Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


by Leave a comment

Coyote or Dog?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 14:15 “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”

It is not uncommon to hear of coyote sightings in our area.  We have low lying hills nearby where they can roam.  They look so much like dogs and their paw prints are similar too.  But one can always discern which prints are whose.  The dog will go through an open field stopping to investigate trees, shrubs or logs.  But the coyote will walk in a straight line, all business.  They know where they are going and what to do when they get there.

Today’s verse describes someone who is prudent.  He will be thoughtful about where he steps.  The prudent is not likely to follow some new untested theory or fad.  Behavior that is prudent is characterized by doing what is right, just and fair (Prov. 1:3).  The simple however, will believe and follow anything.  The simple person is not thinking but takes the lazy and easy way, following what everyone else is doing.  The simple person is believing without question, without fact-checking, and without scrutiny.  Their steps and the path they take can lead to danger (Prov. 22:3).

Giving thought to my next step makes me slow down.  I want to walk with purpose and not aimlessly in circles.  I am easily distracted by the trees, shrubs and logs along my path.  But I need to remember the purpose of my walk.  The path I have chosen is to please and serve the Lord.  That next step is with Him in mind.  He has promised to direct me  (Prov. 3:5-6)  and I do not want to run ahead of Him!  I need His wisdom for every decision as He alone knows what is ahead.

Lord, please guide every step I take today.

 


by Leave a comment

Thor’s Well

Scripture for Today: Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build My Church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

On the Oregon Coast at Cape Perpetua, the Pacific gives visitors quite a show with the moving waters of Thor’s Well.  Over the years it is thought that the waves carved out a sea cave where later the roof collapsed.  The resulting bowl-shaped hole looks as if it is continually draining and refilling.  At high tide the water fills it from the bottom.  Then it bubbles or sprays out the top, the cycle repeating itself.  This strange phenomenon is also called, “Gate to Hell” although it is not thought to be particularly dangerous.

Today’s verse encourages the believer that despite enemies and opposition, the gate of Hell (Hades, or realm of the dead) will not overcome the Church Jesus has established.  That is because Jesus Himself builds it and it is built on the confession of Peter.  He avowed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God (verse 16).  The Church is built on this fundamental truth, the identity of Jesus being its Cornerstone (Acts 4:11).

The Gate to Hell is a busy place with churning water that seems to fill and drain constantly.  And there will always be plenty of activity and evil directed at bringing down the Church.  Sometimes, I can be discouraged reading of Christians martyred for their faith in Jesus.  I can feel dispirited to see very public Christian workers fall into sin.  But this wonderful truth reassures me that nothing and no one can thwart God’s plan.  The Church is His Bride and He loves her.  I am part of that Body and I can be confident that evil will not win.

Thank you Lord, for Your promise of victory!


by Leave a comment

The Counting Game

Scripture for Today: Matthew 18: 21-22 “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

It was pure guess work.  I tried being methodical as a prize would be awarded for this baby shower-party-game.  Otherwise, I wouldn’t have bothered trying to count the candies in this jar.  But in fact, my counting left something to be desired as my total was way off.  Someone else walked away with the coveted prize.  I would have been happy to walk away with the candies!

Today’s verse is about something we are not to count; how many times to forgive someone.  Peter perhaps felt he was being generous to suggest forgiving seven times as the current thinking among the Pharisees was three times.  That makes Jesus’ answer all the more surprising.  The idea was not to forgive seventy-seven times or even seventy times seven.  The idea is that forgiveness is not to be counted at all.  Forgiveness is to be immeasurable.

My memory is so faulty on some subjects but somehow, the memories of when and how I have been wronged are very clear.  Forgiving someone more than once for the same offense is also too easy to remember.  I have had to say to my husband, “I am sorry, forgive me,” countless times over more than 40 years of marriage.  And I have had to forgive him too, many times without number.  It is so difficult to “forgive from the heart” (verse 35) over and over again.  And yet, I cannot think of a better way to show true love.  This is exactly what the Lord has done in forgiving me countless times.

Thank you Lord, that You do not count.


by 1 Comment

Giant Clam

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 15:2 “By this Gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the Word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.”

It is called a “giant clam” for good reason.  This is the largest of the mollusks on earth.  It can grow up to 500 pounds and can measure up to four feet!  Just think of all the clam chowder it could produce! The giant clam is not endangered although it is classified as vulnerable as it has been over harvested for food and decoration.  What struck me is that the giant clam has only one chance to chose its home.  Once it has fastened itself to a spot on a reef, it will sit there for life.

Today’s verse encourages the believer to hold firmly to God’s Word.  By the Gospel or “good news” of salvation we are saved from the punishment our sins deserve.  It is on the truth of God’s Word that we take our stand (verse 1).  When we commit our lives, our future and our eternal destiny to what God says, we flourish and grow.  There is no reason to attach ourselves to some other philosophy or system of thought.  His Word gives hope, encouragement and all the nourishment our faith needs to grow and thrive.

Trusting in my own ideas and reasoning gets me in trouble.  The waves of the sea or the blowing winds can toss me about making me unstable (James 1:6).  But when I put my entire confidence in what the Lord says about a matter, I know I am on firm footing.  The decrees of the Lord are firm (Psalm 19:9) and make me firm as well.  I want to attach myself to Him and make His truth my home!

Lord, keep me in Your Word and remembering Your truth today.

 


by Leave a comment

Holes in My Bucket

Scripture for Today: II Peter 1:3 “His power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”  

I remember the song, “There’s a Hole in the Bucket,” growing up.  This song is a dialogue between Henry and Liza about the sorry state of their bucket, no longer useful for drawing water from the well.  I would always laugh at the ultimate solution which brings them back to the original problem!  The song in its original version dates back to 1700!  I am sure the bucket pictured has its uses, but carrying water would not be one of them!

Today’s verse reassures the believer that through God’s power we have everything we need to live a godly life.  It is through our knowledge of Him and not our own efforts that this godly life is possible.  He gives to us faith, goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love (verses 5-7).  Those beautiful qualities make us more like Him, but they only become visible as we grow in our knowledge of Him.

Yes, He’s given me all I need but the problem is all the holes in my bucket!  I go to draw from Him as my unending Source, but my sinful pride and self-sufficiency keep me from staying full.  Instead of drawing from Him I make the mistake of drawing away from the Source and depending on myself.  Before long I can feel completely drained.  There is no way to be filled with His godly Spirit when I try to go it alone!  I need Him for absolutely everything.  His power is there, ready to draw from.  And I want to know Him more and more.

Lord, keep me from relying on myself.  Fill me with Yourself!