Devotions By Jan


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Dorian Gray

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

What a bizarre premise to this 1890 fictional work of Oscar Wilde!  The Picture of Dorian Gray relates the story of Dorian who wishes that his painted image would age instead of himself.  That way he could follow his hedonistic world view and spend his life chasing pleasure.  With every selfish act his image got older and uglier but he himself remained ageless!  And as you can imagine, the story does not end well!

This story reminded me of today’s verse.  Outwardly and with enough time, we are all wasting away.  We do what we can to minimize the effects of age, but eventually we look more and more beat up!  Our bodies break down but that does not have to be true for the inside.  What is seen in the mirror is only temporary but the renewal that is taking place on the inside is eternal. (verse 18)

Life is so often filled with hardship and struggle.  Like Paul I may feel that I am “hard pressed on every side” (verse 8) but that does not mean I give in to despair.  I may feel crushed by the weight of my trials but I have hope.  I do not want to lose heart because God is using every negative in my life to create a lasting and eternal beauty on the inside.  Within I am becoming more mature as I respond to the Lord in faith and perseverance.  I can be confident that God is using it all to make me more like His Son.

Thank you Lord for this hope!  Keep me focused on what You are accomplishing on the inside.


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Seven Magic Mountains

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:164-165 “Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous Laws.  Great peace have they who love Your Law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

How strange to see these seven pillars standing tall outside of Las Vegas, Nevada!  Their brightly painted colors are in stark contrast with the plain brown desert.  These seven pillars, called the Seven Magic Mountains, were built by a Swiss artist as a public art project.  They are 30-35 feet tall and each of the thirty three boulders  weigh 10-25 tons each!  Perhaps there are seven of them as this number is considered lucky.  But in Scripture, the number seven represents completion or perfection.

In today’s verse David does not use the number seven literally.  David mentions praying three times a day in Psalm 55:17.  In fact, David writes that His praise shall continually be in his mouth (Psalm 34:1).  He uses the number seven here to express a desire to worship the Lord perfectly, or completely.  In turning towards a holy and righteous God, David is showing a special care in his devotion.  His praise is specific; for God’s Law.  He recognizes the stability His Law gives to life.  In following God’s righteous way, one will not stumble as the wicked do whenever calamity strikes (Prov. 24:16).  David praises God for the great peace that comes from being obedient.  He knew the difference.  He experienced first hand the agony and awful consequences of breaking God’s Law.

What a beautiful and worthy subject of praise!  God’s Law gives stability and direction to my life.  It keeps me from stumbling.  Following His Law gives me heart peace instead of guilt and confusion.  Seven times a day is only the beginning of my praise and worship!

Lord, may I continually praise You today!  You are worthy!

 

 


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Pumpkin Season

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 4:2 “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.”

With availability all year round for some produce, the concept of “in season” or “out of season” can sometimes no longer apply!  But for the pumpkin, there is no question of when it is in season!  I see the fields off the freeway dotted with orange and they have invaded the grocery stores.  In fact, in warm Southern California, it is about the only indication that autumn has arrived!

Today’s verse talks about something that is not to change regardless of the seasons, and that is sharing the truth of God’s Word.  It is always timely and speaks to every season, every year and every century!  There is an urgency to this command as there will come a time when people will not put up with biblical truth. (verse 3)  Paul encourages young Timothy not to wait for some other time that seems more favorable.  The time is now to correct and rebuke with truth while they will still listen.  Hearing the truth of God’s Word will encourage the hearer when done with patience and careful instruction.

Because people are not so open to hearing God’s truth, I tend to forget to be prepared for those small windows of opportunity to share when they will still listen.  God continues to draw people to Himself, even in the middle of an increasingly hostile-to-the-Gospel culture.  It is “not easy and pleasant to hear” about one’s need (verse 3)  And more often than not, those around me may turn their ears away from the truth. (verse 4) But the Lord only asks me to be faithful to share the truth of His incredible forgiveness.

Help me Lord, to be prepared and available.

 

 

 


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Elephant Ear Plant

Scripture for Today: Psalms 85:8  “I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants –  but let them not turn to folly.”

The reason for the name of this plant is obvious.  The size and shape of this plant’s leaves resemble the ear of the elephant.  In fact, this invasive plant can overshadow the surrounding flowering plants with its big leaves, blocking their sunlight.  The leaves of the Elephant Ear can grow three feet long and two feet wide, or more!  If their ears could actually hear, I wonder if they would hear their gardener grumbling about their size and tendency to take over the garden!

I wish my spiritual ears were as big as this plant so as not to miss God’s voice!  In today’s verse God’s voice promises peace to His faithful servants.  It begins with the psalmist’s statement of intention, “I will.”  There are a myriad of sounds out there clamoring to be heard.  But listening to the Lord through His Word takes intentional effort and discipline.  And listening to Him keeps us from folly or doing anything foolish.

He speaks peace to those that belong to Him.  What a promise!  So many times I have come to Him in prayer totally agitated and stressed.  He calms me down and listening intently I hear reminders of His love and control in my circumstances.  I get in that troubled state usually because I have not been listening to Him in the first place!  If I am honest with myself, I realize I am quite capable of doing all kinds of foolish things with impeccable rationale!  Listening to Him daily through His Word is the best way to avoid my own folly.  And I need the peace and calm He offers.

Lord, keep me peaceful by listening to You!

 

 


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Occupied Octopus

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 86:11 “Teach me Your way Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your name.”

The octopus, delicacy as it is to some, disgusts and fascinates me!  If ever there was a creature with many parts, this one wins!  He has three separate hearts and obviously has his eight arms.  What is really fascinating is that their arms have a mind of their own!  Two thirds of their neurons reside in their arms and not in their heads!  That means the arms can be solving a problem, like how to open a shellfish, while their owner is busy doing something else, perhaps scoping out a cave.  Talk about multi-tasking!

In today’s verse David prays for a heart that is undivided.  He wants to be wholly committed to the Lord but like so many of us, our lives can tend to be compartmentalized.  But God does not want just some of our attention. He wants all of it!  We are to love Him with ALL our heart, soul, and strength (Deut. 6:5).  And when our hearts are completely His, there is focus that unifies all of life’s activities!  When we are wholly committed to Him, we are teachable and able to follow all His ways in reverent obedience.

I tend to think that some of my activities are spiritual and some are not.  But when all is done with the intent of honoring Him, there is no separation.  Life does not need to be fragmented.  Each and every activity is given value and focus when my heart is fixed on Him.  With an undivided heart, I can rely on His faithfulness regardless of how much is going on at once!

Lord, despite all the busyness, keep my heart wholly yours.