Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


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The Blue Devils


Scripture for Today: Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Duke is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina.  It has a long history having been founded in 1838 by Methodists and Quakers.  Their motto in English is “Knowledge and Faith.”  Their basketball team, called the Blue Devils, have an eight-episode documentary recently released.  It documents their preparation for their 2018-2019 season.  The title of this documentary is undoubtably meant to be motivational for the players, “Earn Everything.”

Today’s verse teaches an important truth that salvation is something that cannot be earned.  Very clearly it states that salvation does not come through our work or efforts.  We want to think that somehow, something we did contributed to being saved.  But no matter how hard one works to earn Heaven, man will always fall short of the perfect standard of God’s holiness.  And the problem with thinking we can earn it is never knowing if we have done enough!  Salvation is free and a gift from God.  Because this is true, none of us can boast about earning it.

My gratitude towards God grows by leaps and bounds when I grasp this truth.  It is all grace and it is amazing!  There is tremendous freedom in my spirit to be assured that my salvation depends on Him and not my efforts.  In a season of gift-giving, isn’t this the greatest gift of all!  Without this truth, I would always be in a state of fear and worry about my eternal destination.  But I do not have to worry when I place my faith and trust in what HE did on that cross!

Thank you Lord, for such an incredible, unearned gift!


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Famous Builder

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 3:3 “Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.”

This is a very recognizable house!  It was many years ago that we made a visit to the White House and I remember feeling the history of the place.  But to my chagrin I did not remember who built it!  The architect, James Hoban, not only built it originally in 1792 but he also rebuilt it after the British set fire to it in 1814.  One would think that such a recognizable landmark with such history would have brought the builder more name recognition!

Today’s verse points out that the builder of a house would normally have more honor than the actual building.  The Jews being addressed were honoring Moses more than Jesus.  Moses was very important as a faithful servant in God’s house, however Jesus is the Son over God’s house (verse 5-6).  Jesus Christ as God’s Son and the Builder of the house deserves all the honor.  And the “house” are all those, Jews and Gentiles alike, who have trusted in Christ’s sacrifice for their sin.

So God is the Architect and Builder of my life.  Sometimes, I do not understand the building plans at all.  There seem to be some wide open places that I wish He would close in and make more intimate.  There are way too many doors when as an introvert I would prefer to be quiet and alone.  But He is the Builder of my life and I can trust what He is creating.  In any case, all the honor for any success and accomplishment belongs to Him!  When others see my “house” may they see the Builder.

Lord, what an honor it is to honor You!


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“I Want to Thank Me”

Scripture for Today: Psalm 35:18 “I will give You thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise You.”

A new star has just been added to Hollywood’s Walk Of Fame.  The one being honored before the crowd made quite a statement at the end of his tribute to  friends and family.  “Last but not least, I want to thank me for believing in me.”  He then went on to describe all his hard work and sacrifice.  He ended his self-congratulations with an expletive.

Today’s verse declares David’s intent to praise and give thanks to God before the crowd.  David, as king of Israel, had many occasions to speak publicly and honor himself.  But he did not.  He did not thank himself for all his hard work and sacrifice.  David had killed a giant.  As a mighty warrior and powerful king, he had much more reason than a pop star to praise himself before the people.  But instead, he gave all thanks and praise to God.   David understood that his life was fleeting, a mere “handbreadth.”  Every life is but a breath. (Ps. 39:4-5)  David was not perfect but he understood just how big God is in comparison to any man.

How odd to hear this news story during Thanksgiving week!  We just celebrated this day by recognizing all of our blessings.  We thanked our families and our friends.  But for believers, it is most importantly a time to thank God for His love, mercy and grace.  HE deserves all my praise and thanks for everything that is good in my life.  I cannot take credit for anything.  He gives me my intellect and my talents.  He gives me my health and my wealth.  He gives me my next breath and heartbeat!

Lord, I cannot thank me.  I thank You!

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Out of Control

Scripture for Today: Genesis 4:7 “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?  But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

It is one thing when your toddler throws a tantrum in the grocery store or at a friend’s house.  But it was quite another for this mother when her toddler lost it at the White House!  I can just imagine the mother’s chagrin to have such a display at the feet of the president.  It made me smile to see her looking at Mrs. Obama rather than looking at the chaos happening on the floor!

Today’s verse is a loving warning to Cain from the Lord.  Cain’s emotions have reached the boiling point.  Much more serious than a child’s tantrum, his anger is about to erupt in violence.  God does not tell Cain to swallow or suppress his emotions.  He tells Cain that he must rule over them in order to avoid sinful behavior.  As strong as his anger was, Cain always had a choice.  And he chose to allow his anger to grow out of control.

Self-control is something that normally is learned with maturity.  We cannot always get what we want when we want it.  I know that the anger I feel from not having my own way is totally selfish.  But sometimes that self-control is totally lacking and emotions seem to rule over me.  They do not respond to reason or good intentions.  I cannot seem to rule over my emotions on my own.  Thankfully, I have God’s Spirit and the fruit of His presence includes that elusive self-control.  When I feel like I am getting out of control, I need to embrace His control.

Lord, help me submit to You.

 


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Chip on the Shoulder

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath.  But a harsh word stirs up anger.”

This picture made me laugh!  It is not quite what a “chip on the shoulder” refers to but certainly brought the old saying to mind.  It used to mean the practice of placing a wooden chip on the shoulder.  It was done as a provocation to fight.  The idea was to knock it off as a signal for the fight to begin.  A feeling or conviction was so deeply held that to disagree meant that one would be challenged.  Examples of this practice are seen in old British movies in the early twentieth century.

Today’s verse gives a different response to the one with a chip on his shoulder.  Anger can be diffused with a gentle answer.  To respond in any other way to an argumentative person would only serve to stoke the fire of his anger.  Challenging his logic may very well fall into the category of “harsh words.”  When emotions run high is not the time to reason with a belligerent person.  However, it is always a good idea to calm the situation with a gentle soothing word.

It has been said that, “the best way to knock off the chip on your neighbor’s shoulder is to pat him on the back.”  Soft gentle answers can help validate someone who feels they have been unfairly treated.  The problem is that I want to be seen as right.  It is my pride that makes it so difficult to respond with gentleness and not try and prove my point.  I need His Spirit to keep me calm in the face of the one so angry if there is to be any “turning away of wrath”!

Lord, make my words soft and gentle today.