Devotions By Jan

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Tests

Scripture for Today:  James 1:2-3  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

I know I am in good company when complaining about airport mishaps.  Whether it is a cancelled flight, a humiliating security story, or delay after delay, there is ample occasion to practice our verse for today!

No one likes to wait or have plans completely destroyed.  No one appreciates short tempers or rude passengers.  On my latest flight (which I am still living as I write this in an airport) I really feel like I was being tested.  I ask the Lord to smooth the way.  I ask for the least amount of hassle.  I approach that agent with prayers in my heart that all will go my way.  The Lord answers with a “no.”  I am to live through long annoying frustrations.  And I am to do it with an attitude that will not dishonor Christ.  My Lord wants me to smile, be pleasant and not wish horrible catastrophe on airport employees!

Some of my problem comes from a sense of entitlement.  I figure that as a follower of Christ I should somehow get special treatment or consideration!  But the fact is, He is arranging things for my good!  The testing of my faith IS that good.  He is developing in me patience and endurance.  He is slowly molding me into the beautiful image of His Son.  It is a slow and sometimes painful process.  I wish patience could be developed some other way!

I am not jumping for joy at these travel nightmares.  But I do have confidence that God is in charge and He knows what He is about.  I can experience quiet unruffled calm.  Thank you, Lord, for the smile as I write!


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My Way

Scripture for Today:  Ezekiel 18:29 “But the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’  Are My ways not right, O house of Israel?  Is it not your ways that are not right?”

My Dad will never let me live down the fiasco I created when trying to make popcorn balls.  I was fairly young at the time but figured I could follow a recipe.  I confidently put all the ingredients together in a big bowl in the order listed.  Not having read ahead, I did not realize there were steps to be followed!  I did it my way and with silly sticky results!

The music of the famous song, “My Way,” was based on the French song, “Comme D’Habitude.”   The words describe a man facing his own mortality and reflecting on a life done his own way.  It says, “For what is a man, what has he got?  If not himself, then he has naught.”  How glad I am that this is not true!  I am not on my own.  I have the Lord!  My life has a plan and a purpose, created by the One who created me!

I know what happens when I do things my own way.  I get in trouble and I make a mess.  Proverbs 14:12 (and 16:25) says, “There is a way which seems right to a man….”  I can so easily fool myself into thinking my way is the right way.  This happened to the Israelites as well in our verse for today.  They did not understand what was truly righteous and they reasoned that their way was better.

I know His way is often the harder way.  I sometimes do not understand the logic behind His way either.   But one thing is sure.  His way is better than mine.


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Overcoming Fear

Scripture for Today:  Isaiah 41:10  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

It may seem crazy but paragliding is something I have always wanted to do!  When living at the base of the Alps we would often see float by these colorful sails.  Now, living at the base of the Vosges mountains we see them regularly.  It looks so amazing to be up there with quiet amazing views.

I am too fearful and inexperienced to try it on my own.  My plan is to strap myself to the instructor and have him jump, steer and land for me.  Hopefully, I will finish in one piece.  The plan is to do this for my sixtieth birthday in July.

Our verse for today is an encouragement to not fear.  I am to put my trust in God.  His presence keeps me from being dismayed at dizzying heights.  He strengthens.  He helps.  And most importantly for this adventure, He upholds me with His righteous right hand!

Today’s verse is really a call to faith.  The more I put my faith in Him, the less problem I will have with fear.  In Matthew 8:26 Jesus challenges His disciples with the question, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”  Their boat being pummeled by a storm seemed reason enough.  Jesus was there so why be fearful?  But He was asleep and the disciples questioned whether He really cared.

I do the same thing when faced with scary circumstances.  I know He is there.  But is He paying attention?  Does He really care about what I am going through?  Praise God the answer is a resounding, “Yes!”


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Sharpened

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 27:17  “Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.”

Have you ever notice how many infomercials there are to sell knives and knife sharpeners?  One would think that life cannot be lived without them.  I am afraid the knives in my kitchen are quite dull.  I realize this can be a hazard.  One Christmas I received some steak knives.  My daughter was so accustomed to my knives being dull that she pressed too hard and we ended up in the emergency room on New Year’s Day.

Pictured here is the “steeling” method where the edge is realigned and sharpened.  There are in fact many different methods in sharpening metal, some for rough sharpening and some for fine sharpening.  Regardless of the material or method used, there is pressure, friction and grinding involved.  The  goal is always to remove unwanted metal to form a new more effective edge.

Our verse for today likens this process of sharpening to relationships.  We do grate on each other!  Where there are people there are challenging conflicts.  It is inevitable.  Even a relationship filled with love and mutual respect will have those sharpening moments.

It is in the context of relationship that we face our faults.  They surface and resurface as we interact with people.  I never realized how selfish I was until I got married and became a mother.  I do not realize that I have a problem with anger until someone else provokes it.  If I were never in a group of women I may not recognize a tendency to gossip.  The answer is not to isolate myself.  If I did that my edge would become dull.  The answer is the Lord’s help and forgiveness.

Thank you, Lord, for the sharpening quality of relationships to remove in me what does not belong!


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A River

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 46:4 “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.”

A river usually conjures up beautiful peaceful images.  But recently, with the flooding in Kandern, Germany, the river running through the village has been a source of worry.  The river swelled so much with the recent rains that it almost overflowed its banks!

We have enjoyed living near a river in every town we have lived during our twenty four years in Europe.  In Albertville it was the Arly.  We enjoyed the Loire in the Orleans area.  In the Grenoble area the Drac and the Isère river join.  We walked along the picturesque Kander river in Kandern.  Today in Guebwiller we are just  two hundred meters from the Lauch River.  I love living near rivers, crossing the quaint bridges hanging with flower planters and hearing the sounds of lapping water.

Our verse for today describes a river that makes a whole city glad!  It is found in the city of God where the Most High will make His abode!  This river will be clear, pristine and never in danger of flooding. The river is described in Rev. 22:1-2 as having the water of life!  It will be clear as crystal and flow from the throne of God right down the middle of the main street of the city!  It will be a river that leads to His very presence!

Water of life filling a river and leading to the Source of life!  No wonder it makes the city and all its inhabitants glad!   Near the very end of the Bible is an invitation to this water.  I am so thankful to be invited, as are you, to take of this free gift of the water of life!