Devotions By Jan

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Thorns

IMG_20130510_142028Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 22:5  “Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them.”

I saw this thorny cactus right in the middle of a sidewalk in Fort Worth, Texas.  I guess the home owners there are not too enthusiastic to have people walking by their place!  Having those prominent thorn-like spines was a good way to discourage people from parking there as well!  We parked and walked by even so, but very carefully!

The southwest section of the States has some beautiful cacti with colorful flowers.  The tallest cactus on record is 63 feet and the smallest is .4 inches.   Their spines, like thorns, differ according to the variety.  But they all have one thing in common.  They prick one’s skin.

Our verse for today is a warning.  Those who do not follow God’s laws are at risk to hurt themselves.  It is as if they are running headlong into a cactus.  Their behavior may seem reasonable and even pleasant.  But in fact, the way of those that pervert God’s laws leads to pain.  Rather than see this verse as negative, I see it as a loving warning to spare us unnecessary pain.

So often, the Bible is viewed as  a list of restrictive rules.  In the name of “freedom” one throws off what is considered archaic and old-fashioned.  We feel we are more advanced and enlightened in our day.  Then we are surprised at the pain resulting from our choices in life.  We have disregarded God’s way and instead have embraced a way full of thorns and snares.

I am to guard myself from taking that disobedient path.  That means those thorns and snares are not always so obvious.  Lord, lead me in those pleasant paths of righteousness.


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Fire!

Scripture for Today:  Malachi 3:2b-3  “For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.  He will sit as a smelter and purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.”

The recent fires in California have been devastating!  When hearing the survivors’ testimony one often hears tearful gratitude for their safety.  Things can be replaced, after all.  Human lives are so much more valuable.

Going through a fire will often change one’s priorities.  It could even change one’s direction in life.  For many, the experience causes one to re-evaluate what is really important in life.  Distractions are removed and new goals are put in place.

Our verse for today pictures God as a refiner working with gold and silver.  This process uses the intense heat of the furnace fire to subtract all the imperfections and impurities.  The metals must return to liquid form for this to happen.  All the dross is then separated out and discarded for the metal to become pure.

God did this for the priestly tribe of Levi in Israel.  They were presenting offerings to the Lord but not in righteousness.  Perhaps they were following all the rules, but their hearts were not right.  There is something that God desires more than sacrifice; to do righteousness and justice (Prov.21:3).  David tells us in Psalm 51:17 that the sacrifice God is interested in is a broken and contrite heart.

I am no different than those Levis.  I have been a believer a long time and can go through the motions of worship without my heart being involved or while harboring all kinds of secret sin.  No one wants to go through fiery trials.  Lord, keep me from needing the discipline of Your refining fire!


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Churning Butter

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 30:33  “For the churning of milk produces butter, and the pressing of the nose brings forth blood; so the churning of anger produces strife.”

It was fun to look up the process of churning butter.  The cream is shaken or agitated until it ruptures the fragile membranes surrounding milk fat.  Then the fat droplets join with each other to form clumps.  Further along in the process foam is formed (buttermilk) and drained off.  Churning butter takes time and requires repetitive movement.

There were several words in this description that seem to go with along with the concept of anger: shaken, agitated, rupture, fragile, and foam.  When angry, I am definitely agitated and shaken.  There is damage done to fragile relationships and they can rupture.  It can seem like “foaming at the mouth” when one is so angry one loses all control.  Strife with colleagues, friends, or family is the very natural result.

What is so interesting about the image used in our verse is the time element.  Anger, whether justified or not, can become sin when allowed to churn in our hearts over time (Eph.4:26).  Going over and over an offense in our minds is that repetitive movement.  Eventually, strife and division are produced making everything worse.

My anger often hurts me more than anyone else.  It certainly hurts me more than my offender.  Sometimes there are even physical consequences to my anger.  That churning inside me can lead to heartburn, tension, or sleeplessness.  How much better to stop the churning and let it go.

Lord, keep me as “sweet cream!”  Do not let my hurt pride or my trampled rights churn away inside!  Help me let it go.


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Building a Home

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 24:3-4  “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

Could this cottage be any more perfect!  I love the weathered stone, the thatched roof and the greenery climbing all over it!  England claims the largest number of thatched roofs in Europe, but there are quite a few in France as well, called “toit de chaume.”  They are most often made of straw.  These roofs only need refurbishing every forty to fifty years.

It looks peaceful and quiet in this home, but I wonder.  It may not be as idyllic as it seems.  Our verse for today speaks of another building material; that of wisdom and understanding.  Without these components a house can very well be marked by conflict and strife.

Wisdom and understanding are not found at the local Home Depot.  There is only one true source.  Psalm 111:10 says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and those who do His commandments have understanding.  A house built on these principles is a home where peace can endure.

I do not know of a single Christian home where there is no conflict.  Put two family members in the same room and there will be two very divergent points of view.  Keeping the peace and reacting with wisdom and understanding is an impossible challenge without the Lord’s help.

The Lord desires for the home to be a safe place where one can express oneself without fear of being rejected.  His love is unconditional and my desire is to show that same quality of love.  It is never easy, but it is wise.

Lord, may my home be pleasant, built with Your wisdom and understanding.


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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!