Devotions By Jan


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Royal Tombs

tombs3735304055_31f7be270d_zScripture for Today: Psalm 49:16-17  “Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.”

My husband and I were able to tour these royal tombs in Macedonia with my French chorale.  They were only discovered in 1977 but date back to the beginning of the third century!  They were able to escape detection for so long as they are so well camouflaged with dirt reaching 13 meters high and 110 meters across!  They seem to blend in with the surrounding topography!

The tombs here contain not only the remains of Alexander IV, son of Alexander the Great, but much of his wealth as well.  On display are articles made of silver, gold and ivory found in these tombs.  There are also marble structures, paintings and weapons.  It almost seemed as if Alexander wanted to take these items with him into his next life.

Our verse for today points out the absurdity of the idea that at death we can take our riches with us!  A man may grow rich in this life and his house be a marvel, but he cannot take any of that hard earned splendor with him.  He descends into the grave without it.  Death is the great equalizer when it comes to riches.  But there are riches that are eternal!

Those that are rich in faith will inherit the kingdom promised to those who love Him (James 2:5).  I may be poor in the eyes of the world.  But my rich inheritance is waiting for me and it will not perish, spoil or fade! (I Peter 1:4)

So, I am not overawed at the rich!  Instead, I am awed by God’s grace and generosity!


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Fearless!

Scripture for Today:  I John 4:18  “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

My sister had a cat named, Angel.  With a name like that, she must have thought she could fly!  She would chase birds on the apartment balcony risking life and limb by running along the railings.  One day, the inevitable happened.  She lunged for a pigeon and lost her balance, falling seven stories!  Thankfully, she fell on a patch of grass.  Her tummy and knees were grass stained.  She was sore and grumpy for a few days but that was all.  Most surprising was Angel’s quick return to her favorite past time; chasing pigeons on the balcony!  She was fearless!

In our verse for today is a description of love for God.  It is fearless.  Perfect or complete love for God will have no fear of punishment for the believer who understands God’s grace.  Those who are “in Christ” are under no condemnation (Rom. 8:1).  I John 4:17 says our love is made complete so that we can have confidence on the day of judgement!  Our confidence has nothing to do with our own good works but everything to do with Christ taking the punishment for our sin.

Imagine loving someone only to avoid punishment.  That is coercion, not love.  “We love because He first loved us.”  I love Him in gratitude for all He did on that cross!  With no fear of punishment, I can sincerely love Him and serve Him!  Knowing that He has paid the debt owed for sin allows me to enjoy His love and love Him in return!

Lord, Your love is my security!  Thank you that I do not have to live in fear!


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Olive Tree

Scripture for Today: Psalm 52:18  “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.”

When I sang with my French chorale in Greece, we saw groves and groves of olive trees.  Even though the soil at times seemed dry and the sun relentless, these trees thrived.  Their twisted gnarled trunks and their evergreen tops dot the landscape and provide a versatile fruit.

I wondered why the Psalms used this image of the one who trusts in God’s unfailing love.  In reading about olive trees I learned that it is known for its tenacity.  It is grown in almost any condition and can thrive in great heat with minimal water.  Some olive trees grow root systems 2000 years old!  It is virtually indestructible.  Even when cut down or burned, new shoots will emerge from the roots!

Trusting in God’s unfailing love makes me strong and indestructible like the olive tree!  Being loved by my Creator gives me that tenacity to face whatever life brings.  Knowing that His love will not fail me gives me the strength to thrive, regardless of my circumstances.  His love is what makes life even possible.

Unfailing love is something supernatural.  Even with the best intentions, my love for others routinely fails.  Being so flawed, an unfailing love seems impossible.  But God IS love.  His love is from everlasting to everlasting.  His love does not depend on my performance or my love for Him.  It does not fluctuate depending on the day.  His love is so wide and long and high that it surpasses knowledge (Eph. 3:18).  And it is this unfailing love that makes me flourish like the olive tree.

I am amazed that you love me, Lord!  Help me believe it today!


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Chariots

Scripture for today:  Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord.”

When I think of chariots and horses my mind goes immediately to the famous chariot race scene in the epic movie, Ben Hur. It took five weeks to film this nine minute segment and the studio used 15 thousand extras for the crowd of spectators.  There was an infirmary created especially for this scene because of the potential for injury.  There were no injuries, however, except some bad cases of sunburn.  Three life-like dummies were strategically placed to give the appearance of bodies run over by the chariots.

Horses and chariots were important instruments of war in biblical times.  The winning side in a battle were often those with the best built chariots and the swiftest horses.  In today’s verse, one can choose to place their confidence in their horses and chariots or in the name of the Lord.  The choice is basically the same today.  We can choose to place our trust in our own efforts, or we can depend on the strength of the Lord.  It is the Lord who gives victory with the power of His right hand. (verse 6) To trust in oneself is no guarantee of victory.

Trusting “in His name” is trusting God Himself.  The more I know Him personally and not just know “of Him,” the easier it will be to trust Him. (Psalm 9:10)  When I lack confidence in Him, I am doubting either His goodness, His control, or His power.  The more I get to know Him, the more likely I am to absolutely depend on Him.  It is only through a growing relationship that this trust can come. And getting to know and trust Him is worth every effort!

Help me Lord, to completely trust Your loving heart.


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Healing

Scripture for Today:  Isaiah 53:5 “But He was pierced for our transgressions.  He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him and by His wounds we are healed.”

It is flu season now in California.  My husband and I had our shots in November, but there are so many strains, there is no guaranty that we won’t catch it.  The hospitals in the area are not allowing children under fourteen to make visits and they are screening all others at the door.  School absenteeism is on the rise and simple preventative measures are being reviewed in the media.

No one likes being ill.  We count on our healthy lifestyles and our doctors to keep us well.  For the believer, the request for healing of loved ones or for ourselves make up a large part of our prayers.  Our verse for today says that through the sacrificial death of Christ we have peace with God.  Because He took the punishment for our sins, those who place their faith in Him are forgiven!  It goes on to say that by His wounds we are healed.

Quite frankly, even with lots of faith and lots of prayer, one is not always healed.  But this verse speaks of a more important healing in the spiritual realm.  God absolutely heals us physically when it is part of His plan.  But it is always part of His plan to give us spiritual healing.

His healing mends my broken heart, and He heals me from the awful effects of sin.  He will one day heal me for eternity with a heavenly body that is perfect and incorruptible!  Thank you Lord, that in my future, sin and sickness will be a distant memory.