Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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In God We Trust

pennyunnamedScripture for Today: Proverbs 11:28 “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”

My neighbor recently held a garage sale and I came away with this bracelet.  Perhaps at her price I was not really out a dollar as there are eleven coins making up the bracelet!  It is surprising that our coins still bear the inscription, “In God We Trust.”  Despite some controversy this motto has been in continuous use since 1909, having been passed by Congress in 1865 at the request of the people.  This affirmation of faith came at a difficult time in American history; during the Civil War.

It seems incongruous to see the idea of trusting God on our coinage.  In fact, it would be more truthful to say that we trust in our own wealth.  Our verse for today talks about trusting in our riches.  It is a natural inclination both then and now.  With riches comes a sense of control and independence.  Trusting in our riches means we are trusting in ourselves with very little need for God.

Riches in themselves are not wrong but are sometimes even a sign of blessing in Scripture.  I do not often feel rich, but in the eyes of many from an impoverished world I am.  Unfortunately, being rich can be a pitfall.  It is easy for me to trust in my own resources rather than the One who provided them.  This verse tells me that if I continually trust in riches, I will eventually fall.  They will not hold me up.  But the Lord promises that I will thrive when I trust in Him.  I do not need riches to thrive, I need Him!

Help me Lord, to practice what is written on that penny.


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Walking Stick

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”

As I approached the slippery rocks that allowed me to cross the stream, I remembered the advice from a friend; better use a walking stick.  We have two beautiful ones we have used for our Alpine hiking, but they were back at the house.  I picked up a dried out bamboo reed to use instead.  The problem was that it was too flimsy.  It did not support my weight when I leaned on it half way across.  Instead of helping me, it just about caused me to fall as it bent in half!

Our verse for today came to mind.  When I lean on my own understanding rather than trust God, I am using something flimsy that can let me down.  It may work for awhile, but at that crucial moment everything can fall apart.  My own understanding is so limited.  Depending on my own understanding means I may fall down or slip.  The path can become difficult with twists and turns that confuse me.  There is just so much I do not know.  And the more I study Scripture the more I realize I do not know!

Thankfully, I have the choice of leaning on Someone far more intelligent and wise than I am.  He sees what is ahead.  He knows the best course to take.  He will not let me down.  I do not need to apologize when I lean on Him.  He invites me to do so.  It is not a sign of weakness to need His strength and direction.

Thank you Lord, for holding me up and being totally trustworthy!  Help me trust You today.


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Tricky Crossing

brookunnamedScripture for Today: Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.”

I enjoy my walk in the San Juan hills every chance I get.  But this part is tricky.  It is not that the water is deep or the rocks too far apart.  They are in fact spaced just right.  The problem is that some of these rocks move slightly when I step on them.  Add to that my terrible sense of balance and the inevitable is sure to someday happen.  But for now, I have avoided slipping into the water.  Thankfully, there has never been anyone around to see my silly unsteadiness.

Our verse for today describes our God as a Rock.  He does not move.  His works are perfect and He can always be counted on to do what is absolutely right and just.  He never does anything remotely wrong or questionable.  He does not change with the times.  His actions are never capricious or based on whimsy.  He is faithful and just to His character.  The fact that He is unchangeable means He does not move.  He  does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17) or like rocks in a stream.

I love that the Lord is sure and steadfast.  I can build my life on His unchanging truth and character rather than the shifting ground of worldly values and views.  I can cross over water that is deep and scarey knowing that He makes my steps sure.  He is faithful and will not let my feet slip.  His promises are as rock-solid as Himself.  I will not be moved when trusting in Him!

Thank you Lord, that because of You I can walk with confidence today!


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A Dog and His Bone

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:6 “Don’t fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.”

Though this dog looks harmless enough, I would not want to get between him and his bone!  He must be in “doggy heaven” with such a treasure.  How many hours of fun he will have biting, tearing and gnawing at it.  However, there is lots of controversy about giving dogs bones.  There is discussion about raw versus cooked and which kinds are safe from splintering and causing problems.  But worrying a bone is something that seems a normal natural activity for a dog.

The phrase, “worrying a bone” reminded me of our verse for today.  We are told that we are not to worry, fret or be anxious about anything.  Instead, we are to turn those worries into prayers, thanking God in advance for how He will answer.  But like the dog with his bone, worrying just seems to come naturally.  It is so natural to worry that we need supernatural help to stop!

Worrying changes nothing, but praying can.  Prayer disposes my heart to trust Christ.  He already knows what worries are gnawing at me.  But He asks me to name those worries in the form of petitions.  What freedom can be mine when I give it all to Him!  He replaces that worry with His peace that guards my heart and mind.  Instead of being consumed with worry, I can get some distance from that problem.  I am no longer gnawing and picking at it.  My mind and heart are at rest, knowing I can trust His hand to work.

Lord, keep me from my natural inclination to worry.  Help me turn every anxious thought into heartfelt prayer.


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Transplanted

palmunnamedScripture for Today: Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

I thought it odd to see this huge palm tree being trucked to a different home.  The new owners must have gone to quite a bit of trouble and cost to transplant such a huge tree.  The driver told us that the price tag to move and transplant it was $1,000!  How awful if this majestic tree were to fail to take root in its new home.

Our verse for today describes how as believers we are rooted in a different soil.  No longer are we in the soil of the world, but we have been transplanted.  Those who have received Christ as Lord and Master live their lives for Him.  Being rooted and built up in Him means that faith is continually strengthened as we learn and grow. Being transplanted from the world into Him is made evident by our thankful spirit.

The Lord has gone to enormous lengths to transplant us.  He has sacrificed Himself and bought us at a great price (I Cor. 6:20).  He has taken us out of the darkness and transplanted us in the light (Eph. 5:8).  He has given us everything that is needed to live a godly life in Him (II Peter 1:3).

Like the Israelites who longed to return to Egypt when the going got tough, so I sometimes feel that life would be easier in the world’s soil.  Instead of being thankful for the amazing new place He has planted me, I sometimes look back over my shoulder to what I have left.

Thank you Lord, for transplanting me in You!  Grow my roots deeper and deeper into Your incredible love.