Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Service


by 2 Comments

Masting in the New Year!

Scripture for Today: Matthew 13:8 “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

As I walked along a path of oaks in the small town of Marion, Massachusetts, I couldn’t help but step all over the fallen acorns! They were everywhere, littering the ground. My first thought was that a strong wind must have blown them all down at once. I later learned that this carpet of acorns was due to what is called, “masting.” Every few years, especially among nut-producing trees, the acorns would all fall at once, not just for an individual tree but for all of that species in an area! It is not well understood just how and why the trees seem to know when to let go all at once!

Today’s verse comes from the parable Jesus told of the Sower and the Seed. The first seed was eaten by the birds, representing Satan snatching away what was not fully understood. The second seed grew no root because of troubles and persecution. The third seed was choked to death by worry and deceitful riches. But, there was a sort of “masting” or bumper crop from the seed that fell on good soil. This is the seed who hears, understands and accepts God’s Word and in turn produces much fruit!

As I stand on the cusp of a New Year, I would love to see “masting” in my life, producing much fruit. But it does not happen by wishing it were so. There is no fruit in my life unless I remain in Him (John 15:4). And I remain in the Lord by cooperating with His pruning, (verse 2) by saturating myself in His Word (verse 7) and by obeying and enjoying His love! (verse 10) Perhaps then there will be a bumper crop of fruit that glorifies and pleases Him!

Thank you Lord, for another year and another chance to bear fruit!


by Leave a comment

The French Baguette

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:27 “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

This picture says it all about the important place of the baguette in France! It will often make its appearance at the breakfast table slathered with butter and jam. It reappears at lunch time without butter to sop up that lovely sauce. Don’t forget its place at goûter or snack time holding up a piece of chocolate! And to finish the day, there it is again, ready to be dipped into the soup. Everyday this bread works hard!

Today’s verse is part of a long description of what a hard working wife and mother looks like. There is no time or place for the “bread of idleness.” For her, watching over the affairs of her household involves long hours as she provides food (vs.15), sews her family’s clothes (vs. 13, 24), and plants vineyards (vs. 16). She works hard at buying (vs. 16), selling (vs.24) and trading (vs. 18). This is no slouch! Because of her work ethic, her husband is respected and he, along with the children, praise her!

It is hard work to continually watch over a household, as I have found over these last 45 years. I haven’t done it perfectly and I certainly do not measure up to this ideal in Proverbs 31. And it can be demotivating to work hard in the home when the American culture ascribes to it so little value. But God does and says whatever is done, even the mundane things, can be done for His glory! (I Cor. 10:31) My unseen and unsung work has His approval and the praise of my family. And that is enough.

Lord, may this day’s work, whatever it is, honor You!


by Leave a comment

Old Photos

Scripture for Today: Revelation 2:3-4 “You have persevered and have endured hardship for My name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you; You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

In preparing for my Mother-in-Law’s memorial I have been immersed in old photos. This one from 1932 is especially precious, showing Minnie in the middle of four of her siblings, two on each side of her. But it is such a shame to see the damage done by UV rays, bright light, heat and humidity. Thankfully, it is possible to restore old photos to their original look using a number of different computer programs. My sister is the family “historian” bringing back to life old photos.

Today’s verse is a reprimand from the Lord to the Church at Ephesus. He is so gracious to start with a commendation. This church had gone through suffering for their faith. They did not renounce the Lord and continued strong. But there was something missing. They allowed obligation to replace the faithfulness that comes from a heartfelt love. The Lord sees the heart and knows from where our service springs. Somehow, their love had cooled from its original fervor. The brightness of that first love had faded.

If I am honest with myself, I admit to sometimes being in that same condition. I am committed and convinced of my faith. As far as I can know myself, I am willing to suffer and die for His name’s sake if He should ask it of me. But there are times when I feel far away from Him. The emotional connection can fade like images on an old photograph. He is there and always faithful, but routine and obligation can quickly take the place of the intimacy I have had in the past.

Lord, do not let me become satisfied with anything less than the vibrant clarity of our shared love.


by 2 Comments

Panda

Scripture for Today: James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

I love that my Mother-in-Law is nicknamed, “Panda.” I am not sure how this name originated for this petite 95-year-old Chinese woman. But there is one glaring similarity! Pandas eat all the time! They eat 30-45 pounds of bamboo per day. Because the bamboo is low in nutrition and pandas digest a very low percentage of what they eat, they must consume huge quantities. They are constantly eating. And at Panda’s end of life stage, she cannot digest too much at once. So she too seems to constantly nibble!

Today’s verse talks about two ways one can feed on God’s Word. One can merely listen to it and be deceived into thinking that is sufficient. Or one can not only listen to God’s Word but actually apply it and put it into practice. In obeying God’s Word, there is change, growth and good spiritual health.  However, merely listening is much easier to do. There can be momentary feel-good reactions to a poetic passage or a challenging story of faith. But it is when we respond to His commands with submission and obedience that we truly grow.

What I have “eaten” of God’s Word over the years is now being put to the test of obedience. Large quantities of head knowledge do not go far enough. The Lord wants me to put into practice what I know He wants of me. And what He wants now is unselfish servanthood for Panda. Listening, reading, memorizing, meditating and communicating God’s truth is important. But He wants more. He calls me to obedience. It may be a hot tea rather than that cup of cold water. But serving Panda is serving Him!

Lord, don’t let me be deceived. Keep me obedient.


by Leave a comment

No Way!!

Scripture for Today: Romans 13:8 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”

What a shock to find yourself 49 billion dollars in debt! But that was the nasty surprise that awaited a young woman recently on returning home after a night out. I can just imagine the chaotic scene that followed after checking her bank balance on her phone at 2 am. Of course it could be nothing but a technical glitch by the bank. And in fact, the whole matter was cleared up in the morning. At least, it made for a good story!

There is a much more important debt in today’s verse. It can never be completely paid and it is the debt of love. It is a continuing debt as no one can say they have paid it in full. Perfectly loving others completely fulfills the Law. This is because all of the Law is summed up in loving one’s neighbor as one’s self (verse 9). Adultery, murder, theft or covetousness would never be a part of showing love as love will never do harm to a neighbor (verse 10). There is only One who has been able to fulfill the Law with a perfect love; Jesus.

Perfect love would not describe me. It is not so much what I do not do to my neighbor as in these obvious sins. It is rather the good I fail to do for my neighbor. Being selfish and self-centered keeps me from loving and serving like Christ did. Thankfully, Jesus has made His love available to me in the person of His Spirit. His filling and control can change my heart from self-centered to others-centered..

Lord, fill my heart with Your love today.