Devotions By Jan


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Pink Water

Scripture for Today: John 4:13-14 “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

I never knew water could be pink!    Lake Grassmere, a seaside lake in New Zealand, can be anywhere from pink to purple in the summer months.  This is a result of natural salt production there.  The color appears in the crystallization ponds, caused by microscopic green algae in this high salt concentration.  As colorful as this water is, drinking it would only increase one’s thirst!

Today’s verse describes a water that is unique, not for its color but because it will quench thirst for all time.  Jesus offers this water to the Samaritan woman at the well.  The gift of the Holy Spirit is this unique living water (verse 10).  God’s presence in us quenches a thirst for deep and satisfying relationship.  When filled up with Him, we no longer dip into wells of water that only leave us wanting more.  Not only is thirst quenched here on earth but for all eternity.

I am so attracted to other kinds of water.  But somehow, worldly pleasures leave me wanting more.  There is a deep-seated thirst inside me that can only be quenched by my Creator.  He made me that way.  If I am discontented and looking elsewhere, I start to feel thirsty.  For a time I can ignore it, but eventually my lack of spiritual water becomes too difficult to dismiss.  He is so gracious to always welcome me and fill me to capacity!  Every day His invitation stands to come to the water (Is. 55:1).

Lord, thank you that You alone quench my thirst!


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How Are You Feeling?

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 56:3-4  “When I am afraid, I will trust in You, In God whose word I praise, In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?”

The red gurnard is a very distinct bottom-dwelling fish and his feelings matter!  From his three lower pectoral fins hang what looks like narrow finger-like growths.  These appendages have sensory organs and it is with them that he feels for his food in the sand.  He never has to look with those large eyes but depends on feeling for small fish and crustaceans in the sediment.

With what is going on in our world today, the temptation is to be carried away by our feelings.  In today’s verse, David was certainly tempted to give in to fear.  He had been seized by the Philistines in Gath and feared for his life.  But throughout this psalm, David turns to God in confident trust to beat back the fear.  And the psalm finishes with praise for deliverance from his enemies.

My feelings can overwhelm me during these days of riotous protest.  I feel a profound sadness at injustice in our world.  There is gnawing unrest in my heart when I watch the unsettling news.  I feel nervous trepidation for what may come next.  That is why this psalm is such a comfort.  Placing my trust in the Lord calms me down and gives me a measure of peace.  Feeling peace in my heart during such unrest makes it a supernatural peace that can only come from Him.  My eyes cannot help but see all the disheartening trouble in our country but I can take heart as HE has already overcome the world (John 16:33).

Thank you Lord, that I can feel your peace, even when there is such unrest.

 

 

 


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Coming out of Hibernation

Scripture for Today: Matt.6:31 “So do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat? or ‘What shall we drink?’ or “What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

There is just one thing on the mind of the bear coming out of hibernation; food!  For six months he has been in a low energy mode, conserving strength with a decreased metabolism.  Now, he is ready to make up for lost time!  These North American black bears have used up all their stored fat and are ready to pack on the pounds and return to their normal metabolism.

Today’s verse tells us not to worry over our basic needs.  Our heavenly Father has promised to provide for His own.  I picture the ending of this pandemic a bit like coming out of hibernation.  With sheltering in place, many have no problem with their weight being low!  But we do come out blinking in the sunshine and ready to return to cafes and restaurants, tired of our own cooking.  Some are sick to death of their clothes and ready to shop for something new.  It is understandable.

This extended time at home with a slower pace has reminded me what is most important in my life.  The distractions of going out, being entertained, eating, drinking and shopping have been stripped away.  Life has boiled down to the essentials.  And for the believer the essential is to seek His Kingdom and righteousness (verse 33).  My relationship to the King takes precedent over everything else.  When I put my relationship with Him first, everything else shifts to its proper place.  I can enjoy those activities without letting them drain mental energy or my time.

Thank you Lord, for taking care of all my needs.


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Albatross Around the Neck

Scripture for Today: Psalm 38:4 “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.”

The albatross looks nice enough but I would not want to wear him around my neck!  The old expression comes from a 19th century poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.”  The narrator flippantly shoots the albatross, a bird thought to be a sign of good luck.  The sailors are so incensed that they oblige him to wear the dead bird around his neck as penance.  The expression today means having a heavy burden one cannot escape, and being kept from doing what one wants to do.

Today’s verse describes the guilt David felt as being a burden too heavy to bear.  He describes it as a searing pain in his back, making him feeble and crushing him (verse 7-8)  He recognizes his sin and that he is experiencing the rebuke and discipline of the Lord.  He groans in “anguish of heart” and confesses his sin (verse 18).  Not only does David experience God’s wonderful forgiveness but even the guilt is lifted off of him.  It was because David acknowledged his sin that God forgave even the guilt of his sin (Psalm 32:5).

The guilt of sin is never something I have to feel around my neck weighing me down.  When I agree with God about my sin in repentance, He is there to lift that burden from me.  His forgiveness means that sin is removed as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).  Memories of past failures do not have to influence me and any reminder of them does not come from Him!  His forgiveness is liberating and freeing.  He never brings up the matter again and He gives me a light heart, reassuring me of His constant, unconditional love.

What a gift!  Thank you, Lord.


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Dutch Chocolate Iris

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 2:4-5 “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on God’s power.”

This is a surprising color for an iris!  But in fact, the iris comes in an array of different colors, including a deep purple that looks black.  It makes sense that the word, “iris” originally meant “rainbow” in Greek.  In the language of flowers, Iris symbolizes eloquence.  And its three petal segments are said to represent faith, wisdom, and valor.

There is faith and wisdom in today’s verse as well as courage to speak the truth.  There is not however any eloquence.  Wise sounding words can be empty.  Persuasive words can be negated by hypocrisy.  But Paul explains that his message did not need either as his words were a demonstration of the power of the Spirit.  Paul never claimed to be eloquent in his speech.  Because he spoke simply, God’s power was evident.  And he resisted the temptation to speak only what “itchy ears” wanted to hear (II Tim. 4:3).

My faith does not rest on a fancy discourse or the latest fad or book.  Human wisdom can never replace the power of God’s Words.  It is not what exact words are used but God’s Spirit who helps me understand (verse 12).  He is the One that explains spiritual realities to me (verse 13).  And His Spirit uses my words of testimony even when I am not eloquent.  I may not feel strong or confident in sharing.  But thankfully, His power does not depend on my word choice!  “My faith  has found a resting place” and it is not in device or creed!

Thank you Lord, that my faith rests on Your power.