Devotions By Jan

Author Archives: devotionsbyjan


by Leave a comment

Not Considered Bread?

Scripture for Today: John 6:33 “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

It certainly looks like bread! But recently, a popular international sandwich-making chain was told something surprising. The tax break on this American bread being “essential” would no longer be applied. The sugar content of their bread was so elevated that Ireland would no longer considered it as bread or as being essential! Their product was now grouped with pastries and other baked sugary goods and no longer enjoyed tax exemption.

Today’s verse describes a bread that is from God and its origin is heaven. This is a bread with nothing added that is not essential! It is a bread that is exactly what every human being needs as it gives life. Jesus identifies Himself as this bread, calling Himself the “bread of life.” (verse 35) Jesus Christ is essential to true life. Without Him, there is an inexplicable hunger for something more. Without Him, there is an empty gnawing feeling despite pleasant circumstances. But in Him, there is everything we need to feel abundantly filled with all that is essential. Whoever comes to Him has his hunger satisfied. (verse 35)

He is my life. There is nothing I can add to my life to make it more satisfying. I have tried and none of this earth’s goodies do it! In fact, it is when I get distracted by all this world has to offer that I start to feel hunger pangs again. But they are immediately quelled when I seek Him out. He fills up my heart as it was made for Him. He satisfies my restless searching spirit with Himself. I can be calm and content in knowing and loving the Giver of Life!

Thank you Lord, that You satisfy my hunger.


by 2 Comments

Dorian Gray

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

What a bizarre premise to this 1890 fictional work of Oscar Wilde!  The Picture of Dorian Gray relates the story of Dorian who wishes that his painted image would age instead of himself.  That way he could follow his hedonistic world view and spend his life chasing pleasure.  With every selfish act his image got older and uglier but he himself remained ageless!  And as you can imagine, the story does not end well!

This story reminded me of today’s verse.  Outwardly and with enough time, we are all wasting away.  We do what we can to minimize the effects of age, but eventually we look more and more beat up!  Our bodies break down but that does not have to be true for the inside.  What is seen in the mirror is only temporary but the renewal that is taking place on the inside is eternal. (verse 18)

Life is so often filled with hardship and struggle.  Like Paul I may feel that I am “hard pressed on every side” (verse 8) but that does not mean I give in to despair.  I may feel crushed by the weight of my trials but I have hope.  I do not want to lose heart because God is using every negative in my life to create a lasting and eternal beauty on the inside.  Within I am becoming more mature as I respond to the Lord in faith and perseverance.  I can be confident that God is using it all to make me more like His Son.

Thank you Lord for this hope!  Keep me focused on what You are accomplishing on the inside.


by Leave a comment

Seven Magic Mountains

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:164-165 “Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous Laws.  Great peace have they who love Your Law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

How strange to see these seven pillars standing tall outside of Las Vegas, Nevada!  Their brightly painted colors are in stark contrast with the plain brown desert.  These seven pillars, called the Seven Magic Mountains, were built by a Swiss artist as a public art project.  They are 30-35 feet tall and each of the thirty three boulders  weigh 10-25 tons each!  Perhaps there are seven of them as this number is considered lucky.  But in Scripture, the number seven represents completion or perfection.

In today’s verse David does not use the number seven literally.  David mentions praying three times a day in Psalm 55:17.  In fact, David writes that His praise shall continually be in his mouth (Psalm 34:1).  He uses the number seven here to express a desire to worship the Lord perfectly, or completely.  In turning towards a holy and righteous God, David is showing a special care in his devotion.  His praise is specific; for God’s Law.  He recognizes the stability His Law gives to life.  In following God’s righteous way, one will not stumble as the wicked do whenever calamity strikes (Prov. 24:16).  David praises God for the great peace that comes from being obedient.  He knew the difference.  He experienced first hand the agony and awful consequences of breaking God’s Law.

What a beautiful and worthy subject of praise!  God’s Law gives stability and direction to my life.  It keeps me from stumbling.  Following His Law gives me heart peace instead of guilt and confusion.  Seven times a day is only the beginning of my praise and worship!

Lord, may I continually praise You today!  You are worthy!

 

 


by Leave a comment

Pumpkin Season

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 4:2 “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.”

With availability all year round for some produce, the concept of “in season” or “out of season” can sometimes no longer apply!  But for the pumpkin, there is no question of when it is in season!  I see the fields off the freeway dotted with orange and they have invaded the grocery stores.  In fact, in warm Southern California, it is about the only indication that autumn has arrived!

Today’s verse talks about something that is not to change regardless of the seasons, and that is sharing the truth of God’s Word.  It is always timely and speaks to every season, every year and every century!  There is an urgency to this command as there will come a time when people will not put up with biblical truth. (verse 3)  Paul encourages young Timothy not to wait for some other time that seems more favorable.  The time is now to correct and rebuke with truth while they will still listen.  Hearing the truth of God’s Word will encourage the hearer when done with patience and careful instruction.

Because people are not so open to hearing God’s truth, I tend to forget to be prepared for those small windows of opportunity to share when they will still listen.  God continues to draw people to Himself, even in the middle of an increasingly hostile-to-the-Gospel culture.  It is “not easy and pleasant to hear” about one’s need (verse 3)  And more often than not, those around me may turn their ears away from the truth. (verse 4) But the Lord only asks me to be faithful to share the truth of His incredible forgiveness.

Help me Lord, to be prepared and available.

 

 

 


by Leave a comment

Elephant Ear Plant

Scripture for Today: Psalms 85:8  “I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants –  but let them not turn to folly.”

The reason for the name of this plant is obvious.  The size and shape of this plant’s leaves resemble the ear of the elephant.  In fact, this invasive plant can overshadow the surrounding flowering plants with its big leaves, blocking their sunlight.  The leaves of the Elephant Ear can grow three feet long and two feet wide, or more!  If their ears could actually hear, I wonder if they would hear their gardener grumbling about their size and tendency to take over the garden!

I wish my spiritual ears were as big as this plant so as not to miss God’s voice!  In today’s verse God’s voice promises peace to His faithful servants.  It begins with the psalmist’s statement of intention, “I will.”  There are a myriad of sounds out there clamoring to be heard.  But listening to the Lord through His Word takes intentional effort and discipline.  And listening to Him keeps us from folly or doing anything foolish.

He speaks peace to those that belong to Him.  What a promise!  So many times I have come to Him in prayer totally agitated and stressed.  He calms me down and listening intently I hear reminders of His love and control in my circumstances.  I get in that troubled state usually because I have not been listening to Him in the first place!  If I am honest with myself, I realize I am quite capable of doing all kinds of foolish things with impeccable rationale!  Listening to Him daily through His Word is the best way to avoid my own folly.  And I need the peace and calm He offers.

Lord, keep me peaceful by listening to You!