Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Salvation


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Speed Limit

Scripture for Today: Romans 3:23-24 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

This has got to be the best kind of speed limit sign….open to interpretation!  Like many others, we tend to think that there is wiggle room with most freeway speed limits.  Popular belief says that going just five miles over the speed limit does not really count.  So imagine our surprise when we were pulled over for just that on our cross country trek!  No matter that road conditions were ideal or that we were keeping up with the flow of traffic.  The law is the law.  And whether going over the limit by one mile or ten, we were still breaking the law.

Today’s verse has bad news and good news. The bad news is that all are guilty of breaking God’s Law.  None of us can match up to the holiness and glory of a just and perfect God.  Some fall just a little short.  Others fall short by quite a bit.  No matter.  No one can stand before a holy and righteous God on one’s own merits.  But the good news is that Christ has redeemed us through His sacrifice on the cross and through His grace we have right standing with Him.

It does not matter how good I may look to others.  I am just as in need of God’s grace as the most hardened criminal.  There can be no spiritual pride when I understand that small word, “all.”  And I am so thankful for a grace that is also for “all.”  There is no difference between Jew or Gentile (verse 22) or any other distinction I could make.

Thank you Lord, that Your grace includes me.

 

 

 


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A Lamb on the Lam

Scripture for Today: Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” 

This sweet little lamb was “on the lam” after surviving a semi-truck accident where all the other 74 sheep were killed.  She led would-be-rescuers on a merry chase throughout the night until they caught up with her!  The phrase, “on the lam” is sometimes misunderstood as “on the lamb.”  It means to escape or flee from justice.  But it comes  from an old Norse word meaning to make lame.  In 16th century English the word morphed to mean to beat soundly, then further changed to signify,”beat it.”

Today’s verse could be a mission statement to describe the life of Jesus.  He came to seek us out.  We are all like sheep that have veered off the right path (Isaiah 53:6).  But instead of owning up to our mistake, we run for cover!  We hide from the absolute Holy One.  He seeks us out, not to condemn us but to save us from our own folly (John 3:17).  Being “on the lam” works against us as His intent is to forgive and restore!  It is natural to run from Him when we feel the shame of our sin, but He seeks us out to make it right, having taken on Himself the just punishment we deserve.

It is exhausting to spend a whole lifetime running from Him!  But when we keenly feel our “lostness” He responds to our cry for help.  I am so grateful that I am found!  He left the other 99 sheep just for me!  (Matt. 18:12-13)  Because He is my Shepherd, I will never be in want.  The running is over and I am safe in His arms.  No one can pluck this sheep from His sure strong hands.

Thank you Lord, for seeking me out!


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Chinese Stamp

Scripture for Today:  Ephesians 3:14-15 “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.”

The Chinese characters that make up my name define me as a forest, as successful and intelligent, and as a precious rare gem!  My husband had this Chinese stamp made for me during our tour of China at the start of our marriage.  It seemed appropriate as I was marrying into a family giving me a Chinese mother-in-law.  I am not sure how accurate it is or why a forest has anything to do with me.  But it is fun to think about the meaning of our names.

Today’s verse points out a commonality in all of our names.  Because God is the Father who created each and every family and its members, we all derive our name from Him.  God is “Jehovah-Ab” the Lord our Father (Isaiah 64:8).  We are all the work of His hands.  But to become a child of God, redeemed and inhabited by his Spirit, takes a step of faith and repentance (Eph. 3:16-17).  At that point there is no separation but only unity as His family.  Whether those already in heaven or those on earth, His children are part of one family.  There is no more Jew or Gentile, slave or free, or even male or female (Gal. 3:28).

Only the God of the universe could succeed in making such diverse people one family.  But because He can and does, I have brothers and sisters not only worldwide but across time!  That strong desire to belong is completely satisfied.  Every time I worship with others so different than myself, I get a small inkling of this incredible truth!  And like Paul, I kneel before the Father in gratitude!

Thank you Lord, for making me part of Your family!

 


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Samples

Scripture for Today: Psalm 34:8-9 “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing.”

It is a marketing ploy that works!  True, I usually grab and go without buying.  But there is the rare time I actually pick up and purchase the product being sampled.  I have my little rules though.  If the employee is not ready, I do not wait there feeling foolish but will circle around.  I always limit myself to just one sample only because I do not want anyone looking at me aghast!  I did break my rule recently when the sample was chocolate!  It was worth the risk!

Today’s verse is an invitation to “taste and see.”  Unlike the temporary good feeling of eating something tasty, His goodness and blessing keep me satisfied in the deepest part of me.  He knows exactly what I am craving as He made me to feel that lack.  However, when I fear and respect Him, I will lack nothing.  He is that good!  Every spiritual blessing is already mine (Eph. 1:3) and He satisfies my deepest desires for love, peace, beauty, and significance!  How amazing He is!

There are those who say they have tried God or tried religion.  And perhaps they have in some manner.  But to “taste and see” means coming to the Lord in humble fear, recognizing who He is.  We realize just how good He is when we throw ourselves on His mercy and take refuge in His love and power.  I am blessed when I make Him my refuge.  And what is so amazing is that He becomes sweeter as the years go by!

Lord, thank you for the satisfaction You give me!


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Banana Peels

Scripture for Today: Romans 9:32 “…they pursued it (righteousness) not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.”

It is no laughing matter to slip on a banana peel!  However, it was the stuff of comedy routines in the early 1900’s Vaudeville stage.  This form of physical humor even appeared in the early silent films.  But it used to be much more of a hazard when it was common to throw one’s garbage out a window in the mid 1800’s.  Even as late as 1880 the public was admonished in the Harper’s Weekly about this slime-covered booby trap.  Just seven years ago a woman in California sued a store after allegedly falling and injuring herself on a peel left in the aisle.

People are stumbling in our verse for today.  They are stumbling over the stumbling stone, who is Jesus Christ.  Rather than obtaining a righteousness that is to come by faith in Him, law-followers put their trust in their own efforts at righteousness.  Our right standing with God is given through faith in Jesus Christ whether Jew or Gentile (Romans 3:22).  Unfortunately, there will always be those who feel it is their own efforts and works that save.  They stumble over the Truth but keep walking, doing things their own way.

With that same attitude I am at risk to slip and fall.  I have no righteousness of my own.  I cannot earn my way to Heaven or earn His favor and blessing!  He gives freely what I can never deserve.  It is my pride talking when I entertain even a whisper of self-congratulation.  He knows my every motive and thought and I know I cannot be righteous apart from Him.  It is all grace.

Thank you Lord, for the right standing You have given me!