Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Grace and Forgiveness


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In Debt

piano unnamedScripture for Today: Luke 7:14-42  “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender.  One owed him five hundred denari and the other fifty.  Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debt of both.  Now which of them will love him more?”

As a rule we do not purchase items “on time.”  But early in our marriage we made an exception for this piano.  My husband knew how important piano playing was to me and so one day he surprised me.  He had it wrapped in a big red bow!  When the monthly bills began to arrive, the amount of interest required took the joy right out of that purchase!  In fact, it bothered him so much, we quickly paid the piano off ahead of time.  We did not feel comfortable being “in debt.”

In our verse for today, Jesus is speaking to Simon, a pharisee.  Simon is appalled that a sinful woman would dare to anoint the feet of Jesus.  Jesus challenges this pharisee’s self-righteous thinking with a short parable.  Those who have been forgiven much will love much.  Those who have been forgiven little will only love a little (verse 47).   Both debtors have had their debt erased.  But the one with the bigger debt is more motivated to show love and gratitude.

The more I realize the enormity of my sin, the more amazed I am that Christ paid my debt.  The more I realize the ugliness of my heart, the more grateful I am for His cleansing.  When I take a good hard look at myself, I realize that Jesus has forgiven me “much.”

My debt for sin was huge and impossible to pay.  How much better to be indebted to His grace!  “Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be.”


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Patchwork

28339_1473182478403_3340566_nScripture for Today: Matt 9:16  “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.”

My friend, Gale, makes beautiful patchwork quilts.  Pictured here is one she sewed called, “Square In A Square.”  Her passion for patchwork is shared by many in the Orange Grove Quilter’s Guild of which she is a member and past president.  What used to be done out of necessity by early American settlers is now a creative art form.  There are many beautiful patterns to choose from but all of them require precision in cutting and sewing in order for the edges to fit together exactly as they should.  And of course, all the pieces of fabric need to be preshrunk before sewing.

In our verse for today Jesus uses the illustration of patching a tear with new unshrunk material on to old material.  The conversation arises out of questions from those following tradition and ritual.  They are trying to connect their system of belief with what Jesus was teaching.  These men were distracted with the externals of religion that fed their own self-righteousness.  Jesus is revealing a new internal Gospel of forgiveness and cleansing.  What is legalistic and of the flesh could not be attached to what is grace and of the Spirit (Gal. 3:3).

Any time I think I can earn God’s favor by my own good works or religious observances, I am falling into that same kind of thinking!  Whether it is church attendance, fasting, hymn singing or giving, none of these activities, as positive as they are, earn right standing with God.  My relationship with Him is only because of His grace.

“Nothing in my hand I bring.  Simply to Thy cross I cling.”  I am forever grateful for grace!


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Window Cleaning

Scripture for Today:  John 16:8  “When He comes (the Holy Spirit) He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin, righteousness and judgement.”

Spring is not really here yet, but because of a few days of sunshine, I decided I had better clean my windows.  I do not usually notice how dirty and streaked they are.  But with the arrival of the sun, all of a sudden I see the dirt that has been clouding my view!  Out comes the ladder, the cleaning supplies and the newspapers.  The sunshine shows me exactly where to concentrate my efforts.  My arms are sore but it is a great feeling to have those windows free of dirt and the sunshine unobstructed, lighting up the rooms!

In our verse for today, the role of the Holy Spirit is described by Jesus to His disciples.  Not only will He guide us into truth (verse 13) but He will also convince men of what sin is, what righteousness is, and the certainty of the coming judgement.  It is because of the Spirit’s conviction that men see the need for confession and come to Him for forgiveness.

Just like windows that are cloudy from unnoticed dirt, so are the lives of those who ignore God’s conviction.  His light shows us where cleaning is needed.  There are spots and streaks we do not see without Him showing us.  His forgiveness clears out the dirt.  I sometimes find myself arguing over a small spot here or there.  Is this really sin?  Couldn’t I just leave it as it is so small?  But His truth keeps pointing it out until I agree with Him and allow His forgiveness to cleanse it.

Thank you Lord, for forgiveness and giving back to me sweet warm and sunny fellowship with You!


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Measuring Growth

oversized ruler growth chartScripture for Today: II Peter 3:18  “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen.”

When our kids were small, measuring their growth was just a matter of a straight edge and a pencil marking on the wall.  Of course, at some point the wall would need cleaning!  On the market today are all kinds of whimsical growth charts to keep a fun record.

Our verse for today describes a very different kind of growth; growing in grace and in knowledge of our Lord.  They are Peter’s  last words in his second epistle.  Growing in our knowledge of Him continues forever.  We can never come to the end of knowing God as He is eternal.

Grace, being God’s unmerited favor, is unfathomable.  We are called, saved and justified by His grace.  Our Christian walk is also a matter of grace.  We stand in grace, establish our hearts and are strong in grace.  Certainly, His grace is sufficient to meet a particular need (II Cor. 12:9)  But how does one grow in grace?

At least three times in Scripture, God tells us to whom He gives more grace; the humble.  (Prov. 3:34, James 4:6 and I Peter 5:5)  The humble realize their need and more often approach the throne of grace.  The humble are aware of their sin and guilt are more likely to recognize His grace!  The humble are conscious of their weakness are in a place to receive His grace.  Growing in grace is to see the need and look to Him to fill it.

Everything good in my life is a grace from Him.  Oh, how I need to grow in His grace.  Lord, humble me so that I can experience more and more grace!


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Blushing

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 34:5 “They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces shall never blush for shame or be confused.”

Blushing is thought to be sweet and endearing.  But for the one experiencing it, the blushing just makes an embarrassing situation more difficult!  This involuntary reaction seems to be more prevalent when young.  That is understandable when the blushing is due to feeling awkward in a new social setting.  Most people tend to outgrow the problem.

There are articles written on how to avoid blushing in ten easy steps.  There are good tips available, but when blushing is due to shame, the world’s answers fall apart.  One suggestion advises to condition your body to believe there is no reason to blush.  Since it is involuntary, you are not to blame as you are not guilty of anything.  But the feeling of shame is legitimate when we are guilty.

Our verse for today refers to blushing that is caused by a sense of shame.  When looking to a righteous, perfect God, it would be natural to feel shame for our sin.  One’s first reaction would be to cover one’s face in the blinding light of His holiness!  But for those who fear the Lord and belong to Him, there is no more shame.  In His grace, He has paid for all our sin and shame with the sacrifice of His Son.  No one who trusts in Him will be condemned or held guilty (verse 22).

Because He has erased my sin and shame, I can look to Him and be radiant!  No longer will I blush for my past sins.  He has removed my sin and guilt as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12)!  Thank you, Lord, that my face can be radiant with Your forgiveness!