Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Peace


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A Dog and His Bone

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:6 “Don’t fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.”

Though this dog looks harmless enough, I would not want to get between him and his bone!  He must be in “doggy heaven” with such a treasure.  How many hours of fun he will have biting, tearing and gnawing at it.  However, there is lots of controversy about giving dogs bones.  There is discussion about raw versus cooked and which kinds are safe from splintering and causing problems.  But worrying a bone is something that seems a normal natural activity for a dog.

The phrase, “worrying a bone” reminded me of our verse for today.  We are told that we are not to worry, fret or be anxious about anything.  Instead, we are to turn those worries into prayers, thanking God in advance for how He will answer.  But like the dog with his bone, worrying just seems to come naturally.  It is so natural to worry that we need supernatural help to stop!

Worrying changes nothing, but praying can.  Prayer disposes my heart to trust Christ.  He already knows what worries are gnawing at me.  But He asks me to name those worries in the form of petitions.  What freedom can be mine when I give it all to Him!  He replaces that worry with His peace that guards my heart and mind.  Instead of being consumed with worry, I can get some distance from that problem.  I am no longer gnawing and picking at it.  My mind and heart are at rest, knowing I can trust His hand to work.

Lord, keep me from my natural inclination to worry.  Help me turn every anxious thought into heartfelt prayer.


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Insomnia

Scripture for Today: Psalm 121:3-4 “He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep.”

I am not sure what this stork is doing up in the middle of the night.  It certainly is not normal.  I am not sure what I am doing up in the middle of the night.  Thankfully, it is not normal for me either.  New mothers especially can be prone to insomnia.  Listening for that newborn’s cry can make one’s own sleep illusive.  Perhaps this is what the image of the stork represents, awake in the light of the moon.  A new mother is a focused and watchful mother, heeding every whimper and cry.

Our verse for today reassures us of the watchful care of our Heavenly Father.  He is awake and vigilant at all times, needing no sleep.  His care is constant and we never have to wonder if He is aware.  Nothing gets past Him.  He is never inattentive to the needs of His children.  This short psalm of eight verses reaffirms five times that He watches over us.  He keeps us from harm and watches over our comings and goings.

Being aware of His care and watchfulness gives me a real sense of peace throughout my day.  He is the Source of my help (verse 1) and He runs to me at my first feeble cry.  Like a new mother, He is listening for my cry for help.  But unlike a new mother, He is the Maker of heaven and earth with all the power to help and protect me.  I can trust that care and entrust to Him my very life.

Lord, thank you for Your watchful care.  I am amazed that You love me that much!

 


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Rocking the Boat

2512077-Falling-off-the-boat--on-purpose-of-course-1Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Everyone knows not to fidget and stand up in a boat.  Those that do are at risk to lose their balance and fall overboard.  Changing places with someone while in a moving boat can be especially tricky!  All that moving around rocks the boat and makes everyone aboard nervous.  There is much less risk of a fall overboard when calmly staying still in one place.

I feel like I am changing places in a moving boat.  With our transatlantic move, everything seems to be in upheaval.  The boat is rocking many times a day as we prepare.  Not only are we preparing our departure with a myriad of details but also our arrival on the other side.  Sometimes, anxiety gets the best of me with so much internal rocking and fidgeting that I feel I am falling.

I know from our verse for today that the Lord does not intend for me to react this way.  Whatever is rocking my boat is included in the phrase,”in every situation.”  For each and every emotion or logistic detail, He is waiting for me to give it to Him in prayer.  When I do, the tension dissipates.  The rocking stops.  I am not falling overboard.  In thanking Him, even in the difficulties, I am recognizing His hand and control.  I can sit still in the boat and feel His peace that goes beyond all understanding (verse 7).

Thank you, Lord, that You offer a life without anxiety and worry.  Your shoulders are big enough and I can give it all to You to bear.  Help me just sit still and enjoy the ride!


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Newborn Kittens

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 5:7  “For we walk by faith , not by sight.”

Most every year growing up, our Chin-Chin had a beautiful litter of kittens.  She knew that the cardboard box full of clean rags in the hall closet was for her.  Those sweet kittens did not look like much when first born.  But as they grew older they also grew cuter!

How much those newborns needed their mother, not only for nourishment but for personal hygiene and safety!  Kittens do not open their eyes until after a week old making their dependance on their mother that much more important.  Their vision remains poor until ten weeks old.  These cute balls of fur stumble around and knock into things until their sight develops.

Our verse for today is short but profound.  Like the newborn kitten, we stumble around and knock into things trying to figure out life.  We try to walk using our own logic and understanding and we do not do so well.  The Lord means for us to depend on Him and walk in faith.  The context is between two verses speaking of confidence.  When we take steps in faith they are confident steps.  The One in whom we place our confidence is willing and able to guide, direct and reassure.

The context teaches walking in faith in a particular situation; death.  It is in facing the death of a loved one or our own death that our faith is truly tested.  The Lord means for me to have confidence in His Word and promises when facing eternity.  Although I cannot see, I can deal with life or approach death with sweet kitten-like dependence on the Lord.  There is confidence and peace rather than anxiety and fear.

If I see nothing ahead but You Lord, it is enough.


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Guards

Scripture for Today:  Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When our children were young we visited London and of course, topping the list of things to see was the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.  We were quite impressed with all the British pomp and ceremony!

The guarding of the Queen dates back to the 1600’s.  There are four sentries when she is in residence and only two when she is elsewhere.  Of course these guards take their job very seriously, but I cannot help but think of Mr. Bean or the I Love Lucy episode where the goal was to get the guardsman to react!

Our verse for today speaks of the peace of God that is available to guard our hearts and minds.  This 24/7 guard never needs changing!  Peace from God surpasses all comprehension because it is possible in the middle of the most worrisome circumstances.  This peace that guards us comes as a result of giving our anxieties to the Lord in prayer.

What does that peace guard against?  His peace stands guard against fear and worry.  His peace stands guard against doubt.  His peace also guards against the flight of imagination and the “what ifs.”  God’s supernatural peace speaks to our emotions and our thoughts; heart and mind.  It calms me down and helps me rest.

I sometimes think I unwittingly shoo away this guard by neglecting to pray.  These verses encourage me to bring everything to Him, not just the big worries that I think are worthy of His notice.  Thank you, Lord, for Your guarding peace that keeps me from worrying!