Devotions By Jan

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Oh Rats!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 19:11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

The ship was crossing the channel, taking all of our family to England from France for a house exchange.  We were thankful that no one suffered any sea sickness, there were no sudden squalls and we did not see rats making for the exits!  Of course, if we had, we would have been plenty worried.  It is a common belief that rats know when to flee a sinking ship.  Some research seems to indicate that animals can pick up “infrasonic” sound pulses created by storms and earthquakes, giving them a head start toward safety.  If I saw rats running for their lives, I would consider that a warning and follow!

Today’s verse promises reward for keeping God’s laws and decrees.  That is the positive side.  The negative side in this verse is that they also serve as a warning.  Like the rats headed for the exit, God’s commandments give us warning.  They let us know when we are headed toward trouble.  God, in His grace, alerts us through His Word so that we can avoid needless heartbreak.  Following His way rather than our own keeps us out of harm’s way.

Our sin hurts.  It complicates a life and results in brokenness.  But it does not have to be if we heed His warning signs.  It is unpopular to speak of absolutes but they are not my words.  God delineates quite clearly in His Word between what is good and evil, black and white, dark and light.  He makes it clear so I do not add senseless pain and guilt to my life.

Help me Lord, to see Your commandments as a positive loving gesture from You.


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Elephant Feet

Scripture for Today: I Samuel 2:9  “He keeps the feet of His godly ones.  But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail.”

One would think that it would take a serious problem to bring down the mighty elephant.  But in fact, the single most important ailment of the captive elephant is the foot-related problem.  With limited movement their soles and nails do not naturally wear down and need constant cutting back.  If abscesses, nail infection and arthritis are not guarded against, any of these seemingly inconsequential problems could bring down this amazingly strong animal.

Today’s verse is part of a song by Hannah.  She is leaving Samuel, her precious son, at the temple to serve as she had promised.  Surprisingly, her heart is exalting in the Lord instead of melting in sorrow at the separation!  Hannah is affirming the truth of the sovereignty of God.  She understands that God will protect her little boy.  He will be keeping the feet of His godly ones, protecting their comings and goings.  It is not the strong and mighty ones that will prevail.    The wicked can only count on stumbling around in the darkness.

It is a tremendous comfort to know that the Lord sees every step before I take it.  He makes firm the steps of those who delight in Him (Psalm 37:23).  I can even walk through the “valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4) without fear knowing He sees, He knows and He is right there beside me.  As His own, I walk in His light and will prevail through His strength.  Whatever I may face today, this truth will not change.  I can step out that front door with confidence in His loving sovereignty.

Thank you Lord, for Your intimate knowledge and care for me.


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Turkey Hotline

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Thanksgiving seems to be synonymous with a big fat turkey on a platter.  This turkey tradition has confounded the less experienced cook giving rise to the Butterball’s Turkey Talk-Line, begun in 1981.  Most questions have to do with thawing procedures and cooking times.  But some problems are unique, as with the man who tried to use the oven’s cleaning cycle to cook the turkey more quickly!  One caller complained that her bird had no breast meat, not realizing it was upside-down!

Today’s verse has the word, “thanksgiving.”  Our tendency is to be anxious when confronted with difficulty, especially when others have a front row seat to our dilemma.  Whether our anxiety is understandable or completely manufactured by an over active imagination, there is only one thing to do with it; give it to the Lord in prayer.  Regardless of the size or importance of our situation, our Heavenly Father does not want us to feel anxiety.

When we give our requests to the Lord, He asks that we do it with thanksgiving.  We are to thank Him in advance for His answer, even if it is not the response we want or expect.  Thanking Him before His response shows Him that we trust His power to act, His wisdom to know the right outcome, and His goodness to do what is best.

Today we thank Him for all His blessings.  Everything that is good in my life is because of His grace.  But He also wants me to thank Him for the answers still pending.  I want to include in my thanksgiving praise for His good plan and future blessings yet unseen!

Thank you Lord, for how You will answer!


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The Mayflower

Scripture for Today: I Timothy 1:19 “holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.”

In 1620 the Mayflower set sail for a new land with high hopes to start a life free from religious restrictions.  Originally, another ship sailed with her named “Speedwell” but twice, proved unseaworthy because of leaks appearing.  Its master, Mr. Reynolds, was suspected of having caused those leaks, motivated by fear of starving in America.  The Mayflower continued on enduring a very rough crossing.  But despite crashing high waves that fractured a main support beam, the passengers survived to begin their new life.

Today’s verse is from a charge given by Paul to a young Timothy.  Faith is something that can be shipwrecked.  Our doubts and fears can cause us to poke holes in our faith and cause it to slowly leak out.  We are to hold on to what we know is true with a good conscience.  We do not allow ourselves to be plagued with guilt for sin that has been confessed and forgiven.

No one is exempt from shipwrecking their faith.  Timothy, even as a leader in the church, is warned.   It is easy for me to become overconfident about my faith, until those crashing waves come overboard.   I need to hold on tightly when I am rocked by circumstances that make no sense and tempt me to doubt.  I need to hold on firmly to the word of life so as not to capsize (Phil. 2:16).  And I can hold on to what is good and reject every kind of evil (I Thes. 5:21-22) so I can have that good conscience.  I have His promises to keep me firm and on course.

Lord, keep me holding on tightly to my faith in You.


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Plymouth Rock

Free image/jpeg, Resolution: 2304×1728, File size: 1Mb, plymouth rock 1620

Scripture for Today: Psalm 61:2 “From the ends of the earth will I cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed and fainting, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”

My daughter warned me that I would be “underwhelmed” when viewing Plymouth Rock on our visit there in Massachusetts.  And she was right.  Legend has made this purported site of the Pilgrim’s landing into something large and looming.  In reality, this rock is quite small and unimpressive, being only one third to one half of its original size.

Today’s verse talks about another Rock that will not disappoint.  It is not made smaller by erosion and the passage of time.  This image of a rock speaks to our fatigue and weakness.  The prayer of the Psalmist is that he would be led to the Rock.  That tells me that the Rock is not necessarily in my line of vision during those times when I am overwhelmed.  When my heart is fainting within me, I am not seeing too clearly.  The Rock is even higher than I am, and yet I need to be led to it.

My first inclination when overwhelmed is not always to cry out to the Lord.  But what a wonderful promise is written here that when I do, He comes to my aid.  He leads me to a place of strength and refreshment for my spirit.  This Rock is higher, bigger and better than any of my feeble attempts to tough it out on my own.  His strength is constant and constantly available.  He is not only the Rock but He is my Rock. (Psalm 18:46)  With His strength I can be strong, firm and steadfast! (I Peter 5:10)

Lord, please be my Rock today.