Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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Cracked!

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 11:10 “He (Abraham) was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

In the midst of renovations, we discovered a nasty surprise.  In pulling up all the carpet, a crack much like this one was revealed, extending almost wall to wall in the living room.  We were told by our contractor that ours was a minor one and nothing to worry about as in our part of California the ground does shift.  These cracks are sometimes a result of settling on a site with poor soil preparation.  It is a bit unnerving to know about that crack and to just cover it up again!

Our verse for today describes the faith of Abraham, looking forward to the Celestial City with sure foundations.  He does not have to worry about cracks in his life due to “settling” as he is living as a stranger in a foreign country (verse 9).  The foundation where he eventually settles will be built by a Master Architect and Builder with no chance of cracks.

I can see that the more I settle into the world and its way of thinking, the more I risk living with “cracks.”  The foundation this world offers is never a sure one.  It continually moves and shifts.  Trying to settle on it is like trying to nail jello to a wall!  When there are no absolute truths there can be nothing sure and certain on which to build one’s life.

I am feeling very unsettled right now being between two homes.  But it is OK not to feel settled as my true foundation is in my future anyway!  Looking forward to that sure foundation makes living with uncertainties possible.  The Lord is my Builder and Architect and He is preparing a future home with no cracks!

 


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Tangled

IMG_20121228_121938Scripture for Today:  Hebrews 12:1  “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Tearing down the Christmas tree can pose some problems.  No matter how hard I try or how careful I am, I always manage to get those strings of lights tangled up.  Once I get them separated I put them in separate plastic bags.  That way I am good to go for next year.  There will be no tangling while stored in the dark attic!

Our verse tells us sin tangles.  Its consequences complicate our lives.  What looked innocent in the beginning makes a mess in the end.  What seemed easy at first turns out to make everything hard later.  When I try to sort out my own mess, things can become increasingly tangled.  One bad decision affects another and then another.

Some consequences of our own sin can last a lifetime.  But with the Lord there is complete forgiveness and there is hope.  He teaches me and humbles me through my failures.  I do not have to live life tangled up.  By His grace I can continue the race.  I can move forward, putting aside not only the practice of sinful habits but also the guilty memories.

As I look forward to this New Year, I am grateful for all the good things He has done for me.  He has made it possible for me to move through life unencumbered.  He has given me a cheering section in those men and women of faith in chapter 11.  He has put me in a race, giving me a worthy goal in life; that of serving Him.

Happy running in 2015!


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Falcon Mascot

unnamedScripture for Today: Job 28:20-21 “Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky.”

Our daughter teaches at a very expensive private high school with a campus that rivals those of many universities.  I have enjoyed working out in their large and posh exercise room.  Overhead hangs their falcon mascot keeping an eye on things.  The eyesight of a falcon is extraordinary, seeing two to eight times better than humans.

Our verse for today comes from a chapter describing the difficulty in finding wisdom.  It is hidden from every living thing, even and including birds of prey with their keen eyesight.  Verse 7 says specifically that no falcon’s eye has seen wisdom.  This beautiful poetic passage not only asks where wisdom can be found, but thankfully, gives the response.  But before arriving at the answer, many searches take place following the false leads of gold, silver, and precious stones.

The search continues for wisdom today and again, men follow these false leads.  It is assumed that those who prosper have a corner on wisdom.  As in these verses, we assume that wealth and wisdom go together.  Yet, David points out in Psalm 73:3 that the wicked prosper.  Are they wise?  They seem to be until one realizes their final destiny (verse 17).

The Lord makes it so clear how valuable wisdom is and where to find it.  It almost seems too simple.  Wisdom is found in fearing and following the Lord. (verse 28)  A simple concept but oh so difficult for me to live out!  He is the One and only Source and the closer I follow Him, the wiser I will be!

Thank you Lord, that You make wise living possible.  Keep me close to You.

 

 

 


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Hair Color

Scripture for Today: Matthew 5:36-37 “And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond that comes from the evil one.”

There is something about being the youngest in my family that inspires me to keep up the illusion of youth.  Hair color is part of that illusion.  I have been coloring so long I can hardly remember my original hair color.  Of course, with coloring I am not really changing anything.  I am only covering what is there.  The colors pictured here are a bold statement.  If I were to copy this style it would come out as a sad whimper!

Our verse for today tells us not to swear by our heads.  It is part of a passage having to do with vows and oaths.  Not fulfilling a vow made to the Lord is something very serious.  In essence it is like lying to Him.  Rather than risk that we are told to avoid making oaths at all.  It was a common practice in Matthew’s day to include oaths to add credibility to statements or promises made to one another.

Rather than making myself more believable, speaking an oath tends to cheapen my words.  That is because I do not have complete control in my life.  There will always be a possibility that I will not be able to come through.  I do not have the power to change circumstances, be it hair color or something more important.  If I want to be taken seriously my “yes” should always be truthful, as well as my “no.”

Lord, make me careful of my words.  I need You to make me a person of integrity.

 


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Flea Markets

Scripture for Today: I John 2:7 “Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old commandment is the message you have heard.”

I love a good flea market where someone’s castoffs become someone else’s treasure.  The biggest flea market in Europe takes place in Lille, France every September going back to the 12th century!  It is comprised of 10,000 sellers who man 62 miles of roadside stalls.  It runs continuously for thirty six hours and welcomes two and a half million visitors!  Everyone is sure to find something old that pleases!

Our verse for today is a reminder that what is old can very well hold its value.  John is repeating an old commandment that continues to be valid; to love one another.  From the beginning we are commanded to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Deut. 6:5).  Jesus tells us that it is this commandment which sums up the whole Law (Luke 10:27).

This is an old commandment but still valid today, not to be thrown out with the Old Testament.  What was impossible to obey is now possible through Christ’s Spirit in us.  This old commandment was fulfilled perfectly in the life of Jesus.  Because He fulfilled the Law and gives me His Spirit, I can obey this long-standing commandment.

My problem is that I do not always choose to obey it.  Loving others has a way of disrupting my day!  I know I am incredibly selfish, and unlike the Lord, prefer to be served rather than serve.  But loving one another is a concrete and measurable way I can love my Lord.  More than anything, this thought spurs me to action!

Lord, make me a loving person today!