Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Grace and Forgiveness


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Playing Pretend

blogunnamedScripture for Today: Proverbs 13:7 “One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.”

Playing pretend with my grandson the other day was sweet.  He is not even 3 years old yet, but he understands the concept of pretend play.  We created different scenarios with one of his favorite characters, Curious George.  In the  world we created, everything was fun and perfect.  Everyone got along and could do exactly as they pleased.  Pretending is important for a child’s imaginative play.  Pretending as adults has very little value unless in the context of the arts.

Pretending in the church serves no positive purpose.  We often pretend to be something other than what we are in an attempt to seem spiritual.  If we are poor, we try to hide the fact.  If we are rich, we try to hide that too, although maybe less frequently!  Our verse for today is in contrast to the one before it.  “Righteousness guards the person of integrity…”  Being a person of integrity is being without pretense.

In attempting to look as if my act is together, I am in fact being unrighteous.  The Lord wants me to be authentic.  I struggle sometimes with being an imperfect wife, mother and grandmother.  Pretending to be perfect in every area is exhausting and frustrating.  I am thankful that the Lord sees through the pretense and loves me anyway.  No one around me is fooled either.  We are all flawed.  We all struggle.  Our relationship with Christ does not mean perfection for anyone.  It is in being authentic and sharing our struggles and victories that we encourage each other.

I may be discouraged but I do not need to pretend.  Thank you Lord, that You promise to complete in me what You have started.

 


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O Happy Day!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 68:3 “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.”

This last Friday was “International Day of Happiness.”  It was established by the United Nations in 2012 to focus world attention on economic growth for all.  This was done in recognition that happiness is a fundamental human goal.  This day is to promote development and alleviate poverty worldwide.  Part of this year’s observance was a speech on climate change by the popular singer, Pharrel Williams, who is known for his song, “Happy.”  It is such a catchy tune but the lyrics ironically describe happiness as “a room without a roof.”

There are many things that come to mind when thinking about the word, “happy.”  The pursuit of happiness is usually associated with the pursuit of economic stability.  The thought that happiness is just one purchase away is a hard one to dismiss from my thinking.  But I know better.  I know that material wealth does not mean happiness as seen by the heartache of many well-to-do friends.  True happiness has little to do with what is owned.

Our verse for today makes an association with the word, “happy’ that for many is the last word to come to mind; righteous.  Those who have placed their faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin can experience true happiness.  To have a heart freed from the guilt of sin is happiness.  To have experienced God’s unmerited favor regardless of a spotted past is a real reason for happiness.  To know that my future in Heaven is secured by His pardon gives a whole other meaning to “happy.”  This is a happiness that cannot be shaken by any circumstance on earth!

Jesus, thank You for that happy day when You washed my sins away!


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Patio Furniture

Scripture for Today: James 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

We have been shopping for patio furniture and it is amazing the array of choices out there.  Many of the pieces look as good or better than what I have inside the house.  Between the cushions and the outdoor heaters, one can be as comfortable outdoors as indoors.  In the right setting and with all these creature comforts, I don’t even realize I am outside.

Our verse for today helps us distinguish between worthless religion (verse 26) and what God will accept.  They can seem so similar.  One can be sitting comfortably on the outside, not even realizing that it is not the inside.  The vocabulary can be the same.  The form of worship can be quite similar.  The trappings and tradition of religion might be studiously followed.  But there is one thing that can let us know we are on the outside; it is too comfortable.

Religion that God accepts will not be comfortable.  The book of James makes very clear that true faith in Christ will express itself in self-sacrificing acts of kindness and love.  The giving and support we give to those who cannot reciprocate is a hallmark of true Christianity.

Religion that God accepts will not be comfortable as it takes effort to avoid being polluted.  Following the standards of the world is easy.  Obeying God takes so much more effort and can only be accomplished with the help of His Spirit.  No, it is not comfortable, but how worth it to be inside, in an intimate meaningful relationship with Jesus.

Thank you Lord, that it is Your grace and forgiveness that brings me inside!


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Lion or Lamb?

Scripture for Today: Revelation 5:12 “In a loud voice  they were saying, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.'”

Does March really come in like a lion and go out like a lamb?  I would like to think so.  This old folkloric saying gives me hope that warmer weather may just be on the way.  I am not sure though, just how reliable this saying is.  Its source is simply from farmer’s observations over the centuries.  But in any case, March often serves as a transition month between seasons.

The image of a lion and a lamb is used in Scripture to refer to Jesus Christ.  He is the “Lion of Judah” spoken of in this same chapter (verse 5) as He was born in the line of Judah.  Our verse for today honors Jesus as the Lamb of God.  He is the sacrificial Lamb that is forever victorious!

It is much more comfortable to think of Jesus as a lamb than a strong ferocious lion.  Yet He is both.  His avenging justice and judgement reminds me of a lion.  His gentle warm love reminds me of a lamb.  Both are true.  He would not be a God worth worshiping if He did not use His mighty power to right wrongs.  As a lamb He is worthy as well of all our love and adoration for the ultimate sacrifice He made.

The Lamb of God is undeniably as strong and victorious as a lion.  The two images seem to come together in this heavenly scene.  But because Jesus is my  sacrificial Lamb, I can approach His holy, ferocious and fearsome presence with confidence.

Thank you Lord, for Your incredible mercy and grace!


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Just Deserts

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

I really thought I deserved this dessert.  I had ordered only fish and vegetables and so I figured I could indulge just a little.  After all, it was just dessert!  I had no idea it would be quite this big.  However, with three others helping, it was no problem!

The phrase, “getting your just desert” dates back to the 13th century, and its meaning was “a thing deserved” whether good or bad.  The original spelling used only one “s” referring to the obsolete meaning of  the word, “desert” or that which is deserved.  Today one sees this phrase with the two “s” spelling.  It makes more sense to me as I sometimes think dessert is my due!

Our verse for today is a wonderful reassurance that I do not get my just desert from the Lord.  If I were to insist on the justice I deserve, I would be in big trouble.  Certainly, God is just.  His justice was satisfied by Christ’s sacrifice for sin on the cross.  Because  Christ paid the penalty for sin, I am not repaid for my own.

I am so thankful that God does not give me what I deserve!  I am spared His wrath and punishment.  His grace is amazing!  This psalm tells me of His compassion.  He is gracious and slow to anger.  His love for me is as great as the distance to the heavens! (verse 11)  His love is so wide, so long, so high and so deep that it is immeasurable! (Eph. 3:18)  I absolutely do not deserve that kind of love!

Thank you Lord, that You do not give me my just desert.  Thank you for Your incredible mercy and love!