Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Grace and Forgiveness


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Alpine Horns

Scripture for Today: Psalm 98:5-6 “Make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the Lord, the King.”

These long alpine horns are quite impressive.  The longer they are the more difficult they are to play as there are no finger buttons or piston valves.  It can only produce simple sounds by vibrating lips at the mouthpiece.  I tried blowing on one once and the resulting blast was anything but musical!

The alpine horn in the pastures was used to call in the cows, calm them down for milking and quiet them down for the night.  But like the ram’s horn in our verse, it was used in times past as an important signaling device, calling men to war.  The ram’s horn was an important part of many battles, including the famous Battle of Jericho.

Our verse for today is a celebration of joy, announcing God’s salvation and righteousness.  This music is celebrating God’s love and faithfulness.  These sounds together are jubilant and loud, including blasts and shouting!  It is a new song sung when the Lord comes to judge the earth.  Who is making this music?  The context says all the earth!  These instruments are accompanied by rivers clapping and mountains singing!  It will not only be a new song but a new sound; announcing the coming of righteousness and justice.

The only way I can participate in this celebration of coming justice is by being forgiven and receiving God’s grace.  I do not anticipate that future day with fear and trembling.  That is because I am His own and covered by His righteousness!  My King will establish justice and right all wrongs!

Lord, make this day a day of  joyful rehearsal!

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

 

 


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Wake Up Call

Scripture for Today: Luke 22:34 “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me.'”

When I see a rooster, I think of denial; denial of sleep!  We recently spent some time out in the countryside of the Bas Rhin of Alsace.  The rolling green hills were beautiful and I even enjoyed the baaing of the sheep next door.  But what I did not appreciate was the noisy roosters!  It was barely light out before they would start their sleep-denying racket.  There was certainly no need for an alarm clock!

Our verse for today also associates the rooster with denial.  Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Him.  I am sure Peter was shocked to hear this, especially after confidently declaring his commitment to Jesus.  But the Lord knew as well that Peter would turn back to Him (verse 32) and because of this experience, he would be able to strengthen his brothers in Christ.

God’s grace is so surprising!  Jesus, after His resurrection, gave Peter three opportunities to again declare his love for Him (John 21:17).  The Lord did not need to hear it so much as Peter needed to say it!  The guilt from that denial could have destroyed Peter and the chance to serve Him.  As it is, God’s grace covered that denial as it does for all repented sin.  Peter goes on to become a force for God’s Kingdom!

I am so grateful that Jesus uses imperfect people!  If not, where would we be?  After failing the Lord, Peter could move on.  After David’s sin with Bathsheba, he could move on.  After being responsible for the death of Christians, Paul could move on.  After my sin, I can move on!

There is no denying it; His grace is amazing!  Thank you, Lord.

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

 


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Blind Man’s Bluff

IMG_5980Scripture for Today: Revelation 3:17 “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’  But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

I never much liked the game, “Blind Man’s Bluff” growing up.  It was uncomfortable not being able to see.  I always feared falling over my own two feet or running headlong into someone else and hurting myself.

This game has a long history with different versions dating back to Ancient Greece.  It was also a favorite pastime in the Victorian Era of the 1800’s.  There is an old Japanese version where the “it” must tag others not only blindfolded but carrying a full cup of tea!  Maybe that would be a good training exercise for waitress work!

Our verse for today talks about a blindness that is spiritual.  What is so sad is that the person described does not realize his blindness, nor his poverty and nakedness.  Being wealthy has caused this person to feel self-sufficient and not in need of anything.  What is so beautiful in this passage is that Christ proposes a remedy for this blindness.  He offers salve for the eyes to restore spiritual sight.  He also offers refined gold coming from Him, which represents true eternal riches.  Christ gives us white clothes to cover our nakedness.  Those white clothes are a symbol of His righteousness obtained for us.

There is no reason for me to continue to be poor, blind or naked.  Christ has taken the initiative to change my pitiful state when I repent of all my wrongdoing.  When I let go of of my pride and denial, I can open the door of my heart in answer to His knock.

Lord, may I always realize my need and open the door to You.

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


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White Wedding

Scripture for Today:  Lamentations 3:22-23 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

June is a month traditionally thought of as the best time for a wedding.  The days are longer, the sun makes its appearance more often and schedules change for the summer.  It just seems the perfect time for new beginnings.  The white colors of the wedding ceremony suggest a clean slate.  The lyrics of Billy Idol’s song, White Wedding, repeat the words over and over; “It’s a nice day for a white wedding.  It’s a nice day to start again.”   It only seems right that this momentous step is symbolized by the color white.

Today’s verse gives hope that each day can be a new start.  The Lord’s compassion is renewed for His own every morning.  Regardless of what happened the day before, He is faithful to His commitment towards us.  Because of His unfailing love, we receive from Him His amazing grace.  We do not deserve forgiveness, but He continues to offer it to those who come clean with Him.

His renewed compassion gives me that new start every morning.  He washes me whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7).  He continually clothes me in dazzling white with each pardon.  Each morning I can start again.  That is what His forgiveness does for me.  I do not have to put on dirty clothes.  My past mistakes and failures are never an issue with Him.  He promises to not even remember them (Heb. 10:17).  How wonderful to begin each day with a clean slate!  Because of what Jesus did for me on that cross I can sing for a better reason, “It’s a nice day to start again.”

Thank you Lord, for Your pure perfect pardon.

 


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The Spotted Dalmatian

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 5:27 “That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things (that she might be holy and faultless).”

Disney’s 101 Dalmatians always come to my mind when seeing one of these sweet dogs.  They come from the Dalmatia province in Croatia and were used in the past to run alongside a carriage and ward off highwaymen.  Now their high energy and agility make them a perfect choice for hunting, guarding, and circus performing.  The dalmatian is also known as a firehouse mascot.  They love to be in the middle of the action.  But what makes those dalmatians so adorable are their spots!

My spots are not so cute.  But today’s verse says that one day I will be spot-free!  No more age spots.  It is true that I will have a whole new glorified body for eternity.  However, this verse is speaking of the spots and wrinkles as sin.  Because of what Jesus did on the cross, I can look forward to being completely without sin in heaven.  As part of His Church, I will be presented to God without spot or wrinkle.

Christ’s love and sacrifice sets me apart and makes me clean.  Being washed by the water of His Word is a life-long process, but with a promised result of being one day holy and faultless before Him.  What a day that will be!  No more guilt or shame.  No more self-condemnation.  And no more interruption to a perfect closeness with my Lord.  I am tired of my own sin.  Those spots and wrinkles are plenty ugly.  But the future is all glorious splendor.  Spot, wrinkle, and all ugliness of any kind will be gone forever!

Thank you Lord, for Your cleansing perfect forgiveness!