Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Dog Images


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Attack!

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 4:18 “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

This dog attack looks pretty frightening.  I would not want to be the one at the receiving end of those sharp teeth!  He could do real damage and even take a life.  But as one can see from the photo, this dog has not run amok.  He may have that urge to bite but there are some restraints and protections in place.

Recently, evil seems to have run amok in our world.  When we see senseless murderous attacks on innocents we wonder where our world is headed.  Laws, governments and any security measure known to man cannot guarantee personal safety.  Those intent on evil will always find a way.  And next time there is an attack, I might be in the very path of that evil.  But regardless of what flaming arrows the Enemy might launch my way, I have the shield of faith to protect me. (Eph. 6:16)  My soul cannot be touched by evil.  It belongs to the Almighty God who is sovereign over all.  As today’s verse says, the Lord will bring me safely into His Kingdom.

How could I sleep at night without the beautiful assurance this verse gives me!  Without His promises it would be too easy to succumb to depression and pessimism when I see the terror and fear around me.  But I know He has placed His restraint on evil in the world through His Holy Spirit and His people.  And one incredible day, the Lord will establish justice and peace when He establishes His Kingdom.

Come, Lord Jesus.  Come quickly!


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Dog Obedience School

Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 9:23b “…But you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. You did not trust Him or obey Him.”

This dog must have passed his dog obedience course with flying colors!  Would that dogs obeyed their owners to this extent!  Typically, the dog obedience school trains dogs to come when called, stay, sit, lie down and walk nicely on a leash.  That last behavior is especially important.  No one wants a dog lunging or pulling on a leash.  A dog who walks attentively next to his owner is less likely to become fearful in new situations.

Today’s verse describes the disobedience of the Israelites when commanded to take the land the Lord had given them.  God had promised victory had they gone up and taken possession.  But they were fearful.  To obey this command would involve trusting God’s promise.  It would seem risky to take Him at His word.  So instead of trusting and obeying, they chose to rebel.

Obeying God’s commands is not always easy or comfortable.  I usually have an idea that seems better and with less bother.  But doing things my way is really saying that I do not trust Him.  I do not trust Him to work things out for my benefit.  Can I really trust Him to meet every need?  Can I truly trust Him to be enough?  Will He really come through?

There is no question of me obeying Him if I do not trust Him.  My obedience comes out of a place of absolute trust.  Like the old hymn says, “What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; never fear, only trust and obey.”

Lord, help me to trust You more today than I did yesterday.


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Underdog

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:31b-32 “…If God if for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

This poor dog is in a humiliating position of defeat!  He is literally the “underdog!”  We often like to cheer the underdog or the one who seems to be facing insurmountable odds.  In sports, the team who is not favored to win can excite more cheering than the one thought to be stronger.  There is something about the weaker one carrying the victory that encourages us to hope and to greater effort in our own circumstances.

Feeling like the “underdog” as a believer is all too common.  Those who follow Christ are more often outnumbered and in the minority.  This can lead us to think that we are in the weaker position and cannot expect to have victory.  But nothing is further from the truth!  Today’s verse encourages the heart of every underdog.  God sees our predicament.  He understands that we are limited and often powerless to stand firm in our faith.  We are mocked and maligned, misunderstood and marginalized.  But we are on the right side and that changes everything!

God is for His own.  He has sacrificed His dearest Son to have this relationship with me.  No one can snatch me out of His hand (John 10:28).  No one can separate me from His love (Rom. 8:38-39).  No one.  He has won the victory for me (I Cor. 15:57) and I can hold my head up!  I may feel outnumbered and insignificant, but with God on my side, suddenly the playing field changes.

How could I live this life without You being for me?  Thank you that I do not have to!


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Not Feeling It

pug,tumblr_ntn1fv1G7N1tl922oo1_500Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 3:3 “You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

My poor husband recently had a rotten tooth extracted and with the local anesthetic, he felt and looked much like this pug!  But the upside is that there was no pain during the procedure.  He did not feel a thing!

Feeling physical pain is sometimes easier than dealing with strong feelings and emotions.  Over the years I have often heard it said that, “feelings are neither good or bad.”  They are somehow neutral and natural.  It is what we do with them that can result in something negative or positive.  Feelings and emotions drive us to do so many wonderful or horrible things.

Today’s verse seems to support the idea that our feelings are normal and natural.  When we feel jealousy, we are following our normal human inclination.  However, some feelings, though understandable, are absolutely wrong in God’s sight.  Jealousy is one.  Our God is a jealous God but we are never given that right.  Hate is another.  The hate does not even have to lead to action to be wrong (Matt. 5:21).  When one lusts for someone other than a spouse, it is as wrong as the actual act of adultery (Matt. 5:27-28).  Feelings matter.

Of course not all feelings are wrong.  But just because it feels normal does not mean that the Lord approves.  My heart is deceitful and ready to excuse every feeling for whatever reason (Jer. 17:9).  My heart is all about those feelings that motivate and shape my life.  Controlling them, dealing with them and sometimes confessing them is only possible through His Spirit!

Lord, help me evaluate my feelings in the light of Your Word.

 


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A Special Dog!

Scripture for Today: Deut. 33:26  “There is none like the God of Jeshurun (Israel) who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in His majesty.”

One of our favorite places in Switzerland is the Alpine village of Grand Saint Bernard.  It is situated in the foothills of Mount Blanc right at Italy’s border.  The St. Bernard dog used to be bred here by Augustinian monks.  In the summer months one can still see these gentle giants at the traveler’s hospice for which they were named.  This dog is renowned for its capabilities as an avalanche search dog.  The small cask of brandy at their neck is a long-standing myth.  But the myth is perpetuated for the sake of the tourists and their cameras.  The most famous St. Bernard is “Barry” having saved over forty lost mountaineers.

Today’s verse is a beautiful description of the God we serve.  He rides the heavens and through the skies to give help to His loved ones.  He is majestic and there is none like Him.  He saves those who are lost and cry out to Him.  He inclines His ear to deliver and rescue us.  He promises to be a “very present help in time of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

I can put my hope and trust in Him because His help is timely.  He rides the heavens to my rescue and He is never late.  He hears me the second I cry out to Him and He never disappoints.  Even though there are times He tests my faith and arrives at the very last moment, He has come through for me again and again.  Why should I ever doubt or fear?

Lord, next time I am tempted to doubt, give me eyes of faith to see You riding the heavens to be my help!