Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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Magnifying Mirror

lighted mirrorIMG_20160522_075402Scripture for Today: Lamentations 3:40 “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”

The morning routine of a mature woman is revolutionized when two essentials are included; tweezers and a lighted magnifying mirror!  Seriously, it has changed my life!  Of course, such minute detail is rarely noticed by anyone else.  But all that scrutiny is now making my morning preparations much longer.  It takes more time but it is all good as I examine and put right the details.  It is rare that I do not find something to remedy each time I dare to look!

When it comes to examining what is on the inside, the experience can be much more uncomfortable.  Today’s verse is an encouragement to do just that.  When we examine our ways and test them, more often then not a correction is needed to return to what God wants.  The self-examination can be revealing and humbling.  But the results are worth it as a new closeness to Him develops.

There is no condemnation as a believer (Romans 8:1) but there is discipline and a loss of intimacy with the Lord as a result of sin.  Examining myself means I can avoid much of that grief.  Because of His unfailing love, He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone (Lam. 3:32-33).  But He will lovingly use the negative in my life to bring me back to where I need to be.  As uncomfortable as that self-examination is, it is so much better than going through discipline or feeling He is far away.  I want to see what He sees and not just think everything is fine!  I want a deeper more satisfying walk with Him without that sin getting in the way!

Lord, help me see my heart like You do.


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The Acorn

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 61:3b “…They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”

It is pretty amazing that this small acorn can grow to be a mighty oak.  It seems such a small insignificant beginning to this towering tree which has so long been a symbol of strength and endurance.  I do not give much thought to those acorns littering the ground although people do eat them.  They are eaten as nuts after leeching out the bitter tannins.  They are also used to make flour and oil.  But if the acorns are correctly planted and cared for, some species will produce an oak measuring as high as ninety-eight feet!

Toady’s verse uses the oak tree as an image of the righteous, displaying the splendor of God.  He is the One who plants that acorn to become the mighty oak.  He chooses the best spot for good soil and sun exposure.  He plants that small acorn at the right depth in the soil and watches over it, guarding it from pests.  He displays His righteousness through His followers so the planting is exactly right.

The only way to become that oak is by His righteousness.  On my own, I stay as little and insignificant as the small acorn.  I know myself.  I cannot produce righteousness.  “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22a).  I have right standing with God because of Christ.  My position is secure in Him.  But I want my daily walk to reflect right living too.  Right choices and obedience will make me stand tall, firm and fruitful.  He has planted me exactly where He wants me to display the splendor of His righteousness!

Lord, may Your splendor be seen in my life.


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Vintage Clothing

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

I am and have long been inexplicably drawn to thrift stores.  Long before it became popular, I was there.  The best places are the ones with no special sorting.  That way, one is more likely to find some unrecognized treasure.  But many of them do have a special rack labelled, “Vintage.”  I am not sure what qualifies for this category.  To me, the term usually just means outdated.  What is especially annoying is to find something hanging there that is suspiciously like what is currently hanging in my closet!

Toady’s verse talks about some spiritual clothing that is never vintage and never outdated.  We are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Each of these clothing pieces have to do with how we treat others.  And each of these beautiful qualities are expressions of the Spirit residing in the believer.  They are not clothing for special occasions but are to characterize our every-day look.  Wearing these clothes sets us apart from others as belonging to the Lord.

Knowing that I am “dearly loved” by the Lord makes all the difference in how I dress.  I do not have anything to prove to myself or others.  I am secure and held up by His love, making it possible to take the humble position with people.  I can forget about myself and focus on the needs of others when I really understand and live out that love.  Because He loves me, I have something to share. None of these qualities come from me, but from His love for me!

Thank you Lord, for changing my clothes to reflect Your love.


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Indoor Herb Garden

herbsIMG_20160312_113134Scripture for Today: Psalm 19:8 “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

My grandsons were pretty excited to help their Daddy put this herb garden together!  They started with pots of rosemary, cilantro and basil and have since added several more.  When “helping” their Mommy make dinner, they are much more likely to eat that strange dish when they have picked the herbs for it.  But to begin with, the herbs did not do so well in the living room.  They did not have much light there.  It was not until they were placed in brighter room full of light that there was growth.

Today’s verse describes God’s commandments as light to the eyes.  His precepts are radiant with light and can even make us joyful when obeyed.  He has made His light to shine in the heart of the believer.  That light comes from the glory displayed in the face of Christ! (II Cor. 4:6)  Following His commands and precepts places us in the light of His presence.  Being there produces the “fruit of the light;”  goodness, righteousness and truth (Eph. 5:9).

I can tell when I am trying to produce these fruits on my own.   The goodness starts to wilt.  Righteousness and truth are looking a bit peaked.  Without His light I am not so robust but a bit tired.  Everything is an effort and it all seems too much.  Whether the image is light or being connected to the vine, without Him I can do nothing.  But in His light I can grow and thrive.  When I feel discouraged and lacking motivation, I just need to get back into the light of His presence!

Shine on me today, Lord.  Help me stay in Your light.

 

 


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In a Rut

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:17 “So this I say and affirm together with the Lord that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk in the futility of their minds,”

Whether walking in the countryside or on paths in the vineyards, it can be so much  easier to walk in the ruts.  One does not have to think quite so much as the way is already in place.  There is less need to look down or to think about where to place that next step.  The thinking of elderly people who suffer from Alzheimer’s or severe dementia often follow comfortable and familiar ruts.  Perhaps the strain of thinking is lessened when following a familiar thought pattern.  When the subject is sweet and light one does not mind it so much.  It is when the “thinking rut” is painful or false that life becomes so difficult for the caretaker.

Our verse for today tells us to walk differently from Gentiles, or non-believers.  Their minds are futile because their understanding is darkened.  They are separated from the life of God because they are following ruts of thinking that lead away from Him.  Without realizing it, they are following a well-worn path that many others have forged before them.  It takes less conscious thought to follow the rut, even though their way becomes progressively darker and further from God.

In contrast, those who belong to the Lord are walking differently.  We are walking by faith that takes conscious thought and careful stepping.  I do not blindly follow the rut before me.  A new and more exciting path is forged with His guidance!  With a new way of thinking, I can climb out of that rut and walk in a way that pleases Him!

Thank you Lord, that walking by faith keeps me out of those ruts!