Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Devotions


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Shadowlands

Scripture for Today:  Colossians 2:17  “These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality however is found in Christ.”

When I was very little I won a poetry contest reciting Robert Louis Stevenson’s “My Shadow.”  The first few lines actually tie into our verse for today:

“I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me.  And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.”

The shadows spoken of in Colossians are all the Old Testament ordinances that foreshadowed Christ’s coming.  They did serve their purpose, announcing the eventual coming of the reality of Christ.  As a shadow approaches, the reality is not far behind.

How sad to know there are those who embrace shadows today.  Rather than recognizing the reality of salvation in Christ, some would rather live with religious regulations and traditions.  And like shadows, there is only empty coldness.  One cannot love and serve a shadow.

So many try the shadows not realizing they have missed the Essence.  This is especially true for those who have grown up in the Church and think they have tried Christianity.  The fact is that religious do’s and dont’s are not the same as a personal relationship with Christ!  One can confuse shadow with reality.

Rather than chasing after shadows, I want the reality of Christ in me.  I do not want to confuse the two.  I do not want to be content with just the customs and traditions of religion.  I want relationship.  I want the reality of things unseen.  As II Cor. 4:18 tells me, the things unseen are eternal.

It amazes me that Christ wants a relationship with me as well!  The shadows have had their day.  Today, my relationship with Him is the reality!


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Sweet Indulgence

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 9:25  “Each competitor must exercise self control in everything.  They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.”

Can one ever have too much chocolate in life?  It is a wonderful source of magnesium.  It certainly boosts my mood.  And it is said that chocolate is an aphrodisiac.  I always say that chocolate is good for my health as it comes from the cacao bean.  Doesn’t that make it a vegetable?  It seems that there are many good things in life, that taken to an extreme become harmful.  Too much work.  Too much sleep.  Too much confidence.  Too much free time.  Too much talking.  Self control is all about avoiding overindulgence.

Today’s verse talks about the athlete who exhibits self control.  He restricts himself in all things with the goal of winning a temporary prize.  I always felt sorry for the young person in training who could not eat certain foods.  But I would admire his focus.

For the believer, our motivation to show self control and live temperately is for a much higher purpose than a prize that does not last.  We live our lives to please Him.  We strive for His approbation and approval.  Like Paul, we do not want to ever disqualify ourselves by losing control and becoming unfit!

I have no self control on my own.  Self control is really Spirit control.  It is part of the fruit or evidence of His work in me (Galatians 5:23).  I need Him to help me tell myself “no.”  Living with dependence on Him gives me that power to restrict myself.  Usually in saying “no” to something, I am saying “yes” to something better!

Thank you Lord, for helping me control myself!


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Wind

Scripture for Today:  John 3:8  “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

We are having lots of wind today.  They predicted 40 miles per hour but it seems much stronger.  The noise is deafening as it moves through the trees.  We are hearing all kinds of creaks and groans in our century-old home.  Tiger, our cat, is afraid to go out.  My husband is reluctant for me to take the car out.

Many people think of Holland when they see a windmill, but they are common in France too.  The most famous one is the Moulin Rouge in Paris, but it has nothing to do with the wind!  Man has learned how to harness the power of the wind, but we still cannot control where it is coming from.  Man has no say in when it will arrive or how strong it will be or when it will abate.  It is just not in our control.

Our verse for today likens the work of the Spirit to the wind.  Being born of the Spirit is something unseen by human eyes.  We cannot explain the movement of God’s Spirit but we do see the results.  We see His presence by the change affected in hearts and lives.

Just as I cannot control the wind, I cannot control God’s Spirit.  He is a Person, not just a force of nature.  I do not have the power to oblige Him to do anything.  He is God, and it would be presumptuous of me to think that I could control Him!

No, I do not control Him.  What I most desire is that He control me.


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Star of Bethlehem

Scripture for Today:  Daniel 12:3  “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

The starry sky can be so beautiful and awe inspiring.  I can just imagine the night sky near the time of Christ’s birth.  The star of Bethlehem, faithfully followed over miles and miles, led the wise men to exactly where Jesus was living as a young child.  There are those who want to explain away this miracle by pointing out some astronomical phenomenon.  However one may want to explain it, it remains unexplainable!  This star actually went before them and positioned itself over the exact location where they could find Jesus.

Our verse today teaches that those who are wise shine like the night sky.  Those who lead others to righteousness are likened to stars.  Of course, I have no wisdom or righteousness of my own.  I Corinthians 1:30 says that Christ became for me wisdom from God and righteousness.  He is my source.

The star of Bethlehem led those wise men to Wisdom and Righteousness in the person of Jesus.  Those who lead others to Christ today are doing the same.  In a sense, I can also be a star with the light of my life pointing others to Him.  If I shine at all, it is for Him.  My desire is that my light, like that star, lead others to the Source of wisdom and righteousness.

Today, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Light of the world.  What a privilege to be a part of His light and to guide others to Him!  Have a blessed light-filled Christmas!

(a re-post from Christmas 2012)


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Counting

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 90:12  “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”

It has been a tradition in our home over the years to count down to Christmas.  I did not realize until I moved to France 23 years ago that one could count down with chocolate!  The Lindt chocolate calender pictured here is for my grown son, but I am having trouble keeping my hands off it!

Years ago I sent one of my children (who will remain nameless) a  chocolate advent calender the first year at university.  It was only much later that this offspring of mine admitted to eating ALL the chocolates the day it arrived!

Of course, the age-old tradition of the Advent wreath and all its symbolism is a much more significant way to mark the days until the birth of our Savior.  With each lit candle and Scripture reading we celebrate His first arrival and anticipate His second.

The verse for today talks about numbering our days.  Knowing that our days have an end is not a new concept.  But for all of us, we need to be reminded to live with the end in sight.  Numbering our days makes us wise.  Looking toward the end helps us decide what is important today.

Regardless of the number of days the Lord decides to allow me, I am to be counting down.  The last little window of the Advent calender waits to be opened.  It usually has the biggest and best chocolate.  I look forward to opening it, even though I know I will then be finished with it.  In life, as I count down toward the very end, I have a last window that waits to be opened, the window of heaven!