Devotions By Jan


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Day of Remembrance

Scripture for Today: I John 4:10 “This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Memorial Day is a special day of remembrance, honoring  those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.  The soldier who lies in this grave is no exception even though his remains could not be identified.  His name is not recorded but his sacrifice is commemorated even so.  On this day we want to remember the incredible price paid by all the fallen, named or unnamed.

Today’s verse speaks of another sacrifice, one made to secure our freedom from the power and curse of sin.  He has won the battle over evil and darkness forever.  His name is known and has been for centuries.  The name of Jesus is a polarizing one that has provoked hate, division and rebellion as well as love, unity and submission.  His sacrifice to secure for us a future in Heaven was done out of love.  And His love is the supreme example of a life-changing sacrificial love.

I remember Christ’s sacrifice not only on Good Friday and when taking communion, but hopefully everyday.  I sometimes  forget though how costly His sacrifice was.  It was not only physical pain that Jesus endured but the incredible pain of separation from the Father.  It was the first time in all of eternity that God turned away from His Son.  And it was because of my sin.  Jesus suffered that separation from God so I would not have to.  His sacrifice is proof positive of His love for me!  Every time I think on it I am overwhelmed with gratitude and a desire to make His name known!

Lord, remind me of Your sacrifice every day.

 


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Walking Partners

Scripture for Today: Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

These look like unlikely walking partners!  But apparently, they don’t know that!  Walking is great exercise but with a partner it can enrich the experience.  There are digital platforms that connect people.  The People Walker is one that provides safe reliable walking partners for a fee.  They advertise that with a partner, it becomes more than just a mere walk.  There is conversation, accountability, motivation, exploration, sightseeing and new experiences!

Today’s well-known verse simplifies what the Lord requires of us.  It simplifies but it is not simple!  His standard for what is truly good and necessary is to always live a life that is just and to love and show mercy.  The life of a believer is a lifelong journey walking humbly with God.  Walking with God humbly would be to stay by His side, allowing Him to set the pace and direction.  It is also more than a mere walk, providing conversation, accountability, motivation, exploration, sightseeing and new experiences!

There is no possibility of me acting justly or loving mercy were it not for my Walking Partner.  His presence and power give me the desire and the ability to do what He asks of me (Phil. 2:13).  Walking with Him keeps me out of a whole mess of trouble, be it unnecessary detours or tripping over rocks.  He keeps me in that path of righteousness.  But He keeps me there by His very presence at my side.  And because He sets the pace, He knows when I need to slow down and rest.  And when the path becomes difficult, He is there to get me through.

Thank you Lord, for walking with me.


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Deepfake Technology

Scripture for Today:  I John 4:1  “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Imagine seeing your face on social media saying something with your voice that you have never said!  This kind of video manipulation is called “deepfake technology.”  The term refers to videos that use artificial intelligence technology, superimposing multiple images.  The result makes people think you said or did something you did not!  There are subtle signs that give it away such as unrealistic blinking and facial movement.

Today’s verse encourages believers to take a closer look at those claiming to be prophets of God.  False prophets can look authentic and even use Scripture, but they do not speak for God.  There are several tests that reveal whether a prophet is false.  A false prophet denies the deity of Jesus (I John 4:2-3).  He is false when he says he knows God but does not obey God’s commands (I John 2:4).  A true prophet will be one that obeys God’s Word.  His life will match his words.  And the false prophet will not teach God’s truth but his own version of it.  None of these tests have anything to do with their apparent success in the world, the size of their audience or even the miracles performed.

I am so grateful to know the Source of truth (John 14:6).  But that does not mean that I cannot be fooled.  When I rely on my own flawed reasoning or rationale, I can get myself into trouble.  It is His Spirit that guides me into truth through His Word (John 16:13).  The more I know and meditate on His truth the more easily I will be able to spot a fake!

Lord, keep me far from anything false.


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Looking Through the Kaleidoscope

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 43:19  “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

This beautiful image was taken through an iPhone lens fitted to the eye hole of a kaleidoscope.  I used to look through them as a child, fascinated with the different colors, shapes and patterns.  The kaleidoscope was originally invented in 1815 as part of a scientific experiment on light polarization before becoming a popular toy.  It is amazing how those mirrors inside can change loose pieces of glass, beads and pebbles into amazing vibrant patterns!

Today’s verse is an encouragement to look at life differently.  Rather than focus exclusively on the past and what God has done, we are to rotate that kaleidoscope and see the new image the Lord wants to produce.  We can miss the new thing He wants to create in our lives.  To us it may not look like much.  Our lives can seem like random bits and pieces.  Our lives can even resemble a wilderness or wasteland.  But He has a purpose in bringing it all together in a new and exciting pattern!

He makes a way.  The Lord is a Master at taking the broken pieces of my life and fashioning them into something beautiful.  Sometimes, all I see are the ups and downs of the past.  So often I miss seeing how they are fitting together.  I do not always see the new thing He is creating.  But He is faithful to His promise to work all things for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28).  He is continually creating His character in me.

Thank you, Lord, that no detail of my life is beyond Your reach to produce something beautiful!


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A Peaceful Commute

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 32:17 “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness: quietness and assurance forever.”

I feel anything but peaceful while driving the crowded freeways of Southern California.  Seeing a license plate like this one might just calm me down.  But if it were on the car that just cut me off, maybe not!  There would be more chance of a peaceful commute if everyone (including myself) obeyed the rules of the road.  Peace is not what I am feeling when my hands tighten on that wheel!

Today’s verse associates peace with righteousness.  It is not normally the first place we look for peace.  But the result of following God’s commandments is peace with Him and peace with others.  There is quietness and calm confidence when we are obedient to Him.  When we pay attention to His commands our peace is described as a river (Is. 48:18).  But this righteousness is not possible without God’s Spirit (verse 15).  God gives His righteousness to those who have faith in His Son, Jesus (Rom. 3:22).  The peace that comes from righteousness is nothing we can manufacture on our own.  And this beautiful peace is seen in a quiet calm confidence.

There is tremendous peace in knowing that I am right with Him.  And there can be no peace with others until I have that vertical relationship.  When I am rebelling against Him, all of my relationships are at risk to suffer.  I cannot be loving, kind and forgiving towards others when I ignore the Source of those fruits (Gal. 5:22-23).  There is no peace without loving and obeying Him.  But when I am close to Him, there is assurance and quiet confidence regardless of my circumstances.  By submitting to His authority I have the best chance at peace with others.

Lord, may I feel Your peace today.