Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


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Art or French Fries?

friesIMG_20160510_101032Scripture for Today: Scripture for Today: Psalm 63:3-4 “Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live and in Your name I will lift up my hands.”

I recently attended a painting workshop where the goal was to express praise to God through art.  There were no rules or grand expectations.  There was just some Christian music playing and some Psalms read.  The facilitator gave a title to our work; “Adoration.”  I tried not to look over at my neighbor’s work.  I tried to focus on what I was feeling towards the One who created me.  But my praise came out looking like french fries!  I guess I should not quit my day job just yet!!

Today’s verse expresses praise to God in a different way.  David used his lips in word and in song to glorify God’s name.  He lifted up his hands in praise to God’s incredible love that he calls, “better than life.”  This psalm was written when he was in the desert of Judah, on the run from his enemies.  His praise to God is that much sweeter being in the midst of a “dry and weary land” (verse 1).

My praise to Him may not be of a professional quality.  My painting is maybe good enough for the back closet wall!  I love singing but my song may even be a little off key.  I lift my hands now, but someday my arms may be too weak.  But  He sees to the heart’s expression.  Praise to Him is always welcomed.  Whatever I do or say can be done in His name and to His glory (Col. 3:17).  Praising Him for His love and power is about the most important thing I can accomplish today!

Keep me praising You today, Lord!


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Indoor Herb Garden

herbsIMG_20160312_113134Scripture for Today: Psalm 19:8 “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

My grandsons were pretty excited to help their Daddy put this herb garden together!  They started with pots of rosemary, cilantro and basil and have since added several more.  When “helping” their Mommy make dinner, they are much more likely to eat that strange dish when they have picked the herbs for it.  But to begin with, the herbs did not do so well in the living room.  They did not have much light there.  It was not until they were placed in brighter room full of light that there was growth.

Today’s verse describes God’s commandments as light to the eyes.  His precepts are radiant with light and can even make us joyful when obeyed.  He has made His light to shine in the heart of the believer.  That light comes from the glory displayed in the face of Christ! (II Cor. 4:6)  Following His commands and precepts places us in the light of His presence.  Being there produces the “fruit of the light;”  goodness, righteousness and truth (Eph. 5:9).

I can tell when I am trying to produce these fruits on my own.   The goodness starts to wilt.  Righteousness and truth are looking a bit peaked.  Without His light I am not so robust but a bit tired.  Everything is an effort and it all seems too much.  Whether the image is light or being connected to the vine, without Him I can do nothing.  But in His light I can grow and thrive.  When I feel discouraged and lacking motivation, I just need to get back into the light of His presence!

Shine on me today, Lord.  Help me stay in Your light.

 

 


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Fresh Strawberries

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”

There is nothing better than the surprise of biting into an especially sweet fresh strawberry!  I am surprised as I have grown accustomed to strawberries that are not as flavorful being picked too soon.  But when they are local and picked at exactly the right time, the flavor is amazing!  I will sometimes buy less-than-sweet strawberries for their pop of color and still enjoy them.  I will even use frozen strawberries on occasion.  But it is never the same as that fresh sweet strawberry with the juice and texture exactly right!

Today’s verse likens God’s words to that kind of sweetness.   His words are like honey for the soul.  Whether we hear them from a Bible teacher, a song or a devotional, it is always sweet.  But there is a different more intense flavor when we discover a nugget of truth for ourselves in His Word.  The taste is better and sweeter when He speaks to us directly from His Word without any other intermediary.  It is just picked.  It is fresh and there is a special sweetness.

I am encouraged by others’ teaching.  God uses the study and clear exhortation of Bible scholars in my life.  There is a myriad of wonderful study guides.  They are all sweet and have their place.  But there is a more satisfying and intense flavor to His Word when I take the time to open it on my own.  It is especially sweet when the Lord meets me and speaks to me directly.  His Spirit is so personal, guiding me into a truth for that moment and for my exact need.

Lord, I need Your sweet words.  Make them fresh for me today.

 

 


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Earth Day

Scripture for Today: Psalm 24:1-2 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”

Today is Earth Day.  It was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson to increase public awareness for all living things, and because of concerns over the environment and pollution.  So many good things have resulted including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.  The goal this year and for the next five years is to plant 7.8 billion trees worldwide to commemorate its 50th year anniversary!

Protecting our environment is such a good thing although we differ as to how that is played out.  For the believer, we have a mandate from the Creator of this world to take care of it and have dominion (Gen. 1:26).  But we are only stewards.  The earth is the Lord’s.

Our earth is so amazing and full of wonder that it is difficult for me to understand how one can deny God’s existence.  Creation is a visual aid that leads me to faith.  He proves Himself over and over in what He has made.  All the time and chance in the world could not produce the minute details in nature!  The earth is His handiwork.  But as beautiful as the earth is, He is even more beautiful!  As awe-inspiring as nature is, He inspires even more awe!  I love our earth because it moves me to worship the Creator!  But I do not belong to the earth.  This is temporary.  Here, I am an alien and stranger (Heb. 11:13 & 16).  I am to long for the “better country” that is coming; the heavenly one.

Thank you Lord, for creating such a beautiful world and for the perfect one in my future!

 

 


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Messy Roomate

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”

Clothes strewn everywhere.  Dust inches thick.  Important papers and keys impossible to find.  And yet, the effort to clean and organize a room sometimes seems like just too much trouble.  Enter a roommate and everything changes.  No longer is there freedom to live as one pleases.  I am lucky to never have had a roommate quite as messy as pictured.  But I admit there were times that I myself came close to being that messy roommate.

Today’s verse reminds the believer that his body is indwelt by God’s Spirit, making it a temple.  No longer can we treat our bodies without regard for the Other who lives there.  He is holy and His standards for cleanliness are much higher and purer than ours.  Because He lives within us, we are to keep the place honorable for Him.

The longer God’s Spirit resides in me, the more I see the dirt that before went unnoticed.  He shines a light in all the cobwebbed corners.  He reveals what is under the couch cushions.  What passed for clean before does not quite make the standard for Him.  He wants me to pursue holiness and purity in my thoughts as well as my actions.  He wants me to be responsible in my diet choices.  Misusing my body in any way affects Him too.  My body no longer belongs to me but to Him.  Thankfully, He shows love, forgiveness and grace when I come to Him for that deep cleaning.

Lord, help me to honor Your presence by treating my body as Your temple.