Devotions By Jan


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What a Comfort!

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 23:4  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”


My husband could not resist pulling off the side of the road in the French countryside to get this picture. We have it on our wall with the twenty third Psalm printed below it. I was surprised that one lone shepherd could keep all these sheep in line! But perhaps they were more of a “flock” than a “mob” which is what a group of sheep are called in Australia and New Zealand. He does look to have a rod in his hand, so needed to keep those silly sheep in line. Without the shepherd’s intervention, the sheep would wander all over the place and get themselves in trouble.

Today’s verse calls the rod and staff a “comfort.” The rod was a sturdy club fashioned from a thick wooden branch. It was used to protect the sheep, direct them and keep them on the right path. The longer staff with its hooked end was used more for gentle guidance and for rescue when needed. With God’s protection, direction and rescue, the “sheep” representing believers, have no reason to fear evil.

What may look like an impediment to my freedom is actually used for my good! These tools of my Shepherd may certainly feel uncomfortable but like the psalmist I can say that they are a comfort. What a comfort to know that He is keeping me on that “path of righteousness!” What a comfort to know that He is protecting me from evil! What a comfort it is to know that even if I get myself into trouble because of my own stubbornness, He is there to rescue me!

Thank you Lord, that with You as my Shepherd I have no reason to fear!


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Picture This!

Scripture for Today:“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.”

I appreciate a fancy picture frame but these two go a little overboard! The frames are so ornate that it cannot help but distract from whatever picture it surrounds. The whole point of a frame is to highlight and draw the eye to the image. Whatever is inserted in these frames would be completely swallowed up! Sometimes, the simpler the frame the more effective it is in showcasing what it surrounds..

These ornate frames made me think of the concept in today’s verse. We can get carried away with our own importance. We forget that our role as believers is not to showcase ourselves and our own accomplishments, but to draw attention to our Creator. He is the central figure, not us. He is to be glorified and honored for His incredible love and faithfulness to us. Our role is to showcase all He has done and His perfect attributes. The frame that detracts is the frame that is full of self-importance.

Of course, God’s glory is too immense to be overshadowed by anything man can do or create. But anytime I take credit for something He has done for me and through me then I am failing to do what I am created to do. And that is to bring honor and glory to His name! To draw attention to Him is my purpose for living. To exalt Him, to praise Him, to extol Him and tell of His powerful and awesome works is why I am placed on this earth (Psalm 145).  Whether the frame is made of gold or wood is of no importance. He is the One I want to showcase!

Lord, don’t let this day pass without me praising Your name to others!


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A Voluntary Test

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:23 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

I wish there were some other way to check one’s cholesterol levels than a blood test. They are never fun and neither is the fasting beforehand. The waiting room experience usually increases my anxiety. The nurse asks me which arm I prefer. Neither, really. I make the required fist and try to remember those relaxing techniques. Surely it was something about breathing. I know not to look. Is this really necessary? Can’t I just promise to lay off the ice cream? 

Today’s verse is about another test which is also a voluntary one. This test involves one’s heart, motivation and thoughts. The One who does the testing is infinitely more patient, tender and loving than any health professional. He goes deeper than any needle can reach and reveals what cannot be seen. He not only reveals potential problems but He is there to lovingly deal with them.

Just as blood testing is not a comfortable experience, so this heart examination can be uncomfortable for me. Seeing my failings and imperfections can burst my self-satisfied bubble and leave me vulnerable. When He searches my heart He may find remnants of bitterness and lack of forgiveness, thought to be already resolved. He sees those anxious thoughts that may signal my lack of faith. But when He brings these things to light, He offers full and complete pardon. The heart no longer feels heavy but light with forgiveness and reassurance!

Search me today Lord, and make my heart healthy with Your loving care.


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Lamp Wick Plant

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 1:6 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

Photo Credit to Jean-Luc Zaepfel

Yellow flowers always make me happy! But I was especially drawn to this flower because of its name. It makes sense that the Jerusalem Sage gets its name from growing in the areas around Jerusalem. But this plant is also known as the “Lamp Wick Plant.” In former times the fuzzy soft leaves were rolled and dipped in olive oil, then burned as candles or wicks! The botanical genus name is “Phlomis” from the Greek word for “flame.”

Today’s verse is an encouragement from Paul to Timothy. Paul took special interest in Timothy, considering him as a son. As his mentor, Paul urged him to fan into flame the gift he had received from God through the Holy Spirit. Each believer is given a spiritual gift (I Cor. 12:7) to be used in service to Him. In using our gift for His service, He breathes power, love and self-discipline on those coals, making us bold in our testimony and service (verse 7).

How good He is to give me what is needed to serve Him! But that flame of ability and desire can wane. That gift can be reduced to smoldering coals through neglect. Life can seem so full and busy that the flame sometimes needs fanning. The Holy Spirit wants to breathe on me through His Word, and through intimate communion with Him. It is God’s Spirit that works in me to give me that desire and ability to please Him (Phil. 2:13). And with His breath comes renewed purpose and motivation!

Lord, breathe on me. Keep me burning brightly today


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Are You Blue?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:5 “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.”

Of course this bird is blue. After all, he is called a BLUE Jay! But did you know that his feathers are actually brown? There is no blue pigmentation. His feather structure works like a prism, refracting or bending the light to appear blue. If you back light a single feather, you see only brown! Perhaps this is the idea behind the phrase, “bending the truth.” This expression showed up in a play in the seventeenth century and today refers to distorting or reshaping the truth by intentionally leaving out facts, without actually lying.

Today’s verse talks about God’s truth. It is not “my” truth or anyone else’s! It is His which means it is not up for a majority vote nor does it become obsolete. His truth is not only perfect, complete and all-knowing but it is truth that guides and teaches. It will not bend or distort facts to be more agreeable. Walking in His truth I will see the world unfiltered as it really is. His Word is truth (John 17:17) and it is my litmus test for all that aspires to be truth.

The truth of this verse seems so straightforward. Yet, in a world of artificial intelligence and media manipulation, the landscape can appear perfectly blue when it is not at all! To avoid deception I want to continually bathe myself in the truth of His Word! He uses His truth to guide and direct, avoiding potential potholes. But the wisdom that comes from Him requires that I have the humility to ask for it! (James 1:5)

Lord, guide and teach me in Your truth today!