Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Submission


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Sweet Sunlight

Scripture for Today:  Ecclesiastes 11:7  “Light is sweet and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.”

I love the contrast in this photo of light and dark. The clouds heavy with rain move just enough to reveal the sweet light behind them.  I love to be in the sunlight and I seem to appreciate it even more after the darkness of the clouds.  Soon, I will be moving to the land of almost continual sunshine in California.  But I know from experience that after a few months of that sunshine being uninterrupted, I tend to take it for granted.  Of course, it will still be a pleasure to my eyes, but the contrast that makes me appreciate it may more often be missing.

Our verse for today is written by Solomon in a book filled with references to the sun.  The phrase, “under the sun” is often used when speaking of the futility of life.  All of life is said to be meaningless and vain if not lived in right relationship to God.  Even sweet light and the pleasure of seeing the sun has no real meaning without knowing its Creator.

The context of our verse also speaks of remembering the darkness.  There will always be in every life those days of darkness.  Remembering those hard times helps us appreciate the sweet light so much more when it arrives!  Recognizing the contrast makes me grateful for every ray of sunlight!

I am so thankful for a loving personal God who gives me just the right amount of darkness and sunlight.  I can trust Him as He gives to each day what He knows is best.  He allows pain and pleasure, and “mingles toil with peace and rest.” (Day By Day)

Thank you Lord, for the sweet light of Your presence.


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Wisteria

IMG_20140413_123137Scripture for Today: Hebrews 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Our neighbor’s wisteria below our Alsacian home is at its peak.  I can hardly tear my eyes away from it as it is so full.  It practically bends the fence with the weight of its blooms.  I do not remember it being quite this spectacular other years.  But I do remember seeing our neighbor pruning it, and this is the beautiful result.  However, not all wisteria vines flower well.  There is the story of a lady who after twenty years of fertilizing and pruning finally gave up on her wisteria.  She cut off the branches, poured gasoline on the trunk and burned it.  The plant started blooming the next spring and every year since!

I could not read that story without thinking of today’s verse.  The Lord does discipline and train His children.  Our Heavenly Father is perfect and so is His correction.  For the believer, judgement and punishment have been taken care of on the cross.  But we do need His loving discipline.  Although it is painful, it is always done for the goal of producing in us the beautiful blossoms of righteousness and peace.

Discipline can last a long time when I do not respond to His correction.  Thankfully, He never gives up on me, as did the woman in the story.  Of course, not all the suffering in my life is discipline.  But when repentance is called for, how much better that I quickly fall to my knees in humble confession!  What hope to know that what follows may be the most productive time of my life!

Thank you Lord, for producing in me Your peace and righteousness.

 


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Precious Cargo

sling shelterScripture for Today: Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you.  I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

My sweet grandson sleeps best when carried by his mother!  My daughter has several styles of carriers and they all seem different from what I used.  I still remember the hike to Nevada Falls when my husband carried both of our daughters at once.  He had our eldest in a back carrier and our youngest in a carrier on his chest.  They were happy to be close and cuddled by their daddy and we were all able to enjoy the hike together.  Of course, eventually they both outgrew their carriers.

Our verse for today is about being carried and sustained by the One who has created us.  Unlike the gods of Babylon who were utterly helpless, our God has upheld us from the moment we were conceived! (verse 3)  His care continues throughout life, even and especially when we are older and feeble.  He is the One who sustains.  We never outgrow this carrier!  It is on His chest that we are calm and can rest.  We are safe and secure when He holds us close.  His sustaining power rescues us from any potential danger.

My rebellious spirit makes me squirm.  To be carried means relinquishing any control I think I have.  My little grandson cannot decide where he is going.  We however, try to climb down from His arms.  We think we know where we are going and what we are doing.  But in fact, His way is always better.

Stress and fatigue cause me to climb back up where I belong.  Thank you Lord, for carrying me.

 


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Half and Half

creamer1Scripture for Today:  Psalm 119:113  “I hate double-minded people, but I love Your law.”

The myriad of choices having to do with coffee preferences can completely confuse me.  In a specialty coffee shop, no one would want to be behind me, waiting for me to make up my mind.  Just when I think I have it figured out, I am directed toward the cream counter.  There again I am faced with choices.  There are often three different possibilities; whole milk, non-fat milk or half and half.  I do not want my coffee too rich or too watery, so I usually end up with the half and half.  My thinking is that it has to be a good compromise.

Compromise can be a good thing in many areas of life, but certainly not in our obedience to the Lord.  Our verse for today contrasts loving God’s law with a double-minded approach.  The double-minded individual will sometimes obey God’s law, but not always.  There is a lack of true commitment.  If obedience costs something or is inconvenient, then the double-minded person will do what is easy and convenient.  James 1:17 describes this person as unstable in all his ways.  There is no constancy.  Their commitment to God is as variable as the ocean waves.

I do not want to be that person.  Loving God’s law does not mean I will always keep it.  David failed and so do I.  Thankfully, I am under grace and not law because of Jesus.  But it is always my desire to follow what God wants, even when it is difficult.  There is blessing in my life as a result of obedience.  There is nothing but pain and heartache when I do not obey.

Lord, keep me from being half and half in my obedience to You!


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Running

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 119:31-32  “I hold fast to your statutes, Lord, do not let me be put to shame.  I run in the path of your commands for You have broadened my understanding.”

Running is in my family.  My husband, son, and brother-in-law all seem to enjoy running.  My problem is that I do not like to sweat.  If one should ever see me run, it would be for some kind of an emergency!  But the health benefits are undeniable and many runners talk about that “runner’s high.”  The endorphin levels rise during intense exercising, affecting one’s mood.  That feeling of euphoria can sometimes comes from long distance running.  I can think of some other less strenuous sources of euphoria, say in eating good chocolate!

Our verse for today uses the image of running to describe enthusiastic obedience to God’s commands.  Normally, one would not think of running to obey.  More common is the idea of reluctant compliance.  We know God’s commandments are given in love and are good for us.  But there is something innate in us that wants to rebel, wants to go our way.  We think we know better.  The end result is shame for our choices.  But obedience to Him will never result in shame.  Obeying His laws gives us wisdom and understanding about Him, about life, and about how our own way is just not as good as His.

Running to obey Him shows a heart that is completely His own.  Waiting only gives room to doubts and fear.  Obeying Him quickly shows a trust that is absolute.  When God gave Abraham a command concerning his son, he rose early the next morning to obey (Gen.22:3).  As incredibly difficult as it was, Abraham did not wait to obey.

Lord, may I run to obey You today!