Devotions By Jan


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Rosa Carte Blanche

Scripture for Today: Titus 2:12 “It (grace) teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”

This beautiful rose did not grace our earth until its creation in 1982.  The rose begins as a dark pink bud, opening as a pale pink bloom and then fading to near white.  Its name, “Carte blanche” (blank page) was an idiom attributed to King Charles II of France.  He gave his workers a blank page with his signature, allowing them freedom as to how a task was completed.

Some may believe that grace gives us “carte blanche” to do what we please.  But today’s verse gives insight into the role grace plays in the life of a believer.  At the start, grace, or God’s unmerited favor, is how we are saved (Eph. 2:8-9).  But it does not stop there.  Grace continues to impact our lives, teaching us to say no to what is ungodly and worldly.  Grace, rather than give us carte blanche to do whatever we like, teaches us to be self-controlled.  Grace motivates believers to lead godly upright lives.  It is God’s favor that provides a way out of temptation (I Cor. 10:13).

His grace is greater than all my sin.  There is not a single sin that He is not willing to forgive!  But rather than presume on His grace, I want to live up to it.  I do not want His grace for me to be in vain.  He knows I blew it yesterday.  He knows I will blow it today.  His grace means that my relationship with Him continues.  I want to grow in grace (II Peter 3:18) and understand God’s grace (Col. 1:6) but I know it will be a life-long process.

Thank you Lord, that You show grace to me.

Photo Credit: Anna reg/CC BY-SA https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rosa_Carte_Blanche.jpg

 

 

 

 

 


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The Gecko

Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 13:4 “It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commandments and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him.”

Meet our uninvited house guest!  He and all his friends even faithfully attended our small church in Taiwan one summer long ago! I didn’t mind the geckos as they ate all those nasty mosquitos and spiders.  And I will admit they were a welcomed entertainment during sermons in Taiwanese that I did not understand.  Their ability to scamper up walls and dart upside down across the ceilings had me worried, but holding on never seemed to be a problem!

Today’s verse tells us to hold fast to the Lord our God.  We hold fast to Him by refusing to follow any other god.  It is through revering Him, obeying Him and serving Him that we hold firmly to our faith.  Regardless of what the world around us does, we are to stay true to Him.  This charge was repeated by Joshua as his farewell message (Joshua 23:8).  He knew the people would feel the pressure from surrounding nations to worship false gods.  And he knew that the people would experience blessing and not discipline if they would hold fast to God.

Holding fast to God is a challenge in any century.  Resisting the surrounding culture takes firm resolve.  Those false gods of money, recognition, or influence can be enticing.  But when I am occupied with obeying His Word and serving Him, I am less inclined to let go of Him.  Just as God created the toe pads of the gecko to grip ceilings and walls, so He has created me to desire Him.  The Lord will not let me fall when I hold fast!

Lord, keep me faithful to You today.


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Remote Control Mix-Up

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 37:5  “Commit your way to the Lord;  trust in Him and He will do this.”

This array of remote controls is impressive!  I cannot imagine trying to keep them all straight.  Seriously, I would probably mix them up to the point of inadvertently turning on or off the wrong thing.  Even with the few we have, I have been mixed up, pointing the fan remote at the television and wondering why nothing happened!  All these controls must give one a sense of command.  With voice recognition we can tell lights to come on or heating to turn off.  It is a powerful feeling to have the environment obey one’s every command!

Today’s verse teaches believers to give up control of our lives to the Lord.  There are plenty of things over which we have no control.  But for those things we do, we are to entrust even those to Him.  This is not a natural reaction to a problem.  In fact, in facing a difficulty beyond one’s control, the first inclination is to somehow find a sense of control.  But committing one’s way to the Lord is yielding it all to Him.  It is an intentional decision to allow the Lord His perfect way and to relinquish control.

My basic problem in yielding those controls to Him is a lack of trust.  Why ever do I think I can do a better job of it than He can?  Trusting in myself and my own limited understanding may keep control in my feeble hands but His way is always better.  Even when His way is difficult, I can trust that He knows what He is doing.  Nothing is random and I can be confident that He does have a plan.

Thank you, Lord, for your wise and loving control.


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The Tree Can See

Scripture for Today:  Ezekiel 17:24 “All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall.  I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree to flourish.  I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.”

The bark of this tree seems to have his eye on those passing through the forest!  Behind our French house was a beautiful forest where I loved to stroll.  On a hot day I appreciated the drop in temperature and the stillness.  The welcomed shade of the trees made it a bit dark but I did not mind that.  However, if I thought a tree were watching me, I don’t think I would stick around!

Today’s verse talks about trees in the forest knowing something that many humans fail to see.  God has the ultimate say over what dies and what grows.  He causes trees to dry up or to flourish, to grow tall or to be brought down.  This example in nature mirrors His control with men.  God has the power to bring down the haughty prideful man.  He humbles the circumstances of those who ignore Him.  He opposes the proud (James 4:6) and sends poverty to those He humbles (I Sam.2:7).

Thankfully, our God is also full of grace and He promises to show favor to the humble.  I show that humility by bending my knee in total submission to what He wants.  His plan for my life may or may not involve recognition or praise from men.  But it is His call how He may exalt me, whether on earth or in Heaven with rewards. I want to be more concerned about giving Him the glory, honor and praise that is due Him!

Lord, may my life be about You.

 


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Splinter-Free

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 36:6 “Look, I know you are depending on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him.”

I do not suppose that this lizard worries about getting splinters from the rough surface of this door!  With his thick, tough reptile skin he can move all over that weathered wood and never be bothered.  I, on the other hand, would not want to push or lean on the wood for fear of splinters piercing my skin!  I still have memories of my childhood and that painful process of splinter removal!

Today’s verse describes a hand that leans on a flimsy splintered reed of a staff and so is pierced.  The King of Assyria was absolutely right to say that leaning on Egypt for help against his attack would be no help at all for King Hezekiah and the Israelites.  But then he goes on to insult their dependence on the Lord God! (verse 7)  King Hezekiah turns to the Lord in His temple and to the prophet, Isaiah.  He prays that God will vindicate His name.  And the Lord does, delivering them with a miraculous victory!

When I am experiencing a crisis, my first thought needs to be His help.  He may direct me to all kinds of good sources of aid, but I want my dependence to be on Him and His power to work.  Putting my weight on any other kind of support may just give me those “splinters.”  But He will always answer my cries.  Nothing is beyond His strength.  And when He answers, His name is once again vindicated in my life and for all who are watching!

Lord, keep me depending on You!