Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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His Whispers

Scripture for Today: I Kings 19:12 “After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”

There are all kinds of whispers.  My husband tells me that mine are too loud.  In public, I think I am being discreet when I whisper something in my husband’s ear.  But I do not seem to know my true volume.  Unfortunately, my husband is not the only one to hear me!  There are whispers that one does not want to hear; things that are shameful if heard aloud.  But the best kind of whispers are those sharing sweet secrets or those speaking love!

Our verse for today is in the context of the Lord appearing to Elijah.  One would expect the mighty God of the universe to show Himself spectacularly.  But God was not in the wind, the earthquake or the fire.  God revealed himself through a gentle whisper.  Elijah needed reassurance after being threatened by Jezebel and running for forty days and forty nights.  He had been miraculously cared for physically by an angel (verse 7).  But Elijah needed something for his soul.  What did that whisper say?

What does God whisper to me?  He whispers to me through His Word, which is inspired or “God breathed.”  He whispers His love and reassurance.  He tells me He is in control.  He whispers to me throughout my busy day saying, “I am here.  I love you.  You can count on Me.”  And He does not mind repeating Himself!  His whispers are precious and beautiful.  They remind me that I belong to Him.  They reassure my soul and keep me going.

Oh, how I need to hear Him whisper.  Lord, keep me listening to Your whispered reassurance of love.

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

 


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Daddy’s Here!

IMG_20130423_164817Scripture for Today:  Romans 8:15 “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

The artist, Norman Rockwell, has certainly captured the joy of homecoming between daughter and father in this image.  Our children may be brunettes rather than blonds.  And Randy did not wear the suit and hat.  But the feeling tones remind me of when our children were small and there was joyful reunion when Daddy walked through that door!

I remember when my own Father would come through the door after a long business trip.  My Mother would be relieved as things settled back to normal.  The homecoming often included little gifts from his travels.  I did not fear his coming as our relationship was a positive one.  I understand that not everyone can say that and I know I am blessed.

Our verse for today describes God as our Father.  This concept of God can be marred by negative memories and disappointments from our own earthly fathers.  But He chooses that image of Father to communicate love, care and belonging.

Jesus addressed God as His personal Father in prayer and invites us to do the same.  God, being named our Father, makes Him approachable and endearing.  This relationship is intended to be intimate and tender.  He is our perfect and loving Daddy.  It is by grace that we are adopted as His very own.  He wanted us and He chose us.  There is no fear in approaching my loving Father.  But so often I am too proud, too independent or too busy to come and crawl up into His lap.

Lord, help me to remember, Daddy’s here!

Look familiar?  This is a re-post from 2013 in honor of Father’s Day.


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Donating Blood

Scripture for Today: I John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”

After the recent horror of this latest mass murder, I was encouraged to see on the news the long lines of people waiting to donate their blood.  Hundreds came out to help the victims and their compassion warmed my heart.  Many of these volunteers were perhaps unaware that yesterday was World Blood Donor Day.  This event highlights the need for donors and is held every year on June 14th.  “Blood connects us all,” is their motto.  And certainly, giving blood saves lives.

Today’s verse talks about the blood freely given by Another.  This blood also saves lives and was given out of love and compassion for our condition.  The blood of Christ saves us once for all from the eternal punishment for our sin.  His blood makes it possible to walk in light rather than darkness.  His blood makes it possible to walk with others in sweet fellowship, rather than discord.  His blood cleanses and purifies us from sin and its consequences, in this life and in the next.

He shed His blood so I would not have to.  His blood saved my life.  My faith in His blood pays for of all my ugly sin (Romans 3:25).  More than just a needle in the arm, His gift of blood cost Him everything; separation from the Father, the mockery and violence of others, and His life.  How amazing and deep the love that motivated Him!  And how unworthy I am to be a recipient of such a precious life-changing gift!

I am so grateful Lord, for that precious flow, “that makes me white as snow.”


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The Narrows at Zion

Scripture for Today: Psalm 125:2 “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.”

The Narrows at Zion National Park are breathtaking!  We approached it from the bottom and only hiked a few miles in along the Virgin River.  The 16 mile hike is a wet one with a third of it done in the 45 degree water.  We were not quite that adventuresome.  But what impresses me most are the vertical sheer canyon walls soaring high above.  Surrounded by these majestic rock faces of the mountains, one cannot help but feel very small.

Our verse for today likens the love and protection of the Lord to surrounding mountains.  Jerusalem is not surrounded by a ring of peaks, but it is situated in a mountainous region.  God’s care is as constant and unmovable as mountains.  Those who trust in Him and His care are not shaken (verse 1) but are themselves like Mount Zion.

What a wonderful assurance to know that I am surrounded by God’s constant faithful love!  There is nowhere that I can turn that I cannot see it and feel it.  Like a ring of mountains, His love surrounds me.  He reminds me with every mountain view just how wide, long, high and deep His love is for me (Eph. 3:18).  He especially reminds me when I read His Word with His promises of love.

There is nothing I can do to remove those mountains far from my presence.  His love is too strong.  Nothing can separate me from that love.  My view of it may be blocked by the fog of my own waywardness and rebellion, but it continues on.  His love continues today, tomorrow and for eternity!

Lord, I need to feel your love surrounding, supporting and reassuring me today.


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Nasty Gopher!

lilian_darling@yahoo.com credit photographer

Scripture for Today: Ephesians3:17b-18 “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

My Dad grew extensive gardens with award winning irises.  As an adult I can understand the war he had with gophers.  But as a young girl I was on their side.  I was horrified that Dad would run the hose through their burrows and flush them out with water.  When the root-eating rodent popped out my Dad would be ready with his shovel.  There are more humane methods to be rid of them.  But they sure are a menace to enjoying all those beautiful cared-for flowers.

Today’s verse talks about being rooted and established in God’s love.  Having roots is essential to grow in faith and enjoy good spiritual health.  But then there are those nasty gophers.  They burrow underneath where we cannot see them and gnaw on those roots.  We start to doubt His love.  Before long what is happening below the surface starts to be visible in the flower that droops.  God’s love has not changed but we are no longer drawing from it.

God’s love for me is wider, longer, higher and deeper than I can realize on my own.  I need His power to really grasp this truth.  But when I do, His love nourishes me and makes me strong.  When I live out the truth of His love, my faith and confidence flourish.  Those gophers do not have a chance to erode anything.  The Lord is so good to continually reassure me of His love.  Regardless of how I feel, His love is constant and true.

Thank you Lord, for holding me up with Your love.