Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Salvation


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Lost Sock?

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

Do you ever wonder where that wayward sock went?  It is one of those unsolved mysteries in life.  There is a child’s bright pink sock hanging out in the bushes in a public area near my daughter’s house.  Each time I pass it I wonder how on earth it got there.  But inevitably, socks go missing with disturbing regularity with enough washes.  And I will admit to throwing out that single sock after enough time has passed.  Of course, not long after, the missing sock will innocently show up!

Today’s verse is an answer to criticism Jesus was facing for being a guest in the house of a sinner, Zacchaeus.  Jesus went out of his way to greet him and invite Himself over to his home.  Zacchaeus welcomed Him gladly and experienced God’s salvation that very day.  This tax collector and cheater of his people knew he was lost and he was ready to be found.  Those criticizing Jesus were also lost but they stayed that way.  They did not think they needed finding.

How incredible that the Lord takes the initiative!  He actively seeks me as I am too lost to find the way to Him on my own.  He loves me enough to go out of His way and extract me from the mess of my own making.  He left Heaven to come after me!  I am no longer confused and lost, fearful or panicked.  I am found now and I am His.  I know where I am and to whom I belong.  What security that is!

“I once was lost but now am found.”  Thank you Lord, for coming after me.


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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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April Fool’s Day

Scripture for Today: Romans 1:21 “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Today being April Fool’s Day is every prankster’s dream.  In France they call it, “poisson d’avril.”  The idea is to tape a paper fish on someone’s back without them knowing.  It is believed to have originated with the change of calendar under King Charles IX in 1564.  He moved the new year from April 1st to January 1st. The practice of exchanging gifts continued but in the form of fake gifts to make fun.  Fish were offered as this was also the period of Lent when eating meat was forbidden.  Eventually the whole concept became the silly precursor to our April Fool’s Day.

Today’s verse describes a foolish heart.  Foolish hearts reside in people who will not acknowledge God.  The previous verse says that they are without excuse having seen God’s creative power in nature.  These same foolish hearts claim to be wise, but by discounting and explaining away God’s revelation of himself, they become fools.  Somewhere deep inside perhaps they know God is there but they refuse to glorify Him.  Their hearts become dark and their thoughts futile.

Paul was eager to share the good news to “both the wise and the foolish.”  He knew that the Gospel would bring light and turn thoughts around to the truth.  Without God’s power to change hearts we would stay in our foolish state.  But thanks to Him I am no longer a fool.  Being in Christ, He has become for me, “wisdom from God.” (I Cor. 1:30)

Thank you Lord, for enlightening this fool!


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Good Friday

IMG_20121124_145426Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 1:18  “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

I have lived in France for so long, I am no longer surprised to see the cross just about everywhere.  France has strong cultural ties to the Catholic Church.  Some of these crosses date back hundreds of years.  They can be found in graveyards as pictured here.  But they are also found up in the vineyards, along country roadsides, and even on the busy corner down from our house!  I often wonder what the French think when they pass the cross on their way to their daily lives.

Today is Good Friday, a day of remembering the cross and the suffering of the Perfect One who hung there.  There has never been a greater injustice ever done to man.  Jesus, who knew no sin, did not deserve to die.  It should have been me.  But because of His great love, He took my place and paid the penalty for my sin.

The cross……has there ever been a more perfect symbol of sacrificial love?  And yet, for those that reject His love, it is foolishness.  For them it is a symbol of weakness and shame.  But the cross is the power of God, as it reconciles us with the Righteous Judge.

I have loved singing these lyrics with my French chorale, often through tears of gratitude:

“Thank You for the cross, Lord.  Thank You for the price You paid.  Bearing all my sin and shame, in love You came and gave amazing grace.  Thank You for this love, Lord.  Thank You for the nail pierced hands.  Wash me in Your cleansing flow, now all I know, Your forgiveness and embrace.”


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Spring is in the Air!

Scripture for Today:  John 3:3  Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Today is the first Monday of Spring and I am ready!  Spring is the season of rebirth.  What one thought was dead and gone, suddenly shows new signs of growth!  Spring is a time of renewed expectations and hope.

We used to have several Butterfly Bushes (Buddleja) in our yard producing white and purple flowers.  I loved watching the butterflies come and drink the nectar from its flowers in the Spring.  And to think that those lovely butterflies were once unremarkable caterpillars!  Their transformation is a beautiful image of our spiritual rebirth!

In today’s verse, Jesus tells Nicodemus that he will not see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.  It must have been a shock to hear.  Nicodemus was a respected Pharisee and ruler.  He probably thought that if anyone could enter the Kingdom, he would be a likely candidate.  He did not realize that in fact, he needed “wings” and as a caterpillar, he did not have them.  Being born again is a work of His Spirit.  A complete transformation is what Jesus offers.  It is His Spirit who gives life.  There is no profit at all in the flesh and our own effort (John 6:63)

Every Spring I am reminded of the new life He has given me.  My old life is dead and buried.  I have been changed forever!  I am not at all tempted to return to the form of that caterpillar.  He has given me wings, color, sweet nectar and new life!

Thank you Lord, for Spring and the new life found in You!