Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Bird Images


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The Woodpecker

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 10:12 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”

I had never seen a woodpecker until living in France.  There was one who frequently visited our yard and with his red markings he was easy to spot.  There was one fruit tree that he especially liked to peck for insects.  I was always happy to see him, not realizing what he was doing to that tree.  One night we had an huge windstorm and with an impressive crack, that tree came down, snapping at exactly the very place that woodpecker had been working!  I feel differently about woodpeckers now.  I missed that mirabelle plum tree!

Today’s verse is a loving warning.  After describing the failures of the Israelites in the wilderness, Paul cautions that falling is a real possibility.  We can think that we are standing firm while at the same time being slowly weakened by compromise.  Like the small attacks by the beak of  a woodpecker, our resolve can slowly erode leaving us vulnerable.  A strong wind of temptation can come along and knock us flat.  We fall to the ground and we no longer bear fruit.

No one wakes up in the morning and decides to give in to temptation.  Being drawn away from Him is usually a slow sneaky process.  And it can come from something normally beautiful or agreeable.  The next verse is such a comforting promise.  God will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear.  He provides a way out.  I have a choice.  That enticement to sin is never so strong that with His help I cannot resist!

Don’t let me fall, Lord.  Keep me firmly standing and bearing fruit.

(Look familiar?  This is a re-post due to summer ministry schedule.)

 


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Wake Up Call

Scripture for Today: Luke 22:34 “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me.'”

When I see a rooster, I think of denial; denial of sleep!  We recently spent some time out in the countryside of the Bas Rhin of Alsace.  The rolling green hills were beautiful and I even enjoyed the baaing of the sheep next door.  But what I did not appreciate was the noisy roosters!  It was barely light out before they would start their sleep-denying racket.  There was certainly no need for an alarm clock!

Our verse for today also associates the rooster with denial.  Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Him.  I am sure Peter was shocked to hear this, especially after confidently declaring his commitment to Jesus.  But the Lord knew as well that Peter would turn back to Him (verse 32) and because of this experience, he would be able to strengthen his brothers in Christ.

God’s grace is so surprising!  Jesus, after His resurrection, gave Peter three opportunities to again declare his love for Him (John 21:17).  The Lord did not need to hear it so much as Peter needed to say it!  The guilt from that denial could have destroyed Peter and the chance to serve Him.  As it is, God’s grace covered that denial as it does for all repented sin.  Peter goes on to become a force for God’s Kingdom!

I am so grateful that Jesus uses imperfect people!  If not, where would we be?  After failing the Lord, Peter could move on.  After David’s sin with Bathsheba, he could move on.  After being responsible for the death of Christians, Paul could move on.  After my sin, I can move on!

There is no denying it; His grace is amazing!  Thank you, Lord.

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.

 


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Swallow’s Nest

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 84:3-4 “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, My King and My God.”

There is a city ordinance in San Juan Capistrano, California, that prohibits knocking down a swallow’s nest!  Their bird droppings may be annoying, but they are protected.  The return of the swallows in March is celebrated every year with a parade and their likeness is sold in the town’s souvenir shop.  These swallows build their mud nests clinging to the ruins of the Great Stone Church of the Mission.  The arches of the vaulted ruins are bare and exposed, making it the perfect place for their nests.

Our verse for today speaks of another perfect place for a nest.  The swallow builds her nest near God’s altar.  When one thinks of a nest, there is the thought of comfort, care and protection.  A nest represents home and hearth.  The altar of God represents His presence.  It is a place of adoration and worship.  The psalmist cannot even mention the word “altar” without praising His name!  The context of this verse goes on to say that there is happiness when dwelling in His presence.

A nest may be built of all sorts of bits and pieces.  It could include mud, feathers, twigs and leaves.  But the most important factor is its proximity to God’s altar.  My nest could be feathered well with all kinds of creature comforts, but does it include God’s presence?  Dwelling in His presence means there is happiness and praise for Him (verse 4).

I want my nest to be His dwelling place.  Lord, may my home be marked by happiness, satisfaction and praise to You!

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.


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The Nightingale

Scripture for Today: Psalm 42:8 “By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life.”

The nightingale is not much to look at being a plain and uninteresting brown.  He is shy and likes to hide in dense thickets and bushes.  But he has been the subject of songs, fairy tales, operas, books and poetry over the centuries.  His song is exceptional for its variety, range and power.  While the female is strangely quiet, the male regales his listeners with whistles, trills and gurgles.  Although he sings during the day, his song is especially noticeable at night without any other noises to distract.

Today’s verse describes another song that occurs during the night.  This song can be just as beautiful and there is only an audience of One.  This song is a prayer of gratitude and praise to the Lord.  Without audible notes, it rises up within our souls to be heard by our Creator.  Because He loves us, He listens intently to our impromptu concert, and we feel His pleasure.  There are no other noises or distractions in those dark quiet hours.

All day long I feel His love directed towards me.  I am aware of His presence throughout the day.  But in the mundane tasks, the hurried schedule and all the distractions, I forget to respond with praise.  But at night, when the house is finally quiet I can turn my thoughts to Him.  Instead of being frustrated at being awake, I can use those moments to compose a song only He will hear.  Regardless of words or notes, He is honored by the melody of praise in my heart.

Thank you Lord, for putting a song in my heart tonight!


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Eagle Wings

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 23:5 “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

How amazing to see an eagle in flight!  Their wings are impressive, often measuring six and seven feet across.  They can climb ten thousand feet up into the air and soar for hours.  This amazing “King of Birds” can cruise at forty miles per hour.  The eagle wing, being concave on its underside and convex on its outerside, is created to maximize the wind passing over it thereby giving it lift.

Today’s verse describes how riches often up and fly away.  We are better off to cast but a glance at them rather than to focus all our attention on riches.  We are told not to wear ourselves out to get rich (verse 4).  Those riches somehow sprout wings and fly right out of the wallet.  I am always amazed to hear stories of lottery winners who end up bankrupt!  But some part of me can understand.  I just broke a twenty dollar bill for a small purchase and before I realized it, it was gone.  How does that happen?  Where does it go?  A glance is all I get as money seems to disappear almost as quickly as it appears!

Riches are often a blessing coming directly from God’s hand.  The problem comes when I place my confidence in my own resources rather than in Him.  Riches are uncertain (I Timothy 6:17) but the Lord is worthy of my trust.  He wants me in a place of dependency on Him.  As it turns out, knowing and loving Him is the best kind of riches!

Help me Lord, to give riches but a glance and instead fix my eyes on You.