Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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Sandcastles

Scripture for Today: Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

I doubt that this sandcastle was built by a small child.  It seems too involved and complicated, perhaps needing some special molds and skills.  Sandcastle-building has become quite the art form with annual competitions all over Southern California.  Some of the competitions have been taking place for more than fifty years!  The entries are elaborate and take painstaking precision.  The results are impressive but no longer there.  These fantasy castles and kingdoms are eventually reclaimed by the ocean.  What a shame to see all that creative work washed away!

Today’s verse speaks of a kingdom that is eternal.  It does not erode with time.  What effort is invested in this kingdom will endure.  We are promised that when spending our lives living for God’s kingdom, we will be able to live our lives without worrying about tomorrow (verse 34).  The  mundane pursuits of food and clothing become less important.   Life is more than food and the body more than clothes (verse 25).  Seeking His kingdom means living for Him and for values that are eternal.

The most important component of any kingdom is its king.  Seeking God’s kingdom is to live as His subject and submit to His rule.  When I live for Him and His purposes, this gracious King takes care of the details.  But I sometimes get distracted by building my own little sandcastles.  I want my own kingdom, however small, in the hopes of having some say and control.  I want to be the one in charge!  But my pathetic kingdom is never as good as His.  And I do not want to waste my time on what will not last!

Lord, keep me focused on living for You.


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Sea Lion

Scripture for Today: Psalm 98:7 “Let the sea and everything in it shout, along with the world and those who live in it.”

We heard Diamond, the sea lion, long before we saw him.  His bark was loud and deep and seemed to echo off the walls of his Sea World habitat.  The workers told us he was easily the loudest of the sea lions.  This playful intelligent mammal is known for their noisy barking.  I remember hearing sea lions bark when living near the beach in Southern California.  Late at night when traffic noise subsided the noise of their barking floated up to the house quite often.

Today’s verse is a beautiful poetic passage describing the reaction of creation at the Lord’s return.  Not only does every living thing in the sea shout for joy but the sea itself will shout as well!  Because the rivers clap their hands and the mountains sing in unison before the Lord, the earth will be shouting for joy along with the sea (verse 8).  Why all this exuberant response?  God comes to judge (verse 9) and when He does, everything unfair will made fair.

There is a certain deep satisfaction when seeing right prevail.  When watching a film where the tension builds, there is often a concluding scene where evil is thwarted and justice prevails.  If not literally, I am at least jumping up inside and shouting for joy!  I want to see the “bad guys” lose.  Part of belonging to the Lord is hungering and thirsting for righteousness (Matt. 5:6).  One day that longing will be completely fulfilled when He comes to judge.  God will right every wrong.  Everything done in secret will be revealed (Luke 12:2).  The unrepentant heart will face His exacting justice.

Thank you Lord, for Your perfect justice and the forgiveness You have given me!


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Disguised!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 26:23 “Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.” 

In a modern household, it is no longer the style to have much silver plated items in drawers or on tables.  I was offered my Mother’s silver plated dessert tray but turned it down.  I knew that there would be lots of maintenance to keep it clean and shiny.  Silver can so easily become tarnished and dark, losing its shine.  But with proper care, silver can be an eye-catching piece of decor.  However, I could not see myself buying special cleaning products and taking time to polish the silver!

Today’s verse talks about a different kind of silver.  Not only is it of inferior quality but it is covering something mundane and of little value.  Silver dross is used as a symbol in Scripture for what is base and worthless.  This silver includes impurities that float to the surface in the melting process.  It catches one’s attention but flaws are seen on closer examination.  Fervent or smooth talking lips are just like that silver.  Flattering words and warm expressions of friendship can hide an evil heart.

A vow of friendship.  A declaration of love.  A promise made.  Or a pretense of good will.  It can all be “silver dross” hiding a much different agenda.  The hurt caused by this kind of duplicity can be life changing.  We all have stories.  We have all been victims.  But there is One who will never be untrue.  His Word is always trustworthy.  He calls me His friend (John 15:15).  He affirms for me an unending love (Psalm 103:17).  He keeps every promise (II Cor. 1:20).  And His plans for me are good (Jer. 29:11).

Thank you Lord, that Your Word is pure silver and always trustworthy.

 

 


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Temples in Taiwan

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

One can almost smell the musty interior mixed with the perfume of burning incense when looking at this temple.  When spending a summer in Taiwan in 1980, we saw many of these places of worship.  This one is the Longshan Temple in Taipei and it is one of the largest and oldest.  The worship taking place inside is a mixture of Buddhist, Taoist and for deities like Mazu.  Although very beautiful it made me sad, lacking the presence of the One and only True God.

Today’s verse explains where God’s Spirit lives today.  Rather than a physical building, God has chosen to reside by His Spirit in the hearts of His followers.  Our bodies become His temple.  What an amazing thought!  And what a privilege.  His presence is constantly with the believer.  He has purchased our freedom from sin and judgement by His death on the cross and we belong to Him.  Because this is true, we strive to honor Him with our bodies.  We honor Him by staying away from sexual impurity (verse 18).

It is difficult for me to understand just how holy and pure God is.  I need to grasp the truth that He is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29) to be worshiped with reverence and awe.  Instead of rationalizing what I do, see or think about, I want to keep my “temple” clean and pure because He is there.  I do not want impure thoughts to inhabit the same place as Him.

Lord, help me keep Your dwelling place clean today.

 


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Tatting Lace

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

In going through my Mother’s things my sister and I found some beautiful tatting.  As I am not talented in this area, I did not realize the effort that goes into creating this handiwork.  This method of making lace dates back to the early 19th century.  It seems a complicated and detailed process of forming a pattern of rings and chains.  There are gaps left between stitches that form “picots” along the outer edges.  All these knots and loops make for an intricate pattern of beautiful lace.

Today’s verse calls us God’s handiwork.  We are created for a very specific purpose.  God has prepared in advance the good works we are to do.  All those knots in our physical make-up, and all those loops in our personality and skill set are there for a purpose.  Nothing is by chance.  The works we are to do are matched up to the way He made us.  He knit us in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).  He wove us together before we ever saw the light of day (Psalm 139:15).  Each of us are uniquely made for Him.

As a believer, this verse gives purpose to my life.  I never have to wonder why I am on this earth.  My salvation is a gift (verses 8-9) and not earned by my works.  But my purpose in life is also a gift, and an incredible privilege.  He created me with everything I need to spend my life in service to Him.  He uses all my imperfections, my background, my family advantages and disadvantages.  He uses my talents and weaknesses.  He uses it all to serve Him.

Lord, show me how to serve You today.