Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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Maverick

beach-bound-maverickScripture for Today: Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

This horse seems to have a mind of his own!  Without a rider or other horses nearby, he walks alone.  Perhaps he is a maverick who enjoys his independence.  The meaning of the word, “maverick,” has changed from its original meaning of being an unbranded animal separated from the herd.  Now the word has come to mean a person who is unconventional and an independent thinker.  Depending on the context, a maverick can denote something negative or positive.

Today’s verse encourages the believer to resist conforming to the world’s way of thinking.  Rather than following the latest ideas or fads, the Christ-follower is to think differently.  His goal is to find and follow what God wants.  It is always something good, pleasing and perfect.  With a mind renewed by God’s Word, we can evaluate and test our thinking to know when we are following what He wants.  His plans are perfect.  He wants only what is good for us.  And as our Creator, He knows better than anyone else what will in the long run be pleasing.

I am sometimes confused as to what God wants in a particular situation.  I know that trusting my own desires and emotions can be deceiving.  Sometimes the Lord gives me exactly what I want, but not until I submit all of it to Him first!  Being a “living sacrifice” is all about that submission (verse 1).  But what I find is that His plan is a whole lot better than mine!

Lord, change my thinking to want only what You want.

 


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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.)