Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


by 1 Comment

Newborn Puppies

Scripture for Today:Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.”

The chihuahua puppy looks so tiny and vulnerable sitting on an outstretched hand.  This breed of dog is only four inches long at birth.  Puppies seem especially vulnerable and helpless during their first few days.  They are not only blind but deaf, toothless and unable to regulate body temperature.  To cuddle their mother and siblings and to nurse, they depend on their sense of touch and smell.  Their eyes do not open until their second week.  Life gets suddenly much larger when these tiny puppies can begin to explore and discover their world.

Today’s verse describes eyes that are opened to wonderful things in God’s law.  Our eyes can miss what is positive in God’s commandments.  Those wonders can easily escape us.  This verse is a prayer that God would open spiritual eyes to see God’s law differently.  This entire psalm goes on to extol and praise God’s law.  The author’s eyes have been opened to see a long list of wonderful things: blessing, purity, delight, strength, understanding, knowledge, good judgement, freedom and comfort, to name just a few!  God answered the author’s prayer.

I do not often feel this way about God’s law.  Instead of seeing “wonderful things,” in His law, I sometimes see it as negative and restrictive.  My eyes need to be opened!  I want to see those same wonders in His law, especially the comfort and blessing!  God’s law is given with love and with the desire to make life work for me.  I need my eyes open to explore and discover how God wants me to live and to see it as wonderful!

Open my eyes today, Lord.

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


by Leave a comment

Majority Rules

majorityrulesScripture for Today: Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”

This looks like an interesting game.  The winner is the one with the most points, earned by voting in the same way as the majority does on various questions.  There is ample opportunity for lots of debate and laughter, especially when it is obvious that the one losing vote is clearly correct but the majority carry the day!  The reasoning behind one’s vote does not change the outcome.  The important thing is to be part of the ruling majority!

Today’s verse describes a majority of people who enter through a wide gate and follow a broad path.  It is perhaps an easier choice and one is certainly in good company with so may others making this same choice.  It is easy in life to be lulled into a false sense of security when surrounded by so many others of the same opinion.  What is so sad is that the majority does not rule in this case and is not right in their choice.  The consequences of following the majority could not be more serious as this path leads to destruction.

The good news is that there is a small gate and a narrow road that leads to life (verse 14).  Jesus has said clearly that He is the gate by which we enter (John 10:7).  He is also the one and only way (John 14:6).  But the ones who follow this way will always be in the minority.  It is not a comfortable position to be different than the majority around us.  But how much better it is to be uncomfortable and on the right path.

Lord, thank you for showing me the way to life through You.

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


by Leave a comment

Dump Truck

article-0-1ab54a7a00000578-797_634x406Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:8 “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips.”

This happened in front of the French Parliament building in Paris!  It was no accident but a statement of rage and frustration.  I am sure the dumping of manure was effective in drawing attention to the outrage over a recent tax hike.  Although this was dramatic, I do support the citizen’s right to peaceful protest.  However, this protestor was arrested and the clean up was a major ordeal, stinky and blocking traffic for hours.

Today’s verse lists some characteristics that could well be described as a “poop attack.!”  When we dump on each other it usually includes anger and rage.  And it often includes filthy language as well.  Perhaps we think that dumping on someone will relieve our own stress.  Maybe, we feel that we make our point better with the shock factor of a vulgar word.  Or perhaps dumping on others has just become a habit.  As God’s children we are told to take off the old self with all these negatives and put on the new self.

What a difference to be characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love! (verses 12-14)  It is as if that dump truck were filled with beautiful fragrant flowers.  I am not sure that someone would describe me in those terms.  Too often, those who are closest to me are the very ones on the receiving end of unkind and ugly words.  It is only with His power and presence in me that I can keep from dumping on people.

My prayer today echos the words of this old hymn; “Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me!”

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


by Leave a comment

Escargot

img_20160819_084054Scripture for Today: Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

This stand was a common sight at our French open market.  Eating snails is certainly not new.  Their empty shells have been found in archaeological digs suggesting that they have been eaten since prehistoric times!  They are considered a “super food,” as they contain iron, B12, magnesium, selenium, and omega 3.  Still, the idea of eating that slimy creature fills many people with disgust.  And the many steps to prepare escargots make them anything but a “fast food!”  One of the more important steps is purging the snails from anything unhealthy they have been eating.

Today’s verse speaks of our conscience being purged.  The Old Testament system of animal sacrifice served its purpose of symbolizing Christ’s death.  But how much more perfect was the sacrifice Jesus made, once for all!  His sacrifice not only cleanses us from our sin, but purges our consciences as well.  His forgiveness is complete.

Satan would like me to think otherwise.  He whispers in my ear his accusations.  He reminds me of times when I really blew it and let the Lord down.  Satan would like nothing better than to take me out of the game and put me on the sidelines.  How thankful I am that he is wrong!   My conscience has been purged.  I am a new creation in Him.  No accusation from the enemy can change this truth.  When I lay my head on the pillow at night I can sleep easily knowing that Christ has taken care of every sin and failure.

Thank you Lord, that You purge my conscience, making forgiveness complete.

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


by Leave a comment

Breaking Free

freedomb04c55f51dc9b7be98221b54113ab02fScripture for Today: Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

This Freedom Sculpture was created by Zenos Frudakis and can be seen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  It depicts several people in different stages of breaking free of their molds.  The artist felt that everyone could relate to this image as the struggle to be free is a universal one, common to all mankind.

Today’s verse is put differently in another version; “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its mold.” Without a transformation of our minds, we stay firmly ensconced in the world’s way of thinking.  Like the last figure in this sculpture, we can so completely conform to the values and thinking of this world that we lose the freedom to follow what is best.  What the Lord wants for us is good and pleasing and perfect.  And so often, it is in direct opposiiton to the prevalent thinking around us.

I do not want to look, think and act like everyone around me and call that freedom.  But I can walk about in freedom when I intentionally seek out what God wants (Psalm 119:45).  His plan for me is not just good but perfect.  When He changes my heart and mind with His Word, pleasing Him becomes a pleasure.  Blending in by following another standard may sometimes be easier.  In fact it is usually easier to just go with the flow, but not as fulfilling.  His transformation is freeing me to become who He meant me to be, rather than a carbon copy of everyone else.

Thank you Lord, for the freedom Your transformation brings!

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