Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Bird Images


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Half Asleep

Scripture for Today: Romans 13:11-12a “And do this, understand the present time; The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.”

I can identify with this owl!  I am not the morning person my husband is.  I stumble towards my first cup of coffee and try to convince my brain to wake up!  It is not that I retire late the previous night, but that my brain takes a little longer than some to appreciate the new day!  Living in a sunny climate helps.  But on a morning covered in a thick marine layer, being half asleep lasts a bit longer!

Spiritually, many of us go through life a bit half asleep.  The night seems long and it is easy to stay asleep and comfortable in our lifestyles and habits.  It is harder to wake up completely and see the day coming.  We have grown used to the dim light.  The bright blazing sun can be a bit disconcerting for eyes that are used to shadows.  But our verse encourages us that the night is nearly over!

Salvation is nearer than when we first started our walk with Jesus.  The black night of sin and doubt, guilt and secrecy will soon be exposed to His revealing light!  The Lord has called me out of the darkness and into His wonderful light (I Peter 2:9).  The context goes on to say that knowing the day has almost dawned, I am to put aside deeds of darkness.

I want to live with my eyes wide open, seeing His salvation draw nearer and nearer!  How encouraging to know that the night is almost over!  Lord, keep my spiritual eyes open!


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“You’re So Vain!”

Scripture for Today: Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

For a good five minutes I watched this bird look at himself in the mirror.  I have never seen a bird be obsessed with his looks!  He/she did not seem to mind that I was just inches away.  Perhaps he was just attracted to the reflected light, or perhaps he was enthralled with his own reflection.  All he seemed to see was himself.

The behavior of this bird reminded me of our verse for today.  This verse is addressed to believers in the church.  Each one is given his spiritual gift by God Himself.  These gifts allow for each of us to contribute our part to the functioning of the church.  It may be a more public speaking gift or it may be a behind-the-scenes supportive gift.  Each one is important.

These spiritual gifts are just that; gifts.  We did nothing to deserve receiving them.  God distributed them according to His wisdom and plan.  That being true, we have no cause to boast.  Our purpose is to glorify Him and not ourselves.  I am not to think that I am somehow higher up in God’s favor.  My view of myself is to be sober, recognizing the role of grace in my life.

When I think of myself more highly than I ought to think, I am forfeiting the grace He promises to the humble.  I can pretty much expect to fail and fall when I get too full of myself! (Prov. 16:18)

Lord, don’t let me become so proud that I miss out on Your glory and grace!

 


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Mockingbird

Scripture for Today: Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.”

Growing up we had many mockingbirds in our suburban yard, much to the chagrin of our cat!  He would slink across the yard, hoping to avoid the swoop and attack of these territorial birds!  I always loved their singing although my parents were not too thrilled to be awakened early by their loud song.  Their mimicking of other species means that they are not too original with their own music.  In a recording of one mockingbird in Massachusetts, thirty six songs of other species were recognized!

Our verse for today describes a song that is an original.  It is a new song of praise to the Lord.  It resembles no other but is a tribute to what the Lord has done in an individual life.  There is no need to mimic other songs as personal experience makes up the lyrics.  The Lord Himself has put this song into the mouth of the psalmist.

As believers we too have a new song!  Our song stands out from the others.  It sounds different and distinctive, unlike all the other music around us.  This new song is full of praise for what God has done for us.  Each of our songs tells a story of His love and faithfulness.  Included are some of the discordant notes or minor chords that depict the hard times.  But it always ends on a high note as we look forward to an eternity with Him.  If I sing it loud enough and often enough, others hear and are challenged to trust Him!

Lord, keep me singing Your song today!


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Pelicans

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 15:4 “The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.”

How can something be so majestic and wonderful and yet make me laugh at the same time?  The pelican is an impressive bird, soaring overhead with a huge wing span.  But up close and personal, that large elastic throat pouch of theirs looks amusing.  However, God in His creativity designed that pouch to catch up to three gallons of water with their prey.  They then throw back their heads and squeeze the water out of the sides of the pouch, leaving the fish ready to be swallowed.

A pelican will swallow lots of things from fish and crustaceans to tadpoles and turtles.  If they are hungry enough, they might even drown and swallow a seagull!  Having all that water with their catch allows them to swallow just about anything!

Our verse for today contrasts one who is discerning to the one who is a fool, swallowing anything!  The discerning heart will seek knowledge and wisdom.  The fool, however, seems to be satisfied with foolish things.  The fool has no discernment and will swallow whatever folly the world presents, whether it is in the form of mindless television, slick magazines, or the latest fad.

I do not want to be a fool.  I want to be discerning in what I “swallow.”  Feeding on God’s Word gives me that discernment as it teaches me what is truth.  But it requires effort on my part.  I am to seek this knowledge rather than just mindlessly going through my day.  It is intentional living.  I want to be mindful as to what I will allow myself to accept.

Lord, make my heart discerning as I feed on the Truth of Your Word.  Don’t let me swallow anything else!


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Falcon Mascot

unnamedScripture for Today: Job 28:20-21 “Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky.”

Our daughter teaches at a very expensive private high school with a campus that rivals those of many universities.  I have enjoyed working out in their large and posh exercise room.  Overhead hangs their falcon mascot keeping an eye on things.  The eyesight of a falcon is extraordinary, seeing two to eight times better than humans.

Our verse for today comes from a chapter describing the difficulty in finding wisdom.  It is hidden from every living thing, even and including birds of prey with their keen eyesight.  Verse 7 says specifically that no falcon’s eye has seen wisdom.  This beautiful poetic passage not only asks where wisdom can be found, but thankfully, gives the response.  But before arriving at the answer, many searches take place following the false leads of gold, silver, and precious stones.

The search continues for wisdom today and again, men follow these false leads.  It is assumed that those who prosper have a corner on wisdom.  As in these verses, we assume that wealth and wisdom go together.  Yet, David points out in Psalm 73:3 that the wicked prosper.  Are they wise?  They seem to be until one realizes their final destiny (verse 17).

The Lord makes it so clear how valuable wisdom is and where to find it.  It almost seems too simple.  Wisdom is found in fearing and following the Lord. (verse 28)  A simple concept but oh so difficult for me to live out!  He is the One and only Source and the closer I follow Him, the wiser I will be!

Thank you Lord, that You make wise living possible.  Keep me close to You.