Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Word


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The Cockpit

Boys in cockpit13335727_10157005095050254_8413032313725869777_nScripture for Today: Proverbs 4:11 “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”

It was an exciting moment for our two grandsons to be invited into the cockpit of the plane!  How sweet of these pilots to take the time and even let little William wear the hat!  That cockpit is usually off-limits and a bit of a mystery.  What actually goes on there is often surmised from television and film.  Yet, every time I board a plane, I am trusting that the pilots have a competent control of the plane.  I am trusting their instruments and education to lead me safely to the right destination.

The verse for today gives me that same kind of confidence.  I am trusting that following the way of wisdom will lead me to where I want to be.  The way of wisdom is quite simply following God’s way rather than our own.  Obedience to God’s timeless precepts and commands is wise, allowing us to avoid all kinds of pitfalls, pain, and detours.  Wisdom comes from fearing God enough to take Him at His word (Prov. 9:10).

The Lord does not often invite me into the cockpit.  He wants me to live by faith rather than by the sight of all those controls and gauges (II Cor. 5:7).  He knows what He is doing in my life even when I do not understand.  He asks me to trust Him.  He asks me to give over all the controls to Him.  He is leading me to the right destination.  He is leading me with His light and faithful care to His holy mountain, to where He is (Psalm 43:3).  What destination is more important than that?  I would rather trust Him than myself.

Thank you Lord, that Your control is completely trustworthy.


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His Whispers

Scripture for Today: I Kings 19:12 “After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”

There are all kinds of whispers.  My husband tells me that mine are too loud.  In public, I think I am being discreet when I whisper something in my husband’s ear.  But I do not seem to know my true volume.  Unfortunately, my husband is not the only one to hear me!  There are whispers that one does not want to hear; things that are shameful if heard aloud.  But the best kind of whispers are those sharing sweet secrets or those speaking love!

Our verse for today is in the context of the Lord appearing to Elijah.  One would expect the mighty God of the universe to show Himself spectacularly.  But God was not in the wind, the earthquake or the fire.  God revealed himself through a gentle whisper.  Elijah needed reassurance after being threatened by Jezebel and running for forty days and forty nights.  He had been miraculously cared for physically by an angel (verse 7).  But Elijah needed something for his soul.  What did that whisper say?

What does God whisper to me?  He whispers to me through His Word, which is inspired or “God breathed.”  He whispers His love and reassurance.  He tells me He is in control.  He whispers to me throughout my busy day saying, “I am here.  I love you.  You can count on Me.”  And He does not mind repeating Himself!  His whispers are precious and beautiful.  They remind me that I belong to Him.  They reassure my soul and keep me going.

Oh, how I need to hear Him whisper.  Lord, keep me listening to Your whispered reassurance of love.

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

 


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Flip Flops

flip flopIMG_20160519_085943Scripture for Today: Numbers 23:19 “God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

I would never have thought to use flip flops as a table centerpiece!  Thankfully, the flip flops were new and not used!  Living in this beach culture, I see this footwear in most any social setting imaginable.  Our local mall has a store exclusively dedicated to flip flops.  But the name of this footwear also calls to mind the idea of changing one’s mind or position.  In this presidential election year, flip flopping seems to be common on both sides of the political aisle!

Today’s verse reassures us that God will not flip flop.  He is not like us but always says what He means.  He never says He will do something and not come through.  When He speaks, He acts.  When He makes a promise, it will happen.  He can back His word with the power to do it.  Being all knowing, God would never say that He was unaware of the extenuating or changing circumstances.  No matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ (II Cor. 1:20a).

Living in a world of broken promises, it is sometimes hard for me to really take the Lord at His word.  Too many times it is easier to doubt than to believe that He means what He says.  He says He loves me.  He says He will care for me and cause all things to work for good.  He does not disappoint.  I cannot think of even one time that He has proved Himself unfaithful.  Yet, I still hesitate to live like I really believe it!

Give me grace Lord, to trust You more.


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Fresh Strawberries

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”

There is nothing better than the surprise of biting into an especially sweet fresh strawberry!  I am surprised as I have grown accustomed to strawberries that are not as flavorful being picked too soon.  But when they are local and picked at exactly the right time, the flavor is amazing!  I will sometimes buy less-than-sweet strawberries for their pop of color and still enjoy them.  I will even use frozen strawberries on occasion.  But it is never the same as that fresh sweet strawberry with the juice and texture exactly right!

Today’s verse likens God’s words to that kind of sweetness.   His words are like honey for the soul.  Whether we hear them from a Bible teacher, a song or a devotional, it is always sweet.  But there is a different more intense flavor when we discover a nugget of truth for ourselves in His Word.  The taste is better and sweeter when He speaks to us directly from His Word without any other intermediary.  It is just picked.  It is fresh and there is a special sweetness.

I am encouraged by others’ teaching.  God uses the study and clear exhortation of Bible scholars in my life.  There is a myriad of wonderful study guides.  They are all sweet and have their place.  But there is a more satisfying and intense flavor to His Word when I take the time to open it on my own.  It is especially sweet when the Lord meets me and speaks to me directly.  His Spirit is so personal, guiding me into a truth for that moment and for my exact need.

Lord, I need Your sweet words.  Make them fresh for me today.

 

 


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Paragliding

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

How thrilling it must be to experience paragliding!  It amazes me to see these giant colorful “birds” floating effortlessly above.  They can reach incredible heights and cover long distances using the air currents and shifting their body weight.  The pilot will often use a variometer to find and stay in the core of a thermal.  It helps him realize when he is in sinking air and when he needs to find rising air.

Today’s verse is such a reassuring promise of the Lord’s sustaining power.  As my Creator He carries me at just the right moments.  He knows when I am losing altitude and lifts me up to where I need to be.  This sustaining power carries me right into my old age, allowing me to live life elevated!

How comforting to know that God rescues me when I am starting to fall.  But I can avoid that sinking feeling altogether with my own “variometer;” God’s Word.  His Word lets me know where those thermal air currents are.  His Word lets me know when I am losing my cruising altitude.  It is in following His instructions for life that I can stay aloft.  Without understanding and following His way, I risk slowing down and even falling.  But oh the benefits of obeying!  Life is less complicated.

There is nothing so reassuring as being carried in His strong arms.  I can relax knowing that He has my back!  I can even enjoy the ride and those beautiful vistas.

Thank you Lord, for carrying me today!