Devotions By Jan


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“Lo How A Rose”

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 53:5 “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

I love all the old Christmas carols, the older the better.  “Lo How A Rose” is not so well known, written in the 15th century and translated from German.  I was surprised to hear the instrumental version in the mall!  Its poetic lyrics liken Jesus’ coming to the blooming of a rose, like a bright flower in the dark of night.  The fourth verse says that the fragrance of this Flower, “dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere.”

Today’s verse is a prophesy about the death of Jesus and what it will accomplish.  We celebrate His birth this season, knowing that His life and death changed history.  He came to this earth to die.  Just as the fragrance of a rose comes from crushing the petals, so  the fragrance of His salvation and grace was realized through being “crushed for our iniquities.”  The deep dark red of the rose reminds me of His precious blood.  Peace with God was not possible until sin was punished.  Because Christ took on Himself that punishment, our sick souls are healed.

I will forever be grateful for His birth, His life and His incredible sacrifice.  His coming that first Christmas meant hope, beauty and light in a dark desperate world.  What is so amazing is that He did it for me!  He did it for all those who will accept His love for them.  “Like a rose trampled on the ground, You took the fall, And thought of me, Above all.”

Thank you Lord, for coming to this earth for me!


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Persimmons

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 24:14 “Know also that wisdom is like honey for you; If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

I recently rediscovered persimmons.  Remembering their strange bitter aftertaste, I thought I did not like them.  What I had not realized is that there are several varieties.  The one I disliked so much was the Hachiya  pictured here.  They have a pointed bottom and are mushy inside.  But the Fuyu variety with the flat bottom is wonderfully sweet and can be eaten like an apple.  However. even the Hachiya can be tasty when baked in pudding, cookies and breads.

Today’s verse likens wisdom to the taste of sweetness in honey.  Finding wisdom is worth the effort as it will mean a future hope.  There is not much hope of a positive future for the fool who discounts God’s words.  But the one who is wise is the one who treasures His words, finding them “sweeter than honey” (Psalm 119:103)  God’s Word is what makes wise the simple (Psalm 19:7).  And with wisdom one makes the best decisions, starting with obeying His Law.

Gaining wisdom is a lifelong process involving not only reading and knowing His word, but intentionally putting it into practice.  His Word does not read like an advice column that one can take or leave.  God’s Word is not just full of  suggestions on how to live.  It is authoritative.  God’s precepts give me not only a good course of action but the very best one!  I have no wisdom of my own but I can walk in His wisdom when I submit to His way!  Living wisely means there is hope for my future!

Lord, make this a sweet day by helping me be wise.

 

 


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Oh Rats!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 19:11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

The ship was crossing the channel, taking all of our family to England from France for a house exchange.  We were thankful that no one suffered any sea sickness, there were no sudden squalls and we did not see rats making for the exits!  Of course, if we had, we would have been plenty worried.  It is a common belief that rats know when to flee a sinking ship.  Some research seems to indicate that animals can pick up “infrasonic” sound pulses created by storms and earthquakes, giving them a head start toward safety.  If I saw rats running for their lives, I would consider that a warning and follow!

Today’s verse promises reward for keeping God’s laws and decrees.  That is the positive side.  The negative side in this verse is that they also serve as a warning.  Like the rats headed for the exit, God’s commandments give us warning.  They let us know when we are headed toward trouble.  God, in His grace, alerts us through His Word so that we can avoid needless heartbreak.  Following His way rather than our own keeps us out of harm’s way.

Our sin hurts.  It complicates a life and results in brokenness.  But it does not have to be if we heed His warning signs.  It is unpopular to speak of absolutes but they are not my words.  God delineates quite clearly in His Word between what is good and evil, black and white, dark and light.  He makes it clear so I do not add senseless pain and guilt to my life.

Help me Lord, to see Your commandments as a positive loving gesture from You.


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Elephant Feet

Scripture for Today: I Samuel 2:9  “He keeps the feet of His godly ones.  But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail.”

One would think that it would take a serious problem to bring down the mighty elephant.  But in fact, the single most important ailment of the captive elephant is the foot-related problem.  With limited movement their soles and nails do not naturally wear down and need constant cutting back.  If abscesses, nail infection and arthritis are not guarded against, any of these seemingly inconsequential problems could bring down this amazingly strong animal.

Today’s verse is part of a song by Hannah.  She is leaving Samuel, her precious son, at the temple to serve as she had promised.  Surprisingly, her heart is exalting in the Lord instead of melting in sorrow at the separation!  Hannah is affirming the truth of the sovereignty of God.  She understands that God will protect her little boy.  He will be keeping the feet of His godly ones, protecting their comings and goings.  It is not the strong and mighty ones that will prevail.    The wicked can only count on stumbling around in the darkness.

It is a tremendous comfort to know that the Lord sees every step before I take it.  He makes firm the steps of those who delight in Him (Psalm 37:23).  I can even walk through the “valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4) without fear knowing He sees, He knows and He is right there beside me.  As His own, I walk in His light and will prevail through His strength.  Whatever I may face today, this truth will not change.  I can step out that front door with confidence in His loving sovereignty.

Thank you Lord, for Your intimate knowledge and care for me.


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Turkey Hotline

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Thanksgiving seems to be synonymous with a big fat turkey on a platter.  This turkey tradition has confounded the less experienced cook giving rise to the Butterball’s Turkey Talk-Line, begun in 1981.  Most questions have to do with thawing procedures and cooking times.  But some problems are unique, as with the man who tried to use the oven’s cleaning cycle to cook the turkey more quickly!  One caller complained that her bird had no breast meat, not realizing it was upside-down!

Today’s verse has the word, “thanksgiving.”  Our tendency is to be anxious when confronted with difficulty, especially when others have a front row seat to our dilemma.  Whether our anxiety is understandable or completely manufactured by an over active imagination, there is only one thing to do with it; give it to the Lord in prayer.  Regardless of the size or importance of our situation, our Heavenly Father does not want us to feel anxiety.

When we give our requests to the Lord, He asks that we do it with thanksgiving.  We are to thank Him in advance for His answer, even if it is not the response we want or expect.  Thanking Him before His response shows Him that we trust His power to act, His wisdom to know the right outcome, and His goodness to do what is best.

Today we thank Him for all His blessings.  Everything that is good in my life is because of His grace.  But He also wants me to thank Him for the answers still pending.  I want to include in my thanksgiving praise for His good plan and future blessings yet unseen!

Thank you Lord, for how You will answer!