Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Grace and Forgiveness


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New Scale

krups-vintage-bathroom-scales-cover-300x300Scripture for Today: I John 1:10 “If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His Word is not in us.”

This scale reminds me of the one from my youth.  One can now buy them with the label, “Vintage” or “Retro!”  Today, ours is not so ancient as it is digital.  It is probably accurate enough, but I do not like what it says!  No matter what I do with my eating habits it always says exactly the same thing.  Perhaps it is stuck.  Perhaps I am stuck.  In any case, I would rather think that it is incorrect.  Ideally, there should exist a scale that says exactly what I want it to say!

Today’s verse is about someone who is in denial about their sin.  The one who claims that there is no problem with sin is not dealing with reality.  Rather than continue to feel the discomfort of conviction, this individual would close their eyes to truth.  But in doing so, God is made out to be a liar.  His Word and truth do not reside in those who claim to be just fine.

The first step in dealing with my sin is to recognize its ugly existence.  There is no sugar-coating it to be small and of no consequence.  Like the scale that tells the truth, so is God’s Word that makes me uncomfortable.  And just as I do not throw away the scale because of what it says, so I do not exchange His truth for something I like better.  He promises and is faithful to forgive and cleanse me from every sin (verse 9).  I just need to find the courage to admit to it!

Lord, help me to be honest with myself and admit when I am wrong.


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Keeping Score

scoreunnamedScripture for Today: Psalm 103:10 “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”

One little mistake on the part of the scorekeeper could change the game.  I have done score keeping for my husband’s French basketball team and it was stressful.  I could not look away or be distracted.  Every call and change had to be correctly noted with careful attention.  I would much rather sit back and enjoy the match, especially one as close as this.  The score keeping equipment was dated and there was plenty of potential for error.  Thankfully, a mistake I made was quickly caught and corrected.

The love described in I Corinthians 13 points out that it “keeps no record of wrongs” (verse 5).  Today’s verse shows what love in action looks like on God’s part.  He does not keep a record of wrongs when sin is confessed and forgiven.  Because of His love and grace, He does not treat us as our sins deserve.  We are not repaid as we should be for our wrongdoing.  We do not deserve His wonderful forgiveness! What we deserve is judgement.  But Christ took that just punishment on Himself in our stead.

If the Lord gave me what I deserve, I would be in big trouble!  I am so grateful for His complete forgiveness.  There is no record of my wrongs.  He does not bring up my past.  Rather, He has removed my sins “as far as the east is from the west” (verse 12).

The Lord asks me to extend that same grace I enjoy from Him to others.  The past is the past and I do not want to bring it up.  A loving healthy relationship does not keep score.

Thank you Lord, that You do not keep score.  Help me not to either.


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Apple Press

manoir_grandoueScripture for Today:  Psalm 34:17-18  “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles.   The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as a crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.”

It is apple season!  Apple cider, apple tartes, apple sauce and apple jams are all making their appearance.  I was able to visit Calvados, known for its apple farms and products in Normandy.  The farms there have been in families for centuries.  The remnants of former apple presses make up part of the landscape, as pictured here.  After having a guided tour of one of these farms, we were treated to a fresh cold glass of cider.  It was like biting into a fresh apple!

The process of pressing the juice out of the apples involves many steps.  The methods have evolved over the years but the principle of crushing the fruit remains the same.  Crushing pressure is required to extract the juice needed for that delicious cider.

Our verse for today is a promise for the righteous.  God promises to be near and save those whose heart is broken and whose spirit is crushed.  He hears our crying and He sees our tears.  He waits for us to give Him all the broken pieces of our heart.  He waits for us to turn our crushed spirits to Him for healing.  The guilt of our sin can be a crushing weight.  He lifts it with His forgiveness.

The conviction of my sin can feel overwhelming.  But His forgiveness gives purpose to that crushing action.  He not only puts my broken heart back together but He changes my sorrow into joy!

Thank you, Lord, for your saving healing forgiveness!

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


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Rear View Mirror

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:7   “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions.  According to Your loving kindness remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.”

I am a careful driver but I have never been very comfortable using mirrors to drive.  I do not know why.  I just do not trust them as much as seeing something directly.  There is a lot of neck turning when I am at the wheel!  Many side mirrors have the warning seen here; “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.”  Perhaps it is this warning that shakes my confidence in the image I am seeing.

Our verse for today is a wonderful reassurance of the complete forgiveness we can enjoy when we confess our sins.  David is asking the Lord not to remember the sins of his youth.  It must be that David is remembering them.  Rather than looking ahead, he is looking back behind him.  His memory is making an issue of what had already been forgiven.  God’s forgiveness is close up and personal.  His love and grace are closer than they appear.  His forgiveness is bigger than we realize.  As far as God is concerned, He does not remember our sins (Isaiah 43:25).

I do not think there is a person alive who does not have some regret about his past.  There is always something said or done that should not have been!  And because memories cannot very well be erased, we remember, but our forgiving Lord does not.  However, when I think back I can choose to focus on His grace and forgiveness rather than my failure.  I can enjoy looking ahead rather than be paralyzed with guilt over the past.

Lord, if I do look behind me, may I only see the closeness of Your loving forgiveness.

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


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Without Dad

Dad10388582_10153076168424311_3766749023210753367_nScripture for Today: Romans 8:15 “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!'”

This is my first Father’s Day without my Dad.  He lived a full rich and lovely life, but even at age 92 it was too soon for him to go.  Knowing that he is with his beloved Savior makes the separation easier.  It is for just a short time, but I am used to having him here.  I still say, “Mom and Dad,” as if he were still with us.  It has been a bit difficult to forego the Father’s Day card for him this year.

Our verse for today describes the special relationship a believer enjoys with his Heavenly Father.  We can refer to Him as, “Dad.”  The relationship is meant to be that close and intimate.  It is not a relationship filled with mindless obligation and rules.  We do not fear Him as a slave fears a master.  There is awe, respect and obedience but because of Christ, the fear of wrath and condemnation is no longer there!  Because of Christ, we are part of the family!

How amazing that He chose me to be part of this family.  I certainly was not born into it!  None of us were.  We had to be adopted to be in this heavenly family.  Why on earth He chose me is beyond understanding.  I was an undeserving rebel.  Yet, my Father in His grace initiated the entire process.  Having a Father who is God is the best kind of Father.  His care is perfect and everlasting!  His love is unconditional and complete.  His presence and comfort never fail!

Thank you Lord, that I can celebrate You as my Father every day!