Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Flower Images


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Passion Fruit Flower

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 12:2b “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I have always wondered why this flower is called the “passion flower.”  But it seems obvious when seeing the original Latin genus name of “passiflora,”  However, there is another explanation.  In the early 1700’s missionaries in Brazil used this flower as a teaching aid to explain the crucifixion.  They called it the “flower of 5 wounds” referring to the nail wounds in the hands and feet of Jesus and the lance wound in His side.

We are nearing the end of “Passion Week” which refers to the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.  Passion motivated the Lord to endure great suffering out of His love for us.  The word, “passion” or “passio” in Latin originally meant to endure suffering.  Later it came to mean any intense emotion.

Today’s verse gives us a glimpse into the passion Jesus felt as He hung on that cross.  He endured the pain, the humiliation and the shame.  He endured the scorn and the excruciating separation from His Father for the first time in all eternity.  He did it all for the joy set before Him.

Why was He so passionate?  What was the joy set before Him?  Could it have been me?  He rescued me because He delighted in me (Psalm 18:19).  He takes great delight in me and in His love will no longer rebuke me but rejoices over me with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)  Because of His sacrifice an eternal love relationship is now possible.  It has always been a joy for me.  How amazing that I am a joy to Him as well!

Thank you Lord, for being a passionate God!

 


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Happy Spring!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 35:1-2a “The desert and the parched land will be glad. The wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom. It will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.”

Happy first day of Spring!  I do not see too many signs of the season in Cape Cod where we are expecting more snow today.  But this gallant purple crocus peeking out through that white stuff tells me that things are changing!  The trees here are still bare and the grass is not so green.  But this tiny burst of color gives me hope that the landscape will not always be so barren.

Today’s verse uses the image of the crocus to picture the joy of God’s redeemed people.  The desert of their distress and persecution will be transformed into joyful springs of water.  There will be a day when God will move on their behalf, coming with vengeance and salvation (verse 4).  Every wrong will be made right.  There will be singing, shouting, gladness and everlasting joy for the redeemed.  There will be complete healing and protection.  Sorrow and sighing will be no more!

What an incredible future awaits me!  I can choose to live with joy as I look forward to that day.  I do not have to be bowed down with sorrow over the struggles I face.  A different season is coming.  There is a promise of so much more to come.  All will be transformed in the blink of an eye.  At that point, there will be no containing my bursting joy!  It is so easy to look around at everything sad and negative in my life and become discouraged.  But instead, I am going to look for that small crocus flower today!

Thank you Lord, that incredible joy IS my future!


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“Lo How A Rose”

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 53:5 “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

I love all the old Christmas carols, the older the better.  “Lo How A Rose” is not so well known, written in the 15th century and translated from German.  I was surprised to hear the instrumental version in the mall!  Its poetic lyrics liken Jesus’ coming to the blooming of a rose, like a bright flower in the dark of night.  The fourth verse says that the fragrance of this Flower, “dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere.”

Today’s verse is a prophesy about the death of Jesus and what it will accomplish.  We celebrate His birth this season, knowing that His life and death changed history.  He came to this earth to die.  Just as the fragrance of a rose comes from crushing the petals, so  the fragrance of His salvation and grace was realized through being “crushed for our iniquities.”  The deep dark red of the rose reminds me of His precious blood.  Peace with God was not possible until sin was punished.  Because Christ took on Himself that punishment, our sick souls are healed.

I will forever be grateful for His birth, His life and His incredible sacrifice.  His coming that first Christmas meant hope, beauty and light in a dark desperate world.  What is so amazing is that He did it for me!  He did it for all those who will accept His love for them.  “Like a rose trampled on the ground, You took the fall, And thought of me, Above all.”

Thank you Lord, for coming to this earth for me!


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Mustard Flower Field

mustard flower4Scripture for Today: Luke 17:5-6 “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ He replied, If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”

When I was little, a friend and I would play in a field of mustard flowers  behind our school during recess.  We loved playing pretend games there and hiding from the teachers when they called us in.  We were sad to see the flowering season end, not realizing what the harvest of that tiny seed could bring.  It is called the least of all seeds (Matt. 13:31) but some varieties can grow to the size of a tree in the Mediterranean climate.

Today’s verse is a very familiar one.  The disciples had just heard Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness and it prompted this request to increase their faith.  Jesus responds by addressing the kind of faith needed rather than the size.  The faith they needed was fast growing and prolific, just as the mustard seed.  After they received the Holy Spirit, these men did exemplify this kind of faith in establishing the early Church with miracles.

This kind of faith, even when tiny, is powerful!  My faith can be size extra small, but if it is placed in One who is all powerful, than it can accomplish His purposes!  He can do above and beyond all I could ask, think or imagine (Eph. 3:20).  It is a tremendous relief to me that true unwavering faith can be tiny and yet bring about His will..  Do I really believe that if I ask anything according to His will, He will answer? (I John 5:14)  I want this kind of faith!

Lord, make my faith like the mustard seed, aligned with Your will.

 

 


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My Roses

rosesIMG_20160327_161331Scripture for Today: James 1:3-4 “…because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

I am thinking that my roses need some fertilizer.  They bloomed for this spectacular show and then decided to quit.  Probably, the soil needs to be replenished with nutrients.  In my area the soil is especially dry and full of clay and in need of some help.  But we all know how fertilizer is made from animal matter, human excreta or vegetable matter, at least the organic variety.  Rotting vegetables from a compost pile is not too appetizing.  And the bat and bird guano is just a discreet way of saying something else!

The Bible is full of references to plant growth and fruit to picture our spiritual journey.  Today’s verse explains that we become mature in our faith by developing perseverance.  It all sounds wonderful until we realize that the only way we develop that lovely flowering perseverance is through some stinky trials.  The hard times drive us to our knees and cause us to cry out to Him for help.  When we see God work, our faith grows.  The next time we find ourselves in the middle of hard times and heartache, we are more likely to stay strong and healthy.

I wish there was a less painful way to grow and bloom.  But the beauty and color is more vibrant when born of hardship.  It is a comfort to me to know that a horrible circumstance that has nothing to recommend it can be used by Him.  He does not waste that stinky situation.  In His hands it serves to develop something beautiful in me!

Thank you Lord, for using it all to grow my faith!