Devotions By Jan

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How Sweet!

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 19:10  “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; they are sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb.”

Honey-making is a big deal around here!  There are little roadside stands everywhere selling honey.  There is even a Honey Fair in our town this month!  I am no connaisseur but I do appreciate the differences in taste.  There are so many varieties!  I just received a hostess gift of honey from the wildflowers in the Alps!  Yum!  But one thing they all have in common, sweetness!

The verse for today compares God’s Word to the sweetness of honey.  But just as the bee keeper has to make an effort to harvest the honey, so I need to make an effort to read and study God’s Word!  The bee keeper has protective gear to avoid the bee sting but I am sure he still gets a few.  Even with pain involved the bee keeper stays motivated to reach that honey!  The Bible can be difficult sometimes to understand.  There is effort involved to dig and study.  There are times when God’s Word convicts me and like a bee sting, that is not comfortable!  But the sweetness of relationship with my Creator makes every effort worth it!

How do I feel about the Bible today!  Do I regard reading it as an obligation?  Or do I run to it with anticipation for what God may communicate to me today?  The sweetness of His love for me is there in its pages.  The assurance of His care and control is a reminder that is sweet to taste.  Psalms 34:8 says to taste and see that the Lord, He is good!  I sometimes complain that I have too much of a “sweet tooth” but when it comes to reading God’s Word, that’s a good thing!


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Doorway

Scripture for Today:  John 10:9  “I am the Door; anyone who enters by Me will be saved.  He will come in and go out freely and will find pasture.”

I am fascinated by doors in Europe.  There are so many shapes and sizes.  These large ones leading into courtyards are especially eye catching for their shape.  I learned that the arch, although pretty, is not there for looks.  Its shape allowed for the passage of horse and carriage in former times.

In our verse for today Jesus describes Himself as the Door of the sheepfold.  In this image is found exclusivity and freedom; exclusivity because He is THE Door and not one of many.  Those who enter the sheepfold by another way are called thieves and robbers.  But those who enter by the Door are His own.  They enjoy freedom.  Those sheep who belong to the Shepherd can go in and out freely and enjoy green pastures or abundant life!

It is through Jesus and Jesus alone that we have salvation and pardon for sin.  He made a way for us at great cost to Himself.  Those who try to circumvent the Door miss out, not only on eternal life but an abundant life full of green pastures on this earth!  How amazing that He cares about the quality of life in the here and now.  It is through Him that we find those green pastures implying rest, protection and satisfaction.

My daughters accuse me of having a song for every idea or occasion.  I remember a very old children’s song that says, “One door and only one and yet its sides are two.  I’m on the inside, on which side are you?”  For now, that Door still stands open.  May I be faithful in pointing others to the Door, leading to salvation and abundant life!


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Choose!

Scripture for Today  Deuteronomy 30:19  “I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses;  therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.”

This sign is not so clear, is it?  It looks as if either direction may work.  The signs in France can be almost as confusing to an American.  They seem to indicate a turn to the left when in fact they are pointing ahead, but at a slight angle.

This sign reminds me of the person who believes they can go two directions at once, even opposing ones, and do fine.  The verse today talks about making a choice.  These words were spoken by Moses to God’s chosen people.  In fact it was his farewell address.  Moses knew that the people would be tempted to follow after other gods while at the same time worshiping the Lord.  It doesn’t work.

There are times when we are tempted as well to have one foot in the world and one foot in the church.  Like the sign, that is going in two opposing directions.  There is a choice to be made.

It sure seems obvious which is the correct choice!  Wouldn’t one want life over death and blessing over curse?  The choice is just that clear.  When we follow the world’s values we are setting ourselves up for a life complicated by sin.  We miss out on God’s blessing.  Jesus said in John 14:6 that HE is the life!  Outside of Him there is death and curse.

I need to remind myself that even when the choice is difficult and I am tempted to go another way, choosing Him is worth it!  He rewards my obedience with blessing and life!


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Old Clothes

Scripture for Today:  Ephesians 4:22  “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.”

From time to time we all need to go through our closets and throw out what no longer works for us.  In France, one is more likely to go through the armoire, as built-in closets are not the norm.  Sorting means making some hard decisions, especially getting rid of that item we still like but is now too small!  We look to see what piece of clothing is outdated, needing repair or is a multiple.  Sometimes we are attached to an item only because of the memories it invokes or because of the person who gave it to us.

Our verse today is about putting off our old self.  Like a piece of clothing we are to take it off.  The old self or old nature is who we were before Christ changed us and gave us a new nature, resembling Him.  The old self is characterized in Eph. 4 by lies, sinful anger, stealing, unwholesome talk, bitterness, rage, brawling, slander and all malice.

If you are like me, some of these items are still hanging out in your closet!  Like a ratty comfortable robe, I slip back into habits that should not be a part of my wardrobe any longer.  I am often unaware of what I am wearing.  But those old clothes are NOT pretty.

I do have a choice.  Nothing obligates me to put my hand on that old worn out sin and wear it again today.  Because of Christ, I can be new.  I can have a whole new look, a look that resembles Him.  Help me Lord, to recognize the old and throw it out!


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Water of Life

Scripture for Today:  John 4:13  Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

I love the image of water that Jesus uses.  Jesus is called the Living Water.  In French this is a bit of a problem to translate literally.  Many Americans translate this as “l’eau de vie” or “water of life.”   It should work, except this is the name of a common liquor in France.  Ooops.

Water is essential to life and so is Jesus!  He offers water completely different than what is found in the wells of this world.  The Samaritan woman to whom Jesus was speaking was looking to satisfy her thirst in various relationships with men.   But it wasn’t working.

The water that the world offers must contain a trace of salt as it just makes one want more.  Whether it be personal relationships, possessions, power or prestige, we are left wanting more.  It does not satisfy the thirst.  But Jesus can.  That is because He has made us and He knows better than we do how to satisfy our deepest desires.

My thirst for significance, for meaningful relationship, and for contentment are all found in the water of His indwelling Spirit!  It is a source that never dries up and will continue throughout eternity.  Isaiah 55:1 is the great invitation, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…”  He is so good to be all that is needed, not only for existence, but for life that is abundant.  I love this old hymn that says,  “Fill my cup, Lord.  I lift it up, Lord.  Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.”  And He does!