Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Heaven


by Leave a comment

Paradise

Scripture for Today: Luke 23:42-43 “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'”

The word, “paradise” conjures up so many lovely mental images.  For me, paradise would be someplace quiet and calm with plenty of places to relax and enjoy sunshine and a stunning view.  Paradise would be a place where stress would not exist and troubles would float away with each receding wave.  It would not be too hot or too cold.  Sand would stay where it belonged.  Throw in a personal servant seeing to my every need and I will have arrived!

In today’s verse an entirely different place is meant by Paradise.  The thief on the cross came to believe that Jesus is God in the last moment of his life.  Jesus assures him that he will be with Him in Paradise that very day.  His sincere faith in Jesus as the Son of God was all that was needed to save his soul.  Paradise is His Kingdom and nothing can adequately describe what we will find there.  What is prepared for those who love Him is beyond what eye can see or ear hear, or even what minds can imagine (I Cor. 2:9).

My ideas of Paradise fall so short of the incredible and indescribable reality!  When I allow myself to dream of what awaits, I see my circumstances a little differently!  But Paradise would not be worth much without His presence.  Jesus promised this forgiven thief that he would be with Him.  He is LOVE and His presence will be the paradise for which every human heart has longed.

Thank you Lord, for giving me just a taste of Paradise with Your love here and now.


by 1 Comment

Celebrate!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 89:15-16 “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, Lord. They rejoice in Your name all day long; they celebrate Your righteousness.”

Who doesn’t enjoy a good party!  The celebration pictured here captures excitement and enthusiasm.  I can almost hear the beat of the music and the laughter.  A good party for me would always include balloons, confetti and Abba music!  Add good food and good friends and it’s a guaranteed success!  If my husband were ever to throw a surprise party for me, he would know to include all those important ingredients.

Today’s verse gives us reason to celebrate.  This party centers around the most important guest, the Lord Himself.  It is His righteousness and name that are celebrated.  I love how this verse talks about “learning” to worship and acclaim Him!  As we grow in our faith we grow too in our adoration and praise for all He has done.  Praising Him leads to joy and celebration.  Gone is the long religious pious face.  Our demeanor and our expression radiate the joy and blessing He puts in our hearts!

This is a celebration that is not confined to just one season, time or place.  We can walk in His presence and rejoice all day and every day!  I can just imagine how crazy happy Heaven will be with blasting trumpets and shouts of joy!  There will be no sad interruptions.  But we do have a “foretaste” now of that eternal party.  Whenever I consider and think on who He is and what He has done for me, my heart turns to Him in praise and my whole being fills with joy!

Lord, make this day a day of celebration!

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


by Leave a comment

State of Mind

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above and not on earthly things.”

In returning from Massachusetts to California I feel as if I am not only changing a state but a state of mind.  It is amazing to me the variety of lifestyle and outlook within our own borders.  The mind set here includes influences from a longer more visible history.  Tradition, long-standing families, old money and historic buildings are all factors that have more importance here than in California.  There is a different mind set in the “sunshine state” where free spirits may feel more comfortable.  I am perhaps overgeneralizing but each state does seem to have an identifiable mind set.

The believer is to have an identifiable mind set as well.  Today’s verse tells us to set our minds on things above.  We are to have a different optic in seeing our world.  Our point of view is affected by what is eternal rather than temporal.  Our values are based on what will last.  Our decisions are directed by what is unseen rather than what is perceived by the senses.  It is a totally different state of mind.

It is too easy to forget that our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil. 3:19).  The mind set of those around us is set on earthly things (verse 18).  But those with that state of mind are called, “enemies of the cross.”  I do not want to be in their number!  My state of mind needs to be one that is transformed and renewed by God’s Word.  And my state of mind will be obvious by the way I live.  I do not think I risk being so heavenly minded that I am of no earthly value.  Quite the opposite!

Lord, keep my mind set on You today.

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


by Leave a comment

Lunar Eclipse

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 60:19 “The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.”

How strange it was to see the “super moon” slowly being darkened by the shadow of the earth.  It does not happen too often and it was spectacular to see!  It was called a “super moon” because of its fullness and because of its position at the closest point of its orbit with the earth.  A news agency called it, “a glorious view of the heavens,” and “a glorious heavenly event.”  It was certainly rare as the next time this happens will not be until 2033.

This eclipse was a partial one so we were not left totally in the dark.  As beautiful as an eclipse or sunset can be, it leaves us with less light and increasing darkness.  But one day there will no longer be any darkness at all.  The Lord will be our light and it will be everlasting.  His glory will shine as bright as day.  There will no longer be any need of the sun or the moon.

That everlasting light is not just in our future, but He has promised to place some of that light in our hearts today! (II Cor. 4:6)  It shines in our hearts to give us an inkling of His overwhelming glory.  And it is displayed in the face and presence of Christ.  The more I approach Him the brighter that light becomes!  I can “walk in the light” (I John 1:7) and experience sweet fellowship.  I want to bask in the warmth of His loving light and not obscure it with the shadows of my sin.

Lord, help me to walk in the light of Your presence today.

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


by Leave a comment

False Advertising

Scripture for Today: I John 2:17 “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

This sign made me smile!  Strictly speaking, it is not “false advertising” as it is completely true!  But the unsuspecting passer-by is lulled into thinking there is something special about this offer.  I am always disappointed with sales that offer a discount “up to” a certain percentage.  Those two little words, often in smaller print, mean that most items can be normally priced.  One is lured inside with high expectations of a good deal.  But blatant examples of false advertising abound with some leading to lawsuits.

There is someone who is an expert at false advertising.  He offers the world in exchange for the soul.  Satan is the master deceiver who pretends that this world is all there is.  He advertises with glitz and glamour and the promise of something for nothing.  He convinces people that the greatest and best goal in life is to fulfill each and every desire.  We have earned it.  We deserve it.  We can have it all and there is no cost!

Today’s verse tells the truth.  The world and all its desires will not last forever.  This is not it.  There is something more and it is infinitely better.  The world is only temporary and gaining all of it means nothing if I forfeit my soul (Mark 8:36).  It is so easy to be distracted by the “here and now” and lose that eternal perspective.  What awaits me defies my imagination!  What the Lord has prepared for His own makes this world, as beautiful as it is, a poor shadowy substitute.  Every desire in Heaven will be pure, satisfied and fulfilled!

Help me Lord, to see this world as temporary and live my life for You.

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