Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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Don’t Upset the Apple Cart!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 16:8 “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

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This gentleman looks intent on keeping all his apples stable as he transports them to market with no chance of upset. The phrase, “don’t upset the apple cart” is thought to originate in the 18th century and according to an English professor, Anne Curzan, has a surprising meaning; the human body! At that time a ‘bread basket’ was your stomach, a ‘potato trap’ was your mouth, and the ‘apple cart’ was your body,” she said. To physically knock someone down was to upset the apple cart! Today’s meaning is advice not to disrupt a stable situation.

Today’s verse acknowledges that life can be unstable, full of changes and disruptive to the comfortable status quo. King David declares that he will not be shaken. He understood that it was the Lord who made his lot secure and not his armies nor his wealth and position. (verse 5) Rather than look to his circumstances, he keeps his eyes on the Lord for that sense of security and stability.

There may be some apples out of alignment on my cart. There may be a whole row of them about to fall! With the news being so volatile on the world stage, or when changes in my personal life blindside me I can certainly feel “shaken.” But I am reassured when I tear my eyes away from circumstances out of my control and redirect my attention to the One who has all the control! That sense of well-being, peace and security returns when I steadfastly look to Jesus. (Heb. 12:2)

Thank you Lord, for Your calming reassurance.


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“Expect the Unexpected”

Scripture for Today: Psalm 33:10-11 “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

If there were ever a piece of advice for the beginning of a New Year, this would fit the bill! This quote to expect the unexpected has been attributed to Bear Bryant, that iconic football coach with his black and white houndstooth hat. He is considered one of the greats with his legendary run of 6 national championships as coach of University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide. Although he was known for holding his rolled-up game plan while on the side lines, he obviously had to disregard it in the face of the unexpected.

Today’s verse reassures me, not only at the beginning of a New Year, but every day. There may be political unrest or chaos in our world but the Lord has plans that are never frustrated or foiled. His sovereignty is absolute. He allows and He blocks the plans of men. He is not random or capricious but always has a design of His own that will supersede our own plans. His unseen plans will never be thwarted by man as they stand firm and forever. I can be assured that there is an ordered objective to what God is allowing.

This truth gives me tremendous comfort when my world seems to be spinning out of control, whether on the world stage or in my personal life. Nothing takes the God of the universe by surprise. He has no need to modify or change His plans as He knows the end from the beginning. Nothing is ever “unexpected” for Him! And because this is true, I have no cause for fear. In the middle of the unexpected, I can expect the Lord to keep His Word and promises to me!

Thank you Lord, that Your plans stand firm.


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What’s the Plan?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

I doubt that this was the plan. This poor mouse finds himself precariously hanging on to a branch rather than foraging on the ground for food. Obviously, something happened to disrupt his plan! He finds himself the “poster child” for the quote: “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” This line from a poem in 1785 by Robert Burns was written to a mouse whose carefully built home was plowed over by a farmer. The message was that even with careful planning, there can arise an unforeseen circumstance that changes everything!

Today’s verse gives tremendous reassurance as we face a new year! There will be unforeseen circumstances in the coming twelve months. Some will be joyful and positive! Happy surprises await! But as with any year, some surprises will not be so welcome. Our plans may or may not come to fruition. We cannot know. But we can commit each of our plans, projects, hopes and dreams to the Lord. The word, “commit” in Hebrew has the idea of rolling down or rolling away. From our shoulders to His, we roll the questions, doubts and burdens of the future. He will establish our plans when we submit them to His control.

I have some great plans for this next year and I approach the new year with excitement! But with each proposed project, I want to surrender to His loving oversight. As my Lord, He has the final say, seeing what is ahead when I cannot. With His personal involvement in even the tiniest detail, I can roll any care, anxiety or doubt over to Him. He establishes the plan!

Thank you Lord, for the excitement of a New Year in Your grace!


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The Sea Plane

Scripture for Today: II Thessalonians 1: 3b-4  “…your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.  Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”

We were boating with friends on Lake Minnetonka when our peaceful reverie was abruptly interrupted by the landing of a sea plane near us! I had seen them at a distance but never one so close! The water was smooth and the landing seemed effortless. We were not there for his departure but I learned that smooth water can create drag and make lift off more challenging. Some pilots will create artificial waves by circling before take off to create some turbulence!

Today’s verse describes the spiritual health of the Thessalonian church. Paul is proud of their growing faith and love for one another. Their faith has been growing as a result of persecutions and trials. Like the turbulence of the water, the process can be hard but the results can be seen in a growing and healthy faith. It is not in the smooth unruffled times that perseverance is needed. It is when faith is challenged that it grows. It is when life is hard that brothers and sisters love and support one another.

I wish it were not so. I would love for life to be calm, unruffled and peaceful. But the waters need stirring up. The turbulence is needed for new heights to be gained. It is in the challenge of the hard times that my faith is challenged and I grow closer to my Creator. He calls me to higher and higher altitudes where I can see Him more clearly. He uses the turbulence of testing to grow me more like Him. This is my confidence. This is my hope in whatever difficulty I face. Every time, He is there.

Thank you Lord, that I can trust You.


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Delayed!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 40:17 “But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; You are my God, do not delay.”

This happened. Actually, experiencing flight delays happens pretty regularly. Unlike the girl pictured I try to stay calm, but when a connecting flight is affected I do tend to panic! No one likes running frantically to a gate. Being delayed because of my own lack of organization is one thing, but when the airlines delay me for whatever reason, I feel intense frustration. I have no control and that is an uncomfortable feeling!

David was concerned about delays for a much better reason. He was waiting for the Lord to act on his behalf in the face of enemies! Today’s verse is a cry for help and deliverance. David saw that he had no control in the situation. In fact, he was humble enough to clearly see his poor and needy state. He was totally dependent on God’s response. How odd that a mighty king would say that he is poor and needy. Yet David felt that way when overwhelmed with his troubles and sin, as well as his enemies (verse 12).

When I am feeling rich and confident in my own resources I am less likely to call out to the Lord for help. I am tempted to feel smug and complacent when all is going well. It is when I am surrounded by troubles that I realize I have so little control. Panic and frustration take over when feeling victimized by my circumstances. It is at that point that I realize just how poor and needy I am! Perhaps, that is why God sometimes delays. He waits for humility. He opposes the proud but gives so much timely grace to the humble.

Thank you Lord, that Your help is never too late when I cry out to You.