Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: For Foodies


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Bread-Loving Cat

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 6:25-26a “Do not lust in your heart for her beauty, and do not let her captivate you with her alluring eyes.  For on account of a prostitute one is brought down to a loaf of bread…”

This is not our cat, Tiger, but it very well could be.  We were always careful to close the kitchen door when any food was left out.  Tiger was not very discriminating in his tastes and would try just about any “people food!”  As long as it was forbidden, it was somehow worth the effort to climb up on the counters or table and brave our displeasure.  Of course our cat, being French, was spoiled with the availability of baguette!

Our verse for today uses the image of a loaf of bread to describe the impoverished state of a man who visits a prostitute.  He not only wastes his money on something that does not really satisfy, but he also cheapens what is meant to be beautiful within the commitment of marriage.  In allowing himself to be captivated by lust, he impoverishes his very soul.  What could be romantic, noble and satisfying is reduced to something as ordinary and common as a piece of bread.

The warning in this verse can also apply to what goes on in my heart and mind.  Jesus puts the standard very high teaching that secret lust is as serious as actual sexual sin (Matt. 5:28).  The standard is put so high in order to safeguard what is meant to be beautiful.  Rather than think of God’s Law as restrictive, I see His way as being what is most satisfying.  Sexual immorality impoverishes whereas following God’s plan enriches and deepens a relationship.

Lord, protect my heart and mind from cheapening what You mean to be rich and satisfying.


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Packing Fruit?

IMG_20141014_082419Scripture for Today: Galatians 5:22-23a “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Moving is such a life-changing and stressful time.  I am surrounded by numbered boxes and already I find myself needing something previously packed.  Every object I lay my hand on requires a decision.  Do I pack it in a box destined for the French studio or our American home?  Do I give it to a friend?  Do I give it to the thrift store?  Do I throw it away?  Do I sell it?  Will I regret the decision I just made?

One thing I do not have to think about is the perishables.  Whatever does not get eaten will at the end be given to the neighbors.  I would not make the mistake of packing the fruit!  However, when putting together these boxes, it is almost as if I have packed away fruit, that is the fruit of the Spirit.  I am stressed and crabby.  I am not so kind and loving to my husband.  So often, I lose it and self-control is out the window.

Our verse for today describes the one who is filled with and walking by the Spirit of God.  The results of being in close communion with Him are evident in one’s behavior and attitude.  I have none of these qualities on my own, especially in tense stressed moments.  But as a believer the Spirit of God resides in me.  The more I confess my inadequacies and turn to Him for help, the more He responds with this beautiful fruit.  These qualities describe to perfection the One I serve.  He is slowly (some days very slowly) producing His character or image in me!

Lord, especially in the middle of boxes, produce Your fruit in me!


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Chocolate Debt

Scripture for Today: Romans 13:8 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the Law.”

Who can resist Belgian chocolate, said to be the best in the world!  We were just in Brussels where there were chocolate shops every few feet!  We finally had to break down and buy some!  The problem came with the bill.  The saleslady, harried and tired, accidentally charged us 1,055.00 euros for a 15 euro purchase!  We thought it amusing until she explained she could not reverse it.  She suggested we leave our bank information and the store would reimburse us!  We were flabbergasted!  Even though she did not know how, she tried to annul the debt and ended up charging the same amount AGAIN!  Finally, after some expensive minutes on our cell phone to our bank in California, it all got straightened out.  And the chocolate ended up being free!

There is a much more important debt in our verse for today.  It can never be completely paid and it is the debt of love.  It is a continuing debt as no one can say they have paid it in full.  Perfectly loving others completely fulfills the Law.  This is because all of the Law is summed up in loving one’s neighbor as one’s self (verse 9).  There is only One who has been able to fulfill the Law with a perfect love; Jesus.

Quite frankly, we did not feel a tremendous love for this saleslady, although the Lord worked in our hearts to eventually show compassion and patience.  We all fall short.  Thankfully, Jesus has made His love available to us in the person of His Spirit.  His filling and control can change any situation with a difficult person.

Lord, fill my heart with Your love today.


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Rewarding Myself!

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

The only thing that kept me weeding today was the thought that I would reward myself when I was done with a particular patch.  There was ice cream in the freezer calling my name!  So, I kept pushing myself to reach my goal.  Somehow, making that ice cream serve as a reward made it all the sweeter and more satisfying!

The concept of reward for hard work is basic to our motivation.  The Lord understands this as He created us this way!  Our verse for today talks about the reward of our heavenly inheritance.  We are working for the Lord.  He is the One we are really serving.  And we are to work with all our heart.  Part of our motivation is knowing that we will be rewarded.

It seems somehow “unspiritual” to be motivated by reward.  It is fine in any other area of our lives, but it seems less than worthy of a pure selfless service to God.  And yet, the Lord is the One who in His grace has offered rewards.  Paul did not apologize for pressing on to win that prize (Phil. 3:14).  Looking forward to reward kept him self disciplined.  Thoughts of being recompensed helped Paul get through the hard times.

God’s rewards are a grace.  He does not owe it to me.  I certainly do not deserve reward.  How loving He is to want to recompense me!  I hope there are rewards awaiting me in heaven.  Why?  They will be for His glory as I humbly give them back to Him in worship.


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Baking Disasters

cakePhoto1190Scripture for Today:  Hosea 7:8 “Ephraim, he has mixed himself among the people.  Ephraim is a cake not turned.”

I can relate to the baking disaster pictured here!  Apparently, the baker added maple syrup to the middle of the muffin and the batter spread all over the place!  There have been times I have undercooked or overcooked something with similar results!  I end up with too much or too little of some ingredient.  Maybe I have added something I should not have.  Perhaps the heat was unevenly distributed.  In any case, my family has usually been good sports about eating my mistakes!

In our verse for today is another baking disaster!  The cake that is not turned for even cooking represents the lack of commitment to follow God’s laws.  Ephraim has shown itself to be “half baked” or not in complete obedience to God.  This tribe of Israel was dominant among the ten who made up the tribes of the Northern Kingdom.  Unfortunately, because it mixed itself with the surrounding nations and influenced the other tribes to do the same, God scattered them.  The foreigners were sapping their strength and they did not even realize it!

Being “half-baked” is still a temptation today.  The pull of the world is so strong.  It is easy to compromise.  But having one foot in the world and one foot in the church does not work.  To love the world and mix myself up in it is contrary to a sincere love for my Lord (I John 2:15-17).  Loving the world weakens my faith, slowly sapping my strength without me even realizing it!

I do not want to compromise as Ephraim did with dire consequences.  I want my faith to stay strong.  Lord, keep me from conforming to the world around me.