Devotions By Jan

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Feedback Speakers

Scripture for Today: Matthew 25:23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share in your master’s happiness.’

During rehearsals and concerts for my French Gospel choir, Joie Et Vie, these feedback speakers play an important role.  When they are working well, they let us know when the balance is good.  If the altos are overshadowing the sopranos, the speakers give us that feedback so adjustments can be made with the microphones.  If the altos are flat, we can hear ourselves and self correct!  Without those speakers, we cannot hear ourselves.  It is amazing how that affects one’s morale.  We can be singing our hearts out, but without any feedback, it falls flat and our enthusiasm is dampened.

The context of our verse for today is the parable of the talents taught by Jesus.  The master of the house, after being away, calls for an accounting from each of his servants.  He commends two of them for their faithfulness in increasing what was entrusted to them.  Not only were they commended but they were rewarded with more responsibility.

One day, I hope to hear the same words of this verse when entering His presence.  But I need feedback today too.  Positive feedback from Him is motivating!  But how does He communicate that feedback?  Many times it is through His reassuring Word.  Sometimes it can be through the encouragement of other believers.  More often, I just feel a closer sense of His presence.  His love  and strength seem more real somehow.  Intimacy and connection feel deeper.  There have been times I have even felt His pleasure!

Feedback or not, Lord, may I be found faithful to the end!


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Morning Person?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 59:16  “But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength.  Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your loving kindness in the morning.  For You have been my stronghold and refuge in the day of my distress.”

I do not understand a “morning person.”  Being chipper and bright early in the morning is somehow non-human!  Coffee helps start my engines, but oh so slowly.  My husband is a “morning person” and I attribute it to his childhood.  My Father-in-law had a unique way of rousting my husband out of bed for early mornings.  He would play John Philip Sousa marching band music full blast!  Thankfully, my husband does not try that with me!

Our verse for today is all about joy and singing in the morning.  I do not always feel in top form first thing but God’s strength does not falter.  If I am not feeling rested or strong even after eight hours of sleep, I can be assured that He is strong and He is my strength! (Psalm 28:7)  With a song in my heart, if not on my lips, I can thank Him.

“Loving kindness” does not describe me in those early hours.  It takes concentrated effort to sweeten my voice.  But God’s loving kindness does not fluctuate with the hour!  He continues to show me love even at my most unlovable moments!

How thankful I am that my God is constant.  Early mornings may change my disposition but never on His part!  When I take even a moment to reflect on His care and protection, I start to feel a melody of gratitude begin its first trembling notes in my spirit.

Coffee may wake me but it is thoughts of Him that make me want to sing, regardless of the hour!


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Shielded

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 5:12 “For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord.  You surround him with favor as with a shield.”

There is a beautiful castle not far from us called Haut-Koenigsbourg.  It is perched high in the Vosges mountains and from its windows there are some amazing views.  It is a furnished castle with an armory filled with all kinds of ancient instruments of war.  Included in their collection are some antique shields.  Every piece of armor is critical but maybe none more than the shield that protects.

Normally, when I think of biblical references to the shield, my mind either goes to the list of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6, or the Psalms that talk of the Lord Himself being a shield.  Our verse for today talks about the shield being His favor.  What a beautiful thought, that He surrounds the righteous  with His favor and blessing!

He promises favor and blessing for those who are in right standing with Him.  I have no righteousness of my own, but I am the recipient of His righteousness.  I am His own and He in His grace takes care of His own.  I do not deserve such care and attention.

Because of His favor shielding me, I can take refuge in Him.  He is my Protector and that means I can move through this life without fear.  It also means I can face death without fear.  Putting my trust in Him is my defense in the midst of battle.  I can sing and shout for joy regardless of the circumstances.  I know the outcome of every skirmish as He is the Victor!  As Psalm 3:3 says, He is my shield and the “lifter of my head!”

I am so unworthy.  Thank you, Lord, for surrounding me with Your favor today.


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GPS

Scripture for Today: James 4:6 “But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The other day while finding our way in the mountains, our GPS got totally confused.  Her voice stayed confident as she told us take the second exit at the round point where there was none!  There were several times that had we obeyed her, we would have turned right into the mountainside!  After listening to her continue to give us outrageous directions, we finally just turned her off!  Thankfully, we had an old fashioned map as a back up.  But not once did she apologize!  She never said, “I was wrong and you were right!”  Of course, had she admitted her mistake I would have fainted with surprise!

There is something in all of us that bristles at the thought of admitting our errors.  Sometimes, the only way it can happen is if we can point to extenuating circumstances!  Or we can maybe admit we were wrong if someone can share our chagrin.  It is never a comfortable experience.

In our relationship with the Lord, humbling ourselves and admitting our wrongs is the starting point to our relationship with Him.  We cannot receive forgiveness without confession.  But pride can keep us from admitting our sin.  Pride itself is the root of so much sin and heartache.  This is why it tops the list of abominable sins in Proverbs 6:17.   There are those who would rather face the opposition of the Almighty God than be humbled.

The good news is that there is grace for those who come clean with Him.  He shows me unmerited favor when I humble myself in honest confession.  Forgive me my pride, Lord!  Oh how I need your grace today!


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Autopilot

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

It worries me to think of an airplane with autopilot capabilities!  They have been in use for a long time, but my imagination takes flight sometimes along with the plane.  I can think of lots of things that could go wrong!  But everything is so computerized that planes can execute some pretty precise maneuvers, even landing a plane with zero visibility.

I learned that the autopilot of an aircraft is sometimes referred to as “George!”  It is a good thing that George can be switched off in times of failure.  That manual override is important when there is a bad connection or a sensor failure, resulting in a loss of needed input data.  The presence of that pilot remains essential.

Sometimes in my Christian walk, I feel like I am on autopilot.  I have been a believer a long time.  I can go through all the motions of the Christian life without much thought.  I can pray spiritual-sounding prayers at the drop of a hat.  I know all the lyrics of all the old hymns and can quote verses with the best of them.  But I usually know when I am on autopilot, as something is missing.  My heart is not in it.

Our verse today talks about leaning on our own understanding and directing ourselves.  When I am going through the motions, doing things in my own strength, and directing myself, I am at risk of messing up.  Flight turbulence brings me to my senses!  I acknowledge Him by giving Him back the controls.  Thank you, Lord, that You are there and waiting to straighten my paths.