Devotions By Jan

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Our Hearts

Scripture for Today:  Jeremiah 17:9  “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

When I see the form of a heart, I sure do not think of wickedness.  I think of romance.  I think of love.  I think of passion.  It is a beautiful symbol of what I like to think of as the best in human nature.

In the Bible, the heart is the seat of all our emotions and of our will.  It is what motivates and drives us.  When our hearts are right, that is a good thing.  When our hearts are rebellious, we get ourselves in big trouble!

I have often been quite sure about what I have wanted.  Then, when I have managed to receive it, I find that I did not want it after all.  That makes me think of the dog who chases after a car.  He has no clue what to do with it once he catches up to it!

My heart deceives me.  It will convince me that I will never be happy until this or that circumstance changes.  My heart will tell me that I will never be satisfied until I have a certain something.  But I have seen that the anticipated fulfillment is just not there.  In fact, after getting what I wanted, I sometimes am more unhappy.

The only One who really knows my heart is the Lord.  He searches it and tries it.  As my Creator, He knows what I really want and what will really make me happy.  I do not even know.  I think I do, but I do not.  The world is quick to say, “Just follow your heart.”  Embracing that philosophy is a dangerous idea.  My heart is wicked, prideful and selfish.  Better that I follow His heart.


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Tears

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 56:8  “You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle.  Are they not in Your book?”

I could not resist buying this simple bottle at the thrift store the other day.  I enjoy decorating with blue, a trait passed on by my Mother.  It does not hold very much, but it is big enough for a single rose.

There is a bottle belonging to the Lord that holds a lot more.  The liquid it contains is not water but salty tears.  What a moving image this is in our verse today.  The Lord is aware of every tear drop.

King David had plenty of occasions to shed tears.  When he wrote this Psalm he was on the run for his life.  His enemies were constantly after him.  Apparently, real men DO cry.  But he was confident the Lord knew of his circumstances and his feelings.  When David cried out, he was reassured that God was with him and for him.

He sees my tears too.  Although this is poetic imagery, I like to think of Him saving every drop.  It shows me that I am precious to Him.  He even sees the unshed tears.  God’s awareness of my circumstances and emotions would be meaningless if He did not also care.  But He not only cares, He has the power to do something about it!

Like David, I want to give my tears to Him.  He consoles like no other.  He comforts.  He sees and understands.  Just like He did with David, He reassures me that He is on my side.  No other one can dry my tears like He can.  In fact, one day there will be no more tears.  That is because one day, He will wipe away ALL tears from my eyes.


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We Shall Be Like Him

Scripture for Today:  I John 3:2  “Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.  We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”

I remember these old fashioned polaroid pictures.  It was fun to be able to see the picture right away without waiting for the film to be developed.  Of course, with digital photography, one sees the image instantly.  But back in the day, there was a certain anticipation seeing the picture slowly come to life before one’s eyes.

In the spiritual realm, our lives are like that slowly developing photograph.  Those who belong to Jesus are God’s children.  We know we are His by the assurance of His Spirit.  He is our Photographer and He is slowly developing a certain image in us, the image of His Son.  One day, the photograph of our lives will be completed and the clear image of Jesus will be seen.

It is a long process lasting a lifetime.  The rate of development seems to change daily.  There are days where His image in me is clearer than in others.  Some days, the photograph is dark and fuzzy.  Those are the days I am not walking with Him.  He does not continue His developing work in me without my cooperation and obedience.

One day, His development in me will be complete.  He has promised this in Philippians 1:6.  When the work in me is complete, I will be like Him.  A more beautiful image will just not be possible!  What a fantastic hope this is!  When I think on this truth I am more motivated to cooperate with Him in obedience.  Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me today!


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Ask Directions

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 25:5  “Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”

What is it with men and directions?  Normally, my husband does not have a problem stopping the car and asking for some guidance.  But he recently had a meeting to attend in Paris.  He spent some time beforehand studying this metro map at the house.  He confided that he did not want to look like an ignorant tourist and have to ask others for help.  I understand it can be stressful trying to figure out the system while being jostled by impatient commuters.

When it comes to decision making for the believer, there are times when we do not want to admit we need guidance.  To ask counsel somehow denotes weakness and ineptitude.  We want to always appear competent and in control.

Our verse today talks about the need for guidance when it comes to His truth.  We are not going to find it on our own.  We need to be guided by Him.  What’s more, we need to ASK Him for that guidance.  There’s the challenge: to remember to ask!   I would like to think I already have it figured out.  I have been a believer for many years.  I can delude myself into thinking I have a handle on His truth.  That is like failing to consult the map and deciding to just “wing it.”  Before I know it, I am going the wrong way on a one- way street!

It takes humility to ask for directions, but when it comes to God’s truth it is the only way to get there!  God’s Word and His Spirit give us that direction.  Guide me today, Lord.  My hope is in You.


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Fruit

Scripture for Today:  John 15:5  “I am the Vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”

In the vineyards behind our house some varieties of grapes have already been harvested.  But there are others still there even while the leaves are turning golden.  These varieties produce a “vendage tardive” and are much sweeter for having been on the vine longer.  Our landlords share them with us and they are so juicy and sweet.

Of course, these grapes would not be at the point of maturity if they had somehow been separated from the vine.  But imagine one variety of grape looking at another that is harvested first and wondering when their day will come!  These grapes have to wait a bit longer for their fruit to be sweeter.  In the meantime they have to REMAIN connected to the vine.

There are times in the life of every believer when one wonders when fruit will come.  It is easy to look at other Christians and their fruit.  But theirs is a different variety.  Their spiritual gifting is different.  Maybe the number of years they have been connected to the Vine is longer.  In any case, we are to STAY connected and await God’s timing for the harvesting of His fruit.

The Father is the Vinedresser.  He is the One responsible for fruit production, whatever variety, whatever  the timing of the harvest.  My responsibility is to stay connected to Jesus, my Vine.  Without Him there is no fruit of any kind.  I need to resist the temptation of looking around at the other branches and wondering about why their fruit is bigger or sweeter.  Lord, please produce fruit in me in Your way and in Your time.