Devotions By Jan

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A Little Kindness

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Did you know that kindness has side effects?  Dr. David Hamilton describes five: Kindness can make us happier.  Kindness can be good for the heart.  Acts of kindness are many times accompanied by emotional warmth.  Kindness also slows aging.  And kindness improves relationships.  Finally, kindness is contagious.  But I especially like the idea that showing kindness slows down the aging process!  I know some very kind folk that are advanced in years but I had never thought the two connected!

Today’s verse describes those that belong to the Lord as being holy and set apart.  The believer is dearly loved.  Knowing this, we are to clothe ourselves with the qualities that He has.  The Lord is full of compassion (Ex. 34:6).  He is the embodiment of kindness (Is. 63:7).  He is humble of heart and gentle (Matt. 11:29).  And He is patient (II Peter 3:9).  Each of these beautiful qualities can be ours because of Him and His Spirit in us (Gal. 5:22-23).  Acts of kindness to family, friends and strangers ought to be second nature to the believer.

Showing kindness takes time and effort.  It means putting the needs of someone else ahead of my own and sometimes I am just too selfish and prideful to show kindness.  Waving in that driver ahead of me means slowing down.  When someone forgot again and puts me out, it can be an effort to be kind.  When someone is struggling to balance their load and open a door, kindness lends a helping hand.  But what motivates me is more than experiencing these five positive side effects.  My deepest desire is that others will see the Source of kindness in me!

Lord, give me opportunities to show kindness today!


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Changing Tack?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:9 “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.”

It has been many many years since I took a sailing course.  But the one thing I especially remember is the boom!  When a boat tacks and changes direction, that boom quickly swings to the other side of the boat.  For the unaware, it means being knocked in the head if one is in its path.  I know this from experience!  The one changing direction would, in a perfect world, let his passengers know what he was doing.

Today’s verse reassures the believer that God has a plan for how we live our lives.  He is available to be our Guide and to teach us His way, which is always the best way!  All His ways are loving and faithful (verse 10) even if it seems that He is guiding us into waters that do not look so calm.  He is there and He is good.  But it is only the humble who can be guided.  When we confidently change tack or direction without His counsel, (James 4:13-16) we are likely to ourselves be in the way of that boom!

I am excited for this new calendar year, in fact so much so that I tore Christmas down a bit early!  But at the same time, I can be fearful of what changes may be in store.  There will be changes.  There always are.  He may change some of my directions.  But if I am humbly seeking Him and His guidance, I do not have to be surprised by that boom!  And I am reassured by who He is.  All His ways are loving and faithful!  I can be peaceful as I look ahead knowing that He is completely trustworthy!

Lord, I need You to guide me.


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Beginning Again

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:33-34  “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end.  Give me understanding, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.”

Today is a day of new beginnings.  This day gives one the opportunity to start over.  The New Year is full of potential for good things to happen.  It is like a present waiting to be opened.  What will it hold?

For some, it is with a sigh of relief to see the old year come to a close.  After going through huge difficulties, a New Year brings hope that things can only get better.  For others, a New Year is approached with trepidation, questions and what ifs.  But for believers, though the future is unknown, we can know the One who controls that future.

Often, the New Year is a moment to re-evaluate one’s life and decide on some changes.  It is the moment to make resolutions.  New resolve is somehow found concerning exercise, diet, or some other kind of discipline.  For me, I cannot think of a better resolution than to be more diligent to know and follow His Word.

In today’s verse, this is also the desire the psalmist.  Not only does he want to know and follow what God wants, but he wants to be wholly committed with all of his heart.  This is my deepest desire as well, although so often I am distracted with other priorities.  It is also my desire for any one near and dear to me.  Blessing comes with carrying out this resolution!

Happy New Year, Lord.  May I know You, obey You and love You more in this new year!


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Looking Behind

Scripture for Today: Psalm 89:1  “I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.  To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.”

Today is the last weekday of the year.  Every year seems to pass by more and more quickly!  The television channels often have programs that summarize the entire year.  Each time I view these I am surprised at how much I have forgotten.  There are reminders of which celebrities have died.  There are the highs and lows of big news events.  And there are reports of new records set throughout the year.

Not everyone enjoys looking back.  Some things are better forgotten.  Reliving some of the negatives can be very depressing.  But looking back can help change our perspective.  With hind sight comes some understanding.  Problems that seemed insurmountable while living them take on a completely different light after some time has passed.

Today’s verse proclaims the faithfulness of the Lord.  This beautiful characteristic of our God is best seen when looking back.  Many times it is not until the trial is over that we see the positives.  It is often after the fact that we see God’s hand.  His faithfulness brings us through, developing patience, making us more like Him.  His faithfulness means we can count on His Word and His promises.  His faithfulness brings about that “good” that Romans 8:28 describes.

This past year He has been faithful.  He has been faithful every year.  I am confident He will be faithful next year!  It is His nature.  I can look back these last twelve months and pinpoint all the ways He has shown His faithfulness, not only to me but to my family and my friends.  Regardless of any negatives, He makes looking back a joy!

Thank you Lord, for being faithful to me!


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Unfair!

Scripture for Today:  Matthew 20:15 “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous.”

Whether it is pizza, cake or pie it is important to cut those pieces evenly!  Those who get the larger pieces feel special but the one with that skinny piece may feel a bit slighted.  If my hostess is the one doing the paying, the cutting and the serving I certainly cannot say anything.  But I may be thinking, “It isn’t fair.”

Today’s verse comes from a parable Jesus told about workers who had come in early in the day.  They had made a contract with their employer to work for a certain sum of money.  Then at the very last hour of the day a second group begins work and they are paid the same amount.  Understandably, the first group was unhappy.  It was  unfair.  The employer reminds these disgruntled workers it is his money and he can be generous if he chooses.

It is not uncommon to have the same thoughts about God.  It seems there are times He is generous with someone so much less deserving than ourselves.  Perhaps we have worked harder and longer and feel we should be compensated differently.  Rather than rejoice at the generous blessings given to another, we grumble that we deserve more.  It is just unfair.

I am so glad God does not listen to this.  If I got what was fair I would be completely lost.  The wages of my sin is death (Romans 6:23) and I cannot say I deserve anything else.  Eternal life is unfair as I have not earned it.  I am so thankful that He gives me His mercy and not what is fair.

Thank you Lord, that Your grace is so much better than fair!