Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Service


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Puppet Strings

Scripture for Today: Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve….But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

I was surprised to learn that Punch and Judy have been around since the 1600’s!  These marionettes  as part of British culture were originally intended for adult entertainment.  It was not until the Victorian era that the stories were changed for children.  Each story had common themes including: Punch’s bad behavior, struggles with Judy, his wife and the baby, victory over run-ins with the law, and plenty of songs and jokes mixed in.  Of course, Punch and Judy had no say in the story line!

Today’s verse is part of a charge Joshua gave the Israelites just before his death.  He admonished the people to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully by throwing out the gods of their ancestors.  Joshua challenged them to choose!  Then comes the often-quoted declaration that he and his household choose to serve the Lord.  Our Creator has given us choice.  How it works with His sovereignty is a mystery but true nonetheless.  There are no puppet strings however.  God wants our love and service to be sincere and come from our hearts.

Every day there lies before me a choice in how I will spend those next 24 hours.  I can choose to live them for my own selfish pleasure or I can choose to find my pleasure in service to Him!  When I choose my own interests over His, it is as if I am choosing the same false gods of those Israelites.  But when I choose to serve Him, I feel His pleasure and experience His gracious blessing!

Lord, today I choose You!


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The Backhoe

Scripture for Today: I Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Life comes to a complete stand-still for my young grandsons when one of these earth moving machines rolls into view.  I am not sure why the fascination but at least it’s free entertainment!  It took some “digging” to learn the difference between these different machines.  I learned that the backhoe pictured here is different than the excavator as it digs by pulling the earth backwards towards itself, rather than lifting the earth.

Today’s verse reminds the believers in the Thessalonian church to continue building up and encouraging each other.  They were told to encourage one another with the truth of our hope in Jesus Christ.  Regardless of pain and suffering, persecution and even death, they could look forward to living with Him eternally.  These were the words that would build up the one going through a hard time.  We are to be the “excavator,” lifting up that dirt.

I do not want to be that backhoe.  It is moving that dirt towards itself.  The “backhoe” wants all the attention on him.  Rather than being concerned for the other, the self-centered believer takes and takes without reciprocating.  My focus is to be on the one who needs lifting up.

A friend asked this morning how I was doing and I shared a few struggles.  She grabbed my hand right there and prayed for me.  I was so touched.  It was only right that I turn the question around and ask her what she was facing.  And it seemed the most natural thing in the world to also pray for her!  We were both lifted up and encouraged.

Thank you Lord, for the encouragement we can give and receive!

 


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Salt Blocks

Scripture for Today: Matthew 5;13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”

As a city girl, just about everything having to do with animals and their care is a surprise for me!  The salt block was one such surprise.  I am always being told to limit my intake of sodium for better health.  But for these horses, that salt they are busily licking gives them added nutrition necessary for optimum health.  They require two to four tablespoons per day to keep their sodium levels where they should be.  Without it, the blood will not hold enough water and the kidneys are affected.

Today’s verse tells us that as believers we are called the salt of the earth.  We are to have an influence on those around us.  Our tasty contribution to this world is to draw attention to the Father and His glory (verse 16).  We sprinkle our surroundings with acts of love and kindness that point to Him.  But we can lose that saltiness by living for our own comfort and pleasure.  We can lose our saltiness by taking credit for the good things we have done rather than giving Him the praise that is due Him.

For me to be salt and an influence for Christ, I need to be out there in the world.   Salt does no good sitting on the shelf with all the other salt shakers.  But there is always the risk of losing my saltiness.  Living to serve others is not always a comfortable way to live.  I am faced everyday with the temptation to live entirely for myself.

Lord, make my testimony strong and salty for You.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.


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Caring Dolphins

Scripture for Today: Galatians 6:1-2  “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.  But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Awhile back I took my daughter whale watching but all we saw were dolphins.  Neither of us were disappointed though.  They are so much fun to watch, jumping, frolicking and following our boat.  Dolphins are such intelligent mammals and often will “bow-ride,” swimming alongside a ship to conserve energy.  But what is really surprising is their altruism!  A dolphin will stay by another ill or injured dolphin, even helping them to the surface to breathe!

Today’s verse is addressed to those who are living and walking by the Spirit.  Restoring a fellow believer who is broken with sin is more than just altruism but a command. This act of love and caring is done with kindness, tenderness and a gentle spirit.  When we restore someone to a close relationship with the Lord, we listen, we cry, we share, we pray together and we encourage confession.  How amazing it is to see God’s forgiveness make one whole again!

There are really two prerequisites to restoring a believer caught in sin.  The first is to be in right relationship with the Lord myself.  The second is to care, to care and love so much that I am willing to be involved, even long term.  To care that much means being a servant with my time.  It also means caring enough to risk misunderstanding and perhaps a broken relationship as a result of speaking truth.  But what a privilege to be used by Him to bring someone back!

Lord, make me willing to care that much!


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Bald Eagle’s Nest

Scripture for Today: Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve….But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

The nest or aerie of a bald eagle is the largest of any North American bird.  They can measure up to 13 feet deep and 8 feet wide!  Along with sticks the eagle uses moss, grass, plant stalks, lichens, seaweed and sod.  The bole area for their young is lined with softer material and down feathers.  Recently, the public was reminded to keep the areas in their vicinity clear of trash.  Apparently, the eagles will sometimes make use of the trash on the ground to build up their nests.

Today’s verse is part of a charge Joshua gave the Israelites just before his death.  He admonished the people to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully by throwing out the gods of their ancestors.  Joshua challenged them to choose!  Then comes the often quoted declaration that he and his household choose to serve the Lord.  There will be no compromise by allowing the trash of false gods to cross his threshold.

I want to have that same resolve as Joshua.  One would think that false gods would not really be an issue.  But a “god” can be anything I prioritize and value more than my Savior.  In allowing other things to take His place, my nest or house might grow larger and more impressive to some.  But it is foolish to be building my house on what is essentially sand (Matt.7:26).  It is by wisdom that a house is built (Prov. 24:3).  And when I am fearing and obeying Him I am being wise (Psalm 111:10).  May all who enter my house see exactly who we choose to serve!

Lord, I choose You.