God’s Love | Devotions By Jan

July 30, 2018
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The Sparrow

Scripture for Today: Matthew 10:29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”

These sparrows look as if they are about to fall! The two females are fighting over the nest that the male has just built. The male with the yellow markings is vainly trying to break up the fight. It does not look as if he is succeeding! These small gregarious birds are especially aggressive when protecting their nests from other birds and even from other sparrows. The sparrow is one of the more familiar birds as they prefer nesting close to humans. They are a common sight as they are partial to man-made structures for their nest-building.

Today’s verse uses the example of a sparrow to illustrate just how minute and detailed is God’s knowledge and care of His creation. Jesus uses something common and inconsequential to explain that nothing escapes His notice. At fifty cents each, two sparrows are not worth much in the grand scheme of things. And yet, the Lord is aware of the movements, needs, birth and death of each one. If He cares that much about something so small and insignificant, we can be assured that He sees and cares so much more for His own children. We are worth more than these two little birds (verse 31).

I know that I have value to the Lord because He died for me. Because this is true, there is no reason to fear (verse 31). I will not fear what man can do to me (verse 28). I will not fear bad news (Psalm 112:7). I will not fear any evil (Ps. 23;4) nor will I fear sudden disaster (Prov. 3:25).

Thank you Lord, that I can stand firm, steadfast, and confident in You!

Look familiar? This is a repost due to summer ministry.

July 25, 2018
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Tattoos

Scripture for Today: Psalm 13:5 “But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation.”

There seems to be more and more tattoos used as a fashion statement, whether a small butterfly on a pretty ankle, or a skull and crossbones on a beefy arm. I do not always understand what the message to be conveyed is. But this one is clear. In ancient times tattoos were used as amulets, status symbols, declarations of love or signs of religious belief. They were used in ancient Egypt and have been found on female mummies dating back to 2000 BC. The tattoo pictured I am guessing is on a female arm and it screams to the world, “I have been hurt,” or “Never again!”

Today’s verse is about trusting a love that will never fail. The heart does not crack into pieces when held together by the Lord’s love. His love never disappoints. The Lord’s unfailing love is described as a breastplate, guarding our heart (I Thes. 5:8). But like any piece of armor, we pick it up and put it on each day. When we trust in that love, it keeps our hearts open and soft, instead of hardened and unreachable. And if we are hurt by others, His love is there to bind up the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3).

My heart can rejoice in that love, regardless of what is happening in relationships around me. He is constant. His love for me is my sure foundation, making it possible for me to love again. We love because He first loved us (I John 4:19). Trusting in His love helps me to forgive and move on. Trusting in His love heals the hurts and makes me whole again.

Lord, how amazing it is that You love me! Help me believe it today.

Look familiar? This is a repost due to summer ministry.

July 12, 2018
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Inside Out

Scripture for Today: Romans 5:5 “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

I have done this often enough when dressing in a hurry. Wearing something inside out is even considered good luck by some. But for your day to be lucky, it has to be done unintentionally and not corrected if pointed out by someone. The same is said for wearing one’s socks inside out. But rather than thinking of clothing mistakes, I like thinking of the song by Bryan Adams called, “Inside Out.” The lyrics say, “I wanna know you like I know myself…..I wanna know you inside out.”

Today’s verse describes God’s love as being poured into our hearts. Any other love on this earth comes from the outside. But God’s love is unique as it reaches to the inside and fills our hearts. His love actually resides on the interior. There is nothing hidden from His love. He knows our deepest thoughts and desires. He understands all of our motivation and fear. Because He lives and loves from our hearts, He knows what makes us mad or makes us cry. There is no other love as intimate or knowledgeable. He loves me from the inside out.

How amazing that He could love me knowing all the junk in there! I can be completely honest and open with Him as He knows it all anyway. And yet, He still loves me! He does not love me because, but in spite of myself! There is only one best response to this kind of unconditional love: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my soul, my all.”

Thank you Lord, for reminding me of Your overwhelming love.

Look familiar? This is a repost due to summer ministry.

July 11, 2018
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Unmasked!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 38:9 “All my longings lie open before You, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from You.”

Among the many kinds of Venetian masks is this elaborate one called the “Colombina,” or “little dove.” Made of paper mache, Venetian stucco, shiny gold macrame and black feathers, it is certainly ornate and mysterious. Based on a character from the Italian stage, beautiful women especially preferred this style as it covers only half of the face. These masks are worn for the annual festival in Venice, Italy which is one of the oldest in Europe dating back to 1162. Being masked gives people the opportunity to hide their identity and freely mix with those above their social standing.

Today’s verse makes it clear that there is nothing hidden from the Lord. With Him, we are unmasked. David acknowledges his sin (verse 18) being overwhelmed with guilt and groaning “in anguish of heart.” (verse 8) He pours out his complaint that his friends have turned on him. He ends this psalm with a cry for help and a plea that God would not forsake him as well. Every longing and every sigh is seen by the One who knows our hearts and thoughts. Nothing is hidden from Him.

I wonder if sometimes I do not wear a “mask” in my private prayers. If all is open and bare before Him then there is no need to sanitize my prayers. He knows just what I am feeling and He waits for me to be honest with Him. He does not censor my words or rebuke me for wrong theology. He hears my frustrations and my ill-concealed doubts. Nothing shocks Him and He loves me no matter what.

Thank you Lord, that I can unburden myself with You and find sweet relief.

Look familiar? This is a repost due to summer ministry.

July 10, 2018
by devotionsbyjan 2 Comments

A Bad Penny

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

I am one of those rare people who still bend down to pick up a lost penny, bad or not! The phrase, “a bad penny always turns up,” was coined in the mid eighteenth century. Pennies used to be more valuable and because they were easily counterfeited, the “bad ones” would continually circulate, turning up in a pocket or purse. “Turning up like a bad penny,” came to mean someone or something unwanted, turning up repeatedly and unexpectedly.

Today’s verse reassures the believer that God’s forgiveness of sin is complete. He chooses to no longer remember our sins. Because of Christ’s perfect sacrifice for sin, the penalty has been paid and God’s justice is satisfied. Those sins are blotted out forever. When He forgives, He does not bring it up again. But like a bad penny, the thought of them (for the believer) can turn up at the most unwanted and inopportune times. Thankfully, that is never the case for the Lord. Of course, He is all knowing and so forgets nothing. But the idea is that He does not call it to mind with censor and judgement.

I would love to be able to “remember my sins no longer.” But the memories remain. Thankfully, God’s Word is full of reassurances of unconditional love and complete pardon. The Lord graciously softens and blurs memories of past failures. If guilty memories occasionally do reappear, He is there to build me back up. If nothing else, those remembrances can serve to remind me that I am not perfect, but His forgiveness is!

Thank you Lord, that Your grace chooses not to remember what is forgiven!

Look familiar? This is a repost due to summer ministry.