Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


by Leave a comment

Iceberg

Scripture for Today:  I Timothy 1:19 “holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.”

I can understand these men getting as close as they dare to this iceberg.  It is impressive, especially with its beautiful blue tint.  However, there is more to this iceberg than meets the eye!  I would be concerned that some jagged piece of it hidden below the surface may capsize the boat!  This iceberg is termed a “bergy bit” as it is roughly the size of a house.  But, of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg as about 90% of an iceberg is found under water.

Today’s verse is Paul’s charge to young Timothy.  Although Timothy had been raised by a believing Mother and Grandmother, he is encouraged to hold on tight to the faith with a good conscience.  The possibility of “shipwrecked faith” was a danger for Timothy even though he was a leader in the church.  The believer is never exempt from the threat of wrong doctrine or the temptation to sin.  All that is needed to be vulnerable to shipwreck is to think that it could never happen!

I want to hold on tightly to my faith.  There are so many unseen and hidden dangers that can put me at risk when I become overconfident.  I want to hold on tightly when I am rocked by circumstances that make no sense and tempt me to doubt.  I need to hold on firmly to the word of life so as not to capsize (Phil. 2:16).   I do not want to be stuck on a sandbar and out of commission.  I want to finish this journey right to the end!

Lord, keep my faith strong and my conscience clear.


by 1 Comment

Elephants Never Forget

Scripture for Today:  Phil. 3:13b-14 “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

It is a common adage that, “elephants never forget.”  There have been many scientific studies done and it has been established that although they don’t remember every little thing, elephants do have remarkable memories.  The older females leading a herd are especially likely to remember previous watering holes.  They remember the urine smells of up to 30 other elephants in their herd, distinguishing friend from foe.

Today’s verse talks about the value of forgetting something very specific.  Paul is saying that to make any progress in our Christian growth, we are to FORGET what is behind.  I always assumed, knowing Paul’s past of persecuting the Church, that he meant his past sins.  However, the context of the passage speaks of his Jewish lineage, his zeal and his righteousness.  He counted his religiosity and good works as rubbish in order to know Christ and to have the righteousness which comes from faith in Him.

What does this mean for me?  Do I pride myself in past accomplishments in the realm of good works?  Am I on  “cruise control” in my spiritual journey, thinking what I’ve already done for the Lord can somehow carry me along?  Or am I motivated to keep on keeping on?  It is a sobering thought to realize that any spiritual pride or SELF righteousness will keep me from moving forward.  Better to forget even the good things in my past if they cause me to be complacent in the present.  The Lord does not want me to relax but to keep pressing on to a deeper and more satisfying relationship with HIm.

Lord, keep me motivated to press on.

 


by Leave a comment

Grandfather Clocks

Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

These beautiful Grandfather clocks stand proudly in the World Museum in Liverpool, England.  The first Grandfather clock (or Longcase clock) was produced around 1680 by a British clockmaker, William Clement.  The name “Grandfather” clock is thought to be the result of a song written in 1876 entitled, “My Grandfather’s Clock.”  Our modern ones have an eight day movement.  But earlier less expensive models had only a thirty hour movement.  In either case, time would run out if not wound by a key or if the chains were not pulled.

Today’s verse is another reminder that time is the great equalizer.  We all have the same daily twenty four hours handed to us.  But what is so amazing is that our God is in control of time.  Not only is my time in His hands but all time is.  He is eternal and outside of time.  His kingdom is an eternal one and His dominion endures forever (Dan. 4:3).  Here on earth we are frustrated with time constraints.  But time and seasons will only exist “under Heaven.”

Imagine having time for everything!  Someday it will be true, but today I need to trust the Lord to provide the time needed for what He thinks is important.  I love the song lyrics that say, “He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today…” He is in control of time, and He is the source.  The Lord is more than able to free up minutes I did not know I had!  As a result of trusting Him I find comfort that there is more than enough time for His plans.

Lord, help me to trust You, even when I seem to be running out of time.


by Leave a comment

Eiffel Tower?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

This reproduction of the famous Eiffel Tower sits at a round point down the street from us in the small town of Buhl, France.  No one would mistake it for its huge counterpart but I wondered why it was built there.  I learned that the Eiffel Tower could very well be called the Koechlin Tower as Maurice Koechlin, born in Buhl was the one who had designed it as an employee of Mr. Eiffel.  As this monument is said to be the most visited in the world, it is too bad that Koechlin did not get his name associated with the tower.

Today’s verse speaks of the name of the Lord as a different kind of tower, a fortified one.  His name represents all that He is and His character.  Running to Him as our tower of safety is an image of placing all our hope and faith in His power to protect and deliver.  This is in stark contrast to the rich who imagine that their wealth is a wall too high to scale (verse 19).

His name is Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11) and He has promised safety and protection from the wicked (Ps. 37:17).  When I run to Him, it is in faith, knowing that He will be true and faithful to His Word.  I am safe knowing that no evil can touch me without His knowledge and permission.  And certainly, no evil can touch my soul, that which I have committed to Him.  He is able to keep my soul against that day (II Tim. 1:12).  What comfort this is in a world where sometimes it seems that evil has the upper hand!

Thank you Lord, for being my safety and security!

 


by 1 Comment

Musical Instrument

kent-piano15136013_10100441682641394_3392491044137909679_nScripture for Today: Romans 6:13 “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourself to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness.”

Fascination with musical instruments can start awfully young as proven by our grandson.  Even before the age of two, this little guy is drawn to all kinds.  He will spend inordinate amounts of time on the piano.  He strums his Dad’s guitar, his ukulele, or his “air guitar” if nothing else is available!  And being separated from his toy saxophone is a painful experience! When hearing music played by an orchestra he calls out the violin, the flute, the trumpet and the drums!

Today’s verse talks about the different parts of our body as being instruments, either used for righteousness or wickedness.  Being a disciple of Jesus means offering one’s whole body to Him in complete surrender (Romans 12:1-2).  To do this is a reasonable response to the gift of being brought “from death to life.”  Because our bodies are the temple of His indwelling Spirit (I Cor. 6:19) they are meant for the Lord and the Lord for our bodies (verse 13).

I love that my body can be used as an instrument of righteousness.  I can be His hands when I share with others in need.  I can be His feet when I approach those who are hurting and offer His comfort.  I can use my energy to do what will glorify Him.  Sometimes I get discouraged with the unending temptations that seem to come with this body.  But through Him and His strength, this body can be an instrument He can use.

Lord, today make my body an instrument You can use.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.