Devotions By Jan


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Screaming Baby

Scripture for Today: Psalm 131:2 “But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.”

We had a young family with three children over for dinner.  Everything was calm, quiet and smooth.  Then something changed.  The two-month-old baby decided he was hungry and wanted his Mother.  The noise emitting from his mouth put all of our teeth on edge!  Gone were my impressions of a relaxed “chill” baby.  He wanted to nurse and he wanted to now!  His Mother could not move fast enough!

Today’s verse describes contentment.  One would think that the picture of contentment would be the nursing baby as he is immediately calmed and quiet.  But true contentment is the older child.  He stays close to his mother but he is not worried or agitated.  He knows from experience that his mother is there and aware.  He is peaceful and calm knowing she will meet his need.  His need does not overwhelm him and he can patiently wait.  There is confidence and trust instead of a lot of noise.

This definition of contentment recognizes needs and wants and even desires.  Regardless of my circumstances, there is no way I can live life without them.  There is so much more I want in my life and those desires may not be wrong at all.  Contentment is not the absence of desires but a desire for His presence and love over-riding them all.  At the end of the day, my contentment is not found in changed circumstances but in a Person.  I can calm and quiet myself too, knowing He is there and will meet my needs.  I can trust that He “gives unto each day what He deems best.”

Lord, help me to live that contentment today.

 

 

 

 


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Magic or Miracle?

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.”

Our grandson on his fourth birthday was front and center with that magician, mesmerized by the seemingly impossible feats performed.  Lately, he has been drawn to all things magic, including hats, capes and wands.  But the awe on all of their sweet faces was priceless.  These little boys were properly amazed but the parents were impressed as well with the slight of hand.  Who doesn’t like to be astonished by what looks to be impossible?

Today’s verse describes not magic, but the miraculous.  God’s power is evident in the creation of the heavens and the earth.  No tricks or slight of hand were needed, only His incredible outstretched arm.  The heavens and earth testify to His great miraculous power.  By seeing and appreciating His power in creation, we can be assured that absolutely nothing is too hard for Him!

I have evidence of God’s power all around me.  And yet, I am sometimes so accustomed to it that it no longer seems miraculous.  Sure the sun will rise tomorrow morning.  Of course, principles of gravity will continue to hold true.  However, everything that God does is miraculous.  Anything that is caused by the power of God is a “miracle.”  But when His miracles become commonplace to me, than I can find myself wondering if something could be too hard for Him.  I need to have that child-like wonder when seeing a caterpillar or gazing at the stars.  When I do then my faith grows as I realize that NOTHING is too hard for Him to accomplish in my life!

Lord, help me to trust that nothing is too hard for You.

 

 


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Wake Up Words

Scripture for Today: Mark 9:7 “Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!'”

This Echo Dot speaker is connected to the voice-activated personal assistant, Alexa.  It can perform a number of tasks including: weather and news reports, music, alarms and timers, shopping lists and to-do lists,, reminders from the calendar, access to Wikipedia and more.  Other skills are constantly being added.  But all requests start with a trigger word or wake-up word.  It can be Alexa, Amazon, Echo, or Computer.  However, it can be disconcerting that in the default mode, Echo is always listening for the wake-up word to be spoken.

Today’s verse describes in part the scene when Jesus was transfigured before the eyes of Peter, James and John.  The Jesus they thought they knew was transformed, wearing dazzling white and speaking to Moses and Elijah. Rather than shocking Peter into respectful silence and an attitude of listening, this miracle loosened Peter’s tongue.  In his excitement and fear, he made some suggestions to Jesus.  Just before things returned to normal, God’s voice told them to “Listen to Him.”

This command to Peter is just as much for me today.  I need to simply listen to Him.  There are so many distractions in my life, even good ones. that pull my attention away from hearing what He wants to say.  His message can be heard through good preaching, through devotionals and through wonderful Christian articles.  But He wants to talk to me personally with that morsel of truth that needs to be applied to my life today!  He wants to impress on me the truth needed for this moment.  I cannot discern His voice unless I am quiet and actively listening.

Wake me up, Lord, to listen to You.

 


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Birthdays in Heaven

Scripture for Today: Luke 15:10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Today my Mother celebrates her birthday in Heaven for the first time.  If there are candles on her cake they would number 96!  I am not sure that she is having a party.  I imagine that if everyone there is daily celebrating birthdays, eternal life would be one big continual party!  The cake would be delicious but with no calories.  The gifts would need no exchanging.  And there would be no let-down the following day!  I cannot imagine a cake big enough to hold all the candles as each century is added!

Today’s verse describes a time of rejoicing in Heaven.  It is not for the first birthday but for the second; the spiritual one when one is born again.  There is rejoicing and somehow the angels even get into the act.  When even just one sinner repents and comes to Jesus for salvation, there is celebration and joy!  The noise of it would echo down those streets of gold.  This verse follows the parables of the lost coin and the lost sheep that were found.  Following this verse is the parable of the lost son whose return was celebrated with a party.  In each case there was enthusiastic joy and celebration!

Her joy is complete.  Mine, not so much.  She is enjoying her reward, whatever form it takes.  But I can recapture some of my joy when reminding myself of where she is and what she is experiencing today.  There are no more tears, pain or suffering and she is surrounded with incredible beauty and splendor.  She is enjoying “face-to-face” the Love of her life; her Savior.

Thank you Lord, for what You have prepared for all who love You.


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Snowflake Babies

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:15 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba Father.'”

I was surprised to learn the circumstances surrounding the birth of my friend’s latest grandchild.  After the death of her four year old son, her daughter’s empty arms were again filled with a sweet precious baby girl.  She had given birth to her adopted “snowflake baby!”  This amazing miracle was the result of a frozen embryo left over from the in vitro fertilization procedure of others.  This sweet little girl had been a frozen embryo for eleven years and finally was brought into a warm loving family!

Today’s verse speaks of another kind of adoption.  This one comes through God’s Spirit and makes us children of God (verse 16).  Before our adoption, we might as well have been a frozen embryo as true and abundant life only happens through Him.  We were spiritually dead because of our sin, but He has made us alive! (Eph. 2:5)  This relationship is not one of fearful servanthood but of a close emotionally satisfying bond.  As His adopted kids, we call our Father, “Daddy.”

Life is a precious gift.  But how much more precious are our lives when we belong to Him!  His Spirit reassures my heart that I am chosen, planned for and loved.  Because it is a work of His powerful Spirit, I am forever in His family.  There is no fear in that perfect familial love (I John 4:18).  I will always be His and He will always be mine!  His is a love that is faithful and cannot cease.  What an amazing truth, one I can and do make an unshakeable foundation to my life!

Thank you, Daddy.