Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: For Foodies


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Eating Vegan

Scripture for Today:  Jeremiah 15:16  “Your words were found and I ate them.  And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart.  For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of Hosts.”

I have been learning firsthand (for a time) all about eating “vegan.”  It is a bit strange for me to cut out of my meals any animal product whatsoever.  I really do not miss the meat or eggs, but the cheese?  Hey, I live in France where cheese is dessert, after all!  A bit hard to go without it!  Do I feel better as a vegan?  Well, the animals sure do!

Our verse for today likens the experience of reading God’s Word to the pleasure there is in good food.  In the realm of food there are many dishes that I consider a joy and delight to my taste buds.  Here, the Word of God can be a joy and delight to one’s heart.

Jeremiah was known as the “weeping prophet” as his message was one of judgement for his own people.  One does not usually associate the words, “joy” and “delight” with Jeremiah.  Yet, even knowing that his people would reject his God-given message, he could still find gladness in his own relationship with the Lord.  He knew he belonged to the Lord God of Hosts.

There are precious loved ones in my life who also reject God’s message of salvation.  There is no avoiding heartbreak over that hard reality.  Yet, God does not want me to live my life in sadness.  He wants to give me joy and delight through His Word and through my relationship with Him.

Lord, may my sadness over the souls of loved ones be overshadowed by joy and delight found in You!


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Sweet and Sour

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 16:23-24  “The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.  Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

There is a Chinese restaurant at the entrance to the long alleyway leading to our house.  When the wind is just right, we smell all their wonderful cooking!  Those aromas probably influence me to cook Chinese food more than I realize!  My Chinese cooking will never rival theirs, or especially that of my Chinese Mother-in-law.  But my husband always appreciates my efforts.

One thing I never cook is sweet and sour as my husband does not care for it much.  In fact, mixing sweet and sour is something that is not done too often in French cooking.  Our verse for today describes the mouth of the wise as speaking pleasant sweet words.  Those words are sweetness to the soul and have a healing effect, not only for the listeners but perhaps even for those whose who speak them.

More often than not, my words end up being sweet and sour.  James 3:10-11 tells me this ought not to be!  How is it that the same mouth can speak blessing and cursing?  A fountain does not normally give fresh and bitter water at the same time.  And yet, that is exactly my problem.

I do not seem to have too much of a problem with my mouth on a Sunday morning at church.  However, behind the wheel can be another story!  My words become sour.  This also seems to happen when I am overly tired or when frustrations mount!  Sweet becomes polluted with sour.  Instead of sweetness and healing, this mix produces bitterness and hurt.

Lord, keep me from becoming sour.   Make my words persuasive, pleasant and sweet.


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Apples

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.”

There are hundreds of varieties of apples available in Alsace.  No wonder apple tartes are such a common dessert here!  Their names are just as beautiful as the fruit; Belle de Pontoise, Ariane, Nonpareil, and my favorite…Coeur de Boeuf  (Heart of Beef) just to name a few.  Their apple cider vinegar tastes wonderful and I have a new appreciation for homemade applesauce!

Our Scripture for today mentions an apple, but of course a different kind.  The apple of the eye refers to the central aperture of the eye.  The phrase, “apple of the eye” is used to describe someone who is loved and cherished.

We are the apple of His eye as we are loved and cherished.  One of the names of God conveys this truth; the name, “El Roi” meaning, “God Who Sees.”  It was first used with Hagar in Genesis 16.  Being the apple of His eye means that He not only sees but He cares.

David knew that he was the apple of God’s eye, loved and cherished.  In Psalm 139 he recognizes that God saw the slightest detail.  God even saw when David was sitting or standing (verse 2).

I never have to wonder if God sees.  I am always in His line of vision.  Our verse actually gives two images.  They both have the same idea of protection.  Nothing gets past the God who sees.  I am the apple of His eye and He loves me.  Nothing comes into my life without His knowledge and permission.

God sees when that sparrow falls. (Matt. 10:29)  As the apple of His eye I am worth so much more!  “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!”


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Instant Results

Scripture for Today:  Isaiah 30:18  “For this reason the Lord is ready to show you mercy; He sits on His throne, ready to have compassion on you.  Indeed, the Lord is a just God; all who wait for Him in faith will be blessed.”

Waiting for anything is not our strong point.  We want instant everything.  These instant noodles are not only cheap and versatile but so quickly prepared that very little waiting is required!  We certainly do not put up with a slow computer.  All it takes is a few minute’s wait to make us go ballistic!  We want everything ready when we want it.  We all want and expect instant results.

The Israelites in today’s Scripture passage wanted to see results instantly.  They were not willing to wait for God to deliver them from their enemies.  He had invited them to return to Him and rest in Him and be saved.  But they would not.  Instead, they trusted in their own plan using very swift horses, with disastrous results.  The result was quicker but not what they wanted!

How often I find myself unwilling to wait!  Taking things into my own hands usually seems more effective, even more logical.  But part of trusting is waiting, and for me, it is the most difficult part.  I do not like to wait.  I want to know something is happening, that the Lord is “on task.”  And rather than believing that He is, I feel compelled to fix things myself.  And like the Israelites, I may have a quicker result, but not what is best.

I love that the Lord is ready and willing to act on my behalf.  It seems incredible that He wants to bless me.  What mercy!  What compassion!  Help me Lord, to wait on You in faith.


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Good Oil

Scripture for Today:  Hebrews 1:9  “You have loved righteousness and You have hated lawlessness.  Therefore God, even Your God has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy and gladness above and beyond Your companions.”

There can be lots of confusion about oils; which ones are beneficial and which ones to avoid.  Saturated or unsaturated, polyunsaturated or monounsaturated.  Olive oil is especially lauded for its health benefits.  I only recently learned I should not keep my olive oil near a heat source, and all this time it has been next to the stove top!

Groves of olive trees are a common sight in Israel as they grow so well in a warm arid climate.  In biblical times the olive oil was used for lighting, cooking, personal grooming, sacred offerings, and for medical use.  But what really interests me is its use for anointing prophets and kings.  Oil was poured on the head to set one apart.

Our verse for today refers to Jesus Christ.  In fact, the name, “Christ” in Greek means, “anointed.”  God set apart Jesus and gave Him a position that is above any other.  He not only is worthy of this distinction, but this anointing oil comes with joy and gladness.

I, too, am anointed with oil!  Psalm 23:5 says that the Lord does this for His own.  I am set apart for Him.  The oil also represents His Holy Spirit, who testifies with my spirit that I belong to Him (Romans 8:16)  What a cause for rejoicing!  This oil is surely the “good oil!”

Rather than think about elevated cholesterol levels the next time I pick up that bottle of olive oil, I want to instead remember this image.  I am one of His anointed ones, set apart for Him.  What joy and gladness to belong to Him!