Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Contentment


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The Wishbone

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

As the youngest child in my family, I was enthusiastic about any tradition that might give me an edge over my three siblings!  This old superstition says that whoever ends up with the largest part of the bird’s “wishbone” when pulled apart, can make a wish that will surely come true.  As I did not become the richest person in the world, this belief is officially debunked!  However, one can always hope!

According to our verse for today, hope that is not fulfilled can make a heart sick.  To continually hope in something that is not to happen is just sad.  Barring divine intervention, a sterile woman may never give birth, a hoped-for reconciliation may never take place and world peace may never become a reality.  Hoping that has nothing to recommend it but wishful thinking is a flimsy hope.

What a contrast it is to have a solid hope.  Flimsy wishful thinking does not resemble in the least the sure hope we have in God’s promises.  This kind of hope never makes our hearts sick.  There will one day be a time when this hope is fulfilled.  A tree of life awaits us in Paradise (Rev. 22:1-2).  Every desire will be realized.  There will no longer be any need to hope.  Hopes will be fulfilled.

My heart can be sickly if I am hoping in the wrong things.  But when my hope is firmly place in God, the God of hope, my heart becomes strong and courageous! (Psalm 31:24)  He never disappoints.  He never goes back on His promises.  He Himself is the fulfillment of all my hope.

Regardless of what this day brings Lord, keep my heart strong, hoping in You.

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.

 

 

 


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In or Out?

Scripture for Today: Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”

What this cat is doing looks very familiar.  Our Tiger does the same thing.  He stands at the door waiting to go out.  Then, when he is out, not two minutes go by before he is back at the door waiting to come in!  And before I know it, he is waiting to go out once again.  He never seems happy about where he is!

There is a store in France called, “Un Jour Ailleurs” meaning, “One Day Elsewhere.”  That store name sums up the problem of cats always wanting to be elsewhere!  I can identify with Tiger.  Often I find myself longing for my homeland, only to be pining for France soon after my arrival!

Our verse for today promises happiness and satisfaction.  But the condition is that I long for the right things!  The one whose desire is to live a life in right standing with God can find contentment.  He has already given us everything that is needed to live a godly life (II Peter 1:3)  He does not frustrate our desire to live for Him.  He will enable and equip us.  He gives immense satisfaction in our service for Him.  When we hunger and thirst after a righteous life, He will make that life worth living!

Can I really be happy and complete regardless of whether I am in or out, here or there?  God says, “Yes!”  He offers to satisfy the desires of my heart when I make living for Him my delight.  My contentment and satisfaction will never come from style of life or location or material goods.  It all comes from my relationship with Him.

Lord, may hungering and thirsting for You bring me blessing today.


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Swallow’s Nest

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 84:3-4 “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, My King and My God.”

There is a city ordinance in San Juan Capistrano, California, that prohibits knocking down a swallow’s nest!  Their bird droppings may be annoying, but they are protected.  The return of the swallows in March is celebrated every year with a parade and their likeness is sold in the town’s souvenir shop.  These swallows build their mud nests clinging to the ruins of the Great Stone Church of the Mission.  The arches of the vaulted ruins are bare and exposed, making it the perfect place for their nests.

Our verse for today speaks of another perfect place for a nest.  The swallow builds her nest near God’s altar.  When one thinks of a nest, there is the thought of comfort, care and protection.  A nest represents home and hearth.  The altar of God represents His presence.  It is a place of adoration and worship.  The psalmist cannot even mention the word “altar” without praising His name!  The context of this verse goes on to say that there is happiness when dwelling in His presence.

A nest may be built of all sorts of bits and pieces.  It could include mud, feathers, twigs and leaves.  But the most important factor is its proximity to God’s altar.  My nest could be feathered well with all kinds of creature comforts, but does it include God’s presence?  Dwelling in His presence means there is happiness and praise for Him (verse 4).

I want my nest to be His dwelling place.  Lord, may my home be marked by happiness, satisfaction and praise to You!

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.


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People Watching

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 10:12 “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.  When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”

One of the best things about living in Europe is enjoying all the outdoor cafes.  And one of the best things about sitting outside is people watching!  Ordering and eating is almost secondary to that all-important activity.  It is an art to do it discreetly, but we all do it!  And as long as one does not make eye contact, it is all perfectly acceptable.  Part of the fun is guessing the nationality of a tourist by how they are dressed.  Not only am I noticing fashion but I find myself wondering about the social standing of a passerby.

Our verse for today addresses those who compare themselves to themselves.  Paul is admonishing those who are looking only on the surface of things (verse 7).  He did not fit their ideas of a dynamic speaker or an impressive presence.  In the context of this verse, Paul is teaching that boasting has no place in the life of a believer.  And boasting is what can so easily happen when we compare ourselves to those like ourselves.  Rather than looking for approval by commending oneself, we are to seek God’s approval (verse 18).

Comparing myself to others believers can sometimes lead to complacency and smugness.  Perhaps I am not struggling with some of the same issues as a “weaker brother” in Christ.  But God knows my heart and how much work still needs to be done!  Being well viewed by other believers is never the point.  True wisdom is comparing myself to Jesus Himself and asking the Lord to make me more like Him!

Keep me focused on You, Lord.


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Graceland

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:14 “I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by Your rules as if they were riches of all kinds.”

My Mother-in-law is a huge fan of Elvis Presley, so it only makes sense that she would love to visit his Graceland home.  This opulent mansion sits on fourteen acres in Memphis, Tennessee.  The museum it has become attracts over 600,000 tourists each year from all over the world.  It is the second most visited home in America after the White House.  Of course, Elvis enjoyed all the goodies that go with fabulous wealth.  One funny fact is the buzzer he had under his dining room table, there to summon the kitchen staff.  His lifestyle was the envy of many, but it is said that his choices led to his untimely death at forty-two.

Today’s verse talks about an entirely different lifestyle.  It is one that brings joy, although one would not think so at first glance.  It is a life that follows rules.  Where is the joy in that?  We normally feel that a happy life is one that is not bound or restricted by rules of any kind.  But His rules are different.  His rules make possible a full, rich and abundant life.  Guilt plays no part of it when we enjoy His forgiveness.  Worries about tomorrow do not destroy our peace.  Following God’s way brings blessings that are as enjoyable as riches of all kinds!

It is so difficult to stop equating financial ease with happiness.  It is a message I constantly hear.  I know better but I still am influenced by this very prevalent thinking.  Even harder to grasp is the idea that God’s rules can make life work and bring joy.  But this is what He promises.

Thank you Lord, for the riches You give in following Your way!