Devotions By Jan


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Alpine Horns

Scripture for Today: Psalm 98:5-6 “Make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the Lord, the King.”

These long alpine horns are quite impressive.  The longer they are the more difficult they are to play as there are no finger buttons or piston valves.  It can only produce simple sounds by vibrating lips at the mouthpiece.  I tried blowing on one once and the resulting blast was anything but musical!

The alpine horn in the pastures was used to call in the cows, calm them down for milking and quiet them down for the night.  But like the ram’s horn in our verse, it was used in times past as an important signaling device, calling men to war.  The ram’s horn was an important part of many battles, including the famous Battle of Jericho.

Our verse for today is a celebration of joy, announcing God’s salvation and righteousness.  This music is celebrating God’s love and faithfulness.  These sounds together are jubilant and loud, including blasts and shouting!  It is a new song sung when the Lord comes to judge the earth.  Who is making this music?  The context says all the earth!  These instruments are accompanied by rivers clapping and mountains singing!  It will not only be a new song but a new sound; announcing the coming of righteousness and justice.

The only way I can participate in this celebration of coming justice is by being forgiven and receiving God’s grace.  I do not anticipate that future day with fear and trembling.  That is because I am His own and covered by His righteousness!  My King will establish justice and right all wrongs!

Lord, make this day a day of  joyful rehearsal!

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.

 

 


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Stretched

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

I cringe when I look at this image!  This rubber band is stretched to the limit and about to snap.  The resulting tension of a stretched elastic is a good thing.  It serves to hold things in place.  But too much stretching causes the rubber band to break and everything scatters.

Sometimes I feel like that stretched rubber band.  I am trying to do too much and I feel the tension everywhere in my tensed muscles.  I am only just holding it all together.  But if I were to snap, I would hurt myself and often others as well.  The breaking point may show itself in anger, unkind words, or tears.  It is not pretty.

Our verse for today gives me assurance that God is able to handle it all.  His blessing in my life keeps me from getting to that snapping, breaking point.  It is true that often, one can not help but be stretched by the many demands and obligations in life.  But He promises that in all things and at all times I will have what is needed to cope.  When I turn to Him, He gives me just what is needed.  I can continue doing what He has given me to do for Him.

I love the “alls” in this verse!  It has such a wide scope.  Every good work can include words or deeds done in His name (Col. 3:17).  When I am feeling overwhelmed and ready to snap, I realize that I am not able, but He is.

Thank you Lord, for Your abundant blessing that keeps me from being too stretched!

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.


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Too Remote

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 139:9-10 “If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me.”

The Pitcairn Islands come to mind when thinking of a remote part of the sea.  They roughly split the distance between Australia and South America.  These four volcanic islands are spread over several hundred miles of the Southern Pacific Ocean.  Their total land area is only eighteen square miles.  The mere sixty seven inhabitants are descended from pirates and Tahitians landing there in 1790.  The wreckage of the Bounty is still visible underwater.  If one wanted to “dwell in the remotest part of the sea,”  it seems a good place to do it!

Our verse for today is a wonderful reminder about the extent of God’s power and presence.  There is no place on earth too remote to find Him there.  The context is about fleeing His presence.  It just cannot be done.  Up in the heavens or in the depths of the earth, He is there.  And His presence is up close and personal.

Regardless of where I am, God’s presence means He is personally involved.  His hand leads, guides and protects.  That means His presence is not a disinterested one.  He sees, He cares, and He acts.  I do not always understand the “why” behind what He allows, but I can always be assured that He knows what His hand is doing.  He is trustworthy.

I do not want to flee from His Spirit.  I need to feel His presence and be assured of His hand in my life.  Lord, remind me continually of Your presence.  Help me move through my day confident that You are there.

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.

 


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Tantrums

TANTRUMScripture 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.”

This sweet little girl is losing it!  What toddler has not gone through the temper tantrum stage?  The angry emotions become too much to handle and spill out.  It can be frustrating or cute depending on how much sleep the parent has had.  But there is a place where temper tantrums are encouraged; the Tantrum Club for women in London.  There, one can scream, shout, rant and rave, jump up and down and bash things.  The club welcomes this behavior with support because as they say, “You deserve it!”

Our verse for today is spoken to Cain as a warning 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.

I often rationalize that I deserve to feel the way I do.  It is understandable.  But I do not have to be the victim of my emotions.  They do not have to lead me to sin, not if I can rule over them.  There is always a choice whether or not to give in to the anger or frustration.  My problem is that I cannot rule over my emotions on my own.  There is often a tantrum going on inside.  How thankful I am to have the fruit of God’s Spirit, offering me self-control.

Lord, rule over my emotions today!

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.


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Assisted Living

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 119:173 “May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.”

Many retirement homes have the choice of Independent Living or Assisted Living.  For now, my Mother continues to live with the Independent Living program, even at her advanced age.  However, I am anticipating the day when she makes use of the services offered in the Assisted Living program.  I sometimes do not understand her reluctance to accept more help.  Probably it comes from a fierce independent spirit that fears relinquishing any control.  On one level it is an admirable quality.  But on another level, it can be frustrating to see a quality of life that is often not as positive as it could be.  Help is there and available to make life easier.  But the desire to be independent is oh so strong!

In the spiritual realm there is also the tendency to not ask for help.  There is an issue of pride that pushes one to try and “go it alone.”  But His hand is there.  His help is available.  He awaits my cry for help.  But I often do not realize my need for “assisted living.”  I just do not see what could be possible with Him.  I am too content with what I can accomplish on my own.

David recognized in Psalm 40:17 that he was poor and needy.  With this humility he was able to turn to the Lord, ask for help, and receive it.  If a mighty king and warrior can recognize his need for help, than surely I need to as well.  Who does not need assistance?  Why am I so reticent to ask?

Thank you Lord, that You are so patient with me and my independent spirit.  I am no good on my own.  I need your help today!

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.