Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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Boot Straps

boot straps481389633_88ffb5afffScripture for Today: Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord, He is God. It is He who has made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”

This poor little guy seems to be stuck in the mud.  Fortunately, he has straps on those rain boots and is making good use of them.  The phrase, “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” has a literal meaning for him.  It is more commonly used in the figurative sense to mean success by one’s own efforts.  The idea is to use no outside help.  This phrase can be applied to the one who uses nothing other than one’s own blood, sweat, and toil.

There are lots of inspiring success stories in American history of those who were able beat all odds.  They could even be called, “self-made men.”  However, our verse for today gives a more accurate picture.  It is God who has made us.  We are to acknowledge that anything and everything we have to succeed is given us by Him.  We have not made ourselves.  We cannot take the credit.  The talents, determination, gifts, and mental capacities all come from Him.  Although motivation and work ethics play a huge role, no one can say that he has made himself what he is.

To guard against pride in my own accomplishments, this verse reminds me of my status as a sheep.  I am always in dire need of help and guidance from the Shepherd.  As a believer, I belong to Him and He takes care of putting me in His wonderful abundant pasture.  And He has made me exactly as I am for His purposes.  It only makes sense to respond with joy, shouting, singing and thanksgiving!

Thank you Lord, for making me to belong to You!

 


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Open Hands

Scripture for Today: Psalm 104:28 “When You give to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things.”

Hands can be so expressive.  When curled up they indicate tension.  When folded they can communicate a readiness to listen.  When their palms are lifted, the hands express bafflement or confusion.  Anger is expressed when they form a fist.  But the open hand is a giving hand.  I remember when our children were small.  We tried to avoid spanking with our hand.  We never wanted our hands to be feared.  How terrible when children cringe from a helping hand!  We wanted our hands to have a positive association.

This beautiful verse for today mentions God’s hands.  They are open in a giving gesture to provide for His creation.  Although God is spirit (John 4:24) it is helpful to have this image of His hands.  He reigns, delivers and does mighty works with His powerful right hand.  His hands are like no others and when He opens them, it is with loving provision.  All that is good in our lives comes from those open hands.

For the over zealous parent, a hand can be lifted in anger and punishment.  Wrath and judgement come from His righteous hands as well.  But for the believer who has placed their trust in Christ, His hands are full of mercy and grace.  His hands bear the scars from the nails that held Him on the cross.  I do not fear those hands as His perfect love has cast out all fear. (I John 4:18)  His outstretched hand provides not only for my physical needs but offers me forgiveness and peace for which my soul longs.  His hands provide for me what truly satisfies!

Thank you Lord, for opening Your hands to me.


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Butterfly Collection

vintage-butterfly-entomology-collection5Scripture for Today: Psalm 104:24 “How many living things You have made, O Lord! You have exhibited great skill in making all of them; the earth is full of the living things You have made.”

The closet was full of at least thirty display boxes like the one pictured here.  Each one was filled with an amazing variety of butterflies.  The colors of the differently-sized butterflies were brilliant and each had a different pattern.  My elderly friend’s husband had died many years before.  But his butterfly collection remained.  I imagine it will soon be split up among her children and grandchildren.  I was struck with the same wonder this gentleman must have felt in gazing at their detailed beauty.

Today’s verse extols the creativity of our God.  The living things that He has made far outshine man’s creativity.  The most impressive man-made work of art pales in comparison to His creation.  The tallest building or newest technology does not even come close to the amazing skill God exhibited in making a single short-lived butterfly.  Every wonderful thing that man has made is but a poor shadow of what God has fashioned.

We understand just how powerful God is by contemplating what He has created (Romans 1:20).  It is obvious that there is intelligent and thoughtful design by Someone when we see the intricacies of a single butterfly wing.  Seeking to attribute the wonder of His works to lucky chance cheapens all of life and creation.  How does anyone really appreciate the beauty of creation without acknowledging the beauty of the Creator?!

It am humbled to think that this same powerful Creator loves me and wants a close intimate relationship with me!  What a privilege to know and love the Creator!

Lord, may the wonder of Your creation bring me closer to You!

 


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Carried on His Shoulders

998667_944118212940_1180021667_nScripture for Today:  Deuteronomy 33:12  “….May the beloved of the Lord dwell in security by Him, Who shields him all the day, And he dwells between His shoulders.”

My husband enjoyed carrying our kids on his shoulders.  These glaciers in Alaska would certainly have been too slippery for our son, even though he could walk at the time.  Being carried meant no fear of falling on the ice.  He could relax and enjoy the ride in total security.  He was even shielded from some of the cold weather by the warmth of Randy’s body.  That touch and support meant warmth and security for our son.

Our verse for today was a blessing given by Moses to the tribe of Benjamin.  This tribe came from the youngest son and was the smallest of the twelve.  Perhaps, because of its smallness and vulnerability, God called them “beloved.”  Being small, they would need to find their security in Him.  They would need His protection.

Those that are chosen and set apart by God are His beloved today.  We are dearly loved and kept for Jesus Christ according to Jude 1:1.  I am small and insignificant, needing His protection.  As a small child loved by his Father, I too need to be carried.  Sometimes, there are too many pitfalls in my way.  Fear of the unknown ahead can be paralyzing.  Or many times, like the child whose legs are too short, I get weary.  He is so good to repeatedly pick me up and carry me.  In His love He does not reproach or chide.

My Father responds to child-like faith on my part.  He does not ignore those up-stretched arms.  He hoists me up on His strong broad shoulders and carries me through the difficult times.

Thank you, Lord, that I am Your beloved.

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


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Inheritance

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 33:12  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”

I am happy I have a husband who plans for the future.  Our will and testament have long been written.  There is a superstition out there that says that death will quickly follow after drawing up a will.  But we are still here!

Throughout Scripture is found the encouraging promise of the inheritance that awaits believers in heaven.  Our inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for us (I Peter 1:4).  Everything about that inheritance far outweighs the importance of an earthly inheritance left to the family.

What is so amazing about our verse for today is that God has an inheritance too!  The Psalmist is referring to the nation of Israel as God’s chosen people and His inheritance.  God has set them apart to be His own special people.  However, in the New Testament the Church is also referred to as a holy nation and a special people (I Peter 2:9).  Because He has purchased us and shown us mercy, we too are a people set apart for Him.  We are His inheritance!

Of course, to obtain an inheritance, a death would precede it.  But because I have been bought with a price, I already belong to Him (I Corinthians 6:20).  However, I become His inheritance after my own death when I will be forever in His presence!  It is incredible that He would think of me that way!  This must be why He says in Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

Can He really love me that much, that He would call me His inheritance?  He tells me,”Yes!”  I am His and He is mine.