Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Heaven


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Bucket List

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 2:9 “but just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.'”

There is a saying that has made its way into American English; “the bucket list.”  This saying has come to represent all the wonderful things we would like to see and do before dying.  The phrase came from a movie where two men were facing terminal illness.  The story follows their friendship as they pursue most everything on their list, living out to the fullest what they thought would be their last three months of life.

There are plenty of travels and adventures I would like to experience in my lifetime.  The travel channel on television and the news feed on Facebook often create longings to explore and experience new things!  The bucket list may even include different lifestyles, past times or hobbies.  But the realities of life, the lack of resources or opportunities keep that bucket list filled to the brim!

Our verse for today gets me excited!  If I do not get to everything on my bucket list, it is not a problem!  There is an eternity in front of me!  There will be no time constraints.  There will be no lack of resources.  God is even now preparing for my arrival with incredible adventures that I cannot even imagine!  What He has planned for me makes that bucket list look pathetic!  I can imagine some pretty wonderful scenarios.  But my imagination of what is ahead does not even come close to the reality of His plans!

Thank you Lord, for Your incredible love and for all that awaits me!

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


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Wedding Jewelry

bride-wearing-chinese-green-jade-necklaceScripture for Today: Isaiah 61:10 “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

This radiant bride reminded me of my own wedding day.  There were a few surprises marrying into a Chinese family.  An unexpected gift of jade was given me by my new Chinese Grandmother-in-law just after the ceremony.  She saw that I wore it right away with my wedding dress.  Jade is traditionally thought to ward off evil spirits and keep the couple safe on the wedding day.  This stone is historically thought to be royal, representing virtue, purity and righteousness.

Our verse for today brings all kinds of images to mind.  As believers we are clothed in the Lord’s righteousness.  The material is pure dazzling white because of the forgiveness we receive by faith.  As the Church, we are the Bride of Christ.  We are purified and presented to Him without spot or wrinkle.  We are glorious, set apart in a love relationship with Him (Eph. 5:27).  As if that were not enough, we are adorned with jewelry on that beautiful day that begins our eternity with Him!

My own efforts at righteousness are regarded as filthy rags (Is. 64:6).  They are as ineffectual as jade in truly making me virtuous or pure.  But the jewels I wear on that day will, like righteousness, be a gift of grace from His hand.  Jade will not make me royal either, but being a child of the King does!

What a day that will be!  Today I can “delight greatly” in just the thought of what is to come!  His salvation and righteousness make me beautiful!

 


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Deer Leaping

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 35:6 “Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”

How often I have heard of a deer jumping out in front of a car!  They don’t just run, they jump and leap.  The deer is so fast and agile.  Some species can run 45 miles per hour for a short time on level ground.  But the height of their jump is impressive!  Research shows the deer can cover 30 feet between bounds!  That is as long as a school bus!  Because they can leap so high, it is difficult to find the right fencing to keep them out.  The standard  “deer proof” fence is often 9 feet high.

The deer leaping in our verse for today are not doing so to escape a predator.  They are leaping for joy!  The mute tongue is not just finding its voice but shouting for joy!  Water does not just trickle out in the wilderness but gushes out, forming streams in the desert.  This imagery is a beautiful depiction of what Christ’s return will do for His own.  There is already a partial fulfillment in the re-peopling of Zion or Jerusalem, but the complete fulfillment is larger and still to come.

When Jesus returns there will be a righting of all wrongs (II Thes. 1:6-7)  Creation itself will share in our completed redemption (Rom. 8:19-21).  There will be healings and miracles and hope realized!  There will be endless and astonished joy!  A deer leaping high in the air gives just an inkling of what we will be feeling on that day!  What a thought that “sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

Thank you Lord, for the sure hope You give me!  Help me to see past today.

 

 


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My Father’s House

Scripture for Today: John 14:2 “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

We had the privilege of living in the Loire Valley of France for three years.  It is an area known for its fabulous châteaux.  The Chambord is probably the most recognizable as it is six times the size of most.  What is so amazing is the number of rooms.  Although only eighty are open to public viewing, there are 440 in what started out as just a hunting lodge!  I cannot even imagine having so many rooms!

In our verse for today, rooms are being readied in preparation for the arrival of God’s children.  Each is being especially prepared by our loving Father.  The number of rooms in His house are too numerous to even be counted!  Yet, I imagine that each one is stamped with the personality of the one who is to live there.  The rooms will be perfect.  The style will suit us.  The comforts will be exactly right.  But the best part is that there will be uninterrupted time with the Owner of the house.

I love that the Lord uses this image of a house.  It will feel more like home than anything we have ever experienced on earth.  The idea of a perfect home is not the size or the number of rooms but the love and warmth that this place can encompass.  Just because it is perfect does not mean that it is cold or impersonal.  It will be filled with love and laughter and eternal joy in His presence!  There will be music and running and skipping on those golden sidewalks!

Thank you Lord, for the room You are preparing for me!

 

 


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Thank You Notes

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.'”

It seems everyone enjoys receiving a thank you note.  It feels nice to be appreciated for a service rendered or a gift offered.  Of course, we tell ourselves we do not do something in order to be thanked, but it certainly does not hurt to be acknowledged.  However, sometimes a “thank you” can feel uncomfortable.  Someone who gushes or repeatedly brings up their gratitude can make us squirm.  It can feel uncomfortable or embarrassing when someone goes on and on with their thanks.  Why is that?  Probably because we know we do not deserve all that praise.

Our verse for today describes the scene in Heaven where Jesus as the Lamb of God is given all the honor, glory and praise that is His due.  There is no One who is more deserving.  The phrase, “I cannot thank you enough,” will for the first time be absolutely true!  We can never thank Him enough for our salvation and what it cost Him.  We will spend all eternity praising Him and even then, it will never be enough.

The Lord does not engage in false humility as we do saying, “Oh, don’t mention it.”  He accepts our continual praise and gratitude because He deserves it.  I can never come to the end of thanking Him because He continually gives.  I can never thank Him too much because I am so undeserving.  I do not merit any of what He so graciously gives me.

Lord, may my life be a continual thank you for all that You do for me!