Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Service


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Living Faith

Scripture for Today:  James 2:17  “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”

Living in Europe gives daily opportunities to see some beautifully crafted statues.  There are military ones all over the place commemorating great battles in times past.  We used to live in the home town of Joan of Arc; Orleans.  You could not turn  around there without bumping into her!  Then there are the religious statues.  They are not found only in churches.  Some are placed prominently on the roadside or more discreetly in little stone alcoves.  There is one just a hundred meters from our house of Jesus on the cross surrounded by weeping women.

Statues, regardless of their beauty are dead.  They may be placed in an awe inspiring cathedral.  They may have a pious look on their  face.  They can be in a position of humble prayer.  But they are dead.

Our verse for today talks about the nature of authentic living faith.  Saving faith is a faith that expresses itself in action.  Faith without works is much like that cold dead statue.  It can look very religious and pious, but it is not real.  True faith is not a noun.  It is a verb.  It is active and visible to others.  Our lives of obedience authenticate our faith to those around us.

James reminds us that faith if not accompanied by works, is not true saving faith.  It can also be said that good works without faith does not save either (Matt. 7:22-23).  Our salvation is totally unmerited as Ephesians 2:8-9 makes clear.  But genuine faith will always express itself.  It is its nature to act and breathe and do for others.

Thank you, Lord, that Your gift of salvation makes possible a living working faith!


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Backwards

Scripture for Today:  Mark 9:35  “After He sat down, He called the twelve and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.'”

The Rhine River runs through all of Alsace.  It originates in Switzerland with the melting snow of the Alps.  And it terminates in the North Sea of the Netherlands.  All along its banks can be found fairy tale castles and vineyards.  What is particular about this river is its northern flow.  We live in southern Alsace.  But it is called, “Haut Rhin” or Upper Alsace.  The Northern part of Alsace is called, “Bas Rhin” or Lower Alsace.  All of this confusion is due to the direction of the river’s flow.  I always have to think twice as it all just seems backwards to me!

Our verse for today can seem a bit backwards as well!  Jesus is speaking to the disciples who had just been arguing among themselves as to which of them was the greatest.  He tells them that true greatness comes from service to others.  This is completely opposed to what one would normally think.

When I think of people considered “great” I usually think of those who have enormous influence and who are visible.  Normally, a position of power and fame along with wealth is all that would be required to achieve greatness.  Jesus turns it all around.  Someone who serves others does not necessarily have any of those advantages.  Yet, in God’s kingdom the one who takes a lowly position of service is the one who is great.

I am not to follow the “flow” of this world’s values.  It may seem backwards, but God’s direction for greatness is the only one that matters.  Change my thinking, Lord.  Make me a willing servant today.


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To Do Lists

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:17  “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

When I married my husband thirty five years ago I was impressed to see him making daily “to do” lists.  The lists would be on 3×5 cards and he would carry them around in his shirt pocket.  I admired his organization but it was not my style.  He found that out when he tried making lists for me!!

There is a certain sense of satisfaction that comes from completing everything on our list.  It is a way of quantifying the day.  Something is either done or left undone.  A day is either productive or it is not.  There it is in black and white.  Of course, what is written on that list can be frivolous or unimportant, but at least it is a way of evaluating one’s time.

As a believer, my day belongs to the Lord.  Growing up I was challenged every Sunday at church with a banner that read, “Lord, what will You have me to do?”  Hopefully, my to do list is written with that question in mind.  Even so, some things cannot be quantified.  How can one note the deepening of friendships?  How does one evaluate the encouragement given to a struggling friend?

Our verse for today covers every word and every deed.  Whatever is noted on a list (and even those things that are not) are all to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Can I dedicate everything said and done in a day to Him?  Can I move through my day with a grateful heart?  More than a completed to do list, this makes a day worthwhile!


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Tools

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 13:20a-21  “Now may the God of peace……equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen”

Being that my husband is not a handyman type, our tool box leaves a bit to be desired.  It is not surprising  that no one seems to want to borrow our tools!  We have only the minimum and somehow they sit in disarray in a corner of the basement.  We are spoiled with a landlord and with friends who are talented with tools and always willing to help.

It is important to have some tools though.  I remember in high school a group of us were returning from Bible study and the car broke down.  The driver confidently went to the trunk for tools and presented us with a hammer and a roll of duck tape!  That was not going to do much!

Our verse for today is reassuring.  God promises that He will equip us to do anything and everything that He asks of us!  He has given us His Spirit, infusing us with His power!  He has given us special spiritual gifts to serve Him better.  He has given us the fruit of His Spirit and the teaching of His Word.

There have been times in my life I have been nervous about what He might ask of me should I completely surrender my will to Him.  But I have lived this truth; my God is a gracious God.  He does not ask something of me without enabling me to accomplish it!  He is at work in me using all those tools.  Thank you, Lord, that You are faithful to equip me to do Your will today.


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Rewards

IMG_20121210_105052Scripture for Today:  Colossians 3:23-24  “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.  It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

We all love to be rewarded and recognized for what we do!  My husband has collected a number of trophies over the years for winning basketball tournaments.  They sit proudly on the top shelf of a bookcase in our study.  On the rare occasions when I dust them, I think about those happy proud moments when he was honored along with his team.

The Lord understands our need for recognition and reward and how they help to motivate us.  But there is a reluctance to talk about rewards.  It is like we are embarrassed that we need them.  There is the idea that somehow working for reward is a motive that is suspect.  And yet, the teaching of rewards is found throughout Scripture.

Our verse for today is quite clear about linking reward to our motivation to work hard.  It is for Him that we  work and not for the approval and recognition of men.  It is always nice, of course, to have that pat on the back from men too.  But it does not always come.

There are many times that others do not see what we do, or in seeing, say nothing in the way of thanks or appreciation.  Those words of approval are important to keep us going.  We are just made that way. That is why we need to be reminded of God’s rewards.  He sees.  He knows.  He is pleased with our service to Him.

His approval, His approbation, His reward keep me going.  Please Lord, may I one day hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”