Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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Wisdom Teeth

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:7 “Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and shun evil.”

I can still remember when both of our daughters had their wisdom teeth taken out during their high school years.  Their cheeks looked very much like those on this chipmunk!  To add insult to injury, they both received academic honors in a public ceremony while looking like this!

I am not so sure why those late-arriving third molars are labeled as wisdom teeth.  They wreaked havoc in my mouth, threatening to destroy years of teeth-straightening braces.  Wisdom teeth have the knack of coming in sideways, pushing and crowding neighboring teeth, and doing it all partially or completely hidden.  That does not sound so wise to  me!

Our verse for today is one of many that warn us not to consider ourselves wise.  This is a danger as it can lead to the conviction that we know better.  This brand of pride considers rules as being for other people to follow and not applying to us.  Those that see evil as good, dark as light and bitter as sweet are the same people who are “wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.” (Isaiah 5:21)

It is easy to think that wisdom comes from our own schooling and mental prowess.  But God’s Word makes clear that the source of wisdom is the Lord.  We demonstrate wisdom when we are humble enough to follow and obey Him in every area of life.  The minute I consider myself wise is the same minute I become foolish (Prov. 26:12).  To become or remain wise is simply the by-product of humble, dependent obedience to my Creator.

Thank you Lord, that right relationship with You makes me wise.  Keep me humble, submissive and close to You today.


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Out of Tune

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 119:75  “I know, Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.”

I am listening to the piano tuner as I write this.  It is so annoying to hear him hit the same note over and over until it is tuned correctly.  Just when I think I can relax again, he goes on to the next note.  It is as excruciating to me as nails on a chalk board.  But I know the sound will be beautiful when he is finished.  I will be able to make music without cringing at the discordant sound.

Our verse for today speaks about affliction at the hands of the Lord.  His intent is to correct us when we stray from what is right.  David understands that God’s laws are righteous and that correction needs to come from His hands.  We are told in Hebrews 12:6 that the Lord disciplines those He loves.

The piano tuner needs to use his tools to tighten the strings inside.  He does it to correct the sound.  He knows just how much tightening is needed to produce beautiful music.  In the same way, the Lord uses what is hurtful and negative to fine tune me.  There are plenty of times I am “out of tune” with God’s standards of righteousness.  When I am disobedient I do not sound so good.  I may not even notice how discordant I have become.  But when He corrects me I can again make beautiful music that honors Him!

I love these lyrics from an old hymn: “Tune my heart to sing Thy grace, Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.”

Lord, make me in tune with You and Your righteousness.


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The Ambassador

6a01053657498b970c015433a01363970c-800wiScripture for Today: II Corinthians 5:20 “We are  therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

This beautiful 1956 Nash Ambassador is remarkable with its three-tone color scheme, whitewalls and impressive grill!  This particular car is said to have been the “official car of Disneyland.”  The model name of “Ambassador” came to represent the top of the line.  This name continued so long as to become the longest-lived automobile nameplate in automotive history.

The name “Ambassador,” is more likely to be associated today with the government office.  Part of the role of an ambassador in a foreign country is to serve American interests and values.  This is to be done with the highest standards of ethical conduct and diplomatic discretion.  The ambassador is to represent the very best of his people.

In our verse for today, the Lord asks His followers to be His ambassadors.  We are to represent Christ, speaking on His behalf with His message of reconciliation with God.  An ambassador does not change his allegiance to the host country.  He remains faithful to the one he represents.  The ambassador is all about peace and reconciliation.

I sometimes forget that I am an alien and stranger here (Hebrews 11:13-14, 16).  This is not my home.  My citizenship is elsewhere in Heaven.  As His child, my allegiance is to God and not to the thinking and values of this world.  I am His ambassador, imploring others to seek peace with God through Christ.  My role is to represent His values and interests.  What an incredible responsibility to represent Him and His heart.  He longs for an intimate and peaceful relationship with each person.

May I be faithful today in representing You, Lord.

 


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Nit Picking

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 13:7 “It (love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

I wonder how much this poor monkey is enjoying the nit picking part of the daily grooming.  The process of having the eggs of those lice squeezed off his head cannot be all that comfortable!  The nit picking that humans do is not all that comfortable either.  We sometimes get overly concerned with details and things that do not really matter in the behavior of others.  Details that are not worth mentioning are mentioned to the detriment of a relationship.

Today’s verse is part of the famous “love chapter.”  Love is described as forbearing.  It bears the pain of unmet expectations and hurt.  It continues on even when disappointed.  This kind of love is a committed one that does not give up easily. And true love is a faithful love that believes the best about a person.

Believing the best of a person means that I will not get overly concerned about details or get critical about the small stuff.  Believing the best of a person means that I am according them respect.  When I am criticized I am not motivated to change but will instead “dig in my heels” and continue.  But when I am faced with a love that believes in me, I want to live up to that belief.

Nit picking can look very much like seeing a speck of dust in another’s eye while ignoring the log in one’s own (Matt. 7:3).  If I want to have an offense overlooked on my part, I surely need to extend that same kind of grace to others.

Lord, keep me from nit picking today.  Make me as gracious as You are!


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Bath Time

Scripture for Today: John 13:10 “Jesus answered, ‘Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.'”

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to bathe a cat!  If it is ever tried, the best way is to do it with some sort of protective gear as claws will appear!  I have heard of cats that like water but it seems to be the exception.  The howling and carrying on is pathetic.  Normally, the cat licking himself is all that is needed, but there are those rare occasions when a bath is necessary.  And afterwards, the cat will never look at its owner in quite the same way again!

Our verse for today is in the context of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.  All but one of these disciples (Judas) had already been bathed.  They had each experienced the life-changing cleansing and forgiveness of the Lord.  However, the day-to-day walk meant that their feet would continue to get dirty and need daily cleansing.

I am thankful for that initial bath of salvation.  It does not need to be repeated.  God’s forgiveness is complete and there is nothing to add to our salvation.  “It is finished,” was declared from the cross and my salvation is secured because of His grace.  That does not mean that I do not continue to sin, unfortunately.  But because of being “in Christ” (Romans 8:1) there is no longer any condemnation for my sin.  Taking care of “dirty feet” everyday means that I agree with God when He points out that dirt.  I need to recognize my sin and ask His help to avoid repeating it.

Thank you Lord, that in Heaven my feet will no longer need washing!