Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: The Body of Christ


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The Praying Mantis

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

This mantis looks to have been interrupted in his prayers!  These alien-looking insects got their name from their prayer-like stance.  These strange creatures are the only insects that can turn their heads 180 degrees!  They may look like they are praying but in fact they are very alert and highly visual, noticing any disturbance in their environment.  Even when flying at night some are able to avoid bats, detecting their echolocation sounds.

Today’s verse encourages the believer to pray on any and every occasion.  This verse closes out the passage talking about how to fight the spiritual war.  The battle we wage is not fought individually but in concert with others.  Of course we pray for ourselves.  We want strength, protection, and greater faith.  But we are also to be praying for all of the Lord’s people facing the same challenges we do.

We are told to be alert.  We need to have our “antennae” up and sensitive to needs around us.  All it takes is to turn our head in a half circle to see someone who needs prayer.  Our prayers lift up and encourage a fallen soldier.  Praying for another encourages them to get back in the battle and to persevere.

I sometimes feel that praying for others is not as important as some of the other ways we serve Him.  How often I have heard, (or said) “Well, I guess all I can really do is pray for her.”  Are not our prayers the most important thing we can do?

Lord, make me a faithful prayer warrior today!


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Champagne Fountain

Scripture for Today: I Thessalonians 3:12 “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”

I am always impressed seeing a champagne fountain at French wedding receptions.  To catch the cascading champagne it takes such precision in placing the glasses just so!  Each tier of glasses fills to the point of overflowing to the next level.  The waiters have it down to a science.  Their timing has to be perfect.  The result is almost too pretty to disturb.  And who gets the honor of drinking from that single top glass?  The bride or the groom?

Today’s verse is a prayer of Paul’s for new believers he had to leave behind.  His co-worker, Timothy, brought back good news about their faith and love.  Paul had been worried that they may be discouraged about the persecutions he was facing.  Instead, his heart was warmed to hear how they were standing firm.

One of the marks of a believer is the love we have one for the other (John 13:35).  But it is nothing we manufacture on our own!  The Lord is the one who makes our love increase and overflow.  He is love and the source of it.  The fruit or evidence of His Spirit’s work in us is love, right at the top of the list (Gal.5:22).  When I do not have it in me to love someone difficult, the only solution is to ask Him to increase that capacity to love.  By my own efforts it just does not happen.  I am too self-centered.  When He is producing that love in me, it overflows naturally.  His love spills over to others and no one cares who has that top glass.

Lord, fill me to overflowing with Your love today.

 


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Kisses

Scripture for Today: I Peter 1:22 “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have a sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”

I am not sure if these seals are kissing or just checking each other’s breath!  Maybe they are siblings making up after a squabble.  Perhaps they are long lost friends experiencing a sweet reunion.  I hate to think of it as just an easily explained animal behavior.  Rather than believing it an instinctive act, I prefer to see it as a sweet moment of greeting.  After living in France for nearly three decades I grew accustomed to kissing cheeks as a form of greeting.  I grew so used to it that often it could become meaningless and routine.

Today’s verse talks about love being sincere.  It is described as a love that comes deeply, from the heart.  It is more than showy grandstanding or flowery speech.  It is more than a warm greeting.  A sincere love will not be just, “with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (I John 3:18)  A sincere deep love is unselfish and without hypocrisy.  There is no thought of recompense or some hidden agenda.

There is a progression in experiencing this kind of love.  It can only begin with a pure heart.  And a pure heart begins with obeying the truth.  It is a relief to know that I do not have to manufacture this lofty love on my own.  It is a natural outgrowth of the Lord working in me.  Obedience to His way will keep my heart pure, unsullied and able to love.  When I am having trouble loving someone, the best remedy is to run to Him for cleansing!

Lord, today make my heart pure and able to love.


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The Flying Buttress

Scripture for Today: I Timothy 3:15 “If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

The flying buttress pictured here is part of the Notre Dame of Paris.  In the 1100’s the architects built these supports for many of the Gothic cathedrals.  Normally, a buttress was built as an integral part of the side walls for additional support.  The flying buttress not only supported the heavy stone roof but also allowed for more light.  With the supports arching away from the building, more of the walls could be made of windows, making the interior lighter and brighter.

Today’s verse describes the Church as a pillar and buttress of truth.  Both of these structures serve as an image of support and reinforcement for the truth of God’s Word.  Truth has the strength and power to sustain and strengthen.  Being bolstered by the truth allows believers to bear up against the lies of the Deceiver.

The support of a pillar can be found on the interior or exterior of a building.  But the buttress is clearly on the exterior.  It is more vulnerable to the elements and more easily seen.  Standing for the truth out in the world can make one a target for persecution.  But in the end, the truth does stand.  Jesus said that the gates of Hell will never prevail against the Church that He has built (Matt. 16:18).

The structure is not the Church.  The pillars or the buttresses are not the Church.  The roof and walls may fall down over time.  But still His Church overcomes because He resides in believers (I Cor. 6:19).

Lord, keep me standing for the truth of Your Word.


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Follow Me!

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 1:12 “….One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.'”

It was easy following Paul.  He was driving a comfortable pace in the commuter lane.  We kept right up with him regardless of the boisterous noise of six French teens seated behind us.  It took the stress out of driving to have someone in the lead.  But when it looked as if Paul missed our exit, I was not too worried.  I just figured he knew a different way to our destination.  But when another exit flew by, I was worried enough to call him on my cell.  He had already arrived!  We were following the wrong car!

Our verse today was written by the apostle Paul to the church at Corinth.  The believers there were dividing themselves into factions.  Each group followed a different church leader.  Paul turns their thoughts and loyalties to the One who could bring them together in unity.  After all, it was not Paul crucified.  They were not baptized in his name but in the name of Jesus (verse 13).  When we all have our eyes fixed on Jesus, following Him, we will remain united.

It seems as if it is part of human nature to split up into separate groups.  Somehow, pride gets in the way of fostering unity.  We major on our differences rather than celebrating our common ground.  There is a danger of placing the group or the leader above Christ, making our allegiance to that leader the most important one.  But in following Jesus Christ above all else, we bond with others who do the same, regardless of church affiliation, regardless of race, age or locale.

Thank you Lord, that following You above anyone else brings sweet unity with others!