Holiness | Devotions By Jan

May 7, 2015
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The Partridge

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 17:11 “Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay are those that gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end they will prove to be fools.”

The only partridge I am familiar with is the one “in a pear tree” as part of the Christmas song! In reading about her, I have learned that up in a pear tree is the last place one would find a partridge. These birds build their nest close to the ground in the fields and hedges of farmland. The partridge hen produces some of the largest “clutches” of any bird species; up to 22 eggs!

Our verse for today refers to a partridge hatching eggs. Not only is she hatching her own, but those of others. This is not a behavior common to this bird but it makes the point. The partridge produces more eggs than any other bird. Wanting more is a good description of insatiable greed. How many eggs are enough? For some, gaining more and more riches is the goal of life. As acquiring more does not satisfy, one is driven to continue amassing wealth by any means.

How sad to see a life impoverished by ill-gotten riches! Reputations are ruined. Relationships are irreparably broken and life ends up becoming meaningless. The person described here proves himself a fool. What a contrast with the one who puts their trust in the Lord! (vs. 7) He will be blessed and rewarded for his honesty and integrity. Riches “will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” (Prov. 23:5) I want to be content with the number of eggs in my own nest.

Lord, thank you for the blessing and reward that comes from trusting You.

May 6, 2015
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Sleeping Security

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

I had to smile at this security guard asleep on the job. He even has a cup of coffee in his hand, but his fatigue got the best of him! Perhaps if he were standing instead of sitting, he could have stayed alert. It seems unusual to post a guard at a Starbucks but perhaps this particular site was losing money from shoplifters. With the security guard asleep on the job, there could have been all kinds of shoplifting without any consequences. I would be surprised if this guard kept his job.

Our verse for today talks about the task of guarding our hearts. It needs guarding as from it comes everything we think and do. We guard our hearts because it is the center of our being, determining all of our choices and lifestyles. For that reason, we guard what enters and we guard what comes out.

I would like to think that my mind is the source of everything I do. My mind seems to be more easily controlled. It can be taught, enlightened and stretched with new information. Logic in decision making seems to make sense of what I do. However, it never seems to work that way. My head will say one thing and my heart quite another. Emotions cloud the issue and veer me off course. Somehow, knowing the best path does not always ensure that I take it. My heart moves me in another direction. Rather than trust my deceitful heart (Jer. 17:9) I need to guard it from betraying me.

Lord, I want to belong entirely to You. Keep me awake and alert so that all that flows from my heart pleases You.

May 4, 2015
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Screen Door

Scripture for Today: Romans 12:9 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”

For twenty five years I lived without screens. The French feel it ruins the appearance of a door or window. But I love our screen door! It brings in the light and the sunshine and helps me feel connected to the neighbors. With it open, we can capture the breeze and keep the air fresh. I especially like screening out the insects. Unfortunately, in this older house the screen does not fit exactly to the frame. There are gaps at the bottom and the top. Some of those nasty insects still get through.

In our verse for today we are to screen out what is evil and only allow in what is good. In that way our love for others is sincere. A wide open door can allow a love in that is not sincere but tainted with evil. Those little bothersome insects of selfishness come through making our love less sincere. One can open wide the door for love to enter but allow entrance as well to all kinds of questionable thoughts and actions in the name of love.

A love that is sincere and without evil is described in I Corinthians 13:4-7. This picture of true love has little resemblance to what is around me. I need to screen out impatience, selfishness, pride, envy and an unforgiving spirit. I need to open the door wide and cling to faithfulness, speaking truth and showing honor. God’s Word tells me how to view love. God’s Word tells me when love is sincere. Without His Word, I would not be able to discern what is truly good and sincere.

Thank you Lord, for love that is sincere and good. Give me wisdom to screen everything else out!

April 28, 2015
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Color Combo

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'”

We recently heard a nature presentation from a park ranger on snakes we might encounter in the Zion National Park. She quoted this rhyme; “If red touches yellow, you’re a dead fellow. If red touches black, you’re OK, Jack.” As one can see from the photo, touching this Coral snake would not be such a good idea. However, I cannot see myself touching any snake regardless of their color! In any case, one cannot rely on color alone as this rhyme would imply as there are exceptions, especially outside of North America.

Our verse for today sounds like a proverb but it is actually a quote Paul uses to address a problem in the church. The saying came from a Greek comedy written by the poet, Menander. The influence of others can be strong enough to corrupt character. In the church at Corinth, the bad company were those teaching that there is no resurrection. Their influence was slowly eroding the character of those who held correct doctrine.

Some color combinations do not work and are even dangerous. When we walk with fools we can suffer harm (Prov. 13:20) Paul warns that believers are not to be yoked together with unbelievers (II Cor.6:14). Being yoked with someone means you are walking with them, going the same direction. The direction of a believer is completely different being on a path of righteousness. Of course, I rub shoulders with neighbors, colleagues and family members who do not love the Lord. I show them God’s love and share my story. But I do not walk with them and follow their direction or I could be misled.

Lord, keep me from being misled. Help me instead to lead others to You!

April 17, 2015
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The Vineyards

Scripture for Today: Philippians 1:11 …“filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.”

My husband and I loved living in an area surrounded by vineyards. Each season brought beautiful changes and the anticipated fruit was celebrated with festivals at its arrival. Our landlords were vinedressers themselves and taught us much about the different varieties. Alsace boasts 7 different grapes; Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sylvaner, and Pinot Noir. Not only were these varieties distinctly different but the climate, the soil and the sun exposure all contributed to more subtle differences. All it took was a difference of 100 meters in location to completely change the fruit.

Our verse for today is a prayer of Paul for the believers in Philippi. He prays that they will be filled with love (verse 10) in order to produce the fruit of righteousness. That fruit cannot be produced except through Jesus Christ. There is no fruit of righteousness without being connected to the Vine (John 15:5) But connected to Him we can be filled with that fruit!

Just as there is so much variety among the grapes of Alsace, so there are varieties among the spiritual fruit of believers. Each season of life is different. Each person’s spiritual gifting is different. Each believer’s circumstances are different. I can get distracted from my own “fruit production” by comparing myself to others. The fruit God is producing in me is supposed to be different than what He is producing in someone else. I am a different variety!

I thank God for different varieties! I thank Him that He is the One who produces the fruit in me. It is all about Him and His glory and praise.

Lord, thank you that You use even my variety of fruit for Your glory!