Devotions By Jan


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The Rockhound

Scripture for Today: Luke 19:40 “I tell you,” he replied, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Photo Credit to AdventuresWithRocks

Somehow, there must be a rockhounding gene in my DNA! My Father and eldest brother both share a fascination with rocks and I am the happy recipient of their beautiful lapidary work in the form of rings, brooches and necklaces. But somehow the gene jumped to extended family members too, showing up in my brother-in-law and my son-in-law. Okay, so I don’t know my biology too well but I do know how to identify many of these beautiful stones and I marvel at God’s creativity!

Today’s verse is a quote from Jesus in response to the Pharisees. They were unhappy that a crowd of His disciples had erupted in joyful praise as He entered Jerusalem on the back of a colt. The crowd cried out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” Rather than rebuke the crowd as the Pharisees wanted, He explained that this acclamation would come from the very rocks themselves if not voiced by the people! Why? Because it was foretold in Psalm 118:26-27 and God will always keep His Word!

Rocks talking? Really? It is not as if God cannot use both the animate and the inanimate to praise Him. From Balaam’s donkey speaking in Numbers 22:28 to the heavens declaring God’s glory in Psalm 19:1, God is praised by His creation. But what a privilege it is to give glory to God as my King! Acknowledging His power and goodness, giving Him the glory and the honor that is due Him is a role that gives rich meaning to my life. All creation gives Him glory but I don’t want the rocks to cry out in my place!

Lord, may today be a day filled with joyful praise to You!


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Too Decadent?

Scripture for Today: Luke 12:2 “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (ESV)

Have you ever felt that what you were eating was “sinfully rich”? These diners are eating the Ortolan Bunting bird which is a long standing delicacy in French cuisine. This beautiful song bird is drowned in Armagnac and then marinated in the brandy before being cooked. They are eaten whole, feet first while holding on to the head! As a result of their dwindling population, the killing and cooking of these birds is now banned. Tradition says that the napkin works to shield from God’s eyes the shame of such a decadent meal!

Today’s verse teaches that no napkin can cover up anything from God’s eyes. Nothing is covered that will not one day be revealed. Whatever may be hidden from man’s eyes will someday be made known. The context refers to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Jesus is addressing their attitude of superiority in publicly keeping the Law while privately engaging in sinful behavior. Whatever is said in the dark will be heard in the light and whatever is whispered in private will be proclaimed on the rooftops! (Verse 3) The Lord wants His followers to have faith that is as genuine in private as it is before others.

I often think more about the image I present to others rather than doing the harder work of faithful obedience. I don’t think God is much impressed with how well I may look to others when He knows the true state of my heart! Being all-knowing, He knows every thought and intention. He sees my motives even when I do not. I want to be more aware of His presence and listening ear. I need His help to live authentically and not be hypocritical. Because He is the One I want to please.

Lord, help me to live sincerely for You.


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Morning is Coming

Psalm 49:14a “They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd but the upright will prevail over them in the morning…”

There is something so hopeful about watching the sunrise! These sheep seem to be drawn to that big golden orb in the sky. The darkest part of the night appears to be just before that magical moment of sunrise. The darkness lightens in almost imperceptible degrees. And soon, the sun peeking over the horizon, colors the sky with warmth. The sunrise represents a new day with new beginnings. The new morning represents a new start and the stirrings of hope.

Today’s verse talks about a particular morning that is coming for the upright. Those who place their trust in God can look forward to the time when He will redeem them from the dead and take them to Himself. (verse 15) But for those who trust in themselves, the outlook is not so good. (verse 13) If they have depended on their own wealth and splendor, it does not serve them well in the life to come as they cannot take it with them. (verse 17) The upright have no reason to fear evil days ahead when surrounded by the wicked. (verse 5) With the arrival of the morning, those in right standing with God will prevail!

When I gaze at that beautiful sunrise, I have hope. The wicked will not prevail. God has promised that because He has redeemed me I will prevail. My fate is determined not by my status in the world (thankfully) but by God’s amazing grace. As a silly sheep I cannot trust in myself. Doing so would have me following the wrong shepherd. Instead I trust in the Good Shepherd who has laid down His life for me. And because of His saving grace, I will prevail in the morning!

Thank you Lord, for the new day coming!


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Does It Get Any Sweeter?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 19:10 “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.”

Photo by J. Pellgen https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpellgen/30666337884/in/photostream/

I will admit to having a weakness for ice cream. But this “ogon” or golden ice cream in Kanazawa, Japan elevates this vanilla soft serve to a whole new level! The gold draped over it is edible gold leaf. I have never visited Japan, but my interest has suddenly been piqued! This area of the country is known for its gold leaf. In fact, they produce ninety-nine percent of it for their country, using it in arts, crafts and yes, for decorating their food.

Today’s verse describes the incredible worth of God’s precepts for living. They are more precious than pure gold. Not only that, these words of God are sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. God’s words are both golden and sweet. In a vision, the prophet Ezekiel was commanded to eat God’s word and he found it sweet as honey in his mouth (Ezekiel 3:3). This image of God’s word being edible helps us relate what is spiritual to the physical world. His word is sweet for so many reasons but for Ezekiel it was because of the warnings that save lives! When He warns us about the consequences of going our own way, it is done with love.

How do I view the Bible? Do I see His commandments as negative and restrictive, or do I recognize the love behind the warnings? The sweetness of His love for me is there in its pages. The assurance of His care and control is pure gold and a reminder that is sweet to taste. Psalms 34:8 says to taste and see that the Lord, He is good! I sometimes complain that I have too much of a “sweet tooth” but when it comes to reading God’s Word, that’s a good thing!

Thank you Lord, for the incredible worth of Your Word!


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“Expect the Unexpected”

Scripture for Today: Psalm 33:10-11 “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

If there were ever a piece of advice for the beginning of a New Year, this would fit the bill! This quote to expect the unexpected has been attributed to Bear Bryant, that iconic football coach with his black and white houndstooth hat. He is considered one of the greats with his legendary run of 6 national championships as coach of University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide. Although he was known for holding his rolled-up game plan while on the side lines, he obviously had to disregard it in the face of the unexpected.

Today’s verse reassures me, not only at the beginning of a New Year, but every day. There may be political unrest or chaos in our world but the Lord has plans that are never frustrated or foiled. His sovereignty is absolute. He allows and He blocks the plans of men. He is not random or capricious but always has a design of His own that will supersede our own plans. His unseen plans will never be thwarted by man as they stand firm and forever. I can be assured that there is an ordered objective to what God is allowing.

This truth gives me tremendous comfort when my world seems to be spinning out of control, whether on the world stage or in my personal life. Nothing takes the God of the universe by surprise. He has no need to modify or change His plans as He knows the end from the beginning. Nothing is ever “unexpected” for Him! And because this is true, I have no cause for fear. In the middle of the unexpected, I can expect the Lord to keep His Word and promises to me!

Thank you Lord, that Your plans stand firm.