Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: For Foodies


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Too Decadent?

Scripture for Today: Luke 12:2 “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (ESV)

Have you ever felt that what you were eating was “sinfully rich”? These diners are eating the Ortolan Bunting bird which is a long standing delicacy in French cuisine. This beautiful song bird is drowned in Armagnac and then marinated in the brandy before being cooked. They are eaten whole, feet first while holding on to the head! As a result of their dwindling population, the killing and cooking of these birds is now banned. Tradition says that the napkin works to shield from God’s eyes the shame of such a decadent meal!

Today’s verse teaches that no napkin can cover up anything from God’s eyes. Nothing is covered that will not one day be revealed. Whatever may be hidden from man’s eyes will someday be made known. The context refers to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Jesus is addressing their attitude of superiority in publicly keeping the Law while privately engaging in sinful behavior. Whatever is said in the dark will be heard in the light and whatever is whispered in private will be proclaimed on the rooftops! (Verse 3) The Lord wants His followers to have faith that is as genuine in private as it is before others.

I often think more about the image I present to others rather than doing the harder work of faithful obedience. I don’t think God is much impressed with how well I may look to others when He knows the true state of my heart! Being all-knowing, He knows every thought and intention. He sees my motives even when I do not. I want to be more aware of His presence and listening ear. I need His help to live authentically and not be hypocritical. Because He is the One I want to please.

Lord, help me to live sincerely for You.


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Murphy’s Law!

Scripture for Today: Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

I am not sure who Murphy is but I would like to have a word with him! The old adage says, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” There are many versions of how this saying came to be. But in any case, the identity of Murphy, if ever real, has been lost. His law was definitely at work on me as my computer crashed the same day as I dropped and broke my cell phone. It was not a good day. I hesitated to get into my car!

Today’s verse describes the Christ-like qualities that the Holy Spirit produces in a believer. There will never be a law against these beautiful characteristics in any culture or in any century. The previous verses describe behaviors for which all kinds of laws are needed. But laws will never be needed to control or stifle these admirable qualities. Even with Murphy’s Law, a Spirit-controlled person will respond to that horrible awful day in a different manner.

I guess I was not so Spirit-controlled as all those negatives happening at once caused me to lose it!  Where did the patience go? What happened to forbearance and self-control? Responding with the flesh is so much easier. But some days I can laugh it off or at least take things in stride. The toast landing wrong side down is the perfect litmus test of where my heart is with the Lord. Regardless of what problems arise, I cannot respond like Him without His help. It is only by His Spirit that I can keep it together!

Lord, keep me filled and controlled by Your Spirit today.

(Look familiar? This is a post from 2016)


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Where’s the Proof?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 34:8-9 “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.”

I am normally a fan of anything chocolate, cold and smooth! Whether it be ice cream, mousse or pudding. This chocolate pudding however is from a vegan recipe and made me wonder. Would it really deliver? Perhaps the taste of tofu, avocado, banana or some other unexpected ingredient would spoil it for me. But the ingredient list looked pretty amazing. I suppose the “proof is in the pudding.” Or as the original saying goes, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

There is an invitation in today’s verse to taste and see how good the Lord is. There are no strange unexpected ingredients to His love and promises. He does not disappoint! His words are true and sweet, sweeter even than honey (Psalm 19:10). He is so good to His own, providing refuge and meeting every need! Making the Lord our hiding place gives us shelter from whatever storm surrounds us. When His children fear and obey Him, He pours out blessing. Those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing! (Ps. 34:10)

I do not need to “taste test” what the world has to offer. Nothing is as sweet and satisfying as His Words, especially the promises and declarations of His love. The empty philosophies of this world promise to be sweet but leave one with a very bitter aftertaste. His Words are faithful and true, never changing and the source of life! He satisfies so completely that I am never in want of anything that is truly good for me. I have tasted and He is good! The lyrics of an old hymn state, “t’is so sweet to trust in Jesus.” And I too have “proved Him ‘ore and ‘ore.”

Thank you Lord, for Your faithful goodness being to me!


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A Perfect Thanksgiving

Scripture for Today: Psalm 86:12 “I will give thanks to You, Lord my God, with all my heart. And I will glorify Your name forever.”

Somehow, Thanksgiving is not a success unless the table groans with the amount of food! This AI image gives one idea of success with the turkey taking center stage. Everything is cooked to perfection! The dessert even makes an appearance at the same time as the main dish. No one looks harried or stressed. And everyone is dressed to perfection, including the food. No one is grabbing, crying or fighting! Do you find it hard to relate to this image?

Today’s verse is at the heart of Thanksgiving for the believer. As much as we want to thank family and special people in our lives, our thanks to God is heartfelt, daily and forever! We want to recognize everyday the blessings He gives, both material and spiritual. And a Thanksgiving feast, as wonderful as it is, can not even compare to our future wedding supper of the Lamb! (Rev. 19:9)  Praise and thanksgiving in the presence of our Savior will rival any earthly feast!

Thanksgiving Day can mean many different things to different people. Perhaps, the idea of a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving scene seems ludicrous in some families experiencing difficulty. Giving thanks can especially be hard after recently losing a loved one. In times of economic stress or declining health, subjects of thanksgiving are not what come to mind. But even in the darkest times, there is always reason for the believer to give thanks…our salvation – full, rich and free!  Is not that the biggest reason to give thanks?

Lord, I will be forever thankful for You.


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Trying to Eat Light

Scripture for Today:  Hebrews 5:13-14  “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.  But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”

The other day we went out to dinner with another couple. Ignoring the inviting aromas of pizza and pasta, I decided I would eat “light.” The holidays were coming and there would be too many occasions to overindulge. I honestly thought I was being “good” to order a salad. My mistake was not to have asked more questions of our waitress! Between the toasts, the cheese and the lardons fumés, there was nothing light about my salad. And yes, I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway!

There are times in approaching God’s Word that I just want something “light.” Maybe I feel rushed. Or maybe I am feeling pretty good about myself. No conviction today, please. Perhaps I just want a message for someone else but not for myself. A promise would make me feel good. I am sometimes not sure I want to look up any cross references or dig at all. A little light reading of something I am already familiar with would be just the thing.

Today’s verse is in no way discounting “milk.” It is necessary and foundational for the new christian.  There are times when even a mature believer will go “light” and only have what is basic or a reminder in Scripture reading. The problem comes when one has ONLY milk and does not progress at all to “solid food.” Always eating “light” does not allow for good spiritual growth. Too much light eating will result in a failure to distinguish between good and evil.

Lord, help me not to go “light” on Your Word today.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2012)