Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: For Foodies


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How Much Is Too Much?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 30:8b-9 “…give me neither poverty nor riches but give me only my daily bread.”

I love cherry season although it seems like such a short one. Sometimes my cherries will look like the ones pictured; split or ruptured. Those cherries may have come from Central Washington where too much rain can cause this problem. A news report explained that their summers receive so much rainfall that the cherries get too much of a good thing…getting water logged and cracking or rupturing. So low-flying helicopters, within the first two hours after a rain, are used like a giant hairdryer to dry out the cherries!

Today’s verse is in a passage that recognizes the danger of having too much or not enough. Too much and we tend to forget God, being entirely self-sufficient, thinking “Who is the Lord?” (verse 9) When we have plenty and everything is good, why pray? There is no need to depend on Him for anything. To have plenty or more than enough keeps us from realizing our spiritual needs. But to constantly be in need of the basics of life can make one bitter towards God and can even lead to stealing and dishonoring His name. (verse 9) Neither extreme is good.

The Lord does not give me too much. He knows better than I do at what point I may forget Him. He knows much more than I do what I can handle and what I cannot! If I feel a dry hot desert wind blowing on me, it could be that He is teaching me to depend on Him and not myself. His grace is sufficient. I do not want to wish or yearn for anything more except more of Him.

Thank you Lord, that Your provision today will be perfect!


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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.