Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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Tiger’s Eye

Scripture for Today: Acts 4:13 “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

The Tiger’s Eye gemstone is said by some to have properties that encourage one to live boldly and with courage! I only know it to be a beautiful stone that my Father and brother often worked with as part of their lapidary hobby. This golden stone has fibers of other minerals trapped inside giving it that lined appearance. Roman soldier used to wear engraved tiger’s eye to protect them in battle! I have not felt particularly courageous when wearing my tiger’s eye earrings!

Today’s verse describes two unschooled and ordinary men; Peter and John. These men were ordered to give an account of themselves before rulers. With boldness and clarity they declared the name of Jesus as being the only Source of their power and the only Source of salvation (verse 12). They lived their lives with courage, no matter what the cost. The time they had spent with Jesus showed in their lives.  There was not much to recommend them in the eyes of the world. They were just ordinary men without even a higher education. Yet, their time with Jesus was evident to all.

I wonder how much my time with Jesus marks me. Do people see colored traces of the Divine in my life? There are ample opportunities to wonder and fear, especially regarding the future. Can I face the unknown with courage? Yes. But I only have that confidence after spending time with Jesus, reading His Word and being reminded of His promises. I can only experience this same courage when listening to His voice reassuring me of His love and His control. And experiencing this courage gives me confidence to share with others its Source!

Lord, may my time spent with You be evident today!


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Holding Me Up

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

If you were to board a “vaporetto” or public water bus in Venice, you would be sure to see this startling sculpture. It has a prominent place on the Grand Canal and the gleaming white hands seem to rise up from the water to hold up this hotel. It was sculpted by Lorenzo Quinn, the son of Hollywood’s Anthony Quinn, in 2017. Not surprisingly he named it, “Support.” This artist used his talent to showcase the delicate balance between Venice and the sea.

Today’s verse reassures us that there are hands that hold us up. God speaks this special message to the Israelites in a passage that declares His power over all of their adversaries. There is no reason to fear or be dismayed at the opposition. That is because He promises His strength and help. In the same way, the believer today can be confident. If God is for us who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31) and because of HIs love upholding us we are MORE than conquerors. (Rom. 8:37)

There are so many verses that tell us not to fear. A friend of mine is going through each one of these verses as she helps her husband through cancer treatment. Opposition comes in many forms. But whatever I may face that threatens to bring me down, there are hands holding me up. Anxiety, worry, what if’s or even a mild disquiet is not what the Lord wants me to feel. He offers His strength, His help, His support and His love. In looking forward to an unknown future, there is no room for fear!

Thank you Lord, that You will always hold me up.


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Chaos Theory

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.”

The contrast is a stark one noted on this sign, and recently in our world as well. There is a theory called, “Chaos Theory,” that attempts to explain the unpredictable. Rather than traditional science that deals with the predictable, as in gravity or certain chemical reactions, Chaos Theory teaches us to expect the unexpected. It is a science of surprises that are impossible to predict or control. Categorizing what we cannot control as “chaos,” does not do much to reassure me!

Today’s verse does reassure me. 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. In contrast to chaos, and despite chaos, 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 a large or personal scale. 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. He never says, “uh-oh,” nor does He wring His hands. He has the world in those hands and because He does, I can have rest in the middle of unrest.

Thank you Lord, that Your plans stand firm.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2021)


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Rising Up!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 30:18 “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him.”

What a beautiful and impressive sight to see these hot air balloons rise up during the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Festival in Turkey! This annual event, usually in August, attracts thousands from around the world. More than two hundred years ago the first flight took place from the Tuileries Gardens in France thanks to the research done by the Montgolfier brothers! (I always wondered why a hot air balloon was called in French a “montgolfière!”) Unlike hot air balloon rides today, the first passengers were a sheep, a rooster and a duck!

Today’s verse speaks of the graciousness of the Lord. He rises up to show compassion for those He calls His own. Many times in Scripture “rising up” speaks of God’s judgement on the wicked. But here, He rises up to show compassion, with reassurance that He will be faithful to those who are targets of injustice. His justice will prevail because He is gracious and compassionate. It may be that He shows justice in our lifetime, but if not, surely in the life to come! And we are called on to wait for Him.

I am not feeling so “blessed” when I see all kinds of injustice in our world. It can weigh very heavily on my spirit, especially when loved ones are targeted. It is so difficult to see brothers and sisters in Christ suffer. But in believing in the God of the Bible and His ultimate justice, I am able to rise up myself and stand firm! (Ps. 20:8) One day, every wrong will be made right! This is my confident hope and expectation, one that lifts my spirits.

Thank you Lord, that I can trust Your justice!


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The Royal Guard

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 1:12 “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

Did you know that those guards at Buckingham Palace are actual soldiers in the British army carrying real guns? There are four sentry guards when the King is in residence and only two when he is elsewhere. In addition there are five regiments of foot guards: Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh. Although their uniforms differ subtly, they all have the same charge to guard and protect.

Today’s verse is Paul’s declaration of faith in God’s power to guard what he has entrusted to Him, namely his soul. During a time of discouraging imprisonment, Paul stays confident of God’s control. He is suffering but does not feel shame for being in prison. He shares in the sufferings of Christ but is also experiencing Christ’s abundant comfort (II Cor.1:5). Paul knows that his soul will live on even if he does not survive. God has promised and He is all -powerful and able to keep His word.

Knowing and being convinced of God’s power to guard my soul makes all the difference to how I live.  And it will make just as big a difference to how I die. My eternal security rests on His finished work of perfect sacrifice. It does not rest on me, my laundry list of good works or how I am feeling. My soul is in His powerful hands and nothing and no one can pluck me out of there! (John 10:28). I have no power to guard anything. But He does.

Lord, I trust that You guard my soul!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2019)