Devotions By Jan

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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!


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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!