Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: October 2020


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Swallowing a Fly

Scripture for Today: II Samuel 22:28 “You save the humble, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.”

“There was an old lady who swallowed a fly,” is a fun children’s rhyme that progressively becomes more absurd. This old lady, rather than ask for help, takes matters into her own hands by swallowing first a spider to catch the fly. When that does not work she swallows a bird, then a cat, then a dog, then a cow, and at the end, a horse, “…she’s dead, of course!” If she had just swallowed her pride with the fly, she could have asked for help!

Today’s verse is part of David’s psalm of praise for God’s deliverance from his enemies and from Saul. David called out to the Lord (verse 4) and he was answered in a spectacular way! Perhaps the outcome would have been very different had he not humbled himself. If like the old woman and the fly, David had tried to solve his problem by himself, he would have missed seeing God’s remarkable power work in his favor. God responds to the humble but in fact opposes the proud. (I Peter 5:5b) When we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, the Lord promises to lift us up in His timing. (verse 6)

There is such a strong independent spirit in me that says: “I can do this.” “I am fine.” “I’ve got this.” “I can handle it.” I can almost see the Lord shaking His head at me. He wants to lift me up out of the mess. He wants to show grace, favor, and blessing. But He waits for humility on my part. It is when in humility I admit my weaknesses that He shows His incredible grace and strength! (II Corinthians 12:9)

Lord, I humbly ask for Your grace today!

(By the way, this post was written and scheduled last week!)


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Play Money

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 1:7-8a  “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

This Monopoly player seems to be doing pretty well!  There must be some smug satisfaction in seeing those piles of money grow.  I can imagine that he feels fairly protected from unexpected debts other players may try to saddle him with.  Winning the game looks like a goal he can reach.  But imagine if this same player tried to pocket those bills and spend them at a local store!  These “riches” are only good in a limited context of play.

Today’s verse speaks of riches; the riches of God’s grace.  And while the play money is only good for the game, these riches are eternal.  And these riches are incomparable to anything else. This grace is expressed in God’s kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:7) We cannot pay for the forgiveness of sin.  Trying to earn the riches of God’s grace is like trying to use Monopoly money!  The riches of God’s grace have only been lavished on those who stop trying to pay for it themselves.

How rich I am to have experienced this incredible grace!  I cannot earn it.  I cannot pay for it.  My debt of sin was too large but He paid for it all out of His unfathomable kindness to me.  He saved me by His grace but it does not stop there!  The riches of His grace continue on to make living for Him possible.  His grace gives me the desire to love and serve Him.  It is in realizing and appreciating the riches of His grace that I am motivated to live a life worthy of it!

Lord, thank you for the true riches You have lavished on me!


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Stuck!

Scripture for Today: John 8:31-32 “…Jesus said, ‘If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”

This poor cat looks traumatized! And because he is a cat, he is not only stuck but embarrassed about it! There is panic in his eyes as he realizes that pretended indifference will not save him! He can act as if he meant to be there in this ridiculous position, but no one would be fooled. Perhaps he believed a lie in overestimating his own prowess. But clearly he needs someone to climb up there and free him.

Today’s verse describes how the truth will set one free. Jesus is speaking to Jews who were incensed that He would refer to them as “enslaved.” But in fact, lies and falsehoods do enslave those who believe them to the author of lies, Satan. Jesus names him as the “father of lies” having no truth in him. (verse 45) In contrast, Jesus calls Himself, the Truth. (John 14.6) And He calls His Word, “truth.” (John 17:17) His truth sets us free from deception. The truth sets us free to know our Creator, to love Him and to serve Him.

It is increasingly difficult to distinguish truth today. The veneer of authenticity is so convincing. The packaging of the lie is deceptive. But I know the One who is Truth. It is not a concept. It is a Person. The more I know Him, the less likely I am to be deceived by the father of lies. The more I read the truth of His Word, the more I can distinguish what does not come from Him. And the best part of recognizing truth is that it brings me closer to Him!

Lord, free me by Your truth to love You more!


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Whistling Kite

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

The name, “Whistling Kite,” brings to my mind a children’s kite that somehow whistles through the air when navigating wind currents. But in fact, it is the name of a sandy-colored raptor or bird of prey that lives in Australia. And, you guessed it, he makes a distinctive whistling sound as he flies. But what really impressed me was his ability to snatch his food and consume it in mid-flight! We would call that, “eating on the run.” But in bird-speak that is called, “eating on the wing!”

Today’s verse describes the best way to be nourished by God’s Word, and that is to handle it correctly. It takes time and it takes work to study the deeper truths of God’s Word. There is no shortcut to our spiritual growth. God’s Word nourishes our souls, like milk to the newborn, or meat to the more mature. Correctly handling it takes time, taking note of context, cross references, commentaries and more! God approves of our diligent study to know Him better!

The more I take time to study and think on God’s Word, the more I get a personal glimpse of the Author! What other book has the Author there with me as I read, opening the eyes of my heart? What other book corrects, convicts, challenges and comforts me exactly as needed? The more time I give His Word, the more He speaks to me. Our relationship deepens with each reading. Why would I ever want to “eat on the run?”

Lord, help me make Your Word a priority today.


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Not Considered Bread?

Scripture for Today: John 6:33 “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

It certainly looks like bread! But recently, a popular international sandwich-making chain was told something surprising. The tax break on this American bread being “essential” would no longer be applied. The sugar content of their bread was so elevated that Ireland would no longer considered it as bread or as being essential! Their product was now grouped with pastries and other baked sugary goods and no longer enjoyed tax exemption.

Today’s verse describes a bread that is from God and its origin is heaven. This is a bread with nothing added that is not essential! It is a bread that is exactly what every human being needs as it gives life. Jesus identifies Himself as this bread, calling Himself the “bread of life.” (verse 35) Jesus Christ is essential to true life. Without Him, there is an inexplicable hunger for something more. Without Him, there is an empty gnawing feeling despite pleasant circumstances. But in Him, there is everything we need to feel abundantly filled with all that is essential. Whoever comes to Him has his hunger satisfied. (verse 35)

He is my life. There is nothing I can add to my life to make it more satisfying. I have tried and none of this earth’s goodies do it! In fact, it is when I get distracted by all this world has to offer that I start to feel hunger pangs again. But they are immediately quelled when I seek Him out. He fills up my heart as it was made for Him. He satisfies my restless searching spirit with Himself. I can be calm and content in knowing and loving the Giver of Life!

Thank you Lord, that You satisfy my hunger.