Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Flower Images


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Dandelions

Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:17 “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him and His righteousness with their children’s children.”

How sweet it is  when a child painstakingly picks those dandelions and offers them as a bouquet!  There is pride on his face for thinking of it.  There is hope there too, that you will recognize the effort and be grateful for his gesture of love.  The problem comes almost immediately as those flowers begin to wilt in his hot little hand.  One hates to disappoint a child and so we put them in water in hopes they will last a little longer.

Our verse for today is a contrast between what will last and what will not last.  Mortals are pictured as grass and like the flower in the field (verse 15).  We flourish for a short time and then are no more.  Like the dandelion, our lives can be full of beauty but oh so short.

How incredible is the contrast with God’s love for His own!  His love is from everlasting to everlasting.  It does not wilt.  His love is evident now and continues without interruption into eternity.  And it is so much more beautiful than the lowly dandelion!

God’s love does not disappoint.  When a bouquet is offered there is the expectation that eventually it will die and be thrown out.  But with the love of God, there is no end.  His love and compassion never fail and they are renewed every morning (Lam. 3:22-23).  The constancy of His love is amazing when compared to tired fickle human love!

Whether a bouquet of flowers is offered for a birth, a wedding, or a funeral, its life will be a short one.  As they wilt, may I be reminded of God’s everlasting love.


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Flowering Weeds

???????????????????????????????Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:20  “But the wicked will perish:  Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.”

Spring is a wonderful time of new growth.  It is exciting to see the first iris and roses of the season.  But unfortunately, there are other kinds of new growth as well; weeds.  It seems a constant battle to pull them out.  Sometimes I am unsure as to which plants are actually weeds.  Some of them sprout little flowers and can look pretty nice.   The dictionary defines a weed as, “a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants.”  Sure enough, if left alone, that weed will start taking over and choking out what I have planted.

Our verse for today describes the enemies of the Lord as flowers springing up unwanted in a field.  The wicked are like that weed that can produce flowers, but if left alone will choke out what has been planted.  Unlike my work in my garden, it is not up to me to decide which is a cultivated plant and which is a flowering weed.  The Lord is the only One who can see the heart and know who are truly His own.

For now, the Lord is showing patience towards the wicked.  He is not willing that any one of His enemies perish but that all come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).  Weeds are left to grow along with the wheat.  But one day there will be judgement and He will separate out the weeds from the wheat (Matt. 13:30).

Until that day, I want to grow and bear fruit, unconcerned about fast growing weeds alongside.  I can trust the Divine Gardener to take care of me in His garden!


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Lily of the Valley

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Today is what Americans would call, “Labor Day” in France.  It is called “Fête du Travail” or “Fête du Muguet.” (Lily of the Valley)  It originated in the 19th century when demonstrating workers would wear a red triangle representing 8 hours of work, 8 hours of sleep, and 8 hours of free time.  Later the triangle was replaced with a sprig of Lily of the Valley.  Today, bouquets of this flower are offered to friends to wish them luck and happiness and most people have the day off from work.  As in the States,  Labor Day seems to be a misnomer as few people actually labor on this day!

Our verse for today is a real comfort.  Labor done for the Lord is never in vain.  There is a sense of purpose that transcends the mundane routine of work.  Our work when consecrated to the Lord will never be in vain.  “Work of the Lord” is not confined to those in full time ministry.  Any work can be for the Lord as we  seek to glorify Him and make Him known.

“Work for the Lord” is also outside the workplace.  When I see a neighbor in need and make myself available, that is for Him.  When I visit someone who is sick or struggling, that is also work for Him.  When I answer questions about my faith, that is work for Him.  We can get “weary of well doing” (Gal. 6:9) but one day we will see the intangible results of labor done for Him.

Thank you Lord, that work for You is always worth doing!


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Wisteria

IMG_20140413_123137Scripture for Today: Hebrews 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Our neighbor’s wisteria below our Alsacian home is at its peak.  I can hardly tear my eyes away from it as it is so full.  It practically bends the fence with the weight of its blooms.  I do not remember it being quite this spectacular other years.  But I do remember seeing our neighbor pruning it, and this is the beautiful result.  However, not all wisteria vines flower well.  There is the story of a lady who after twenty years of fertilizing and pruning finally gave up on her wisteria.  She cut off the branches, poured gasoline on the trunk and burned it.  The plant started blooming the next spring and every year since!

I could not read that story without thinking of today’s verse.  The Lord does discipline and train His children.  Our Heavenly Father is perfect and so is His correction.  For the believer, judgement and punishment have been taken care of on the cross.  But we do need His loving discipline.  Although it is painful, it is always done for the goal of producing in us the beautiful blossoms of righteousness and peace.

Discipline can last a long time when I do not respond to His correction.  Thankfully, He never gives up on me, as did the woman in the story.  Of course, not all the suffering in my life is discipline.  But when repentance is called for, how much better that I quickly fall to my knees in humble confession!  What hope to know that what follows may be the most productive time of my life!

Thank you Lord, for producing in me Your peace and righteousness.

 


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Morning Dew

Scripture for Today:  Hosea 6:4  “What can I do with you, Ephraim?  What can I do with you, Judah?  Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.”

Is there anything prettier than dew kissing the fragile petals of a rose?   We enjoy our rose bushes but I do not always know the best way to care for them.  My landlord kindly helps me with pruning and gives me tips.  I love cutting them and bringing them into the house!  They are so fragrant and add a touch of class.  But of course, I do not bring them inside if they are still wet with dew.

Today’s verse is addressed to two tribes of Israel.  They knew to make sacrifices and burnt offerings but they did not show mercy to others nor did they acknowledge God.  It was just routine and tradition.  Their love for the Lord was as transient as morning dew which quickly disappears.  The book of Hosea is the story of the Israelites’ unfaithfulness to God, just like a wayward wife.

I can identify with a love that disappears like morning dew.  In the morning when I read His Word and talk with Him, I can be satisfied with His unfailing love (Psalm 90:14).  But as I go throughout my day, that closeness can seem to evaporate in the distractions of a busy day.  His love is constant, but mine…not so much.  Sometimes it is easy to look at my time with the Lord as an obligation to be crossed off a list.  But He is not interested in empty ritual but in meaningful relationship.  Thankfully, despite  how fickle I am, He continues to tap my shoulder with His love.  He reminds me He is there.

Thank you Lord, that I can count on Your love all day.