Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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Jacaranda Tree

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 15:52 “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed.”

I love this time of year when the Jacaranda tree is in bloom.  Their purple color is so vibrant it almost looks unreal, like something out of Dr. Seuss!  When several of these trees line a street, their blooms resemble a sea of lavender.  And when their blossoms drop to the ground, their beauty continues as a lilac carpet.  It seems appropriate that their flowers are in the shape of a trumpet, as they herald the coming of summer!

The trumpet in our verse today has a very special meaning.  Sounding it will signal the resurrection.  It does not say who will blow this trumpet, perhaps an angel, but it will be heard all over the world.  When it is blown, those believers who have died will receive their new incorruptible bodies.  Those believers still living at the time will also be changed.  Death will forever be swallowed up in victory! (verse 54)  What a day that will be!

One future day I will hear a trumpet sound that will announce the end of time.  Death will no longer sting and sin will be powerless.  My body will be changed to be imperishable.  Knowing this helps me to stay steadfast, immoveable and involved in what He wants me to do.  He has promised that my work for Him will never be futile or in vain (verse 58).  Thinking about what is to come keeps me motivated and encouraged!

Lord, keep me listening for that trumpet!

 

 


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Anyone There??

Scripture for Today: Psalm 40:1 “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.”

It is called many things: hotel reception bell, call bell, desk bell or counter bell.  I just call it annoying.  Back in the day they were used much more frequently to call the attention of people in the service industry.  I suppose ringing this bell is preferable to shouting, but the sound of that bell can jangle the nerves, especially when one rings it a bit too enthusiastically!  I imagine that as with Pavlov’s dogs, we can all be conditioned to respond to the sound of a bell (or metronome).  But in any case, the ring of that bell normally gets results.

Today’s verse is a testimony of David’s to God’s faithfulness in answering him.  He cried out to the Lord, perhaps over and over.  Then at some point David waited and he waited well with patience.  It is not that God was too busy to attend to him.  It was not that God was indifferent to David’s distress.  The Lord hears, encourages and listens to our cries (Psalm 10:17).  But He asks us to wait for His response with patience.  God’s eventual response was to lift David out of his slimy pit and set his feet on rock.

The Lord will always turn to me and hear my cry.  It might help me to ring that bell over and over but He heard it the first time!  He asks me to wait and to wait with patience and confidence that He has heard.  I may receive a different answer than expected at the end of that waiting period.  But I know He has heard and His plan is best!

Thank you Lord, that You hear and I can trust You.


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Pack Your Patience

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 19:11 “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

Today we leave for France.  With long lines, security hassles, and tired feet the thrill of travel is definitely lacking!  I cannot think of a better training ground for practicing patience than when flying.  I am so careful in my packing but I am not sure I always pack patience!  Flight delays and missed connections strain my patience to the very limit.  And showing patience is especially difficult when fatigue is added to the mix.  I easily take offense at the slightest provocation, whether it be someone knocking into me or cutting in line.

Today’s verse tells us from where patience comes.  It comes from wisdom.  Showing patience is always the wiser course.  Blowing up or throwing a tantrum never changes anything.  Wisdom determines when to grin and bear it when nothing else can be done.  Overlooking that rude remark or crying baby not only is the wiser more patient response but it makes one a better person.  Any other reaction risks being “inglorious.”  Wisdom is the source of patience and the fear of the Lord is the source and beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10).

I have been told (tongue in cheek) never to actually pray for patience as it always seems to come as a result of testing (James 1:3).  But I am encouraged to learn that patience can be a by-product of wisdom as well.  Fearing and respecting God’s power and control of my circumstances calms me down and helps me keep my emotional balance.  So whether I am waiting in long lines or learning that my suitcase did not make it, I can be confident that He knows and He has my back.

Lord, make me wise today especially!


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Sea Glass

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

I feel as if I have found treasure when I see that gleaming colorful piece of glass nestled in the sand!  The beaches of California are especially good for their discovery.  In their original form, I would not look at them twice.  After all, they are just shards of glass bottles or tableware.  But after years and years of being broken up and tumbled by the waves, they lose their rough edges and become smooth.  Gone is the normal sheen of glass as it is replaced by a frosty appearance.  Now they are worthy of being a piece of art or jewelry!

Today’s verse describes the life of Paul.  He was persecuted, thrown in jail, shipwrecked, and beaten.  Through all of this he was never crushed, in despair, abandoned or destroyed.  He calls his experiences, “light momentary troubles” (verse 17).  He does not lose heart because he believes they are achieving for him “an eternal glory.”  Rather than focusing on what he is going through, he sees what God is producing in him.

Whoever said that life was easy has not lived very long!  Being a follower of Christ does not guarantee me a smooth ride.  I am tossed around and pounded by the waves just as much as everyone else.  My sure hope is that He is producing something meaningful and beautiful through all the negative.  Knowing He is in control and that His control is good, keeps me from despair.  There will be no punishing pounding waves in Heaven.  All my rough edges will be gone and I will be complete!

Thank you Lord, that I can trust what You are doing in my life.


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Look familiar?

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 111:2 “Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.”

Perhaps this bystander would never have noticed the woman’s outfit had he not just bought something with a similar pattern.  Have you ever observed that whatever new experience we have, we tend to suddenly see more of the same around us?  Just like noticing the same make and color of the car we recently bought, we tend to see everywhere whatever our current focus is.  This phenomenon is called “reticular activating system” or RAF.  Like a gatekeeper to one’s brain, it sorts through one’s experiences, dismissing some as irrelevant, while letting through information on that which we are already focused on.

David declares in today’s verse that the works of the Lord are great.  He calls God’s deeds glorious and majestic (verse 3).  He then goes on to list a few of those works: providing food and remembering His covenant, giving them the lands of other nations, and providing redemption.  David is focused on God’s works so he sees them everywhere.  He is seeing confirmation of who God is in all His works.  And because this is David’s focus, he is seeing God’s works everywhere.

There are times I see God’s hand everywhere in my life.  My spiritual senses seem heightened and I am more aware of what He is doing.  This most often happens after spending time in His Word.  When I am focused on His truth, I suddenly see confirmation after confirmation!  It could be in seeing His creativity in nature.  It could be in a chain of unusual circumstances.  I am reassured of His intimate love in the simple memory of a song lyric.  What a delight to see His works over and over!

Lord, keep me focused and seeing You today!