Devotions By Jan

Author Archives: devotionsbyjan


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Weary

IMG_20130319_102100Scripture for Today:  Matt. 11:28-30  “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I am not sure our Tiger could be any more relaxed!  If he were, he would fall off.  Ah, the life of a cat!  I can not imagine why he needs twenty hours of sleep a day!  From what is he resting?  Maybe he is weary from his dreams.

Our verse for today promises rest for those that are weary and feel burdened.  I can often feel that way with a schedule that is too full.  I can feel burdened with impossible demands that I put on myself.  I know there is weariness in me when I find myself continually sighing.  I love that my Jesus does not want me to feel that way!

Even so, my first inclination is to fix my own problems rather than coming to Him.  But in taking matters into my own hands, I am not really at rest where it counts, in my soul.  Finding rest in Him is so much more than just changing the “to-do list” or getting more sleep.  I look at “soul rest” as quiet unruffled confidence in His control.  There is peace in handing everything over to Him.  There is rest.

These verses do not say that I necessarily stop working.  But in taking on His yoke, I have Someone who shares the weight of it.  The burden of work is no longer heavy but light.  In the midst of work and activity, my soul can be at rest.

Lord, I need Your rest today.


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High Road or Low Road?

IMG_20130319_164837Scripture for Today: Colossians 1:10  “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

There is a very old Scottish melody that comes to mind when I see one path climb higher than another.  The lyrics from The Bonnie Banks O’Loch Lomond say; “Oh, ye’ll tak’ the high road and I’ll tak’ the low road.”  I more often than not find myself taking the low easier road.  Although, these particular paths are deceiving in the vineyards behind the house.  The lower road is actually the more difficult one as it becomes much steeper around the bend!

“Taking the high road” is also a saying that can mean walking the higher moral ground, exhibiting honesty and selflessness.  It signifies a choice that is harder and takes more consecrated effort.

Our verse for today is part of Paul’s prayer for the Colossians.  As believers we are to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.  In doing so we will be pleasing to Him.  Our good work will have fruit and our knowledge of Him will increase.  This is walking the high road.  It is a road that takes much more effort.

The low road is easy.  There is no effort involved.  In walking it, there is no thought about pleasing Him, only ourselves.  But the good works done will bear no fruit.  Our knowledge of Him does not grow.  No pain, no gain.

Everyday these two roads present themselves in the choices of the day.  Do I strive to please Him and walk in obedience?  Or am I being lazy and enjoying a leisurely stroll on the low road.  Today, may I enjoy His pleasure on that high road!


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Laughter

IMG_20121025_135857Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 17:22  “A joyful heart is good medicine but a broken spirit dries the bones.”

I remember the old TV commercial with the phrase, “I wanna be like Mike.”  Well, I wanna be like these two ladies.  They are pushing ninety and can still be silly and fun!  Oh, they have their problems, many of which are physical.  But they have kept their sense of humor intact.  They have both walked with the Lord for a long time.  Because of years of Bible study with them I have had a front row seat to their faith.  They are a joy to be around because they do not complain.  Instead they choose the medicine of a joyful heart.

The phrase, “laughter is the best medicine,” has been around a long time.  Research has shown there are many health benefits to laughter, including increased blood flow, better immune response, lowered blood sugar, and relaxation.   Isn’t it nice to see science catch up with Scripture written centuries ago!

For a believer, joy is the natural result of a close relationship with the Lord.  Psalm 16:11 tells us that in His presence is fullness of joy!  Being in His presence is a choice.  That means joy is a choice too.

Habakkuk understood that joy is a choice.  When everything was going wrong with crops and livestock, he said in 3:18 “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.  I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

When everything is going wrong with my circumstances I can still find joy when I choose His presence.  There is joy in the realization of His love.  There is joy in the thought of His salvation and the future that awaits!

No broken spirit or dry bones for me!  I choose joy!


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Good Oil

Scripture for Today:  Hebrews 1:9  “You have loved righteousness and You have hated lawlessness.  Therefore God, even Your God has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy and gladness above and beyond Your companions.”

There can be lots of confusion about oils; which ones are beneficial and which ones to avoid.  Saturated or unsaturated, polyunsaturated or monounsaturated.  Olive oil is especially lauded for its health benefits.  I only recently learned I should not keep my olive oil near a heat source, and all this time it has been next to the stove top!

Groves of olive trees are a common sight in Israel as they grow so well in a warm arid climate.  In biblical times the olive oil was used for lighting, cooking, personal grooming, sacred offerings, and for medical use.  But what really interests me is its use for anointing prophets and kings.  Oil was poured on the head to set one apart.

Our verse for today refers to Jesus Christ.  In fact, the name, “Christ” in Greek means, “anointed.”  God set apart Jesus and gave Him a position that is above any other.  He not only is worthy of this distinction, but this anointing oil comes with joy and gladness.

I, too, am anointed with oil!  Psalm 23:5 says that the Lord does this for His own.  I am set apart for Him.  The oil also represents His Holy Spirit, who testifies with my spirit that I belong to Him (Romans 8:16)  What a cause for rejoicing!  This oil is surely the “good oil!”

Rather than think about elevated cholesterol levels the next time I pick up that bottle of olive oil, I want to instead remember this image.  I am one of His anointed ones, set apart for Him.  What joy and gladness to belong to Him!


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Purging

IMG_20130308_094720Scripture for Today:  Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

I always know when our radiators in our old house need purging.  I do not notice the noise during the day, but as soon as I lay my head on my pillow, I hear the drip, drip, drip.  The air inside is blocking the circulation of that hot water.  Not only is the sound annoying, but there is less heat as well.

My husband, Randy, periodically uses the special turn key to open the valve and evacuate the air.  The purged radiator no longer drips and we enjoy better heat.

Our verse for today speaks of our conscience being purged.  The Old Testament system of animal sacrifice served its purpose of symbolizing Christ’s death.  But how much more perfect was the sacrifice Jesus made, once for all!  His sacrifice not only cleanses us from our sin, but purges our consciences as well.  His forgiveness is complete.

Satan would like me to think otherwise.  He whispers in my ear his accusations.  He reminds me of times when I really blew it and let the Lord down.  Satan would like nothing better than to take me out of the game and put me on the sidelines.  How thankful I am that he is wrong!

I do not need to live with that constant annoying dripping sound.  My conscience has been purged.  I am a new creation in Him.  No accusation from the enemy can change this truth.  When I lay my head on the pillow at night I can sleep easy knowing that Christ has taken care of every sin and failure.  Thank you, Lord.