Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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Olive Tree

Scripture for Today: Psalm 52:18  “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.”

When I sang with my French chorale in Greece, we saw groves and groves of olive trees.  Even though the soil at times seemed dry and the sun relentless, these trees thrived.  Their twisted gnarled trunks and their evergreen tops dot the landscape and provide a versatile fruit.

I wondered why the Psalms used this image of the one who trusts in God’s unfailing love.  In reading about olive trees I learned that it is known for its tenacity.  It is grown in almost any condition and can thrive in great heat with minimal water.  Some olive trees grow root systems 2000 years old!  It is virtually indestructible.  Even when cut down or burned, new shoots will emerge from the roots!

Trusting in God’s unfailing love makes me strong and indestructible like the olive tree!  Being loved by my Creator gives me that tenacity to face whatever life brings.  Knowing that His love will not fail me gives me the strength to thrive, regardless of my circumstances.  His love is what makes life even possible.

Unfailing love is something supernatural.  Even with the best intentions, my love for others routinely fails.  Being so flawed, an unfailing love seems impossible.  But God IS love.  His love is from everlasting to everlasting.  His love does not depend on my performance or my love for Him.  It does not fluctuate depending on the day.  His love is so wide and long and high that it surpasses knowledge (Eph. 3:18).  And it is this unfailing love that makes me flourish like the olive tree.

I am amazed that you love me, Lord!  Help me believe it today!


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Yoga

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 48:9  “Within your temple, O God, we meditate on Your unfailing love.”

Yoga has become more and more popular in Western cultures.  It has been around for centuries, originating in India.  The word, “yoga” comes from one of two roots meaning either “yoke” or “to concentrate.”

There have been many testimonials to the health benefits of the physical poses used in yoga.  It is said to alleviate different health problems, reduce stress, keep the spine supple, and improve breath control and core strength.  I have learned that there are different kinds of yoga.  But their goals are the same; to use physical, mental, and spiritual practices with the goal of attaining a state of permanent peace.

When one adopts the yoga philosophies of chanting and meditation to attain peace, it is at best short-lived.  Peace with God and peace with others comes from One source; the Prince of Peace.   He has promised His peace to us and it is not the peace offered by the world.

Rather than meditating on the sound of the “om” vibrating through the body, our verse for today gives a much more meaningful subject.  We are to meditate on God’s unfailing love.  It is an amazing truth worthy of meditation!  To even grasp the incredible idea that He could love me takes some serious contemplation!  It takes time to wrap my head around a love for me that is eternal and unconditional!

Thinking about His unfailing love for me gives me that elusive peace for which so many long.  When I meditate on how much He loves me, I am reassured that He cares about every little detail!   Mountains can shake and hills be removed, but His unfailing love will never be shaken or His peace ever removed! (Isaiah 54:10)   Lord, I can never thank You enough!


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Swaddled

swaddled1526120_10153719035020254_1173403927_nScripture for Today:  Isaiah 40:11  “He tends His flock like a shepherd.  He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.  He gently leads those that have young.”

My new grandson at four days old loves to be swaddled.  Especially after the trauma of a bath, the swaddling of a blanket calms him down.  He is no longer agitated flailing his little arms and legs.  The tightness of the blanket seems not only to hold him steady, but hold his unhappiness in check as well!  The change from crisis to peace is almost immediate!

Who does not relate to the need to be tightly held!  At times of great sorrow or crisis, a strong long hug seems to have such a calming effect.  Tension leaves the body, and often the emotional stress as well.

Our verse for today describes our Lord as an attentive Shepherd.  He picks up and carries the lambs close to His heart.  What a loving image!  He does not carry them under His arm like a football, but against His strong chest close to the beat of a loving heart.  Those lambs are pinned down by strong arms, much like a swaddled infant.  No more struggling is possible.  There is nothing to do but relax in those arms and be carried.

When someone suffers the loss of a loved one, I often think about those arms of His that are so loving and tender.  Hugs from friends are readily available in the early days of grief.  But later, the need to be held continues well after they have gone.  We have a Shepherd who is always available to hold us through whatever loss we are feeling.

Thank you Lord, that You are there to hold me tightly in Your loving arms.


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Mother’s Milk

Scripture for Today: I Peter 2:2-3  “…like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”

It is amazing how quickly one forgets how much and how often a newborn baby needs feeding!  There is no other priority in their new little lives.  Their is no mistaking that hungry cry and what it means.  And there is only one way to quiet and satisfy their hunger….milk!

Our verse for today describes that same longing.  It is not something a believer ever need deny himself.  Although a mature believer will gradually add the meatier doctrines of the Bible, one never outgrows the need to review and appreciate the foundational truths, or milk.

Our verse for today describes the Word as pure.  It is 100% God’s Word.  Hearing others preach and comment on God’s Word is important and valuable.  But our own personal feeding is essential for our faith to grow.  Nothing can take the place of His personal message.  Having that sweet communion leaves me wanting more.  And it is when I read His Word for myself that I taste His kindness for me!

My El-Shaddai is kind.  This name of God seems to be derived from the Hebrew word for “breast.”  This brings to mind the idea of nourishment, supply and satisfaction!  Just as a nursing baby needs his mother to grow healthy and strong, so I need close quality time with the Lord for my faith to grow.  Through His written Word He reassures me of His love and presence, His control and care!  It is wonderful to grow in knowledge.  But my deepest desire is to grow closer to Him!

Thank you Lord, that You nourish my soul!


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Pet ID

Tiger 996640_10152030118915115_1578389347_nScripture for Today:  Psalm 139:1-3  “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar, You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways.”

Our Tiger loves the outdoors.  As there are no fences between our neighbors, he freely roams where he likes.  I suppose Tiger cuddles up to our artificial Christmas tree because it reminds him of the tree out front.  I never said he was smart!

For years now, Tiger has had a computer chip in his neck.  We had the vet insert it with all the information needed in case he is lost.  It does not hurt Tiger and will last as long as 25 years!

Our verse for today is a beautiful description of God’s perfect and intimate knowledge.  Much better than a computer chip that tracks movement, He is aware of every movement and every thought!  Such knowledge is hard to imagine!  Not only is our God all-knowing, but He cares to take note of our smallest gesture.  He not only knows our thoughts but He understands why we think them!

Why would He care when I get up from this computer?  Why would He care when I worry about getting everything done in a day?  Because I belong to Him.  Because He loves me.  There is never a time when God is not thinking about me.  I know this is true from the number of thoughts He has toward me (verse 17 and 18).  They are as innumerable as all the grains of sand in the world.  In response, my soul echos the words of the hymn, “What wondrous love is this?”

Thank you Lord, for your detailed intimate knowledge and love for me!  Help me believe it today.