Devotions By Jan


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Timber!!

Scripture for today: Proverbs 1:33 “but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease without fear of harm.”

The beaver is quite skillful in felling a tree. His sharp teeth chew two cuts on opposite sides of the tree creating an hourglass- shaped notch. This clever shape controls the direction of the fall. That gnawing keeps his teeth from getting too long as he feeds on the soft underside bark. And he uses the bark to build his dam or lodge. He pauses frequently to listen for cracking sounds in the wood. Those sounds warn him that the tree is about to fall and gives him the time to avoid being crushed!

Today’s verse talks about listening. The “me” in the verse is the voice of wisdom. Listening to wisdom means a life of safety, ease and living without fear of harm. This chapter in Proverbs draws a sharp contrast between those who fear the Lord and those who do not (vs.29). Wisdom is available to all, and even calls out in public (vs.20-21). But those who refuse to listen put themselves exactly in the path of that falling tree! (vs.32)

There are plenty of differing sounds to which I could listen. The culture around me is incessant with its messages. But the voice I want to hear is the voice of wisdom. The fear, awe and reverence I have for my Creator is the only starting point to gaining wisdom. (Psalm 111:10) And as believers in Christ, we are in Him and He has become for us wisdom from God.(I Cor. 1:30) That does not mean I won’t make mistakes and blunders. But it does mean that skillful Godly wisdom found in His Word will help me avoid the complications that sin and disobedience can bring!

Lord, keep me listening to Your voice today.


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A Rose Says LOVE!

Scripture for Today: Song of Solomon 2:1 “I am a Rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.”

The red rose has long symbolized romance and true love. We are at that time of year when large bouquets of roses are available for the upcoming Valentines Day. But even a single red rose says “love.” At my wedding each bridesmaid carried a simple long-stemmed red rose, coordinating with my own bouquet. Roses communicate not only love but also beauty, passion and purity. The image above marries that single red rose with the lily of the valley, a white delicate flower. The lily symbolizes purity and humility, sweetness and beauty.

Today’s verse comes from a book of poetry filled with metaphors and allegory. The literature is erotic and a surprise to read in the Bible! Though its verses refer to human love, its deeper meaning refers to Christ and His tremendous love for His own. There are different ideas about which flowers are referred to in the original Hebrew. But the point is to picture the potential depth of feeling there can be in a personal relationship with Christ.

What a contrast this picture presents to the widespread feelings about “religion!” My relationship to Christ has very little to do with a list of do’s and don’t’s. I am not living under a heavy burden of obligation, ritual or man-made tradition. My relationship to Jesus is a love-relationship, not only individually but as part of the Church, His Bride! There is not another human relationship that comes even close to the intimacy I can have with Him! He knows my heart and He loves me anyway. He loved me enough to die in my place so that we could share this incredible love!

Lord, Your love, like Your grace is amazing!


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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!