Devotions By Jan


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Martens in the House!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 11:6 “The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.”

The cute and furry martens in our area of France were a real problem.  Because we had a car port rather than a garage, they would burrow up into the car carriage for warmth and chew on the wires!  A devise with an electrical shock discouraged them.  But the parties they would have in our attic were quite another challenge!  The only solution was trapping them and letting them go as they were protected.  Thankfully, our landlord took care of them with boiled eggs luring them into cages.

Today’s verse talks about what will trap those who feel no allegiance to the Lord; their evil desires.  What looks innocuous and tasty turns out to be dangerous.  Their evil desires promise comfort and warmth but instead deliver a nasty shock.  Those who are in right standing with God are delivered from even wanting what is evil and wicked.  Their righteous living keeps them away from entrapment.  When the one who is righteous delights in the Lord, his desires change and are no longer evil, aligning with His desires (Psalm 37:4).

It is not always easy for me to determine if my desires are evil and self-serving.  My heart can deceive me and my rational can be flawed.  Sin can be sneaky and alluring and temptation can be very strong.  It is only in submitting my desires to Him that I can have any confidence that my desires are lining up with His.  He will shine the light of His Word and expose the thoughts and attitudes of my heart. (Heb. 4:12)  The discomfort of conviction is a whole lot better than becoming trapped!

Lord, change my desires to be like Yours.

Photo Credit: Thomas Broxton Jr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/133339206@N03/17344629244


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The Thinker

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:8 “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

This iconic and very recognizable sculpture sits proudly at the Rodin Museum in Paris.  The Thinker was originally only 27 inches tall!  In 1881 he was created to sit at the top of an entryway called, Gates of Hell.  Rodin named him The Poet as he  represented Dante.  But this piece was so well received that he grew figuratively and literally to the size we see today!  His deep concentration gives rise to all sorts of ideas as to the subject of his thoughts!

Today’s verse encourages the believer to think about a list of things that are excellent or praiseworthy.  If we are what we think, than the subject of our thoughts makes an incredible difference to how we live!  This list of what we are to think about is sandwiched between two verses on peace (verse 7 & 9).  What occupies our thoughts has a direct bearing on experiencing God’s peace.  And each of these excellent and praiseworthy thoughts can easily describe one Person, Jesus Christ!  His Word tells us to fix our thoughts on Jesus (Heb. 3:1).

How often other thoughts crowd in that are diametrically opposed to this list!  The world pushes at me thinking that is untrue and just ugly.  But I can be proactive and intentional about my thoughts!  I can control what I read.  I can control what I watch.  I can control to whom I listen.  And the more my mind remains steadfastly on Him the more I have His peace (Isaiah 26:3).  The lyric from Be Thou My Vision is so true: “Thou my best thought by day or by night.”

Lord, keep my thoughts on You today.

 

 

 


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The Armadillo

Scripture for Today: I Peter 5:9 “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

Hello little armored one!  That is what the armadillo’s name means in Spanish.  Of the twenty-one species, the smallest is the Pink Fairy at six inches and the largest is the Giant at five feet.  However, it is not the size but the number of bands that separates the species.  Rather than flee the enemy, this guy quickly digs in the dirt, hunkers down, and trusts the overlapping plates covering his back, legs and tail to protect him.

Today’s verse counsels the believer to resist the devil.  Rather than flee, we stand firm in the faith, trusting in our spiritual armor (Eph. 6:10-18)  We can stand our ground (verse 13) by believing truth rather than believing his lies.  We can trust in God’s righteousness given to us rather than allowing the devil to paralyze us with guilt.  We not only stand our ground but take new ground by sharing His Gospel of peace.  Our unshakeable faith and our confidence in His salvation grows when we fill our minds and hearts with His Word.

It is a comfort for me to know that the struggles I have are not unique.  Believers all over the world are facing some of the same temptations and tests.  And I can have confidence that the Lord has given me everything needed to stand firm in the face of spiritual attack.  There is no reason to fear.  Christ has already secured the victory for me on that cross.  When I am submitted to God, I can resist any of the devil’s ploys and he is the one who flees! (James 4:7)

Thank you Lord, for Your priceless protection!

 


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Scribbly Gum Tree

Scripture for Today: Acts 4:13 “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

This Scribbly Gum tree gets its name from the unusual markings all over its bark.  Each tree will have its own unique pattern of scribbles and they are put there by a small moth larvae.  Living in the bark throughout the winter, the moth will move around just under the surface, feeding on the tree’s tissue and leaving its distinctive marks.

Today’s verse describes two unschooled and ordinary men; Peter and John.  These men were ordered to give an account of themselves before the rulers and elders.   With boldness and clarity they declared the name of Jesus as being the only Source of their power and of salvation (verse 12).  They lived their lives in such a way as to leave a definite trace.  The time they had spent with Jesus showed in their lives.  There was not much to recommend them in the eyes of the world.  They were just ordinary men without even a higher education.  Yet, their time with Jesus had marked them.

I wonder how much my time with Jesus marks me.  Do people see traces of the Divine in me?  It cannot happen through my own efforts.  I know my heart and that there is nothing to recommend me.  But I have His Spirit living inside and with His movements to shape and mold me like Christ, He is slowly making changes.  They may just seem like little scribbles, but He sees the big picture of what He is producing in me!

Lord, may my time spent with You be evident in my life!

Photo credit: Ian Sutter https://www.flickr.com/photos/22616984@N07/3274188822/


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Wine Casks

Scripture for Today: James 5:11 “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

Having lived so long in the wine culture of France, I have come to appreciate some of the details of its production.  We would often see these enormous oak barrels storing the wine.  I am told that the time spent in those casks had a direct bearing on the taste.  Oak will add flavor, slow the exposure to oxygen making it smooth and provide a suitable environment for the fermentation, making it creamier.  It will take time to produce the desired taste.

Today’s verse talks about how important time is to appreciate the compassion and mercy of the Lord.  The one who perseveres is blessed or happy.  Certainly Job did not feel especially blessed when going through all the heartache of loss and calamity.  In fact, he argued with his well-meaning friends and questioned God about what was happening.  But Job did persevere in staying true to his Lord.  Even though he was ignorant of the reasons for his trials, he did not give in to the pressure from his wife to curse God and die.  And in the end Job was blessed!

God finally brought about a positive outcome though it took years and years.  I may also be asked to wait for that “finally” or that positive outcome that the Lord in His mercy and compassion brings about.  Just as the wine takes time to acquire its taste, so God’s plan for me can take a lifetime to accomplish.  I may never understand it all but I can persevere and be true to Him because He is loving and faithful.

Lord, keep me faithful to You.