Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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Make Up Call

Scripture for Today: Acts 17:31 “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

https://www.flickr.com/photos/christianspenceranderson/6138402466

The Make Up Call would never be necessary in a perfect world where every referee call were done perfectly. But of course, referees are only human. If he erroneously gives possession of the basketball to one team, he may try to balance out the injustice with a make up call. To do that he may quickly whistle a travel or improper zone defense on that team in order to restore possession to the other wronged team. That penalty may be entirely fictional in order to right a previous wrong!

Today’s verse promises a day when the world will be judged. All wrongs will be put right. Perfect justice will be meted out and it will be perfectly done. It will be perfect because of who is appointed to do it; Jesus Christ. The proof of His right to establish justice is evident in His resurrection. In His perfect judgement there will be no make up calls to balance out an injustice. There will no challenges at all to the absolute rightness of what He will declare.

At no point can I ever argue with the His perfect justice. I can never point out something He missed or excuse myself because of my good intentions. There are no extenuating circumstances that can cloud the issue of my absolute guilt before Him. His justice is always fair. Thankfully, He sees Christ’s righteousness when looking at me (Rom. 3:22) and I am under no condemnation (Rom. 8:1). But it is comforting to know that whatever injustice gets overlooked here will one day be put right.

Thank you Lord, for Your perfect justice.


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Smart Glasses

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:15 “My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.”

AGCO-Fendt, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Smart cars, smart phones, and now, smart glasses are becoming more and more commonplace. It seems we need all the gadgets in order to be really smart! Smart glasses free up the hands in doing a task while at the same time, allowing access to a computer. The reflected digital images appear in one’s field of vision but allow the user to see through it. The upshot is, the wearer may seem to be looking at you while in fact seeing something completely unrelated!

Today’s verse reminds us of the importance of keeping our eyes ever on the Lord. When we do, He instructs us in the way to choose (verse 12). With our eyes on the Lord, He relieves the troubles of our hearts and frees us from anguish (verse 17). When we look to Him, He takes care of our sin and our enemies (verses18-19). Having our eyes ever and always on Him means He will rescue us from the snares and traps of the evil one.

It is smart to keep my eyes on the Lord. No one else can do for me what He does! There is no gadget or new invention that can touch my heart and soul. His power, protection and peace are mine when I focus my trust and attention on Him. I dare not trust in man at all whether it be in his wealth, science or technology (Psalm 20:7). I want Jesus to always be in my field of vision. He is the Author and Perfecter of my faith (Heb. 12:2).

Lord, keep me looking to You today.


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Feathers

Scripture for Today: Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Is there anything softer than downey feathers? This is certainly why some duvets and pillows afford such wonderful and comforting sleep. Apart from being breathable and regulating body temperature, these soft feathers will envelop and conform to the body. They are so malleable that there is less strain on the muscles. Their natural softness just wraps around the body, so much so that it is hard to leave!

What a beautiful image feathers are in today’s verse! The Lord covers the believer with something so soft. Yet, at the same time, His feathers are strong, providing refuge from any attack! It is under His wings that we discover His faithful care, as strong and protective as a shield or surrounding rampart. His feathers are lightweight, not weighing us down. We can breathe deeply and catch our breath there, surrounded by His attentive safe keeping. His soft feathers wrap around the body shielding us from whatever threatens us.

The best place to be is under His wings. How good He is to provide that respite for the soul! Sometimes I do not even realize how harsh the world is until I go there and feel the contrast of His soft enveloping love. He offers me His protection and strength there under His waiting wings. But how often do I go there? I am just silly enough to walk right past Him and muddle through on my own. But I have had enough of hard realities. I need to relax, let go, and bask in the soft realities of His love and care.

Lord, keep me under Your wings today.


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Our Future Plans

Scripture for Today: James 4:15 “Instead you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

We’re late. In our household we move from one year’s agenda to the next at the beginning of July. But somehow, time got away from us. Here it is August and I am only now making the transfer. Perhaps subconsciously, I was putting off recording our planning in the new agenda as the world continues to change and restrictions come and go. Too often, plans have fallen apart through circumstances outside my control.

Today’s verse talks about making plans for the future. Of course it is important in making any plan to carefully weigh the pros and cons, to count the cost and to prepare for contingencies. Scripture encourages us to count the cost (Luke 14:28). But this passage is speaking to the arrogance of making plans without thought to the plans the Lord may have. We do not know what tomorrow will hold or whether we will have life and breath to carry out our future plans (verse 14). The unexpected will always surprise us, but will never take the Lord by surprise.

When I make plans I want to acknowledge that the Lord may have something different in mind. Recognizing this truth keeps me humble and keeps me in an attitude of submission. Accepting His control also keeps me asking and listening to Him. As wonderful as I think my plan is, I do not want to miss out on something better!  He knows what tomorrow holds. He knows what health issues I may be facing. He is already aware of possible changes in our finances. Being overconfident about my plans is seen as “boasting” in the Lord’s eyes (verse 16). He wants me to make Him my confidence. 

Lord, keep me following Your agenda.


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Flex Alert

Scripture for Today: I Chronicles 29:12 “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”

Flex Alert is a voluntary program of energy conservation here in California. During extremely hot temperatures the power grid can get overloaded with an increase in demand. To avoid a black out or even planned roving power outages, folks are encouraged during peak hours to do three things: set the thermostat to 78 or higher, avoid using major appliances and turn off unnecessary lights. These measures keep us from running out of power.

Today’s verse acknowledges that wealth, honor, strength and power all come from the Lord. This praise is part of David’s prayer of praise at the building of the Temple. David had given of his wealth (verse 2) and he encourages the people to follow his example. Because wealth, honor, strength and power are from God’s hands, the people could open their own hands and give generously. But David first challenges the Israelites to consecrate themselves to the Lord (verse 5). That power from Him showed up in their willingness to give of themselves and of their wealth.

I often call on the Lord for His strength and power. His power is definitely present when I can say “no” to temptation. His strength is evident when He gets me through a difficult day after a sleepless night. When He comes through for me it is amazing! But it is just as amazing to step out in faith and give sacrificially to His work. To do so, I need to remember this verse. Power, strength, honor and wealth all come from Him and there are no outages.

Thank you Lord, that Your power enables me to give You myself and all I have.