Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


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Elephant Ear

Scripture for Today: Psalms 85:8  “I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants –  but let them not turn to folly.”

The reason for the name of this plant is obvious. The size and shape of this plant’s leaves resemble the ear of the elephant. In fact, this invasive plant can overshadow the surrounding flowering plants with its big leaves, blocking their sunlight. The leaves of the Elephant Ear, or Colocasia, can grow three feet long and two feet wide, or more! If their ears could actually hear, I wonder if they would hear their gardener grumbling about their size and tendency to take over the garden!

I wish my spiritual ears were as big as this plant so as not to miss God’s voice! In today’s verse God’s voice promises peace to His faithful servants. It begins with the psalmist’s statement of intention, “I will listen.” There are a myriad of sounds out there clamoring to be heard. But listening to the Lord through His Word takes intentional effort and discipline. And listening to Him keeps us from folly or doing anything foolish.

He speaks peace to those that belong to Him. What a promise! So many times I have come to Him in prayer totally agitated and stressed. He calms me down and listening intently I hear reminders of His love and control in my circumstances. I get in that troubled state usually because I have not been listening to Him in the first place! If I am honest with myself, I realize I am quite capable of doing all kinds of foolish things with impeccable rationale! Listening to Him daily through His Word is the best way to avoid my own folly. And I so need the peace and calm He offers.

Lord, keep me peaceful by listening to You!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


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Wayfarers Chapel Slipping Away

Scripture for Today: Psalm 94:18 “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.”

This beautiful chapel, dedicated in 1951, sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Constructed of stone and glass, it nestles among the surrounding redwoods of Rancho Palos Verdes. It has long been the site of many baptisms, memorials and weddings. This incredible airy structure is also called the “Glass Church.” Unfortunately, it has now closed due to increasingly shifting ground. The structure will be dismantled and moved elsewhere because the earth has been so unstable. Those continuing landslides put the chapel at risk of slipping away.

Today’s verse has the author feeling as if he were slipping. Standing up against the wicked is exhausting and continuous. The wicked are even boasting that the Lord does not see or take notice. The psalmist is waiting for the Lord to execute His righteous judgement against them. But in the meantime he cries out for the Lord’s help (verse 17). God’s response is to reassure him of His unfailing love and presence. This knowledge holds him up and allows him to stand firm.

The shifting values of today’s world make the ground feel very unsteady under the feet. The greed and manipulation of world leaders affect entire populations. Like the psalmist I can feel like it takes more and more effort to stand firm in my faith in God’s righteous coming judgement. But His love is unfailing and holds me up. My foot does not slip when as my Rock He gives me a firm place to stand. (Ps. 40:2) And I stand on the truth of His Word and His promises!.

Thank you Lord, that Your unfailing love holds me up!


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The Carabiner

Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:23-24 “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

The carabiner may look like a relatively small piece of rock climbing equipment. But in fact, its role is essential as safety absolutely depends on it! This strong metal snap-link made of aluminum or steel is used to connect all the different parts of the climbing safety system together. It attaches the climber to the rope, the rope to a harness, and the climber to an anchor. That connection allows the climber to firmly plant his feet with confidence!

There is another safety system in today’s verse. And to walk with confidence, we need a sure connection! This psalm talks about the Lord upholding the righteous (verse 17) in contrast to the many troubles the wicked will suffer. God does not forsake His faithful ones (verse 28). And for those who have His law in their hearts, their feet do not slip (verse 31). When we delight in knowing and following God’s way, then we can be sure that our connection to Him is sure and He will hold us up!

There is always the possibility of stumbling. I love Him and His law but that does not mean I follow it perfectly. Especially when the way is rocky, uphill and difficult, I can easily compromise. Some part of me thinks that loving Him means the way should be smooth and easy. But if it were, would I need to trust Him? Does my obedience mean anything if it is never tested? Stumbling is part of every believer’s walk of faith but thankfully, so is His grace and forgiveness which keeps me from hitting the ground!

Thank you Lord, for holding me up today!


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Sniffing Dogs

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:23 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

(Photo by C. C. Chapman, https://www.flickr.com/photos/cc_chapman/31305542651)

Our furry friends, it turns out, are more than faithful companions. The fact that their presence gives emotional support for those suffering PTSD, anxiety and panic attacks is well known. But recently a study was done that shows that certain breeds can detect stress in humans through their nose! That is because our breath and sweat have a particular odor when producing the stress hormone, cortisol. And the dogs in this study detected that stress 93.75% of the time!

Today’s verse is part of a beautiful psalm that reveals just how intimately the Lord knows us. Not only does He know when we are up or down, in or out, He also knows our heart’s emotions and our thoughts. He knows when we are anxious even when we do not recognize it ourselves. He not only knows but He provides us the solution. It is through our prayers and petitions that we can release that stress and anxiety before it wreaks havoc in our lives. He offers us peace in its stead. (Phil. 4:6-7)

That stress hormone can show up quite often in my life and usually it is a result of thoughts that are negative and anxious. Included are those annoying thoughts of, “what if?” Anxious thoughts can rob me of sleep and do nothing to improve my circumstances. A dog can comfort and cuddle but it’s my Creator that has the power to calm me down, change the direction of my thoughts and feelings and give me peace. He waits for me to turn to Him in prayer, over and over, as long as it takes.

Thank you Lord, for handling my stress today.


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April Fool!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 28:26 “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”

Photo Credit: Mike Finn https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwf2005/52786855612

Today has the dubious distinction of being a day dedicated to fooling people! And in fact, we enjoy watching someone play the fool! Whether it is Rowan Atkinson (aka Mr. Bean) or Penn and Teller inviting magicians to, “Fool Us,” we laugh at others or at our own naivety. However, in regards to being deceived in a nefarious way, we draw the line! As the quote says, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”

Today’s verse gives a description of a fool that is a bit shocking. When one trusts in himself rather than in God, he is a fool. Scripture is full of verses contrasting those that are fools with those that are wise. The fool says in his heart that there is no God. (Ps. 14:1) He reviles the Lord’s name. (Ps. 74:18) And some become fools because of their rebellion against God. (Ps. 107:17) Bottom line is that fools despise wisdom because wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7) and they are unwilling to trust their lives to Him.

I know I belong to the Lord. He reassures my heart. But that does not mean I do not have moments when I am foolish. Anytime I trust in myself, my own resources, mental acuity or talents, I am foolish. Everything I am and have comes from Him. He doesn’t bless me so that I can pull away from Him and rely on myself. To walk in wisdom is to recognize my own weakness and failings and depend on Christ for safety, security and guidance. Christ is my Wisdom! (I Cor. 1:24)

Thank you Lord, for making this simple one wise!