Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Hope


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Cinco de Mayo

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Being from Southern California, close to our Mexican neighbors, we enjoyed the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, every 5th of May.  After moving to France we did not think to mark the day.  However, one year we intentionally went to a hard-to-find Mexican restaurant, early to beat the anticipated crowd.  The place was deserted and after looking up information about the celebration I understood why.  This day is to celebrate the Mexican victory over the French army in 1862!  Ooops.  What was remarkable about the Battle of Puebla were the odds.  Facing a better equipped and larger army, the Mexican losses were small in comparison to the French loss of life.

The odds in our verse for today are pretty remarkable too!  If God is for us there is no contest!  This is our response to any charge.  He has declared us righteous through Christ.  Because God is for us, there is not even a hint of condemnation from any quarter.  God is for us and Christ intercedes on our behalf.  Nothing and no one can separate us from His love.  We are not just conquerors over the enemy but “more than conquerors.” It is not because of our numbers or size or strength , but because of His love! (verse 37).  He has already won the most important battle of them all, the battle for our soul!

I am allowed to start celebrating today!  The outcome is sure and I can live in the absolute certainty of victory.  There is not a single scenario imaginable that can change this truth.  Because He is for me, I win!

Thank you Lord, for already securing the victory for me.


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Climbing the Switchbacks

Scripture for Today: II Peter 4:19 “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

I loved hiking in the French Vosges mountains.  Most of the trails we chose were gentle and easy.  But for those rare occasions when we chose a more difficult trail, switchbacks, whether by foot or by car, are my least favorite option.  Certainly it is better to climb switchbacks than trying to go straight up.  But the progress is slower.  It can be very demotivating to cover what looks to be the same ground with the same view as I double back over and over.

Today’s verse is an encouragement to continue on doing good.  Even if our path requires pain and suffering, we are to remain committed to our faithful loving Creator.  Suffering according to God’s will is suffering the Lord allows for a particular purpose.  It makes the climb slower and more difficult but the view from the top can be magnificent!

My lessons in suffering can feel like switchbacks, going over and over ground I thought I already covered!  My progression almost feels like one step forward and two steps back.  But in fact, God is using those hard times to slowly transform me.  He is faithful to use that pain for good.  I am confident that I am progressing to higher ground where my view of Him becomes clearer and more unobstructed.  He has promised to continue His good work until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).  In His grace, He uses every difficulty to bring me into a tighter closer relationship with Him.  Whatever suffering He allows, He does not want me to sit down and give up.  In persevering, I will receive what He has promised (Heb. 10:36).

Lord, keep me climbing!


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Hide and Seek

IMG_20160322_090333Scripture for Today:  Colossians 3:3-4 “For you have died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

It is not too difficult playing hide and seek with my grandson!  He is so sure no one can see him if he cannot see you.  In his mind all he has to do is hide his eyes to be totally hidden!  My two older grandsons have graduated to actually hiding from the one who is “it” in some pretty obvious places.  Hiding behind a curtain, pillow, lamp or a dog brings to mind the phrase, “Hiding in plain sight!”

Today’s verse talks about the life of a believer being hidden with Christ in God.  When we come to Christ for forgiveness, we die to our old life. Former habits and ways of thinking are a thing of the past.  Desires and goals change.  In Christ we become a “new creation” (II Cor. 5:17).  But even more than that, our real life, our true life is found in Christ.  It is hidden there, safe and secure.  No one can touch our souls.  And one day, our true lives will no longer be hidden but will be revealed, sharing in His glory.

I love life.  I am blessed with many wonderful gifts from His hand.  But at the same time, I feel that there is something lacking.  This life is not my true one.  Everything around me will pass away (I John 2:17).  As wonderful as this world is, it does not compare to the perfect world and life that is coming!  What He has prepared is something so much better than anything seen, heard or imagined here (I Cor. 2:9)

Thank you Lord, that You are my life.

 


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Victim or Victor?

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 15:55-57  “Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

The enemies of Jesus thought they had won.  Satan thought he had won.  Jesus was dead and buried.  To all appearances Jesus was the victim and He had lost.  For three long sad days all seemed finished.  It was over.  But then……Jesus arose a Victor!  The power of sin and death could not hold Him.

As if this were not amazing enough, there is more!  Our verse for today explains that WE share in His victory!  God gives those who place their faith in Jesus the same victory over sin and death!  No longer are we victims but victors!  Jesus is OUR resurrection.  He is OUR life.  Because of what He accomplished, we will live eternally in a resurrected body like His!  We are looking forward to our own resurrection.

I am forever thankful to no longer be a victim.  No matter what man may do to me, my soul is kept safe and my future is secure.  What enemy can take that away from me?  No one (John 10:28).   Who could ever condemn me?  No one (Rom. 8:34).

There are times in life where we feel we are in that same three-day waiting period.  We feel like a victim.  All seems dark and sad.  There is failure and discouragement, guilt and shame.  Satan seems to have triumphed.  But then……we share in Christ’s victory!  We are on the winning side!  We are victors because He shares His victory with us!

Thank you, Lord, that You fought and won for me!


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Planning

pencilindexScripture for Today: Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”

This pencil is just a little bit special.  If you look closely, you will see that there is an eraser on both ends!  This must be what I am figuratively using right now, as my own plans seem to be in a constant state of change.  That is pretty normal when taking care of a fifteen month old baby.  His needs take priority over any plans I might have envisioned for the day.  I might have planned to shower.  I might have planned to sleep.  I certainly did not plan on a crying meltdown!

Today’s verse reveals the Lord’s plans for His own.  He is good, merciful, loving and compassionate.  It only follows that His plans are good as well.  He sees the beginning and He sees the end.  He knows the outcome that we cannot know.  But His plans will include hard times that grow our faith and glorify Him.  He erases our ideas of what is good and replaces them with what He knows is best.  He is the only One who has the power and the control to do that.  He is the only One I can trust to do that.

In looking back, I can see that His plans have been for the best.  I do not regret His eraser.  If left to my self and my own warped desires, I  am pretty sure I would have made a mess of things.  His way leads to a life that is richly blessed with His presence and love.  With His plans, there is always hope and an incredible future!

Lord, help me to trust Your plan for today!