Devotions By Jan


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Jackpot!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:16 “Long life is in her (Wisdom’s) right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace,”

At this writing, the Mega Millions jackpot stands at 540 million dollars!  The one winning this inconceivable amount will have beat some pretty incredible odds.  The odds of winning are roughly one in 259 million!  The standard response is, “Well, someone has to win.”  Eventually, of course.  But the jackpot has climbed this high as there has not yet been a winner.  And at each drawing the number of participants increases, making the odds of winning even more difficult to beat!

Today’s verse talks about having riches and honor in one’s left hand.  The right hand holds long life.  It is not lottery winnings that fill the hands but wisdom.  The advantages that wisdom gives a life is likened to what wealth can do for a person.  But even this comparison falls short as wisdom is better than riches.  How much better to get wisdom than gold! (Prov. 16:16)  Wisdom gives us what money cannot buy; long life, honor, pleasant ways and peace.  Skillful godly living makes life absolutely rich!

It is so hard to think in this way.  With wisdom there is no instant gratification!  Wisdom does not give me any covetous looks from my neighbors.  There is no recognition or envy.  And life is not necessarily easier with wisdom.  But I tend to think all that could be the case if I were just a little richer!  However, the benefits and advantages of living wisely are not taxed, stolen, or frittered away as money can be.  My life is rich because of Him who is the Source of Wisdom.

Thank you Lord, that with Your love and salvation, I have already won!


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Stingray Shuffle

Scripture for Today:  Ephesians 5:15  “Look carefully then how you walk!  Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people).”

There have been numerous stories lately about stingrays on the California beaches.  All records were broken when 156 stingray injuries were reported in just three days!  Normally, I think of this problem as only being on the Atlantic side.  But apparently, the low tides and warm water have brought these unwanted visitors close enough to be a problem.  The prevailing wisdom is to shuffle your feet when entering the water.  The sand kicked up when walking this way will alert and scatter them.

Today’s verse tells us to be wise by walking carefully.  We walk through life with a purpose.  We walk in a manner that is worthy of our calling, pleasing the Lord (Col. 1:10).  We do not walk courting disaster as the unwise would do.  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 danger.  So much heartache can be avoided when we walk through this life the way the Lord has prescribed.  Walking carefully is walking within His will, making the most every day (verses 16-17).

Walking my way instead of His does not seem so bad.  Mt problem is that I do not see that stingray in my path as it can blend in with the sand.  The only way I can be confident of my next step, and the one after that, is to know I am walking to please Him.  No decision is too small or unimportant to bring to Him for counsel (Psalm 73:24).  He guides me through His Word which touches every area of my life.

Lord, show me how to walk today.

 

 


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A Little Kindness

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Did you know that kindness has side effects?  Dr. David Hamilton describes five: Kindness can make us happier.  Kindness can be good for the heart.  Acts of kindness are many times accompanied by emotional warmth.  Kindness also slows aging.  And kindness improves relationships.  Finally, kindness is contagious.  But I especially like the idea that showing kindness slows down the aging process!  I know some very kind folk that are advanced in years but I had never thought the two connected!

Today’s verse describes those that belong to the Lord as being holy and set apart.  The believer is dearly loved.  Knowing this, we are to clothe ourselves with the qualities that He has.  The Lord is full of compassion (Ex. 34:6).  He is the embodiment of kindness (Is. 63:7).  He is humble of heart and gentle (Matt. 11:29).  And He is patient (II Peter 3:9).  Each of these beautiful qualities can be ours because of Him and His Spirit in us (Gal. 5:22-23).  Acts of kindness to family, friends and strangers ought to be second nature to the believer.

Showing kindness takes time and effort.  It means putting the needs of someone else ahead of my own and sometimes I am just too selfish and prideful to show kindness.  Waving in that driver ahead of me means slowing down.  When someone forgot again and puts me out, it can be an effort to be kind.  When someone is struggling to balance their load and open a door, kindness lends a helping hand.  But what motivates me is more than experiencing these five positive side effects.  My deepest desire is that others will see the Source of kindness in me!

Lord, give me opportunities to show kindness today!


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Changing Tack?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:9 “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.”

It has been many many years since I took a sailing course.  But the one thing I especially remember is the boom!  When a boat tacks and changes direction, that boom quickly swings to the other side of the boat.  For the unaware, it means being knocked in the head if one is in its path.  I know this from experience!  The one changing direction would, in a perfect world, let his passengers know what he was doing.

Today’s verse reassures the believer that God has a plan for how we live our lives.  He is available to be our Guide and to teach us His way, which is always the best way!  All His ways are loving and faithful (verse 10) even if it seems that He is guiding us into waters that do not look so calm.  He is there and He is good.  But it is only the humble who can be guided.  When we confidently change tack or direction without His counsel, (James 4:13-16) we are likely to ourselves be in the way of that boom!

I am excited for this new calendar year, in fact so much so that I tore Christmas down a bit early!  But at the same time, I can be fearful of what changes may be in store.  There will be changes.  There always are.  He may change some of my directions.  But if I am humbly seeking Him and His guidance, I do not have to be surprised by that boom!  And I am reassured by who He is.  All His ways are loving and faithful!  I can be peaceful as I look ahead knowing that He is completely trustworthy!

Lord, I need You to guide me.


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Beginning Again

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:33-34  “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end.  Give me understanding, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.”

Today is a day of new beginnings.  This day gives one the opportunity to start over.  The New Year is full of potential for good things to happen.  It is like a present waiting to be opened.  What will it hold?

For some, it is with a sigh of relief to see the old year come to a close.  After going through huge difficulties, a New Year brings hope that things can only get better.  For others, a New Year is approached with trepidation, questions and what ifs.  But for believers, though the future is unknown, we can know the One who controls that future.

Often, the New Year is a moment to re-evaluate one’s life and decide on some changes.  It is the moment to make resolutions.  New resolve is somehow found concerning exercise, diet, or some other kind of discipline.  For me, I cannot think of a better resolution than to be more diligent to know and follow His Word.

In today’s verse, this is also the desire the psalmist.  Not only does he want to know and follow what God wants, but he wants to be wholly committed with all of his heart.  This is my deepest desire as well, although so often I am distracted with other priorities.  It is also my desire for any one near and dear to me.  Blessing comes with carrying out this resolution!

Happy New Year, Lord.  May I know You, obey You and love You more in this new year!