Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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Nasty Gopher!

lilian_darling@yahoo.com credit photographer

Scripture for Today: Ephesians3:17b-18 “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

My Dad grew extensive gardens with award winning irises.  As an adult I can understand the war he had with gophers.  But as a young girl I was on their side.  I was horrified that Dad would run the hose through their burrows and flush them out with water.  When the root-eating rodent popped out my Dad would be ready with his shovel.  There are more humane methods to be rid of them.  But they sure are a menace to enjoying all those beautiful cared-for flowers.

Today’s verse talks about being rooted and established in God’s love.  Having roots is essential to grow in faith and enjoy good spiritual health.  But then there are those nasty gophers.  They burrow underneath where we cannot see them and gnaw on those roots.  We start to doubt His love.  Before long what is happening below the surface starts to be visible in the flower that droops.  God’s love has not changed but we are no longer drawing from it.

God’s love for me is wider, longer, higher and deeper than I can realize on my own.  I need His power to really grasp this truth.  But when I do, His love nourishes me and makes me strong.  When I live out the truth of His love, my faith and confidence flourish.  Those gophers do not have a chance to erode anything.  The Lord is so good to continually reassure me of His love.  Regardless of how I feel, His love is constant and true.

Thank you Lord, for holding me up with Your love.


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Memorial Day

Scripture for Today: I John 4:10 “This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Today on Memorial Day, North Americans remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.  We commemorate the war dead with special ceremonies, parades, speeches, and graveyard visits.  Some consider the origins of this day as coming from “Decoration Day.”  After the Civil War, graves were decorated with flowers, although this had been the practice of women for centuries.  It is good to remember how costly freedom is and to honor those who paid for it with their lives.

Those who gave their lives for freedom did it out of a love for their country.  Today’s verse speaks of another sacrifice also motivated by love.  There is no greater love than this; than to lay down one’s life for another (John 15:13) and that is what the Lord did for us.  And it was also a sacrifice made for the sake of freedom.  Christ died to free us from the power of sin.  The believer is no longer mastered by sin but is able through God’s Spirit to live differently.

We remember this sacrifice not only on Good Friday and when taking communion, but hopefully everyday.  Though sometimes I forget how costly His sacrifice was.  It was not only physical pain for Jesus but the incredible pain of separation from the Father.  It was the first time in all of eternity that God turned away from His Son.  And it was because of my sin.  Jesus endured that separation from God so I would not have to.  “What wondrous love is this?”  Every time I think on it I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Oh Lord, I want to remember every day.


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Flip Flops

flip flopIMG_20160519_085943Scripture for Today: Numbers 23:19 “God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

I would never have thought to use flip flops as a table centerpiece!  Thankfully, the flip flops were new and not used!  Living in this beach culture, I see this footwear in most any social setting imaginable.  Our local mall has a store exclusively dedicated to flip flops.  But the name of this footwear also calls to mind the idea of changing one’s mind or position.  In this presidential election year, flip flopping seems to be common on both sides of the political aisle!

Today’s verse reassures us that God will not flip flop.  He is not like us but always says what He means.  He never says He will do something and not come through.  When He speaks, He acts.  When He makes a promise, it will happen.  He can back His word with the power to do it.  Being all knowing, God would never say that He was unaware of the extenuating or changing circumstances.  No matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ (II Cor. 1:20a).

Living in a world of broken promises, it is sometimes hard for me to really take the Lord at His word.  Too many times it is easier to doubt than to believe that He means what He says.  He says He loves me.  He says He will care for me and cause all things to work for good.  He does not disappoint.  I cannot think of even one time that He has proved Himself unfaithful.  Yet, I still hesitate to live like I really believe it!

Give me grace Lord, to trust You more.


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Vintage Clothing

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

I am and have long been inexplicably drawn to thrift stores.  Long before it became popular, I was there.  The best places are the ones with no special sorting.  That way, one is more likely to find some unrecognized treasure.  But many of them do have a special rack labelled, “Vintage.”  I am not sure what qualifies for this category.  To me, the term usually just means outdated.  What is especially annoying is to find something hanging there that is suspiciously like what is currently hanging in my closet!

Toady’s verse talks about some spiritual clothing that is never vintage and never outdated.  We are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Each of these clothing pieces have to do with how we treat others.  And each of these beautiful qualities are expressions of the Spirit residing in the believer.  They are not clothing for special occasions but are to characterize our every-day look.  Wearing these clothes sets us apart from others as belonging to the Lord.

Knowing that I am “dearly loved” by the Lord makes all the difference in how I dress.  I do not have anything to prove to myself or others.  I am secure and held up by His love, making it possible to take the humble position with people.  I can forget about myself and focus on the needs of others when I really understand and live out that love.  Because He loves me, I have something to share. None of these qualities come from me, but from His love for me!

Thank you Lord, for changing my clothes to reflect Your love.


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License Renewal

Scripture for Today: Acts 11:23 “When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.”

I recently had the frustrating experience of renewing my driver’s license.  After 10 years of automatic extensions, it was time.  I was unhappy to give up my old picture.  It was always fun to get that extra scrutiny, as I had changed so much.  I scheduled an appointment for early in the morning to avoid waiting in long lines.  My husband, however, just showed up when it opened without an appointment.  You can guess who got out of there first!  But we both had a nice surprise at the window.  We did not have to take the written test!  We were given grace!

Today’s verse describes another instance of grace.  Barnabus was sent to Antioch where Greeks were hearing the Gospel and turning to the Lord in large numbers.  Up until this point, salvation was seen mainly among the Jews.  Barnabus saw first hand what was to become the first largely Gentile church and he was glad to see that, “the Lord’s hand was with them.”  He discovered what the grace of God had done.

Grace is my favorite subject in God’s Word.  There is evidence of grace in every individual who turns their heart to Christ.  Grace is His hand of favor on my life and it is totally unmerited.  God shows grace only because He decides to and because His love moves Him.  He continuously pours out His grace on my life in every promise, in every answered prayer, in every gift from His Spirit.  His grace covers my stupid mistakes.  I don’t deserve it, but isn’t that the point?

Lord, where would I be without Your grace?