Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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Pumpkin Waste

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 1:5  “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”

After today, there will be the problem of what to do with that carved pumpkin.  Breaking it up and adding it to a compost pile can enrich the soil.  The insides can be turned into wonderful smoothies, butter, bread, soup, and of course, pie!  The shell can be turned into potpourri, and the pumpkin puree is supposed to be  good for the skin!  Pumpkins are even deemed safe for feeding birds and animals!  In any case, disposing of pumpkins is only a problem for a country with an abundance.

Today’s verse also talks about abundance; the abundance of suffering and the abundance of comfort.  Because of sin and our fallen world, there will be suffering for the believer.  Whether it is loss of health, income, or loss of loved ones, the Christian is not exempt.  But where there is abundant suffering,  God promises a comfort from Him that is just as abundant.  The abundant life of John 10:10 is not an easy painless life.  But it is an abundant one because He is there; the God of all comfort (verse 3).

The future looms ahead of me with all sorts of potential suffering.  There will be age-related sufferings as the body breaks down.  There will be the deaths of older family members and friends.  Whatever suffering is in store, I can trust the Lord to come through for me.  His comfort will make all of it bearable.  I do not have to worry ahead of time or imagine the unimaginable.  When it is needed, His comfort will be there.

Thank you, Lord, that I can trust You to be the abundant comfort I need exactly when I need it!


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A Door

Scripture for Today: Hosea 2:15a “There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.”

This picturesque scene shows the strait between the Door Peninsula and Washington Island in Wisconsin.  It looks so calm and peaceful, yet it has historically been a dangerous passage.  There are remains of ships scattered beneath the surface.  The strait is known as “Death’s Door,” not because of shipwrecks but as a reference to a battle in the early 1600’s.  One third of the Ho-Chunk tribe was lost during a storm on a failed raid against the Pottawatomie tribe.

Today’s verse speaks of another door described as a “door of hope.”  The prophet Hosea was directed by the Lord to marry Gomer, a prostitute.  His life with her was to be a real-life example of what God’s people were doing when they rejected their God and ran off with other idols.  The Valley of Achor was the setting for the sin of Achan in Joshua 7:24-26 that had caused so much trouble for the Israelites.  This verse says that calamity can be turned to joy!  What was once a symbol of despair could be turned transformed into hope.

What a beautiful picture of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness!  His love has no limit and with my repentance and His forgiveness there is always hope!  The Lord uses the most intimate relationship to illustrate just how wide, long, high and deep His love is for me.(Eph. 3:18)  And when I turn away from that love in rebellion or by being friends with the world (James 4:4) I am just as much an adulterer as Gomer was to Hosea.  How thankful I am that there is that door of hope, standing open and welcoming me back!

Thank you Lord, that You are my hope.


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Pet Adoption

Scripture for Today: John 14:2 “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

I could never visit an animal shelter.  I would want to bring at least half of the animals home with me!  I have the same problem when visiting a pet store.  As tempting as it is, one thing that keeps me grounded is knowing that I have not prepared for one.  There are so many considerations including: whether the pet will fit with my lifestyle and whether my living arrangements will be suitable.

Today’s verse talks about a place that is being prepared for the eventual arrival of the believer to his eternal home.  Every consideration has been taken.  The One preparing this place knows about every desire, preference and need.  That is because He is the Creator and knows us better than we know ourselves.  This place will be exactly what we did not know we wanted!  And when we finally arrive, this prepared place will immediately be “home” more than any other place we have ever lived.

The particulars are not so important to me.  The details will be fabulous but what will make this place He has prepared so special is the fact that it is in His house!  He will be residing there as well.  His continual and uninterrupted presence will make this place “home.”  It will be my forever home and that illusive contentment I have been chasing all my life will be mine!  What other home could be decorated with perfect love, peace, joy and satisfaction?  It is there waiting for me to move in, and when I do, I will feel settled for the very first time.

Thank you Lord, that You love me enough to prepare a place for me!


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Weathervane

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 103:12-13  “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those that fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

I imagine if these gentlemen continue drinking long enough, they will not care which direction they go!  This weathervane can be seen in Piddlehinton in the United Kingdom.  There are lots of different whimsical figurines that can be part of the weathervane including ships, cats, and often the rooster.  The important thing is that it sits up high, catches the wind and indicates its direction.

Today’s verse reminded me of the weathervane.  Just how far is the east from the west?  They never meet.  They cannot meet as there is no junction point.  God chose this image to teach us that He has removed our sin an infinite distance from us.  And He did that because of His love.  It cost Him His life on the cross to do that for us.  Satan can try to bring us down with memories and accusations, but it is to no avail.  Who can possibly condemn us (including ourselves) when God has chosen us and Christ intercedes for us?  No one.  (Rom. 8:33-34)

There is lots of confusion about the nature of true love.  But one measure is complete forgiveness.  God’s love for me is so great it reaches to the heavens.  His love is so pure that He never revisits what He has forgiven.  I am so thankful I can live this day and every day without the crushing weight of guilt.  There is NO condemnation because I am in Christ. (Rom. 8:1)  What more proof of His love do I need?  Isn’t this the biggest proof?

Thank you Lord, for Your amazing love and forgiveness.

 


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Ironing

Scripture for Today:  Lamentations 3:21-23  “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

This picture represents my feelings about ironing!  Of course, with the synthetic materials available, there is less and less of it to do.  These days, I would hesitate to buy anything made of 100% linen!  Having to go over those stubborn wrinkles again and again is not my idea of fun.  The French word for “iron” means to pass over again and again.   And that is exactly why ironing can be such a chore!

Today’s verse is about calling something to mind, much like pressing or impressing something on our minds again and again.  We are to remember His great love, His compassions and His faithfulness.  In doing so we can live with hope.  His compassions are never at en end as every morning they are new and fresh.  Both His love and His faithfulness are described as GREAT!

I do have to “call this to mind.”  When facing something really hard, it is not my first thought.  In fact, there are times when I am tempted to doubt that love and faithfulness.  And when I do doubt, hopelessness is not far behind.  But when I remember the truth of His character and promises, my hope and confidence are restored.  I not only remember who He is but I remind myself of His incredible faithfulness in the past and I am encouraged.  Over and over He has proven His love and faithfulness to me.  That impossible situation I am facing will one day prove again just how loving and faithful He is as I look back on it.

Lord, thank you for the hope you give me!