Devotions By Jan

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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.”


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Rocking Horse Collection

horse6Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 1:8 “All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing not the ear its fill of hearing.”

During a move, one realizes just how many of something has been accumulated over the years!  I have been collecting rocking horses for decades, most of which only come out at Christmas.  After taking inventory, I have come to realize that I really do not need to add anymore.  At some point there comes a point of saturation, and I was sure I had reached that point.  However, in checking for just the right photo for this post, I am starting to re-think whether I could not add one or two more!  This Victorian beauty especially caught my eye!

Our verse for today came from King Solomon.  He was able to lay his hands on and enjoy just about anything he could wish.  His wealth was staggering.  Whatever collection intrigued him, he could add to it to his heart’s content.  He was so rich he denied himself nothing his eyes desired (Ecclesiastes 2:10).  And yet, he concluded that it was all wearisome beyond description.  The eye never sees enough.  The ear never hears enough.

The point of saturation never really comes. Whether it is experiences or objects, there is always longing for more and more.  It is never enough.  Solomon concluded that more was meaningless, chasing after the wind.  The world is just not enough.  That is because we were created for something more.  That something more is Someone.  It is in my relationship with the Jesus Christ that I find meaning and satisfaction.  Regardless of how many beautiful things surround me or how many adventures I have lived, it is the Lord who makes my life worthwhile!

Thank you Lord, that You are infinitely more than enough!


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Surrounded!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 125:2 “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forever.”

During our four years in Grenoble, France, we were spoiled with beautiful mountain views.  The city sits in a basin, surrounded by several mountain chains.  There is the Chartreuse, the Vercors and the Belledonne chains.  It was nearly impossible to look up and not see mountains!  Grenoble is considered the capital of the French Alps and we never tired of gazing on those magnificent mountains surrounding us!  It was a constant visual prompt to consider the grandeur of our God.

Our verse for today likens the love and protection of the Lord to surrounding mountains.  Jerusalem is not surrounded by a ring of peaks, but it is situated in a mountainous region.  God’s care is as constant and unmoving as mountains.  Those who trust in Him and His care are not shaken (verse 1) but are themselves like Mount Zion.

What a wonderful assurance to know that I am surrounded by God’s constant faithful love!  There is nowhere that I can turn that I cannot see it and feel it.  Like a ring of mountains, His love surrounds me.  He reminds me with every mountain view just how wide, long, high and deep His love is for me (Eph. 3:18).  He especially reminds me when I read His Word with His promises of love.

There is nothing I can do to remove those mountains far from my presence.  His love is too strong.  Nothing can separate me from that love.  My view of it may be blocked by my own waywardness and rebellion, but it continues on.  His love continues today, tomorrow and for eternity!

May I feel His love today surrounding, supporting and reassuring me.