Devotions By Jan

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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.


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Canes

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

The image of a cane can evoke a variety of reactions.  My friend in college understood that.  She had such severe limitations that she could never walk without her cane.  Rather than hope people did not notice it, she would wrap it in colorful ribbons each day to match her outfit!  Her smile and readiness to talk of the Lord being her support left a lasting impression on me.

It has been said that religion is just a crutch for the weak-minded.  What the world does not seem to understand is that there is no one who is not in need.  But there are those who recognize their need for a Savior.  They are the ones who in trusting Him have their paths straightened.

Our verse for today tells us we are not to lean on our own understanding but instead trust the Lord.  I need to recognize that my own understanding is woefully limited.  I cannot depend on my own reasoning.  It is not enough.

The famous song, “Lean On Me,” by Bill Withers has the phrase, “please, swallow your pride.”  It takes humility to recognize need.  Verse seven in this same chapter warns us not to be wise in our own eyes.  Leaning and relying on Him and His wisdom takes me down paths of righteousness and blessing.  Trusting in my own wisdom has me going around in circles or following dead ends.

Trusting Him can be so uncomfortable.  I do not always understand where He is leading.  But relying on Him is so much better than my feeble steps with a cane!


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Snakes

Scripture for Today: Numbers 21:9  “So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole.  Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.”

Snakes are fascinating and disgusting all at once.  I am either afraid or repelled by them.  From time to time, Tiger, our cat, will bring a garden snake into the house to play.  Snake removal is a role I happily give to my husband!

Men do not normally have the same reaction to snakes as women.  I am sure I am overgeneralizing but it is true that as a result of the fall there is enmity between snakes and women (Gen.3:15).  Also, because of the fall, the snake is especially cursed above any other creature.

Our verse for today is in the context of severe discipline for the Israelites.  They were once again complaining, regardless of the fact that God was providing for their every need.  As punishment, they were bitten by snakes.  However, God showed mercy by providing a cure to their deadly bite.  If they would look up to the bronze snake lifted high on a standard they would be healed.  As strange as it may seem, I imagine there were some who refused to look.

God continues to show mercy today.  He has provided a cure for the most deadly disease; our own sin (Romans 6:23).  Jesus took the punishment for my sin on the cross.  But He requires of me that I look up to that cross in faith.

The cross is foolishness and a stumbling block for so many.  How heartbreaking to see those who could be healed but refuse to look to Him in faith!  I am so grateful Lord, that I looked and that You showed me mercy.


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Sword

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 4:12  “For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.”

I am not a fan of movies that show lots of hand-to-hand combat.  One such film is Braveheart, lauded for some of its deeper sweeping themes.  But I just cannot take the realistic thrusts of those swords.  I am not saying bombs or gunfire are any better.  It is just that killing with swords seems so much more barbaric to me.

In Biblical times the sword was much more a part of the culture than today.  It was a weapon to which all could relate.  The writer of Hebrews used the image of the sword to describe the piercing convicting nature of God’s Word.  His Word is like no other book as it is living and active.  God’s Spirit uses it to show us what we cannot see on our own; our secret motives and deepest desires.

Dividing soul from spirit and joints from marrow is an image that makes me shudder.  And yet, it is the kind of action needed to get through to our deceitful hearts.  Our hearts do deceive us (Jer.17:9).  The Word exposes what to us is comfortably hidden.  But His Word does not leave us bruised and bleeding.  His Word also comforts and heals.  His Word is the means to a restored relationship with the Divine Author.

I do not want to be uncomfortable reading His Word.  But so many times it is necessary to feel His conviction and be shown the truth about myself.  Create in me a clean heart, O God……even when it hurts!