Devotions By Jan

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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!


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Good Weight!

Scripture for Today:  II Corinthians 4:17  “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

There is good weight and bad weight.  The weight gain of every newborn is carefully monitored and desired for good health.  Weight gain following a serious illness is cause for rejoicing!  Every horse jockey is daily concerned with his weight gain or weight loss.

I have in mind what a good weight is for myself.  I do not often see that number on the scale!  I do have the choice of weighing in on the other scale in our house, the metric one.  That one at least will give me a smaller number as it is in kilos!  In any case, weight gain is normally something one tries to avoid.  It seems to be harder and harder with age to keep those numbers from climbing!

Our verse today mentions another kind of weight and it is all good; the weight of glory!  This is a weight one would like to see increase.  But the weight of glory in Heaven grows in direct relation to our afflictions here on earth.  The hard times are working for us.  Life’s sorrows are achieving that weight of glory!

All the trials and difficult times one experiences are but for a moment  They are a temporary condition.  And as hard as they feel, they are considered  “light” in comparison to the eternal glory that awaits.  Our pain is never wasted.  Our sorrow is not for nothing.  One day everything will be glorious.  One day there will be only recompense and joy.

As the old hymn says, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.  Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Him.”


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Shadowlands

Scripture for Today:  Colossians 2:17  “These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality however is found in Christ.”

When I was very little I won a poetry contest reciting Robert Louis Stevenson’s “My Shadow.”  The first few lines actually tie into our verse for today:

“I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me.  And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.”

The shadows spoken of in Colossians are all the Old Testament ordinances that foreshadowed Christ’s coming.  They did serve their purpose, announcing the eventual coming of the reality of Christ.  As a shadow approaches, the reality is not far behind.

How sad to know there are those who embrace shadows today.  Rather than recognizing the reality of salvation in Christ, some would rather live with religious regulations and traditions.  And like shadows, there is only empty coldness.  One cannot love and serve a shadow.

So many try the shadows not realizing they have missed the Essence.  This is especially true for those who have grown up in the Church and think they have tried Christianity.  The fact is that religious do’s and dont’s are not the same as a personal relationship with Christ!  One can confuse shadow with reality.

Rather than chasing after shadows, I want the reality of Christ in me.  I do not want to confuse the two.  I do not want to be content with just the customs and traditions of religion.  I want relationship.  I want the reality of things unseen.  As II Cor. 4:18 tells me, the things unseen are eternal.

It amazes me that Christ wants a relationship with me as well!  The shadows have had their day.  Today, my relationship with Him is the reality!


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Supplies

IMG_20130221_115830Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”

Coming to the end of a  toilet paper roll always presents a dilemma.  Should the new one be put in rolling out from the top or the bottom?  An important question for every newly married couple!

The French have a saying about having no more money, “au bout du rouleau” or “at the end of the roll.”  Who has not experienced panic at the end of that toilet paper roll, thinking it may be the last one!

For the believer, we need not ever panic when it comes to finances.  Our verse for today gives us a promise.  He will supply all our needs.  His store of supplies will never run out.  One can never come to the end of the riches of His glory.

Paul wrote this verse when he was in prison.  He experienced all kinds of hardship and yet he was able to affirm this truth.  God took care of all his needs.  I am sure that while traveling on his mission trips, he saw God supply all his needs.

I can also affirm the truth of this promise.  For the last 24 years my husband and I have seen God provide for all of our needs through individuals and churches.  There were times that were leaner than others.  But the Lord has always come through for us.  We have seen the truth of this promise on a monthly basis over and over.

My problem arises from the difficulty distinguishing between what is “need” and what is “want.”  God’s Word does not promise to supply all I want.  (I know, I’ve looked!)  He knows the difference.  But He loves to give good gifts.  His generosity is amazing!


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Cheerleaders

IMG_20130219_095627Scripture for Today:  Romans 15:4  “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

When our daughters were young they were thrilled to wear these cheerleading outfits.  At that time my husband taught at a public high school.  He had these outfits professionally made so the girls could cheer along with the “real” cheerleaders at sporting events.  They were quite the hit!

Anytime spirit lagged among the spectators, all the girls had to do was look cute and shake their pom-poms and the crowd would find their voice again!  With just a little encouragement from the girls, the crowd would cheer.

Our verse for today gives us another source of encouragement; Scripture.  We need its encouragement to hold on to our hope.  We need the encouragement of Scripture to endure.  Our spirits sometimes lag.  We get discouraged waiting for that answer to prayer or His promise to be fulfilled.

God’s Word is so much more than a pep talk though.  His Word is a love letter where the Lord reveals His heart as well as His plan for me.  He so often points me to just the right passage to encourage me when I am down.  He speaks to me through His Word when I am tired and feel like giving up.  He knows just what I am feeling.

Nothing in this world can give me the same kind of encouragement to hope that God’s Word does.  Hope in what is certain, true and unchangeable is a sure hope and not some flimsy wishful thinking.

God’s Word cheers me on.  He is on my side and He wants me to succeed.  He gives me daily encouragement to keep on keeping on!  Thank you, Lord!