Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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Identity Theft

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:15 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'”

I have heard some real horrors stories of people who have had their identities stolen.  Stealing identities has been around for a long time.  But now with so much sensitive information being on-line, there is the added risk of theft through our passwords.  A whole industry has been born to protect the consumer.  But nothing can offer 100% protection from those intent on stealing identities for gain.  And many victims are unaware of how their information was stolen!

Today’s verse tells me that as a believer in Christ, I have the indwelling of His Spirit.  Because of His residence in me, I am His child.  I belong to Him.  That is my identity and I can call my Heavenly Father, “Abba,” or “Daddy.”  Before this spiritual adoption I was a slave to the flesh.  Obeying those impulses and desires kept me under its power and I lived with fear.  I was afraid of never being good enough.  I lived with fears and insecurities about eternity and punishment.  But with sonship, my identity changed!

I have been born into His family and nothing and no one can make me “un-born” out of it!  But sometimes I forget who I am.  Old habits and ways of thinking can cause me to live according to the desires of my flesh.  But I am never obliged to live that way again (verse 12).  His Spirit reminds and assures me that I am His child and I have choice.  I can choose to live like who I am!

Lord, thank you that my identity as Your child will never be stolen!

 


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Bobbleheads

mixdog3.1_zpssdmivvlsScripture for Today: Proverbs 15:12 and 31 “Mockers resent correction so they avoid the wise. Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.”

I am not sure what the attraction is, but it most be there for the bobblehead collector.  These figurines have springs that connect their heads to their bodies, causing their heads to wobble up and down.  They used to be made of ceramic when manufactured by German toy makers in the 18th century.  Since then they have been made of paper-mache, resin or plastic.  It must be good for the morale to have them always agreeing with you, nodding that head up and down!  How affirming to be surrounded by total agreement to every thought or suggestion!

Today’s two proverbs encourage the reader to be comfortable and welcoming to the idea of correction.  That is not always our first response.  We are much more at ease with continuing our course as planned.  To change it up is often uncomfortable.  Add to that the blow to our pride to be incorrect and the whole experience can be negative.

I do not look at myself as a “mocker” but I do sometimes resent correction.  I know it is because of my pride.  I just do not like being wrong!  But to resent that correction is to turn away from what is “life-giving.”  It is through the painful and repeated process of correction from the wise that I can become wise myself.  And the correction that comes from the Source of wisdom and understanding is the most life-giving of all (Job 12:13).  His correction is always right and good and for my good.  Can I take it or does my pride get in the way?

Lord, help me to be open to Your correction today.


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The Flamingo

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

The brilliant pink and orange of the flamingos never fail to fascinate me.  This social bird with long legs and long curvy neck looks so stately and graceful.  But it is their color that makes them stand out.  As newborns, they are a bland white and grey.  But because of their shrimp and algae diet high in carotenoids, they turn this beautiful vibrant pinkish orange.  I guess the saying is true then, “You are what you eat!”

Today’s verse refers to a diet of “meat” meaning the more profound truths of Scripture.  The one who has a steady diet of meat is the one who is trained in righteousness (verse 12) and can distinguish good from evil.  It is a process over time and constant use.  Meat is not just knowledge or citing verses by memory.  Meat and spiritual maturity come from a constant use of God’s Word in daily life.  Over time the meat-eater will be able to teach and mentor others (verse 12).

It is not difficult to see who are mature in their walk with the Lord.  A long steady diet of God’s Word slowly changes believers, giving them wisdom to choose the right path.  Our spiritual maturity is not measured in years but in consecrated time in His Word and in intentional application.  Obeying God’s Word and hiding it my heart slowly changes me from the inside out.  If I am what I eat, then what color am I?  Am I still white and grey, pale pink or the most brilliant pinkish orange?

Lord, keep me motivated to read and apply Your Word today!


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White Christmas

marche JEKSI1jmb5pLdUmxH-bstxUx66sScripture for Today: Isaiah 1:18 “…Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

I am dreaming of a white Christmas, but in Southern California, that is all it is; a dream.  We enjoyed having snow in Alsace, France and sometimes even on Christmas day.  Pictured is a manger scene in the forest of the Christmas Market next to the Metz train station.  Somehow, the manger scene surrounded by snow makes it even more picturesque.  The Christmas markets with their quaint booths and twinkly lights looked magical when the snow gently fell.  It is lovely to see everything new and white.

Our verse today says that I can be whiter than snow.  The Lord’s forgiveness makes me that way.  My sin makes my heart dirty.  My guilt makes it dark.  But the Lord promises full cleansing when I confront and confess my sin.  His forgiveness makes everything white and bright again.

Like the snow outside, the whiteness of my heart does not seem to last very long!  Sin creeps back in little by little, dimming the white and changing it to grey.  Before long it is too noticeable to ignore.  The washing of my heart needs to be a daily routine.  Just as the washing of the disciples’ feet in John 13 is a daily necessity, so is my daily confession.

How wonderful to experience the new freshness of bright white snow!  How amazing that God’s forgiveness does the same for me!  His patient and consistent pardon means that each day can have a new white beginning.  One day, that whiteness will last forever!

Merry Christmas to all my readers and may your Christmas be white with His wonderful forgiveness!


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Ugly Christmas Sweater

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:22 “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;”

It’s that season again of outdated, ugly and outrageous Christmas sweaters.  My daughter just attended a function where this was the theme.  Thankfully, she did not come to me to borrow what I would normally wear!  It seems unbelievable that these loud colorful sweaters use to be the “in” style.  It makes me wonder what will be considered ugly in twenty years that we now wear with pride!

Our verse today is about putting off our old self.  Like a piece of outdated clothing we are to take it off.  The old self or old nature is who we were before Christ changed us and gave us a new nature, resembling Him.  The old self is characterized by lies, sinful anger, stealing, unwholesome talk, bitterness, rage, brawling, slander and all malice.  How much better to put on the new self, created to be like the Lord in true righteousness and holiness (verse 24).

If you are like me, some of these outdated items are still hanging out in your closet!  Like a ratty comfortable robe, I slip back into habits that should not be a part of my wardrobe any longer.  I am often unaware of what I am wearing.  But those old clothes are NOT pretty.

I do have a choice.  Nothing obligates me to put my hand on that old worn out sin and wear it again today.  Because of Christ, I can be new.  I can have a whole new look, a look that resembles Him.

Lord, help me to recognize the old and throw it out!