Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: June 2023


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Queen Anne’s Lace

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

This delicate lace-like flower has an unusual name and a legend that explains it. In the 1600’s Queen Anne II tatted beautiful white lace but one day, pricked her finger on the tatting needle. The resulting drop of blood represents the red center sometimes seen in the center of these flowers. This is one of several marks that distinguish this flower from its nefarious look-alike, the Poison Hemlock. Although it has the same lacy white flowers, if ingested the Poison Hemlock flower can kill!

Today’s verse teaches us that it is Christ’s blood that redeems and forgives. Without His blood, there is no other solution to the dilemma of our wrongdoing. (Heb. 9:22) It is His blood on the cross that makes us white as snow. (Is. 1:18) Satan tries to deceive by suggesting that we can be good enough on our own. But the payment of sin is death (Rom. 6:23) and Satan’s only desire is to devour and destroy. (I Peter 5:8)

The beautiful white lacy flowers of good works can be all show without a clean heart. The redeeming blood of Christ is the only way my good works can mean anything to Him. (Is. 64:6) The forgiveness He offers through His blood is never anything that I can deserve or earn. I could never be good enough. How rich and amazing His grace is to forgive and forget!

Thank you Lord, for Your beautiful and costly forgiveness!


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Amen Corner

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 1:20 “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

What a funny name for a street corner! Does the pedestrian feel compelled to say “amen,” as he passes by? The phrase actually comes from a jazz song called, “Shoutin in that Amen Corner.” Although others have since used the term in naming bars, streets and even sections of the Augusta National Golf Club, its origin dates back to lower New York City in the late 1800’s. Bibles were printed there in huge quantities and sidewalk preachers and their listeners would loudly yell out, “Amen!”

Today’s verse tells believers that they can glorify God by their spoken “amen.” This word in Greek is “so be it.” By saying it we are responding with an acknowledgement of truth. By saying it we declare that His words are certain and sure. (John 17:17) The word, “amen” is also translated as “verily” and “truly.” Jesus would sometimes preface His words this way, establishing them as sure and binding.

When I say “amen,” to His promises, I am declaring my trust that His Word is true and unshakable. My amen glorifies God, pointing to His faithfulness. Because of Christ and His sacrifice for my sin, I can claim His promise of eternal life! And along with that promise are so many others that make my life meaningful: His presence, strength, help, peace, comfort, and more! AMEN!

Lord, may today be full of opportunities to speak my amen!


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Help Wanted

Scripture for Today: Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

The French Alps were in our backyard that first year of language school in 1989. When we revisited there, I had trouble getting this photo of my husband, Randy, without the clouds covering the peaks. But it triggered a memory of that first year when often the Alps were completely covered with clouds. How much those clouds affected my mood! When I could see the mountain tops, I felt like anything was possible, even learning French! But when the mountains were covered in fog and clouds for days, it was easy to believe they were no longer there.

Today’s verse reminds us where to look for help. It is wonderful when the mountains are visible and we are reminded of God’s power. But sometimes the mountains are not visible. When clouds of trouble and worry obscure our view, we can doubt His presence and power. David expressed this in Psalm 69:17 when he felt that God was hiding His face. Job had these same thoughts when experiencing his trials. But regardless of our feelings, the reality of His presence does not change.  He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. (Heb. 13:5)

There will always be clouds. But rather than seeing those clouds, I need to see that the mountain is still there. And even if the mountains shake and the hills are removed, His love is unfailing and His love is never shaken or removed. (Is. 54:10) Like David, I can look up to the Maker of heaven and earth and find help. Nothing is too hard for Him.  I am so thankful that in His grace He gives me cloudless moments when the view of His presence is magnificent!

Thank you Lord, that You are always there to help.

(Look familiar? This is a revised post from 2012.)


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Light as a Feather

Scripture for Today: Psalm 145:14 “The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”

The idiom, “as light as a feather,” has been around for hundreds of years and no one can say with certainty how it originated. Most often it is used in a literal sense to describe something as extremely lightweight. But it can also be a phrase to describe one’s sense of release and joy. Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol describes himself as “light as a feather” after his transformative nightmare.

Today’s verse is part of a psalm of David that praises God for who He is. So many of God’s attributes are mentioned including His grace, compassion, goodness and faithfulness. But perhaps the action God takes towards us in this verse summarizes those attributes. The Lord actively upholds those who fall. He sees and responds to those who are bowed down by lifting them up. The guilt that we feel for our sin can feel like a burden too heavy to bear (Ps. 38:4). It is our own sinfulness that can weigh us down. By contrast, His forgiveness gives a lightness to our souls not found anywhere else.

It is true that when I allow my pride to keep me from admitting my fault, then I end up carrying around the guilt of it. It can feel pretty heavy. But, when I finally get over myself and confess to the Lord all that is wrong in me, He gives me a light heart. Rather than feeling crushed in my spirit, I am lifted up and can begin again.

Thank you Lord, that Your forgiveness can make me lighthearted!