Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Service


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Giving Up?

Scripture for Today: Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

I can relate to the frustration this young woman must be feeling.  I can guess at the pressure she is feeling to meet a deadline.  Perhaps she is irritated at a failed communication or the lack of any response at all.  I wonder if she feels that her work will never produce the desired effect.  In any case, this image suggests a discouragement and weariness we all sometimes feel.

Today’s verse lets us know that though we do not see an immediate result to our good works, there will be a future time when we will see the fruit of our labor.  The “proper time” for seeing results may not be the present.  But eventually, God brings about results.  The harvest we reap is in His timing and control.  Our part is to keep on keeping on, regardless of the results.

It is easy for me to feel weary and wonder if God is really using me.  I do not want to give up serving Him, but it can be discouraging to wonder if I am making a difference.  Is He hearing my prayers for my loved ones?  Is He using my story to draw others to Himself?  God’s work of changing hearts is often initially unseen.  But the promise of reaping a harvest is only for those who do not give up!  I have to trust that His Word does not return void but accomplishes what He intends (Isaiah 55:11).  Yes, there are moments of weariness, but in His grace He gives strength and motivation to continue!

Help me Lord, to never give up serving You!


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Remembering Sacrifice

Scripture for Today: Matthew 16:25 “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.”

Today on Memorial Day, North Americans remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.  We commemorate the war dead with special ceremonies, parades, speeches, and graveyard visits.  Some consider the origins of this day as coming from “Decoration Day.”  After the Civil War, graves were decorated with flowers, although this had been the practice of women for centuries.  It is good to remember how costly freedom is and to honor those who paid for it with their lives.

The sacrifice of life for a worthy cause is incredible and I have the utmost respect for these soldiers.  There is another worthy cause for sacrificing life that is even higher and more noble; losing one’s life for the Lord.  Our verse for today is in the context of picking up our own cross in order to follow Christ.  This sacrifice of life is a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).  Sacrificing the right to order and direct one’s life is in fact no sacrifice at all.  Our verse teaches that in doing this we actually find life!

Losing my life for the One I love is the best way to demonstrate that love.  I lose my life each time I choose to obey God’s way rather than my own.  I lose my life every time I put His agenda of good works ahead of my own.  When I desire Christ’s love above and beyond any human love then my life is spent serving Him.  In losing my life to Him, He fills it and makes it meaningful!

Thank you, Lord, for sacrificing Your life for me.  Thank you that through sacrificing myself to You, I find that life!


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Bellows

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 1:6 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

In former times this antique bellow was a common sight in starting and maintaining a fire.  The flexible bag would expand with air entering through a valve.  The air would then be expelled through a tube.  As a result the fire would burn more brightly with the supply of air.  I was surprised to see the choices available today for this age-old tool.  As different as the styles may be, they all have in common that important flow of air helping the fire to burn.

Our verse for today is an encouragement from Paul to Timothy.  Paul took special interest in Timothy, considering him as a son.  Because he was convinced of his sincere faith, Paul urged him to fan into flame the Holy Spirit’s gifts already received.

Each believer is given a gift by the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:7) to be used in service to Him.  Sometimes though, that gift can be reduced to smoldering coals through neglect.  Life can seem so full and busy, we forget what we were given and why.  That flame can sometimes need fanning.  The Holy Spirit wants to breathe power, love and self-discipline on those coals, making us bold in our testimony and service (verse 7).  We cannot burn brightly for Him without the work of the Holy Spirit.  His Spirit is like those bellows, fanning into a flame the spiritual gift He has given us.

When the Holy Spirit is working through me, there is no chance of “burn out.”  He continually breathes His supply of power.  He accomplished in me so much more than I can ever do on my own.

Lord, keep me burning brightly today!

 

 


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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!