, the fruit of all that labor appears.  Not only are there migrant workers picking the grapes but students earning extra cash, retired folk, and even whole families enjoying the experience together!  Many of the small villages in Alsace have festivals to celebrate the harvest.

Fruit that is harvested legitimately is fruit enjoyed for more than just one season.  The grapes are not only enjoyed fresh but also transformed into juice, wine, jams and raisins.  When I think about “forbidden fruit” or sin, it is pleasurable only for a season (Heb.11:25).  Our verse for today talks about another kind of fruit; the fruit of righteousness.  It is described as behavior that honors God.  Paul’s prayer is that we are filled with this kind of fruit which comes directly from our relationship to Jesus, the Vine (John 15:1).  The fruit of righteousness will be fruit that is lasting (verse 16).

When I consider what I can pass on to my children and grandchildren, there does not seem to be much that can last.  There is not much that can stand the test of time.  But a life marked by doing the right thing is a life that can touch others for eternity.  It is fruit that will remain.

Thank you, Lord, that Your fruit remains so that my life can make a difference!