Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Goldfish Trauma

Scripture for Today: Genesis 1:27 “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

As a young girl, I loved my little goldfish but I wasn’t so careful about keeping the bowl clean. My sweet Grandma was just trying to help. She decided one morning to clean that bowl for me. She was quite proud of the result; a bowl sparkling clean with new clear water. But I was horrified! There was no goldfish! She had inadvertently poured that fish right down the drain!

Today’s verse may seem to have nothing to do with this story. But in fact, because mankind is made in the image of God, we all have value. Because of our rebellion, this image is tarnished in all of us. But it is there. Unlike the beasts of the fields, there is a soul in each of us that is made to commune with the Creator. And there is no one who is beyond the reach of Christ to forgive and restore to the relationship for which we are born! But we have the choice to accept His offer of salvation or reject Him and head for that drain.

I tend to write some people off. I sometimes think that an individual is too far gone in their sin to ever be changed. But God’s power far exceeds my limited understanding. He makes new what is old. He cleans what is filthy and unrecognizable. He raises to life what was dead. Because of His power and His desire to see ALL come to repentance, there is hope for every human being who turns to Him in faith. (II Peter 3:9) I am so glad God has thrown out all my dirty water without throwing me out!

Thank you Lord, for Your forgiveness.


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Goat Head Weed

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 12:7 “….Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me.”

Photo by Paul Garland at https://www.flickr.com/photos/paul_garland/4460543568

The goat head weed produces stickers that seem innocuous being so small! But what pain it can produce! These nasty seeds are shaped like a miniature goat’s head. They are much like the sandbur but are meaner and tougher, harming people, pets and livestock. The 200 to 5,000 seeds produced each season germinate quickly and can lie dormant in the soil for many years. How amazing that something so small can puncture bicycle tires and footballs!

In today’s verse, Paul is describing a tormenting thorn. It was sent by Satan but in God’s hands it was used for a good purpose; to keep Paul from becoming conceited. Paul had received some incredible visions and revelations from the Lord. The temptation for Paul was to boast and feel spiritually strong because of them. There are lots of ideas as to what Paul’s thorn might have been. Perhaps it was a physical ailment. But thorns were used in the Old Testament to describe Israel’s enemies (Num. 33:55) and malicious neighbors! (Ex. 28:24) Paul dearly loved the Corinthians church and was having to deal with false teachers.

A relationship that has gone sour, a conflict that goes unresolved, or a family member that has no interest in reconciliation can all be like a thorn in the flesh.  And like the goat head seed, the problem can lie dormant for years before becoming visible and causing pain. The ongoing discomfort from those thorns is a constant reminder that I am weak and not strong.  But like Paul, God’s strength is available to me at the very point of my pain and weakness.

Thank you Lord, that I can experience Your strength regardless of the “thorns” in my life!


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Goose Barnacles

Scripture for Today: Philippians 3:21 “who by the power that enables him (Jesus Christ) to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

Photo by John Turnbull https://www.flickr.com/photos/71925535@N03/6498240597/

Have you ever wondered why this barnacle is named after a goose? The long black “neck” or stalk and the white triangular “head” or body of the barnacle could perhaps remind one of a goose. But for the superstitious living in thirteenth century Europe, their appearance explained the disappearance of the geese at certain times each year. Belief that barnacles transformed themselves into geese was a fanciful way to explain bird migration.

Today’s verse talks about a transformation that is real. It is the future of every believer that one day, our lowly bodies will be transformed to be like Christ’s glorious resurrected body. Christ’s power enables Him to have all the control and to accomplish this. It is because of this incredible truth that the believer can stand firm in the faith. (verse 58) The perishable will be transformed to imperishable, the dishonor transforms to glory, the weakness becomes power and the natural will be spiritual! (I Cor. 15:43-44)

That is quite a transformation! Though my deteriorating body breaks down over time, transformation is coming! Even in the face of my eventual death, I can look forward to a new resurrected body! Death will be swallowed up in victory! (verse 56) My new body will be strong, healthy, eternal and without flaws. Hard to imagine but it is what He has promised. With this new body there will be no sinful fleshly impulses to fight against. With this new body, I will not need a pocket for tissues. But most exciting, with this new body, my eyes will see God!

Thank you Lord, for the transformation You promise!


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Zapped!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 12:3-4 “May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue – those who say, ‘By our tongues we will prevail, our own lips will defend us – who is lord over us?'”

Photo by Christian Ziegler at https://www.flickr.com/photos/97056632@N05/25278879752/in/photostream/

Many species of the chameleon are known for their ability to change color and blend in with their surroundings. But just as surprising are their long tongues! Their grasping and sticky tongue can uncoil to a distance equivalent to half its body length! So not only are they camouflaged but they can grab their next snack from a distance!

Today’s verse is from a prayer of David, calling on the Lord for help. The wicked are strutting about, using their tongues to lie, to flatter, to deceive and to boast. These people are so prideful they feel they can say anything to get power, to keep power and to answer to no one. They ask, “who is our lord or master?” They fear no reckoning and no accountability. They are their own masters. However, David affirms that the Lord will keep the godly safe and protected from such people. (verse 7) And what God says is flawless. (verse 6)

Words matter. The power of life and death is in our tongues. (Prov. 18:21) I have had to forgive and forget words that have damaged my reputation. Over the years I have been intentionally maligned because of my testimony for Christ. Yet, there is safety and protection in Him. He is my refuge and although I may sometimes be bruised and dinged up by the words of others, I can remain faithful to Him. He reassures me that I am His and I am loved. His flawless words build me back up and restore me.

Lord, silence those proud tongues!


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Out of Power

Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 8:17-18a “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…”

Photo by Bryan Alexander at https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryanalexander/15981387716

The recent winter storms in so many of our States have produced incredible winter wonderlands. Bare, unremarkable branches suddenly become ethereal when robed in snow and ice. The dazzling white changes the landscape from boring to beautiful! But as stunning as it is, there is a price to be paid for all that beauty when power lines go down. For those who are equipped, out come the home generators and life goes on. But for others, they limp along without power until crews come out for repairs.

Today’s verse is a reminder about the Source of power and of strength. When a winter storms disrupts life, we realize how little power we really wield. But when everything is going well and all our creature comforts are in place, we begin to believe that we can take credit for any wealth we have. This whole chapter warns us of the danger of forgetting the Lord and becoming proud. (verse 14) This happens when there is plenty to eat (verse 12) and bank accounts are solid. (verse 13)

Whatever wealth I enjoy is a direct result of Him and His gifts. He even gives the ability to produce that wealth. I have no power on my own. I have no strength on my own. And it is often a realization I come to only when faced with difficulty. That storm, whatever form it takes, drives me to my knees in humility. He responds to my cries for help with His incredible strength and power.

Thank you Lord, that with You I am never out of power!