Devotions By Jan

Scripture for Today: James 1:2-3 “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

I appreciate a lovingly brewed tea. I especially enjoy it when it is accompanied with sweets!  It takes time and some effort to do it correctly. There are always directions on a box of tea on how long to steep that bag. But more often than not, I tend to hurry the process along. For the full flavor to be realized, the bag needs to steep long enough in that hot water.

Today’s verse talks about a process with a very positive outcome. But like steeping in boiling water, it takes time. The testing of our faith through trials and difficulties does eventually bring about perseverance. And this is why one can consider it a joy.  Believers are to look at their problems not as a punishment, a curse or bad luck. The one belonging to the Lord is to consider or regard each trial as something positive. There can be joy when we can see past the problem to the perseverance that is being produced in us.

Of course, joy is not my first response to hard times. But after long careful consideration, I can eventually come to it. It is usually well after that negative experience that I can see how God used it in my life. I can esteem something as a joy when I see my faith become stronger as a result. The joy is not found in that circumstance but in what God is going to do with it! Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2). I want to see the joy that is set before me as well and so be able to endure with perseverance whatever He allows.

Lord, help me to trust what You are allowing in my life.

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2018)

Scripture for Today: Matthew 7:9-10 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?”

My Dad loved to bowl which may explain how this happened. As a young girl putting together my Christmas list, I dropped many not-so-subtle hints about the expensive doll I had seen advertised. That Christmas morning, trembling with excitement, I made a beeline for that big narrow box tagged with my name. What keen disappointment I felt when unwrapping a toy bowling set instead of a doll! My Father gave it out of love but it was not the good gift I was expecting.

Today’s passage explains that our Heavenly Father gives good gifts to His children when we ask Him (verse 11). In answer to our prayers, He gives to His own exactly what is good for us. He is not random nor is He arbitrary. Our Father is a perfect Father. He sees past what may be selfish or frivolous requests. He answers the deeper need we sometimes do not even see. And what is so amazing is that our Father is the unrecognized Source of much that is good in our lives!

I have heard people quip, “Be careful what you pray for, you just may get it.” The idea is that we will be sorry we ever asked. That does not describe my perfect Heavenly Father. What He gives me is out of love and always for my good. If I mistakenly ask for a stone or a snake, He has committed Himself to giving only what is good for me. I can trust His goodness in all of His answers. I am so glad He sees what is good for me when I cannot.

Thank you Lord, for being a good good Father!

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2020)

Scripture for Today: Romans 12:“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Don’t get me wrong. I love Christmas! I love the twinkling lights, the smell of ginger and cinnamon and I especially love singing carols. But what I don’t love is the early approach. It seems to come earlier and earlier every year. I may be alone in this, but it does not make my heart feel happy to see celebration so soon. I almost feel that a steamroller is coming at me, and will soon flatten all my enthusiasm. I cannot keep it at a fever pitch for over a month!

Today’s verse tells us that we do not have to follow the pattern the world has of doing things. We have the choice and the freedom to do things differently, to do things God’s way. And His way is far better. It is good, pleasing and perfect. In belonging to Him, our minds can be renewed through His Word to know and appreciate what His way is.

I want to be intentional this Christmas. I do not want to get all booked up and stressed out. I do not want to feel the pressure to have everything decorated perfectly or impress people with my cookie baking skills. I want to slow down enough to ponder and reflect like Mary did at the birth of her Son. I want to turn my thoughts toward Him of whom the angels sang, and sing to Him myself! And I want to love sacrificially as He did in coming to this earth.

Lord, help me celebrate Your birth in a way that pleases You.