Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Service


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Sipping Hot

Scripture for Today: Romans 12:11 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

I only enjoy coffee when it is “sipping hot!”  When it gets room temperature or cold, I can hardly swallow it.  It either gets reheated in the microwave or dumped out in the sink.  Iced coffee seems a good way to reuse it but I have never acquired that taste.  The heat and the steam rising from the cup and warming me is all part of the coffee-drinking experience!  Many French friends enjoy their coffee in a bowl so as to warm their hands in the morning!

The verse that comes immediately to mind is God’s reproach to the Church in Laodicea.  They were lukewarm in their deeds, neither cold nor hot (Rev. 3:15-16).  The Lord wants us to remain hot or zealous for Him!  In our verse for today, Paul encourages the Roman church to never be lacking in zeal.  The context is our spiritual gifts used in the local church.

This fervor and zeal come from Him.  Just as the spiritual gifts are gifts of empowerment from His Spirit, so is this zeal.  When we try to manufacture zeal on our own, we run out of steam pretty quickly.  Our service becomes mechanical or ritualistic.  Our good works for the Lord come from a sense of obligation instead of being heartfelt.  We become lukewarm when we operate out of our own strength!

Not only does my zeal come from Him, but it needs to be an informed zeal that recognizes that my righteousness comes from Christ and not my own good works! (Romans 10:2)

I need some of that “spiritual fervor” today.  Lord, keep me zealous and energized for You.  I want to serve You but I cannot do it on my own.


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Cymbals

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 13:1 “If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love. I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”

I am one of the lucky ones.  None of my children ever expressed interest in playing percussion instruments!  Perhaps with the arrival of grandchildren I will not be so lucky!  For a year, we did have a young man live with us who played his drums and cymbals with gusto in the basement.  But he was considerate to choose his practice times with care.  It was never fun to jump in my chair with the sound of crashing cymbals!

Our verse for today describes spectacular feats as meaning nothing without love.  Speaking in tongues or even in an angelic language may cause a stir and even impress.  But without love, it is nothing more than the clashing noise of a cymbal or gong.  It will cause people to sit up and take notice, but that is all.  I was interested to learn that the religious ceremonies of Buddhist monks use cymbals and hand held-gongs during their chants and hymns.

The context of our verse is the spiritual gifts in the church.  Very often, it is the visible spectacular gifts that are eagerly sought.  Here, Paul explains that no gift or service to God is as important as showing love.  That love is something available to all believers through the fruit of His Spirit (Gal. 5:22).  Any service to the Lord done without love for Him and love for others is just annoying noise.

I sometimes feel my service to the Lord is not of the very best quality.  There are always those with more talent.  But God sees the heart and to Him what is done with love makes beautiful music!


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Lily of the Valley

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Today is what Americans would call, “Labor Day” in France.  It is called “Fête du Travail” or “Fête du Muguet.” (Lily of the Valley)  It originated in the 19th century when demonstrating workers would wear a red triangle representing 8 hours of work, 8 hours of sleep, and 8 hours of free time.  Later the triangle was replaced with a sprig of Lily of the Valley.  Today, bouquets of this flower are offered to friends to wish them luck and happiness and most people have the day off from work.  As in the States,  Labor Day seems to be a misnomer as few people actually labor on this day!

Our verse for today is a real comfort.  Labor done for the Lord is never in vain.  There is a sense of purpose that transcends the mundane routine of work.  Our work when consecrated to the Lord will never be in vain.  “Work of the Lord” is not confined to those in full time ministry.  Any work can be for the Lord as we  seek to glorify Him and make Him known.

“Work for the Lord” is also outside the workplace.  When I see a neighbor in need and make myself available, that is for Him.  When I visit someone who is sick or struggling, that is also work for Him.  When I answer questions about my faith, that is work for Him.  We can get “weary of well doing” (Gal. 6:9) but one day we will see the intangible results of labor done for Him.

Thank you Lord, that work for You is always worth doing!


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Guest Room

unnamedScripture for Today:  I Peter 4:9-10 “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

One of the reasons I enjoy our century-old Alsacian home is for its guest room.  It is not the largest room but it is the nicest with a balcony that overlooks the Vosges mountains.  I have so often been a guest in the homes of others that it only makes sense to offer hospitality as often as I can.  The bed is actually two singles together so we have different options for our guests.  We have a guest book to sign and I enjoy looking back over the years, reading comments and remembering visits.

Hosting others is not always a positive experience.  Routines are interrupted.  There are new unexplained noises in the night.  The utility bill will probably increase and there will certainly be more cleaning before and after a visit.  That is why our verse for today mentions grumbling.  Hospitality is a service to others but more importantly, it is part of our stewardship to the Lord.

It is a gift to have the space and means to offer hospitality.  It is a gift to serve others in any number of ways with whatever the Lord has given us.  But the ultimate reason for hospitality or any service to others is “so that in all things the Lord is praised” (verse 11).  It is not about me.  It is not about how clean my home is or what my guests may think of the decor.  The idea is not to impress.  The idea is that the Lord is praised and glorified!

Thank you Lord, that opening my home is another way to love and praise You!


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Giving Up

Never_Give_upScripture for Today:  Galatians 6:9  “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

This quote of Winston Churchill’s is on a magnet in our study.  It was given to my husband by a student in his biology class years ago.  My husband used this quote when giving the commencement speech at our second daughter’s high school graduation.

This quote was from a speech Churchill gave to the boys of his former school, Harrow School, in 1941.  It was just after the Blitz and the English were feeling encouraged.  The actual quote is a bit different with the words, “never give in” but the idea of perseverance is the same.

As inspiring as these kinds of quotes can be, God’s Word gives a special kind of motivation.  In our verse for today, Paul exhorts the believers in Galatia to continue in their good works, especially to other believers.  He understands the temptation to give in to weariness.  One grows especially weary when one does not see results.

Reaping what is sown is a repeated theme in Scripture.  Farming the soil meant prepping it, sowing the seed, and careful tending.  Waiting for the results was normal.  And so it is with believers.  We are told that one day there will be joyful reaping of all those good works sown.  But just because we do not see immediate results does not mean that we give up.

There is plenty of temptation to give up.  Living a life of service to others is not an easy life.  It goes against my selfish nature.  If seeing immediate results is my only motivation than giving up looks pretty good.  But “in due time” there will be results and there will be reward.  God has promised.