Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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Blocked

IMG_20140302_150852Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:93  “I will never forget your precepts, for by them You have preserved my life.”

When walking in the vineyards above our house, I encountered a metal barrier.  Apparently, work was being done as I could see some equipment in the distance.  I really did not want to change my route, being a creature of habit.  So, I made my way around that barrier.  Maybe it was not such a good idea.  As the picture shows, work was being done to shore up the path that had fallen away.  To continue my walk I had to hang on to that chain link fence.  It was not a comfortable experience!

I could have blamed the advice of a fellow walker who had come from that direction.  She told me it was just fine to ignore the barrier.  It was really only there for the bicyclists.  But in fact, I could only blame myself for finding myself in a precarious position.

I could not help but think of the road blocks the Lord erects in my life.  His precepts and commandments turn me back, turn me around and basically change my route.  When I ignore them, I also find myself in uncomfortable and sometimes precarious positions.  He blocks my way to save my life!  He changes my wayward path because He loves me and wants to see me succeed.

Rather than see His precepts as positive and a blessing, I often think like the woman on my path.  The rules are not really for me.  Somehow, I am exempt.  They are really meant for others who are weaker.  I forget that those barriers are there for my good!

Thank you Lord, for Your infinite patience with me!  Help me never forget that going Your way means life!

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


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Ticks

Scripture for Today: Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

It is such a small insect.  The nymphs are as tiny as poppy seeds.  Their bite is so inconsequential as to not even be noticed.  With warmer weather comes the increased risk of being bitten by a tick.  But how risky can such a little thing be?  There is Lyme disease but now the experts are warning of a similar virus called “Powassan.”  However, unlike Lyme infection this tick-bearing disease can infect a person in a fraction of the time and in 10% of the cases it is fatal.

Our verse for today talks about serious consequences for our sin.  It is not fatal only 10% of the time but all the time.  Thankfully, the remedy is given to us as a gift in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  But an individual sin can look as harmless as that tiny tick.  If brushed off immediately, it has no chance to attach to the skin and do damage.  But sin, regardless of how inconsequential it seems, will always do damage.  It attaches itself to our soul and transmits disease for which there is no human cure.

It is easy to excuse myself for what was done with a good ulterior motive.  I can rationalize that lie as being little and white.  The French call that slip-up a “péché mignon,” meaning just a little weakness.  But my sins are fatal and I need His grace and forgiveness.  Left in my sins I only deserve what is coming to me.  But the gift of God wipes out my debt of sin and gives me true life!

Thank you Lord, for ridding me of what separates my heart from Yours.

 

 


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Road Rage

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 17:14 “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”

Road rage is unfortunately pretty common on the Southern California freeways.  Perhaps we can all learn from this chill dog!  But it can start slowly with mounting frustration at the inconsiderate or unsafe behavior of others.  The body tenses and the mutterings begin.  From there it can escalate into yelling and cursing, complete with hand gestures!  Rolling down the window and getting personal is never a good thing.  Stopping the car is even worse and getting out to confront is a sign of complete loss of control.  Road rage was on the news again this morning showing two grown business men resorting to blows!

Our verse for today pictures that mounting anger as a breach in a dam.  It begins slowly as a small trickle but can mount so quickly, pressuring that wall of restraint to the breaking point!  Letting it all out and losing control may give temporary relief.  But the resulting damage can last a lifetime.

My anger may be completely justified.  But allowing it to build and burst will cause pain for which I will need to apologize when calm is restored.  Anger is not so much the issue as the loss of control it can bring when left unchecked.  There is a way to experience anger without sin (Eph. 4:26) but they usually go hand in hand with me.  The anger robs my self-control if I allow it to seethe.  Time, unwillingness to forgive, and seeking revenge all work against me.  Usually, I am more hurt than the one with whom I am angry!  If my anger is controlling my thoughts and emotions than surely, the Holy Spirit is not in the picture.  His control gives self-control.

Lord, make this an “anger free” day!

 

 


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Bleeding Grapevine

Scripture for Today: John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Did you know that grapevines “bleed?”  At the very site of a pruning cut in the wood, the sap will gently seep, sometimes up to two weeks.  After being dormant all winter, it is the first sign of a vineyard reawakening.  It is no cause for concern and can even help the vine.  The process can push out trapped air bubbles avoiding interrupted water flow later in the season.  Calling this process, “bleeding,” almost makes me think that pruning might be painful for that vine!

Our verse for today describes our dependent relationship with the Father and Son.  We bear fruit when we are connected to Him just as branches do connected to the vine.  There are seasons when it does not look like much is happening.  But God, our Gardener, does everything to make us fruitful, all in His perfect timing.  He knows when to start and when to stop.  He knows just how far back He needs to cut.  Pruning can seem drastic and losing sap through the “open wound” can seem counter-productive.  But He knows what He is doing, using the hard times in our lives to make us even more fruitful.

There are times I know I am “bleeding” and it hurts.  It is especially in those times of transition and change that I can feel those shears working on me.  But I can trust the hands of my Gardener.  He will not put me through more than I can bear (I Cor. 10:13).

Lord, make me fruitful for You, even if it hurts.


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Remembering Sacrifice

Scripture for Today: Matthew 16:25 “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.”

Today on Memorial Day, North Americans remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.  We commemorate the war dead with special ceremonies, parades, speeches, and graveyard visits.  Some consider the origins of this day as coming from “Decoration Day.”  After the Civil War, graves were decorated with flowers, although this had been the practice of women for centuries.  It is good to remember how costly freedom is and to honor those who paid for it with their lives.

The sacrifice of life for a worthy cause is incredible and I have the utmost respect for these soldiers.  There is another worthy cause for sacrificing life that is even higher and more noble; losing one’s life for the Lord.  Our verse for today is in the context of picking up our own cross in order to follow Christ.  This sacrifice of life is a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).  Sacrificing the right to order and direct one’s life is in fact no sacrifice at all.  Our verse teaches that in doing this we actually find life!

Losing my life for the One I love is the best way to demonstrate that love.  I lose my life each time I choose to obey God’s way rather than my own.  I lose my life every time I put His agenda of good works ahead of my own.  When I desire Christ’s love above and beyond any human love then my life is spent serving Him.  In losing my life to Him, He fills it and makes it meaningful!

Thank you, Lord, for sacrificing Your life for me.  Thank you that through sacrificing myself to You, I find that life!