Devotions By Jan


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Flowering Weeds

???????????????????????????????Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:20  “But the wicked will perish:  Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.”

Spring is a wonderful time of new growth.  It is exciting to see the first iris and roses of the season.  But unfortunately, there are other kinds of new growth as well; weeds.  It seems a constant battle to pull them out.  Sometimes I am unsure as to which plants are actually weeds.  Some of them sprout little flowers and can look pretty nice.   The dictionary defines a weed as, “a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants.”  Sure enough, if left alone, that weed will start taking over and choking out what I have planted.

Our verse for today describes the enemies of the Lord as flowers springing up unwanted in a field.  The wicked are like that weed that can produce flowers, but if left alone will choke out what has been planted.  Unlike my work in my garden, it is not up to me to decide which is a cultivated plant and which is a flowering weed.  The Lord is the only One who can see the heart and know who are truly His own.

For now, the Lord is showing patience towards the wicked.  He is not willing that any one of His enemies perish but that all come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).  Weeds are left to grow along with the wheat.  But one day there will be judgement and He will separate out the weeds from the wheat (Matt. 13:30).

Until that day, I want to grow and bear fruit, unconcerned about fast growing weeds alongside.  I can trust the Divine Gardener to take care of me in His garden!


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Retail Therapy

window-shoppingScripture for Today: Psalm 73:25  “Whom have I in heaven but You?  And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You.”

We have all done it at some point in our lives; “retail therapy,” that activity that somehow provides a pick-me-up and makes us feel better!  Shopping provides a change of scene, gets one moving and often includes interaction with friends.  Even window shopping can provide this distraction.  The French call it, “window licking!”  There is a real sense of accomplishment to come home with some treasure at an incredible bargain.  Most often that happens when I shop at a thrift store like the one pictured.  The French have a saying when asking if you have found something; “Have you found your happiness?”

Well, if I am honest with myself, the answer will always be “no, not really.”  Our verse for today puts everything in perspective.  When compared to the treasure of knowing Christ, everything else pales.  That new item can bring a sense of well being and happiness for a time but eventually it will lose its shine and become mundane.  Purchases can only go so far when it comes to lasting joy.  That is because they themselves will not last.

The context of our verse talks about God being our portion forever.  He does not grow old with use or even outdated.  The delight that is found in knowing Him need never wear off.  No desire on earth has the potential of bringing true fulfillment like the desire for Him.  He fits that empty yawning space inside of us just right.  We are created for this relationship with Him.  Trying to fill ourselves up with anything else leaves holes and empty spaces.

Thank you Lord, for being my everything!


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Backpacks

Scripture for Today: Psalm 38:4  “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.”

I remember when our children were young and carrying backpacks.  The French schools they attended did not have lockers.  Everyday was a challenge to walk to school with that load of books on their backs.  Recently a study on French news reported that 80% of the French suffer from some kind of back pain.  Perhaps the numbers are high because of those backpacks.  Of course, much more is known today about design and the best way to carry that load.

I wonder if John Bunyan was thinking of our verse for today when he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress.  In his allegory, Christian, the main character, makes his way to the “place of deliverance.”  There, the straps holding the burden to his back are broken and his burden rolls away.   That burden on his back represents all his sin and guilt.  That place was a picture of the cross and the forgiveness we find in the sacrifice of Jesus.

Guilt for sin can feel like a heavy burden.  It weighs us down and makes life miserable.  The only solution for relieving ourselves of that burden is what David found, asking God for His forgiveness.  David described himself as bowed down with his sin (verse 6) and he describes his back as “filled with searing pain.” (verse 7)

As a child I sang the song, “Roll Away.”  I did not understand then what “every burden of my heart roll away” meant.  I just enjoyed doing the hand motions!  Unconfessed sin had not yet built up on my young back as a child.  But I understand now that there is no relief from the heaviness of guilt without His loving forgiveness.

Thank you Lord, for removing that heavy burden of guilt.


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Lily of the Valley

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Today is what Americans would call, “Labor Day” in France.  It is called “Fête du Travail” or “Fête du Muguet.” (Lily of the Valley)  It originated in the 19th century when demonstrating workers would wear a red triangle representing 8 hours of work, 8 hours of sleep, and 8 hours of free time.  Later the triangle was replaced with a sprig of Lily of the Valley.  Today, bouquets of this flower are offered to friends to wish them luck and happiness and most people have the day off from work.  As in the States,  Labor Day seems to be a misnomer as few people actually labor on this day!

Our verse for today is a real comfort.  Labor done for the Lord is never in vain.  There is a sense of purpose that transcends the mundane routine of work.  Our work when consecrated to the Lord will never be in vain.  “Work of the Lord” is not confined to those in full time ministry.  Any work can be for the Lord as we  seek to glorify Him and make Him known.

“Work for the Lord” is also outside the workplace.  When I see a neighbor in need and make myself available, that is for Him.  When I visit someone who is sick or struggling, that is also work for Him.  When I answer questions about my faith, that is work for Him.  We can get “weary of well doing” (Gal. 6:9) but one day we will see the intangible results of labor done for Him.

Thank you Lord, that work for You is always worth doing!


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He Promised!

Scripture for Today: Romans 4:20-21 “Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He promised.”

Alsace has lots of rain, but how can I complain when I see beautiful rainbows like this one!  It is especially breathtaking when two are formed.  If there were a rainbow for every promise God has made to us, the sky would be ablaze with color!  The rainbow brings to mind the promise God gave Noah after the flood; that He would never again send a world-wide flood.  I imagine that when the first rains came after that flood, Noah and his family must have looked up at the sky with anxious eyes.  But God always keeps His Word, and the rainbow serves as a reminder of this beautiful truth.

If the rainbow reminds us of God’s faithfulness to His promises, what would a second rainbow represent?  It could stand for any one of the many promises in Scripture.  Perhaps the most important one is the promise of eternal life (I John 2:25).  But the second rainbow represents for me the power God has to fulfill all of His promises!

Our verse for today explains why Abraham could stand so firm in his faith.  God gave him the promise of a son; something that was physically impossible.  Abraham believed God without wavering because he was fully persuaded that God was powerful enough to do the impossible.  God has the power to keep all of His promises.  “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen.18:14)  The answer is an obvious “No!”

I want to be just as fully persuaded as Abraham!  Thank you Lord, for Your amazing power to do the impossible!