Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Cat Images


by Leave a comment

Nail Biting

Scripture for Today:  Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

I wonder if this feline is feeling anxious.  Probably not as nail biting is part of normal cat behavior.  Our Tiger does it too even though we try to keep up with trimming those nails.  It’s a bit unsettling to watch him chew at them.

Nail biting is considered an oral compulsive habit.  Some research shows that thirty percent of children and forty five percent of adolescents have a problem with this compulsion.  Most outgrow it but unfortunately, five percent of these young people continue the habit into adulthood.  I passed through this phase myself for a short time.  What starts as a stress reliever can so quickly become a mindless habit!

Our verse for today addresses the problem of anxiety.  That gnawing feeling of unrest and worry can drain us of energy.  Anxiety also causes me to doubt God’s control and goodness.  Being anxious is a sure sign of a lack of trust.  But according to this verse, there is no situation that warrants anxiety.  Whatever I am anxious about, the answer is to bring it to God in prayer.

It seems odd to see the “with thanksgiving” phrase as part of that prayer.  I used to think it was there to assure that my prayer would not seem so demanding!  But in fact, when I thank the Lord for all of what He has already done in my life, I start to feel the anxiety lessen.  In enumerating all His gifts and blessings, and all the ways He has come through for me in the past, my heart begins to relax.

Thank you Lord, that I can relinquish to You every anxiety and enjoy Your peace!

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


by 1 Comment

Contented Cat

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:12 “I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

It was so sweet to hear our Tiger purr.  Most cats will purr when happy and contented.  But cats will also purr when they are hungry, usually combining that sound with a cry.  Purring can also be their way of soothing themselves when hurt, much like a child sucking their thumb.  A kitten will purr when just a few days old to signal where he is to the mother and that he is fine.   When the mother purrs to the kitten it helps them bond, being used much like a lullaby.  But most often, the purr is a clear signal of contentment.

Paul tells us in today’s verse that he has learned the secret of contentment.  It is not tied to circumstances of want or plenty.  Contentment for Paul was something more and it was something learned.  There was a process to learn it.  He calls it a secret, not because it is unknowable but perhaps because it was not obvious.

I used to think that Paul kept that secret to himself.  But in fact, he did share it in the very next verse.  “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”  The “this” is that elusive contentment!  It is the Lord who gives contentment.  It comes through Him and His strength.  I cannot muster up contentment or talk myself into feeling it.  He is my source.  He gives satisfaction.  My relationship with Him is what fulfills me.

Only You, Lord.  Make me content in You today.


by Leave a comment

Herding Cats

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

I thought herding cats was impossible!  But much to my surprise I discovered there is actually a Cat Herders Day on December 15!  However, my original thought holds true.  Cats are just too independent and stubborn to be herded, or cooperate when moving them from here to there.  This day is actually to recognize the frustration of trying to “manage the unmanageable.”  This day is a day for all of us who feel like we are saddled with an impossible task!

Today’s verse seems like the impossible task of herding cats.  Taking thoughts captive can be much the same scenario.  Our thoughts run away with us, leading to wrong attitudes and actions.  Those thoughts sometimes just do not cooperate.  The thinking of the believer is not to be the same as that of the world (verse 2).  But the world’s influence is so strong that thoughts just naturally conform to wordly independent thinking, leaving God out of it.

Thankfully, the Lord does not make this task impossible.  He has given us His divine power to control and redirect our thoughts (verse 4).  On my own, my thinking becomes full of pride and disobedience.  But because of His Spirit in me, I am not subject to merely human judgements. As a believer, I have the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:15-16.)  What a wonderful thought that is!  He is there to turn my heart and mind from what is false and harmful.  He brings those wandering thoughts back into the corral of His unchanging truth!

Lord, may my every thought today please You.


by Leave a comment

Wink Wink

Scripture for Today: Psalm 35:19 “Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.”

I don’t normally think of cats as bullies but this one sure looks the part!  When we wink it can imply conspiracy or some secret intent.  Or winking can be positive when it shows sympathy or encouragement.  Sometimes the wink says, “Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”  But then again, winking all day could be because of the grapefruit juice that was squirted in the eye during breakfast!

In today’s verse the wink is malicious.  David is being slandered and falsely accused by his enemies.  He cries to the Lord to come to his defense and vindicate him.  David as king is a constant target for his enemies and regardless of how fair and righteous he is, those enemies will continue to accuse him without cause.  He pleads with the Lord to contend for him so that in the end the Lord Himself will be exalted.

I wonder who my enemies are.  Jesus told His disciples to expect opposition.  The world hated Jesus so it only follows that the world would also hate those who follow Him (John 15:18).  So I should not be surprised at slander and false accusation.  But even more serious are the accusations of the Enemy who lies and brings charges against God’s own.  Paul says that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12).  Satan tries to destroy my testimony and service.  He will endeavor to convince me that I am unloved and worth nothing.  Well, Satan can wink all he wants but the Lord reassures me of His love and my worth!

Thank you Lord, that in You I have victory over every enemy!

 


by 2 Comments

“He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not”

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I had no idea until now that the game of pulling off daisy petals has its origin in France!  It is called, “effeuiller la marguerite,” and the idea of course is to determine if the object of your affection returns your love.  The phrase, “he loves me, he loves me not,” is repeated with the removal of each petal until with the last petal comes the answer.  This phrase exists in thirty three languages so this game seems to be worldwide.  I remember playing it as a young girl but this cat does not seem too interested in playing it!

I never have to play this game with God.  Unlike human relationships, there are no games involved.  He has made a commitment to love me and He never goes back on His promise.  Our verse for today reassures me of the permanence of His love.  There is no dark power that can interfere with His love.  There is no possible event in my future that can change His love.  Death itself cannot destroy His indescribable love for me.

Does He love me more today than yesterday?  Will He love me more tomorrow than today?  As He is love by His very nature, the answer is “no.”  His love is a perfect love that cannot be improved upon.  The answer is always, “He loves me.”

Thank you Lord, for Your perfect love.