Devotions By Jan


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Doggy Patience!

Scripture for Today: Colossians 1:11 “being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.”

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Child_with_a_dog_02.jpg

If ever patience could be captured in an image, this picture would qualify! I grew up with cats and I can’t imagine sitting on their backs or pulling on their ears! But this dog from a village in Uganda, patiently endures the uncomfortable attentions from this little child. More than just enduring it, these domestic dogs often will fiercely protect their little charges from strangers who enter the village.

Today’s verse talks about great endurance and patience and it is not something we can produce on our own. It is through the strength and power of the Lord that we can navigate hard times with a patient attitude. His “glorious might” makes it possible to weather that ongoing problem with confidence in His love. To live a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way (verse 10) is to live with confident trust. Exhibiting patience and endurance is most often the result of having that trust tested and seeing the Lord come through for us. (James 1:3)

For me, the biggest test of patience is waiting for the Lord to answer my prayers, my way. His timing is rarely my own. And I tend to treat my prayers as “unanswered” if I don’t receive the answer desired! How many times I have worried, full of anxiety while awaiting His response! But being impatient serves no purpose and certainly does not obligate Him to hurry! I know He is pleased when I wait for His answers and promises with a patient calm heart.

Lord, help me to patiently trust You more.


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Bowing to a Killer Whale

Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 33:3 “Surely it is You who love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand. At Your feet they all bow down, and from You receive instruction.”

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

How odd to see this woman bowing with respect to a killer whale. My body language when encountering a killer whale was not so much respect as fear! Years ago I was volunteered to be kissed by one of these amazing creatures at a water park! I wondered if the audience saw my shaking as I waited for this majestic creature to rise up out of the water to smack me on the cheek!

Today’s verse describes a bow to One who is so much more worthy than any creation of His. This bow is done in worship and does not stop at the waist. Those showing reverence to the God of the universe bow all the way down to His feet in abject humility. Our posture before His majesty is one that is self-abasing and glorifying to Him. He is worthy of this worship for many reasons but in this verse He is bowed to for His love and instruction. He loves and holds His own in His mighty and powerful hand!

One day I will physically bow to Him in His presence. One day everyone in heaven and on earth and under the earth will do the same (Phil. 2:10).  For some it will be under compulsion. But for those who have placed their trust in Jesus, it will be a continuation of our worship here on earth. The challenge for me here and now is whether I can bow my will to His in humble submission. He is my Lord and my King.

Thank you Lord, for giving me every reason to bow my will to Yours!

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2018)


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“She”

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:13-14 “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”

Isn’t it funny how we will assign gender to inanimate objects? Of course, in French and other languages, every noun is either masculine or feminine. And often the logic behind it escapes me! But ships in English are often referred to as “she.”  Perhaps the female figurehead used on old sailing ships was the inspiration! She was thought to embody the spirit of the ship and provide protection and safe passage.

Today’s verses describe wisdom as a “she”. Those who find her lead lives that are blessed, given value that far exceeds gold or silver. This heavenly wisdom is described as pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:15) Perhaps some of these qualities seem more feminine than masculine.

I am glad wisdom is described as a “she” but I am not so sure it describes me! It does describe Christ though in whom are hidden “all the treasures of wisdom.” (Col. 2:3)  Any wisdom exemplified in me is because of Him! How precious He is! And how good He is to freely offer His wisdom to all who will ask Him in faith. (James 1:5)

Thank you Lord for the treasure of Your wisdom!


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Follow the Arrow!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 91:1-2 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I will trust.'”

As I was walking the streets of Metz in Northern France, I was intrigued to see this giant arrow painted on the side of this building! If it had been 1944, German bombs may have been dropping and this arrow would have directed me to a shelter. In fact, thousands of home owners were mandated by the city government to open their garage/cellars to any passerby caught outside during a raid. Today, close to 100 of these arrows still exist, serving as a silent reminder of those desperate rushes for shelter.

Today’s verse pictures God, the Almighty One, as a shelter. He is the Most High with nothing and no one higher and more powerful than He is. His very presence is a place of refuge and protection. We are not told we will be removed from the conflict or storm. But we are promised that when we run to Him, He will shield us and be our security. It is as if He is our buffer, lessening the impact of what we are experiencing. In that place of total trust, He gives a peace that defies understanding! (Phil. 4:7)

In those intense moments of fear and anxiety, I need something as obvious as that huge arrow! Rather than running around in circles I need to run to Him. His arms are open and ready to comfort and protect. He doesn’t ask me to come to Him when I have calmed down first. He doesn’t reprimand me when I come to Him in a panic. He doesn’t wait until I have my act together first. He is ready and willing to give me the reassurance of His power. It is in the shelter of His presence that I calm down and my breathing slows.

Thank you Lord, for rewarding my trust in You.


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Eyes Everywhere!

Scripture for Today: II Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…”

It is not a very comfortable feeling to know you are being watched. Of course, these cameras on public streets can be a reassurance that the bad guy, the driver at fault or the carjacker can be caught. But there is plenty of controversy surrounding privacy issues!

Today’s verse describes another kind of surveillance. The eyes of the Lord are looking throughout the earth. He is looking for hearts that are fully committed to Him so that He can strengthen them. The context is war and though the people were outnumbered, God saw their hearts and that they relied on Him. Because of that, He strengthened them and gave them victory.

God’s eyes are watching me to see if my heart is fully His. That is a surveillance I welcome. But there are other eyes watching too. My enemy the devil is prowling around like a lion, looking and looking for someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8) He is looking for the weak and uncommitted heart. No one wants that kind of surveillance! But as my heart belongs fully to the Lord, I do not have to worry about that pair of eyes. God has already secured the victory for me!

Thank you Lord, that You are my El Roi, the God Who Sees!