Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Cat Images


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No Room!

Cat-Asleep-in-DollhouseScripture for Today: Ephesians 3:16-17 “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

We have just moved into a very small house and I feel much like the cat pictured here.  There just doesn’t seem to be enough room.  Trying to fit as much furniture as possible into a tight space makes the house seem even smaller.  The question keeps resurfacing, “Where am I going to put this?”  The answer is too often “in the garage” and I am wondering if there will be enough space for the cars.  There is just no room!

In our verse for today Paul prays that the believers in Ephesus will be strengthened by God’s power so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith.  It is in having Christ dwell in them that they can realize personally the amazing love He has for them.  His love is so wide, long, high and deep that they are completely filled (verses 18-20).

When I fill my heart with something other than Christ and His love, I find I have lots of room leftover.  There seem to be many nooks and crannies that look empty and bare.  And no matter how much I try to fill it with all the world feels is important, the more empty it can seem.  But what a difference with Christ dwelling in me!  There is no room for anything else when His love is so wide, long, high and deep.

My prayer is that the presence and love of Christ will be felt not only in this small house but in my heart as well.  May I be so filled with His love, that it spills out the windows and doors and touches others!


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Bath Time

Scripture for Today: John 13:10 “Jesus answered, ‘Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.'”

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to bathe a cat!  If it is ever tried, the best way is to do it with some sort of protective gear as claws will appear!  I have heard of cats that like water but it seems to be the exception.  The howling and carrying on is pathetic.  Normally, the cat licking himself is all that is needed, but there are those rare occasions when a bath is necessary.  And afterwards, the cat will never look at its owner in quite the same way again!

Our verse for today is in the context of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.  All but one of these disciples (Judas) had already been bathed.  They had each experienced the life-changing cleansing and forgiveness of the Lord.  However, the day-to-day walk meant that their feet would continue to get dirty and need daily cleansing.

I am thankful for that initial bath of salvation.  It does not need to be repeated.  God’s forgiveness is complete and there is nothing to add to our salvation.  “It is finished,” was declared from the cross and my salvation is secured because of His grace.  That does not mean that I do not continue to sin, unfortunately.  But because of being “in Christ” (Romans 8:1) there is no longer any condemnation for my sin.  Taking care of “dirty feet” everyday means that I agree with God when He points out that dirt.  I need to recognize my sin and ask His help to avoid repeating it.

Thank you Lord, that in Heaven my feet will no longer need washing!

 

 


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Bread-Loving Cat

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 6:25-26a “Do not lust in your heart for her beauty, and do not let her captivate you with her alluring eyes.  For on account of a prostitute one is brought down to a loaf of bread…”

This is not our cat, Tiger, but it very well could be.  We were always careful to close the kitchen door when any food was left out.  Tiger was not very discriminating in his tastes and would try just about any “people food!”  As long as it was forbidden, it was somehow worth the effort to climb up on the counters or table and brave our displeasure.  Of course our cat, being French, was spoiled with the availability of baguette!

Our verse for today uses the image of a loaf of bread to describe the impoverished state of a man who visits a prostitute.  He not only wastes his money on something that does not really satisfy, but he also cheapens what is meant to be beautiful within the commitment of marriage.  In allowing himself to be captivated by lust, he impoverishes his very soul.  What could be romantic, noble and satisfying is reduced to something as ordinary and common as a piece of bread.

The warning in this verse can also apply to what goes on in my heart and mind.  Jesus puts the standard very high teaching that secret lust is as serious as actual sexual sin (Matt. 5:28).  The standard is put so high in order to safeguard what is meant to be beautiful.  Rather than think of God’s Law as restrictive, I see His way as being what is most satisfying.  Sexual immorality impoverishes whereas following God’s plan enriches and deepens a relationship.

Lord, protect my heart and mind from cheapening what You mean to be rich and satisfying.


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“He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not”

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I had no idea until now that the game of pulling off daisy petals has its origin in France!  It is called, “effeuiller la marguerite,” and the idea of course is to determine if the object of your affection returns your love.  The phrase, “he loves me, he loves me not,” is repeated with the removal of each petal until with the last petal comes the answer.  This phrase exists in thirty three languages so this game seems to be worldwide.  I remember playing this as a young girl but was not too convinced with either outcome.

I never have to play this game with God.  Unlike human relationships, there are no games involved.  He has made a commitment to love me and He never goes back on His promise.  Our verse for today reassures me of the permanence of His love.  There is no dark power that can interfere with His love.  There is no unforseen event in my future that can change His love.  Death itself cannot annul His indescribable love for me.  Paul was convinced of this truth and it changed his life.  He found this love when he found Jesus Christ.  And we find this incredible love in the same person!

Does He love me more today than yesterday?  Will He love me more tomorrow than today?  As He is love by His very nature, the answer is “no.”  His love is a perfect love that cannot be improved upon.  The answer is always, “He loves me.”


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Newborn Kittens

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 5:7  “For we walk by faith , not by sight.”

Most every year growing up, our Chin-Chin had a beautiful litter of kittens.  She knew that the cardboard box full of clean rags in the hall closet was for her.  Those sweet kittens did not look like much when first born.  But as they grew older they also grew cuter!

How much those newborns needed their mother, not only for nourishment but for personal hygiene and safety!  Kittens do not open their eyes until after a week old making their dependance on their mother that much more important.  Their vision remains poor until ten weeks old.  These cute balls of fur stumble around and knock into things until their sight develops.

Our verse for today is short but profound.  Like the newborn kitten, we stumble around and knock into things trying to figure out life.  We try to walk using our own logic and understanding and we do not do so well.  The Lord means for us to depend on Him and walk in faith.  The context is between two verses speaking of confidence.  When we take steps in faith they are confident steps.  The One in whom we place our confidence is willing and able to guide, direct and reassure.

The context teaches walking in faith in a particular situation; death.  It is in facing the death of a loved one or our own death that our faith is truly tested.  The Lord means for me to have confidence in His Word and promises when facing eternity.  Although I cannot see, I can deal with life or approach death with sweet kitten-like dependence on the Lord.  There is confidence and peace rather than anxiety and fear.

If I see nothing ahead but You Lord, it is enough.