Devotions By Jan


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Nesting Too Near!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 84:3-4 “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, My King and My God.”

I never would have seen this nest if I had not been weeding! The mother duck had carefully pulled over these flowering bushes to cover her baker’s dozen. I had previously seen this duck dive into our flower bed along the walkway leading up to our front door. But it never occurred to me that she was nesting there! And she was sitting on her eggs when I disturbed her. I hope she returns but at the same time I can’t imagine thirteen little ducklings waddling around our entrance!

Today’s verse speaks of a perfect place for a nest. The swallow builds her nest near God’s altar. When one thinks of a nest, there is the thought of comfort, care and protection. A nest represents home and hearth. And the altar of God represents His presence. It is a place of adoration and worship. The psalmist cannot even mention the word “altar” without praising His name! The context of this verse goes on to say that there is happiness when dwelling in His presence.

A nest may be built of all sorts of bits and pieces. It could include mud, feathers, twigs and leaves. But the most important factor is its proximity to God’s altar. My “nest” could be feathered well with all kinds of creature comforts, but does it include God’s presence? If I am dwelling in His presence, He makes my home beautiful. His presence there means there is blessing for me and praise for Him (verse 4).

Lord, keep me dwelling in Your presence today! 


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Dumb Bird

Scripture for Today: I Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

The endangered Kakapo Bird is a flightless parrot from New Zealand and is cited as one of the least intelligent birds. Sometimes they will climb a tree and try to parachute down, not understanding their limitations. While mating only every 2-5 years, the booming sounds they make to attract a female will sometimes confuse her and the deed is not done. Some males will even mistake rocks, trees, or a researcher’s head as a potential mate! Unfortunately, when faced with a predator he will freeze, thinking to blend in with the moss behind him. Unfortunately, he stinks and it is his odor that will lead to his demise!

Today’s verse warns that we have a predator as well. The devil, like a roaring hungry lion, is looking for someone to devour. Our defense is to be watchful and alert, not underestimating the enemy. We are also to be sober, not drunk or distracted by the world and its values. Being sober is being prepared, self-controlled and able to stay calm. When the Lord helps us to do this we can follow the command that follows, to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith, despite whatever suffering we experience.(vs 9)

Standing firm in the faith is probably the hardest position to hold when facing suffering. The devil is a liar saying that God doesn’t really care or I wouldn’t be hurting. And yet Peter affirms in verse 8 that He cares for me. Why is it that I think I should somehow be spared any kind of suffering just because I am a Christian? Yet God does promise that whatever I experience here is light and momentary compared to the glorious future that awaits! (II Cor. 4:17-18) I am not in Paradise yet.

Lord, keep me alert and standing firm in the faith.


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A Forced Perception

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:1-2 “Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.”

The Leaning Tower of Piza is not the only place in Europe where tourists practice their “forced perspective” photography! This giant woman looks as if she is pinching the top of the Louvre Pyramid. This technique manipulates our human visual perception with the use of optical illusion. The result is often surprising, making an object appear larger, smaller, closer or farther away than it really is.

Today’s verse is all about perspective. Paul tells believers to set their minds on things above. Our minds and our hearts are to be changed by an eternal perspective. What we see on earth does not match up with spiritual realities. What we see, touch and feel around us is not eternal. These things are real but they will not last. When we set our minds and hearts on the realities of Heaven, it changes how we view that difficulty. It affects how we see our problems. What can loom so large in our perspective is only “light and momentary trouble.” (II Cor. 4:17)  All the hard things in this life are, “achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

This spiritual perspective is not a “forced perspective” but it is a choice and it sure makes Heaven seem a little bit closer. The things of this earth can seem much smaller with a heart set on what is above. And sometimes, I need to see the hard things as smaller than they appear in light of eternity. I need to change my perspective to what is eternal and lasting to see past the problems I face today.

Change my perspective, Lord. Help me see You today instead of my problems.


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Child of the Earth

Scripture for Today: I John 3:1  “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

credit to J. Maughn https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmaughn/8177494306

It’s a mystery how the Jerusalem Cricket got its name as it is neither from Jerusalem nor is it a true cricket! A possible origin could be the 19th century expletive, “Jerusalem,” elicited by its startling appearance! I sure wouldn’t want to be startled by this two-inch creature! Another idea is that early missionaries misunderstood the Navajo name of “skull insect” to be ‘Skull Hill.” This put in mind Golgotha outside of Jerusalem. The Spanish called this insect, “Nino de la Tierra” or “Child of the Earth.”

Today’s verse gives a different name for a child. God’s love can change one’s name from a “child of the Earth” to a “child of God.” God’s love is so great that in lavishing it on us, our identity is changed to be children of God. No longer do we belong to the world. As children of God we call Him Father and we call other believers in this worldwide family, brothers and sisters. The world often fails to recognize this family as they do not know the Father. And it is only through faith in Christ, His Son that we can belong to this family (Gal. 3:26).

I am a child of God. What an amazing humbling truth! As His child I no longer belong to the world or want to conform to it (Romans 12:2). No longer am I led by the current thinking or fad but instead I can be led by His Spirit (Romans 8:14). Because I have received Him and believed on His name, He has graciously made me His own (John 1:12). I am not always such an obedient child. There are times each day when I let down my Father. But unlike any human family relationship, I can always count on His love and forgiveness.

Thank you Lord, for making me Your child.


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The Laughing Gull

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity: she can laugh at the days to come.”

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Assateague_laughing_gull_MD1.jpg

I am no stranger to all kinds of sea gulls in our area of the California coast. But I have never seen or heard this guy! That’s because the Laughing Gull makes its home on the Atlantic Coast. His dark black hood, red bill and legs and his white eye arcs give him a recognizable look. But what is most distinctive is his hysterical raucous call resembling laughter! It begins with a stuttering ha-ha-ha-ha and follows with a longer more drawn-out hash-hash-hash! He laughs when excited by courtship or defending his territory.

There is laughter in today’s verse. It is part of the description of a woman whose qualities raise what seems to be an impossible standard for others! This picture of the perfect wife and mother was given by the Queen Mother to her son, King Lemuel. The passage describes a woman of “noble character” fit for royalty (verse 10). After an extensive list of characteristics the conclusion is that charm and beauty are less important than fearing the Lord (verse 30). Fearing the Lord makes it possible to “laugh at the days to come.” There is a light heart even when facing the unknown future.

Of all the qualities listed for this perfect woman, this ability to laugh at the days to come has got to be the most difficult! It is a litmus test of my faith in God and His plan for me. To laugh at the days to come does not mean I do not prepare for them. But it does mean that I can trust Him for the unexpected! I can trust Him for what is around that blind curve. Whatever He allows to happen, He will carry me through it. Instead of fear and anxiety, He makes possible a light heart. Whatever the challenge of the days to come, He is enough.

Thank you Lord, for the confidence I can have in You!