Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


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The Right to Disconnect

Scripture for Today: Psalm 85:8 “I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants – but let them not turn to folly.”

France has just passed a labor law that makes sending after-hour emails illegal between employer and employee!  The idea is to minimize work-related stress as technology often blurs the lines between personal and professional life.  Companies of over fifty employees are expected to comply.  I can understand the good intentions behind this law but can envision all kinds of complicated problems it can create too!  But the right to disconnect has its appeal.  When we leave work physically it would be nice to leave behind all thought of work as well.

Today’s verse is a declaration from David to listen to all that God says.  He connects listening to God’s voice with the peace of obedience and right relationship with Him.  This peace is promised to those who are faithful to obey Him.  But turning again to our own foolish ideas destroys that peace.  When we turn a deaf ear to His voice, we act like foolish sheep who get themselves into trouble.  We listen to the voice of our Shepherd so that we can follow His footsteps (John 10:27).

We all have the right to disconnect from God but it can be risky, especially after hours and on the weekends!  His voice keeps me out of trouble.  His voice keeps me from harm of my own making.  And His voice speaks peace to my soul.  He is so hard to hear sometimes with all the other voices clamoring for attention.  He is loud enough.  It is just that I am not quiet enough to wait and expect His voice.

Lord, I need to hear Your voice today.


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“Earworms”

Scripture for Today: Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see it and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.”

There are a few songs out there that can really get stuck in one’s head.  The popular term for this is the “earworm.”  One such song for me is the Disneyland song, “It’s a Small World  After All.”  You’re welcome.  But there are others too that stay with you all day.  That catchy tune just repeats itself over and over and before long, you give up fighting it and just hum along.

Today’s verse is about a new song that we can enjoy having in our heads!  It is a personal song that praises and gives glory to God for what He has done in our life.  This song is not only directed to the Lord but others are affected by it and helped to faith.  This new song of David’s praises God for lifting him out of the mud and setting his feet on a rock.  What happened to him was worth singing about!

I have a new song too.  It is new because His mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3)  The lyrics change daily as He continues to faithfully work in my life.  My song is not a rehashing of last season.  It is not someone else’s song.  It is unique as it reflects my praise for my story.  He is honored by it despite whether it is in tune or beautiful to anyone else.  He is both my audience and the inspiration for the lyrics.  If this song turns into an “earworm,” I am fine with that.

Lord, I loved yesterday’s song but please give me a new song today!

 


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Memorial Day

Scripture for Today: I John 4:10 “This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Today on Memorial Day, North Americans remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.  We commemorate the war dead with special ceremonies, parades, speeches, and graveyard visits.  Some consider the origins of this day as coming from “Decoration Day.”  After the Civil War, graves were decorated with flowers, although this had been the practice of women for centuries.  It is good to remember how costly freedom is and to honor those who paid for it with their lives.

Those who gave their lives for freedom did it out of a love for their country.  Today’s verse speaks of another sacrifice also motivated by love.  There is no greater love than this; than to lay down one’s life for another (John 15:13) and that is what the Lord did for us.  And it was also a sacrifice made for the sake of freedom.  Christ died to free us from the power of sin.  The believer is no longer mastered by sin but is able through God’s Spirit to live differently.

We remember this sacrifice not only on Good Friday and when taking communion, but hopefully everyday.  Though sometimes I forget how costly His sacrifice was.  It was not only physical pain for Jesus but the incredible pain of separation from the Father.  It was the first time in all of eternity that God turned away from His Son.  And it was because of my sin.  Jesus endured that separation from God so I would not have to.  “What wondrous love is this?”  Every time I think on it I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Oh Lord, I want to remember every day.


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Hurry Up and Wait

Scripture for Today: Psalm 106:13 “But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold.”

Nothing annoys me more than a driver who races around me and cuts me off, all to gain a few seconds or a few yards.  Just as annoying is the tailgater who sits on my bumper when there is no chance for me to move to the right.  When the great equalizer of the red stop light stops that driver, it is hard to keep the smirk off my face as I pull up beside him.  We both have to stop and wait.

Today’s verse refers to the Israelites who quickly forgot God’s miracles.  When the Lord dried up the Red Sea and delivered them from the Egyptians, they responded with songs of praise.  But soon after, they forgot what He had done when faced with the next crisis.  They did not wait to see what the Lord had in mind.  Instead they complained.  God had given them the promise of their own land, but they had to wait for His plan and His timing.

God gave a promise to David that he would be king.  But he had to stop and wait for the Lord to work it out.  Sarah was given the promise of a son, but she waited years and years for the miraculous way God would bring it about.  Over and over I wait for God to unfold His plan for me.  I have the promises.  I believe.  But I do not have the details.  God so often asks me to stop my own efforts and wait for Him to work.  He wants me to wait as a show of faith that I really do believe Him.

Lord, help me to wait with joy and expectation for Your perfect plan.

 


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The Acorn

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 61:3b “…They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”

It is pretty amazing that this small acorn can grow to be a mighty oak.  It seems such a small insignificant beginning to this towering tree which has so long been a symbol of strength and endurance.  I do not give much thought to those acorns littering the ground although people do eat them.  They are eaten as nuts after leeching out the bitter tannins.  They are also used to make flour and oil.  But if the acorns are correctly planted and cared for, some species will produce an oak measuring as high as ninety-eight feet!

Toady’s verse uses the oak tree as an image of the righteous, displaying the splendor of God.  He is the One who plants that acorn to become the mighty oak.  He chooses the best spot for good soil and sun exposure.  He plants that small acorn at the right depth in the soil and watches over it, guarding it from pests.  He displays His righteousness through His followers so the planting is exactly right.

The only way to become that oak is by His righteousness.  On my own, I stay as little and insignificant as the small acorn.  I know myself.  I cannot produce righteousness.  “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22a).  I have right standing with God because of Christ.  My position is secure in Him.  But I want my daily walk to reflect right living too.  Right choices and obedience will make me stand tall, firm and fruitful.  He has planted me exactly where He wants me to display the splendor of His righteousness!

Lord, may Your splendor be seen in my life.