Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Hope


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Salsa Dancing

Scripture for Today: Psalm 30:11-12  “You turned my wailing into dancing.  You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.  Lord my God, I will praise You forever.”

My second daughter and her husband recently took Salsa dance lessons.  With its rhythmic nature they found it a real challenge!  Salsa is a style of dancing evolved from the Cha cha cha and the Mambo mixed with Swing and Hustle.  It is a style that has also been influenced by Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean elements.

There is some disagreement about the origin of the name, “Salsa,” but I like the theory that the name refers to “sauce.”  Just as there are many ingredients to sauce, so this dance is a mixture of many different styles.  There is not one single country or culture that can take credit for its existence.

Our verse for today expresses the joy that is ours in the Lord.  He turns wailing into dancing.  What a turn-around that is!  The most dire circumstances can be turned into praise.  He transforms mourning into a joy that moves the feet!  It is hard to imagine that scenario when in the depths of despair.  But it is truth and it gives us hope.  Heart breaking sorrow will not last forever.  One day He will remove that sackcloth of regret and sadness and replace it with dancing shoes!

In His presence is fulness of joy! (Psalm 16:11)  The sackcloth is still part of my wardrobe, but I can have an inkling of the joy and lightheartedness that is to come every time I feel His presence.  Like King David who danced alongside the ark of the covenant, I can feel and express His joy!

May my praise to Him be loud and clear today and always!

(Look familiar?  This is a re-post due to ministry schedule)


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Bucket List

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 2:9 “but just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.'”

There is a saying that has made its way into American English; “the bucket list.”  This saying has come to represent all the wonderful things we would like to see and do before dying.  The phrase came from a movie where two men were facing terminal illness.  The story follows their friendship as they pursue most everything on their list, living out to the fullest what they thought would be their last three months of life.

There are plenty of travels and adventures I would like to experience in my lifetime.  The travel channel on television and the news feed on Facebook often create longings to explore and experience new things!  The bucket list may even include different lifestyles, past times or hobbies.  But the realities of life, the lack of resources or opportunities keep that bucket list filled to the brim!

Our verse for today gets me excited!  If I do not get to everything on my bucket list, it is not a problem!  There is an eternity in front of me!  There will be no time constraints.  There will be no lack of resources.  God is even now preparing for my arrival with incredible adventures that I cannot even imagine!  What He has planned for me makes that bucket list look pathetic!  I can imagine some pretty wonderful scenarios.  But my imagination of what is ahead does not even come close to the reality of His plans!

Thank you Lord, for Your incredible love and for all that awaits me!

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule)


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Sorting Trash

Recycling-4Scripture for Today: Hebrews 10:35-36 “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”

Sorting trash while living in France took quite an effort!  Garbage disposals do not exist there so biodegradable trash grew very stinky being picked up only once a week.  There are communal bins for glass, a recycle center for wood and electronics, and a once-a week pick up for recyclables as well as normal trash.  It could be very confusing!  When guests came I hated to bother them about where to throw their tissues!

Our verse for today tells us about something believers should never throw away; our confidence!  That confidence allows us to persevere in doing what God wants.  The believers addressed here had suffered being thrown in prison and having had their property confiscated!  Their treatment was unfair but they were told to stay confident that God would richly reward them for their sacrifice and perseverance.

One who has thrown away their confidence is one who no longer believes the suffering is worth it.  When the going gets tough it is just too much.  Abandoning the faith for an easier life, they forgo the reward for their perseverance that would have been theirs.

I can respond in one of two ways to a life-changing crisis. I can either blame God and run away from Him, or I can run to Him for the comfort and encouragement that only He can give.  My faith and confidence, rather than being thrown away, grows and strengthens when I choose that second response.

I do not know what hard thing may await me.  But please God, do not ever let me throw away my confidence!

 


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Bleeding Grapevine

Scripture for Today: John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Did you know that grapevines “bleed?”  At the very site of a pruning cut in the wood, the sap will gently seep, sometimes up to two weeks.  After being dormant all winter, it is the first sign of a vineyard reawakening.  It is no cause for concern and can even help the vine.  The process can push out trapped air bubbles avoiding interrupted water flow later in the season.  Calling this process, “bleeding,” almost makes me think that pruning might be painful for that vine!

Our verse for today describes our dependent relationship with the Father and Son.  We bear fruit when we are connected to Him just as branches do connected to the vine.  There are seasons when it does not look like much is happening.  But God, our Gardener, does everything to make us fruitful, all in His perfect timing.  He knows when to start and when to stop.  He knows just how far back He needs to cut.  Pruning can seem drastic and losing sap through the “open wound” can seem counter-productive.  But He knows what He is doing, using the hard times in our lives to make us even more fruitful.

There are times I know I am “bleeding” and it hurts.  It is especially in those times of transition and change that I can feel those shears working on me.  But I can trust the hands of my Gardener.  He will not put me through more than I can bear (I Cor. 10:13).

Lord, make me fruitful for You, even if it hurts.


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Seaweed

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.”

This seaweed looks beautiful waving its fronds in the water.  I normally see and smell seaweed washed up on the shore, giving off a terrible odor.  But when growing underwater it can be beautiful and mesmerizing in its movement.  It is cultivated for lots of different uses, including medicine, filtration, fertilizer and food.  Two important elements are essential for seaweed to grow; seawater and sunlight.

I could not help but think of what is needed for the believer to grow as well; Living Water (John 4:10) and the Light of the World ( John 8:12)  Both refer to Jesus Himself who slowly transforms into His image.  But there is something else needed for most species of seaweed to thrive, and that is a rock.  They have what is called a “holdfast” which is a basal disk providing attachment to a rock!

Our verse for today praises God for being that faithful and eternal Rock.  He provides protection from waves that would dislodge us.  Being our Rock means He is our refuge and shelter.  Holding fast to Him gives strength to grow and thrive, regardless of the circumstances.  The Lord Himself is my stability in a world that seems to be in constant motion and change.

Because He is my eternal Rock, I know He will always be there for me.  He does not move and I know where to find Him.  I find Him in the pages of the “love letter” He wrote for me.  I find Him in the sweet reassurances He whispers to my heart.  His words are eternal and I can trust Him like no other!

Thank you Lord, for being my eternal and trustworthy Rock.