Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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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!

 

 


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Even Keeled

Keel RSVentureKeelSailabilitySailing2Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 1:21 “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us…”

There is nothing more unsettling than a boat rocking!  I know from personal experience having taken a sailing class in my college years.  We were all “in the same boat” as novices and there were plenty of nail-biting moments.  The couple pictured here seem experienced and relaxed.  But certainly, the keel has a lot to do with keeping them stable.  That long piece of wood along the bottom of the boat is usually unseen but so important to balance.

Today’s verse is not so much about an object but a Person who helps us stand firmly, balanced and stable.  God does this for the believer.  He does this through our relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.  But He also does this through His Spirit in our hearts (verse 22).  We bear the seal of His ownership and nothing can shake that!  His Spirit is a guarantee of what is to come.  Being convinced of this truth keeps the boat from rocking.  He keeps the boat from capsizing.

I need to be even keeled.  When I stand firm in my faith I can have that “quiet and gentle spirit” that God values (I Peter 3:4).  It is a matter of trusting Him and what He says.  His Word stands firm in the heavens (Psalm 119:89) and will make me to stand firm as well.  Changes may seem overwhelming and the next crisis daunting, but trusting Him keeps me firm and upright.  When my heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord, then there is no fear of bad news (Psalm 112:7).  Life will always seem unstable but He is not!

Lord, thank you for being my stability.  Keep me trusting You completely.


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Herding Cats

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

I thought herding cats was impossible!  But much to my surprise I discovered there is actually a Cat Herders Day on December 15!  However, my original thought holds true.  Cats are just too independent and stubborn to be herded, or cooperate when moving them from here to there.  This day is actually to recognize the frustration of trying to “manage the unmanageable.”  This day is a day for all of us who feel like we are saddled with an impossible task!

Today’s verse seems like the impossible task of herding cats.  Taking thoughts captive can be much the same scenario.  Our thoughts run away with us, leading to wrong attitudes and actions.  Those thoughts sometimes just do not cooperate.  The thinking of the believer is not to be the same as that of the world (verse 2).  But the world’s influence is so strong that thoughts just naturally conform to wordly independent thinking, leaving God out of it.

Thankfully, the Lord does not make this task impossible.  He has given us His divine power to control and redirect our thoughts (verse 4).  On my own, my thinking becomes full of pride and disobedience.  But because of His Spirit in me, I am not subject to merely human judgements. As a believer, I have the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:15-16.)  What a wonderful thought that is!  He is there to turn my heart and mind from what is false and harmful.  He brings those wandering thoughts back into the corral of His unchanging truth!

Lord, may my every thought today please You.


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Nuts and Bolts

Scripture for Today: Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”

It is simple, right?  Hold the nut against the bolt and turn the nut/bolt to the left.  With a right-handed thread, one feels a “jump” and hears a “click” as the threads jump over each other and you are in business!  “Righty tighty, lefty loosey.”  No problem.  Except that the nut would not screw off of the bolt no matter how hard I tried!  There was corrosion making the nut/bolt stay stubbornly in place.  Even though there are a number of inventive solutions available, the first reaction is pure brute force!

Today’s verse reminds the believer that there will be tension and stress in our lives as a direct result of God’s work.  The Lord is in the business of creating in us the image of His Son, Jesus.  The problem is that our “corrosion” or sin keeps us stuck in one place.  Our sinful habits keep us from moving forward.  The pressure of His hands as He works can seem harder and harder to bear.  There are times when we stubbornly hold on to sin.  He loves us too much to allow us to remain stuck.  He has a purpose to be fulfilled in our lives.  So He lovingly disciplines us to rid our lives of that corrosion.  The sooner we submit, the more quickly we can be done with that pressure.

What He has in mind for me is a life full of purpose and meaning.  My small ideas are nothing compared to what He can do.  He is creating something far and above what I can ask or think because it is His power at work (Eph. 3:20).

Lord, keep me from becoming stuck and stubborn!


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Piñata

Scripture for Today: Romans 12:14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

Being so close to Mexico, it is not unusual in our area of California to include the piñata at children’s parties.  Our oldest daughter celebrated her seventh birthday whacking one open with her friends.  The colorful, papier-mâché-made figure is filled with candy and hung on a string.  The children take turns putting on the blindfold and hitting the piñata with a stick until it at last opens and the sweets pour out.  That is the signal to scramble for those candies and stuff mouths and pockets!

I was surprised to learn that the piñata originally represented temptation in the Mexican Catholic Church!  It has long lost its  symbolic roots but it did make me think of today’s verse.  The natural reaction to being hit or persecuted is cursing, bitterness, and the desire for revenge.  Paul’s words to the Romans were contrary to what a normal response would be!  Instead of responding in anger, we are to respond sweetly with blessing, wanting the good of the other person.  Blessing others when we are wronged makes us not only sweet, but peaceful.

If I am able to respond this way to any attack, then I can enjoy living in harmony (verse 16) and can leave to the Lord the business of revenge (verse 19).  As a believer, I am to overcome evil with good (verse 21).  It seems an impossible standard.  But oh how thankful I am that Jesus did not respond to His persecutors with cursing.  His forgiveness meant taking on the pain of His attackers and not responding in kind.  He is my example and the source of my strength to bless and not curse.

Lord, whatever mockery or opposition I face, may my response be like Yours.