Devotions By Jan


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Goodbyes

Tante Lily1Scripture for Today: I Thes. 4:13 “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”

I do not like to say goodbye.  I am sad to think that on this earth I will not see Lily again.  Ten years ago she passed on to me the leadership of her Bible study group.  As each member is roughly the same age, I am losing these dear women one by one.  Each year our numbers shrink and we must say goodbye.  Yes, I grieve but I grieve with hope.

The verse for today is beautiful as it reminds us of our hope.  Saying goodbye between believers is never forever.  The separation is painful and hard but there is a tomorrow.  Death has been swallowed up in victory!  Death is just a passage where the perishable is clothed with imperishable and the mortal with immortality! (I Cor. 15:53-54)  One day there will be an incredible reunion of laughing and singing and dancing!  The sting of death will be forever removed.  This is my sure hope.  It makes our temporary separation bearable.

“When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart and hope to meet again.”  And that hope is not just wishful thinking!  Hope in Scripture has a much stronger meaning of certainty.  My hope is built on Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for me.  It is on that cross that He insured eternal life for those who place their trust in Him.  It is this hope that changes my grief.

Thank you Lord, that grief does not crush me.  Thank you Lord, that Your hope is my comfort.

 

 


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Dog Tags

16c3ebe7-1b59-4d6a-a4f9-ce1b0c9915a3Scripture for Today: Revelation 3:12  “The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.  Never again will they leave it.  I will write on them the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem……and I will also write on them My new name.”

Today marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day.  On this day, roughly 160,000 Allied soldiers landed on the Normandy beaches of France in 1944.  The cost in loss of life was high, but the stakes were high as well.  This important day marked the beginning of the end of German occupation in France.

The sandy beaches of the region sometimes turn up the dog tags worn by fallen soldiers.  Touching stories relate the return of some of them to veterans and their families.  These dog tags are more than just an heirloom or a piece of war memorabilia.  They are a piece of family history giving new insights into the past.  On that tag was marked the name, the military identification number, the blood type, and the religion of the soldier.

Our verse for today teaches that one day, believers will be “wearing” three names that will identify us.  The meaning here seems to be symbolic.  Those who are victorious and enduring to the very end will bear three names.  The name of God will show that we belong to Him forever.  The name of God’s city will show that we are citizens.  And His own new name will indicate our special relationship with Christ.

How reassuring to know that we will remain in His presence forever!  There is no way to misplace this “tag” and be lost.  Thank you Lord, for loving me enough to identify me as Your very own for all eternity!


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Drones

Scripture for Today:  II Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him…”

It is not a very comfortable feeling to know you are being watched.  The Los Angeles Police Department just acquired two drones which could provide much more information than a helicopter.  Some are equipped with facial recognition software, infrared technology and even speakers capable of monitoring personal conversations.  Drone use can be thought of as negative in war, espionage, and law enforcement.  But they can also be used in research, tornado prediction and the search for survivors.  Of course, a lot of the controversy surrounds privacy issues.

Our verse for today describes another kind of surveillance.  The eyes of the Lord are looking throughout the earth.  For what is He looking?  He is looking for hearts that are fully committed to Him, to strengthen them.  The context is war, and though the people were outnumbered in horses and chariots, God saw their hearts and that they relied on Him.  Because of that, He strengthened them and gave them victory.

God’s eyes are watching me to see if my heart is fully His.  His surveillance is not to punish me but to strengthen my resolve.  That is a surveillance I welcome.  But there are other eyes watching too.  My enemy the devil is prowling around like a lion, looking and looking for someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8)  He is looking for the weak and uncommitted heart.  That kind of surveillance is unwelcomed, to say the least.  But as my heart belongs fully to the Lord, I do not have to worry about that pair of eyes.  God has already secured the victory for me!

Thank you Lord, that You are my El Roi, the God Who Sees!


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Twins?

IMG_9349Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:14  “I will praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

The unthinkable actually happened.  We were visiting a chateau in the Loire Valley with friends and I crossed paths with my twin.  OK, so she was not my twin but we were wearing the same dress.  Normally, one does not strike up a conversation with a complete stranger in French society, but in this case an exception was made!  We had a good laugh and teased each other about our good taste and our different accessories.

More than once, I have almost stopped someone on the street, thinking they were someone else.  Looking similar is big business for the celebrity look-alikes.  But in fact, there are always differences between us, even among identical twins.  Each one of us is unique.

Our verse for today comes from a psalm of David that acknowledges God’s intimate knowledge of His creation.  From the very beginning in our mother’s womb, He has formed us to be exactly who we are.  Our particular combination of DNA is not by chance.  Each one of us can say we are unique, unlike anyone else.

The same can be said of our relationship with God.  Although all believers have the same access to God through His Son, Jesus, each of us relate to Him differently.  Our personalities, life experiences, our emotions and our understanding of God’s Word all play a part in this special and unique relationship.  There are no cookie-cutter ways to love and commune with Him.  His relationship with me is unique to me.  His relationship with you is unique to you.

He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Thank you Jesus, for being my King and my Lord.


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German Baths

_big_img__1324368350Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 9:27 “But I buffet my body and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit.”

I so enjoyed a day at the baths recently.  They have these centers in France but the closest and nicest is just over the border into Germany.  The indoor pool has strategically placed jets along the walls.  Each one is at a different height to pummel a different part of the body.  Their force is so strong it took the polish right off my toe nails!  I felt a bit beat up but good at the same time, a bit like a wet noodle!

As the water buffeted my body, it reminded me of our verse for today.  Paul was using an image of something much less pleasant; a boxing image.  He likened the self discipline he wanted to beating his body into submission.  The context is one of strict training for a race.  Without self discipline one can easily disqualify oneself.  Paul does not want to run aimlessly but with purpose.  He runs in such a way as to win the prize; a crown that will last forever.  To do that he must make his body his slave, rather that be enslaved by his body.  Paul understood his own weaknesses and the potential to become unfit.

If I am honest with myself, I see that I too could become unfit.  So many times I do the very thing I do not want to do! (Rom. 7:15)  The struggle never stops to be obedient and submissive to God’s will.  The flesh is so strong.  Buffeting my body is simply to tell it, “no!”  So much easier said than done!

Lord, help me say “no” to what does not please You.