Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


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Glass Frog

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.”

Image credit to John P. Clare at https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnclare/14793819573

How amazing to be able to see the internal organs of this frog! The transparent skin and muscles on his underside give us a “living window!” The backs of these tree frogs are lime green, giving them the ability to blend in with the leaves of trees in Central and South America. They can concentrate their red blood cells in the liver while resting, making them harder to see. Their transparency actually provides an invisible cloak, making it easier to go undetected.

Today’s verse teaches that nothing goes undetected by our Creator. Nothing is hidden from His sight. Even what is carefully concealed and buried will eventually be laid bare before Him. One day there will be a reckoning and everyone will give an account. This is a very uncomfortable thought for the one who has not asked this just and righteous Judge for forgiveness. But, this is also a comforting thought for the forgiven one who has been wronged. God will vindicate him and right every wrong.

How thankful I am for His forgiveness! He has taken my rightful punishment on Himself on the cross. I can look forward to this day because of His mercy and grace. And I can clap my hands with the rivers and sing for joy with the mountains because He will judge the world with righteousness. (Ps. 98:8-9) God will deal with those who have lived their lives doing and promoting evil. My prayer is that He will delay a little longer so that more will turn to Him for forgiveness.

Thank you Lord for Your justice AND forgiveness.


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The Shrug

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 12:16 “If you shrug off an insult and refuse to take offense, you demonstrate discretion indeed. But the fool has a short fuse and will immediately let you know when he’s offended.” (The Passion Translation)

Credit: Mark Giles, https://www.flickr.com/photos/admitone/195114154

I might shrug my shoulders to release tension, especially after working at the desk in one position. But a shrug of the shoulders can also have many meanings as part of a conversation. This body language can communicate indifference, indecision or the inability to do something. The one-sided shrug can indicate ambivalence, internal conflict, or insincerity. The shrug can be a hurtful sign of disrespect. It usually happens in a context where the meaning is pretty clear.

In today’s verse, the shrug is in a context that is very positive. The shrug here is dismissing an insult. The attitude behind this shrug is a refusal to take offense. Not allowing an insult to affect you demonstrates to others your discretion and prudence. It is even “to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” (Prov. 19:11) In contrast, the fool is easily offended and will let everyone know when his feelings are hurt. The fool, being so annoyed, will seem petty and prideful.

I do not want to be that fool where everyone has to tiptoe around me. I want to be the bigger person and let that unfair remark slide off my back. I have many people in my life who affirm and support me. Do I really need to worry about a negative random comment? The insults Christ suffered were infinitely worse and He did not take offense. I want to be so secure in God’s love for me that I can shrug off that mean hurtful thing one might say.

Lord, help me to overlook any insult today.


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Obstacle Course

Scripture for Today: Psalm 143:10 “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

I had never tried to do an above-ground obstacle course before. I wouldn’t recommend it if you are afraid of heights. I thought I could handle it during a women’s retreat at Forest Home. I knew from rock climbing in my college years that the harness would hold me up if (when) I fell. But I was no longer a college student. And the thought of climbing up those moving steps and having the harness abruptly pull me up made me wonder what I was thinking!! I will admit it. After my friend took the picture, I climbed back down to the stable level ground below!

Today’s verse was a prayer of David’s during a time of intense distress. He was being pursued by his enemies and he hides himself in God, entrusting his very life to Him. He claims God as his God and commits to following His will. David looks to God’s Spirit to lead him on level ground where he could be secure and stable. He needed to be led by God’s Spirit to ground that was free from dangers and obstacles.

My stability and security are not found in my circumstances. Sure, there are days that are smooth and uneventful. And I am thankful for them. But it is in the stress of not knowing which way to turn or what decision to make that I need that reassurance that He is leading me. When I am feeling vulnerable to evil in the world I need that confidence. I can feel secure knowing that He is present (Heb. 13:5) and that He will always keep His Word. (II Cor. 1:20)

Lord, keep me close to You for the stability and security You provide!


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Kneeling Cows!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 45:23 “By myself I have sworn , my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked; Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.”

It seems this cow has an audience to his ungainly rise! Unlike other farm animals, cattle will get up and lie down by kneeling on their front legs. Their clumsy movements can look comical but it is this change of position which possibly gave rise to an old folklore. It says that when the bells sound at midnight on Christmas Eve, all the cattle bow in homage to the baby Jesus.

In today’s verse, God swears. He swears by Himself as there is no one higher than Him. Of course, everything God says is true and trustworthy. But here, added weight is given to His words. What He says cannot be disputed. There is no human knee every created that will NOT bow to God. There is no human tongue that will NOT swear, confess or agree with God as to who He is! This acknowledgement takes place when we give an account of ourselves to God. (Rom. 14:11-12) What a sobering thought for the ones who have mocked and denied Him their whole lives!

Because I have acknowledged Jesus here on earth, bowing before Him will be a joyful worshipful experience. I am not worthy in the least. But because of receiving His righteousness through faith (Rom. 4:5) I am “in Christ” and not condemned. (Rom. 8:1) However, there is bowing here on earth as well. Bending the knee is bending my will to conform to His. This is my daily struggle as a subject of the King. I want to want what He wants, but my own silly selfish desires are oh so strong!

Lord, help me submit to what You want today.

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


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Book Signing!

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I highly recommend my friends’ book, Strangers Like Angels! This saga, written by Alec and Jan Forman, follows the first-hand account of their Land-Rover travels in the 70’s. Their year-long adventures took them through the Sahara Desert, tropical rainforests in Africa, Europe, then Nepal and Afghanistan. My book copy is especially valuable as it is signed by the authors!

In today’s verse Jesus is described as an author, the Author of our faith. He is the One who creates and initiates. He is the One who makes faith possible. He is also the perfecter or finisher of our faith, carrying the story through to the very end. He has written the conclusion and I already know the ending to my story. It is not shrouded in mystery but revealed in His Word. It is a triumphal ending where faith becomes sight and I will be with Him forever!

As the Author of my faith, He wrote the introduction. He planned exactly who I am, the family He wanted me to have, and the way I would come to Him in faith for salvation. But right now, I am living the unknown part, the chapters in between. This is the part that can seem so uncertain. Not only that, I want to tell Him what to write! But as the Author of my faith, He is also its perfecter and there is no need to edit anything! I can trust that He knows what He is doing with my life.

Thank you Lord, for authoring my story and my future.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2019)