Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


by Leave a comment

Snowflake Obsidian

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:76 “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.”

As a child, this is one of the first stones I could easily recognize in the immense collection of my Father! For years I have enjoyed the jewelry pieces he created from his lapidary hobby. The snowflake obsidian is actually a naturally occurring piece of volcanic glass! The white cristobalite minerals create that recognizable snowflake pattern. Those that attribute healing properties to stones claim that this one offers gentle grounding after trauma and when grieving.

Today’s verse gives a true and more reliable source of comfort. It is God’s unfailing love for His own that can ground us during trauma or sustain us when grieving a loss. He is called the “God of all comfort” who comforts us in all our troubles. (II Cor. 1:3-4a) He gentles us with His unconditional love. He reassures us by His very presence and wraps loving arms around us. There is no earthly love that can read and understand those feelings of lostness and despair like He does. His love never fails us.

When faced with sudden and inexplicable pain, my first reaction is to question His love. I am so glad to have the promises in Scripture to cling to when feeling abandoned. My feelings are too fickle to rely on but His love is unchangeable! And it is when I remind myself of the truth of His love that my feelings will follow! My sorrow can be dark and black. The beautiful light of the snowflakes appear when I open myself to His love.

Thank you Lord, for always being my comfort.


by Leave a comment

A Rose Says LOVE!

Scripture for Today: Song of Solomon 2:1 “I am a Rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.”

The red rose has long symbolized romance and true love. We are at that time of year when large bouquets of roses are available for the upcoming Valentines Day. But even a single red rose says “love.” At my wedding each bridesmaid carried a simple long-stemmed red rose, coordinating with my own bouquet. Roses communicate not only love but also beauty, passion and purity. The image above marries that single red rose with the lily of the valley, a white delicate flower. The lily symbolizes purity and humility, sweetness and beauty.

Today’s verse comes from a book of poetry filled with metaphors and allegory. The literature is erotic and a surprise to read in the Bible! Though its verses refer to human love, its deeper meaning refers to Christ and His tremendous love for His own. There are different ideas about which flowers are referred to in the original Hebrew. But the point is to picture the potential depth of feeling there can be in a personal relationship with Christ.

What a contrast this picture presents to the widespread feelings about “religion!” My relationship to Christ has very little to do with a list of do’s and don’t’s. I am not living under a heavy burden of obligation, ritual or man-made tradition. My relationship to Jesus is a love-relationship, not only individually but as part of the Church, His Bride! There is not another human relationship that comes even close to the intimacy I can have with Him! He knows my heart and He loves me anyway. He loved me enough to die in my place so that we could share this incredible love!

Lord, Your love, like Your grace is amazing!


by Leave a comment

Does It Get Any Sweeter?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 19:10 “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.”

Photo by J. Pellgen https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpellgen/30666337884/in/photostream/

I will admit to having a weakness for ice cream. But this “ogon” or golden ice cream in Kanazawa, Japan elevates this vanilla soft serve to a whole new level! The gold draped over it is edible gold leaf. I have never visited Japan, but my interest has suddenly been piqued! This area of the country is known for its gold leaf. In fact, they produce ninety-nine percent of it for their country, using it in arts, crafts and yes, for decorating their food.

Today’s verse describes the incredible worth of God’s precepts for living. They are more precious than pure gold. Not only that, these words of God are sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. God’s words are both golden and sweet. In a vision, the prophet Ezekiel was commanded to eat God’s word and he found it sweet as honey in his mouth (Ezekiel 3:3). This image of God’s word being edible helps us relate what is spiritual to the physical world. His word is sweet for so many reasons but for Ezekiel it was because of the warnings that save lives! When He warns us about the consequences of going our own way, it is done with love.

How do I view the Bible? Do I see His commandments as negative and restrictive, or do I recognize the love behind the warnings? The sweetness of His love for me is there in its pages. The assurance of His care and control is pure gold and a reminder that is sweet to taste. Psalms 34:8 says to taste and see that the Lord, He is good! I sometimes complain that I have too much of a “sweet tooth” but when it comes to reading God’s Word, that’s a good thing!

Thank you Lord, for the incredible worth of Your Word!


by Leave a comment

Give Me Love

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

Photo credit to Deb at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ferlinka/5199503201

This was quite the touching scene over a decade ago in Brazil! This poor stray puppy found a safe warm place snuggling up to the baby Jesus. At least for one night he found a soft welcoming place to sleep. How heartbreaking to live life without love! Love was the theme of George Harrison’s popular song in the 70’s. But his prayer does not stop with “love.” He goes on to list: peace on earth, light, life, freedom, hope, help to cope and the ability to reach heart and soul.

Today’s verse says that the gift of Jesus that God gives us is “indescribable”. But this list, though not exhaustive, does a pretty good job of naming all that Jesus Christ is and what He offers us! He is love, love that came down at Christmas to make reconciliation with God possible. The love of God through His Son, Jesus, completely changes our lives. Unlike the Hindu spirituality George Harrison aspired to, God’s love is a GIFT in the birth, sacrifice, resurrection and daily presence of His Son.

The gift of Jesus not only overwhelms me with love but gives my heart peace. He has changed my darkness into light (Psalm 18:28). The life He gives is not an easy one but it is full of significance. He has freed me from the power of sin and death and gives me the sure hope of eternity with Him. His help and presence help me cope with the troubles each day can bring. Because of Jesus I can touch and reach God with my heart and soul!

Thank you Lord, for the gift of Jesus.


by 1 Comment

White Elephant Gift!

Scripture for Today: James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly light, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

It’s that time of year again! The season of white elephant gifts is upon us! It is always a challenge for me to find just the right thing to wrap up, be it something in the house or an item chosen at the thrift store specifically for the exchange. Will it make people laugh? Will it be a “hot” item that is traded multiple times? I find that the sillier the item is or the more useless, the fancier it will be wrapped! Regardless of its value inside, we are drawn to what is shiny and wrapped with a big bow!

Today’s verse teaches us that every gift that is good and perfect has a loving heavenly Father as its source. For those who are His children, He gives what is only for our good. He is perfect and His gifts are tailor-made and perfect with us in mind. The problem is that we do not always recognize them. Those gifts may not be wrapped in shiny paper with big bows. They may be wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with frayed string. But what is inside is a closer and more meaningful relationship with Him!

I certainly have not always recognized that a trial or difficulty can turn out to be a gift! Like the pearl found inside a crusty outside shell, God wraps His best gifts in difficult experiences. These are gifts I am not drawn to. But what is so wonderful is the growth of my faith that can result. The reliance on God’s strength and help gives me a new and deeper closeness with Him. When I cry out to Him in pain or frustration He answers me with more of Himself and I am reassured. He is good. He is perfect. And so is what He allows in my life.

Thank you Lord, for the good and perfect gifts You give!