Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Bird Images


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The Great Tailed Grackle

Scripture for Today: Psalm 73:9 “Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.”

One either loves or hates the Great Tailed Grackle. Mexican legend has it that this bird stole seven songs from the sea turtle, leaving it silent. Their chatter is less like song and more like the tones of tearing sheet metal or cars crashing! This is an urbanized bird with attitude, stalking the streets as if they belonged to them. They are clever foragers, carefully combing the grilles of parked cars for dead insects. They are also nest robbers and the females will even steal nesting material from each other!

Today’s verse describes the arrogance of the wicked. They are noisy with their claims to special privilege and feel that whatever the earth has is theirs to take. With their wealth and power comes privilege to treat others with contempt. Rules are for others of less importance, leaving them “free of care.” (vs 12) In many cases the wicked do prosper, negating the old adage that, “cheaters never prosper.” The psalmist is discouraged, until he understands their final destiny and judgement. (vs 17)

I can be just as discouraged when I see others seemingly get away with thumbing their nose at God. I too can feel that it is not worth the effort to keep my heart pure (vs 13) when I have no earthly advantages for it. But this is the short view! The Lord does not promise me riches here but He does promise me Paradise that rivals anything earth has to offer! I can say with the psalmist, “as for me, it is good to be near God.” His presence is my joy, His peace my comfort and His love is the strength of my heart! (vs 26)

Thank you Lord, that being faithful to You is worth it!


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Guard Rooster

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

It is normal to think of guard dogs, but who ever heard of a guard rooster? A delivery man recently found out all about it! Caught on a doorbell camera video, Fred the rooster, showed just how protective he could be! The delivery man tried to take a non-threatening stance with hands up in the air, but being new, he was harassed anyway. With his delivery he also delivered the message, “Not cool,” before sprinting back to his truck with Fred in hot pursuit!

Today’s verse talks about our hearts and minds that need guarding. It is the peace that Christ Jesus provides that does the guarding. His peace stands guard against worry and fear. His peace also guards against the flight of our imaginations and all the “what if’s.” Without His peace we are vulnerable to troubling, sleep-stealing worries. But His peace surpasses any attempt at explaining it, as it is possible to have in the middle of the most worrisome circumstances. And this peace is the result of giving all our anxieties to the Lord in prayer.

I sometimes think I unwittingly shoo away this guard by neglecting to pray.  These verses encourage me to bring everything to Him, not just the big worries that I think are worthy of His notice. His love is so intimate that He cares about whatever is preoccupying me. His peace is the best answer there is to keep even the small worries from accumulating!

Thank you, Lord, that Your peace calms me down.


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Blue-Footed Booby

Scripture for Today: Romans 10:15 “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written; ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’

No, these birds did not step into a puddle of blue paint, although it sure looks like it! This unusual sea bird can be found in the Pacific from Southern California to Northern Peru and the Galápagos Islands. The males do a high-stepping dance to attract the female, lifting up those blue feet. Their name, “booby” comes from the Spanish word, “bobo” meaning foolish. Perhaps they are seen as foolish because they look so clumsy on land. Or they may be considered foolish as they are so willing to approach people.

Today’s verse describe another pair of beautiful feet. These feet are also willing to approach people in order to share good news. The feet are beautiful because they proclaim peace and salvation. (Isaiah 52:7) The good news is that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (verse 13) The Israelites did not accept this good news and were zealously trying to establish their own righteousness. (verse 3 & 16) But there is no peace with God apart from His Son. And there is no salvation under any other name but the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:12)

I do not think my feet are too beautiful but the message certainly is! Peace on our planet is so fragile and many times unattainable. But I do enjoy a peace that the world cannot give me (John 14:27) and it means that my heart is not afraid or troubled. Because of His salvation I enjoy peace with my Creator. He has taken care of the judgement my sins deserve. And He offers this peace and salvation to all who call on Him in faith!

Lord, make my feet beautiful today.


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Lame Duck

Scripture for Today: Psalm 71:18 “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”

It is an odd expression. “Lame duck” refers to sitting presidents or congress members finishing out their term while the newly elected ones prepare to take office. Originally in the eighteenth century, it was a term in the British stock exchange, a slang for someone who defaulted. Since crossing the Pond, this expression has had several meanings, including “old slow ship” in a naval context. We have used this expression in the political arena since Calvin Coolidge. However, in nature, a lame duck can continue to swim and fly.

Today’s verse is an encouragement to anyone who may feel like a lame duck, marginalized because of age or loss of position. King David, with advancing age and with the constant threat of enemies, prays to God for a continued influence. Even if all responsibilities are stripped away, David sees purpose to his life. His role may change but it is just as important to declare to the next generation all he has seen the Lord do in his life.

As a believer, there can be times I may feel like a lame duck. I may not have the same role as I previously had. Perhaps my service to the Lord is less visible or public. But whatever the changes might be, a lame duck can still swim and fly! My testimony to the next generation is so much more powerful when I can recount all He has done over the years! Speaking of God’s faithfulness and grace becomes that much more credible with my personal examples.

Make me bold, Lord, to speak of You and Your power!


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The Cooper Hawk

Scripture for Today: Acts 13:39 “Through Him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.“

He looked almost as surprised to see me as I was to see him! This Cooper Hawk or Chicken Hawk watched me on my morning walk from the fence of my neighbor’s yard. I recognized this hawk from a television story I had just seen about one that had inadvertently trapped himself in a huge skating rink in Canada. A team of wildlife rescuers were called in after two days. They spent hours with their nets trying to get the tired, hungry and frightened bird to fly into their nets. He was finally captured and released into the wild.

Today’s verse comes from Paul’s sermon explaining how Jesus was the promised Savior of the Old Testament. He explained the good news that Jesus was resurrected (verse 32-33) and that it is through Him that sins are forgiven. (verse 38) It is this forgiveness that sets us free from the power of every sin to ensnare and imprison. What the law could not do, Jesus accomplished by fulfilling it and setting us free!

Just like that trapped hawk, I could easily live in the confines of rules, regulations, and trappings of self-righteousness. But there is no set of rules that can make me righteous before God. The walls of my own prison are made up of unforgiven sin. Jesus is the only One who can free me. My own feeble attempts at fixing myself can be exhausting. Thankfully, His forgiveness offers true freedom from guilt and condemnation. He has captured me with His sacrificial love and has set me free in the wilds of His incredible grace!

Thank you Lord, for setting me free!