Devotions By Jan


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The Ambassador

6a01053657498b970c015433a01363970c-800wiScripture for Today: II Corinthians 5:20 “We are  therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

This beautiful 1956 Nash Ambassador is remarkable with its three-tone color scheme, whitewalls and impressive grill!  This particular car is said to have been the “official car of Disneyland.”  The model name of “Ambassador” came to represent the top of the line.  This name continued so long as to become the longest-lived automobile nameplate in automotive history.

The name “Ambassador,” is more likely to be associated today with the government office.  Part of the role of an ambassador in a foreign country is to serve American interests and values.  This is to be done with the highest standards of ethical conduct and diplomatic discretion.  The ambassador is to represent the very best of his people.

In our verse for today, the Lord asks His followers to be His ambassadors.  We are to represent Christ, speaking on His behalf with His message of reconciliation with God.  An ambassador does not change his allegiance to the host country.  He remains faithful to the one he represents.  The ambassador is all about peace and reconciliation.

I sometimes forget that I am an alien and stranger here (Hebrews 11:13-14, 16).  This is not my home.  My citizenship is elsewhere in Heaven.  As His child, my allegiance is to God and not to the thinking and values of this world.  I am His ambassador, imploring others to seek peace with God through Christ.  My role is to represent His values and interests.  What an incredible responsibility to represent Him and His heart.  He longs for an intimate and peaceful relationship with each person.

May I be faithful today in representing You, Lord.

 


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Lookouts

look out unnamedScripture for Today: Psalm 24:1-2 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. For He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”

There are several lookouts along the paths of the Back Bay in Newport Beach.  Often, when I am intent on my power walks I just pass by them.  But when I do take the time to stop, these lookouts tell me what I am seeing.  They describe different landmarks the view presents.  They describe too the wildlife and the different species of birds and plants.  After stopping and enjoying the view and the new information, I continue my walk with a deeper appreciation for what I am seeing and smelling.

Our verse for today reminds us that all of creation is the Lord’s.  He is the Creator and like most every creator, He is pleased when we admire His work!  To have the Maker walk with us through His masterpiece of creation is a wonderful privilege.  He explains to us what we are seeing in His Word.  The Bible is our “lookout” explaining the view and how grand and awesome is the power He has.  All of creation points to the Maker and Author of life.  His invisible qualities, His eternal power, and His divine nature are clearly seen in what He has made (Romans 1:20).

Appreciating nature is something we share with most everyone.  What is sad is when creation is seen from a merely human point of view.  Passing by those “lookouts” of Scripture diminishes the appreciation and gratitude to our Creator!  A whole side to enjoying nature is missed!

I want to see it all from the Creator’s point of view!  Lord, keep me in Your Word today.


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Vinegar

Scripture for Today: Psalm 69:21 “They (my enemies) put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”

There all kinds of vinegars to choose from when making a gourmet salad dressing.  In our area of Alsace, apple vinegar is very common. But I enjoy the strawberry and raspberry vinegars too.  There is an amazing specialty shop in Freiburg, Germany that sells grapefruit, mandarin orange and pomegranate vinegars, among others.  They are great for adding that extra bit of flavor, but I cannot imagine drinking pure vinegar!

Our verse for today describes the persecution David experienced from his enemies.  He felt scorned, disgraced and shamed.  He looked for sympathy and comfort but found none.  His food tasted bitter from their gall, and there was no quenching of his thirst as it all tasted like vinegar.  This psalm describes David’s trials but also foretells the Lord’s suffering on the cross when his enemies offered him vinegar, made with light wine turned acid.  It was mixed with gall or some kind of bitter plant.

The mockery of our faith by unbelieving friends can certainly sour our lives.  The taunting of family members can make life taste very bitter.  It is not easy to stand alone in one’s conviction of the Truth.  But this psalm ends with praise for the Lord’s response to our cries.  He promises salvation and an inheritance to all who love His name!  God is righteous and He vindicates His own!

The sympathy and comfort I long for when feeling beaten down is only found in the Lord.  He hears not only my prayers but the unspoken cries of my heart.  No one understands like Jesus.  He promises to be my strength to stand firm even in the face of misunderstanding and opposition.

Thank you Lord, that You bore much worse for me!


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Loss

Scripture for Today: Job 1:21 “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

I cannot imagine the pain of losing a precious innocent baby.  I cannot imagine the heartache of losing a spouse.  It is difficult to even imagine praising the name of the Lord at such a time as that.  And yet, this is what Job was able to do when he lost all his sons and daughters.  When Job received this awful news, his immediate response was to fall to the ground in worship and speak this verse.  He recognized that the Lord in His sovereignty gave and the Lord also took away.  Job did not “curse God and die,” as was the advice from his angry devastated wife but continued to bless the name of the Lord even in his enormous grief and continual questioning.

It is one thing to bless the name of the Lord when all is well.  It is quite another thing to bless His name when it feels like one’s world is collapsing.  The fact that it can be done gives so much credibility to the truth of God’s Word.  Those who testify to God’s faithfulness while the drugs of chemotherapy drip into their arm are those to whom it is well worth listening!

Though loss is so very painful, our hope is real.  Our God proves Himself to be the God of all comfort when we need Him most (II Cor. 1:3).  Living our hope is a powerful affirmation of the Truth to ourselves and to others.  We can trust that our dear one, though gone from our arms, is safely in His.

“My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name.”


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Bellows

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 1:6 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

In former times this antique bellow was a common sight in starting and maintaining a fire.  The flexible bag would expand with air entering through a valve.  The air would then be expelled through a tube.  As a result the fire would burn more brightly with the supply of air.  I was surprised to see the choices available today for this age-old tool.  As different as the styles may be, they all have in common that important flow of air helping the fire to burn.

Our verse for today is an encouragement from Paul to Timothy.  Paul took special interest in Timothy, considering him as a son.  Because he was convinced of his sincere faith, Paul urged him to fan into flame the Holy Spirit’s gifts already received.

Each believer is given a gift by the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:7) to be used in service to Him.  Sometimes though, that gift can be reduced to smoldering coals through neglect.  Life can seem so full and busy, we forget what we were given and why.  That flame can sometimes need fanning.  The Holy Spirit wants to breathe power, love and self-discipline on those coals, making us bold in our testimony and service (verse 7).  We cannot burn brightly for Him without the work of the Holy Spirit.  His Spirit is like those bellows, fanning into a flame the spiritual gift He has given us.

When the Holy Spirit is working through me, there is no chance of “burn out.”  He continually breathes His supply of power.  He accomplished in me so much more than I can ever do on my own.

Lord, keep me burning brightly today!