Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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Orangutan Nests

Scripture for Today: Psalm 36:9 “For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.”

Joeavison1, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Almost daily the orangutan ape builds a new nest high in the treetops. His engineering skills are surprising as he tears off larger branches for his base and smaller leafier branches for the middle and can even build a sort of pillow and blanket high up in the trees. He breaks off some branches to size, bends some and intertwines others for a stable bed. A benefit from his nightly nest building is larger openings in the tree canopy, letting in more light.

Today’s verse speaks of another source of light. This light not only enables us to see but gives life! Jesus identifies Himself as the light of the world. Following this light means we no longer walk in darkness. (John 8:12) He does not only illuminate a tree canopy but a lifetime with the Light of His presence.  God has made His light to shine in our hearts, to give us the knowledge of Him (II Cor. 4:6).  His light not only shows us who He is but it is also an expression of His priceless and unfailing love (Psalm 36:7).

Being in His Word intensifies that light He gives. His light is warm and loving, giving me closeness to Him and direction for my day. Without it, I can easily stumble around and lose my purpose. I can even get quite accustomed to the dimness and shadows. But the further I wander from His light, the more negative and discouraged I become.  But oh what a difference when I return to the source of Light! Not only does His light dispels darkness in my heart and mind but it also draws others to Himself!

Lord, keep me in Your light today.


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Malabar Giant Squirrel

Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:24 “though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord is the stay of his hand.”

Meet the Malabar Giant Squirrel who makes his home in the tree tops of India. He is huge, being two times the size of the squirrels we are used to seeing. His multi-colored fur makes him unusual being anywhere from purple to maroon to orange! Unlike other squirrels who hide their nuts in the ground, this squirrel hides them in caches in the tree tops. He is very nimble jumping 20 feet between trees. But it is his very long tail that gives him such balance, acting as a counterweight.

Today’s verse is a promise that the Lord will establish the steps of the one who belongs to Him. If there is a fall, it is a controlled one. It will not be a free-fall, being cast headlong. The Lord’s hand is involved and He breaks the fall with His hand. Regardless of the spaces between trees, His Hand is the “counterweight” giving us the balance and stability we need.

This is a wonderful assurance for me that the Lord is my true support. I may feel that my stability rests on my work, my plans or my finances, when in fact, none of those are holding me up. Circumstances change, and sometimes with no warning at all. Rather than feeling panic I can remain confident. No bad news can shake me as my heart is steadfast and trusting in Him (Ps. 112:7). And even if He were to allow me to teeter and fall, His open loving hand is there to soften the landing. In His unfailing love, He stands me back up, brushes me off and strengthens my faith through the whole ordeal.

Thank You Lord, for holding me up.


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Maundy Thursday

Scripture for Today: John 13:34 “A new commandment I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

This beautiful carving of the Last Supper can be seen at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. This impressive Gothic-style cathedral is a commanding presence on the Rhine River and can boast being the tallest twin-spired church in the world! This carving is part of an arch depicting many biblical scenes. Today is Maundy Thursday which commemorates Christ’s final Passover and Last Supper before Easter. Maundy is from the Latin, “madatum,” meaning command.

Today’s verse is a new commandment Christ gave us on this very day. It was a busy one as this was also the day when Jesus showed His love for His disciples by washing their feet (John 13: 1-17). He loved them to the very end (verse 1). As Jesus shared His last meal with them, He established the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper or communion as a visual reminder of the sacrifice He was about to make. His love was a sacrificial one and He commands that His followers have that same kind of love for each other.

There are many churches that mark this day with observances that mirror Christ’s own; washing feet and taking the Lord’s Supper. It is a solemn moment as I approach that fateful and pivotal day of crucifixion. It helps me to ready my heart for Good Friday. But perhaps an even more meaningful way to mark this day is for me to obey this command of love. Not only today but everyday, He wants me to show the world that I am His disciple through the way I love (verse 35). With my selfish heart, I find it one of the harder commands to follow.

Lord, I need Your help to love like You do!


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Dandelion Bouquets

Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:17 “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him and his righteousness with their children’s children.”

How sweet it is  when a child painstakingly picks those dandelions and offers them as a bouquet! There is pride on his face for thinking of it. There is hope there too, that you will recognize the effort and be grateful for his gesture of love. The problem comes almost immediately as those flowers begin to wilt in his hot little hand. One hates to disappoint a child and so we put them in water in hopes they will last a little longer.

Today’s verse is a contrast between what will last and what will not last. Mortals are pictured as grass and like the flower in the field (verse 15). We flourish for a short time and then are no more. Like the dandelion, our lives can be full of beauty but oh so short. How incredible is the contrast with God’s love for His own! His love is from everlasting to everlasting. It does not wilt. His love is evident now and continues without interruption into eternity. And it is so much more beautiful than the lowly dandelion!

I need to know His love for me will not waver. As fickle as I am, He never changes. I do not know this because I always feel it. I know it because He has promised and He is always faithful to His promises. If I am not feeling particularly loved, the problem is not with Him but with me! The eyes of my heart sometimes close and I do not feel His nearness. But nothing separates me from His love, not even my feelings (Romans 8:35, 38-39). When I remind myself of this truth, an amazing thing happens; feelings follow!

Thank you Lord, that Your love is everlasting!

(Look familiar? This is based on my previous post from 2014)


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Firefall

Scripture for Today: Song of Solomon 8:6b-7a “…for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away…”

Photo by Dave Soldano at https://www.flickr.com/photos/davesoldano/33147072896

The Firefall at Yosemite National Park originally referred to the nightly spectacle put on for tourists. Starting in 1872 and for almost 100 years, burning hot embers were poured from the top of Glacier Park. Now, Firefall refers to a natural phenomenon that appears annually from mid to late February. The 1,500 foot Horsetail Falls transforms itself into a natural firefall when conditions are just right with enough melted snow, a cloudless sky and the sun hitting at just the right angle. It lasts for just a few minutes appearing 5-15 minutes before sunset.

Today’s verse describes a love that is strong and jealous. It burns like fire and water cannot put it out. This beautiful depiction of love comes from a book that is full of imagery. The principle characters in this book can represent Jesus Christ and the Church, His Bride. And throughout the Old testament, Jehovah is likened to a bridegroom and Israel His chosen bride. The intimacy described is enough to make one blush! But God uses the closest human relationship to help us understand how deep and intimate His love is for us!

Of all the characteristics God has revealed about Himself, it is His incredible love that overwhelms me! His is a love that is unquenchable. (I Cor. 13:8) It is not just talk as He proved His love by dying for me. (John 15:13) Because He loves me so much, He is jealous for me and for my heart to be fully committed to Him. (II Chron. 16:9) There is no human love like it!

Thank you Lord, for Your love that will not let me go!