Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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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.)


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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.