Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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Car Wash

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 5:25-26 “Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word.” 

It was eerie going through the car wash and having that huge spinning material slap at the car!  We were in a place where a red fine dust had covered the car and my meticulous husband would have none of it!  Normally, he does all the washing by hand, making sure to clean all the hard-to-reach places.  How nice to just sit there and have the machines do the work automatically for you!

Today’s verse uses the image of washing with water to describe what God’s Word does for a believer.  Out of love, Christ sacrificed His life for the Church.  He makes it possible for the believer to be holy, set apart for Himself and cleansed.  One day we will be presented as radiant, having no stain, wrinkle or blemish!  And it is all grace, a wonderful gift received through faith (Eph.2:8-9).  But in the meantime, there is work to do!  God uses His Word to teach, rebuke, correct and train us to be righteous (II Tim. 3:16).

I find that when my only time in the Word is during a sermon, that washing of the Word may miss a few spots!  It is the daily wash that I need.  He knows just the areas where more water is needed.  There may even be times where a power wash is called for!  It is through His Word that I even see the dirt and feel His conviction.  How faithful He is to cleanse me completely when I humble myself and ask! (I John 1:9)  How refreshing that daily wash can be!

Lord, thank you for the loving cleansing power of your Word!


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Pregnant Male

Scripture for Today: Galatians 6:2  “Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

This creature is unlike any other in nature.  It is the male sea-horse who carries the eggs for the female!  The female will deposit her eggs in a special pouch he carries.  There, he fertilizes the eggs with his sperm, and carries them for two to four weeks until he gives birth.  Their babies are called “fry” and there can be as many as 1000 at a time  The female has it easy.  Her part is to swim up to the male each morning during gestation  and give him a special greeting!

Today’s verse talks about helping each other to carry our burdens.  Doing so fulfills the law of Christ which is to love one another.  These burdens are the unfortunate result of our sin (verse 1).  They are different from His  burden which is light (Matt.11:30).  Rather than look askance at the one fallen in sin thinking we would never do that, we are to do all we can to lift him up and lighten his burden.  We all carry around the memories of past failures.  Understanding how the Lord has forgiven us helps us extend that same grace.  In love, we want to help with words of encouragement and affirmation.

It costs me something to help carry the burden of another.  It means that I take time out to pray, give godly counsel and practical help.  It might mean hours on the phone.  Sin can complicate a life.  The consequences can be very burdensome with broken relationships and poor self-image.  But that burden can be lighter when I come along side.  It is one of the best ways to show love!

Lord, help me be willing to carry another’s burden.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministries.


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Forget-Me-Nots

forget-me-notScripture for Today: Psalm 103:2 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”

This sweet blue flower was described by Henry Thoreau as “unpretending” and “modest.”  Their name is said to come from an old German legend where God named all the plants.  But this tiny one cried out, “Forget me not, O Lord!”  So God replied, “That shall be your name.”  They are small being only one centimeter or less in diameter.  King Henry IV used this flower as a symbol during his exile in 1398.   And ladies in medieval times wore this flower as a sign of faithful love.

Today’s verse tells us to “forget not” all His benefits.  This passage goes on to list just a few including forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, compassion and satisfaction.  David is reminding his soul to praise the Lord for what He has done for him and to remember.  David knew of God’s ways with Moses and His miraculous deeds with the people of Israel.  He also experienced God’s grace in his own life.  But like so many of us, his soul was forgetful and needed reminding.

How could I forget these incredible benefits in my own life?  It is really very easy.  I forget His forgiveness when I am plagued with guilt.  I forget His healing when doubt clouds my prayers.  When I feel worthless I forget that He thought enough of me to redeem my soul.  I forget His love when I beat myself up.  When I wonder if He cares what I am going through I am forgetting His compassion.  I forget that only He satisfies the deepest longings of my soul when I look for that satisfaction elsewhere.

Lord, do not let me forget today.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministries.


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The Woodchuck

Scripture for Today: Psalm 62:11 “One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard; Power belongs to You, God.”

This woodchuck seems unconcerned about the answer to the riddle: “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?”  He really does not need to count as these marmots do not normally chuck wood at all!  They are regionally called groundhogs and as such are great earth movers creating their burrows.  One wildlife expert tried to answer the question by using the equivalent in weight of dirt displaced!  There are five “w” words and five “ch” sounds in this tongue twister.  And it is a good way to distinguish the difference between “would” and “could.”

In today’s verse, David proclaims the power of God.  With the Lord, there is never a question of whether God “could” do something.  By His power He created everything we see (Col. 1:16).  With God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26).  Nothing is too hard for Him.  David had seen God’s power up close and personal in his own life and could say this with conviction.  He had even heard God speak it to His heart.  But there was a second truth David heard, revealed in the next verse.; “and with You Lord is an unfailing love.”

The words, “would” and “could” are often and unintentionally interchanged in prayer.  But there is a huge difference in their meaning.  I never need to ask God if He could do something for me or someone else.  The question in prayer is always, “would You?”  Nothing is outside His scope of power, but something I want may well be outside His will.  And when He answers “no,” I can be confident of that second truth.  In His unfailing love He knows what is best.

Help me Lord, to trust Your love.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministries.


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Unlikely Friends

Scripture for Today: “You are My friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you.”

Meet Bella, the Black Labrador and Bubbles, the African Elephant.  They are practically inseparable taking walks and swims together at the Myrtle Beach Safari in South Carolina.  Bella was abandoned there as a puppy and this unlikely friendship developed over a shared love of the water.  Bubbles could throw his considerable weight around and crush Bella if he had a mind to.  Instead, he enjoys frolicking with Bella and allowing her to use him as a diving board!

Today’s verse describes another unlikely friendship.  Jesus calls those who trust Him friends.  Unlike human friendship where the footing is on an equal basis, Jesus still commands in this relationship and we still obey.  But it is a much richer relationship than just master and servant.  He has chosen to reveal to us what the Father wants to accomplish.  We are part of His plan.

Jesus calls us His friends because He has openly shared with us His business.  God’s plan and will are clearly spelled out in His Word.  I wish I knew more details, but it is amazing that He lets me know anything at all!  He daily communicates His love to me and I have the freedom to tell Him absolutely anything.  Sometimes my friendship with Jesus seems one-sided as I do lots and lots of talking but maybe not so much listening!  Thankfully, He is a patient faithful Friend!  And unlike any human friendship, His love is steadfast and enduring (Psalm 57:10).

What a friend I have in You, Lord!

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministries.