Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Earth Day

Scripture for Today: Psalm 24:1-2 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”

Today is Earth Day.  It was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson to increase public awareness for all living things, and because of concerns over the environment and pollution.  So many good things have resulted including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.  The goal this year and for the next five years is to plant 7.8 billion trees worldwide to commemorate its 50th year anniversary!

Protecting our environment is such a good thing although we differ as to how that is played out.  For the believer, we have a mandate from the Creator of this world to take care of it and have dominion (Gen. 1:26).  But we are only stewards.  The earth is the Lord’s.

Our earth is so amazing and full of wonder that it is difficult for me to understand how one can deny God’s existence.  Creation is a visual aid that leads me to faith.  He proves Himself over and over in what He has made.  All the time and chance in the world could not produce the minute details in nature!  The earth is His handiwork.  But as beautiful as the earth is, He is even more beautiful!  As awe-inspiring as nature is, He inspires even more awe!  I love our earth because it moves me to worship the Creator!  But I do not belong to the earth.  This is temporary.  Here, I am an alien and stranger (Heb. 11:13 & 16).  I am to long for the “better country” that is coming; the heavenly one.

Thank you Lord, for creating such a beautiful world and for the perfect one in my future!

 

 


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Baby Book Memories

babyIMG_20160412_184735Scripture for Today: Psalm 106:7 “When our fathers were in Egypt they gave no thought to Your miracles; they did not remember Your many kindnesses and they rebelled by the sea, the Red sea.”

Thumbing through my children’s baby books was not something I had done for years.  Dates, times, and numbers carefully noted brought back a rush of memories. Pictured here is a congratulations from President Ronald Reagan in response to the birth announcement I sent him!  With the arrival of each of my three children, I tended to be progressively careless about noting facts.  The first born’s book is bulging but the third baby’s book is pathetically thin.  At the time I thought I would always remember.

The miracles the Israelites experienced would surely be remembered!  They had lived through and been protected from the plagues in Egypt.  But when the next obstacle confronted them, they gave no thought to what God had just done for them. God was kind and gracious to deliver them from the Egyptians by parting the Red Sea.  But apparently not everyone was too enthusiastic to enter those waters.  Today’s verse says that some were rebellious.  However, when they saw the miracle, they believed His promises and sang His praise (verse 12).  But, they soon forgot what He had done (verse 13).

I relate to these people.  I have seen God do some incredible things in my life.  His provision for us over the years has been nothing short of miraculous!  He has moved government officials to overlook our mistakes.  He has provided opportunities that I could never have scripted for myself.  Yet, when faced with a new challenge, I give no thought to His past miracles.  I do not remember.

Lord, keep my faith strong.  Help me remember all Your miracles and respond with trust and praise!

 


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April Fool’s Day

Scripture for Today: Romans 1:21 “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Today being April Fool’s Day is every prankster’s dream.  In France they call it, “poisson d’avril.”  The idea is to tape a paper fish on someone’s back without them knowing.  It is believed to have originated with the change of calendar under King Charles IX in 1564.  He moved the new year from April 1st to January 1st. The practice of exchanging gifts continued but in the form of fake gifts to make fun.  Fish were offered as this was also the period of Lent when eating meat was forbidden.  Eventually the whole concept became the silly precursor to our April Fool’s Day.

Today’s verse describes a foolish heart.  Foolish hearts reside in people who will not acknowledge God.  The previous verse says that they are without excuse having seen God’s creative power in nature.  These same foolish hearts claim to be wise, but by discounting and explaining away God’s revelation of himself, they become fools.  Somewhere deep inside perhaps they know God is there but they refuse to glorify Him.  Their hearts become dark and their thoughts futile.

Paul was eager to share the good news to “both the wise and the foolish.”  He knew that the Gospel would bring light and turn thoughts around to the truth.  Without God’s power to change hearts we would stay in our foolish state.  But thanks to Him I am no longer a fool.  Being in Christ, He has become for me, “wisdom from God.” (I Cor. 1:30)

Thank you Lord, for enlightening this fool!


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Termites!

Scripture for Today: Matthew 19:5 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

The termite can wreak havoc in Southern California as they feast on the wood of our homes.  They seem secretive and destructive.  There are three kinds; workers, soldiers and reproductive termites.  Only the reproductive ones are able to fly.  Both the young kings and queens will fly from their home in a large swarm as they search for a mate.  Each royal pair will emerge from the swarm together and establish their new home, breaking off their wings as they settle down!

Today’s verse is the answer Jesus gave to the Pharisees seeking to trap Him with questions on marriage.  He quotes what God established in the beginning in Genesis 2:24.  The step of marriage is to be binding.  The commitment it requires is much like those termites breaking off their wings.  The original and best plan for marriage is that it be exclusive and permanent.  One new flesh is created from two.  Tearing apart the two can cause excruciating pain.  The Lord in His love and compassion gives us the best plan to avoid that kind of pain.

God’s plan for marriage can seem restrictive.  But to give love the best chance to flower and last is within that safe place of total commitment.  We endure whatever pain or inconvenience there may be by “tearing off our wings.”  It shows that we are serious to stay together.  The world says that one is somehow missing out.  But I know differently.  It is through many years of ups and downs, trials and joys that my love for my husband grows.

Thank you Lord, for giving me the strength and power to tear off my wings and stay.


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The Ladybug

Scripture for Today: Psalm 90:17 “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.”

When a ladybug lands on me, I don’t usually brush it off.  Many cultures consider it good luck!  In France it is called, “bête à Bon Dieu,” meaning insect of a good God.  Farmers encourage them as they protect their crops by eating aphids.  I just enjoy them for their bright red and black design, even if they are part of the beetle family.  Their name originated in the Middle Ages when farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary for crop protection.  When these insects arrived, they were called, “Beetle of our Lady.”  Eventually it became shortened to, “ladybug.”

Today’s verse recognizes that favor in our lives has one true Source, the God of the universe.  We are told that “every good and perfect gift” originates with Him (James 1:17).  How incongruous to attribute any good in our lives to dumb luck!  For the believer, His favor rests on His own all throughout our lives.  In His gracious beautiful favor He establishes the work of our hands.  He even promises that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (I Cor. 5:58).  What is done for His glory will have eternal significance regardless of how mundane it may seem.

All labor is vain without Him, whether it is building homes, guarding gates or what I do in a day (Psalm 127:1).  How amazing that the Lord wants to be involved in every part of my life, including work, projects and hobbies.  He blesses, He guides hands and thoughts.  He confirms and makes successful my efforts.  He gets all the glory and that is how it should be!

Lord, help me recognize your favor and goodness today!