Devotions By Jan


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Anger

Scripture for Today:  James 1:19-20  “…But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

There are all kinds of pressure gauges connected to our heating system.  Our house is over a hundred years old and uses an older method of heating.  Each room has radiators.  The water for the system is heated in our basement and pressurized.  The water pump pushes the water where it needs to go.

Those pressure gauges are important to keep at the correct readings.  Too much pressure can be dangerous and blow the entire system.  The whole idea makes me nervous.  I do not touch any of it.  It is something I happily leave to my husband and landlord to regulate.

My anger can be like that pressure gauge.  Unchecked, it can increase to dangerous levels.  If I do not take care of it, I can explode and do damage to those I love most.  My anger can even be justified at times, at least in my own thinking.  But justified or not, it will surely produce negative consequences.

Our verse for today warns that man’s anger does not achieve the righteousness of God.  Blowing up does not improve or make right a situation.  More often, anger only clouds the issue.  Anger hurts others and hurts one’s own reputation.  It feels good to let it fly, but I will be the one who looks the fool (Eccl. 7:9)

Listening and keeping my mouth shut can go a long way toward slowing down my anger.  If it does not build too quickly, there is more of a chance to diffuse it.  It is a choice to allow that needle to enter the danger zone.

Lord, help me give my anger to You.


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Wind

Scripture for Today:  John 3:8  “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

We are having lots of wind today.  They predicted 40 miles per hour but it seems much stronger.  The noise is deafening as it moves through the trees.  We are hearing all kinds of creaks and groans in our century-old home.  Tiger, our cat, is afraid to go out.  My husband is reluctant for me to take the car out.

Many people think of Holland when they see a windmill, but they are common in France too.  The most famous one is the Moulin Rouge in Paris, but it has nothing to do with the wind!  Man has learned how to harness the power of the wind, but we still cannot control where it is coming from.  Man has no say in when it will arrive or how strong it will be or when it will abate.  It is just not in our control.

Our verse for today likens the work of the Spirit to the wind.  Being born of the Spirit is something unseen by human eyes.  We cannot explain the movement of God’s Spirit but we do see the results.  We see His presence by the change affected in hearts and lives.

Just as I cannot control the wind, I cannot control God’s Spirit.  He is a Person, not just a force of nature.  I do not have the power to oblige Him to do anything.  He is God, and it would be presumptuous of me to think that I could control Him!

No, I do not control Him.  What I most desire is that He control me.


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Hurry Up!

Scripture for Today:  Ephesians 4:1-2  “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.”

France is home to the TGV, the “Train Grande Vitesse.”  This high speed train has an average speed of 173.6 miles per hour!  It costs more to travel this way but easily cuts travel time in half.

The need for speed is something many cultures share.  Regardless of what country, there will always be drivers on the road who are in a huge hurry.  The left lane on major roads in France is not to be used except for passing.  When one violates this rule of the road, there are immediate consequences.  Someone is sure to be on your bumper breathing down your neck!

Our verse for today speaks of showing patience with others.  When I think about applying this to my attitude on the road, I see how far I have to go!  Impatience can show itself in so many ways: tailgating, cutting someone off, leaning on the horn or swearing.  My body can feel impatient with higher blood pressure, tensed muscles, or my personal favorite, biting the lip!

All of my impatient behavior, on the road or elsewhere, is not worthy behavior for the one who belongs to Him.  It does not show humility or gentleness, tolerance or love.  Somehow, in a church setting, I can hold it together for an hour.  But behind that wheel is my true test!

Showing patience for others is always a challenge on my own.  Thankfully, patience is a part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22.  The Holy Spirit has plenty to spare, even after showing ME patience!


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A Sure Foundation

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 3:10b-11  “But each one should be careful how he builds.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

How one builds can differ from country to country.  When hosting a French friend stateside, I was surprised to see him take a picture of a building site.  He was impressed by the fact that they were building with wood framing.  Of course, in California it is important that a building can withstand the movement of earthquakes.  Unlike France, stone walls would not work there.

How one builds one’s life also differs.  There is a foundation to life already laid.  Jesus Christ is that foundation.  Those who build on any other foundation have a house/life that will fall apart.  All other foundations are pictured as sand in Matthew 7:24-29.

Even with the foundation being Jesus Christ one can build with different materials.  If one builds with stone (as well as gold and silver) his work will endure the test of fire.  The Lord will reward this work.  If one chooses to build with wood (as well as hay and stubble) although saved, there is no reward.

I am thankful to be building on the only true foundation, Jesus Christ.  But with what am I building?  I can be lulled into thinking that lots of activity means I am building well.  But only what is done for Christ will last.  I want my life to be built not only of durable stone, but precious stone.  Together with gold and silver, my life will be beautiful IF it gives glory to my Lord and is lived for Him

Living for my own selfish desires will only produce wood, hay and stubble.  Lord, I think there is some remodeling to be done today!


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Ice

Scripture for Today:  Hebrews 3:13  “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

We are having a terrible time with ice in our area.  It is making driving hazardous up the incline to our house.  The other day we got stuck, spinning our wheels in it.  Our neighbor very kindly helped us push the car.  Even walking is difficult.  We feel like we are ice skating!  Walking under the icicles can be lethal!

The snow is beautiful but the ice can be a killer.  The temperatures start to warm up and the surface begins to melt.  Then the temperatures drop and everything becomes hard and slippery.  Many meetings and events have been cancelled because of it.

Our verse for today is a warning.  The deceitfulness of sin can harden a heart.  The longer one denies wrong doing, the more difficult it is to hear His still small voice of conviction.  The more one indulges in a sinful behavior, the more likely it is that the heart becomes hardened and deceived.

When I listen to Him my heart is soft and open, like fresh powdery snow.  When I ignore His conviction, what was soft and melted becomes hard and defensive.  When I rationalize what I am doing, I deceive myself.  Sometimes I am not even aware of what I am doing, until the hardness of my heart makes me slip and fall!

There is an urgency in this verse.  Hardened hearts do not improve with time.  They only become harder.  Today is the day I need encouragement to obey.  Today is the day I need to encourage others to obey.  Lord, do not let me ever be hardened towards You.