Faithfulness | Devotions By Jan

February 1, 2016
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Engagement Ring

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 1:13 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”

I can still remember the day my husband and I picked out my engagement ring thirty eight years ago. I was proud to show off that ring and would strategically position my hand so others were sure to see it. Ancient Egyptians are thought by many to have started the tradition. But whoever started it, the ring still serves in western cultures as an outward sign that a woman is promised to another.

Today’s verse is about being sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Better than an engagement ring, being sealed by Him means guaranteed security and the reassurance of belonging to Him. I am His possession. He cares enough about me to seal me to Himself. He is marking me as His territory! He has promised me an inheritance and His Holy Spirit is like a deposit or downpayment that guarantees it!

In Song of Solomon 8:6 there is also a seal. It is a seal that pledges fidelity between the bride and the bridegroom. This seal was over the heart and on the arm. It was a sign of love. I like to think of my seal of the Holy Spirit in the same way. Because He loves me, He has marked me forever as His own. And it is through the seal of His Holy Spirit that He speaks love and reassurance to my heart. With His Holy Spirit “He whispers in my ear, I am His and He is mine.”

Thank you Lord for the reassurance Your Spirit gives me!

October 30, 2015
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Buzz Lightyear

Scripture for Today: Psalm 108:4 “For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”

What little boy does not enjoy dressing up? My grandson sure does and he just loves his Buzz Lightyear outfit! Wearing it he almost flies as he jumps on the bed, even without the wings that light up! This Toy Story character is best known for the catch phrase, “To infinity and beyond,” as he strikes the pose, ready to fly. After defeating the evil Emperor Zurg, this space ranger now cares more about keeping his toy family together.

There are not too many things that can be said to truly be “to infinity and beyond.” But today’s verse describes God’s love and faithfulness in much the same way. His love is so great it goes beyond the heavens. God’s faithfulness is so immense it reaches to the skies! A faithful love like that is beyond our limited comprehension. It surpasses anything that man can stir up in his own heart. But this is not fiction. His love and faithfulness have been proven over and over. This incredible love compelled the Son of God to lay down His life in our place.

What other love will never never let go? What other love is completely unconditional? There is no other love that even comes close. His love is eternal and the world cannot even contain it. His love surpasses the far reaches of the skies. Our God IS love (I John 4:8). God’s love upholds me, guides me, instructs and disciplines me. His love rescues me from a meaningless life and a hopeless future. He crowns me with His love and compassion (Psalm 103:4). “Amazing love, how can it be?”

Lord, I am so undeserving of such a love. I am eternally grateful.

October 16, 2015
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Thin Ice

Scripture for Today: Psalm 89:2 “I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You have established Your faithfulness in Heaven itself.”

This kitty is trying to walk on thin ice. I have yet to meet a cat who enjoys getting wet. This one is walking oh so gingerly to avoid falling through the ice and getting an unintended freezing bath! So many factors are against him. The ice could be thinner in spots or the air temperature could change. A sideways slip could move him off the ice and into the surrounding cold water. How much more reassuring to walk and stand on firm ground!

Today’s verse is about standing on something that is firm forever. There is no chance of it failing to take our weight. It will hold us up when every other kind of love lets us down. There are no outside factors or circumstances that will change it. God’s love is completely dependable and faithful. When God establishes something, nothing under Heaven can change it as His decrees are firm (Psalm 19:9).

He has not only declared that He loves me but He has proved it with the ultimate sacrifice; His death on the cross. What other evidence do I need? And yet, there are times when I do doubt it. Knowing my dark heart I wonder how He could possibly love me. It is a true miracle that He does. Thankfully, He does not love me because I am lovable. If that were the case, it would be thin ice indeed! It is out of His grace that He has committed Himself to love me and not because I deserve it.

“O, the wonder of it all….just to think that God loves me!” Help me to stand firmly in Your love today.

October 1, 2015
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The Flying Buttress

Scripture for Today: I Timothy 3:15 “If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

The flying buttress pictured here is part of the Notre Dame of Paris. In the 1100’s the architects built these supports for many of the Gothic cathedrals. Normally, a buttress was built as an integral part of the side walls for additional support. The flying buttress not only supported the heavy stone roof but also allowed for more light. With the supports arching away from the building, more of the walls could be made of windows, making the interior lighter and brighter.

Today’s verse describes the Church as a pillar and buttress of truth. Both of these structures serve as an image of support and reinforcement for the truth of God’s Word. Truth has the strength and power to sustain and strengthen. Being bolstered by the truth allows believers to bear up against the lies of the Deceiver.

The support of a pillar can be found on the interior or exterior of a building. But the buttress is clearly on the exterior. It is more vulnerable to the elements and more easily seen. Standing for the truth out in the world can make one a target for persecution. But in the end, the truth does stand. Jesus said that the gates of Hell will never prevail against the Church that He has built (Matt. 16:18).

The structure is not the Church. The pillars or the buttresses are not the Church. The roof and walls may fall down over time. But still His Church overcomes because He resides in believers (I Cor. 6:19).

Lord, keep me standing for the truth of Your Word.

September 25, 2015
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New Scale

Scripture for Today: I John 1:10 “If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His Word is not in us.”

This scale reminds me of the one from my youth. One can now buy them with the label, “Vintage” or “Retro!” Today, ours is not so ancient as it is digital. It is probably accurate enough, but I do not like what it says! No matter what I do with my eating habits it always says exactly the same thing. Perhaps it is stuck. Perhaps I am stuck. In any case, I would rather think that it is incorrect. Ideally, there should exist a scale that says exactly what I want it to say!

Today’s verse is about someone who is in denial about their sin. The one who claims that there is no problem with sin is not dealing with reality. Rather than continue to feel the discomfort of conviction, this individual would close their eyes to truth. But in doing so, God is made out to be a liar. His Word and truth do not reside in those who claim to be just fine.

The first step in dealing with my sin is to recognize its ugly existence. There is no sugar-coating it to be small and of no consequence. Like the scale that tells the truth, so is God’s Word that makes me uncomfortable. And just as I do not throw away the scale because of what it says, so I do not exchange His truth for something I like better. He promises and is faithful to forgive and cleanse me from every sin (verse 9). I just need to find the courage to admit to it!

Lord, help me to be honest with myself and admit when I am wrong.