Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: For Foodies


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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.


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Bon Appétit!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:4 “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil, so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.”

My table is looking a bit like this these days as I feed thirteen large basketball players.  It is heavy laden and groaning under the weight of all the food!  My food presentation does not look quite so fancy.  We are not even bothering with a centerpiece.  If these large men can leave the table satisfied, I have done my job!

Our verse for today likens what wicked men engage in as food delicacies.  What is evil can be attractive and appealing to the senses.  It is tempting to give up and give in.  We are naturally drawn to what is easy and promises pleasure.  We rationalize that evil is not really so very bad.

The “delicacies” of the wicked, although pleasant, do not satisfy.  In fact, what is thought to be delectable disappoints.  There is a funny taste in one’s mouth after indulging.  There is a sense of guilt and an immediate distance felt from the Lord.

There is a table that the Lord sets for us.  He invites us to sit down and be truly satisfied.  He prepares this table in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5).  They will see it but have no part in this feast.  All those times we have abstained from joining with the wicked in their evil doings are recompensed.  Our faithfulness does not go unnoticed.

It is comforting to know that one day I can indulge to my heart’s content and it will all be good.  What He has prepared for His own is so infinitely better than what the world can offer!  Bon appétit!

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

 

 


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Frog Legs

Scripture for Today: I John 4:1  “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

The French are much more courageous than I am in what they choose to eat!  We went to a restaurant recently that specialized in frog meat!  Not only could you eat it off the bone, but you could order it without bones and on a pizza!  I guess it is an acquired taste, or perhaps it is just the idea of it that bothers me.  In any case, those trying this “delicacy” often say that it “tastes like chicken!”

One thing can be very much like something else.  An undiscerning palette is one thing, but failing to verify teaching can be very harmful.  Our verse for today talks about the possibility of confusing true prophets with false ones.  They can seem quite similar when they use the same religious vocabulary.  Both false and true prophets use Scripture.  There may even be miracles involved.  Perhaps there is a huge following.  How does one discern if a spirit is from God or not?

The most telling test is given us in the following two verses.  Those spirits who deny Jesus is God are false teachers.  No matter how popular the speaker may be, how many books he has written or how persuasive his speech is, we are not to listen.  This one amazing truth, that Jesus is God, is the most polarizing.  It separates sheep from goats, (Matt. 25:33) believer from non-believer, and false teacher from true.  There is no other name under heaven by which one can be saved.  There is no other Gospel.

Help me Lord, to be discerning.  Thank you that You make the test so very clear.

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


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Fresh Strawberries

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”

There is nothing better than the surprise of biting into an especially sweet fresh strawberry!  I am surprised as I have grown accustomed to strawberries that are not as flavorful being picked too soon.  But when they are local and picked at exactly the right time, the flavor is amazing!  I will sometimes buy less-than-sweet strawberries for their pop of color and still enjoy them.  I will even use frozen strawberries on occasion.  But it is never the same as that fresh sweet strawberry with the juice and texture exactly right!

Today’s verse likens God’s words to that kind of sweetness.   His words are like honey for the soul.  Whether we hear them from a Bible teacher, a song or a devotional, it is always sweet.  But there is a different more intense flavor when we discover a nugget of truth for ourselves in His Word.  The taste is better and sweeter when He speaks to us directly from His Word without any other intermediary.  It is just picked.  It is fresh and there is a special sweetness.

I am encouraged by others’ teaching.  God uses the study and clear exhortation of Bible scholars in my life.  There is a myriad of wonderful study guides.  They are all sweet and have their place.  But there is a more satisfying and intense flavor to His Word when I take the time to open it on my own.  It is especially sweet when the Lord meets me and speaks to me directly.  His Spirit is so personal, guiding me into a truth for that moment and for my exact need.

Lord, I need Your sweet words.  Make them fresh for me today.

 

 


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Gluten Sensitivity

Scripture for Today: John 6:35-36 “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen Me and still you do not believe.'”

I would hate to have problems with gluten and I feel badly for those that do!  Those gastrointestinal symptoms plus the fatigue and headaches are no fun.  The more serious condition of Celiac even damages the small intestine.  Doctors caution that the gluten free diet does not automatically mean a more healthy diet or lead to weight loss unless it is done properly.  I am fortunate not to have to deal with this as I really enjoy my bread!

In today’s verse, Jesus uses the image of bread and water to show just how much we need Him.  He satisfies the hunger of our souls in a way that nothing else can.  But there is a condition.  We are to come to Him in faith.  Jesus is speaking to those who He had just miraculously fed.  They were only interested in having their stomachs filled (verse 26).  Somehow they were not seeing that Jesus was offering, “food that endures to eternal life” (verse 27).  They could not bring themselves to believe in Him as the bread of life from the Father (verse 33).  Their physical appetites were masking their deeper spiritual need.

I can’t be too hard on them.  I wonder if I only come to Him for what He can do for me.  Or do I find satisfaction just in loving Him and serving Him.  Do my temporal physical needs get in the way of enjoying a deep satisfying relationship?  I want to seek Him first and above all else.

Lord, help me to go deeper with You today.