Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Self Image


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How Rich I Am!

Scripture for Today: Colossians 2:2 “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ.”

I could not help that my eyes widened at this display of money!  Seeing all those bills flying around reminds me of those game shows where the contestant grabs as much as he can within a time limit.  But in most any context, a display of wealth can be alluring.  There is something even seductive about cold hard cash.  It fires the imagination and fills the mind with possibilities.  Being showered with unexpected riches is an instant game changer!

Today’s verse talks about different riches.  They are described as “full” and have nothing to do with wealth in the traditional sense.  These riches involve understanding and knowing a Person, Jesus Christ.  Progressively coming to know God’s Son makes a life full and rich.  This kind of wealth is eternal rather than temporal.  Wealth of this kind cannot be stolen or taxed.  It is a wealth that has no limit.  The riches of Christ are boundless! (Eph. 3:8)

It is easy for me to get distracted by tangible signs of wealth around me.  But none of it compares with the surpassing value of knowing and loving the One who created me and sacrificed Himself for me.  The question of how rich I am can be answered by the nature of my relationship to Him.  The closer I am to Jesus, the richer I am.  The further away I move from Him, the more impoverished I become.  Knowing, Him, loving Him and serving Him enriches me like nothing else!  How rich I am!

Thank you Lord, for the boundless and endless riches I find in You!


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Wink Wink

Scripture for Today: Psalm 35:19 “Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.”

I don’t normally think of cats as bullies but this one sure looks the part!  When we wink it can imply conspiracy or some secret intent.  Or winking can be positive when it shows sympathy or encouragement.  Sometimes the wink says, “Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”  But then again, winking all day could be because of the grapefruit juice that was squirted in the eye during breakfast!

In today’s verse the wink is malicious.  David is being slandered and falsely accused by his enemies.  He cries to the Lord to come to his defense and vindicate him.  David as king is a constant target for his enemies and regardless of how fair and righteous he is, those enemies will continue to accuse him without cause.  He pleads with the Lord to contend for him so that in the end the Lord Himself will be exalted.

I wonder who my enemies are.  Jesus told His disciples to expect opposition.  The world hated Jesus so it only follows that the world would also hate those who follow Him (John 15:18).  So I should not be surprised at slander and false accusation.  But even more serious are the accusations of the Enemy who lies and brings charges against God’s own.  Paul says that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12).  Satan tries to destroy my testimony and service.  He will endeavor to convince me that I am unloved and worth nothing.  Well, Satan can wink all he wants but the Lord reassures me of His love and my worth!

Thank you Lord, that in You I have victory over every enemy!

 


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“He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not”

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I had no idea until now that the game of pulling off daisy petals has its origin in France!  It is called, “effeuiller la marguerite,” and the idea of course is to determine if the object of your affection returns your love.  The phrase, “he loves me, he loves me not,” is repeated with the removal of each petal until with the last petal comes the answer.  This phrase exists in thirty three languages so this game seems to be worldwide.  I remember playing it as a young girl but this cat does not seem too interested in playing it!

I never have to play this game with God.  Unlike human relationships, there are no games involved.  He has made a commitment to love me and He never goes back on His promise.  Our verse for today reassures me of the permanence of His love.  There is no dark power that can interfere with His love.  There is no possible event in my future that can change His love.  Death itself cannot destroy His indescribable love for me.

Does He love me more today than yesterday?  Will He love me more tomorrow than today?  As He is love by His very nature, the answer is “no.”  His love is a perfect love that cannot be improved upon.  The answer is always, “He loves me.”

Thank you Lord, for Your perfect love.


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Engagement Ring

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 1:13 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”

I can still remember the day my husband and I picked out my engagement ring thirty eight years ago.  I was proud to show off that ring and would strategically position my hand so others were sure to see it.  Ancient Egyptians are thought by many to have started the tradition.  But whoever started it, the ring still serves in western cultures as an outward sign that a woman is promised to another.

Today’s verse is about being sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.  Better than an engagement ring, being sealed by Him means guaranteed security and the reassurance of belonging to Him.  I am His possession.  He cares enough about me to seal me to Himself.  He is marking me as His territory!  He has promised me an inheritance and His Holy Spirit is like a deposit or downpayment that guarantees it!

In Song of Solomon 8:6 there is also a seal.  It is a seal that pledges fidelity between the bride and the bridegroom.  This seal was over the heart and on the arm.  It was a sign of love.  I like to think of my seal of the Holy Spirit in the same way.  Because He loves me, He has marked me forever as His own.  And it is through the seal of His Holy Spirit that He speaks love and reassurance to my heart.  With His Holy Spirit “He whispers in my ear, I am His and He is mine.”

Thank you Lord for the reassurance Your Spirit gives me!


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Never Alone

Scripture for Today: Matthew 28:20b “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

I enjoy my alone times.  The solitude is often welcome after being around people, voices and noises all day.  There is something calming about that solitude.  We all need differing doses though.  My need in no way resembles that of my husband.  He is energized by people but for me, there comes a time when I need to retreat.  I even need retreat from the one most dear to me.  Living in a 900 square foot home, those alone times are sometimes difficult to come by!  But the alone times are starting to feel a bit long with my husband traveling.

Today’s verse reminds us that for the believer, one is never really alone.  These words of Jesus were said just before leaving earth and ascending into heaven.  How reassuring it must have been for those disciples to hear!  A Comforter, the Holy Spirit, was to come soon and they would never ever be alone again.  This promise is valid just until the end of time when we are brought into His literal presence in Heaven.

It is an incredible comfort to feel His constant presence.  He knows my unvoiced thoughts.  He can relate to all of my emotions.  As my Creator, He understands every motive, doubt and impulse.  No one on earth can possibly know me like He does.  And yet, He still loves me!  His presence means that I can open up and share every little thought or disappointment.  He is an active caring listener unlike any other.  It is incredible that I cannot bore Him.  I may be alone, but because He is always there, I do not ever have to feel lonely!

Thank you Lord, for always being there!