Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: For Foodies


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The Pretzel

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

While living in Alsace, France just over the border from Germany, we enjoyed all kinds of pretzels. They could be hard or soft, sweet or savory. And they came in all different sizes. The pretzel dates back at least to the early Middle Ages as the Baker’s coat of arms. But legend has it that they were created by an Italian monk in 610AD as a reward for young children learning their prayers. The strips of dough are thought to resemble the crossed arms of praying children!

Today’s verse encourages the Lord’s people to pray. All kinds of Spirit-led prayers are encouraged. And on all occasions. Is there ever an occasion where a private prayer between our Heavenly Father and His child is not appropriate? A child’s prayer may not be eloquent and a new believer’s prayer may not include all the church vocabulary we are used to hearing. But the Lord hears the heart. He wants to hear all our prayers and requests, especially those lifted up for His people. In spiritual battle we all need the prayers of other believers to stand firm!

Who do you pray for the most often or the most fervently? I would have to answer that question with, “myself.” I pray often for others but sometimes more often for my own pressing needs! Perhaps that is normal but maybe my own needs would not feel so pressing when focusing on the needs of others around me. Pain and difficulties are part of every life but seeing what other believers are going through will put my own problems in perspective.

Lord, put on my heart those You want me to pray for today.


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Conversation Hearts

Scripture for Today: Luke 6:45 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Growing up, I loved these conversation hearts, giving away to that “special someone” what I could not bring myself to actually say! And receiving these from others would communicate to me something the giver may not have intended! Today, one can special order these candies with your own personalized message. That way you can say exactly what you want the other to hear. Communicating what is in the heart is not always easy.

Today’s verse gives us a reliable way to know what is in the heart of another. What is there is evident by that person’s behavior. Expressing emotions can be lovely but the real indicator of feelings and the state of the heart is evident in our actions. And one action is especially telling. What comes out of our mouths demonstrates the good or the evil found in the heart. That sincere compliment or word of encouragement shows love. The snide remark or the profanity that escapes our lips signals that all is not well.

What slips out of my mouth can be shameful. I am so glad that some of it happens when there is no one to hear. However, there is always Someone who hears. And whether others are around or not, those nasty words signal a need for some serious heart cleaning! Thankfully, He is full of grace and forgiveness, ready to make me clean again and give me a new start!

Lord, clean my heart and fill it with good things to say!

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2018)


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The French Baguette

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:27 “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

This picture says it all about the important place of the baguette in France! It will often make its appearance at the breakfast table slathered with butter and jam. It reappears at lunch time without butter to sop up that lovely sauce. Don’t forget its place at goûter or snack time holding up a piece of chocolate! And to finish the day, there it is again, ready to be dipped into the soup. Everyday this bread works hard!

Today’s verse is part of a long description of what a hard working wife and mother looks like. There is no time or place for the “bread of idleness.” For her, watching over the affairs of her household involves long hours as she provides food (vs.15), sews her family’s clothes (vs. 13, 24), and plants vineyards (vs. 16). She works hard at buying (vs. 16), selling (vs.24) and trading (vs. 18). This is no slouch! Because of her work ethic, her husband is respected and he, along with the children, praise her!

It is hard work to continually watch over a household, as I have found over these last 45 years. I haven’t done it perfectly and I certainly do not measure up to this ideal in Proverbs 31. And it can be demotivating to work hard in the home when the American culture ascribes to it so little value. But God does and says whatever is done, even the mundane things, can be done for His glory! (I Cor. 10:31) My unseen and unsung work has His approval and the praise of my family. And that is enough.

Lord, may this day’s work, whatever it is, honor You!


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My Favorite Flavor

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 4:26-27 “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.”

It was 1929 and the country was in the midst of the Great Depression when this ice cream was invented. This innovative flavor was thought to have originated with William Dryer. One day he used his wife’s sewing scissors to cut up walnuts and marshmallows to add to his chocolate ice cream. He gave it the name , “Rocky Road,” as the financial landscape was so bleak.

Today’s verse tells us to be thoughtful about what path we choose. We do this by being steadfast and resolute to follow a path of righteousness. We are warned not to turn off this path to the right or to the left. It may be tempting to turn off our narrow path on to a wider one. We may feel that another path has fewer rocks or obstacles. It would be tempting to change paths to one that goes downhill rather than uphill. But the way of the wicked leads only to destruction. (Psalm 1:6)

It is more effort to follow a rocky road. Living a life following God’s commandments will not always be smooth. It is challenging and requires steadfast commitment to Him as the other path choices can seem easier. But His way leads to life. He knows when to lead me to still waters and green pastures. He knows when to restore my soul so I can keep going. His presence and help keep me from falling into a trap of compromise. I would rather have a rocky road with Him than a smooth easy road without Him!

Lord, keep me steadfast and determined to obey.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


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A “Snackcident”

Scripture for Today: Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.“

Do you sometimes eat too much junk food, “by accident?” Mindless snacking can lead to the newly coined term, “snackcident.” This term presupposes regret after the fact. When the tummy starts to protest is not the time to be checking the ingredient list or fat content! Armed with information beforehand, a snackcident is much less likely to happen. However, there are always those social gatherings where it is just much easier to indulge and brave the possibility of the dreaded snackcident!

There is hunger and thirst in today’s verse for something much more satisfying than snacks, regardless of their ingredients. Those that hunger and thirst for righteousness will be full and satisfied.  With His righteousness we do not pine for something more. There is no feeling of missing out on something better. A righteous life is the best kind of life. Doing the right thing, following His way, and experiencing right standing with our Creator gives a sense of well-being that is complete. No other kind of life can be quite as full or satisfying!

My problem is that I hunger and thirst for other things, good things, that give only temporary satisfaction. And of course, I hunger and thirst again. But I do not want my life to be characterized by always wanting. I desperately want to experience that contentment and satisfaction He offers. If I make the Lord the object of my longing, He will satisfy me. He has promised life to the full (John 10:10). This “blessedness” means that I can overflow with hope (Rom. 15:13) and with joy (II Cor. 8:2). I want to be able to say with the Psalmist, “my cup overflows!” (Psalm 23:5)

Lord, satisfy me with Yourself.

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