Devotions By Jan


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Gates

Scripture for Today: Psalm 118:19-20 “Open to  me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord.  This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous will enter through it.”

Over the years I have seen many beautiful gates in France.  They can stand before a breathtaking château or just a simple garden.  They are often ornate and have stood the test of time.  The ones at the palace at Versailles near Paris are golden and impressive.  We had an electronic gate at the end of our alley way.  Our French landlord put it up for our group of six resident families to discourage theft.  It also discouraged people from parking and blocking access.  The problem is, it often was out of order and was more of an inconvenience than a help!

There is a gate in our verse for today that is called “the gate of the Lord.”  I imagine it being ornate, made of shiny gold and too high to climb.  There is only one group of people who are allowed to enter it; the righteous.  When I read that, it is easy to feel that I am excluded.  I know that I am not righteous!

Thankfully, there is a righteousness that is available to me; the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ (Phil. 3:9).  HE is my righteousness.  His righteousness is promised to those who believe on Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead (Romans 4:24).  I have no righteousness of my own.  The saving work of Jesus opens those gates into His presence!  I can enter the gate of the Lord with confidence, thankfulness and praise.

Thank you Lord, for opening those gates to me!

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


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Horns

Scripture for Today: I Samuel 2:1 “….My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord.  My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.”

We were privileged to take a very long hike in the Massif du Chablais in the Haute Savoie.  We were just under the tree line at about 6000 feet.  The views were breathtaking but the most memorable moment was coming across a herd of some 30 Ibex mountain goats!  As a group they calmly crossed our path.  Their horns appeared impressive and menacing with their prehistoric-looking ridges.  I was amazed that they allowed us to be so close.  For a good fifteen minutes we silently watched them watch us!

The herd was made up entirely of males.  I learned that in the summers they form groups and hold big battles to establish superiority.  In fact, even during our short encounter, two of them started to get into it!

Our verse for today begins a prayer of thanksgiving.  Hannah had just dedicated her son, Samuel, to the Lord.  She is rejoicing in the fact that the Lord has vindicated her before her enemies.  She says that her horn is exalted in the Lord.  The horn is a symbol of strength and Hannah recognizes that her strength is in Him.  The Lord has made her victorious over those who had ridiculed her for her barrenness.

David calls the Lord, “the horn of my salvation” (Psalm 18:2) and Jesus is called a horn of salvation (Luke 1:69).  Because He is my strength, I too can call Him the horn of my salvation!  He fights for me.  Not only that, but He wins!  He will triumph over any foe in my life.

Thank you, Lord, that it does not depend on me.  You are fighting my battles!

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

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Lavender

Scripture for Today:  Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Driving through Provence in the south of France is best done with the windows open!  The wonderful aroma of growing lavender is not to be missed!  Fields and fields of this beautiful flower delight the eye and its fragrance is calming.  I have a small bush of lavender in my yard.  I always take a little more time weeding in its vicinity, just so I can enjoy its perfume a little longer!

Lavender is said to have many healthful benefits.  The oil is an anti-inflammatory and helps with headaches, burns and insect bites.  It is also a good insect repellent and smells so much better than most!  But what intrigues me is its relaxing and soothing properties, easing stress and aiding sleep.

Today’s verse tells us not to be anxious. Rather than suggesting lavender to ease stress, a much more effective remedy is ours! Prayer. When overcome with anxiety, God offers His amazing peace. And that peace envelops both heart and mind, feelings and thoughts. Tension in the body can be replaced with an amazing sense of calm when we are able to give over to God every worry and every “what if?”

My first inclination is to worry and tense up about things over which I have no control. Not only is my sleep disturbed, but I can work myself up to the point of tension headaches! But when I give over my concerns to the Lord in prayer, I am acknowledging that total control is in His loving and powerful hands. In relinquishing to Him any flimsy control I think I may have, I can relax. Because He is love He will always do what is good for me. Because He is just, He will always do the right thing.

Thank you Lord, that talking with You calms me down.

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


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Yo-yo

Scripture for Today: Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.”

I am the proud winner of a yo-yo competition!  OK, so it was in the 4th grade, but winning anything is rare so I still remember it!  At the time I could do a number of tricks, including: Loop the Loop, Rock the Baby, Flying Saucer, and Walk the Dog.  I am sure I drove my parents nutty making them watch me!  Whatever skill I had is long gone.  When my children were young I tried their yo-yo’s but to no avail.  I guess with yo-yo’s it is, “use it or lose it!”

Our verse for today speaks of a work that Christ is completing in me.  It is a life-long process of becoming like Him.  Like the yo-yo, there are ups and downs to this work.  When I think I am doing well and feeling strong, I am up.  When I am blowing it or feeling weak, I am down.  It is easy to stay down when I think of all the work in me still to be done.  I often feel like progress resembles three steps forward and then two steps back!

It is easy to become discouraged with that sin nature hanging on.  My goals for myself are very high, but the Lord’s are even higher.  His eventual goal for all believers is perfection (Matt. 5:48).  How can I feel “up” about my progress when there is so far to go?!  Our verse is reassuring as it reminds me that one day, I will be perfect and complete in Him.  He has promised it and He is faithful!

Thank you, Lord, that when You come, I will finally be like You!

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


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Compartments

pigeon-hole-units-melbourne-i15Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 10:12 “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul.”

I am a fan of anything that keeps one organized!  Separating items keeps things neat and tidy.  I remember the cubby holes at the entrance of our children’s school rooms in France.  Everything had its place; hats, scarves, mittens, and shoes.  My daughter and her husband use a chic room divider that doubles as storage in much the same way.  Maybe it is a sub-conscious throwback to childhood days!

Putting things in separate compartments can carry over to how we view life.  There is the tendency to divide daily life into segments.  There is the work world, the social scene and the church life, to name a few.  We tend to be different people in different scenarios.  Sometimes it is even intentional.  One’s persona changes with one’s role.

The problem comes when we try to separate out the spiritual side of life.  It does not work.  It has been said that, “all ground is holy ground and every bush a burning bush.”  Our verse for today calls for all of our heart and all of our soul.  Loving Him and walking with Him touches every area of our lives.  I cannot put God in a small Sunday-only compartment if I am a true Christ follower.  He has the right to direct all parts of my life.  I do not even have the right to a “secret compartment!”  I have given Him my whole self.

My prayer today echos the lyrics of an old hymn: “Take myself and I will be; Ever, only, all for Thee.”

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