Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Hope


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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.

 


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Jello

Scripture for Today: I Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Jello leaves me feeling ambivalent.  On the one hand it is very versatile.  Anything and everything can go in it and it can take on so many forms and shapes.  On the other hand, it is slimy and unnaturally colored.  It wobbles and slithers and is usually too sweet for me.  The French as a rule do not want to even try it, so perhaps they have influenced me over the years.  Too many times, I have unmolded a jello only to have it not be firm enough to hold the shape!

Our verse for today promises strength, firmness and steadfastness.  It is a promise directed to those who are called by God’s grace and belong to Him.  This promise is always needed but especially so after going through a time of suffering.  I am not firm and steadfast in the middle of trial.  I am like that jello, all wobbly and ready to slide off the plate.  No one stands strong when their legs feel like jello!

The suffering we go through is usually unexplainable.  The only thing I know with certainty is that it is unavoidable.  My comfort is that God uses it.  The pain is never wasted.  It is through suffering that I draw closer to the Lord and learn to love Him more.  Sometimes my suffering is used to encourage others.  In any case, it is to be counted a privilege to suffer for Him as He suffered so much for me!

What comfort to know that He personally restores me and renews my strength!  Thank you, Lord.