Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


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Our Fig Tree

Scripture for Today: James 3:12 “My brother and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

Growing up, the fig tree in our back year was my Dad’s pride and joy! The whole family enjoyed those green figs and the abundant shade the large leaves provided. In fact, my Dad built a round bench encircling the large trunk. Every year, he would lay out those figs for drying and we could enjoy the dried fruit all year long. In all those years, that tree faithfully bore its figs. Never once did it surprise us with olives!

Today’s verse describes a ludicrous scenario. How ever could a fig tree produce olives, a grapevine produce figs or a salt spring produce fresh water? It is impossible, of course. These images teach us that what comes out of the mouth reveals what is in the heart. What comes out of the mouth is consistent with what is thought and felt inside. Eventually, our hidden nature is revealed by the words we speak.

No one can tame the tongue nor can anyone make themselves new inside. It is only by the work of the Holy Spirit that I can hope to change. When cursing and praise both come out of my mouth, it is a clear signal that I need to do business with the Lord.  “…This should not be.” (verse 10) But unfortunately, it is.  I can blame my words on stress or fatigue but what I really need to do is just confess it. I do not want to disappoint or grieve the Holy Spirit. And He graciously offers His self-control so that my life can consistently bears fruit that honors Him.

Lord, please control my tongue today.

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2017)


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Swallowing a Fly!

Scripture for Today: II Samuel 22:28 “You save the humble, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.”

“There was an old lady who swallowed a fly,” is a fun children’s rhyme that progressively becomes more absurd. This old lady, rather than ask for help, takes matters into her own hands by swallowing first a spider to catch the fly. When that does not work she swallows a bird, then a cat, then a dog, then a cow, and at the end, a horse, “…she’s dead, of course!” If she had just swallowed her pride with the fly, she could have asked for help!

Today’s verse is part of David’s psalm of praise for God’s deliverance from his enemies and from Saul. David called out to the Lord (verse 4) and he was answered in a spectacular way! Perhaps the outcome would have been very different had he not humbled himself. If like the old woman and the fly, David had tried to solve his problem by himself, he would have missed seeing God’s remarkable power work in his favor. God responds to the humble but in fact opposes the proud. (I Peter 5:5b) When we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, the Lord promises to lift us up in His timing. (verse 6)

There is such a strong independent spirit in me that says: “I can do this.” “I am fine.” “I’ve got this.” “I can handle it.” I can almost see the Lord shaking His head at me. He wants to lift me up out of the mess. He wants to show grace, favor, and blessing. But He waits for humility on my part. It is when in humility I admit my weaknesses that He shows His incredible grace and strength! (II Corinthians 12:9)

Lord, I humbly ask for Your grace today!

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2020)


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Dead Head

Scripture for Today: John 15:2 “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

My beautiful blue flowers (Felicia Amelloides) lining the walk to the front door are being crowded out by their predecessors! What a long meticulous process it is to dead head them. But in making the effort, there can be new growth of that dainty blue flower. For awhile, the flowers look a bit sparse. But in no time at all the flowers will have room to blossom and fill in. You can clearly see where I stopped my work. I try to be careful but often I inadvertently snip off the healthy flowers or buds.

Today’s verse refers to the pruning of vines to produce more and better grapes. But the idea is the same; that old growth needs to be removed before new growth can happen. The one who does the pruning is God, our Vinedresser. As believers, we are branches connected to Jesus, our Vine, and that connection produces a fruitful God-honoring life. We are not to be content with the fruit He has already produced. His precise life-long pruning produces more fruit that is richer and more plentiful.

God wants to take away anything that holds me back from growing and bearing fruit. It could be a success or a failure. Am I so content with past good works for Him that I feel I don’t need to do more or do better? Or perhaps it is the guilt of that personal failure I keep hidden from view. Or maybe it is holding on to a behavior I know does not please Him. It all needs to be cut back to allow new fresh growth. It does not always feel so good. But God is continually at work in me, changing me to want to bear fruit for Him. (Phil. 2:13)

Thank you Lord, for what You produce in me.


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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.


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Mud Rain

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 2:22 “Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me.”

My husband’s recent ministry road trip meant that extra effort was needed to keep the car looking presentable. After an especially long car-cleaning session, it felt good to have all that road dust removed. However, that night there was a blustery rain storm. In the morning, he expected to simply have an added rinse. Instead, the car was covered with “mud rain!” During the night those winds had blown in dust particles that had combined with the raindrops, negating all his cleaning!

Today’s verse is God’s reprimand to the Israelites for turning away from Him to false gods. They even knew they were were guilty but said, “It’s no use! I love foreign gods and I must go after them.” (verse 25) Their poor attempts at washing themselves did nothing to remove the guilt as they continued in their disobedience. God in His grace and mercy would have forgiven their sin and guilt had they been sincerely repentant.

Turning away from what I know to be wrong requires His power. There are times I too am thinking, “It’s no use” when desiring change. Yet, He has promised a “way out” when feeling overwhelmed with temptation. (I Cor. 10:13) He understands everything I am thinking and feeling and He is there, ready to give the grace that says “no” to temptation. (Titus 2:11-12) And when I blow it, His cleansing not only removes the sin but also the guilt!

Lord, thank you for your patient and complete forgiveness!