Devotions By Jan

Author Archives: devotionsbyjan


by Leave a comment

Seashells

shellsunnamedScripture for Today: John 17:15 “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.”

This shell collection of my Father’s was a surprise. He was always an avid rock collector but I did not realize he was collecting shells as well.   He kept them in a large tin canister, each one wrapped meticulously.  He saw beauty in the myriad of colors and in the shapes of each seashell.  The variety and detail of God’s creation is amazing!

Of course, the seashell is about more than beauty.  It is there to protect that living creature inside!  Our verse for today is a prayer of Jesus specifically for the protection of His disciples.  There would be persecution ahead as each one takes a stand for Him.  This prayer is equally applicable to believers today (verse 20) as Jesus includes all who will believe the message of His disciples.

It may seem as if God did not answer this prayer of Jesus.  Most of the original twelve disciples died a martyr’s death.  Were they not protected?  Today, we see horrible scenes of Christians being killed for their faith in Christ.  Is this prayer invalid?

From what does God protects us?  In His grace He protects us repeatedly from bodily harm.  So often, we are not even aware of His protective hand.  But this prayer of protection concerns the evil one.  Our souls are protected.  Though the body is destroyed, no evil can touch the soul and its sure destination (Matt. 10:28-29).

As the world becomes increasingly hostile to true Christ followers, I can live without fear.  My soul belongs to Christ (II Tim. 1:12) and I am persuaded that He will keep what I have committed to Him.

Thank you Lord, for Your beautiful protection.


by 1 Comment

Care Packages

Scripture for Today: I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

I remember when I was single, living in France just after college.  Although I lived with a wonderful family, I missed my own.  It was easy to feel bereft, lonely, and well outside my comfort zone.  The daily mail was my lifeline.  My brother and his wife lifted my spirits by sending a care package.  I remember it had my favorite cereal that I ate every morning in the States.  It was a little bit of home, but more than that, it reminded me that I was not forgotten.  My family cared about me.

Our verse for today is a reminder of God’s care as well.  He shows His care in so many ways that sometimes go unnoticed.  But one very impressive way He cares is by shouldering all of our anxieties.  He sees when we are bowed down with anxious thoughts and worries.  He invites us to give them all to Him.  We are to be “anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6) and we “cast” those worries on Him by prayer.  He exchanges those anxieties and worries for His peace (verse 7).

It is amazing to me that God cares about how I feel.  He knows my physical needs, He knows all of my thoughts, but even more, He knows exactly what I am feeling.  And He cares.  He is moved to compassion when He sees me stewing in my own worries.  He offers peace but instead I keep hanging on to my anxiety.  Somehow, my worries become a habitual thought pattern and it can be difficult to let them go!  Why do I continue to worry when He is there to relieve me?

Thank you Lord, that You care enough to take away every anxious thought.


by Leave a comment

Tiger Care

Scripture for Today: I Peter 5:6-7  “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.”

Meet Tiger, our spoiled cat.  He looks like he does not have a care in the world!  And with the way we look after him he really doesn’t!  It is to Tiger’s advantage to be an “indoor cat.”  There are plenty of feral cats that multiply in the vineyards behind the house.  They are not very pleasant being big, mean and riddled with disease.  Our ferocious Tiger is a real pussy cat.  He does not have to worry where his next meal is coming from or if he can find shelter from the rain.  But in some strange way he has to “be humbled.”  He has to be dependent on us rather than hang with the big cats!  But by doing so, all his needs are met.

Our verse for today talks about humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God.  It means being indoors under His care.  His hand is mighty and powerful to take care of each and every need.  In being humble and submissive to Him I am in a place of receiving His care.  I am indoors.  I am sheltered, well fed and my needs are met.

What is so strange is that sometimes I want to hang with the big cats too.  The world has such a pull on me.  Like Eve, I can be deceived into thinking that God is somehow holding out on me, when in fact all my needs are met in Him.  To venture out into the world is to turn my back on His care.  Why ever do I do that?  He cares for me.

Thank you Lord, for Your perfect care.


by Leave a comment

Lion or Lamb?

Scripture for Today: Revelation 5:12 “In a loud voice  they were saying, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.'”

Does March really come in like a lion and go out like a lamb?  I would like to think so.  This old folkloric saying gives me hope that warmer weather may just be on the way.  I am not sure though, just how reliable this saying is.  Its source is simply from farmer’s observations over the centuries.  But in any case, March often serves as a transition month between seasons.

The image of a lion and a lamb is used in Scripture to refer to Jesus Christ.  He is the “Lion of Judah” spoken of in this same chapter (verse 5) as He was born in the line of Judah.  Our verse for today honors Jesus as the Lamb of God.  He is the sacrificial Lamb that is forever victorious!

It is much more comfortable to think of Jesus as a lamb than a strong ferocious lion.  Yet He is both.  His avenging justice and judgement reminds me of a lion.  His gentle warm love reminds me of a lamb.  Both are true.  He would not be a God worth worshiping if He did not use His mighty power to right wrongs.  As a lamb He is worthy as well of all our love and adoration for the ultimate sacrifice He made.

The Lamb of God is undeniably as strong and victorious as a lion.  The two images seem to come together in this heavenly scene.  But because Jesus is my  sacrificial Lamb, I can approach His holy, ferocious and fearsome presence with confidence.

Thank you Lord, for Your incredible mercy and grace!


by Leave a comment

Just Deserts

dessertunnamedScripture for Today: Psalm 103:10 “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”

I really thought I deserved this dessert.  I had ordered only fish and vegetables and so I figured I could indulge just a little.  After all, it was just dessert!  I had no idea it would be quite this big.  However, with three others helping, it was no problem!

The phrase, “getting your just desert” dates back to the 13th century, and its meaning was “a thing deserved” whether good or bad.  The original spelling used only one “s” referring to the obsolete meaning of  the word, “desert” or that which is deserved.  Today one sees this phrase with the two “s” spelling.  It makes more sense to me as I sometimes think dessert is my due!

Our verse for today is a wonderful reassurance that I do not get my just desert from the Lord.  If I were to insist on the justice I deserve, I would be in big trouble.  Certainly, God is just.  His justice was satisfied by Christ’s sacrifice for sin on the cross.  Because  Christ paid the penalty for sin, I am not repaid for my own.

I am so thankful that God does not give me what I deserve!  I am spared His wrath and punishment.  His grace is amazing!  This psalm tells me of His compassion.  He is gracious and slow to anger.  His love for me is as great as the distance to the heavens! (verse 11)  His love is so wide, so long, so high and so deep that it is immeasurable! (Eph. 3:18)  I absolutely do not deserve that kind of love!

Thank you Lord, that You do not give me my just desert.  Thank you for Your incredible mercy and love!