Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Contentment


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How Much Is Too Much?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 30:8b-9 “…give me neither poverty nor riches but give me only my daily bread.”

I love cherry season although it seems like such a short one. Sometimes my cherries will look like the ones pictured; split or ruptured. Those cherries may have come from Central Washington where too much rain can cause this problem. A news report explained that their summers receive so much rainfall that the cherries get too much of a good thing…getting water logged and cracking or rupturing. So low-flying helicopters, within the first two hours after a rain, are used like a giant hairdryer to dry out the cherries!

Today’s verse is in a passage that recognizes the danger of having too much or not enough. Too much and we tend to forget God, being entirely self-sufficient, thinking “Who is the Lord?” (verse 9) When we have plenty and everything is good, why pray? There is no need to depend on Him for anything. To have plenty or more than enough keeps us from realizing our spiritual needs. But to constantly be in need of the basics of life can make one bitter towards God and can even lead to stealing and dishonoring His name. (verse 9) Neither extreme is good.

The Lord does not give me too much. He knows better than I do at what point I may forget Him. He knows much more than I do what I can handle and what I cannot! If I feel a dry hot desert wind blowing on me, it could be that He is teaching me to depend on Him and not myself. His grace is sufficient. I do not want to wish or yearn for anything more except more of Him.

Thank you Lord, that Your provision today will be perfect!


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Tulip Mania

Scripture for Today: Psalm 128:1-2 “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”

Landing in Amsterdam was unforgettable as fields and fields of colorful tulips delighted the eye! In the 1600’s a speculative frenzy called, Tulip Mania made many rich as their popularity exceeded supply. Before the crash in 1637 some rare bulbs could serve as a dowry or the price of a home! It’s no wonder the tulip has come to symbolize (among other things) PROSPERITY.

Today’s verses talk about both blessing and prosperity being for the one who fears and obeys the Lord. The labor for this individual will produce fruit. The Hebrew word for prosperity is “good” with the ideas being what is best, pleasant, agreeable and for one’s welfare. How different that meaning is from the association with financial gain that we make today!

My bank account balance is not a measure of my prosperity. What is a measure is all the goodness and grace the Lord has poured into my life! So many of His blessings are intangible as I follow and obey Him: His peace, His love and His comfort. I can trust Him to give me what He considers good for me because He is good!

Thank you Lord for Your undeserved blessing and prosperity.


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Wall Street’s “Fear Gauge”

Scripture for Today: :Hebrews 13:6 “So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'”

I did not realize that the investor’s feelings, anxieties and complacency were actually measured! The VIX or Volatility Index is also called a “Fear Gauge” and can measure just how much the market may fluctuate in the next thirty days. A high VIX indicates elevated fear and uncertainty, potentially signaling large market swings. A low VIX pictures the investor as being complacent, stable and having low-risk expectations.

Today’s verse tells believers that we can have confidence! There is stability that keeps us from being “volatile.” Because the Lord is our helper, we can live without fear of market crashes, shortages or any other financial hardship. God had said in verse 5, “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.” God’s presence and His help give us a security that is not found in “securities.” The market may go up or down and the value of the dollar may plunge. The believer stays confident in God’s presence and help.

I have a front row seat to watching this truth play out in the lives of my friends who were scammed out of half their retirement savings! I am amazed to see how the Lord has supplied ALL their needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19) How amazing is His grace! My feelings of security do not depend on any investment other than my eternal investment in God’s undeserved favor! Regardless of life’s “Volatility” I can be stable and confident in Him!

Thank you Lord for being my help and my security!


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Nesting Too Near!

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.”

I never would have seen this nest if I had not been weeding! The mother duck had carefully pulled over these flowering bushes to cover her baker’s dozen. I had previously seen this duck dive into our flower bed along the walkway leading up to our front door. But it never occurred to me that she was nesting there! And she was sitting on her eggs when I disturbed her. I hope she returns but at the same time I can’t imagine thirteen little ducklings waddling around our entrance!

Today’s verse speaks of a 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. And 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? If I am dwelling in His presence, He makes my home beautiful. His presence there means there is blessing for me and praise for Him (verse 4).

Lord, keep me dwelling in Your presence today! 


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Greener Grass

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:2-3a “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”

This silly goat must be convinced that the grass is greener on the other side of his fence to be in this predicament! We cannot fault him too much as our longing for what might be just out of our reach is an apt description of many of us! The author and scholar James Pomerantz, proved in 1983 that grass at a distance will appear greener even when it is not! Without going into his optical and perceptual laws, it is seeing the blades of grass close up and perpendicular to the ground that will give us the true color.

Today’s verse speaks of green pastures. God, as our Shepherd leads us there and makes us to lie down. It is such a beautiful picture of rest and refreshment. The grass is plenty green as it is fed by quiet waters and it is there that our souls are refreshed. It is not on the other side of the fence. It is not out of reach. However, our Shepherd has to lead us there. It can be right in front of us but we are too busy and distracted to see it. We are also too busy to slow down and stop. He makes us lie down.

When I am feeling overwhelmed or discontent my soul needs refreshing. The world will tell me that I need to refresh myself with a spa treatment, the newest tech product or any number of theatrical or culinary distractions! I believe in having a balanced life that includes fun. But none of these touch my soul. Restoring my soul is spending time with my Shepherd in that green pasture. My soul is refreshed when He walks with me along those still waters. He calms that pervasive disquiet inside.

Thank you Lord, that spending time with You refreshes me.