Devotions By Jan


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The Boomerang

Scripture for Today:  Matt. 18:21-22  “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

I have never thrown a boomerang so I would be the last choice to participate in the many competitions that exist.  When thrown in a certain way the boomerang is designed to return to the person who threw it.  It is made to spin on an axis perpendicular to the direction of its flight and so return to the point of origin.  Who has not seen the boomerang used in a cartoon, hitting the unsuspecting on the back of the head!

In today’s verse, Peter asks the Lord how many times he should forgive his brother.  I am sure that when Peter suggested seven times he felt he was being very generous.  But the Lord’s answer was surprising; seventy times seven.  It is not that we are to count at all.  The idea is that we forgive our brother every time he asks.  Like that boomerang, there are those in our lives who keep coming back for forgiveness.  Perhaps it is a family member.  Maybe it is someone in the church.  It could even be that they are asking forgiveness for the same exact offense every time!

How exasperating to have to forgive someone over and over again.  And yet, this is what the Lord does for me.  Like a boomerang, I keep coming back to Him for forgiveness and very often for the same failing.  I am so glad He does not count.  I am so thankful that He promises to forgive me every time I come to Him (I John1:9)

Lord, help me not to count but show that same forgiveness to others!


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Anemone Stinkhorn

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 52:10 “The Lord will lay bare His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.”

This Anemone Stinkhorn fungus almost looks diabolical!  It is also called the Sea Anemone Fungus and Starfish Fungus, looking so much like those creatures.  Its name in Greek means “disgust, juice, red.”  And its most disgusting feature is its putrid smell which attracts flies who carry its spores.  But what fascinates me are those spreading arms, ranging from six to ten and dividing into two tentacles each.

Today’s verse describes just one arm, an arm that is powerful and holy.  God’s arm is laid bare so that His strength, might and deliverance are seen by all the nations.  This arm brings salvation to His people and all will see it.  Because of God keeping His word to the Israelites, they will again know and honor His name (verse 6).  Those ruling over them had been mocking God and God will not be mocked (Gal. 6:7).  His arm is not too short to save (Is. 59:1) and the demonstration of His power would reach the ears of all the nations.

The Lord continues to bare His arm as He intervenes in my life.  Nothing is too hard for Him regardless of the illogical limits I tend to place on Him.  He continues to deliver His own.  He continues to answer impossible prayers, stumping the doctors.  He is mighty to save from dangers I do not even recognize.  His outstretched arm keeps me from what would have been a nasty fall.  Half the time, His intervention goes unnoticed.  But He wants me to trust and lean on that arm, “safe and secure from all alarm.”

Lord, help me recognize Your arm today.

 

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Moeraki Boulders

Scripture for Today: I Samuel 2:2 “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one beside You; there is no Rock like our God.”

These strange spherical boulders on the Koekohe Beach in New Zealand have fired the imagination for years.  The varied names given them include: eel pots, hooligan gallstones, giant gobstoppers, alien brains, bowling balls of the giants and dinosaur eggs!  There are over fifty of them and the biggest one weighs seven tons!  Their strange appearance makes for a unique landscape.  They are made of mud, fine silt and clay, cemented together by calcite, layer upon layer over many years.

Today’s verse is part of Hannah’s prayer as she dedicates her young son, Samuel, to full-time service in the temple.  This is the child she had prayed for so ardently, being barren and snubbed.  Although she was giving up Samuel, her heart rejoiced being vindicated before her enemies (verse 1).  She felt delight at God’s deliverance and praises Him for being her holy and unique Rock.  Throughout Scripture our God is pictured as a Rock.  What an image of His strength and permanence!  Layer upon layer of faithfulness to His Word makes for a sure foundation.

I never need to worry whether my Rock will be there tomorrow or the day after.  He is immoveable and unchanging.  He is my strength, and my refuge.  Being my Rock, He is a place of strength and refreshment for my flagging spirit.  The surface of this rock has a cool touch when I am too warm from stress and anxiety.  But that same rock surface is warm from the sun and comforting when I am feeling cool and indifferent.  I know He is faithful to meet my every need as I have “proved Him ore and ore.”

Lord, be my Rock today.


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The Dove

Scripture for Today: Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” 

This sweet girl looks to be kissing the dove in her hands.  These meek gentle birds have long been a symbol for peace over the centuries and in many different cultures.  And a dove with an olive branch in its beak especially symbolizes peace.  Noah could finally leave his ark with the dove’s return.  There was peace with God in this new beginning on earth.

Today’s verses are a priestly prayer God gave Moses to share with Aaron and his sons for the Israelites.  It is the Lord that gives blessing and protection.  It is the Lord that gives grace with His very presence, and it is only through His favor that we can experience peace.  Mankind has the best chance at establishing peace with one another when first we have made peace with our Maker.  This happens through Christ’s sacrifice, made while we were still His enemies (Rom.5:10).  Jesus made peace possible with God and it is Jesus that makes peace possible between men.

I so ardently want to see change in our world.  The injustices and the  divisions make peace seem an impossible goal.  And on our own I do not see much hope.  But with His face turned our direction, He can give peace.  This is not the same peace that the world offers, which frankly can be short-lived and imperfect (John 14:27).  His peace calms my heart and my fears.  His peace allows me to reach out to those different from myself.  “The problem is not skin, it’s sin.  The solution is not race, it’s grace.”

Thank you Lord, for being my peace-maker.


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Yesterday Today and Tomorrow Plant

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.”

If you do not like a particular color of this flower, all that is needed is to wait a day!  The flowers on the Yesterday Today and Tomorrow plant are unique in that they change color.  They first bloom as a purple or violet.  The next day, that same bloom becomes a pale lavender.  The following day, its color changes to white!

In a world where everything seems to be in a constant state of change, it is comforting to know that our Savior does not change.  Today’s verse teaches that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.  These flowers may experience changes that are beautiful but Jesus is perfectly beautiful and needs no improvement!  Everything that we need to know about the Lord is revealed in His Word.  He does not change nor does His revelation.  His message transcends time and is always current.  The God in the Old testament is the same God as in the New.  His faithfulness and power shown then is the same faithfulness and power He shows today.

I need Him to be constant and not capricious.  I need Him to be faithful to His Word and unchangeable.  What was proven true in times past continues to be true today and will be true tomorrow.  He is perfect and perfection has no need of change.  There is no reason for me to worry that a promise will no longer be valid.  His compassion is daily renewed because He will always be faithful to who He is and to His Word (Lam. 3:23).  He never changes and I can build my life on this rock-hard solid truth!

Thank you Lord, that You do not change and I can always count on You.