Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Bird Images


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The Majestic Kea

Scripture for Today: Psalm 79:13 “Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.”

Meet the majestic Kea, the only alpine parrot in the world!  Residing in New Zealand, this olive green bird is a flash of scarlet color when in flight and is considered highly intelligent.  They have adapted well to hikers, learning how to get into windows and doors and undo packs to steal food.  They even attack the rubber on cars.  But more concerning are their attacks on sheep!

There is an attack on sheep referred to in today’s verse.  Neighboring nations were hurling contempt at God and His people. (verse 12)  Much like scoffers would do later (II Peter 3:3-4 ) they were asking, “Where is your God?” (verse 10)  The cry of this psalm is that God would avenge them and protect His name from this mockery.  Then, as His sheep, they would praise Him forever, proclaiming His praise to the current generation and the ones to follow.

The attacks on God’s own occur in every generation.  Mockers belittle the God of the universe and do their best to ridicule His people.  It would seem that as sheep, I am exposed and defenseless.  But in fact, God will not be mocked.  The God of the universe is also my Shepherd who shepherds the flock with justice. (Ezekiel 34:16)  He is also the Shepherd who judges. (verse 17)  That means that He will deal with those who attack with mockery, false rumors or anything else.  What reassurance to know that God will take care of every injustice!  And what a comfort to know that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee will bow and give Him the praise that is due Him!

Thank you Lord, that You see and take care of every worldly attack!


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Nicobar Pigeon

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 2:14 “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”

The iridescent colors of the Nicobar pigeon are remarkable!  The long black and purple “hackles” flowing down from his neck reach a back of green and blue.  The wings are a combination of green, rust red, blue and coppery orange.  Unfortunately, this bird living on islands in Southeast Asia is classed, “near threatened.”  One factor is that he is hunted for his “gizzard stone” used in jewelry making!  That stone helps him digest hard nuts and seeds by grinding them down.

Today’s verse explains that the person without the discernment coming from God’s Spirit will not be able to accept, understand or “digest” God’s Word.  The Bible is considered “foolishness” by those who do not have the Spirit.  Without the help of God’s Spirit, no one is able to grasp spiritual truth!  It is His Spirit that opens up hearts and minds.  The Source of wisdom, knowledge and understanding is the Holy Spirit.  He breaks down infinite profound truth so that it can be discerned by even the simple!

Knowing this truth should help me understand why non-believers so easily dismiss God’s Word.  All they can see is foolishness.  The rich treasure of God’s truth can only be recognized and appreciated by the help of God’s Spirit.  Every time I open His Word, I can delve deeper because of His help.  How incredible it is to have new insights shown me in a passage I thought I had exhausted!  I am so grateful for every glimmer of truth He shows me as it brings me closer to Him!

Thank you Lord, for helping me digest Your Word.


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Kiwi Bird

Scripture for Today: I John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.”

I am not sure the Kiwi bird knows who he is!  He has wings but cannot fly.  His inch-long wings are useless, hidden under his feathers.  And those feathers are so thick that they resemble hair!  His long beak has nostrils at the end of it.  His habits and look are so similar to a mammal that he is referred to as an “honorary mammal!”

Today’s verse  identifies believers in Jesus Christ as, “children of God.”  The only reason we can be called that is because of His love and grace and not because of any merit of our own.  But unfortunately, there is some confusion as to how we are viewed.  The world does not know us.  They have trouble with recognizing us as God’s children because they do not know our Father.   Our habits and look may seem similar to the non-believer but there is an important distinction on the inside.  We are new creatures in Christ! ( II Cor. 5:17)

Those I rub shoulders with may well understand that I am different.  But that realization serves no purpose if I do not demonstrate a resemblance to the Father and His Son.  The whole purpose of my life is to bring glory and recognition to Him!  I want the beauty and characteristics of Christ to be so evident in my life that it is clear to whom I belong!  For many, the first introduction to the Father is through the lives of His children.

Lord, help me to be faithful to live like Your child.


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Contagious Fear

Scripture for Today:  Deuteronomy 20:8  “Then the officer shall add, ‘Is anyone afraid or fainthearted?  Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.'”

I love the message of this saying!  It isn’t until the first duck lands on the head of this crocodile that the other two dare to get near!  The first duck is especially fearless as he discovers that the crocodile is fake!  Of course, he may not have realized it until coming close and landing on it.  In any case, courage IS contagious as is its opposite; fear.

In today’s verse, officers are addressing the troops before battle.  They have been reassured that the Lord will be fighting for them and would give them the victory.  They were told there was no need to be afraid, to be terrified or to give way to panic (verses 1, 3-4).  The officers asked the soldiers for complete commitment.  Those with a new house, a new vineyard or those newly engaged were allowed to go home.  And then comes this surprising verse.  Even those afraid were encouraged to go home, because fear is contagious!

In God’s Word is often found the phrase, “Be not afraid.”  The Spirit God has given us does not make us timid or fearful (II Tim. 1:7).  Regardless of the size of the enemy, God is greater.  Regardless of that unknown future, God is greater.  Regardless of any obstacle we face, God is greater.  When we are in a place of complete trust and confidence, then there is no room for fear.  Acknowledging His loving and sovereign control chases away any doubt or fear.  Fear is contagious.  But so is confidence!  Being around others that trust Him bolsters my faith as well.

Lord, may my trust in You be an encouragement to others today!


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The Condor

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 15:25-26 “For He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

This vigilant squirrel is right to keep an eye on the condor flying overhead!  But perhaps he does not need to worry too much as the condor will only feed on a carcass.  They are scavengers and I suppose they have their place in the scheme of things.  But to me they are disgusting because of their eating habits, not to mention their grunts, growls and hissing!  There are two species of vultures to which the condor refers and they are associated with death in Scripture.

Today’s verse speaks of death as an enemy.  It is an enemy that touches every one and each time brings with it unspeakable sorrow.  It is an enemy mankind has brought on ourselves by our own sin and rebellion against God (Rom. 6:23).  But thankfully, death will one day be vanquished forever.  There will be a time when there will be no more mourning or death (Rev. 21:4).  The pain and sorrow of separation will in the future be a distant memory.  Death will take its rightful place, fully vanquished and overcome under His feet.

I know this is true as Jesus has already vanquished death for Himself when He rose up from the grave.  And God has already made me alive spiritually when I was dead in my sins (Eph. 2:5).  But what is true in a spiritual sense will one day be true in a physical sense as well!   I will enjoy a new body that will never wear out (I Cor. 15:54) and death will be “swallowed up in victory!”  No more funerals, obituaries or burials!  And best of all, no more goodbyes!

Thanks you Lord, for the coming victory over death.

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)