Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: February 2024


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Leap Year

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 5:7 “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

What are you doing with your extra day this week? Being leap year, we have this extra day in February every four years, thanks to Julius Caesar. His version of the calendar was in use until the 1500’s. Pope Gregory XIII then created our Gregorian calendar, also coining the term, “leap year.” And this term reminds me of another leap in the term, “leap of faith,” meaning to believe or accept something not on the basis of reason. Is this what Christians do?

Today’s verse tells us that we live our lives on the basis of faith and not by what we see. However, that does not mean there is no reason or logic to our faith. Creation itself shouts to us that there is intelligent design. In fact, when denying God, one’s thinking becomes futile and the heart is darkened (Rom. 1:21) Understanding is darkened when separated from the life of God. (Eph. 4:18) But part of the transformation that faith in Jesus brings is a renewal of the mind. (Rom. 12:2)

I do not throw my mind out the window to believe that God exists and to accept His revelation of Himself in His Word, the Bible. No longer do I have to do mental gymnastics to discount His very obvious existence. It is no leap of faith to believe in Him as He brings sense to what is senseless without Him. My faith is firmly placed in the All-Knowing One who through His Spirit gives wisdom and understanding. (Col. 1:9) He even makes wise this simple one! (Ps. 19:7)

Thank you Lord, that faith in You makes sense!!


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“It’s Hip to be Square”

Scripture for Today: Matthew 9:16  “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.”

My friend, Gale, makes beautiful patchwork quilts. Pictured here is one of hers made of batik fabric and called, “It’s Hip to be Square,” a design created by Cheryl Brown. Gale’s passion for patchwork is shared by many in the Orange Grove Quilter’s Guild of which she is a member and past president. What used to be done out of necessity by early American settlers is now a creative art form. There are many beautiful patterns to choose from but all of them require precision in cutting and sewing in order for the edges to fit together exactly as they should. And of course, all the pieces of fabric need to be preshrunk before sewing.

In today’s verse Jesus uses the illustration of patching a tear with new unshrunk material on to old material. The conversation arises out of questions from those following tradition and ritual. They are trying to connect their system of belief with what Jesus was teaching. These men were distracted with the externals of religion that fed their own self-righteousness. Jesus is revealing a new internal Gospel of forgiveness and cleansing. What is legalistic and of the flesh could not be attached to what is grace and of the Spirit (Gal. 3:3).

Any time I think I can earn God’s favor by my own good works or religious observances, I am falling into that same kind of thinking! Whether it is church attendance, fasting, hymn singing or giving, none of these activities, as positive as they are, earn right standing with God. My relationship with Him is only because of His grace. Thankfully, His love is not dependent on my performance. “Nothing in my hand I bring. Simply to Thy cross I cling.” 

Thank You Lord, that I cannot improve on Your grace.

(Look familiar? This is based on my previous blogpost from 2014)


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Conversation Hearts

Scripture for Today: Luke 6:45 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Growing up, I loved these conversation hearts, giving away to that “special someone” what I could not bring myself to actually say! And receiving these from others would communicate to me something the giver may not have intended! Today, one can special order these candies with your own personalized message. That way you can say exactly what you want the other to hear. Communicating what is in the heart is not always easy.

Today’s verse gives us a reliable way to know what is in the heart of another. What is there is evident by that person’s behavior. Expressing emotions can be lovely but the real indicator of feelings and the state of the heart is evident in our actions. And one action is especially telling. What comes out of our mouths demonstrates the good or the evil found in the heart. That sincere compliment or word of encouragement shows love. The snide remark or the profanity that escapes our lips signals that all is not well.

What slips out of my mouth can be shameful. I am so glad that some of it happens when there is no one to hear. However, there is always Someone who hears. And whether others are around or not, those nasty words signal a need for some serious heart cleaning! Thankfully, He is full of grace and forgiveness, ready to make me clean again and give me a new start!

Lord, clean my heart and fill it with good things to say!

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


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A Fountain

Scripture for Today: Psalm 87:7 “As they make music they will sing, ‘All my fountains are in you.’”

Photo credit: MagicOlf https://www.flickr.com/photos/magicolf/4555139652

The Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas puts on quite the show! The water dances to the music, taking on different configurations. The differently colored lights keep time to the music and it all comes together to impress and entertain. But for me, I have always enjoyed even the most basic and simple fountain as I love the musical sound of moving water.

Today’s verse has people singing and making music. They are those blessed to be born in Zion or Jerusalem. But these believers in the one and only true God come from other regions as well (verse 4). Together, regardless of their origin, they proclaim that the fountain of all their blessings has but one Source! God calls Himself the “fountain of living waters” (Jer. 2:3). And Jesus calls Himself “living water” that in the believer would become a spring or fountain of water welling up to eternal life! (John 4:10 & 14)

When I see a fountain I am reminded that ALL my blessings flow from my relationship with the Giver of life, here and eternally! And I don’t deserve even one of them. Without His goodness life would be a dried up unsatisfying affair. But because of His incredible grace, life is rich with meaning and significance. I live to love Him more and I can sing with this same refrain, “all my fountains are in You.”

Lord, today, I praise You from whom all blessings flow!