Devotions By Jan

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Turbulent Water

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 23:2-3a “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters. He refreshes my soul.”

This water was fairly quiet and placid just moments before the submarine descended into its depths.  It left behind churning whitewater in its wake.  What makes this water turbulent are the water molecules moving in all different directions and at different speeds.  And that happens when there is heat or pressure.  The opposite is also true that the water remains calm and quiet without the heat or pressure.  Moving churning water is beautiful and exciting.  But there is something about still and quiet water that makes me calm down and grow reflective.

Today’s verse is from the well-known psalm describing the Lord as our Shepherd.  He knows His sheep intimately, understanding when we need excitement and activity and when we need to settle down and be still.  He knows exactly when we need to slow down and stop our frenzied activity.  He leads us when we listen and follow.  And where He takes us is to a place of quiet stillness where our souls can be refreshed and rejuvenated.  There we can take time to reflect, meditate on His goodness and find rest for our weary souls.

Somehow, I equate activity with spirituality.  The more I do for the Lord, the better Christian I am.  I am not so sure where that can be found in God’s Word!  The time I take by those still waters may be the true measure of my spiritual walk.  I can only take so much of the pressure and heat of activity before I just lose it!  How much better to listen and follow His lead.  He loves me and takes me to the quiet waters I need.

Refresh me today, Lord!

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.


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His Rule

earth-from-issScripture for Today: Psalm 66:7 “He rules forever by His power, His eyes watch the nations – let not the rebellious rise up against Him.”

If one could fly over our planet, this is the very image one would see!  The International Space Station captured a time lapse with their mounted camera as it orbited the Earth at night.  How incredible to be able to see our Earth from above!  I feel small and insignificant enough when looking through the window of an airplane.  I imagine that having this perspective would intensify those feelings.  Seeing our world from space would be such an awesome and humbling experience.

Today’s verse tells us that the Creator of our world is also our Ruler and He is all powerful.  The Maker of Heaven and Earth is the One with absolute control regardless of what nation is the largest or most influential.  He watches the nations and notes who is rebellious.  He is completely just and nothing gets past Him.  People may try to mock Him but in the end, we reap exactly what we sow (Gal. 6:7).

Regardless of what my passport says, my first and most important allegiance is to my God.  I can be proud of my country and its freedoms, and I count it a privilege to be able to vote but at the same time I acknowledge that I am a citizen of Heaven (Phil. 3:20).  He is not only the Ruler of this Earth but also of my heart.  I am to “serve the Lord with fear and celebrate His rule with trembling” (Psalm 2:11).  It is a tremendous comfort for me to know that God still reigns and no political party or politician has the last word.  He will have His will and way and will bring about His purposes.  I can experience peace having the Prince of Peace residing in me!

Lord, help me to trust completely in Your sovereign rule.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.


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Blowing a Fuse

blown-fuseScripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 7:9 “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”

There is never a good time to blow a fuse.  But of course it happened while in the kitchen making a meal for company.  Our wiring is a bit quirky and I had forgotten that I could not plug in the water heater with the microwave on.  I am sure I looked just as lost as this woman pictured as my husband was gone. Finding the right switch was not a problem.  However, it did not flip over completely as intended, and I continued to be without power.  I felt myself growing frustrated and angry.

Today’s verse cautions us not to be quickly provoked.  Whatever the provocation, we are to be slow in becoming angry (James 1:19).  When we are characterized as an angry person, we look the fool.  Blowing a fuse and exploding in anger misrepresents the Lord to others as He is “slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15)  Whether justified or not, human anger is not something that produces the righteousness God wants from us (James 1:20).  Our anger is rarely a neutral thing and most often hurts others and in the end ourselves as well.

My anger can build to mega proportions when left unresolved.  My jaw clenches and sleep alludes me.  Diffusing that anger is not something I can do quickly on my own.  The sooner I can give it to the Lord, the more easily I can get rid of it.  When I realize the wrath my sins deserve and the enormity of God’s forgiveness for me, than I can replace that anger with kindness, compassion and forgiveness (Eph. 4:32).

Lord, I need Your help today to slow down my anger.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.


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Speed Dating

dating600_451637660Scripture for Today: John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life; that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”

More and more of these speed dating events are taking place around the globe.  This image is taken in Dublin.  The idea is intriguing, but when I asked my husband if I could attend one for “research” he was not too enthusiastic!  The premise is that one can know quite quickly if there is any kind of spark between two people.  Most participants make their choice within the first three seconds, so that first impression is paramount.

Today’s verse is from a conversation Jesus had with His Father.  Jesus prayed that the Father would be glorified through Him.  He acknowledges that the power to give eternal life has been granted Him from God the Father.  Then comes this surprising description of what eternal life is; it is to know Him.

Knowing God intimately will be an unending endeavor.  There will be no time limit to this relationship.  And knowing God will take forever.  There is no coming to the end of Him as He is infinite!  There will always be new and exciting facets to knowing Him.  Each day there will be breathtaking discoveries about who He is!  Knowing Him more and more each day will be fascinating and thrilling.  He will never become boring or predictable.

Eternal life is not just in the future.  Eternal life begins now and just never ends.  Knowing Him begins now although my progress is continually interrupted by my limits, distractions, and my own sinful nature.  But one day I will be face to face, no longer knowing Him just in part, but wholly, just as He knows me! (I Cor. 13:12)

Lord, may I see You and know You more today than yesterday!

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.


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Skinning a Watermelon

watermelon-600x450Scripture for Today: James 3:14 “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.”

I have never tried this.  It looks complicated and time consuming.  I suspect it requires some handling skills I sure do not have!  But I can see the benefits of skinning a watermelon.  There is nothing so annoying as scooping out the flesh too deeply and ruining that sweet mouthful with a taste of the bitter rind.  I usually end up throwing out some of the fruit in order to avoid that bit of bitterness.

Today’s verse comes in the middle of defining two kinds of wisdom; earthly and heavenly.  The earthly wisdom is full of envy and selfish ambition, leading to all kinds of chaos and evil.  Heavenly wisdom exhibits itself in a life of good works done in humility (verse 13).  Harboring bitter envy in one’s heart signals the presence of pride.  That selfish thought that one deserves better is a sure way to become embittered.

I would be less than honest if I did not admit to thoughts of envy.  I am constantly surrounded by those who enjoy the world’s “goodies” that I do not have.  But what makes envy “bitter?”  I cannot enjoy that sweet bite of watermelon with the bitter rind included.  In the same way, I cannot completely enjoy all of God’s wonderful blessings while entertaining envious thoughts.  It turns even the good things I enjoy into something sour.  Wanting what others have even has an adverse effect on health, “rotting the bones” (Proverbs 14:30)  But a “heart of peace” gives life to the body.  I do not want anything this life has to offer as much as I want contentment!

Lord, help me to be thankful and contented with everything You have given me.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.