Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Heaven


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Home for the Holidays?

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 5:8 “We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.”

I love the carol, “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays.” Much of my decorating for Christmas is done in the hopes of making my house seem more “homey.” The right ambiance and the painstaking emphasis on feeling tones are all done with the hopes of creating a sense of HOME. But of course, the important element is the people there to enjoy it! Everything can be in its place. The decorations can be perfect. The right carols can be playing and the air filled with wonderful scents of cinnamon. But without loved ones there, it all falls flat.

Today’s verse expresses Paul’s preference to be “home with the Lord” rather than at home in his body. Even if conditions on this earth were perfect, there would always be a sense that we are not home yet. Paul believed that being home with the Lord is far better than living here on earth. That’s because to be home is to be with Him. HE Himself is our “home.”

There are family and friends of mine already with the Lord. I miss them. But they are home. What is more, they are home for the holidays, in their true home. The holidays they are enjoying far outshine what we can do to celebrate here on earth.  No budget, no tiredness, no dashed expectations, no overindulgence! Those in Heaven have no trouble keeping Jesus front and center! It is true, there is no place like home for the holidays. How much more this is true for our eternal home!

May Christ be my “home” during this holiday and every day!


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“Stay Grounded”

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:1-2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

There is a worldwide movement today called, “Stay Grounded.” The idea is to swear off flying, making that commitment for a year at a time. Normally, 2% of all carbon dioxide emissions can be attributed to this form of travel. Some intend to remain flight free forever in an attempt to be eco-conscious. For these folks, slow travel is the way to go, preferring boat or train for long distances. For me personally, it would be quite a sacrifice to be grounded as my perspective often changes while up in those clouds!

Today’s verse encourages the believer to change perspective from the earthly to the eternal. Our thinking and our feelings are to be changed by an eternal perspective. What we see on earth does not match up with spiritual realities. What we see, touch and feel around us is not eternal. These things are real but they will not last. When we set our minds and hearts on the realities of Heaven, it changes how we view that difficulty. It is reduced it to only “light and momentary trouble.” (II Cor. 4:17) 

I need to see the hard things in my life as smaller than they appear. I do not want my thoughts and feelings to be grounded and restricted to the temporal. My perspective needs to change to what is eternal and lasting in order to see past the problems I face today. What is above is far more worthy of my heart and mind! He is there.

Change my perspective, Lord. Help me see You today instead of my problems.


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Ghostly

Scripture for Today: Psalm 39:6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.”

It has got to be one of the easiest costumes to put together! And that old white sheet hanging out in the cupboard is finally being put to good use! The ghost costume allows for a coat to be worn underneath in a cold climate with none being the wiser! However, all that material slipping around can trip up its wearer. But it does the job. And in rushing from house to house candies are happily heaped up!

Today’s verse describes another kind of phantom. He doesn’t appear just once a year but spends a lifetime accumulating wealth. It is a vain goal as he does not even know what will become of it after he leaves this earth. To place our hope and confidence in what we own is foolish as our wealth can quickly sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle (Prov. 23:5). What a contrast to the one whose hope is in the Lord (verse 7). The riches of His love, care and faithfulness are eternal.

I am a mere phantom with no real substance when my focus is on what will not last. I want my life to be lived on a different plane with a deeper meaning. I want to live with eternity in view but I get so distracted by what I can see and touch. Spending all my energies on the temporal keeps me from that true life. My heart needs to be with the treasure and reward that last, that which is stored up in Heaven (Matthew 6:21-22). As C.T. Studd wrote, “Only one life ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Lord, keep me from being “ghostly!”


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Tree of Life

Scripture for Today: Genesis 2:9 “The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

In buying this Tree of Life on turquoise-like stone, I was not aware of all its symbolism! I just liked it because it was pretty. Since then I learned that the tree of life is a mystical symbol linked to religion, philosophy and spirituality. For some, it is a picture of how everything in life is connected. For others it stands for personal growth, beauty, and strength.

Today’s verse reveals the original and best meaning of the tree of life. As with all of creation, its source was the Creator. This tree was a beautiful fruit-bearing tree found in the center of the garden of Eden. Unlike the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam was free to eat from this tree. But after the Fall, the way back to the tree was barred (Gen. 3:22-24) as it would lead to an eternal life in man’s pitiful fallen state.

What happened to this tree? The tree of life is now shaped as a cross! Eternal life is mine when I place my trust in Christ’s sacrifice for my sin! Those who have the Son have eternal life (John 3:36). But the tree of life not only reminds me of the garden and the cross, but it also turns my attention to the future I have in Heaven. The tree of life reappears there and I will one day eat of its fruit and experience an abundant life that will last forever! (Rev. 2:7)

Thank you Lord, for Your incredible gift of life!


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Fashionista

Scripture for Today: John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life; that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”

fashion unnamed

I was intrigued by the saying on this store window. This high-end women’s clothing store suggests that the goal of living is to dress well, using their brand of course. For many, fashion is tied to self-image and a sense of well-being. Fashion can occupy a huge place in one’s thoughts. The “fashionista” follows the latest trends and spends a good portion of income to stay current. Walking by this saying did make me think. What do I live for? Anyone who knows me would not guess fashion! But it is the age-old question posed by many philosophers over the centuries.  Why am I here? What is my purpose in life?

Today’s verse gives the answer to the question. Eternal life for the believer begins in the here and now. Life, whether in the future or the present is consumed with one goal; to know Him (Phil. 3:10). It is a goal that never grows old and tired. And because God is so immense, it is a goal that can never be completely realized. How amazing to spend an entire earthly life in the quest to know Him as He reveals Himself little by little through His Word and through His Spirit.

When I am with my Savior in Heaven the goal continues to know Him completely. Knowing God personally and up close will be an adventure that is eternal! I will never come to the end of knowing Him. He is that vast and deep! Knowing the Lord little by little while on earth, gives meaning and purpose to my life that nothing else can! This is what I live for!

Thank you Lord, that the goal of knowing You gives my life purpose!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2015)