Devotions By Jan

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Crystal Ball

Scripture for Today: Psalm 147:5 “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”

Do you sometimes wish there were a crystal ball to tell you what lies ahead? Gazing into the orb is supposed to give a vision of the future (visible of course only to the one charging a fee). This fortune- telling practice has a long history. The Druids in ancient Celtic cultures used clear water surfaces, glass and later balls to see ahead. Also, glass balls have been found in tombs dating back to the 5th century and St. Augustine, living in that same period, condemned their use.

Today’s verse reveals that God never needs to look ahead to gain wisdom. He is great and mighty in power. And there are no limits to His understanding. He does not need to look back over 2023 to make plans for 2024! He never wishes He could change an action taken in the past as all His ways are perfect. (Deut. 32:4) He would never regret His own perfect decisions nor would He be surprised at their outcomes. There is no need for God to look ahead to improve His understanding of events. He is all-knowing and eternal, seeing all from outside the confines of time.

What a mighty God I serve! There is nothing He does not understand. He is aware of every thought, every motive and every circumstance. How deep are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge! (Rom. 11:33) And this is why I can trust Him for 2024. He not only completely understands what I cannot about the past but He already sees what lies ahead. There is a plan already in place, globally and personally. (Jer. 29:11) My understanding will always be limited. But I can trust my All-Knowing Father. When I look ahead, He is already there and I can face the future with confidence.

Thank you Lord, for the unknown future. I am so grateful that it is not unknown to You!


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Masting in the New Year!

Scripture for Today: Matthew 13:8 “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

As I walked along a path of oaks in the small town of Marion, Massachusetts, I couldn’t help but step all over the fallen acorns! They were everywhere, littering the ground. My first thought was that a strong wind must have blown them all down at once. I later learned that this carpet of acorns was due to what is called, “masting.” Every few years, especially among nut-producing trees, the acorns would all fall at once, not just for an individual tree but for all of that species in an area! It is not well understood just how and why the trees seem to know when to let go all at once!

Today’s verse comes from the parable Jesus told of the Sower and the Seed. The first seed was eaten by the birds, representing Satan snatching away what was not fully understood. The second seed grew no root because of troubles and persecution. The third seed was choked to death by worry and deceitful riches. But, there was a sort of “masting” or bumper crop from the seed that fell on good soil. This is the seed who hears, understands and accepts God’s Word and in turn produces much fruit!

As I stand on the cusp of a New Year, I would love to see “masting” in my life, producing much fruit. But it does not happen by wishing it were so. There is no fruit in my life unless I remain in Him (John 15:4). And I remain in the Lord by cooperating with His pruning, (verse 2) by saturating myself in His Word (verse 7) and by obeying and enjoying His love! (verse 10) Perhaps then there will be a bumper crop of fruit that glorifies and pleases Him!

Thank you Lord, for another year and another chance to bear fruit!


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Star of Wonder

Scripture for Today: Matthew 2:9b-10 “… they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”

There is something about a brightly shining star that changes a mood and brings a measure of hope. The song, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” was originally written for Judy Garland to be sung in a movie scene in 1944. But there are two versions. The first was quite sad and melancholic saying, “Until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow.” A later version was tweaked for Frank Sinatra and said, “Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.” What a different tone!

Today’s verse has the Magi from the East overjoyed at the sight of the star! This was no ordinary star as it had led them over many miles and many months. And where it stopped was over the place where they would find Jesus. How appropriate to signal His presence on earth with a star as Jesus calls Himself the “morning star.” (Rev. 22:16) His coming pierced the darkness forever with His holy light! And the light of His Word continues to dispel the darkness of a mind separated from the life of God (Eph. 4:18).

Jesus does not shroud Himself in mysterious shadows. He wants to be found. He reveals Himself and makes His presence felt through the starry sky and all creation. The light of His presence is seen when hope triumphs over adversity in my life. The light of His promises gives me an excitement for what is ahead. Though my eyes have yet to see and my ears have yet to hear, He has prepared things I cannot even imagine! (I Cor. 2:9) The star of wonder still shines through faith in Him!

Thank you Lord, that You came and You stayed!


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Who’s Coming to Town??

Scripture for Today: Luke 2:10-11 …“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Amid all the cutsie decorations, the glitz and the glamor of the boutique stood this unassuming sign. It made me smile. Of course, as a believer, Jesus is already here, living by His Spirit in the lives of His own. And it is His advent as a baby that we celebrate at Christmas. But it was the allusion to the song, “Santa Claus is Coming To Town” that made me smile. As fun as some of the secular Christmas songs are, they can distract us from the deeper and more significant truths of Christmas!

Today’s verse comes from the angel’s message to the shepherds. It was a message that brought astonished joy to those men, who along with countless others had waited for the coming of the Messiah. The coming of Jesus was not only to the town of Bethlehem, the city of David, but it was a coming that would bring hope to all mankind, Jewish and Gentile alike. As Simeon said, His coming brought, “a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:32)

How does the birth of a baby all those centuries ago have anything to do with me? The coming of Jesus, the eternal Son of God, not only changed history but changed my eternal destination at the close of history! He came to die. (Mark 10:45) His death on the cross was to pay the awful penalty of my own sin. And because He lives, I can face tomorrow, the next day and an eternity in His loving presence! What an amazing thought!

Thank you Lord, that You came and that You came for me!


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Christmas Nutcracker

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 4:8 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair.”

For years I have enjoyed seeing the nutcracker in Europe, but now I am seeing more and more making their appearance in America for Christmas. They have long been a symbol of good luck in Germany where they originated. The early ones were in the shape of animals, birds and people in the 15th century. By the 1800’s they were fashioned to represent and vilify unpopular leaders of the day. Now, the most popular ones are the soldiers who benignly stand guard.  Their function as nutcrackers is almost forgotten!  But their purpose is to press that hard nut until it is crushed.

There is hard pressing in today’s verse but not crushing. Paul goes on to say that there is persecution but not abandonment. He is struck down but never destroyed. Paul experienced tremendous pressure but his spirit was not crushed. He did not crack. He did not lose heart as he was convinced that the One who raised Jesus from the dead would also raise him (verse 14). Despair does not have a chance as Paul is filled with hope, fixing his eyes on the unseen and eternal (verse 18).

Sadness does seem to press down on me and can feel overwhelming in the face of loss, especially at Christmas time when the absence of loved ones is so keenly felt. It can be perplexing as I struggle with the questions of “why.” But for me as a believer there is hope instead of despair. There is God’s comfort and presence instead of abandonment. He is especially close to those who are brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). He has come. He is here. And He will never leave or forsake me.

Thank you Lord, that Your birth is also the birth of hope!

(Look familiar? This post is based on one from 2017.)