Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


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That Tunnel

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:1-2  “Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

There is not much to enjoy about tunnels. They are normally dark, smelly, and claustrophobic. When traversing a mountain in Europe, the tunnel usually has the length posted on a sign at the entrance. I find that helpful when the tunnel is especially long and the exit cannot readily be seen. This walking tunnel is the exception, brightly lit and with colorful murals painted on the walls. But whether agreeable or not, the most important view is the light at the end of it!

Today’s verse talks about setting our minds and hearts on things above in Heaven. It is because the believer has been raised with Christ that he can see his world differently. Rather than focusing on the tunnel, he sees the light at the end of it. Christ is that Light (John 8:12).  And He promises that the believer will never walk in darkness. It is never completely dark as He is there and He is the light of life.

When life is good, my mind and heart are set firmly on earthly things. I am less likely to think on Heaven when the tunnel is light, bright and agreeable. But when I forget about eternity, somehow the tunnel can become full of shadows and uncomfortable. Life becomes a bit dim when I focus entirely on what I can see and touch.  But it is when life is difficult that my gaze turns to that Light at the end of the tunnel. He is my future. He is my Hope. Life, whether easy or difficult, is a “tunnel experience” and will not last forever. But life with Him will!

Lord, keep me focused on what is ahead!


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A Knee-Jerk Reaction

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 21:23 “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

No one enjoys being “hammered” in this part of a physical exam! When that reflex hammer strikes just below the patella, the leg is supposed to extend as an automatic reflex. This reaction is what helps maintain balance and posture without conscious thought. But the term has also come to mean an immediate unthinking and emotional response. And in fact, in life the knee-jerk reaction sometimes involves acting like a jerk!

Today’s verse cautions that our mouths and tongues need to be guarded. The automatic unthinking response can lead to calamity or to making a situation worse. And the automatic unthinking response is usually what comes out of our mouths! That “reflex hammer” can be anything that provokes, especially when we are tired. It is natural to just react but as believers, God’s Spirit offers self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23)

This morning my mouth needed guarding as an entire box of ear swabs scattered all over the less-than-clean floor! My tongue seems to be on automatic reflex when a car cuts me off on the road! That reflex hammer seems to strike when I least suspect. And I want the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart to be acceptable to my Creator. (Psalm 19:14)

Lord, help me to react in a way that pleases You.


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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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Rest for the Weary

Scripture for Today: Mark 6:31 “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Walking the boardwalk of the Seaforth Marina in San Diego, we saw this squirrel sunning himself! With the warmth of the sun above and of the rock beneath, as well as the mesmerizing movement of the fish, he was having the perfect rest! Some squirrels take rest further with times of “torpor,” conserving energy by lowering their metabolism when in a cold climate. But for this fellow, his rest can be taken throughout the year with California’s generous sunshine!

Today’s verse has an invitation to rest, given by Jesus to his disciples. The constant coming and going of people with their needs was tiring. He encourages the disciples to come away with Him to a quiet place, without the people pressing in, a quiet place where they could rest. What follows is a time of intense activity; the miraculous feeding of the five thousand! (counting just the men) The disciples worked hard distributing all that food to so many and then gathering up the leftovers. Thankfully, they had that rest first!

Resting in a quiet place may not seem like such a spiritual and fruitful “activity.” Yet, that rest is with Him. His invitation to rest is not only to be refreshed physically but also to have my soul nourished and ready for whatever comes next! The disciples did not know what was coming next. But they were ready. I do not know what is next. But I need that same rest to be ready for whatever is around the corner.

Thank you Lord, for the rest you give!