Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Flower Images


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Dead Head

Scripture for Today: John 15:2 “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

My beautiful blue flowers (Felicia Amelloides) lining the walk to the front door are being crowded out by their predecessors! What a long meticulous process it is to dead head them. But in making the effort, there can be new growth of that dainty blue flower. For awhile, the flowers look a bit sparse. But in no time at all the flowers will have room to blossom and fill in. You can clearly see where I stopped my work. I try to be careful but often I inadvertently snip off the healthy flowers or buds.

Today’s verse refers to the pruning of vines to produce more and better grapes. But the idea is the same; that old growth needs to be removed before new growth can happen. The one who does the pruning is God, our Vinedresser. As believers, we are branches connected to Jesus, our Vine, and that connection produces a fruitful God-honoring life. We are not to be content with the fruit He has already produced. His precise life-long pruning produces more fruit that is richer and more plentiful.

God wants to take away anything that holds me back from growing and bearing fruit. It could be a success or a failure. Am I so content with past good works for Him that I feel I don’t need to do more or do better? Or perhaps it is the guilt of that personal failure I keep hidden from view. Or maybe it is holding on to a behavior I know does not please Him. It all needs to be cut back to allow new fresh growth. It does not always feel so good. But God is continually at work in me, changing me to want to bear fruit for Him. (Phil. 2:13)

Thank you Lord, for what You produce in me.


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Butterflies or Hummingbirds?

Scripture for Today: Romans 3:29-30 “Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.”

When our landscaper planted our Buddleia flowering plants, I referred to them as “butterfly bushes.” He however referred to them as “hummingbird bushes.” Regardless of the name, I was happy that both were true. Both butterflies and hummingbirds swarm those flowers so rich in nectar and honey scented! Flying through the yard flashing their beautiful colors, they land on those bushes, taking turns and being nourished at the same source.

Today’s verse affirms that there is only one God. He is not God of only one group of people and not another. Both the Jew and the Gentile (or non-Jew) are justified through their faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. As different as the circumcised and the uncircumcised may be, there is only one Source of forgiveness and redemption for both groups. And it is not found in following Law or in our own good works, but only by faith in Christ’s perfect sacrifice for sin.

The truth that there is only One Source of salvation brings a unique unity among believers that is found nowhere else. We are called together to one hope (Eph. 4:4). My differences with a people group on the other side of the world will be of no consequence as we kneel together at the feet of Christ. One day when He rules this world, sin and pride will no longer divide us. In the meantime, I am to strive to keep the unity that He makes possible through His Spirit.

Lord, help me to see others as You do.


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The Morning Dew

Scripture for Today:  Hosea 6:4  “What can I do with you, Ephraim?  What can I do with you, Judah?  Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.”

Is there anything prettier than dew kissing the fragile petals of a rose? That moisture on the leaves and petals not only looks pretty but is important to counteracting the heat later in the day. I love cutting them and bringing them into the house! But of course, I do not bring them inside if they are still wet with dew. Handling any plant when wet is never a good idea as this is when they are most fragile. Better to leave them undisturbed while they soak up that moisture.

Today’s verse is addressed to two tribes of Israel. They knew to make sacrifices and burnt offerings but they did not show mercy to others nor did they acknowledge God. It was just routine and tradition. Their love for the Lord was as transient as morning dew or morning mist which quickly disappears. This verse describes the Israelite’s unfaithfulness to God, a common theme in Hosea often using the example of a wayward wife.

I can identify with a love that disappears like morning dew. In the morning when I read His Word and talk with Him, I can be satisfied with His unfailing love (Psalm 90:14). But as I go throughout my day, that closeness can seem to evaporate in the distractions of a busy day. And sometimes it is easy to look at my time with the Lord as an obligation to be crossed off a list. But He is not interested in empty ritual but in meaningful relationship. Thankfully, despite how fickle I am, His love does not dissipate. He continues to tap my shoulder with His love and remind me that He is there.

Thank you Lord, that I can count on Your love all day.

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2021)


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Chocolate Iris?

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 2:4-5 “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on God’s power.”

This is a surprising color for an iris! And its name reflects the color: “Dutch Chocolate.” But in fact, the iris comes in an array of different colors, including a deep purple that looks black. The wide diversity of colors makes sense as the word, “iris” originally meant “rainbow” in Greek. In the language of flowers, the iris symbolizes eloquence. And its three petal segments are said to represent faith, wisdom, and valor.

There is faith and wisdom in today’s verse as well as courage to speak the truth. There is not however any eloquence. Wise sounding words can be empty. Persuasive words can be negated by hypocrisy.  But Paul explains that his message did not need either as his words were a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. Paul never claimed to be eloquent in his speech. Because he spoke simply, God’s power was evident. And he resisted the temptation to speak only what “itchy ears” wanted to hear (II Tim. 4:3).

My faith does not rest on a fancy discourse or the latest fad or book. Human wisdom can never replace the power of God’s Words. It is not what exact words are used but God’s Spirit who helps me understand (verse 12). He is the One that explains spiritual realities to me (verse 13). And His Spirit uses my words of testimony even when I am not eloquent. I may not feel strong or confident in sharing the Gospel. But thankfully, His power does not depend on my word choice!  His power is evident not because of me but in spite of me!

Thank you Lord, that my faith rests on Your power.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


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Easter Lily

Scripture for Today: Matthew 12:40 “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Growing up, my Mother’s Easter table was often graced with this lily. This beautiful flower is also called, “white-robed apostles of hope.” There is symbolism in the white color representing the purity of Christ.  The trumpet shape of the flower brings to mind the trumpeting of the message of resurrection. But what impresses me is that all this beauty could come from a dirty unremarkable bulb. For at least three years its bulb stays underground in the dark before bursting forth to flower.

Today’s verse comes from a discussion Jesus had with the Pharisees asking for a sign. Here, Jesus predicts the three days He will spend in the heart of the earth following His death. Those three days were not unlike what Jonah experienced. It was during those three days that despair was so keenly felt by all who had hoped in Christ. All who had looked to Jesus to be their deliverer must have felt betrayed and defeated. It looked as if Satan had won. But then…death could not hold him!

There may be three dark days, three dark years or even thirty during which He may ask me to wait for a positive outcome. But because of Christ’s resurrection, I have hope. His victory over death ensures mine. And even the darkest time can be seen as “momentary” compared to the glorious future He has prepared for me! (II Cor. 4:17) One day I will shed this dirty bulb-like body and burst forth, flowering for an eternity in a new resurrected body! All because He died and rose again for me. His resurrection gives me new life, eternal life and life now that can be abundant!

Thank you Lord, for the hope You give.