Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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Seagulls

Scripture for Today:  Matthew 6:26  “Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father keeps feeding them.  Are you not worth much more than they?”

Seagulls are beautiful and annoying all at the same time.  They can look so stately in some settings.  But when they fly low and deem you worthy of one of their souvenirs, they are a pain.  The French call it “good luck” when they make a deposit on you!  I am not so sure.

The verse today talks about our God being a God who cares for His creation, including the birds.  Birds do not need to plant for the coming season or hoard their food for the lean times to come.  Yet, they do not go hungry.  God cares for their short little insignificant lives.  By contrast we, being created in God’s image, are of so much more value to the Lord.  He is intimately involved in every little aspect of our lives, down to the number of hairs still left on our heads.  If He cares so much about daily details, why do I worry that He will not care about the big issues in my life?

I need to remind myself that God will take care of what I eat, what I drink, what I will wear and every other detail.  For Him it is just small stuff.  Those who do not belong to Him are consumed with these issues.  The food and fashion industries encourage us to “seek after these things.”  But as a believer, I am to have different priorities.  My mental energies are to be spent on His Kingdom and what is of eternal value!

Thank you Lord, for taking care of all the details!


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Wonder Woman!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 17:7 “Show me the wonders of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes.”

Wonder Woman presents an impossible standard.  She is always beautiful, young, thin and strong.  She not only saves the world by deflecting bullets with her bracelets and forcing truth and obedience with her golden lasso, but she looks amazing and fearless doing it!

There is something very appealing about presenting to the world a strong capable image.  We never want to look weak or in need of help.  It is difficult to even admit that we need help.  We want to be perceived as strong, independent and in control at all times.  But who are we kidding?  The other day I heard for the first time the phrase, “Wonder Woman or wonder God?”  No matter how amazing I think I can be, there are no accomplishments that can rival the wonders that God performs.

Our verse for today describes our God as being wonderful.  His wonders are evident in the love He shows.  He proves His strength and power in the miraculous ways He demonstrates that love.  He saves by just one hand those that belong to Him.  There is no enemy that can penetrate the loving refuge He provides.  And His strength is available to all those who fear Him.

I do not have to be Wonder Woman.  I can be honest about my failings, weaknesses and shortcomings.  He remembers that I am just dust (Psalm 103:14).  He loves me even so.  There is the wonder; that He would love me and show that love in spite of my failings!

“What wondrous love is this?”  You are full of wonder Lord, and all praise and honor belong to You!


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Surrounded!

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

During our four years in Grenoble, France, we were spoiled with beautiful mountain views.  The city sits in a basin, surrounded by several mountain chains.  There is the Chartreuse, the Vercors and the Belledonne chains.  It was nearly impossible to look up and not see mountains!  Grenoble is considered the capital of the French Alps and we never tired of gazing on those magnificent mountains surrounding us!  It was a constant visual prompt to consider the grandeur of our God.

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 unmoving 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 my own waywardness and rebellion, but it continues on.  His love continues today, tomorrow and for eternity!

May I feel His love today surrounding, supporting and reassuring me.

 


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“He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not”

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I had no idea until now that the game of pulling off daisy petals has its origin in France!  It is called, “effeuiller la marguerite,” and the idea of course is to determine if the object of your affection returns your love.  The phrase, “he loves me, he loves me not,” is repeated with the removal of each petal until with the last petal comes the answer.  This phrase exists in thirty three languages so this game seems to be worldwide.  I remember playing this as a young girl but was not too convinced with either outcome.

I never have to play this game with God.  Unlike human relationships, there are no games involved.  He has made a commitment to love me and He never goes back on His promise.  Our verse for today reassures me of the permanence of His love.  There is no dark power that can interfere with His love.  There is no unforseen event in my future that can change His love.  Death itself cannot annul His indescribable love for me.  Paul was convinced of this truth and it changed his life.  He found this love when he found Jesus Christ.  And we find this incredible love in the same person!

Does He love me more today than yesterday?  Will He love me more tomorrow than today?  As He is love by His very nature, the answer is “no.”  His love is a perfect love that cannot be improved upon.  The answer is always, “He loves me.”


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Blood Test

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:23 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

I wish there were some other way to check one’s cholesterol levels than a blood test.  They are never fun and neither is the fasting beforehand.  The waiting room experience usually increases my anxiety.  The nurse asks me which arm I prefer.  Neither, really.  I make the required fist and try to remember those relaxing techniques.  Surely it was something about breathing.  I know not to look.  Is this really necessary?  Can’t I just promise to lay off the ice cream?  It is over before I know it.  My results signaled no real problem with cholesterol or any other problems and I am thankful.

Our verse for today is also a voluntary testing, but of one’s heart, motivation and thoughts.  The One who does the testing is infinitely more patient, tender and loving than any health professional.  He goes deeper than any needle can reach and reveals what cannot be seen.  He not only reveals potential problems but He is there to deal with them.

Just as blood testing is not a comfortable experience, so this heart examination can be uncomfortable.  Seeing our failings and imperfections can burst our self-satisfied bubble and leave us vulnerable.  It is much easier to go through life without seeing the plank of wood blocking our vision (Matt. 7:3).  When He searches my heart He may find remnants of bitterness and unforgiveness thought to be already resolved.  He sees those anxious thoughts that may indicate my lack of faith.  But when He brings these things to light, He offers full and complete pardon.  The heart no longer feels heavy but light with forgiveness and reassurance!

Search me today Lord, and make my heart healthy with Your loving care.