Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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Price Tag

IMG_20130124_111941Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 6:20  “For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Shopping in France is very different than shopping in the States.  In France, there are only two times in the year when a retailer can put on a store-wide sale; January and July.  Those stores who choose another time of year will have to pay a fine to the government.  So sales here are a long-anticipated event.

Retailers will announce the words, “Prix Choc!” which translates, “Price Cut.”  But my mind always goes to the other meaning of “choc” and I am shocked at the price still being so high!    One good thing about shopping here is that the tax is always included in the price listed.  Even so, I always need to translate the euros into dollars to know what I am paying.

Our verse for today talks about a price that God paid for me.  The price He paid for me was enormously high and shocking!  On that cross He shed blood and died for me.  He paid for me the debt that I owed for my own sin.  It cost Him everything.

My body and spirit rightfully belong to Him.  I am not my own.  Because of His sacrifice I am His.  So then, I am to honor Him in all I do.  I do not always do a good job of it.  Thankfully, He does not go to “Returns” because I am defective!  He did not purchase me because I was worth it.  He purchased me to give me worth.  It is amazing that He would think I could be worth loving, worth holding.  But He does.  He created me to be His.

I am forever His and He is forever mine!


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Wrinkled

Scripture for Today:  Ephesians 5:27  “That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things (that she might be holy and faultless).”

I found another wrinkle this morning.  I guess it is inevitable.  It is not like I do not try to avoid them.  I stay out of the sun and use sun screen.  I do not smoke and avoid too much caffeine (I write as I sip on coffee).  I try as much as possible to get enough rest and avoid too much stress in my life.  But, time marches on.

In France as in the States, there are all kinds of skin products that promise to remove or diminish wrinkles.  Women spend millions every year on such products with high hopes that they will do as they promise.  I remain skeptical.

Our verse today says that one day I will be wrinkle-free!  There will be no age spots either.  It is true that I will have a whole new glorified body for eternity.  But of course, this verse is speaking of the spots and wrinkles as sin.  Because of what Jesus did on the cross, I can look forward to being without sin in heaven.  As part of the church, I will be presented to God without spot or wrinkle.

Christ’s love and sacrifice sets me apart and makes me clean.  Being washed by the water of His Word is a life-long process, but with a promised result of being one day holy and faultless before Him.  What a day that will be!  No more guilt or shame.  No more self-condemnation.

I am tired of my own sin.  Those spots and wrinkles are plenty ugly.  But the future is all glorious splendor.  Thank you, Jesus!


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Old and New Together

Scripture for Today:  Colossians 3:9-10  “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him –“

I love living in France and seeing the old next to the new.  Side by side the old looks older and the new looks newer.  Pictured here is the beautiful Louvre in Paris, built in the late 12th century.  But as you can see the Louvre’s newest addition, the pyramid, looks much more modern and new having been built in 1989.  For me the contrast is striking!

Our verse for today talks about the old and the new for the believer.  Although we are a new creature in Christ (II Cor. 5:17) the old self is still hanging around.  As long as we live on this earth in the flesh, we will always need the reminder in these verses to “lay aside” or “put off” that old self.

We have a new self.  Someday, the pyramid of the Louvre will begin to show signs of age.  One day, it will no longer look so new.  Already, the French press were talking about renovations needed at the occasion of its twenty-year celebration.  But our new spiritual selves are continually being renewed by Christ Himself though His Word.

Every time I lay aside that old self, I am cooperating with Christ’s renewal in me.  Every time I choose to obey Him rather than having my own way, He is bringing me closer to His image.

My prayer today is that I will clearly see the contrast between the old and the new in myself.  I pray that in my communion with Him, my new self will be renewed!


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Whiter than Snow

IMG_8034Scripture for Today:  Psalm 51:7  “Purify me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.”

We had a beautiful snowfall this morning.  There is something special about waking up to a whitewashed landscape.  All the sad bare trees suddenly look festive.  Add hot chocolate and all is right with the world!

Our landlord, Mr. Hell, is a big help (yes, that is his name!  See “What’s in a Name” Aug.27, 2012).  He clears the long alley way out to the street with his tractor.  Before long, the snow no longer looks so clean and white.  There are foot prints, tire tracks and Tiger’s paw prints all sullying its brightness.  As the snow melts and mixes with the mud beneath, the white gets lost in grey.

Our verse today says that I can be whiter than snow.  The Lord’s forgiveness makes me that way.  My sin makes my heart dirty.  My guilt makes it dark.  But the Lord promises full cleansing when I confront and confess my sin.  His forgiveness makes everything white and bright again.

Like the snow outside, the whiteness of my heart does not seem to last very long!  Sin creeps back in little by little, dimming the white and changing it to grey.  Before long it is too noticeable to ignore.  The washing of my heart needs to be a daily routine.  Just as the washing of the disciples’ feet in John 13 is a daily necessity, so is my daily confession.

How wonderful to experience the new freshness of bright white snow!  How amazing that God’s forgiveness does the same for me!  His patient and consistent pardon means that each day can have a new white beginning.  One day, that whiteness will last forever.


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Like a Tree

IMG_20121124_121653Scripture for Today:  Psalms 1:3  “He shall be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season.  And its leaf does not wither.  And whatever he does, he prospers.”

This tree does not look like much without its leaves.  Even so, it seems stately and strong.  I can just imagine the shade it would provide in a different season.  The bench there looks so inviting.  Its branches are solid to give birds rest and shelter.  Its elevated location sets it apart.  It has withstood the winds and heavy snows over many years.

In our verse the righteous man who delights in obeying God’s Law is likened to a tree.  Like the tree, those who obey Him are  upright, strong and uncompromising.  The righteous one cannot be moved by the winds of adversity.  He is seen by others.  His stature is a testimony to the care and blessing that comes from obedience.

I am so thankful for that little phrase, “which yields its fruit in its season.”  The tree pictured here is not bearing fruit.  It is not the season.  However, it is still stately and strong as it awaits the next season.  There are times in my life when I wonder about the fruit I am producing.  However, when I am faithful to love and follow His Law, I can be assured of staying strong and healthy.  There is a time and season for every purpose under heaven (Eccl. 3:1).  God is the One who controls the seasons and produces the fruit in me.

I love this image of being a tree.  My roots are firmly planted in His unchangeable and good Law.  I will not be moved, regardless of the winds that buffet me.  I stand strong and prosper in life because of this promise!