Devotions By Jan


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Losing the Thread

eGZ4MGVoMTI=_o_cross-stitch---threading-the-needle-the-half-cross-Scripture for Today: Acts 10:43 “All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness through His name.” 

There is nothing more annoying than to be in the middle of a sewing project and to lose the thread.  Everything stops while I struggle to wet the end of that thread and reinsert it into that impossibly small needle opening.  I can lose my motivation to continue when this happens.

The same thing can happen when I lose the thread of a story.  I lose my motivation to keep reading.  When what I am reading seems random and disjointed, I put down the book in frustration.  The phrase, “losing the thread,” was coined in the mid 1900’s.  The thread represents an idea that connects various parts of a narrative together.

God’s Word has a very important thread.  Our verse for today is part of a discourse by the apostle, Peter.  He saw very clearly that the thread is Jesus Christ.  From the very beginning in Genesis 3:15 the coming of Christ was foretold.  Not only was His coming redemption repeated by the prophets, but even the sacrificial system was an image of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

I love seeing Jesus in the Messianic Psalms.  I get excited to see so many details of Christ’s earthly life prophesied and then fulfilled!  Jesus Himself is the thread that runs through the centuries during which the Bible was written.  In the Old Testament everything points forward to Him.  In the New Testament everything points back to His redeeming work.

There is no other subject more worthy!  That is because it is in Him that I find forgiveness of sin.  That crushing weight of guilt and regret can lift off my shoulders.

Lord, may Your forgiveness be the thread in my life as well.

 


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Slow in Coming!

Scripture for Today: II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Our third grandson is officially late in making his entrance into this world, at least according to the doctor’s best guess.  Everyday we wait with bated breath thinking, “Is this the day?”  We are all on pins and needles.  Everything is in readiness and we have even been able to get some extra projects done.  The time seems to drag by and even slow down as we wait and wait.  Maybe it will be today!

It occurred to me that just as we wait for the coming of a baby with breathless excitement, so we are to wait for Christ’s coming.  Our verse for today refers to His second coming.  The time can seem long as we wait.  It can especially seem long when living in a difficult and arduous time.  There will be sweet relief from all kinds of pain when Christ arrives.  For those who do not belong to Him, the day will bring judgement rather than relief.  But for those who long for His return there is a special recompense (II Tim. 4:8)

There are many people who mock the idea of Christ’s return to earth.  “Where is this coming?” they ask. (II Peter 3:4)  He is slow in arriving, but our verse explains why that is.  He waits, showing love and patience for more men to come to Him in repentance and so be spared His judgement.

The words of this old hymn often come to mind, “Oh Lord Jesus how long, how long, ere we shout the glad song, Christ returneth!”  Maybe it will be today!


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Free Turkey!

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

I love the promotions I see in America.  My daughter’s grocery store offered a free turkey after a certain sum was spent in their store.  We came home with a beautiful twenty pounder for which we paid nothing!  That night while walking through a deserted parking lot, my daughter bent over to pick up a twenty dollar bill!  Lucky us!  This will certainly pay for all the side dishes, making our Thanksgiving feast absolutely free!

Our verse for today talks about something else far greater that is absolutely free.  We do not pay for our salvation, although it was costly.  Jesus paid that cost and so it is free of charge for us.  Being spared the punishment we deserve for our sin is an enormous gift.  But we had no part in procuring that gift.  It is a true gift of grace, or unmerited favor, and absolutely free.

Thanksgiving Day can mean many different things to different people.  Perhaps, the idea of a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving scene seems ludicrous in some families experiencing difficulty.  Giving thanks can especially be hard after recently losing a loved one.  In times of economic stress or declining health, subjects of thanksgiving are not what come to mind.  But even in the darkest times, there is always reason for the believer to give thanks; salvation – full, rich and free!  Is not that the biggest reason to give thanks?

This Thanksgiving feast, as wonderful as it is, can not even compare to our future wedding supper of the Lamb! (Rev. 19:9)  Praise and thanksgiving in the presence of our Savior will rival any earthly feast!

Lord, I will be forever thankful!

 


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Scout’s Honor

Scripture for Today: Psalm 33:4 “For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.”

This gesture is a common one in North America among scouts.  Before a girl or boy can become a scout a pledge must be voiced.  “On my honor I promise to do my best….”  Following are three praiseworthy statements regarding duty, helpfulness and obedience.  The principles written in the scout’s honor pledge are lofty and difficult to consistently follow.  It is interesting to have the disclaimer as part of the pledge…”to do my best.”  There is resolve and commitment but a recognition as well that one cannot perfectly fulfill this pledge.

Our verse for today is a wonderful assurance that everything God says is right and true.  He is faithful to His Word and there is no need for any disclaimer!  He never says, “I will try to do my best,” or “I will do the best I can.”  He is powerful enough to make all His words become a reality.  If He says something will happen, then it will.  We never have to wonder whether He will go back on His Word.  We never have to wonder if what He says is right.  His purpose statements are not just good intentions but unshakeable truth.

I can and do build my life on His Word, being that it is rock solid truth.  He will always perfectly fulfill His pledge to me.  His Word is not only faithful and true but powerful beyond comprehension!  After all, it was by His Word that the heavens were made! (verse 6)

In a world where words are cheap and promises are broken, how amazing it is to be able to count on everything He says!  And what He says is so good and loving!


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Garbage Dumps

069_ThreeGoatsInGarbagePile_19_02_10_IRQScripture for Today: Philippians 3:8 “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”

Goats are picky eaters.  They are frequently seen in garbage dumps, so one would not think so.  It is a common belief that goats eat tin cans.  But in fact, they are pealing off the label to get to that tasty glue underneath!  Garbage dumps, even for goats, are not such a great dining experience!  No one wants this eye sore around their home, nor the odors.  There is very little that is positive to say about garbage.

This is just the point that Paul is making in our verse for today.  Paul’s background was stellar as a righteous, educated and privileged pharisee.  He was full of religious zeal and entrusted with a mission.  He had the admiration and respect of the world of his day.  At one point, his reputation and the social standing he had gained became for him a garbage dump.  What changed?

The surpassing value of knowing and loving Jesus has given Paul a different perspective.  This beautiful and satisfying relationship with Christ has made all his past accomplishments seem as worthless garbage.  The only redeeming factor remaining may be the tasty glue on can labels!

Paul had the most worthy goal in life; to gain Christ.  But it was something that could not happen as long as he valued his accomplishments, past or present, more than the Lord.  Caring too much about the world’s approbation somehow keeps us from having more of Christ.

He is worth far more than all else.  “You can have all this world.  Just give me Jesus.”  This is my prayer today.