Devotions By Jan


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Tax Deadline

Scripture for Today: Mark 12:17 “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’ And they were amazed at Him.”

Today would normally be the day to file a tax return and pay any tax that is due.  But due to these extraordinary times of pandemic, the deadline has been extended automatically for everyone.  Businesses and individuals have until July 15 to file and to pay.  This is especially helpful as so many of us are unable to meet with our CPA’s to prepare and file.  Hopefully, this measure will bring some financial relief to those who are struggling.

Today’s verse is the Lord’s response to a trick question from the Pharisees and Herodians.  They asked whether or not one should pay the imperial tax, trying to catch Him in His words (verse 13).  Jesus, knowing their hearts and thoughts, knew their question was insincere and full of hypocrisy.  The Lord recognizes our obligations to the governing authorities.  At the same time He challenges His listeners with another more lofty obligation; to give to God what is rightfully His.  The simplicity and wisdom in His answer astounded them!

What do I owe God?  His salvation is a gift with no strings attached (Eph. 2:8-9).  But when I accept His gift I want to give to Him.  A tithe is too small.  No amount of money can repay Him for His incredible sacrifice.  A good work here and there at my convenience somehow does not answer.  What I can give back to Him is a love involving my whole heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30).  He has bought all of me at a huge cost to Himself (I Cor. 6:20).  “Jesus paid it all,” and all to Him I owe!

Lord, may I love You today with every fiber of my being!


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C.O.V.I.D.

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 2:4-5 “But because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”

“This too shall pass,” is a phrase I often heard from my Mother and I find myself repeating it during these unique times of self-isolation.  I am hopeful that one day we will look back saying, “remember when?”  We have lost loved ones and our hearts break for those experiencing financial hardship as well.  My husband invented his own acronym for Covid to help me gain some perspective, “Christ Offers Victory In Death.”

Today’s verse talks about the life Christ offers to those who are alive but at the same time dead in their sins.  Being dead, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves.  It is because of His love and mercy that He made us alive with Him.  The tomb could not hold Him nor will death have the final say for those to whom He has given spiritual life!  Death will no longer have the victory (I Cor. 15:55-57).  Believers are no longer dead in their sins but alive with Him both now and forever!

What a difference this makes for me!  The potential for death in any situation is devoid of “sting.”  My life continues with Him whether my body does or not.  I have been made alive and that life never ends.  I can face an unknown future with confidence.  I can live without anxiety and fear knowing my life is forever in His powerful loving hands.  I do not relish the idea of dying, who does?  But I do know that my true life is hid with Him (Col.3:3).

Thank you Lord, for victory even in death!

 


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The Easter Lily

Scripture for Today: Matthew 12:40 “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Growing up, my Mother’s Easter table was often graced with this lily.  This beautiful flower is also called, “white-robed apostles of hope.”  There is symbolism in the white color representing the purity of Christ.  The trumpet shape of the flower brings to mind the trumpeting of the message of resurrection.  But what impressed me was that all this beauty could come from a dirty unremarkable bulb.  For at least three years its bulb stays underground in the dark before bursting forth to flower.

Today’s verse comes from a discussion Jesus had with the Pharisees asking for a sign.  Here, Jesus predicts the three days He will spend in the heart of the earth following His death.  Those three days were not unlike what Jonah experienced.  It was during those three days that despair was so keenly felt by all who had hoped in Christ.  It looked as if Satan had won.  All who had looked to Jesus to be their deliverer must have felt betrayed and defeated.

What a comfort to know that the darkest days I could ever experience are only a “momentary affliction” compared to the glorious future He has prepared for me! (II Cor. 4:17) Whether it is three dark days, three years or thirty, it is a time of waiting until I burst forth, flowering for an eternity because of His resurrection!  How amazing it is that because of His victory over death,  I can wait patiently with hope.  His resurrection changes me giving me new life, eternal life and life that can be abundant!

Lord, because of You I have hope!

 

 


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The Great Cross

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 1:18  “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

The Great Cross stands proudly in St. Augustine, Florida at 208 feet high.  It is certainly tall, but is only the sixth tallest in the world (the tallest being the Holy Cross of the Valley of the Fallen in Spain).  What makes it so unusual is the fact that it is so slim.  They had to fill the bottom half with concrete to keep it from falling to hurricane force winds.  Built in 1966 it commemorates the start of Christianity in this land and the city’s founding four hundred years prior.

There is another cross whose greatness exceeds any architectural triumph.  Today on Good Friday, we celebrate a cross where death led to life everlasting.  On that cross was made the ultimate loving sacrifice of the Son of God.  Jesus took on Himself every one of our awful sins and healed those who trust Him from its terrible consequences.  The cross for some people is foolishness.  For others it signifies indignity and failure.  But for those who believe, it is the power by which we are saved.

The cross is polarizing.  There is no middle ground.  Like the two thieves crucified with Jesus, there are only two responses.  I either place my trust in Christ as my substitute, or I remain in my sin.  What power in this cross of Jesus!  His power  snatched me from darkness and placed me in His wonderful light! (I Peter 2:9)  Because of the cross I have hope.  I have life, forgiveness, and healing!  The power of the cross is that it cancels the power of my guilt and shame!

Lord, “simply to Thy cross I cling.”

 

 


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Cat Grooming

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 7:1  “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

If it seems that cats are always licking themselves, you are right as they spend fifty percent of their awake time in some form of grooming!  Their rough tongues and teeth are used to maintain healthy skin, remove loose hair, dirt and parasites.  They learn this behavior very early and are often self grooming by the time they are weaned.  But in addition to the obvious benefits, this daily ritual is also, “an emotional feel good behavior.”

Today’s verse talks about the effort we are to make in being uncontaminated, not only in the body but in the spirit too.  Our motivation to keep ourselves morally pure is a special one as our bodies are the temple of God (6:16).  His desire is to live with us, walk among us and be a Father to us.  Because of these promises, He wants us to keep ourselves holy or set apart for Him.  We keep ourselves pure and uncontaminated from the world by being completely separate from its morals and values.  There is no fellowship between light and darkness (verse 14).

Although I am pretty good at noticing dirt on someone else, I do not always see the dirt on myself!  My less-than-clean spirit is so well hidden from others that it is easy for me to ignore.  I can be asymptomatic but still be contaminated and contaminate others!  Keeping myself pure comes as a result of that daily examination and confession.  He brings to light those dark places I have swept to the corners.  And He so freely and lovingly restores me that this can also be an “emotional feel good behavior!”

Lord, purify my heart today.