Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


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Misfits

Scripture For Today:  Hebrews 11:13b and 14 …”and they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.  People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.”

Do you remember the old song on Sesame Street that says, “One of these things is not like the other.  One of these things just doesn’t belong…”  It is obvious from this photo which of these petals does not belong.  Living as a foreigner in France meant that I often felt like a misfit.  After almost thirty years of living in France I am still dumbfounded by newly discovered differences in their thinking!

What is even more surprising to me is having this same out-of-place feeling when in the USA.  My frame of reference has changed and I have grown comfortable with what previously was strange to me.  I find it difficult to change again to the American way of thinking.  So in fact, I consider myself a misfit on both sides of the ocean.

Today’s verse is part of a chapter listing  great men and women of faith.  What is true of all of them is that they were looking for a country of their own.  They were not comfortable in their culture.  They were longing for a better country, a heavenly one (vs 16).  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God.  So in one sense, we are ALL called to be misfits.  As believers, our citizenship is in heaven so we do not feel too comfortable in whatever country we live.  We are not home yet.

I love living in France and I love living in the States.  But in fact, there is a restlessness inside of me.  I want a better country.  And He is preparing it for me!

Lord, keep me looking toward that country to come!

 


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Coyote or Dog?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 14:15 “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”

It is not uncommon to hear of coyote sightings in our area.  We have low lying hills nearby where they can roam.  They look so much like dogs and their paw prints are similar too.  But one can always discern which prints are whose.  The dog will go through an open field stopping to investigate trees, shrubs or logs.  But the coyote will walk in a straight line, all business.  They know where they are going and what to do when they get there.

Today’s verse describes someone who is prudent.  He will be thoughtful about where he steps.  The prudent is not likely to follow some new untested theory or fad.  Behavior that is prudent is characterized by doing what is right, just and fair (Prov. 1:3).  The simple however, will believe and follow anything.  The simple person is not thinking but takes the lazy and easy way, following what everyone else is doing.  The simple person is believing without question, without fact-checking, and without scrutiny.  Their steps and the path they take can lead to danger (Prov. 22:3).

Giving thought to my next step makes me slow down.  I want to walk with purpose and not aimlessly in circles.  I am easily distracted by the trees, shrubs and logs along my path.  But I need to remember the purpose of my walk.  The path I have chosen is to please and serve the Lord.  That next step is with Him in mind.  He has promised to direct me  (Prov. 3:5-6)  and I do not want to run ahead of Him!  I need His wisdom for every decision as He alone knows what is ahead.

Lord, please guide every step I take today.

 


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Thor’s Well

Scripture for Today: Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build My Church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

On the Oregon Coast at Cape Perpetua, the Pacific gives visitors quite a show with the moving waters of Thor’s Well.  Over the years it is thought that the waves carved out a sea cave where later the roof collapsed.  The resulting bowl-shaped hole looks as if it is continually draining and refilling.  At high tide the water fills it from the bottom.  Then it bubbles or sprays out the top, the cycle repeating itself.  This strange phenomenon is also called, “Gate to Hell” although it is not thought to be particularly dangerous.

Today’s verse encourages the believer that despite enemies and opposition, the gate of Hell (Hades, or realm of the dead) will not overcome the Church Jesus has established.  That is because Jesus Himself builds it and it is built on the confession of Peter.  He avowed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God (verse 16).  The Church is built on this fundamental truth, the identity of Jesus being its Cornerstone (Acts 4:11).

The Gate to Hell is a busy place with churning water that seems to fill and drain constantly.  And there will always be plenty of activity and evil directed at bringing down the Church.  Sometimes, I can be discouraged reading of Christians martyred for their faith in Jesus.  I can feel dispirited to see very public Christian workers fall into sin.  But this wonderful truth reassures me that nothing and no one can thwart God’s plan.  The Church is His Bride and He loves her.  I am part of that Body and I can be confident that evil will not win.

Thank you Lord, for Your promise of victory!


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The Counting Game

Scripture for Today: Matthew 18: 21-22 “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

It was pure guess work.  I tried being methodical as a prize would be awarded for this baby shower-party-game.  Otherwise, I wouldn’t have bothered trying to count the candies in this jar.  But in fact, my counting left something to be desired as my total was way off.  Someone else walked away with the coveted prize.  I would have been happy to walk away with the candies!

Today’s verse is about something we are not to count; how many times to forgive someone.  Peter perhaps felt he was being generous to suggest forgiving seven times as the current thinking among the Pharisees was three times.  That makes Jesus’ answer all the more surprising.  The idea was not to forgive seventy-seven times or even seventy times seven.  The idea is that forgiveness is not to be counted at all.  Forgiveness is to be immeasurable.

My memory is so faulty on some subjects but somehow, the memories of when and how I have been wronged are very clear.  Forgiving someone more than once for the same offense is also too easy to remember.  I have had to say to my husband, “I am sorry, forgive me,” countless times over more than 40 years of marriage.  And I have had to forgive him too, many times without number.  It is so difficult to “forgive from the heart” (verse 35) over and over again.  And yet, I cannot think of a better way to show true love.  This is exactly what the Lord has done in forgiving me countless times.

Thank you Lord, that You do not count.


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Giant Clam

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 15:2 “By this Gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the Word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.”

It is called a “giant clam” for good reason.  This is the largest of the mollusks on earth.  It can grow up to 500 pounds and can measure up to four feet!  Just think of all the clam chowder it could produce! The giant clam is not endangered although it is classified as vulnerable as it has been over harvested for food and decoration.  What struck me is that the giant clam has only one chance to chose its home.  Once it has fastened itself to a spot on a reef, it will sit there for life.

Today’s verse encourages the believer to hold firmly to God’s Word.  By the Gospel or “good news” of salvation we are saved from the punishment our sins deserve.  It is on the truth of God’s Word that we take our stand (verse 1).  When we commit our lives, our future and our eternal destiny to what God says, we flourish and grow.  There is no reason to attach ourselves to some other philosophy or system of thought.  His Word gives hope, encouragement and all the nourishment our faith needs to grow and thrive.

Trusting in my own ideas and reasoning gets me in trouble.  The waves of the sea or the blowing winds can toss me about making me unstable (James 1:6).  But when I put my entire confidence in what the Lord says about a matter, I know I am on firm footing.  The decrees of the Lord are firm (Psalm 19:9) and make me firm as well.  I want to attach myself to Him and make His truth my home!

Lord, keep me in Your Word and remembering Your truth today.