Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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All Directions!

toutes-directionsScripture for Today: Joshua 1:7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law My servant Moses gave you.; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”

These signs are common in France.  Apparently, everywhere I want to go is to the left!  “All Directions” is actually a helpful indication when trying to change course.  It helps to know how to change direction when confused.  Details come later.  This sign at least points toward major streets from which one can exit the area.  By following it, one can avoid going around in circles and getting tied up with one-way streets.

Today’s verse calls for strength and courage.  This is the charge the Lord gave directly to Joshua as he took over as leader of the Israelites.  The law came through Moses but was not to be considered invalid at his death.  Obedience to the law was to continue.  And following it would bring blessing and success.  But there was plenty of temptation to turn away from it.  A few steps to the left or to the right would be detrimental.  The verse warns us to be careful not to turn away from what God had said.

There are signs everywhere encouraging us to turn off with promises of an easier route.  The sign, “All Directions” is everywhere.  Surely, there is more than one way.  Try this route, or maybe that one is just as valid with less trouble.  There are roads that are narrow that lead to life or there are roads that are wide that lead to destruction (Matt 7:13-14).  How important it is to choose well!

Give me strength and courage Lord, to carefully follow Your way!

 

 

 


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Shearing Sheep

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

This silly sheep disliked shearing so much that he hid in a cave for six consecutive seasons to avoid the ordeal.  With the sixty extra pounds of wool he could barely move!  Life was getting a bit difficult and it was probably with a sense of relief that he finally gave up and allowed himself to be sheared.  Without shearing, that wool fleece becomes heavy, soiled and unhealthy.

In today’s verse there is a harvest, not of wool but of righteousness and peace.  This harvest requires a process that can be as uncomfortable as shearing.  The Lord’s discipline is unpleasant and painful.  But for the believer it is not a question of punishment.  Jesus took on Himself that punishment on the cross. Discipline is love in action and a sure sign of belonging to Him. (verse 8)  Just as a father lovingly disciplines his son, so the Lord corrects and trains through discipline. (verse 9)

When I am experiencing something negative in my life, I can sometimes wonder if it is a “trial” or “discipline.”  But usually it is clear.  I am like that three year old who looks sideways at the parent to see if he is watching.  There is rebellion in my heart when I refuse to acknowledge that something is wrong.  When I stubbornly continue my behavior the Lord lovingly corrects me for my good.

When I finally give up what I know is wrong, that heavy weight on my back is lifted!  Like the newly-shorn sheep, I can run and jump and move with ease!  Peace and righteousness feel good!

Thank you Lord, for Your loving correction.


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Yo-yo

Scripture for Today: Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.”

I am the proud winner of a yo-yo competition!  OK, so it was in the 4th grade, but winning anything is rare so I still remember it!  At the time I could do a number of tricks, including: Loop the Loop, Rock the Baby, Flying Saucer, and Walk the Dog.  I am sure I drove my parents nutty making them watch me!  Whatever skill I had is long gone.  When my children were young I tried their yo-yo’s but to no avail.  I guess with yo-yo’s it is, “use it or lose it!”

Our verse for today speaks of a work that Christ is completing in me.  It is a life-long process of becoming like Him.  Like the yo-yo, there are ups and downs to this work.  When I think I am doing well and feeling strong, I am up.  When I am blowing it or feeling weak, I am down.  It is easy to stay down when I think of all the work in me still to be done.  I often feel like progress resembles three steps forward and then two steps back!

It is easy to become discouraged with that sin nature hanging on.  My goals for myself are very high, but the Lord’s are even higher.  His eventual goal for all believers is perfection (Matt. 5:48).  How can I feel “up” about my progress when there is so far to go?!  Our verse is reassuring as it reminds me that one day, I will be perfect and complete in Him.  He has promised it and He is faithful!

Thank you, Lord, that when You come, I will finally be like You!

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


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Compartments

pigeon-hole-units-melbourne-i15Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 10:12 “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul.”

I am a fan of anything that keeps one organized!  Separating items keeps things neat and tidy.  I remember the cubby holes at the entrance of our children’s school rooms in France.  Everything had its place; hats, scarves, mittens, and shoes.  My daughter and her husband use a chic room divider that doubles as storage in much the same way.  Maybe it is a sub-conscious throwback to childhood days!

Putting things in separate compartments can carry over to how we view life.  There is the tendency to divide daily life into segments.  There is the work world, the social scene and the church life, to name a few.  We tend to be different people in different scenarios.  Sometimes it is even intentional.  One’s persona changes with one’s role.

The problem comes when we try to separate out the spiritual side of life.  It does not work.  It has been said that, “all ground is holy ground and every bush a burning bush.”  Our verse for today calls for all of our heart and all of our soul.  Loving Him and walking with Him touches every area of our lives.  I cannot put God in a small Sunday-only compartment if I am a true Christ follower.  He has the right to direct all parts of my life.  I do not even have the right to a “secret compartment!”  I have given Him my whole self.

My prayer today echos the lyrics of an old hymn: “Take myself and I will be; Ever, only, all for Thee.”

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


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Pac-Man

Scripture for Today: I Timothy 6:11  “But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”

The video arcade game, Pac-Man , has been around since 1980 and is considered a classic.  Not only is it viewed as a landmark in video game history, but it is even part of the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC!

The movements of Pac-Man’s enemies seem random.  But in fact, they are predetermined.  The player knowing them has a distinct advantage.  What is surprising about the game is that it emphasizes avoiding enemies rather than fighting them.  This game is considered foundational to the stealth games that followed.

In our verse for today, there are vices from which to flee and there are qualities we are to pursue.  From the context, “these things”  refer to the love of money (verse 10).  Somehow, the love of money is a formidable enemy.  We do not try to engage it in battle.  It is the source of many other evils.  Longing for money draws us away from our faith and causes grief.  We are to flee.  We are to do everything we can to avoid this unhealthy desire that can destroy faith.

Rather than pursuing riches, our lives demonstrate other priorities!   The list in our verse sounds very much like the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  The qualities here are intangibles.  They do not normally improve our standing in the world or our social status.  But in God’s eyes, they are precious as they show that we resemble His Son.

The pull of that enemy, the longing for riches, is a strong one.  I need the help of the Spirit to see what is truly valuable in God’s economy.  Lord, keep me pursuing what is important to You!

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