Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Flower Images


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Lavender

Scripture for Today:  Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Driving through Provence in the south of France is best done with the windows open!  The wonderful aroma of growing lavender is not to be missed!  Fields and fields of this beautiful flower delight the eye and its fragrance is calming.  I have a small bush of lavender in my yard.  I always take a little more time weeding in its vicinity, just so I can enjoy its perfume a little longer!

Lavender is said to have many healthful benefits.  The oil is an anti-inflammatory and helps with headaches, burns and insect bites.  It is also a good insect repellent and smells so much better than most!  But what intrigues me is its relaxing and soothing properties, easing stress and aiding sleep.

Today’s verse tells us not to be anxious. Rather than suggesting lavender to ease stress, a much more effective remedy is ours! Prayer. When overcome with anxiety, God offers His amazing peace. And that peace envelops both heart and mind, feelings and thoughts. Tension in the body can be replaced with an amazing sense of calm when we are able to give over to God every worry and every “what if?”

My first inclination is to worry and tense up about things over which I have no control. Not only is my sleep disturbed, but I can work myself up to the point of tension headaches! But when I give over my concerns to the Lord in prayer, I am acknowledging that total control is in His loving and powerful hands. In relinquishing to Him any flimsy control I think I may have, I can relax. Because He is love He will always do what is good for me. Because He is just, He will always do the right thing.

Thank you Lord, that talking with You calms me down.

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


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Daffodils

daffodilsScripture for Today:  Psalm 66:12 “You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance.”

I will never forget visiting this beautiful immense expanse of daffodils with my Father.  It was breathtaking!  They just went on and on as far as the eye could see.  Skagit Valley, Washington is not only known for its daffodils but also for its tulips.  Most all bulb flowers do so well here because the soil is rich with volcanic ash.

Today’s verse begins on a negative note.  David understands that God is testing him.  The context of this verse explains that God tests and tries us as silver is tried (verse 10).  The testing includes nets and afflictions, being ridden over, as well as going through fire and water.  Through all of this, David remains faithful to the Lord.  In fact, his response is to go into the house of the Lord to worship Him with sacrifice.  Instead of bitterness for a hard life, he says, “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.” (verse 16)

What God did for David’s soul was to bring him into a wide open place, a place of abundance.  Just as those daffodils thrive on volcanic ash in the soil, I too can come to a place of beauty and growth after the fiery trial.  This place of abundance is the same place in Psalm 23 that is full of green pastures and still waters that restore my soul.  If in bitterness I shun His presence than I miss out on that abundant place of refreshment!  It is there that He reassures me of His love and care.

Lord, help me find that place of abundance!


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Birds of Paradise

Scripture for Today: Luke 23:42-43 “….’Jesus, remember me when You come in Your Kingdom.’  Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'”

These beautiful flowers are everywhere in southern California.  Their vivid orange petals grow vertically and the deep blue ones horizontally, giving them a peculiar bird-like appearance.  Their blooms do not appear until three to five years after planting the seeds.  Florists like to use them to mark a ninth wedding anniversary, suggesting that they represent faithfulness.  However, these flowers are also said to symbolize a clear perspective on life!

Today’s verse is a request to Jesus from one of the thieves hanging on a cross next to Him.  Jesus promises him that because of his faith, he will be in Paradise that very day.  The word, “paradise” is the Persian word for “garden.”  One very important tree grows there; the tree of life (Rev. 2:7).  There, in Paradise, we will live life as it was meant to be.  There will be no pain, sickness or death.  There will be no sin, guilt or ugliness.  There will only be unending joy in His presence!

It is so hard to imagine Paradise.  But one thing is sure.  It will be so much better than my imagination!  And thinking about Paradise gives me a clear perspective on life here and now.  I can face the hard times with hope because of Paradise.  I can look past the failures and dashed expectations when I think about that future place of indescribable beauty!  I can even endure those painful separations when I know with certainty that one day there will be no more goodbyes.

Thank you Lord, for the promise of Paradise!

 


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The Crocus

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.”

I cannot help but smile when I see these sweet crocuses.  They are usually the first burst of color to be seen in a barren winter landscape.  They herald the coming of spring, giving just a glimpse of the riotous color to follow.  For me, they represent hope of a verdant and colorful season just around the corner.  Often, they seem to just pop up overnight.

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!  And this joy can be lived in part now as I look forward to that day.  That small sweet crocus is a promise of so much more to come.  Its appearance reminds me that all is not bleak and barren in life.  A different season is surely coming.  All will be transformed in the blink of an eye.  At that point, there will be no containing my bursting joy!  But for now, it is so easy to look around at everything sad and negative in my life and become discouraged.  I have a choice however.  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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Garlands

colleen-35Scripture for Today: Proverbs 4:9 “She (wisdom) will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”

What flower garland on the head does not make a woman feel more beautiful?  Even as little girls, we play with field flowers, making chains and placing them on our heads.  We pretend we are princesses and prance around feeling special.  There does seem to be something royal about a garland on the head as it can resemble a tiara.  The bridal industry understands this and there is quite a wide choice of flower garlands for the big day.

Our verse for today describes wisdom as being that garland or crown.  Wisdom in a life makes it beautiful and graceful.  Wisdom, or skillful living, even brightens the face and changes its hard appearance! (Eccl. 8:1)  More important than physical beauty, a wise life exudes a loveliness and grace that does not diminish with time.  Who would not want that?  Where is this wisdom found?

God’s Word leaves no doubt as to the source of wisdom.  The first time wisdom is mentioned is in Genesis 3:6 where Eve disobeyed God in an effort to gain wisdom.  That did not work out so well!  Wisdom is found in obeying and loving His Word as is declared repeatedly in Psalm 119.  The Lord gives this wisdom as knowledge and understanding come from His mouth (Prov. 2:6).

The image of garlands and crowns brings to mind beauty and honor.  That is just how a life looks that is marked by wisdom.  Right choices lead to lives uncomplicated by sorrow from sin.  Confidence in God’s promises changes our outlook and our demeanor.  Obedience to our Creator is wise living that creates grace and glory!

Lord, grace my head with Your wisdom today.