Self Image | Devotions By Jan

December 9, 2015
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Nesting Dolls

Scripture for Today: Romans 12:3 “…Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

Although the nesting dolls or “matryoska” dolls originated in Russia, they have been adopted by the French! We see them all year long in France, but they are especially popular at the Christmas markets. The number of dolls in a set can vary anywhere from five to several dozen. A number of different themes are used including fairy tale figures, animals, and religious or political figures. I am partial to the traditional “little matrons.” But they all show beautiful artistry in the elaborate and detailed painting.

Today’s verse came to mind in thinking of the different sizes of these dolls. Each one has its place in the set. Each one belongs to the other and is needed to be complete. Paul encourages his readers not to think of themselves more highly than they should. Whatever size we think we are, we are not to look down on someone else. Whatever talents we have are a gift from our Creator. Each capability is a grace from Him.

Each believer has received a special talent or gift to serve Him. When we think about ourselves with sober judgement we realize that any success in life ultimately comes from Him. It is all grace. Like Paul said, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” I do not want to disqualify myself from serving Him by allowing pride to poison my thinking. But, it is always a sneaky temptation.

Lord, thank you for all your gifts to me! Keep me from taking any credit.

November 23, 2015
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Play Doh

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 29:16 “You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘You did not make me’? Can the pot say to the potter, ‘You know nothing’?”

There is nothing better than a brand new set of play doh! At least that is how my grandsons think. It must feel good to start fresh with unmixed colors and clay that has not dried out to be rock hard. The shapes my young grandsons form take some imagination to identify. But in their funny creative minds they see a masterpiece worthy of the Louvre. Grandma is obliged to ooh and ahh!

Today’s verse reminds us that there is a Potter who has formed and fashioned us, His clay, for His purposes. God, as our Creator, has the right to form and mold us as He desires. His reasons for how He has made us are well beyond our understanding. But His creation has no right to challenge Him as if He did not have absolute knowledge and authority. That is upside down thinking!

What a ludicrous scenario to imagine clay talking back to the potter! But that is just what happens when a nonbeliever denies God’s existence. He shakes his fist and declares that God did not create him and that he knows better than the omniscient One. What a display of ridiculous pride!

It takes humility to submit to the Potter’s hand and become all that I am meant to be. Pride makes me dry and hard in His hands. Thankfully, He is patient and continually works in me with creative hands, making me like His Son.

Lord, while I am waiting yielded and still, mold me to be like You.

November 9, 2015
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Label Maker

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 43:1 “But now, this is what the Lord says — He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel; ‘Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.'”

I did not realize our label maker was vintage! It does look strange but it gets the job done, marking items with our name. We do it because we have the silly optimism that those same items when loaned to others will have a better chance of making it back to our home! We do not try to label everything with our name, just the little treasures we would like to have returned to us.

Today’s verse reassures us that the Lord knows us intimately. He has called us by name and we as believers belong to Him. The verse refers specifically to the nation of Israel but it is true of all those who are His own. He calls His own sheep by name (John 10:3). He not only formed and created each one of us, but He has bought us back at a tremendous price to Himself! (I Cor. 6:20) He thought us valuable enough to call us by name, redeem our lives and mark us as His very own forever! (Rev. 3:12)

Because of His intimate knowledge and love for me, I do not have any reason to fear. If God is for me, who can be against me? (Rom. 8:31) Plenty of people I suppose but they will not get far. I belong to the Creator of the universe and nothing and no one can separate me from His love! (Rom. 8:35-39) No one will ever touch my soul. He has labeled me as His very own!

Thank you Lord, that You know my name and make me Yours!

September 14, 2015
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Maverick

Scripture for Today: Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

This horse seems to have a mind of his own! Without a rider or other horses nearby, he walks alone. Perhaps he is a maverick who enjoys his independence. The meaning of the word, “maverick,” has changed from its original meaning of being an unbranded animal separated from the herd. Now the word has come to mean a person who is unconventional and an independent thinker. Depending on the context, a maverick can denote something negative or positive.

Today’s verse encourages the believer to resist conforming to the world’s way of thinking. Rather than following the latest ideas or fads, the Christ-follower is to think differently. His goal is to find and follow what God wants. It is always something good, pleasing and perfect. With a mind renewed by God’s Word, we can evaluate and test our thinking to know when we are following what He wants. His plans are perfect. He wants only what is good for us. And as our Creator, He knows better than anyone else what will in the long run be pleasing.

I am sometimes confused as to what God wants in a particular situation. I know that trusting my own desires and emotions can be deceiving. Sometimes the Lord gives me exactly what I want, but not until I submit all of it to Him first! Being a “living sacrifice” is all about that submission (verse 1). But what I find is that His plan is a whole lot better than mine!

Lord, change my thinking to want only what You want.

August 21, 2015
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Butterfly Collection

Scripture for Today: Psalm 104:24 “How many living things You have made, O Lord! You have exhibited great skill in making all of them; the earth is full of the living things You have made.”

The closet was full of at least thirty display boxes like the one pictured here. Each one was filled with an amazing variety of butterflies. The colors of the differently-sized butterflies were brilliant and each had a different pattern. My elderly friend’s husband had died many years before. But his butterfly collection remained. I imagine it will soon be split up among her children and grandchildren. I was struck with the same wonder this gentleman must have felt in gazing at their detailed beauty.

Today’s verse extols the creativity of our God. The living things that He has made far outshine man’s creativity. The most impressive man-made work of art pales in comparison to His creation. The tallest building or newest technology does not even come close to the amazing skill God exhibited in making a single short-lived butterfly. Every wonderful thing that man has made is but a poor shadow of what God has fashioned.

We understand just how powerful God is by contemplating what He has created (Romans 1:20). It is obvious that there is intelligent and thoughtful design by Someone when we see the intricacies of a single butterfly wing. Seeking to attribute the wonder of His works to lucky chance cheapens all of life and creation. How does anyone really appreciate the beauty of creation without acknowledging the beauty of the Creator?!

It am humbled to think that this same powerful Creator loves me and wants a close intimate relationship with me! What a privilege to know and love the Creator!

Lord, may the wonder of Your creation bring me closer to You!