Devotions By Jan

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Sealed

Scripture for Today:  Ephesians 1:13  “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,”

The other day I gave my husband a card on the back of which I wrote, “S.W.A.K.”  I was surprised he did not realize that it meant, “sealed with a kiss!”

Recently, seals have seen a resurgence in popularity, but they have been around for a very long time.  In biblical times they were common and served several purposes.  First, they kept that document rolled and closed.  They also kept a communication private.  The seal revealed the sender as it was imprinted with an identifying mark.  Of course, the importance of a seal was only as important as the sender.

Our verse for today says that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit.  Being sealed by Him means guaranteed security and the reassurance of belonging to Him.  I am His possession.  He cares enough about me to seal me to Himself.

In Song of Solomon 8:6 there is also a seal.  It is a seal that pledges fidelity between the bride and the bridegroom.  This seal was over the heart and on the arm.  It was a sign of love.  I like to think of my seal of the Holy Spirit in the same way.  Because He loves me, He has marked me forever as His own.  And it is through the seal of His Holy Spirit that He speaks love and reassurance to my heart.

He is the Holy Spirit of promise.  He has promised Himself to me.  The imperfect up- and- down relationship I have with Him now is not to be compared to the closeness we will someday enjoy.  His seal has guaranteed it!


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Baby Feet

Scripture for Today:  I Samuel 2:9  “He keeps the feet of His godly ones.  But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail.”

Oh how I love to tickle the feet of my ten month old grandson!  I never have to worry about them being stinky as he never wants to wear shoes or socks!  Those little feet are not quite walking yet, but when they do there will be no stopping them!

A picture of baby feet seemed appropriate to illustrate our verse for today as it was spoken in song by Hannah.  She is leaving Samuel, her precious son, at the temple to serve as she had promised.  Surprisingly, her heart is exalting in the Lord instead of melting in sorrow at the separation!

Hannah is affirming the truth of the sovereignty of God.  She understands that God will protect her little boy.  It is not the strong and mighty ones that will prevail.  God will be protecting the comings and goings of Samuel.  In contrast, the wicked can only count on stumbling around in the darkness.

Hannah could no longer look out for her son.   The maternal instinct to care for and protect one’s own children is something that never leaves a mother.  But Hannah had to give that role over completely to God.

No matter how strong or capable I am to care for or protect my children, I can never do as well as their Creator can.  Hannah relinquishes her son to Him in a way that most of us are not called to do.  She was even able to rejoice over her sacrifice as her love for her Lord was that strong!

Can I trust Him that much with my children? and with my grandson?


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Wind Damage

Scripture for Today:  Job 8:2-3  “How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?  Does God pervert justice?  Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?”

I am fortunate not to live in hurricane country.  I have lived through some pretty strong winds though.  I remember one time watching my husband through our windshield literally being swept off of his feet!  Thankfully, he was holding on to the car so he could not go far!  I am glad I have never experienced the kind of wind damage pictured here.  It must have been a mighty wind to blow down this tree!

Our verse for today talks about a different kind of mighty wind.  The words that come out of our mouths can do just as much damage.  Bildad asked this question in response to the doubts Job had just expressed.

It is understandable that Job would question what God was doing in his life.  It did not seem that what was happening was fair.  His words came from the anguish of his spirit and the bitterness of his soul (7:11).  But his words were in fact a mighty wind that could cause damage if those words questioned the justice of God.

So many times I do not have a clue as to what God is doing or why.  In my life or in the lives of others it can seem that God is not dealing fairly.  But that cannot be true as He is just.  If I express to others that He is unjust, than my words can cause untold damage around me.

I may question what You are doing, Lord.  So often I do not understand.  But may I always cling to the truth of Your justice!


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Eating Vegan

Scripture for Today:  Jeremiah 15:16  “Your words were found and I ate them.  And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart.  For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of Hosts.”

I have been learning firsthand (for a time) all about eating “vegan.”  It is a bit strange for me to cut out of my meals any animal product whatsoever.  I really do not miss the meat or eggs, but the cheese?  Hey, I live in France where cheese is dessert, after all!  A bit hard to go without it!  Do I feel better as a vegan?  Well, the animals sure do!

Our verse for today likens the experience of reading God’s Word to the pleasure there is in good food.  In the realm of food there are many dishes that I consider a joy and delight to my taste buds.  Here, the Word of God can be a joy and delight to one’s heart.

Jeremiah was known as the “weeping prophet” as his message was one of judgement for his own people.  One does not usually associate the words, “joy” and “delight” with Jeremiah.  Yet, even knowing that his people would reject his God-given message, he could still find gladness in his own relationship with the Lord.  He knew he belonged to the Lord God of Hosts.

There are precious loved ones in my life who also reject God’s message of salvation.  There is no avoiding heartbreak over that hard reality.  Yet, God does not want me to live my life in sadness.  He wants to give me joy and delight through His Word and through my relationship with Him.

Lord, may my sadness over the souls of loved ones be overshadowed by joy and delight found in You!


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More Than Motherhood

IMG-20120111-00069Scripture for Today:  Luke 11:27-28   While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.”  But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and observe it.”

It is amazing that my Mother is still with us!  At 91 years old, God has certainly blessed her with a long life!  Every Mother’s Day I am certain it is our last one with her.  But she keeps surprising us, and herself!  My Mother was the one who introduced me to Jesus and led me in a prayer of commitment to Him.  She has lived her life selflessly for her husband, for her four children, but most of all for her Lord.  She is an incredible example to me!

God’s Word exalts and honors motherhood.  I am thankful to have had such a good experience with my own Mother, and in mothering my three children.  But I know not everyone has had such positive experiences.  There are those who are reminded only of pain each Mother’s Day.

We tend to look at our roles as wives and mothers as the most exalted and fulfilling role we could possibly have on this earth.  Certainly, I do not want to take anything away from how wonderful these experiences can be.  But there is a blessing that is bigger according to the words of Jesus in our verse today; the blessing of hearing and obeying God’s Word.

My role as a follower of Christ far outweighs my role as anything else.  My relationship with Him never disappoints.  It is deeper, more faithful and more satisfying than any human relationship.  Thank you Lord, for the blessing of knowing You.