Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Dog Images


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Self Control

self control12208634_10153746210601912_774308151025824597_nScripture for Today: Titus 2:12 “It (grace) teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”

This dog understands the word, “No!”  I am amazed at his self-control sitting there right next to that meat.  I wonder how long that lasted?  With smelling it, seeing it, and imagining that first bite, the dog must be trembling with the effort to refrain from gobbling it up in a moment!  I do not think the owner was too far away as the tension mounted.

Today’s verse is surprising.  The grace that normally comes to mind is the grace that offers salvation, that amazing unmerited and undeserved favor from God. (verse 11)  But this grace is a grace that teaches.  This grace allows the believer to live a godly life that pleases the Lord.  And like saving grace, it is completely unmerited.  We do not earn the ability to live a self-controlled life.  It is a gift that is part of the evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Gal. 5:23).  We cannot take credit for staying away from sin.  We cannot take credit for our obedience to God.  It is all grace.

I am so thankful for the gift of self-control without which my life would be a mess.  His Spirit enables me to say “No” to temptation.  His Spirit gives me the power to turn my back on ungodly desires and choose obedience.  And despite the occasional slip, He has changed my heart to want what is right.  My highest desire is to honor Him with my choices.  And it is with His help that I can achieve that desire even just a little.

Thank you Lord, that Your self-control is another evidence of Your grace!


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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.