Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Buckled Up!

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 6:12-13a “Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist….”

Part of air travel means listening to the list of safety procedures. I know it is important but I cannot help but smile inside every time a seat belt buckle is explained! It just seems a bit too obvious! At the last cabin check before take-off, the flight attendant with whom my husband had been teasing came by saying, “Your seat belt is buckled, Mam?  You Sir, can undo yours!” Thankfully, this particular flight had very little turbulence but as advised, we kept it buckled.

Today’s verse describes the very first item of the armor of God. The context tells us that the believer is in a spiritual warfare needing spiritual armor. Without it, we cannot stand firm in the face of evil. We stand our ground first with the Truth. Like a seat belt well buckled, the truth keeps us stable in the event of turbulence. The day of evil turbulence will certainly come and usually without any warning. That belt needs to be in place and buckled at all times!

The enemy plants doubt in my thinking and as with Eve, asks if God really did say what He did. The only way to combat destabilizing doubt is to know, love and meditate on God’s Truth in His Word. Being convinced of the Truth allows me to stand my ground and not be moved, no matter how violent the turbulence. Knowing and resting on the truth will allow me to stay secure regardless of the turbulence that evil can produce!  

Lord, keep me firmly buckled in with the Truth!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2014)


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The Pledge

Scripture for Today: Psalm 33:4 “For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.”

by clotho 98 at https://www.flickr.com/photos/clotho98/4948369338

The gesture pictured on this magazine cover is a common one in North America among scouts. Before a girl or boy can become a scout a pledge must be voiced. “On my honor I promise to do my best….” Following are three praiseworthy statements regarding duty, helpfulness and obedience. The principles written in the scout’s honor pledge are lofty and difficult to consistently follow. It is interesting to have the disclaimer as part of the pledge…”to do my best.” There is resolve and commitment but a recognition as well that one cannot perfectly fulfill this pledge.

Today’s verse is a wonderful assurance that everything God says is right and true. He is faithful to His Word and there is no need for any disclaimer! He never says, “I will try to do my best,” or “I will do the best I can.” He is powerful enough to make all His words become a reality. If He says something will happen, then it will. We never have to wonder whether He will go back on His Word. We never have to wonder if what He says is right. His purpose statements are not just good intentions but unshakeable truth.

I can and do build my life on His Word, being that it is rock solid truth. He will always perfectly fulfill His pledge to me. His Word is not only faithful and true but powerful beyond comprehension! After all, it was by His Word that the heavens were made! (verse 6) In a world where words are cheap and promises are broken, how amazing it is to be able to count on everything He says! And what He says is so good and loving.

Thank you Lord for the certainty that everything You say is right and true!


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No Way!!

Scripture for Today: Romans 13:8 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”

What a shock to find yourself 49 billion dollars in debt! But that was the nasty surprise that awaited a young woman recently on returning home after a night out. I can just imagine the chaotic scene that followed after checking her bank balance on her phone at 2 am. Of course it could be nothing but a technical glitch by the bank. And in fact, the whole matter was cleared up in the morning. At least, it made for a good story!

There is a much more important debt in today’s verse. It can never be completely paid and it is the debt of love. It is a continuing debt as no one can say they have paid it in full. Perfectly loving others completely fulfills the Law. This is because all of the Law is summed up in loving one’s neighbor as one’s self (verse 9). Adultery, murder, theft or covetousness would never be a part of showing love as love will never do harm to a neighbor (verse 10). There is only One who has been able to fulfill the Law with a perfect love; Jesus.

Perfect love would not describe me. It is not so much what I do not do to my neighbor as in these obvious sins. It is rather the good I fail to do for my neighbor. Being selfish and self-centered keeps me from loving and serving like Christ did. Thankfully, Jesus has made His love available to me in the person of His Spirit. His filling and control can change my heart from self-centered to others-centered..

Lord, fill my heart with Your love today.


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Sand Berm

Scripture for Today: Psalm 124:1, 4-5 “If the Lord had not been on our side-let Israel say-the flood would have engulfed us ; the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.”

Louisiana GOHSEP at https://www.flickr.com/photos/lagohsep/4791714510

This sand berm was built with the help of some heavy earth-moving equipment on the coast of Louisiana. It did not need to be especially high but just enough to protect the marshlands from an oil spill. The building of sand berms along the coast of Southern California is a yearly necessity for those times when tides are high. Extra protection is especially needed for those vulnerable low-lying beaches to avoid flooding! Residents are preparing now for the predicted evening tides of seven and a half feet.

Today’s verses describe a flood of waters that threaten to engulf David and his people. The sweeping torrent and the raging waters were an image to represent the opposition of their enemies. With the words, “let Israel say,” David encourages the Israelites to recognize from whom their help comes! They were saved from their enemies because of the help in the name of their Lord. He is the One with power as He is the Maker of heaven and earth (verse 8)

How important it is to be on the right side of that berm! If God is for me, who and what can stand against me? (Romans 8:31) He who controls the wind, the waves and the water levels of opposition in my life will be my ultimate protection. My sense of safety or well-being cannot come from any other quarter. Despite feeling overwhelmed with what looks like evil taking ground in our world, I can feel peace. How reassuring it is to know that I am on the side of the Victor!

Thank you Lord for Your protection.


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Contagious Yawning

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 40:28 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”

Photo by Jen at https://www.flickr.com/photos/jenrab/2308543513

It’s true! According to scientific studies, yawning IS contagious! In fact, I stopped trying to count how many times I yawned picking out a yawning image! Some studies suggest that one is showing empathy or bonding. But this behavior does not appear in early childhood. That tells me who started the yawning in this picture! It has been found that contagious yawning is more likely with acquaintances rather than strangers, tired or not!

Today’s verse tells us that our everlasting God and Creator will not grow tired or weary. God is spirit, but to speak of Him in human terms, God would never yawn! His understanding is certainly beyond ours and His power is limitless! Not only is He never without strength, He promises to give strength to the weary and power to the weak (verse 29). And it is the believer’s hope in the Lord that gives renewed strength (verse 31).

The Lord’s knowledge of me is so intimate that He knows what I am going to say before I say it (Psalm 139:4). That means He sees every yawn as well. He knows when I feel physically tired, but more than that, He knows when I am weary and emotionally drained. I may put on a brave face, but He sees the hidden yawns of discouragement inside. How wonderful of Him to strengthen my resolve! How gracious He is to offer His power when I acknowledge to Him my weakness! His supply is limitless and He never tires of me asking Him!

Lord, I need Your strength today!