Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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Transplanted

palmunnamedScripture for Today: Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

I thought it odd to see this huge palm tree being trucked to a different home.  The new owners must have gone to quite a bit of trouble and cost to transplant such a huge tree.  The driver told us that the price tag to move and transplant it was $1,000!  How awful if this majestic tree were to fail to take root in its new home.

Our verse for today describes how as believers we are rooted in a different soil.  No longer are we in the soil of the world, but we have been transplanted.  Those who have received Christ as Lord and Master live their lives for Him.  Being rooted and built up in Him means that faith is continually strengthened as we learn and grow. Being transplanted from the world into Him is made evident by our thankful spirit.

The Lord has gone to enormous lengths to transplant us.  He has sacrificed Himself and bought us at a great price (I Cor. 6:20).  He has taken us out of the darkness and transplanted us in the light (Eph. 5:8).  He has given us everything that is needed to live a godly life in Him (II Peter 1:3).

Like the Israelites who longed to return to Egypt when the going got tough, so I sometimes feel that life would be easier in the world’s soil.  Instead of being thankful for the amazing new place He has planted me, I sometimes look back over my shoulder to what I have left.

Thank you Lord, for transplanting me in You!  Grow my roots deeper and deeper into Your incredible love.


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Green!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 11:28 “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”

Today everyone wants to be Irish!  There are parades and celebrations everywhere this week marking Saint Patrick’s Day.  This patron saint of Ireland is often depicted holding a green shamrock.  It is said that he used it as a visual aid to teach on the Trinity.  But since the holiday has moved away from any religious associations, the green shamrock is now touted to be good luck and the day sees many of us wearing green.

Our verse for today gives us another reflection when thinking of the color green.  Green is the color for growth and health.  Those who thrive with the color green are those who make the Lord the focus of their trust.  It is not the green of money that is the object of our confidence.  We are not green and healthy because we have a healthy bank account balance.  We thrive and grow when we lean and rely on the Lord Himself.

When I look to my own resources, my color turns to a sickly brown.  No other resource in life can sustain me and hold me up as the Lord can out of the riches of His mercy.  Because of the unlimited blessings He gives, I will not fall.  He never disappoints, taking care of all my needs.  He promises that even in old age, I can stay fresh and green when I proclaim to others that the Lord is my upright and righteous Rock! (Psalm 92:14).

I just may wear green today, but with this verse in mind.  Thank you Lord, for keeping me fresh, green and thriving because of Your riches!


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Mystery Leak

leaky-pipesScripture for Today:  Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

We have had our share of leaks recently.  But this last one was a mystery.  The water was continually beading up through the slats of our newly-laid floor and quickly deforming it.  There was no way to find the problem except to remove the sink and toilet.  Unfortunately, the floor had to be replaced, all because of a small, hidden and persistent leak.

Our verse for today talks about being filled with joy and peace.  Our God is a God of hope.  Because of His love and plan for His children, we can wait with confidence for all that is ahead.  Because of hope, He fills us with joy and peace.  We can experience that sense of joy and peace when we are in a place of trust.  In being filled with these sometimes elusive qualities, we overflow with hope!

Unfortunately, there are leaks when levels of joy and peace slowly diminish.  It can be a slow leak that can go unnoticed for a time.  But eventually, we no longer overflow with hope.  The pressures of life work on us and we struggle through, but without that joy and peace we had.  Before long, we find ourselves questioning God’s goodness and becoming cynical.

Those leaks happen when I do not trust Him.  When I try living life by my own strength and resources, without depending on Him, my joy and peace slowly leak away.  It is no mystery that I am not living by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you Lord, for being trustworthy and filling me with hope!  Keep me leak free!

 


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Seashells

shellsunnamedScripture for Today: John 17:15 “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.”

This shell collection of my Father’s was a surprise. He was always an avid rock collector but I did not realize he was collecting shells as well.   He kept them in a large tin canister, each one wrapped meticulously.  He saw beauty in the myriad of colors and in the shapes of each seashell.  The variety and detail of God’s creation is amazing!

Of course, the seashell is about more than beauty.  It is there to protect that living creature inside!  Our verse for today is a prayer of Jesus specifically for the protection of His disciples.  There would be persecution ahead as each one takes a stand for Him.  This prayer is equally applicable to believers today (verse 20) as Jesus includes all who will believe the message of His disciples.

It may seem as if God did not answer this prayer of Jesus.  Most of the original twelve disciples died a martyr’s death.  Were they not protected?  Today, we see horrible scenes of Christians being killed for their faith in Christ.  Is this prayer invalid?

From what does God protects us?  In His grace He protects us repeatedly from bodily harm.  So often, we are not even aware of His protective hand.  But this prayer of protection concerns the evil one.  Our souls are protected.  Though the body is destroyed, no evil can touch the soul and its sure destination (Matt. 10:28-29).

As the world becomes increasingly hostile to true Christ followers, I can live without fear.  My soul belongs to Christ (II Tim. 1:12) and I am persuaded that He will keep what I have committed to Him.

Thank you Lord, for Your beautiful protection.


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Care Packages

Scripture for Today: I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

I remember when I was single, living in France just after college.  Although I lived with a wonderful family, I missed my own.  It was easy to feel bereft, lonely, and well outside my comfort zone.  The daily mail was my lifeline.  My brother and his wife lifted my spirits by sending a care package.  I remember it had my favorite cereal that I ate every morning in the States.  It was a little bit of home, but more than that, it reminded me that I was not forgotten.  My family cared about me.

Our verse for today is a reminder of God’s care as well.  He shows His care in so many ways that sometimes go unnoticed.  But one very impressive way He cares is by shouldering all of our anxieties.  He sees when we are bowed down with anxious thoughts and worries.  He invites us to give them all to Him.  We are to be “anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6) and we “cast” those worries on Him by prayer.  He exchanges those anxieties and worries for His peace (verse 7).

It is amazing to me that God cares about how I feel.  He knows my physical needs, He knows all of my thoughts, but even more, He knows exactly what I am feeling.  And He cares.  He is moved to compassion when He sees me stewing in my own worries.  He offers peace but instead I keep hanging on to my anxiety.  Somehow, my worries become a habitual thought pattern and it can be difficult to let them go!  Why do I continue to worry when He is there to relieve me?

Thank you Lord, that You care enough to take away every anxious thought.