Devotions By Jan

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Storks

Scripture for Today:  Jeremiah 8:7  “Even the stork in the sky knows when it is time to move on.  The turtledove, swallow and the crane recognize the normal times for their migration.  But My people pay no attention to what I, the Lord, require of them.”

I am fortunate to live in an area known for its stork population.  I so enjoy watching them fly past our windows.  The cranes around here are almost as big but do not have the same “wow” effect for me.  I am anxious to see them return with the warmer weather.  They winter in Sub-Saharan Africa, something I wish I could do!  They often will return to the exact same nest.

Our verse for today talks about four different kinds of birds but with one thing in common; they all migrate.  Their little bird brains know instinctively when it is time to move on so as to avoid the freezing temperatures.  Jeremiah mentions these birds as a contrast to the Israelites.  The people prided themselves in possessing the Law of God.  But they continually turned to their own individual course, rather than following God’s way.  The Law, instead of being written in their hearts, became a mere code or outward ceremony.

I wish obeying God was as instinctive for me as migration is for the birds.  But then it would not mean as much.  God wants my obedience to be an intentional choice.  Knowing what God expects of me is a good thing.  But I do not want to make the same mistake as the Israelites.  The point is not how many Bible verses I can recite by heart.  He is more interested in how many I obey!  Help me, Lord, to be obedient.


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Weary

IMG_20130319_102100Scripture for Today:  Matt. 11:28-30  “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I am not sure our Tiger could be any more relaxed!  If he were, he would fall off.  Ah, the life of a cat!  I can not imagine why he needs twenty hours of sleep a day!  From what is he resting?  Maybe he is weary from his dreams.

Our verse for today promises rest for those that are weary and feel burdened.  I can often feel that way with a schedule that is too full.  I can feel burdened with impossible demands that I put on myself.  I know there is weariness in me when I find myself continually sighing.  I love that my Jesus does not want me to feel that way!

Even so, my first inclination is to fix my own problems rather than coming to Him.  But in taking matters into my own hands, I am not really at rest where it counts, in my soul.  Finding rest in Him is so much more than just changing the “to-do list” or getting more sleep.  I look at “soul rest” as quiet unruffled confidence in His control.  There is peace in handing everything over to Him.  There is rest.

These verses do not say that I necessarily stop working.  But in taking on His yoke, I have Someone who shares the weight of it.  The burden of work is no longer heavy but light.  In the midst of work and activity, my soul can be at rest.

Lord, I need Your rest today.


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High Road or Low Road?

IMG_20130319_164837Scripture for Today: Colossians 1:10  “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

There is a very old Scottish melody that comes to mind when I see one path climb higher than another.  The lyrics from The Bonnie Banks O’Loch Lomond say; “Oh, ye’ll tak’ the high road and I’ll tak’ the low road.”  I more often than not find myself taking the low easier road.  Although, these particular paths are deceiving in the vineyards behind the house.  The lower road is actually the more difficult one as it becomes much steeper around the bend!

“Taking the high road” is also a saying that can mean walking the higher moral ground, exhibiting honesty and selflessness.  It signifies a choice that is harder and takes more consecrated effort.

Our verse for today is part of Paul’s prayer for the Colossians.  As believers we are to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.  In doing so we will be pleasing to Him.  Our good work will have fruit and our knowledge of Him will increase.  This is walking the high road.  It is a road that takes much more effort.

The low road is easy.  There is no effort involved.  In walking it, there is no thought about pleasing Him, only ourselves.  But the good works done will bear no fruit.  Our knowledge of Him does not grow.  No pain, no gain.

Everyday these two roads present themselves in the choices of the day.  Do I strive to please Him and walk in obedience?  Or am I being lazy and enjoying a leisurely stroll on the low road.  Today, may I enjoy His pleasure on that high road!


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Laughter

IMG_20121025_135857Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 17:22  “A joyful heart is good medicine but a broken spirit dries the bones.”

I remember the old TV commercial with the phrase, “I wanna be like Mike.”  Well, I wanna be like these two ladies.  They are pushing ninety and can still be silly and fun!  Oh, they have their problems, many of which are physical.  But they have kept their sense of humor intact.  They have both walked with the Lord for a long time.  Because of years of Bible study with them I have had a front row seat to their faith.  They are a joy to be around because they do not complain.  Instead they choose the medicine of a joyful heart.

The phrase, “laughter is the best medicine,” has been around a long time.  Research has shown there are many health benefits to laughter, including increased blood flow, better immune response, lowered blood sugar, and relaxation.   Isn’t it nice to see science catch up with Scripture written centuries ago!

For a believer, joy is the natural result of a close relationship with the Lord.  Psalm 16:11 tells us that in His presence is fullness of joy!  Being in His presence is a choice.  That means joy is a choice too.

Habakkuk understood that joy is a choice.  When everything was going wrong with crops and livestock, he said in 3:18 “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.  I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

When everything is going wrong with my circumstances I can still find joy when I choose His presence.  There is joy in the realization of His love.  There is joy in the thought of His salvation and the future that awaits!

No broken spirit or dry bones for me!  I choose joy!


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Good Oil

Scripture for Today:  Hebrews 1:9  “You have loved righteousness and You have hated lawlessness.  Therefore God, even Your God has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy and gladness above and beyond Your companions.”

There can be lots of confusion about oils; which ones are beneficial and which ones to avoid.  Saturated or unsaturated, polyunsaturated or monounsaturated.  Olive oil is especially lauded for its health benefits.  I only recently learned I should not keep my olive oil near a heat source, and all this time it has been next to the stove top!

Groves of olive trees are a common sight in Israel as they grow so well in a warm arid climate.  In biblical times the olive oil was used for lighting, cooking, personal grooming, sacred offerings, and for medical use.  But what really interests me is its use for anointing prophets and kings.  Oil was poured on the head to set one apart.

Our verse for today refers to Jesus Christ.  In fact, the name, “Christ” in Greek means, “anointed.”  God set apart Jesus and gave Him a position that is above any other.  He not only is worthy of this distinction, but this anointing oil comes with joy and gladness.

I, too, am anointed with oil!  Psalm 23:5 says that the Lord does this for His own.  I am set apart for Him.  The oil also represents His Holy Spirit, who testifies with my spirit that I belong to Him (Romans 8:16)  What a cause for rejoicing!  This oil is surely the “good oil!”

Rather than think about elevated cholesterol levels the next time I pick up that bottle of olive oil, I want to instead remember this image.  I am one of His anointed ones, set apart for Him.  What joy and gladness to belong to Him!