Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


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Morning is Coming

Psalm 49:14a “They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd but the upright will prevail over them in the morning…”

There is something so hopeful about watching the sunrise! These sheep seem to be drawn to that big golden orb in the sky. The darkest part of the night appears to be just before that magical moment of sunrise. The darkness lightens in almost imperceptible degrees. And soon, the sun peeking over the horizon, colors the sky with warmth. The sunrise represents a new day with new beginnings. The new morning represents a new start and the stirrings of hope.

Today’s verse talks about a particular morning that is coming for the upright. Those who place their trust in God can look forward to the time when He will redeem them from the dead and take them to Himself. (verse 15) But for those who trust in themselves, the outlook is not so good. (verse 13) If they have depended on their own wealth and splendor, it does not serve them well in the life to come as they cannot take it with them. (verse 17) The upright have no reason to fear evil days ahead when surrounded by the wicked. (verse 5) With the arrival of the morning, those in right standing with God will prevail!

When I gaze at that beautiful sunrise, I have hope. The wicked will not prevail. God has promised that because He has redeemed me I will prevail. My fate is determined not by my status in the world (thankfully) but by God’s amazing grace. As a silly sheep I cannot trust in myself. Doing so would have me following the wrong shepherd. Instead I trust in the Good Shepherd who has laid down His life for me. And because of His saving grace, I will prevail in the morning!

Thank you Lord, for the new day coming!


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Does It Get Any Sweeter?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 19:10 “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.”

Photo by J. Pellgen https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpellgen/30666337884/in/photostream/

I will admit to having a weakness for ice cream. But this “ogon” or golden ice cream in Kanazawa, Japan elevates this vanilla soft serve to a whole new level! The gold draped over it is edible gold leaf. I have never visited Japan, but my interest has suddenly been piqued! This area of the country is known for its gold leaf. In fact, they produce ninety-nine percent of it for their country, using it in arts, crafts and yes, for decorating their food.

Today’s verse describes the incredible worth of God’s precepts for living. They are more precious than pure gold. Not only that, these words of God are sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. God’s words are both golden and sweet. In a vision, the prophet Ezekiel was commanded to eat God’s word and he found it sweet as honey in his mouth (Ezekiel 3:3). This image of God’s word being edible helps us relate what is spiritual to the physical world. His word is sweet for so many reasons but for Ezekiel it was because of the warnings that save lives! When He warns us about the consequences of going our own way, it is done with love.

How do I view the Bible? Do I see His commandments as negative and restrictive, or do I recognize the love behind the warnings? The sweetness of His love for me is there in its pages. The assurance of His care and control is pure gold and a reminder that is sweet to taste. Psalms 34:8 says to taste and see that the Lord, He is good! I sometimes complain that I have too much of a “sweet tooth” but when it comes to reading God’s Word, that’s a good thing!

Thank you Lord, for the incredible worth of Your Word!


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Let’s Talk Turkey!

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:1 “Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”

This cartoon turkey looks a bit worried, as he should be during this Thanksgiving week! For years I have heard the myth circulated as fact that turkeys are so dumb, they will drown while looking up at the rain! It is true that the turkey will look up at the sky during a rain storm. And some have a neurological condition where they tilt their heads back and are unable to move for a time. But it is unrelated to the rain. So perhaps a turkey or any human being glancing up to the sky poses no fatal risk!

Today’s verse has us looking up and consciously setting our hearts and desires on what is above. As believers who were once dead to spiritual things, we are now raised up to be alive to Him! Instead of setting our hearts on what is fleeting and temporal, we now have a different perspective! We look up to what is above, our eternal Home where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. And having this mind set changes how we live our lives.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. said, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good.” How untrue! When pleasing my Creator is my heart’s desire, it is then that I can do the most good! Living with eternity in mind motivates me to reach out to those who have no hope. Obeying God’s command to love Him with my whole being enables me to love my neighbor as myself! Rather than living selfishly, I can, with eternity in view, do those good works that He has planned for me!

Lord, keep me looking up to my eternal Home!


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Trees That Weep?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 126:6 “Those who go out weeping carrying seeds to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”

Despite living almost three decades in France I had never seen a European Weeping Beech tree. But in Rhode Island, on the grounds of the Château sur Mer in Newport I saw this incredible sight! The drooping branches were so thick, the trunk was not even visible. The English call it the “upside down tree!” Several species of trees including the Weeping Willow are called, “Weeping,” if they grow pendulous branches. I am not sure I would want such a weepy looking tree in my yard.

Today’s verse describes a weeping that ends in joy! What an amazing reversal promised to the Israelites!  The Lord would bring back their captives and restore their fortunes causing all the neighboring nations to sit up and take notice. The Lord will be known as having done great things for them. All those tears are replaced with laughter and songs of joy!

This promise has many layers as I too can look forward to a time when my weeping and sorrow will be transformed! Laughter and joy will echo in the halls of Heaven as I enjoy a hope that is realized forever!  Weeping will be a distant memory. Everything today that is sad and awful will seem light compared to the weight of glory that I will one day enjoy! (II Cor. 4:17) God’s promise of life without end keeps me looking forward. Weeping only stays for the night but joy WILL COME in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

Thank you Lord, for the songs of joy yet to be sung!


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A Muzzled Horse

Scripture for Today: Psalm 39:1 “I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.'”

I have never seen a muzzle on a horse but apparently, it is not all that uncommon. Two different muzzles are used for two very different problems. The grazing muzzle is used when there is a problem with overeating. It will restrict their grass intake while still allowing for pasture time. Then there is the cribbing muzzle to prevent the horse from biting. Their bite will not normally break the skin but those powerful jaws can leave a deep bruise!

Today’s verse talks about a voluntary muzzle needed for our mouths, especially in the presence of the wicked. David was feeling down and discouraged with what he felt was God’s rebuke and discipline (verse 11). He expressed anguish over the fact that life is short and seemingly vain (verse 6). But David did not want any of these feelings voiced in the presence of the wicked. Even when upset with God, David did not want to malign His name.

I need to muzzle my mouth as well, especially when I am questioning the Lord or discouraged in my walk. That does not mean I cannot share these feelings with a trusted believing friend. But when I am with those who do not know the Lord, I would not want my emotional outburst to keep them from faith. I would not want my words to be an obstacle to someone else. The tongue is described as a small spark that can set on fire an entire forest (James 3:6). The damage my tongue could do could have eternal consequences!

Lord, do not ever let me malign Your beautiful and holy Name.

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2021)