Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


by Leave a comment

Oh Rats!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 19:11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

The ship was crossing the channel, taking all of our family to England from France for a house exchange.  We were thankful that no one suffered any sea sickness, there were no sudden squalls and we did not see rats making for the exits!  Of course, if we had, we would have been plenty worried.  It is a common belief that rats know when to flee a sinking ship.  Some research seems to indicate that animals can pick up “infrasonic” sound pulses created by storms and earthquakes, giving them a head start toward safety.  If I saw rats running for their lives, I would consider that a warning and follow!

Today’s verse promises reward for keeping God’s laws and decrees.  That is the positive side.  The negative side in this verse is that they also serve as a warning.  Like the rats headed for the exit, God’s commandments give us warning.  They let us know when we are headed toward trouble.  God, in His grace, alerts us through His Word so that we can avoid needless heartbreak.  Following His way rather than our own keeps us out of harm’s way.

Our sin hurts.  It complicates a life and results in brokenness.  But it does not have to be if we heed His warning signs.  It is unpopular to speak of absolutes but they are not my words.  God delineates quite clearly in His Word between what is good and evil, black and white, dark and light.  He makes it clear so I do not add senseless pain and guilt to my life.

Help me Lord, to see Your commandments as a positive loving gesture from You.


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.

Our verse for today 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.


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 to be uncomfortable and on the right path.

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


by 1 Comment

Bent by the Wind

Scripture for Today: Psalm 38:6 “I am bent over and greatly bowed down; I go about mourning all day long.”

So many of the trees at this beach on the island of Sardinia were bent over as a result of the strong winds.  It was almost impossible to walk through a grove of them and avoid running into their lowered branches.  Some of them were practically horizontal.  Only a few provided the shade we needed at the right height for our picnic.  Even so, they managed to keep growing, in spite of the buffeting from those strong gusts of wind.

Today’s verse talks about being bent over and bowed down as an image for guilt over sin.  David feels the seriousness of his failures so keenly that he mourns all throughout the day.  He describes the guilt he feels as a burden too heavy to bear (verse 4).  He feels that the guilt is even affecting his health when he says there is no soundness in his bones because of his sin (verse 3).  He calls his sin, “folly” (verse 5).

This is exactly what guilt feels like.  But this description is before David confesses (verse 18).  David ends the psalm with confidence in God’s help and forgiveness.  Those strong winds of guilt have him bowed down but he is still standing.  Perhaps David was a “man after God’s own heart” because he recognized the seriousness of his sin and was willing to completely humble himself.

I do not often have this kind of guilt.  It is not that I do not sin as much or as seriously as David.  But I think I am sometimes desensitized to it.  Or my pride just does not allow me to think that I am quite that bad, or that what I have done is so serious.

Lord, examine my heart today.


by Leave a comment

Tattered Banner

P1080490Scripture for Today: II Timothy 3:11b-12 “Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them (persecutions).  In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

My husband and I remarked on this tattered banner flying on the top of a castle we visited.  Of course, it is not original to it but just part of the decoration.  The banner is not old but because it is a windy region, it did not take long for this banner to have an old beat-up appearance.

When seeing this banner, I could not help thinking of our well-known verse for today.  All those who want to live a godly life will stand up tall and straight.  And like the banner, our stand for the Lord is vulnerable to the winds of persecution.  Those winds push and pull at us.  Our resistance to the winds will eventually wear on us.

If one hides their banner, the wind will have no opportunity to buffet it.  No one bothers to persecute those who are not taking a stand.  Becoming tattered or persecuted does not seem a great motivation to live a godly life!  But it is the natural consequence of living out our faith among those who are lovers of self rather than lovers of God (verses 1-5).

Paul encourages Timothy to take a stand and continue on in the faith.  He reminds Timothy of God’s power to deliver, something he had repeatedly experienced.  My motivation to lead a godly life is that I am a lover of God more than a lover of self.  It is love and gratitude that keeps me faithful to Him, regardless of the opposition.  There is no shame in my banner being tattered.

Lord, give me the courage to stay faithful to You.

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