Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Heaven


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Hide and Seek

IMG_20160322_090333Scripture for Today:  Colossians 3:3-4 “For you have died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

It is not too difficult playing hide and seek with my grandson!  He is so sure no one can see him if he cannot see you.  In his mind all he has to do is hide his eyes to be totally hidden!  My two older grandsons have graduated to actually hiding from the one who is “it” in some pretty obvious places.  Hiding behind a curtain, pillow, lamp or a dog brings to mind the phrase, “Hiding in plain sight!”

Today’s verse talks about the life of a believer being hidden with Christ in God.  When we come to Christ for forgiveness, we die to our old life. Former habits and ways of thinking are a thing of the past.  Desires and goals change.  In Christ we become a “new creation” (II Cor. 5:17).  But even more than that, our real life, our true life is found in Christ.  It is hidden there, safe and secure.  No one can touch our souls.  And one day, our true lives will no longer be hidden but will be revealed, sharing in His glory.

I love life.  I am blessed with many wonderful gifts from His hand.  But at the same time, I feel that there is something lacking.  This life is not my true one.  Everything around me will pass away (I John 2:17).  As wonderful as this world is, it does not compare to the perfect world and life that is coming!  What He has prepared is something so much better than anything seen, heard or imagined here (I Cor. 2:9)

Thank you Lord, that You are my life.

 


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Language Lab

labIMG_20160514_095058Scripture For Today: John 8:44 “…He (the devil) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

This photo takes me back to the early days of learning French in the language lab.  The teacher there in Albertville, France could quietly listen in on our progress, or lack of it!  Mastering French was quite a challenge.  And of course one never stops learning.  My motivation kept me focused as real life usage was just outside the door.

If in Heaven we all speak French then I have an advantage!  Who really knows what language we may be speaking there!  One thing is certain.  The devil’s native language will not be heard.  Today’s verse describes his native language as being lies.  He does not speak anything else.  The truth is just not found in him.  The devil is the “father of lies” and his goal is to deceive and destroy.

The only way I know to recognize his lies is to know and be convinced of the Truth found in God’s Word.  The devil will try to convince me that I am worth nothing.  He will bring up my past and my failures and chain me to feelings of unworthiness.  But it will not work.  God’s Word tells me I am forgiven and no longer under any condemnation (Rom. 8:1).  How could I be worth nothing when Jesus died for my sin?  He loves me with an everlasting love! (Ps. 103:17)  How fantastic it will be to one day never hear those lies again!

Thank you Lord, for speaking to me the language of truth and love!


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Counting Blessings

IMG_20151222_105135Scripture for Today: Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

I was the lucky one!  During an ornament exchange I felt that I was the big winner taking home this royal vial.  The crown on top reminded me that I am a child of the King.  And the word, “blessed,” is such a good reminder to me of all that I have received.  I especially needed to keep that truth in mind when surrounded by the glitz and glamour of store displays and the draw of the next new thing.  I loved this ornament so much I made it into a necklace!

Today is the last day of the year and a good time to reflect on all His blessings.  Today’s verse is full of praise for blessings already given to those who know and love the Lord.  These blessings are not material but spiritual.  That means they will last into eternity!  He has blessed His own by choosing them, adopting them, granting redemption and forgiveness, marking them with the Holy Spirit, and giving them an inheritance!  What an incredible list of blessings!

I sometimes get distracted by what I consider “blessing” here on this earth.  But whatever I think I am lacking is of no importance when compared to the riches of His grace and the blessing of an eternal home with Him.  If He never blessed me with another material blessing, I would still be unbelievably blessed by what He has already done for me!  My heart is so blessed that the only way to respond is to praise Him!

Lord, make my heart grateful today for all Your incredible blessings!


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Attack!

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 4:18 “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

This dog attack looks pretty frightening.  I would not want to be the one at the receiving end of those sharp teeth!  He could do real damage and even take a life.  But as one can see from the photo, this dog has not run amok.  He may have that urge to bite but there are some restraints and protections in place.

Recently, evil seems to have run amok in our world.  When we see senseless murderous attacks on innocents we wonder where our world is headed.  Laws, governments and any security measure known to man cannot guarantee personal safety.  Those intent on evil will always find a way.  And next time there is an attack, I might be in the very path of that evil.  But regardless of what flaming arrows the Enemy might launch my way, I have the shield of faith to protect me. (Eph. 6:16)  My soul cannot be touched by evil.  It belongs to the Almighty God who is sovereign over all.  As today’s verse says, the Lord will bring me safely into His Kingdom.

How could I sleep at night without the beautiful assurance this verse gives me!  Without His promises it would be too easy to succumb to depression and pessimism when I see the terror and fear around me.  But I know He has placed His restraint on evil in the world through His Holy Spirit and His people.  And one incredible day, the Lord will establish justice and peace when He establishes His Kingdom.

Come, Lord Jesus.  Come quickly!


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Punctuation

Scripture for Today: I John 5:11 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

I had no idea that there is a National Punctuation Day!  It was established in 2004 and since then has been celebrated every September 24th.  The idea is to promote correct usage of punctuation.  The founder encourages people to send in pictures of everyday errors they encounter.  A rich source is maybe the Facebook news feed!  Without strategically placed commas, one can say some pretty outrageous things!

I recently heard a pastor use punctuation marks to describe life.  Because of eternal life in Christ, the believer does not end his life with a period.  It is not over.  There is more.  The life of the believer ends with a comma.  It is just a brief pause as he crosses over to his eternal home.  His life continues on and in fact, the period never even makes an appearance!

Eternity is the only way to make sense of life.  God has set eternity in the human heart. (Eccl.3:11)  We long for it to be true and there is something deep inside us that hopes that it is.  When we see a life cut short, when we grieve over the early death of an innocent child, we know that cannot be all there is.  And we are right!

Today’s verse tells us that we can know we have eternal life.  God does not keep us wondering.  He assures us that this life is found in His Son, Jesus.  We can know because He said it.  We can know because He promised.  What Christ did on that cross made possible a relationship that continues on into eternity!

Thank you Lord, that death is not the end.