Devotions By Jan

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My Rock

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 61:2  “From the end 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.”

I see this rock every time I take my walk up in the vineyards behind our house.  It is placed about where I turn around and head home.  There is something reassuring about its presence.  I wonder how long it has been sitting there.  It is big and strong and solid.  I do not have to wonder if it will be there tomorrow.

I love the image of the rock in Scripture.  The Lord is spoken of as our Rock in numerous passages, especially in the Psalms.  This rock image is used to connote strength, protection and permanence.

In today’s verse the image of the 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.  With His strength I can be strong, firm and steadfast! (I Peter 5:10)

Lord, please be my Rock today.


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Seagulls

Scripture for Today:  Matthew 6:26  “Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father keeps feeding them.  Are you not worth much more than they?”

Seagulls are beautiful and annoying all at the same time.  They can look so stately in some settings.  But when they fly low and deem you worthy of one of their souvenirs, they are a pain.  The French call it “good luck” when they make a deposit on you!  I am not so sure.

The verse today talks about our God being a God who cares for His creation, including the birds.  Birds do not need to plant for the coming season or hoard their food for the lean times to come.  Yet, they do not go hungry.  God cares for their short little insignificant lives.  By contrast we, being created in God’s image, are of so much more value to the Lord.  He is intimately involved in every little aspect of our lives, down to the number of hairs still left on our heads.  If He cares so much about daily details, why do I worry that He will not care about the big issues in my life?

I need to remind myself that God will take care of what I eat, what I drink, what I will wear and every other detail.  For Him it is just small stuff.  Those who do not belong to Him are consumed with these issues.  The food and fashion industries encourage us to “seek after these things.”  But as a believer, I am to have different priorities.  My mental energies are to be spent on His Kingdom and what is of eternal value!

Thank you Lord, for taking care of all the details!


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Tomorrow

Scripture for Today:  I Chronicles 29:12  “Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all.  In Your hands are power and might; in Your hands it is to make great and to give strength to all.”

When I was young I owned one of these 8 balls!  As a boy-crazy adolescent I would consult it often in matters of love.  The future was a looming mystery and I was full of questions about what was ahead.  The problem with this 8 ball method was that I would repeat the question over and over until the response I wanted appeared!

There are still questions about the future.  There are also all kinds of “what if?” scenarios that can keep one up at night.  Whether it be the futures of children and grandchildren, or what is ahead for aging parents, the temptation continues to worry about what is ahead.

The verse today is a reassuring truth.  My future is not a matter of chance or accident.  As a child of God, my future is in the powerful hands of the One who rules the universe!  Since He is powerful enough to take care of my eternal life, He surely is more than capable of taking care of my earthly life too!  He is not surprised or frustrated in His plans for me!  The state of the economy is a non-issue for Him!

Honor, riches and strength all come from His hand.  He is the One who controls my future!  Psalm 18:32 says that it is God that girds me with strength and makes my way perfect.  Having this confidence allows me to face my future without worry or sleepless nights.  HE is in control and His control is good.  My future rests in His loving hands.

Thank you Lord, that with You I can face tomorrow!


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Wonder Woman!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 17:7 “Show me the wonders of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes.”

Wonder Woman presents an impossible standard.  She is always beautiful, young, thin and strong.  She not only saves the world by deflecting bullets with her bracelets and forcing truth and obedience with her golden lasso, but she looks amazing and fearless doing it!

There is something very appealing about presenting to the world a strong capable image.  We never want to look weak or in need of help.  It is difficult to even admit that we need help.  We want to be perceived as strong, independent and in control at all times.  But who are we kidding?  The other day I heard for the first time the phrase, “Wonder Woman or wonder God?”  No matter how amazing I think I can be, there are no accomplishments that can rival the wonders that God performs.

Our verse for today describes our God as being wonderful.  His wonders are evident in the love He shows.  He proves His strength and power in the miraculous ways He demonstrates that love.  He saves by just one hand those that belong to Him.  There is no enemy that can penetrate the loving refuge He provides.  And His strength is available to all those who fear Him.

I do not have to be Wonder Woman.  I can be honest about my failings, weaknesses and shortcomings.  He remembers that I am just dust (Psalm 103:14).  He loves me even so.  There is the wonder; that He would love me and show that love in spite of my failings!

“What wondrous love is this?”  You are full of wonder Lord, and all praise and honor belong to You!


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Healthy Bones

Scripture for Today: Ezekiel 37:5 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.”

Most all of the photos I found of skeletons were either too scientific looking or too scary.  This one made me laugh!  These skeletons looks so lifelike, hanging together on a city bench.  In any case, for this person healthy bones are no longer a concern!

I have osteoporosis in my family and need to be concerned about good bone health.  There are lots of preventative measures to take.  Weight-bearing exercise is recommended as well as a diet rich in calcium.  I am thrilled to see ice cream and frozen yogurt on the high-in-calcium list!  Vitamin D is important which I prefer getting from the sun rather than a pill.  The next time I enjoy ice cream in the sunshine, I can do it without a shred of guilt!

Our verse for today comes from a vision the Lord gave His prophet, Ezekiel.  The bones represent the nation of Israel.  Their bones were dried up as their hope was gone and they were cut off.  God promised to put flesh on those bones and give life through His Spirit.  It was an image of what He would do for them, bringing them back to their land.

There is no life without His Spirit.  We are all dead in our sins without His life-giving Spirit.  Those who reject Jesus Christ are like dried up bones, without hope and cut off from a vital relationship with their Maker.  But with His breath comes true life.  In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).  The breath of His Spirit moves me to a living loving relationship with Him.

My prayer today; “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”