Devotions By Jan


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My Comfort

Scripture for Today:  II Corinthians 1:3  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.”

I noticed on Facebook a comment that made me stop and think.  It was a condolence message saying, “May your memories be your comfort.”  It is a beautiful sentiment.  Our memories help us through the intense loss of a loved one.  Keeping those memories alive is a tribute to the one gone and a way to help us cope.

There is another source of comfort that can help lighten the burden of grief.  That source is our Heavenly Father, God of all mercy and comfort.  There is no loss to which He cannot relate as He gave up His own Son.  When one is experiencing the pain of loss, no one else can possibly feel that same pain, regardless of how similar the circumstances may be.  But our God of comfort knows and understands.  Jesus, as our High Priest, is touched by our grief and all we are feeling (Heb. 4:15).

This verse has been put to the test by my own grief having just lost my Dad.  I do know He is faithful and true.  At the very moment of Dad’s passing, it was the middle of the night in France.  The Lord woke me up for almost two hours and during that time, an old hymn ran through my mind over and over again.  “Does Jesus care?  I know He cares.  His heart is touched with my grief.  When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.”  He has been my source of comfort in times of loss, and He will be again.

Thank you Lord, for being my constant comfort.

 


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The Colors of Hope

Scripture for Today:  Colossians 3:3-4  “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

I love the seasonal changes in Alsace.  The colors of fall are remarkable, especially in the sunlight.  The hillsides can look like they are on fire with the reds.  I wants to imprint these colors on my memory as winter is just around the corner.  The trees will be barren and everything will seem drab and grey.  These leaves face their demise with a burst of color, as if trying to make the most of the little time left to them.

I have the privilege of teaching the Bible to a group of women in their 80’s.  They are each at a point of their lives where they are knocking on the door of Eternity.  They have fought the good fight.  They have run the race.  The fact that these women stand firm in their faith, if not on their legs, is a vibrant color to me!  Their courage is a beautiful sight to see.  Their bust of color is their testimony to others before leaving this earth.

Our real lives are not here.  We have already died and our real lives are hidden with Christ.  One day when Christ is revealed, our real redeemed selves will be revealed as well.  The color of our lives will then be permanent.   No more waiting and hoping.  No more suffering or death.  Hope will be realized in Him.  A  color-filled season awaits us and it is an eternal one.  What a season that will be!

Thank you Lord, for the vibrant color of Your future glory in me!  You are my hope.


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What’s New?

Scripture for Today:  Lamentations 3:22-23  “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are NEW every morning: great is Your faithfulness.”

One spring evening at a Bible study in France, our hostess allowed us to cuddle their new baby geese! (goslings)  There is something special about what is brand new.  Aren’t we all naturally drawn to what is new, whether it be new tastes, new clothes, new sights or new experiences?

The problem is that newness can quickly wear off and become mundane, leaving us dissatisfied and bored.  Old news, old hat, been there, done that.  We feel compelled to search again for the next new thing!

Our Creator God understands our need for the new!  His promises of new are not found “under the sun” where King Solomon searched.  Rather they are found in the spiritual realm.  Our verse tells us that His compassions are new every morning.  He continually reveals something new about Himself.  His compassion today is not leftovers from yesterday.  His relationship with me is new and fresh and timely every morning.  In fact, His renewed compassion for me is the reason I get up in the morning!

Perhaps you are like me.  Even as a child of God I can sometimes be bored.  Desiring something new in my day is fine.  But when I look for satisfaction in the new, I find it a quick but temporary fix as the new eventually becomes old.  But experiencing His compassions never gets old!   Discovering something new in His nature is a discovery that begins now and lasts for all eternity!  Every morning I can look forward to something NEW!

Thank you Lord, for renewing Your love for me this morning.


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A Child of the King

Scripture for today:  Romans 8:17  “Now if we are God’s children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.”

I’ve always been drawn to the fleur de lys, symbol of French royalty!  I wear it as jewelry and enjoy seeing it in the architecture and decoration of the French châteaux.  It means lots of different things to different people.  I like the symbolism of life, love and perfection!  In any case, I do not intend to show allegiance when wearing this symbol.  I have a higher allegiance as a child of God.

Our verse reminds me of my identity in Christ.  I am not only a subject of the King,  I am a child of the King.   What an amazing thought!  As His child I have access to the throne room of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! (Heb.4:16)  I belong there!  Because of the grace shown by Christ’s sacrifice, God extends to me His scepter, just as King Xerxes did for Queen Esther so long ago.  His throne is called a “throne of grace” because there He dispenses His mercy and help in time of need.  Isn’t that all the time?

I am not so sure I like the part about suffering.  But in our fallen world suffering is inevitable, especially for doing the right thing.  Thankfully, the verse ends on a positive note!  I have hope and can look forward to sharing in His glory!  Would that I remember that my allegiance belongs to the King and not to the world.  He is a King full of love and grace, welcoming me to His throne room.

Remind me today Lord, that I am Your child and heir.


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Balanced

Scripture for Today:  I Thessalonians 5:23  “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit, soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I sometimes feel guilty when I relax.  There are times when I want to do absolutely nothing.  After an intense stress-filled period I look for ways to put my mind on pilot.  Some people call it “vegging.”  That phrase seems to go hand-in-hand with “couch potato.”  In any case, times of relaxation are so important and we all need it.

Our verse today tells us we are made of three parts: body, soul and spirit.  When I fail to take care of one part of those three components, I become out of balance.  I teeter and totter and risk falling down on my face!  We recognize that our bodies have physical limits.  But our souls, the seat of our will and emotions, also need care and attention.  My emotional health is also important to have God-honoring relationships.  Then of course my spirit needs to be in good health.  It is in my spirit that I commune with my Lord.  When I ignore this part of my being, it is usually evident in every area!

Just as this verse says, I need the Lord to be sanctifying me in every area.  He sets me apart as His very own in every part of my being.  It may seem strange but my most spiritual activity today may be a nap!  I need to give attention to physical and emotional needs and not only to what is recognized by others as spiritual.

Thank you, Lord, that one day I will be complete and blameless in spirit, soul and body!  Keep me balanced today.