Devotions By Jan


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Training Wheels

Scripture for Today: I Timothy 4:7 “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourselves to be godly.”

If I were to ever try and maneuver a big heavy motorcycle, I would probably have to resort to what this lady is doing!  Training wheels on a motorcycle seem ridiculous but maybe it would save me a lot of scrapes and bruises!  I can still remember learning to ride a simple bike with training wheels.  The first time I tried riding without them was a wobbly milestone moment!  Mom or Dad had to be close enough to grab me in case I fell or I would not have attempted it!

Today’s verse reveals that to be godly takes training.  Paul was addressing the false Gnostic ideas that condemned marriage and certain foods.  Perhaps this group thought such heresies would give them a shortcut to godliness.  But godliness, or conduct that honors God, can only come through knowledge of the Truth (Titus 1:1)  The Lord has already provided everything needed for the believer to live a life of godliness through our knowledge of Him (II Peter 1:3).  There is no shortcut to knowing, studying, meditating and obeying the Scriptures, which give us our training in righteousness (II Tim. 3:16).

The training never stops.  I can never come to the end of knowing Him and there will always be more to learn.  But just as I can progress from spiritual milk to spiritual meat, so I can eventually let go of those training wheels and not fall over!  Rather than depending on someone else’s study, I can study on my own and hear His very personal message to me!  HIs Word shows me how beautiful He is!  And His Word shows me how to live a beautiful life that honors Him!

Help me Lord, to honor You today.

 


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“Walking the Line”

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 2:26-27 “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

It was 1956 when the famous country singer, Johnny Cash, sat backstage and wrote the song, “I Walk the Line.”  As a newlywed, he wrote it as a pledge to his wife.  The lyrics are all about personal responsibility and avoiding temptation.  I love the line, “Because you’re mine, I walk the line.”  This expression has long been used to mean behaving or abiding by moral standards.  Or in other words, walking the straight and narrow.

Today’s verse tells us to think carefully about where and how we walk through life.  We do not walk close to edge, courting disaster as the thoughtless might.  Rather than wondering just how far one can go in a particular behavior before it becomes sin, we need to walk with a healthy fear of falling.  We need to stay away from that tempting edge.  We do not turn to the left or to the right.  We stay right in the middle and away from temptation.  In other words, we walk the line.  Walking on a dangerous edge gives no room for error.  One moment of inattention or one small misstep can mean disaster.

When I am walking the line, I feel His pleasure.  Walking in obedience to His commands is how I show my love for Him (II John 1:6).  And His commands make the path smooth, straight and manageable.  It is when I veer left or right and start to compromise on His standards that life becomes more difficult.  Thankfully, He offers His forgiveness and helps me get back on track.

Lord, help me love You by walking the line today.

 

 

 


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Eden

Scripture for Today: Psalm 36:8 “They feast on the abundance of Your house; You give them drink from Your river of delights.”

This hidden gem on the Havasupai Reservation is called the desert’s “Garden of Eden.”  One can only access it by a ten mile descent by foot or mule.  I made this trek as a teenager with a group of others.  I can still remember the awe I felt when coming across the cascading turquoise water!  It was a welcomed sight after the dry, hot and dusty trail.  We had to pack in our own water for drinking, but splashing in the water was a relief from the relentless sun.

Today’s verse mentions rivers of delights.  The Lord’s presence is described as a dwelling place where there is feasting and abundance.  His presence quenches the thirst of our souls.  His unfailing love (verse 7) is a refuge and a delight.  The Garden of Eden in Scripture was a literal place near four rivers given as landmarks (Gen. 2:10-14).  The word, “Eden” in Hebrew means “delight.”  And there, His presence was a delight to Adam and Eve.  It was His presence that made it not only a garden but a garden of delight.

That same delight in my Lord’s presence is still possible.  Because He has paid the penalty for my sin, I can walk and talk with Him in that garden of delight.  There is delight when I can forget about past failures.  I am delighted to realize that nothing can ever separate me from His love.  No other relationship can give me the level of consistent delight that He offers!  My Garden of Eden is a deep, peaceful place of relationship.  He is always there, waiting for my return.

Help me Lord, to find that place of delight today.

 


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Out of Control

Scripture for Today: Genesis 4:7 “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?  But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

It is one thing when your toddler throws a tantrum in the grocery store or at a friend’s house.  But it was quite another for this mother when her toddler lost it at the White House!  I can just imagine the mother’s chagrin to have such a display at the feet of the president.  It made me smile to see her looking at Mrs. Obama rather than looking at the chaos happening on the floor!

Today’s verse is a loving warning to Cain from the Lord.  Cain’s emotions have reached the boiling point.  Much more serious than a child’s tantrum, his anger is about to erupt in violence.  God does not tell Cain to swallow or suppress his emotions.  He tells Cain that he must rule over them in order to avoid sinful behavior.  As strong as his anger was, Cain always had a choice.  And he chose to allow his anger to grow out of control.

Self-control is something that normally is learned with maturity.  We cannot always get what we want when we want it.  I know that the anger I feel from not having my own way is totally selfish.  But sometimes that self-control is totally lacking and emotions seem to rule over me.  They do not respond to reason or good intentions.  I cannot seem to rule over my emotions on my own.  Thankfully, I have God’s Spirit and the fruit of His presence includes that elusive self-control.  When I feel like I am getting out of control, I need to embrace His control.

Lord, help me submit to You.

 


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Pumpkin Waste

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 1:5  “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”

After today, there will be the problem of what to do with that carved pumpkin.  Breaking it up and adding it to a compost pile can enrich the soil.  The insides can be turned into wonderful smoothies, butter, bread, soup, and of course, pie!  The shell can be turned into potpourri, and the pumpkin puree is supposed to be  good for the skin!  Pumpkins are even deemed safe for feeding birds and animals!  In any case, disposing of pumpkins is only a problem for a country with an abundance.

Today’s verse also talks about abundance; the abundance of suffering and the abundance of comfort.  Because of sin and our fallen world, there will be suffering for the believer.  Whether it is loss of health, income, or loss of loved ones, the Christian is not exempt.  But where there is abundant suffering,  God promises a comfort from Him that is just as abundant.  The abundant life of John 10:10 is not an easy painless life.  But it is an abundant one because He is there; the God of all comfort (verse 3).

The future looms ahead of me with all sorts of potential suffering.  There will be age-related sufferings as the body breaks down.  There will be the deaths of older family members and friends.  Whatever suffering is in store, I can trust the Lord to come through for me.  His comfort will make all of it bearable.  I do not have to worry ahead of time or imagine the unimaginable.  When it is needed, His comfort will be there.

Thank you, Lord, that I can trust You to be the abundant comfort I need exactly when I need it!