Devotions By Jan


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Birds of Paradise

Scripture for Today: Luke 23:42-43 “….’Jesus, remember me when You come in Your Kingdom.’  Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'”

These beautiful flowers are everywhere in southern California.  Their vivid orange petals grow vertically and the deep blue ones horizontally, giving them a peculiar bird-like appearance.  Their blooms do not appear until three to five years after planting the seeds.  Florists like to use them to mark a ninth wedding anniversary, suggesting that they represent faithfulness.  However, these flowers are also said to symbolize a clear perspective on life!

Today’s verse is a request to Jesus from one of the thieves hanging on a cross next to Him.  Jesus promises him that because of his faith, he will be in Paradise that very day.  The word, “paradise” is the Persian word for “garden.”  One very important tree grows there; the tree of life (Rev. 2:7).  There, in Paradise, we will live life as it was meant to be.  There will be no pain, sickness or death.  There will be no sin, guilt or ugliness.  There will only be unending joy in His presence!

It is so hard to imagine Paradise.  But one thing is sure.  It will be so much better than my imagination!  And thinking about Paradise gives me a clear perspective on life here and now.  I can face the hard times with hope because of Paradise.  I can look past the failures and dashed expectations when I think about that future place of indescribable beauty!  I can even endure those painful separations when I know with certainty that one day there will be no more goodbyes.

Thank you Lord, for the promise of Paradise!

 


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Abandoned

Barney165730_816338958191_650073_nScripture for Today: Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

It was hard for my daughter and her husband to leave Barney with friends for a week in order to take a vacation.   Because they had adopted this little Jack Russel Terrier from an animal shelter, they were worried he would feel abandoned once again.  Thankfully, he fit right in with their friend’s household and loved playing with new doggie friends!

It would break my heart to enter an animal shelter.  I would probably ignore logic and come home with at least one abandoned pet.  Many people who buy puppies later decide it is an inconvenience and get rid of them.  Others do the same with their litters as they have neglected to neuter their animals.  Some breeders use the shelters to dump unsold puppies.

In our verse for today is a very comforting truth; the Lord our God will go with us.  He will never leave us or forsake us!  There is never a question of being abandoned by God.  These words were spoken by Moses to the Israelites in verse 6 and then repeated in verse 8 to Joshua and the Israelites.  His leadership was coming to an end and Moses did not want them to feel abandoned.

There are times when I am overcome with fear.  I am not facing battle with enemies, but I do face other fears.  The Lord wants to reassure me of His presence.  Having the promise that He will never leave me or forsake me helps calm those fears.  He will never look the other way and leave me on my own.

Thank you, Lord, that You will never abandon me.

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


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Salsa Dancing

Scripture for Today: Psalm 30:11-12  “You turned my wailing into dancing.  You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.  Lord my God, I will praise You forever.”

My second daughter and her husband recently took Salsa dance lessons.  With its rhythmic nature they found it a real challenge!  Salsa is a style of dancing evolved from the Cha cha cha and the Mambo mixed with Swing and Hustle.  It is a style that has also been influenced by Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean elements.

There is some disagreement about the origin of the name, “Salsa,” but I like the theory that the name refers to “sauce.”  Just as there are many ingredients to sauce, so this dance is a mixture of many different styles.  There is not one single country or culture that can take credit for its existence.

Our verse for today expresses the joy that is ours in the Lord.  He turns wailing into dancing.  What a turn-around that is!  The most dire circumstances can be turned into praise.  He transforms mourning into a joy that moves the feet!  It is hard to imagine that scenario when in the depths of despair.  But it is truth and it gives us hope.  Heart breaking sorrow will not last forever.  One day He will remove that sackcloth of regret and sadness and replace it with dancing shoes!

In His presence is fulness of joy! (Psalm 16:11)  The sackcloth is still part of my wardrobe, but I can have an inkling of the joy and lightheartedness that is to come every time I feel His presence.  Like King David who danced alongside the ark of the covenant, I can feel and express His joy!

May my praise to Him be loud and clear today and always!

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


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Blocked

IMG_20140302_150852Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:93  “I will never forget your precepts, for by them You have preserved my life.”

When walking in the vineyards above our house, I encountered a metal barrier.  Apparently, work was being done as I could see some equipment in the distance.  I really did not want to change my route, being a creature of habit.  So, I made my way around that barrier.  Maybe it was not such a good idea.  As the picture shows, work was being done to shore up the path that had fallen away.  To continue my walk I had to hang on to that chain link fence.  It was not a comfortable experience!

I could have blamed the advice of a fellow walker who had come from that direction.  She told me it was just fine to ignore the barrier.  It was really only there for the bicyclists.  But in fact, I could only blame myself for finding myself in a precarious position.

I could not help but think of the road blocks the Lord erects in my life.  His precepts and commandments turn me back, turn me around and basically change my route.  When I ignore them, I also find myself in uncomfortable and sometimes precarious positions.  He blocks my way to save my life!  He changes my wayward path because He loves me and wants to see me succeed.

Rather than see His precepts as positive and a blessing, I often think like the woman on my path.  The rules are not really for me.  Somehow, I am exempt.  They are really meant for others who are weaker.  I forget that those barriers are there for my good!

Thank you Lord, for Your infinite patience with me!  Help me never forget that going Your way means life!

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


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Spider Web

Scripture for Today:  Job 8:13-15  “Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless.  What they trust in is fragile.  What they rely on is a spider’s web.  They lean on the web but it gives way.  They cling to it, but it does not hold.”

A spider’s web is beautiful and intricate.  I would be more enthusiastic about them if they did not involve spiders!  It is said that spider silk is stronger than steel.  By some criteria that is true.  Most spider silk has a high tensile strength comparable to that of a high grade alloy steel.  The “tensile” strength refers to the largest stress that a material can stand before breaking.  The spider silk is one of God’s wonders in creation as it can stretch up to five times its relaxed weight before breaking.

Our verse for today is part of a conversation between Job and one of his three friends, Bildad.  Much of what his three friends said was discouraging for Job as they assumed his trials were a result of some hidden sin.  But the observation Bildad makes in this verse is absolutely true.  Those that forget God and do not trust in Him find themselves relying on a spider’s web!  Trusting on anything or anyone other than the Lord is a fragile trust that will eventually give way.  My own ideas, my own strength or even my own resources are like that spider web.  It will only hold me up temporarily.  It is just too flimsy and fragile.  How much better to lean on the One whose power and might can hold me up in any circumstance!

Thank you Lord, that I can lean on You and Your strength!

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