Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Dog Images


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Panting Dogs

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:131-132 “I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commands.  Turn to me and have mercy on me, as You always do to those who love Your name.”

I will admit it.  I am not a “dog person.”  Cats are my animal of choice.  One of the many reasons I prefer cats is that they do not normally hang out their tongues and pant.  I do not enjoy dog slobber or doggy breath either! But the tongue hanging out is not especially an endearing quality.

Of course, God in His wisdom and creativity designed the dog to pant in order to cool down.  Except through their paw pads, a dog will not sweat through their skin and so they need to pant.  The circulating air enters their bodies and cools them down.

Our verse for today speaks of panting for God’s commands!  It is a surprising sentiment as one does not normally embrace laws and commands with such enthusiasm.  One tends to balk against any restrictions on one’s freedom.  Rather than seeing them as something negative, the author embraces them, knowing that wisdom and blessings come from obedience.  He pants for them.  They are as important as the air one breathes.  They make true life possible.

I love the image of the deer panting for water (Psalm 42:1).  In just the same way, our soul pants for God.  He is the Source of all that nourishes and satisfies.  If I am panting and longing for that intimacy with God, then my attitude towards His commands will be just as enthusiastic!  By following His commands I stay close to Him and our relationship grows deeper and deeper.

Lord, help me to be enthusiastic about following Your way, knowing it will lead to a closer relationship with You.

 


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The Spotted Dalmatian

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 5:27 “That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things (that she might be holy and faultless).”

Disney’s 101 Dalmatians always come to my mind when seeing one of these sweet dogs.  They come from the Dalmatia province in Croatia and were used in the past to run alongside a carriage and ward off highwaymen.  Now their high energy and agility make them a perfect choice for hunting, guarding, and circus performing.  The dalmatian is also known as a firehouse mascot.  They love to be in the middle of the action.  But what makes those dalmatians so adorable are their spots!

My spots are not so cute.  But today’s verse says that one day I will be spot-free!  No more age spots.  It is true that I will have a whole new glorified body for eternity.  However, this verse is speaking of the spots and wrinkles as sin.  Because of what Jesus did on the cross, I can look forward to being completely without sin in heaven.  As part of His Church, I will be presented to God without spot or wrinkle.

Christ’s love and sacrifice sets me apart and makes me clean.  Being washed by the water of His Word is a life-long process, but with a promised result of being one day holy and faultless before Him.  What a day that will be!  No more guilt or shame.  No more self-condemnation.  And no more interruption to a perfect closeness with my Lord.  I am tired of my own sin.  Those spots and wrinkles are plenty ugly.  But the future is all glorious splendor.  Spot, wrinkle, and all ugliness of any kind will be gone forever!

Thank you Lord, for Your cleansing perfect forgiveness!


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Muzzled!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 39:1 “I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.'”

I am always a bit sad to see a dog muzzled.  I feel bad for him but safer, as I am sure there was a reason for it being there.  Many states have dangerous dog laws that are imposed by the courts for public safety.  Special restrictions are enforced for dogs that threaten or attack others.  But the dog pictured here looks to be   guilty of only too much enthusiasm!

Today’s verse talks about a voluntary muzzle needed for our mouths, especially in the presence of the wicked.  David was feeling down and discouraged with what he felt was God’s rebuke and discipline (verse 11).  He expressed anguish over the fact that life is short and seemingly vain (verse 6).  But David did not want any of these feelings voiced in the presence of the wicked.  Even when upset with God, David did not want to malign His name.

I need to muzzle my mouth as well, especially when I am questioning the Lord or discouraged in my walk.  That does not mean I cannot share these feelings with a trusted believing friend.  But when I am with those who do not know the Lord, I would not want my emotional outburst to keep them from faith.  I would not want my words to be an obstacle to someone else.  The tongue is described as a small spark that can set on fire an entire forest (James 3:6).  The damage my tongue could do could have eternal consequences!

Lord, do not ever let me malign Your beautiful and holy Name.


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“Occam’s Razor”

Scripture for Today: John 6:29 “Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.'”

Looking at this beautifully groomed poodle reminds me of the Westminister Dog Show we just viewed on television.  Hours were spent in meticulous grooming to ready the participants for the competition.  It is obvious that this dog’s hair does not grow this way naturally.  It is safe to assume that scissors and razor were used to shape the dog’s coat.  Occam’s Razor is the name of the philosophy that says that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.

God made salvation incredibly simple to grasp.  What is it about salvation through grace that escapes us?  Why do we want to add our own feeble efforts?  Jesus answers the question about works in today’s verse.  There is only one “work” that saves; believing in Jesus as God.  The tendency is to complicate what God made simple.  We are not saved because of any righteous works we can do (Eph. 2:8-9).  Our salvation comes from throwing ourselves on His unmerited favor, recognizing that there is nothing good in us that can earn it.  The more we feel we contribute to acquiring salvation, the more we take away from His all-sufficient sacrifice for us.  It is all a gift, even the faith to believe.

Knowing this takes away any reason for me to boast or to be prideful.  There is no sense of being better than anyone else.  My abject need of His grace to forgive makes the ground completely level in front of the cross.  It is so simple but so incredibly profound; “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

Thank you Lord, for making it simple.  It is all Your work, not mine.


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Weary

Scripture for Today: Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.”

This poor dog looks completely spent.  Not sure what his day looked like, but apparently it was exhausting!  I look exactly like this, especially during the frantic-paced Christmas season!  The normal do-able schedule goes out the window with the addition of shopping, parties, baking, concerts, decorating, etc.  But of course, this picture could represent many times during the year when life just seems too much!  When the coming weekend will not give me respite then I know I am too busy!

Today’s verse does not promise that the schedule will be lighter.  These words of Jesus do not even promise sleep.  But they do promise something even more important; rest for our souls.  The circumstances may not change, but our sense of peace and well-being can change.  It does not involve exercise, calming music, going to church or a hot tub.  This rest He promises goes much deeper and touches our innermost being.  It is a rest that lifts the weariness and burdens of our hearts.

I so often miss it.  The answer is too simple.  I am to come to Him in faith and quietness.  All the distractions of the day can fade away in His loving presence.  All the worries and anxieties crowding my mind can be laid aside.  It is as if I have been holding my breath trying to keep it all together.  But when I kneel in His presence and soak up His love, I can give a sigh of relief.

Thank you Lord, for the rest You promise.  Keep me coming to You all day long.