Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: For Foodies


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Persimmons

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 24:14 “Know also that wisdom is like honey for you; If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

I recently rediscovered persimmons.  Remembering their strange bitter aftertaste, I thought I did not like them.  What I had not realized is that there are several varieties.  The one I disliked so much was the Hachiya  pictured here.  They have a pointed bottom and are mushy inside.  But the Fuyu variety with the flat bottom is wonderfully sweet and can be eaten like an apple.  However. even the Hachiya can be tasty when baked in pudding, cookies and breads.

Today’s verse likens wisdom to the taste of sweetness in honey.  Finding wisdom is worth the effort as it will mean a future hope.  There is not much hope of a positive future for the fool who discounts God’s words.  But the one who is wise is the one who treasures His words, finding them “sweeter than honey” (Psalm 119:103)  God’s Word is what makes wise the simple (Psalm 19:7).  And with wisdom one makes the best decisions, starting with obeying His Law.

Gaining wisdom is a lifelong process involving not only reading and knowing His word, but intentionally putting it into practice.  His Word does not read like an advice column that one can take or leave.  God’s Word is not just full of  suggestions on how to live.  It is authoritative.  God’s precepts give me not only a good course of action but the very best one!  I have no wisdom of my own but I can walk in His wisdom when I submit to His way!  Living wisely means there is hope for my future!

Lord, make this a sweet day by helping me be wise.

 

 


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Turkey Hotline

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Thanksgiving seems to be synonymous with a big fat turkey on a platter.  This turkey tradition has confounded the less experienced cook giving rise to the Butterball’s Turkey Talk-Line, begun in 1981.  Most questions have to do with thawing procedures and cooking times.  But some problems are unique, as with the man who tried to use the oven’s cleaning cycle to cook the turkey more quickly!  One caller complained that her bird had no breast meat, not realizing it was upside-down!

Today’s verse has the word, “thanksgiving.”  Our tendency is to be anxious when confronted with difficulty, especially when others have a front row seat to our dilemma.  Whether our anxiety is understandable or completely manufactured by an over active imagination, there is only one thing to do with it; give it to the Lord in prayer.  Regardless of the size or importance of our situation, our Heavenly Father does not want us to feel anxiety.

When we give our requests to the Lord, He asks that we do it with thanksgiving.  We are to thank Him in advance for His answer, even if it is not the response we want or expect.  Thanking Him before His response shows Him that we trust His power to act, His wisdom to know the right outcome, and His goodness to do what is best.

Today we thank Him for all His blessings.  Everything that is good in my life is because of His grace.  But He also wants me to thank Him for the answers still pending.  I want to include in my thanksgiving praise for His good plan and future blessings yet unseen!

Thank you Lord, for how You will answer!


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Escargot

img_20160819_084054Scripture for Today: Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

This stand was a common sight at our French open market.  Eating snails is certainly not new.  Their empty shells have been found in archaeological digs suggesting that they have been eaten since prehistoric times!  They are considered a “super food,” as they contain iron, B12, magnesium, selenium, and omega 3.  Still, the idea of eating that slimy creature fills many people with disgust.  And the many steps to prepare escargots make them anything but a “fast food!”  One of the more important steps is purging the snails from anything unhealthy they have been eating.

Our verse for today speaks of our conscience being purged.  The Old Testament system of animal sacrifice served its purpose of symbolizing Christ’s death.  But how much more perfect was the sacrifice Jesus made, once for all!  His sacrifice not only cleanses us from our sin, but purges our consciences as well.  His forgiveness is complete.

Satan would like me to think otherwise.  He whispers in my ear his accusations.  He reminds me of times when I really blew it and let the Lord down.  Satan would like nothing better than to take me out of the game and put me on the sidelines.  How thankful I am that he is wrong!   My conscience has been purged.  I am a new creation in Him.  No accusation from the enemy can change this truth.  When I lay my head on the pillow at night I can sleep easily knowing that Christ has taken care of every sin and failure.

Thank you Lord, that You purge my conscience, making forgiveness complete.


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Garlic

Scripture for Today: Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Both fresh garlic and onion were a part of our local open market in France.  But it was especially the garlic that gave so much flavor to a dish, as well as staying on one’s breath next morning!  Over the centuries it has been touted to ward off plague, whooping cough, and of course, vampires!  But what caught my attention was the claim that garlic can inspire and give courage!  It was given to Roman soldiers for just that purpose.

Today’s verse is a charge for Joshua from the Lord Himself.  Moses had just died and Joshua was taking his position to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.  Joshua is reassured that the Lord will never leave him or forsake him (verse 5).  The Lord reminds him that wherever he goes, he can be strong and courageous because of His presence.

This is not a promise that things will be easy or even go smoothly for Joshua.  The Lord sees ahead the times of discouragement Joshua will face.  Moses encountered plenty of discouragement leading a complaining doubting people and so will Joshua.  But just as the Lord was there for Moses, so He would be for Joshua (verse 5).

I have a charge from the Lord as well to do what He tells me to.  I have these same promises that He will strengthen me with His power (Col. 1:11) so that I can endure with patience whatever is scary or discouraging.  He promises to never leave me or forsake me (Heb. 13:5).  It is His Word which inspires and gives courage!

Thank you Lord, for Your reassurance today.

 

 


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Macadamia Nut

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 28:14 “Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.”

It seems a bit extreme to open up a macadamia nut with a vise and hammer, but this nut is said to be the hardest nut in the world to crack!  Even after being boiled or roasted, it is a very difficult nut to open.  Three hundred pounds of pressure per square inch is needed.  The effort is worth it as this nut is up to eighty percent oil (the good kind) and delicious!  My favorite are those enrobed in chocolate!

Our verse for today talks about something that can be just as hard as the macadamia nut; a heart that does not fear God.  It would take a very hard heart not to recognize the awesome power that God demonstrates.  The person who hardens their heart against God is one who is at risk to fall into all kinds of trouble.  That is because a hardened heart is a prideful one, and pride goes before the fall (Prov. 16:18).

The heart of King Nebuchadnezzar became arrogant and hardened with pride.  In consequence, God stripped him of glory until he acknowledged God as sovereign (Daniel 5:20).  The story never ends well for those who’s pride produces a hardened heart.  They become a hard nut to crack!  How much better to fear God and tremble before His majesty!

The one who always trembles before God is blessed.  Recognizing His power and splendor and one’s complete dependence gives a person the right perspective.  The trembling heart will be soft and pliable, ready to obey and serve.  I have confidence to approach God’s throne because of Jesus.  But that does not mean I will not tremble before His awesome presence!

Lord, keep me from developing a hard heart.

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