Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Self Image


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Inheritance

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 33:12  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”

I am happy I have a husband who plans for the future.  Our will and testament have long been written.  There is a superstition out there that says that death will quickly follow after drawing up a will.  But we are still here!

Throughout Scripture is found the encouraging promise of the inheritance that awaits believers in heaven.  Our inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for us (I Peter 1:4).  Everything about that inheritance far outweighs the importance of an earthly inheritance left to the family.

What is so amazing about our verse for today is that God has an inheritance too!  The Psalmist is referring to the nation of Israel as God’s chosen people and His inheritance.  God has set them apart to be His own special people.  However, in the New Testament the Church is also referred to as a holy nation and a special people (I Peter 2:9).  Because He has purchased us and shown us mercy, we too are a people set apart for Him.  We are His inheritance!

Of course, to obtain an inheritance, a death would precede it.  But because I have been bought with a price, I already belong to Him (I Corinthians 6:20).  However, I become His inheritance after my own death when I will be forever in His presence!  It is incredible that He would think of me that way!  This must be why He says in Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

Can He really love me that much, that He would call me His inheritance?  He tells me,”Yes!”  I am His and He is mine.

 


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Rear View Mirror

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:7   “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions.  According to Your loving kindness remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.”

I am a careful driver but I have never been very comfortable using mirrors to drive.  I do not know why.  I just do not trust them as much as seeing something directly.  There is a lot of neck turning when I am at the wheel!  Many side mirrors have the warning seen here; “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.”  Perhaps it is this warning that shakes my confidence in the image I am seeing.

Our verse for today is a wonderful reassurance of the complete forgiveness we can enjoy when we confess our sins.  David is asking the Lord not to remember the sins of his youth.  It must be that David is remembering them.  Rather than looking ahead, he is looking back behind him.  His memory is making an issue of what had already been forgiven.  God’s forgiveness is close up and personal.  His love and grace are closer than they appear.  His forgiveness is bigger than we realize.  As far as God is concerned, He does not remember our sins (Isaiah 43:25).

I do not think there is a person alive who does not have some regret about his past.  There is always something said or done that should not have been!  And because memories cannot very well be erased, we remember, but our forgiving Lord does not.  However, when I think back I can choose to focus on His grace and forgiveness rather than my failure.  I can enjoy looking ahead rather than be paralyzed with guilt over the past.

Lord, if I do look behind me, may I only see the closeness of Your loving forgiveness.

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)


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Without Dad

Dad10388582_10153076168424311_3766749023210753367_nScripture for Today: Romans 8:15 “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!'”

This is my first Father’s Day without my Dad.  He lived a full rich and lovely life, but even at age 92 it was too soon for him to go.  Knowing that he is with his beloved Savior makes the separation easier.  It is for just a short time, but I am used to having him here.  I still say, “Mom and Dad,” as if he were still with us.  It has been a bit difficult to forego the Father’s Day card for him this year.

Our verse for today describes the special relationship a believer enjoys with his Heavenly Father.  We can refer to Him as, “Dad.”  The relationship is meant to be that close and intimate.  It is not a relationship filled with mindless obligation and rules.  We do not fear Him as a slave fears a master.  There is awe, respect and obedience but because of Christ, the fear of wrath and condemnation is no longer there!  Because of Christ, we are part of the family!

How amazing that He chose me to be part of this family.  I certainly was not born into it!  None of us were.  We had to be adopted to be in this heavenly family.  Why on earth He chose me is beyond understanding.  I was an undeserving rebel.  Yet, my Father in His grace initiated the entire process.  Having a Father who is God is the best kind of Father.  His care is perfect and everlasting!  His love is unconditional and complete.  His presence and comfort never fail!

Thank you Lord, that I can celebrate You as my Father every day!

 


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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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Wedding Jewelry

bride-wearing-chinese-green-jade-necklaceScripture for Today: Isaiah 61:10 “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

This radiant bride reminded me of my own wedding day.  There were a few surprises marrying into a Chinese family.  An unexpected gift of jade was given me by my new Chinese Grandmother-in-law just after the ceremony.  She saw that I wore it right away with my wedding dress.  Jade is traditionally thought to ward off evil spirits and keep the couple safe on the wedding day.  This stone is historically thought to be royal, representing virtue, purity and righteousness.

Our verse for today brings all kinds of images to mind.  As believers we are clothed in the Lord’s righteousness.  The material is pure dazzling white because of the forgiveness we receive by faith.  As the Church, we are the Bride of Christ.  We are purified and presented to Him without spot or wrinkle.  We are glorious, set apart in a love relationship with Him (Eph. 5:27).  As if that were not enough, we are adorned with jewelry on that beautiful day that begins our eternity with Him!

My own efforts at righteousness are regarded as filthy rags (Is. 64:6).  They are as ineffectual as jade in truly making me virtuous or pure.  But the jewels I wear on that day will, like righteousness, be a gift of grace from His hand.  Jade will not make me royal either, but being a child of the King does!

What a day that will be!  Today I can “delight greatly” in just the thought of what is to come!  His salvation and righteousness make me beautiful!