Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Submission


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Black Mamba Snake

Scripture for Today: Philippians 1:21 “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

It is said of Kobe Bryant that he was one of the most lethal guards ever to play basketball.  Perhaps this is why Kobe chose the black mamba snake as his alter ego.  It is Africa’s longest and the world’s fastest snake as well as being extremely venomous.  Nothing was going to get in the way or stop Kobe from reaching his goals.  He had a singular focus to attack those goals.  Ironically, Bryant’s words after his final NBA game were , “Mamba out.”  What a shame to have left this life so early.

Today’s verse describes the mindset of Paul.  He writes these words from house arrest, not knowing what his future may be.  He longs to be freed from not only his physical chains but the restraints of his earthly life, affirming that being with Christ is far better (verse 23).  For Paul, the issue was not life or death but the realization of his goal, that Christ would be exalted through him (verse 20).  He had a singular focus that marked his life and affected others, both in his day and currently.

I would love to have that kind of focus.  My eyes are not always fixed on my Sovereign Lord (Psalm 141:8).  I am so easily distracted by the mundane or the routine.  But when my focus is on living for Him, I not only feel His pleasure but my day takes on wonderful purpose!  There is not a worthier goal out there than to live the life my Creator has planned for me.  Living is Christ.  Dying is Christ.  I have in fact already died and my life is hidden in Him (Col. 3:3).

Lord, keep  my focus on You today!


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I Did It My Way

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

The music of the famous song, “My Way,” was based on the French song, “Comme D’Habitude.”   But the lyrics were written by Paul Anka.  After dining with Frank Sinatra and hearing about his unhappiness that things were not going his way, Anka penned the now-famous lyrics.  They describe a man facing his own mortality and reflecting on a life done his own way.  It says, “For what is a man, what has he got?  If not himself, then he has naught.”

Today’s verse talks about how right and good our way can seem.  There is a rebel lurking in all of us and we would rather question God’s way than question our own.  But this verse is saying that even though our way may seem right, it can still be wrong.  Our subjective stamp of approval does not change the objective truth that certain choices will lead to death.  We all need to be taught and led in His way (Psalm  27:11) and led in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:24).

How glad I am that I have more to live this life than the lyrics suggest!  I am not on my own.  My life has a plan and a purpose, created by the One who created me!  It is true that I do not always understand His way and His logic, but I am to walk His way in faith.  His way leads me on to level ground instead of the steep inclines of my ill-conceived short cuts! (Psalm 143:10).  His way leads me by still quiet waters instead of the turbulent waters my choices create (Psalm 23:2).

Lord, in looking back on my life, may I be able to say, ‘I did it YOUR way.'”

 


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Plane Trees

Scripture for Today:  John 15:2  “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

These plane trees are a common sight in France, often lining a country road.  They do not look like much here, however when they leaf out they are beautiful and give welcomed shade.  But during the pruning season they are cut back so far they look as if they may not survive.  The knobby ends to those branches make the tree look so strange and forlorn.  Yet if they were not cut back so aggressively, they would become thin and scraggily with their old growth.

Today’s verse refers to the pruning of vine branches to produce more and better fruit.  But the idea is the same; that old growth needs to be removed before new growth can happen.  The one who does the pruning is the Father or the gardener.  He does not want me to be content with the fruit He has already produced.  He wants me to cooperate with His pruning shears in order to produce more fruit that is richer and more excellent.

Pruning does not feel so good.  It is a painful process.  Just after pruning the plant does not look so good either. But when the Lord allows the hard times in my life, He has in mind to produce new growth in me.  Every painful circumstance He can use.  There is new dependance on Him with every failure, with every disappointment.  I may not see the new growth for awhile, but He has promised a beautiful result; a fruitful life.

Help me, Lord, not to question your pruning shears.  Help me to trust what You are doing in my life.

 


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Multi-Tasking

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 86:11 “Teach me Your way Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your name.”

Multi-tasking can be a valuable life skill, from the office worker juggling several projects at once to the busy mother handling multiple demands.  But of course, one place multi-tasking does not belong is behind the wheel!  We have all been there, driving distractedly with either last minute grooming, texting, phoning or even eating at the wheel.  However, driving is one of those activities that for safety’s sake requires undivided attention.

Today’s verse is part of a prayer of David’s.  He understands that in following God’s way he will be walking in His truth and relying on His faithfulness.  But to do that David prays for a heart that is undivided.  David wants to be wholly committed to the Lord but like so many of us, his heart is distracted.  God does not want just some of our attention, but all of it!  We are to love Him with ALL our heart, soul, and strength (Deut. 6:5).  And when our hearts are completely His, we can fear and worship His name and all He represents.

Loving Him with all of my heart is the only possible response to what He has done for me.  He has shown me a “great love” (verse 13) that has delivered me and made me alive!  My heart can be full of love for family and friends but this love for Him is something different and something all-consuming.  It is a love that reaches down to my soul and it is a love that will be eternal.  The more of my heart that I give Him, the more this love grows!

Keep my heart undivided, Lord.  Take all of it and make it Yours.

 


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Following the Recipe

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 119:137-138 “You are righteous, Lord, and Your laws are right. The statues You have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.”

I love following a good recipe that is tried and true.  And if I want a German dish to be authentic I would go to the trouble of translating those instructions (as well as converting the measurements).  I would not worry about all the verbs being in the command form.  It is a recipe after all.  I do not expect it to say, “please beat the eggs.”  Or “would you mind chopping the nuts.”  But I am not offended.  The directives are there to obtain a good, tasty result!

Today’s verse describes God’s directives.  Sometimes they can seem very blunt.  There is no softening of what God requires of us.  But His commands are always with a good goal.  They are always for our good and for our protection.  We know that because HE is good.  What He commands is fully trustworthy and an expression of His love and care.  This is why David could say that they are a joy to the heart and light to the eyes, sweeter than honey and more precious than gold! (Psalm 19)

If God’s commandments are really for my good, then why am I always trying to change the recipe?  Because that is in fact what I sometimes try to do.  I think I know better or that somehow I am an exception to the rule.  Maybe I can “sort of” follow the instructions but introduce a variation which makes it easier on me.  The result is never as good.  His way is always the best and I am the one who benefits when I carefully follow what He wants.

Lord, thank you for Your love expressed through your commands.