Devotions By Jan

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The End

Scripture for Today:  I Peter 4:7 “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind and be sober unto prayer.”

Films in France have the same last image but saying, “La Fin.”  The music swells, the lights come up and everyone moves toward the exit.  There is no confusion.  We all recognize the visual prompt on the screen.  It is over.  Some are glad it is over and can not wait to leave.  Others wish the story would go on and on as they enjoyed it so much.

Our verse for today talks about the end of all things.  We are told it will be soon.  And because it will be soon, we are to be clear thinking, self restrained and alert for the purpose of prayer.

It is much easier to live like there is no ending.  I can be lulled into thinking that everything will continue as it always has done.  II Peter 3:4 predicts that there will be scoffers in the last days with exactly this attitude.  I do not scoff at God’s Word saying there will be an end.  But sometimes it is more comfortable not to think about it.

Knowing there is an end to all things should motivate me to consider what is really important.  I love to have fun and distractions in my life.  But there is a time for being serious and reflective.  I do not want to miss the signs that the end is approaching.  Just like the theater has visual cues that the film is over, so Scripture is full of prophetic signs that herald the end of time.

I want to be ready for that ending.  It will usher in a new beginning with my Savior!  And that will have no end!


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New Growth

IMG_20130220_161841Scripture for Today:  John 15:2  “Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit He cuts away: and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.”

Our hydrangea flower bush is beautiful in the spring.  The flowers are big and full; some pink some blue on the same bush.  Of course, in this winter season it looks all brown and dead.  But in fact, it is just dormant and it will come back as it does every spring.

These flowers will grow back much better if I get out there and prune away the dead growth.  The fall was too busy and now the temperatures are too freezing to work outside.  But soon, if I want good growth, I need to get out the pruning shears and cut it back before spring arrives.

Our verse today refers to the pruning of vines to produce more and better grapes.  But the idea is the same; that old growth needs to be removed before new growth can happen.  The one who does the pruning in my life is the Lord.  He does not want me to be content with the fruit He has already produced.  He wants me to cooperate with His pruning shears in order to produce more fruit that is richer and more excellent.

Pruning does not feel so good.  It is a painful process.  Just after pruning the plant does not look so good either.  When the Lord allows the hard times to come, He has in mind to produce new growth in me.  He has the end result in view, a beautiful and fruitful life.

Help me, Lord, not to question your pruning shears.  Help me to trust what You are doing in my life.


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On the Throne

Scripture for Today:  Revelation 5:13  “…Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto Him that sits upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”

As an American I am not so familiar with royalty and throne rooms.  But living in Europe I have had opportunities to see a few palaces of former kings.  But I don’t think I have ever seen a throne as opulent as the one pictured here!

The throne for me is an image of absolute authority.  It is from the throne that edicts and commands are issued.  The throne is the seat of control, benevolent or not.  The one seated there commands respect and obedience.

As a teenager I was taught that there is a throne in my heart, the seat of control.  I was challenged to look at that throne and determine who or what was seated there.  If one is a non-christian there is no question but that on the throne is seated one’s self.  But as a Christian, Someone else is to occupy that throne.

As a believer and Christ follower, the One seated on the throne of my heart is Jesus.  Rather than following my own will, I strive to follow His.  He has redeemed my life and He has every right in the world to be on my throne.  He is my Savior and my King.

It is a daily choice to allow Him to reign in me.  The French say, “Je suis Dieu” meaning “I am God.”  But the verb “suivre” means “follow” looking identical conjugated in the first person.  So the same phrase, “Je suis Dieu,” can also mean, “I follow God.”

I pray there will be no confusion about who is God in my life!  He deserves all honor glory and power from my obedience!


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Thirsty

IMG_20130227_110838Scripture for Today:  Nehemiah 9:20  “You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, Your manna You did not withhold from their mouth, And You gave them water for their thirst.”

My poor poor tulips!  They died an early death.  From just one day to the next they gave it up.  When I threw them out, I saw that the vase was bone dry, not that there was any doubt as to cause of death.

It is true that I do not have a green thumb for potted plants.  But what possible excuse do I have here?  All I had to do was check the water level and add some when needed.  If I let this happen too often, my husband will not be so motivated to bring me flowers!

From our verse for today we see that our God is a God who provides for us both spiritually and physically.  This passage speaks of His compassion for the Israelites.  In the wilderness there was no bread and there was no water.  Yet He supernaturally provided both.  He took care of both their hunger and their thirst.

I am very aware when I am hungry or when I am thirsty.  He is so good to meet those needs daily.  But there is another provision in this verse, that of the instruction of His Spirit.  I am not always aware of this need.

His Spirit teaches me and His instruction is just as needed as my daily provisions.  I often do not see it that way.  Either I am too distracted by my physical needs, or I feel I am doing fine without His Spirit.  But without His instruction and guidance I find myself resembling those tulips!

Lord, keep me aware today of my need for You.


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Turkish Delight

Scripture for Today: Psalm 111:2  “Great are the works of the Lord.  They are studied by all who delight in them.”

I find the name of this mid-eastern candy intriguing.  Its other name is “Lokum.”  Turkish Delight is quite common here in France and easily found in the special foods section of the stores.

This is the candy of choice for Edmund, one of C. S. Lewis’ characters in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.  Edmund not only took delight in this candy, he became addicted to it.  The wicked white Witch was able  to manipulate Edmund with promises of more.  But no matter how much Edmund ate, he still longed for it again, never satisfied.

Our verse for today speaks about a delight found in studying God’s wondrous works.  I am more familiar with another verse that tells us to “delight yourself in the Lord…” (Psalm 37:4)  The source of delight is found in our relationship with Him, but it is also found in studying His great works.

I am no academic and I do not normally put the words, “study” and “delight” in the same phrase.  There are many who find delight in studying math equations or Greek.  But I am not one of them!  However, with God’s wondrous doings as the subject of study, I do find delight.  I am to seek out what He has done, both in the Scripture and in my life.

Studying His work in Scripture is in fact a means of knowing Him better.  All the works of the Lord reveal who He is.  Every miracle of creation, every changed heart, and every evidence of care gives insight into His character.

True delight is found in Him and His works.  He is a delightful study!  And unlike Turkish Delight, He satisfies!