Devotions By Jan


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OMG!!!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 145:18 “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”

If ferrets could talk this one might be saying what I hear all the time from surprised people; “Oh my God!” Shortened to OMG, we all know this expression as part of widespread internet chat.  One of the earlier appearances of the term was in a letter to Winston Churchill from Lord Fisher in 1917.  But more recently the rise of “Valley Speak” in the pop culture of the eighties made the expression popular.  Of course, its use usually does not include any thought of God.

Today’s verse is a wonderful promise for those who are crying out to God.  Whether a person uses the words, “oh my God,” or some other expression, the Lord sees the intent of the heart.  He knows who is calling on Him in sincerity and in truth.  He promises to be near.  He especially makes His presence felt for the one who cries out to Him in desperation.  It is especially when we are in distress that He hears our cry for help (Psalm 18:6).  He promises that His ears are attentive to the cry of the righteous (Psalm 34:15).

Those casually using the expression, “Oh my God,” may one day be using it sincerely and in truth.  When they do, the Lord will be there as He was for me.  Just recently, at a time of great distress, it was all I could say in my heart.  Over and over these were the only words that could come.  He made His presence keenly felt and with that realization I felt hope.  How good and attentive He is to His children!

Oh my God, I am so thankful that You are mine and I am Yours.


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Fishing Lures

Scripture for Today: James 1:14 “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

Learning about fishing lures requires learning a whole new vocabulary!  There are spoons, jigs, crankbait, spinning lures and plugs.  The variety of lures is impressive with so many different materials, shapes and colors.  The whole idea is to imitate as closely as possible the movements of a fish’s natural prey.  The fish is attracted to what he believes is a tasty snack and instead is nabbed by that hidden attached hook!

Today’s verse describes someone who gives in to temptation.  God is never the author of enticing someone to evil (verse 13).  And in fact, Satan is not necessarily involved.  This verse is addressed to believers and we are dragged away and enticed by our own evil desires.  The word, “entice” is also translated as “lure.”  Beguiled by that attractive promise of something better, we deceive ourselves.  The lure is strong but the Lord is gracious and is able to help, having experienced temptation Himself (Heb. 2:18).  He will always provide a way out (I Cor. 10:13).  We do not have to bite down on something that later hurts us.

Sin can be so attractive to me, especially through media.  But not always.  Sometimes it is just easier to indulge, to compromise, or to take shortcuts that I know in my heart are not right.  But what promises to fulfill never does.  What starts out as pleasurable brings consequences I never anticipated.  My heart and its desires can be so deceitful!  But doing things God’s way and just saying ,”NO,” to that lure keeps my life less complicated and brings His blessing!  I am not missing out on anything except pain.

Lord, keep me close to You and far away from those tempting lures.


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Happy Labor Day!

Scripture for Today: Philippians 1:6 “…being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

What do you do to celebrate Labor Day?  Forget the picnics, parades, and sports events.  In Wisconsin this day has been celebrated with a Cow Chip Throwing Contest!  Labor Day is normally considered summer’s last gasp and the signal for back-to-school.  Originally, the idea was to pay tribute to the American worker, recognizing his value in strengthening our nation and economy.  Created by the labor movement in the late nineteenth century, Labor Day was a positive outcome after years of strikes protesting deplorable working conditions.

Today’s verse describes a labor of love.  This work has no day off and is never on strike!  God is continually at work in the heart of every believer.  He has His work cut out for Him, changing us to be like His Son.  He has pledged to continue this work faithfully right up until the moment of Christ’s return.  He never quits.  He never gives up.  One day the work Jesus is doing in me will be complete.  One day I will be like Him (I John 3:2) and this life-long labor will be a thing of the past!  But for now, everyday He is at work.

He asks me to cooperate with Him.  He even creates in me the desire to cooperate! (Phil. 2:13)  It is a strange working partnership where He provides the strength and gives me the goal.  The incentives are the blessings He gives for my obedience.  There are rewards promised for faithfulness and perseverance.  The best thing about this work is that it is never in vain!  He has promised an incredible outcome!

Thank you Lord, for Your labor of love in me!

 


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Frustrated and Needing Help!

Dear Subscriber,  You are important to me!  There have been multiple glitches with WordPress and I need your help to resolve them.

Obviously, if you are receiving this blog post in your email inbox, then all is well.  However, I need to determine who is NOT receiving them.  So by process of elimination, would you take a second and reply to this post with the two words, “Got it.”  (This way I can avoid sending out quite so many emails one by one!)

Thanks so much and God bless, Jan

 


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Restless Leg Syndrome

Scripture for Today: I John 3:19 “This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence.”

Restless legs shown here are no longer a problem!  I am not quite sure what the artist was trying to convey with this display, but these legs will not be moving any time soon!  Perhaps everyone feels at some point that tingling uncontrollable urge to move one’s legs while trying to sleep.  How annoying to feel that itchy, creepy crawly feeling!  Moving seems to at least temporarily give relief.  But I tend to be less sympathetic when being kicked!

Today’s verse talks about a heart that is at rest.  When we know and are convinced that we belong to the truth, there is a resting settled feeling in our hearts.  In His presence, we feel His peace, knowing that we belong to Him.  No longer are our hearts restless, wandering or searching.  When we belong to Him, our hearts can no longer condemn us as He is greater than our hearts (verse 20).  We can have confidence before God as He knows everything and He knows our hearts better than we do ourselves!  When we believe in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, our hearts are finally at rest (verse 23).

When my heart is at rest, there is a confident peace.  He does not want my heart to be restless or troubled (John 14:27).  His Spirit testifies with my spirit that I am God’s own (Rom.8:16) and reassures my heart.  How good He is to give me that heart at rest!  And how much I want that for friends and family members who live restless lives without Him.

“Jesus, I am resting resting in the joy of what Thou art.”  Lord, may I feel that heart rest today.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministries.