Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Salvation


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Birds of Paradise

Scripture for Today: Luke 23:42-43 “….’Jesus, remember me when You come in Your Kingdom.’  Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'”

These beautiful flowers are everywhere in southern California.  Their vivid orange petals grow vertically and the deep blue ones horizontally, giving them a peculiar bird-like appearance.  Their blooms do not appear until three to five years after planting the seeds.  Florists like to use them to mark a ninth wedding anniversary, suggesting that they represent faithfulness.  However, these flowers are also said to symbolize a clear perspective on life!

Today’s verse is a request to Jesus from one of the thieves hanging on a cross next to Him.  Jesus promises him that because of his faith, he will be in Paradise that very day.  The word, “paradise” is the Persian word for “garden.”  One very important tree grows there; the tree of life (Rev. 2:7).  There, in Paradise, we will live life as it was meant to be.  There will be no pain, sickness or death.  There will be no sin, guilt or ugliness.  There will only be unending joy in His presence!

It is so hard to imagine Paradise.  But one thing is sure.  It will be so much better than my imagination!  And thinking about Paradise gives me a clear perspective on life here and now.  I can face the hard times with hope because of Paradise.  I can look past the failures and dashed expectations when I think about that future place of indescribable beauty!  I can even endure those painful separations when I know with certainty that one day there will be no more goodbyes.

Thank you Lord, for the promise of Paradise!

 


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Ticks

Scripture for Today: Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

It is such a small insect.  The nymphs are as tiny as poppy seeds.  Their bite is so inconsequential as to not even be noticed.  With warmer weather comes the increased risk of being bitten by a tick.  But how risky can such a little thing be?  There is Lyme disease but now the experts are warning of a similar virus called “Powassan.”  However, unlike Lyme infection this tick-bearing disease can infect a person in a fraction of the time and in 10% of the cases it is fatal.

Our verse for today talks about serious consequences for our sin.  It is not fatal only 10% of the time but all the time.  Thankfully, the remedy is given to us as a gift in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  But an individual sin can look as harmless as that tiny tick.  If brushed off immediately, it has no chance to attach to the skin and do damage.  But sin, regardless of how inconsequential it seems, will always do damage.  It attaches itself to our soul and transmits disease for which there is no human cure.

It is easy to excuse myself for what was done with a good ulterior motive.  I can rationalize that lie as being little and white.  The French call that slip-up a “péché mignon,” meaning just a little weakness.  But my sins are fatal and I need His grace and forgiveness.  Left in my sins I only deserve what is coming to me.  But the gift of God wipes out my debt of sin and gives me true life!

Thank you Lord, for ridding me of what separates my heart from Yours.

 

 


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Amazing Starfish

Scripture for Today: Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

Is there anything as colorful and fascinating as a starfish?  Their name is slowly changing to “sea star” as in fact, they are not really fish.  But whatever the name, they are amazing and a little creepy all at the same time!  They can consume prey outside their bodies, and they have no brain or blood!  But what impresses me the most is their amazing ability to regenerate limbs!  When caught by the arm by a predator, they can leave it behind and grow another!

Our verse for today is all about a different kind of regeneration.  Being in Christ makes us a “new creature” (II Cor. 5:17)  The old has passed away replaced by the new!  It is due to the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit.  It is all His work in us and has nothing to do with our own good works.  He saw our predicament, desperately needing to be saved.  Rather than giving us what we rightly deserve, the Lord acted out of His infinite mercy.  He changes the heart and makes us new.

Self help and good intentions will not make me new.  Strong resolve or publicly-made resolutions will not change my heart.  I may succeed in changing my behavior but I am still the same inside.  It is only through His supernatural regeneration that I am truly made new.  His Spirit makes it possible.  There is newness of life and purpose now.  And there is completion of the process in Heaven where I will finally become like Jesus! (I John 3:2)

I am tired of the old me.  Thank you Lord, for making me new!

 


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Sparkling Water

753444421-sparkling-water-sparkling-drink-water-glass-carbonic-acidScripture for Today: Isaiah 12:3 “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

I was never much interested in drinking sparkling water before living in France.  But it quickly became my drink of choice.  Now, I not only prefer it to flat water but I have my favorite brands.  I can taste the differing amounts of salt and the varying levels of carbonation.  Perhaps it is an acquired taste as so many of my friends want nothing to do with it!  For me, it looks pretty in a tall footed glass. The bubbles catch the light and seem to make the water more refreshing.  I especially appreciate that it has no calories!

Our verse for today is also about a different kind of water.  It is different because its source is a different kind of well.  Water is essential to life and this water is essential to eternal life.  We draw from the Source of salvation and He will never disappoint.  His water quenches the deepest longing of our souls.  When drawing from this well, we do so with joy and anticipation.

Jesus points out this “well of salvation” in John 4.  He calls Himself the “living water” that becomes a spring of water welling up inside to eternal life (verse 14).  We draw from this water with joy, knowing that His provision of salvation is all grace.  It is a gift.  And it is a gift that is for all time and completely satisfies.  There is no more thirst or striving for something more.  Nothing else in life can compare to the joy that is found in His presence.  He fills me up with that joy! (Psalm 16:11)

Perhaps the bubbles can represent the joy in this different water!  Thank you Lord, that You are my unending Source of refreshment and life!


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Lion or Lamb?

Scripture for Today: Revelation 5:12 “In a loud voice  they were saying, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.'”

Does March really come in like a lion and go out like a lamb?  I would like to think so.  This old folkloric saying gives me hope that warmer weather may just be on the way.  I am not sure though, just how reliable this saying is.  Its source is simply from farmer’s observations over the centuries.  But in any case, March often serves as a transition month between seasons.

The image of a lion and a lamb is used in Scripture to refer to Jesus Christ.  He is the “Lion of Judah” spoken of in this same chapter (verse 5) as He was born in the line of Judah.  Our verse for today honors Jesus as the Lamb of God.  He is the sacrificial Lamb that is forever victorious!

It is much more comfortable to think of Jesus as a lamb than a strong ferocious lion.  Yet He is both.  His avenging justice and judgement reminds me of a lion.  His gentle warm love reminds me of a lamb.  Both are true.  He would not be a God worth worshiping if He did not use His mighty power to right wrongs.  As a lamb He is worthy as well of all our love and adoration for the ultimate sacrifice He made.

The Lamb of God is undeniably as strong and victorious as a lion.  The two images seem to come together in this heavenly scene.  But because Jesus is my  sacrificial Lamb, I can approach His holy, ferocious and fearsome presence with confidence.

Thank you Lord, for Your incredible mercy and grace!