Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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Never Alone

Scripture for Today: Matthew 28:20b “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

I enjoy my alone times.  The solitude is often welcome after being around people, voices and noises all day.  There is something calming about that solitude.  We all need differing doses though.  My need in no way resembles that of my husband.  He is energized by people but for me, there comes a time when I need to retreat.  I even need retreat from the one most dear to me.  Living in a 900 square foot home, those alone times are sometimes difficult to come by!  But the alone times are starting to feel a bit long with my husband traveling.

Today’s verse reminds us that for the believer, one is never really alone.  These words of Jesus were said just before leaving earth and ascending into heaven.  How reassuring it must have been for those disciples to hear!  A Comforter, the Holy Spirit, was to come soon and they would never ever be alone again.  This promise is valid just until the end of time when we are brought into His literal presence in Heaven.

It is an incredible comfort to feel His constant presence.  He knows my unvoiced thoughts.  He can relate to all of my emotions.  As my Creator, He understands every motive, doubt and impulse.  No one on earth can possibly know me like He does.  And yet, He still loves me!  His presence means that I can open up and share every little thought or disappointment.  He is an active caring listener unlike any other.  It is incredible that I cannot bore Him.  I may be alone, but because He is always there, I do not ever have to feel lonely!

Thank you Lord, for always being there!


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Identity Theft

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:15 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'”

I have heard some real horrors stories of people who have had their identities stolen.  Stealing identities has been around for a long time.  But now with so much sensitive information being on-line, there is the added risk of theft through our passwords.  A whole industry has been born to protect the consumer.  But nothing can offer 100% protection from those intent on stealing identities for gain.  And many victims are unaware of how their information was stolen!

Today’s verse tells me that as a believer in Christ, I have the indwelling of His Spirit.  Because of His residence in me, I am His child.  I belong to Him.  That is my identity and I can call my Heavenly Father, “Abba,” or “Daddy.”  Before this spiritual adoption I was a slave to the flesh.  Obeying those impulses and desires kept me under its power and I lived with fear.  I was afraid of never being good enough.  I lived with fears and insecurities about eternity and punishment.  But with sonship, my identity changed!

I have been born into His family and nothing and no one can make me “un-born” out of it!  But sometimes I forget who I am.  Old habits and ways of thinking can cause me to live according to the desires of my flesh.  But I am never obliged to live that way again (verse 12).  His Spirit reminds and assures me that I am His child and I have choice.  I can choose to live like who I am!

Lord, thank you that my identity as Your child will never be stolen!

 


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Kisses

Scripture for Today: I Peter 1:22 “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have a sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”

I am not sure if these seals are kissing or just checking each other’s breath!  Maybe they are siblings making up after a squabble.  Perhaps they are long lost friends experiencing a sweet reunion.  I hate to think of it as just an easily explained animal behavior.  Rather than believing it an instinctive act, I prefer to see it as a sweet moment of greeting.  After living in France for nearly three decades I grew accustomed to kissing cheeks as a form of greeting.  I grew so used to it that often it could become meaningless and routine.

Today’s verse talks about love being sincere.  It is described as a love that comes deeply, from the heart.  It is more than showy grandstanding or flowery speech.  It is more than a warm greeting.  A sincere love will not be just, “with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (I John 3:18)  A sincere deep love is unselfish and without hypocrisy.  There is no thought of recompense or some hidden agenda.

There is a progression in experiencing this kind of love.  It can only begin with a pure heart.  And a pure heart begins with obeying the truth.  It is a relief to know that I do not have to manufacture this lofty love on my own.  It is a natural outgrowth of the Lord working in me.  Obedience to His way will keep my heart pure, unsullied and able to love.  When I am having trouble loving someone, the best remedy is to run to Him for cleansing!

Lord, today make my heart pure and able to love.


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High Surf Advisory

la-me-ln-high-surf-advisory-in-effect-for-southern-california-beaches-20140822Scripture for Today: Psalm 107:29 “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”

It is not uncommon to hear of high surf advisories in our area of Southern California.  The National Weather Service uses this term to describe any pounding surf that poses a danger to those in the water.  This alert can also mean the presence of dangerous rip currents or “sneaker waves.”  The sneaker wave is a coastal wave that is much greater in force and height than the ones preceding it.  It is unanticipated and takes one by surprise.

Today’s verse is reassuring as a reminder of God’s absolute control of the waves and the weather.  He stills the storm to just a whisper.  The waves that looked so menacing are hushed in a moment at His command.  What is less reassuring is verse 25 where He spoke and stirred up the tempest that lifted  the waves up high to begin with.  In this psalm several negative scenarios are described where God allows circumstances that cause people distress.  Each time they cry to the Lord and each time with love and tenderness He responds.  The Lord allows the difficulty to show Himself powerful.  He shows His unfailing love and His wonderful work in a way that would not have been otherwise seen.

Those waves ebb and flow in each life.  There are wonderful times of calm, but perhaps more often, the winds are blowing and the waves are rough.  But with each storm He is there, ready to show Himself powerful and build up my faith.  He is faithful and has never yet failed me.  He will not let those waves overcome me.  He has already overcome the world and I can trust Him!

Thank you Lord, for Your steady love holding me up!


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Shutters

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:5 “You have enclosed me behind and before, And You have placed Your hand upon me.”

I loved living with shutters in both Germany and France.  They completely blocked out noise and light, making it easy to sleep in!  When a storm came through, it was great to protect the newly washed windows from rain splatters.  During a hot spell, closed shutters kept the house cooler.  And for security reasons shutters were especially helpful.  In fact, some insurance plans would refuse to cover for theft if the shutters were open!  But the best thing about shutters was the sense of privacy they afforded.  I often felt a sense of peace with those shutters closing out the world.

Today’s verse describes just how well God’s Spirit knows me.  He knows when I am sitting, standing, when I go out and when I return.  He knows me so well that He knows what I am going to say before I say it.  Rather than this being an uncomfortable thought, it is a truth that is wonderful.  His thoughts to me are too numerous to count and they are precious (verse 17).  He lays His hand on me in a loving and protective gesture.  Like those shutters, He encloses and surrounds me with His presence and His love.

The world often needs to be blocked out.  Being enclosed in the Lord’s presence is only possible when I retreat from all the noise and activity around me.  To be still and listen to His voice often means turning off all the other clamoring distractions.  It is shutting the door to the room or closet to pray in private (Matt. 6:6).  When I make that effort, He is there, ready to meet me.

Lord, help me to shut out the world today and enjoy Your presence.