Devotions By Jan

Scripture for Today: I Thessalonians 5:23 “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

These incredible red rock formations at Arches National Park made us feel quite small and insignificant. But as impressive as they were, we were not tempted to get too close to this one, called, “Balanced Rock.” I am sure it has stood precariously balanced for a very long time. But what if it decided to give up and fall at the very moment we walked in its shadow?

Today’s verse speaks of three different and distinct parts of man. Each part of us needs to be blameless before our God. He is a God of peace and when we are set apart or sanctified for Him, we can enjoy His peace. When one part of us is not wholly committed to Him we miss out on that perfect peace He offers. We are to be blameless through and through but that is never achieved by merely our own efforts. It is His work in us. The One who calls us is faithful and HE will do it! (verse 24)

There is quite a bit of emphasis today on keeping our bodies healthy. It is an important concern but surely not more important than the spiritual health of our spirits and souls! If we were to give as much attention to the unseen part of us as the visible part, we would find a deeper enjoyment of our God of peace! I want balance. I want Him to be Lord of all of me, through and through! Should my body weaken, I do not want my soul and spirit to follow suit!

Lord, make all of me healthy!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

The unthinkable actually happened. We were visiting a chateau in the Loire Valley with friends and I crossed paths with my twin. Okay, so she was not my twin but we were wearing the same dress. My husband had to snap the picture. However, it was not for the purpose of playing the game, “Who Wore it Better?” Normally, one does not strike up a conversation with a complete stranger in French society, but in this case an exception was made! We had a good laugh and teased each other about our good taste and our different accessories.

Today’s verse comes from a psalm of David that acknowledges God’s intimate knowledge of His creation. From the very beginning in our mother’s womb, He has formed us to be exactly who we are. Our particular combination of DNA is not by chance. Each one of us, even identical twins, can say we are unique and unlike anyone else. And each of us can say that we are wonderfully made when we see all the intricacies and complexities to our bodies.

The fact that we are unique can also be said of our individual relationship with God. All men have the same need for salvation. And all believers have the same access to God through His Son, Jesus. However, each of us relate to Him a bit differently. Our personalities, life experiences, our emotions and our understanding of God’s Word all play a part in this special and unique and growing relationship. There are no cookie-cutter ways to commune with Him. Although based on what Scripture teaches, His relationship with me is unique to me. 

Thank you Lord, that You make our relationship so intensely personal!

(Look familiar? This is a reworked post from 2006!)

Scripture for Today: Habakkuk 3:19 “The Sovereign Lord is my strength, he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”

The deer at this altitude seems totally unimpressed with the view! It is because the feet of the deer are so adapted to climbing that they can reach these heights. Whether chasing other deer, evading danger or simply running, their muscular hind legs propel them forward. The front legs actually act like pivot points to make sharp turns. But it is the hooves that make it all possible. The deer can place his back feet exactly where his two front feet were, needing only two foot rests instead of four.

The prophet, Habakkuk, declares in today’s verse that the Sovereign Lord is his strength. He acknowledges by this statement that he has no strength of his own. And by calling the Lord, “Sovereign,” he recognizes that whatever his difficult circumstances may be, God is the One who is in control. Rather than focus on his limitations, Habakkuk sees God leading him to the heights, enabling him to stand confident and sure-footed! Habakkuk is not living in his circumstances, but above them!

Without God’s help and strength, I am unsure and wobbly. When the path is level I can do pretty well on my own. The problem is that my life is seldom smooth. My path is strewn with pits and obstacles. My circumstances trip me up. Instead of relying on Him, I try to maneuver on my own. In doing so, my head is down and I miss the heights with their fantastic views. I need God’s help and strength everyday.  When He answers my cry, He enables me to stand on the heights and enjoy the view of His faithfulness!

Lord, make my feet like the deer today.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 12:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

As with so many presidential inaugurations, we hear inspiring words that encourage us to look to the future. And so it was again with the words of a young poet laureate reading her poem saying, “And so we lift our gazes, not to what stands between us but what stands before us.”. What is standing before the girl in this image is the strength of a mountain which she seems to be embracing!

Today’s verse is an encouragement as to where to look. We are to lift our eyes, not to what stands between us nor to what stands before us. Neither of those gazes are lifted high enough! This psalm of ascent is thought to be part of a collection sung and recited during the Jews’ annual uphill pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Looking up to the elevated temple of Jerusalem they are at the same time figuratively lifting their eyes to the Lord who sits enthroned in heaven. (Psalm 123:1) He is the Maker of heaven and earth and the Source of much-needed help!

It is when I lift my gaze to Almighty God that I have any hope for my future. As Creator God, He has absolute control and power to help. On my own, even with the best intentions, I fail to do the right thing. (Rom. 7:15) I fail to see others as more important than myself. (Rom. 12:3) He not only helps me to live a life that pleases Him, but He helps me in every area with His presence, love, comfort and forgiveness. Because He alone is my help, I can look to the future with every confidence!

Lord, keep me gazing at You for my help!

Scripture for Today: Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.”

My husband and I were to have a rendez-vous at a particular cafe near our home in France. We arranged to meet there after doing our shopping. As planned, I arrived at the appointed hour. I then waited close to two hours for my husband, not knowing whether to be angry or worried! As this was before cell phones, I had no choice but to wait. Randy, on the other hand, was having much the same experience in a cafe down the road! We laugh about it now, but a missed rendez-vous is no fun at all!

In today’s verse we are reminded that the Scriptures are written for our learning. Through reading His Word, we are encouraged to persevere and to have hope. God is the source of endurance and the One who supplies that hope. One of the Bible studies I led was called, “Rendez-Vous Avec La Bible.” Normally in French, a “rendez-vous” is a term used only with meeting people. But in a sense, when studying God’s Word, one meets with its Author! Unlike any other book in the world, there is a meeting or rendez-vous with the One who spoke through the writers. 

There are many ways God encourages me to persevere and to hope. He uses the testimonies of others. He uses a beautiful hymn. He uses the prayers of others. But the biggest source of hope and encouragement is God’s Word. It is through His Word that I am taught to look to Him for hope. It is in meeting with Him that I am encouraged to persevere. That is one rendez-vous I do not want to miss!

Thank you Lord, for the encouragement You give me.