Devotions By Jan


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Murphy’s Law!

Scripture for Today: Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

I am not sure who Murphy is but I would like to have a word with him! The old adage says, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” There are many versions of how this saying came to be. But in any case, the identity of Murphy, if ever real, has been lost. His law was definitely at work on me as my computer crashed the same day as I dropped and broke my cell phone. It was not a good day. I hesitated to get into my car!

Today’s verse describes the Christ-like qualities that the Holy Spirit produces in a believer. There will never be a law against these beautiful characteristics in any culture or in any century. The previous verses describe behaviors for which all kinds of laws are needed. But laws will never be needed to control or stifle these admirable qualities. Even with Murphy’s Law, a Spirit-controlled person will respond to that horrible awful day in a different manner.

I guess I was not so Spirit-controlled as all those negatives happening at once caused me to lose it!  Where did the patience go? What happened to forbearance and self-control? Responding with the flesh is so much easier. But some days I can laugh it off or at least take things in stride. The toast landing wrong side down is the perfect litmus test of where my heart is with the Lord. Regardless of what problems arise, I cannot respond like Him without His help. It is only by His Spirit that I can keep it together!

Lord, keep me filled and controlled by Your Spirit today.

(Look familiar? This is a post from 2016)


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Our Fig Tree

Scripture for Today: James 3:12 “My brother and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

Growing up, the fig tree in our back year was my Dad’s pride and joy! The whole family enjoyed those green figs and the abundant shade the large leaves provided. In fact, my Dad built a round bench encircling the large trunk. Every year, he would lay out those figs for drying and we could enjoy the dried fruit all year long. In all those years, that tree faithfully bore its figs. Never once did it surprise us with olives!

Today’s verse describes a ludicrous scenario. How ever could a fig tree produce olives, a grapevine produce figs or a salt spring produce fresh water? It is impossible, of course. These images teach us that what comes out of the mouth reveals what is in the heart. What comes out of the mouth is consistent with what is thought and felt inside. Eventually, our hidden nature is revealed by the words we speak.

No one can tame the tongue nor can anyone make themselves new inside. It is only by the work of the Holy Spirit that I can hope to change. When cursing and praise both come out of my mouth, it is a clear signal that I need to do business with the Lord.  “…This should not be.” (verse 10) But unfortunately, it is.  I can blame my words on stress or fatigue but what I really need to do is just confess it. I do not want to disappoint or grieve the Holy Spirit. And He graciously offers His self-control so that my life can consistently bears fruit that honors Him.

Lord, please control my tongue today.

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2017)


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Delayed!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 40:17 “But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; You are my God, do not delay.”

This happened. Actually, experiencing flight delays happens pretty regularly. Unlike the girl pictured I try to stay calm, but when a connecting flight is affected I do tend to panic! No one likes running frantically to a gate. Being delayed because of my own lack of organization is one thing, but when the airlines delay me for whatever reason, I feel intense frustration. I have no control and that is an uncomfortable feeling!

David was concerned about delays for a much better reason. He was waiting for the Lord to act on his behalf in the face of enemies! Today’s verse is a cry for help and deliverance. David saw that he had no control in the situation. In fact, he was humble enough to clearly see his poor and needy state. He was totally dependent on God’s response. How odd that a mighty king would say that he is poor and needy. Yet David felt that way when overwhelmed with his troubles and sin, as well as his enemies (verse 12).

When I am feeling rich and confident in my own resources I am less likely to call out to the Lord for help. I am tempted to feel smug and complacent when all is going well. It is when I am surrounded by troubles that I realize I have so little control. Panic and frustration take over when feeling victimized by my circumstances. It is at that point that I realize just how poor and needy I am! Perhaps, that is why God sometimes delays. He waits for humility. He opposes the proud but gives so much timely grace to the humble.

Thank you Lord, that Your help is never too late when I cry out to You.


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Swallowing a Fly!

Scripture for Today: II Samuel 22:28 “You save the humble, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.”

“There was an old lady who swallowed a fly,” is a fun children’s rhyme that progressively becomes more absurd. This old lady, rather than ask for help, takes matters into her own hands by swallowing first a spider to catch the fly. When that does not work she swallows a bird, then a cat, then a dog, then a cow, and at the end, a horse, “…she’s dead, of course!” If she had just swallowed her pride with the fly, she could have asked for help!

Today’s verse is part of David’s psalm of praise for God’s deliverance from his enemies and from Saul. David called out to the Lord (verse 4) and he was answered in a spectacular way! Perhaps the outcome would have been very different had he not humbled himself. If like the old woman and the fly, David had tried to solve his problem by himself, he would have missed seeing God’s remarkable power work in his favor. God responds to the humble but in fact opposes the proud. (I Peter 5:5b) When we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, the Lord promises to lift us up in His timing. (verse 6)

There is such a strong independent spirit in me that says: “I can do this.” “I am fine.” “I’ve got this.” “I can handle it.” I can almost see the Lord shaking His head at me. He wants to lift me up out of the mess. He wants to show grace, favor, and blessing. But He waits for humility on my part. It is when in humility I admit my weaknesses that He shows His incredible grace and strength! (II Corinthians 12:9)

Lord, I humbly ask for Your grace today!

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


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Dead Head

Scripture for Today: John 15:2 “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

My beautiful blue flowers (Felicia Amelloides) lining the walk to the front door are being crowded out by their predecessors! What a long meticulous process it is to dead head them. But in making the effort, there can be new growth of that dainty blue flower. For awhile, the flowers look a bit sparse. But in no time at all the flowers will have room to blossom and fill in. You can clearly see where I stopped my work. I try to be careful but often I inadvertently snip off the healthy flowers or buds.

Today’s verse refers to the pruning of vines to produce more and better grapes. But the idea is the same; that old growth needs to be removed before new growth can happen. The one who does the pruning is God, our Vinedresser. As believers, we are branches connected to Jesus, our Vine, and that connection produces a fruitful God-honoring life. We are not to be content with the fruit He has already produced. His precise life-long pruning produces more fruit that is richer and more plentiful.

God wants to take away anything that holds me back from growing and bearing fruit. It could be a success or a failure. Am I so content with past good works for Him that I feel I don’t need to do more or do better? Or perhaps it is the guilt of that personal failure I keep hidden from view. Or maybe it is holding on to a behavior I know does not please Him. It all needs to be cut back to allow new fresh growth. It does not always feel so good. But God is continually at work in me, changing me to want to bear fruit for Him. (Phil. 2:13)

Thank you Lord, for what You produce in me.