Devotions By Jan

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Misnomer

pumpkins 12037982_10153624964792744_7343678008214868110_nScripture for Today: I Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

In Southern California we are a bit mixed up.  The seasons are not so readily identifiable.  Our weather is so warm and summer-like that we continue to enjoy the summer fruits, including watermelon, even in the early days of autumn.  But the display of pumpkins is a reminder of what the calendar says.  However, calling pumpkins, “watermelons,” is a good example of a misnomer.  They may both be round and heavy but there the resemblance ends.  It is obviously the wrong label.

There are a million misnomers in our world but one that stands out is the use of the word, “love.”  We name many different emotions as love when they are not.  The description in today’s verse makes that obvious.  It might look like love.  It might feel like love, but many times it falls short of what true love is all about.  Of course, there are different kinds of love, whether they be brotherly or romantic.  But whatever we name “love” needs to resemble the qualities listed in I Corinthians 13.  This passage goes on to list many others, including the very important aspect of love never failing.

It is easy to be swayed into thinking that love means good feelings.  It is such a lovely experience when it does.  But the essence of love involves a committed decision to faithfully seek the best for the other person.  For me, that decision takes work and determination.  Oh, but the benefits are worth it!

Thank you Lord, for showing me how to love and giving me the power to do it!

 


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Maverick

beach-bound-maverickScripture for Today: Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

This horse seems to have a mind of his own!  Without a rider or other horses nearby, he walks alone.  Perhaps he is a maverick who enjoys his independence.  The meaning of the word, “maverick,” has changed from its original meaning of being an unbranded animal separated from the herd.  Now the word has come to mean a person who is unconventional and an independent thinker.  Depending on the context, a maverick can denote something negative or positive.

Today’s verse encourages the believer to resist conforming to the world’s way of thinking.  Rather than following the latest ideas or fads, the Christ-follower is to think differently.  His goal is to find and follow what God wants.  It is always something good, pleasing and perfect.  With a mind renewed by God’s Word, we can evaluate and test our thinking to know when we are following what He wants.  His plans are perfect.  He wants only what is good for us.  And as our Creator, He knows better than anyone else what will in the long run be pleasing.

I am sometimes confused as to what God wants in a particular situation.  I know that trusting my own desires and emotions can be deceiving.  Sometimes the Lord gives me exactly what I want, but not until I submit all of it to Him first!  Being a “living sacrifice” is all about that submission (verse 1).  But what I find is that His plan is a whole lot better than mine!

Lord, change my thinking to want only what You want.

 


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Ask!

Scripture for Today: James 1:5 “But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.”

I can ask Google anything.  Apparently, there are no questions too stupid that it will not answer.  In fact, when asking something very obvious that everyone should know, it does not make fun of me or roll its eyes!  I get no attitude from Google.  Imagine it saying, “What?  You don’t know that?” or, “I answered that yesterday!  Can’t you remember anything?” In the privacy of my own home I can ask it anything without fear of disdain for my stupidity!

Asking questions from people can be humbling.  It is difficult to put aside one’s pride and admit not knowing.  My motto is often, “Fake it ’til you make it.”  How often I have continued a phone conversation despite not knowing which Kathy or Jim is on the line!  My pride prevents me from asking for a last name.  No one likes to admit not knowing.

Today’s verse encourages the believer to ask for wisdom from the Lord.  He does not reprimand us for not knowing.  There is no exasperation on His part.  He is patient and understanding.  But we do not receive this wisdom until two things happen: we recognize our lack and we humble ourselves enough to ask Him.

Google is not infallible and it is limited to just the facts.  Google cannot help me to live my life with skill and godliness.  However, God invites me to approach Him with faith, anywhere and anytime for help with any area.  He is the limitless and infallible source of every answer I need!

Help me Lord, to turn to You today for every answer!


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Follow Me!

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 1:12 “….One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.'”

It was easy following Paul.  He was driving a comfortable pace in the commuter lane.  We kept right up with him regardless of the boisterous noise of six French teens seated behind us.  It took the stress out of driving to have someone in the lead.  But when it looked as if Paul missed our exit, I was not too worried.  I just figured he knew a different way to our destination.  But when another exit flew by, I was worried enough to call him on my cell.  He had already arrived!  We were following the wrong car!

Our verse today was written by the apostle Paul to the church at Corinth.  The believers there were dividing themselves into factions.  Each group followed a different church leader.  Paul turns their thoughts and loyalties to the One who could bring them together in unity.  After all, it was not Paul crucified.  They were not baptized in his name but in the name of Jesus (verse 13).  When we all have our eyes fixed on Jesus, following Him, we will remain united.

It seems as if it is part of human nature to split up into separate groups.  Somehow, pride gets in the way of fostering unity.  We major on our differences rather than celebrating our common ground.  There is a danger of placing the group or the leader above Christ, making our allegiance to that leader the most important one.  But in following Jesus Christ above all else, we bond with others who do the same, regardless of church affiliation, regardless of race, age or locale.

Thank you Lord, that following You above anyone else brings sweet unity with others!


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Court Jester

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’  They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.”

There are days I need one of these jesters to make me laugh!  In times past royalty had the luxury of having a court jester always available for just that purpose.  In medieval times the court jester, also called a “fool,” would wear brightly colored clothes and bizarre hats in a motley pattern.  His job was simply to entertain.  His was a privileged position in the court as he could mock and revile without penalty.

Today’s verse describes a different sort of fool; the one that in his heart says that there is no God.  This fool might even mock God.  But for him, there is a penalty that awaits.  God says He will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7).  Today’s verse is repeated almost word for word in Psalm 53:1.  Descriptions of a fool are found throughout Scripture, especially in Proverbs.  But this description is one that surprises!  His foolishness is not so obvious at first glance.  The foolishness is within his heart.

Fools not believing in God are perhaps lauded for their intellect and sophistication.  They may appear modern and reasonable.  Their lives may exude success.  They may even be the darlings of the media.  But their behavior manifests what is in their hearts.  Without God, they are enslaved in their sin.  Their eventual end reveals their foolishness in rejecting God.  This is a strong message and not a popular one.  But it is the “bad news” that the “Good News” addresses!  We were all fools before bowing our knee to our Mighty God.

Thank you, Lord, for Your grace that transformed this fool into someone wise!

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)