Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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Polaroid Photos

Scripture for Today: I John 3:2 “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

I am so glad that the polaroid instant photos have made a comeback!  Of course, with digital cameras one sees the picture immediately.  But there is something special about seeing the image slowly develop right before the eyes!  The anticipation is part of the fun and the convenient hard copy makes sharing easy.

Today’s verse tells us that we are slowly changing and developing.  Those who belong to God have Him as our Photographer.  He is slowly developing in us the image of His Son.  It is a long process lasting a lifetime.  But one day, the photograph will be completed and the clear image of Jesus will be seen in us.  We are not sure what that will look like but at the moment we see Jesus, the work will be finished!

I sometimes get impatient with this very slow process.  There are days where His image in me is clearer than in others.  But some days, the photograph is dark and fuzzy.  Those are the days I am not walking with Him.  He does not continue His developing work in me without my cooperation and obedience.  However, regardless of the rate of development, He has promised that one day His work will be complete (Phil. 1:6) and I will be like Him!  A more beautiful image will just not be possible!  What a fantastic hope this is!  When I think on this truth I am more motivated to cooperate with Him in obedience.

Lord, make me more like You today!


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Sandbar

Scripture for Today: Matthew 7:26 “But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.”  

It must be odd to walk on a sandbar, surrounded by water and yet staying dry.  There are many famous sandbars in our world, many of which are found in the Philippines.  But the Haulover Sandbar in Biscayne Bay, Florida, enjoyed some notoriety when a baby grand piano suddenly made its appearance!  It was a true mystery how it got there.  It turns out that it was an artistic photo shoot done by a young man for his school application!  Had the piano stayed there, it would have eventually sunk or been overtaken by water.

Today’s verse describes something just as ludicrous; constructing a house on sand.  Hearing God’s Word but not applying it makes the foundation of our lives as precarious as sand.  Jesus assures the listeners that the crash of that house is inevitable.  In contrast, those that DO put into practice God’s Word will enjoy stability as their foundation is solid Rock.

The sand can represent words of shifting cultural norms.  They are easier to follow but the result is ruin.  God’s Word is true and eternal, unaffected by what is modern or popular (Ps. 119:160).  Building my life on the objective truth of His Words does not happen just by knowing and quoting it.  I can study those words for a lifetime but if I do not obey them as authoritative, then that next storm may just bring me down.  His words are practical and speak to every area of my life.  Applying them is a question of humility to do things His way and not my own!

Lord, keep me off that sand!


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Car Wash

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 5:25-26 “Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word.” 

It was eerie going through the car wash and having that huge spinning material slap at the car!  We were in a place where a red fine dust had covered the car and my meticulous husband would have none of it!  Normally, he does all the washing by hand, making sure to clean all the hard-to-reach places.  How nice to just sit there and have the machines do the work automatically for you!

Today’s verse uses the image of washing with water to describe what God’s Word does for a believer.  Out of love, Christ sacrificed His life for the Church.  He makes it possible for the believer to be holy, set apart for Himself and cleansed.  One day we will be presented as radiant, having no stain, wrinkle or blemish!  And it is all grace, a wonderful gift received through faith (Eph.2:8-9).  But in the meantime, there is work to do!  God uses His Word to teach, rebuke, correct and train us to be righteous (II Tim. 3:16).

I find that when my only time in the Word is during a sermon, that washing of the Word may miss a few spots!  It is the daily wash that I need.  He knows just the areas where more water is needed.  There may even be times where a power wash is called for!  It is through His Word that I even see the dirt and feel His conviction.  How faithful He is to cleanse me completely when I humble myself and ask! (I John 1:9)  How refreshing that daily wash can be!

Lord, thank you for the loving cleansing power of your Word!


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Fishing Lures

Scripture for Today: James 1:14 “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

Learning about fishing lures requires learning a whole new vocabulary!  There are spoons, jigs, crankbait, spinning lures and plugs.  The variety of lures is impressive with so many different materials, shapes and colors.  The whole idea is to imitate as closely as possible the movements of a fish’s natural prey.  The fish is attracted to what he believes is a tasty snack and instead is nabbed by that hidden attached hook!

Today’s verse describes someone who gives in to temptation.  God is never the author of enticing someone to evil (verse 13).  And in fact, Satan is not necessarily involved.  This verse is addressed to believers and we are dragged away and enticed by our own evil desires.  The word, “entice” is also translated as “lure.”  Beguiled by that attractive promise of something better, we deceive ourselves.  The lure is strong but the Lord is gracious and is able to help, having experienced temptation Himself (Heb. 2:18).  He will always provide a way out (I Cor. 10:13).  We do not have to bite down on something that later hurts us.

Sin can be so attractive to me, especially through media.  But not always.  Sometimes it is just easier to indulge, to compromise, or to take shortcuts that I know in my heart are not right.  But what promises to fulfill never does.  What starts out as pleasurable brings consequences I never anticipated.  My heart and its desires can be so deceitful!  But doing things God’s way and just saying ,”NO,” to that lure keeps my life less complicated and brings His blessing!  I am not missing out on anything except pain.

Lord, keep me close to You and far away from those tempting lures.


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The Toadfish

Scripture for Today: I Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things that man looks at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'”

We saw some interesting fish at the Wood Hole Aquarium in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, this Oyster Toadfish among them.  He was so ugly that he fascinated me!  He had a face only a mother could love!  But these fish have proven quite useful.  Biologists have sent the oyster toadfish into space to study the effects of gravity on our balance system!  These experiments were part of an effort to understand motion sickness, important for the astronaut.  And one benefit of their grotesque appearance is the fact that humans do not readily eat them, although they taste good!

Today’s verse reminds us that outward appearance is not the most important value.  Samuel was to choose the first king for the Israelites under God’s direction.  Samuel was naturally drawn to the tallest most handsome son of Jesse.  But the Lord reminds Samuel that appearance is not everything but the heart is.  As with many of the Lord’s principles, we get this one totally backwards.  The appearance and image is everything whereas the hidden unseen heart takes second place.

I am so influenced by what is on the outside.  If someone has their hair, make-up and clothes together, I automatically think that everything is in order on the inside.  I can easily adopt this attitude towards myself as well.  Then comes the surprise of conviction when the Lord taps me on the shoulder and tells me that my heart is ugly with sin.

Lord, make me beautiful on the inside where You are looking.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministries.