Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Self Image


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Butterfly Collection

vintage-butterfly-entomology-collection5Scripture 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!

 


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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!