Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Planning the New Year

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”

This pencil is just a little bit different.  If you look closely, you will see that there is an eraser on both ends! This must be what I am figuratively using right now, as my own plans seem to be in a constant state of change. I know I am not alone in feeling this way. As we begin the New Year, what we could possibly plan on becomes the burning question. Not only do we write in our agendas in pencil, but we are very likely to need double the amount of eraser!  

Today’s verse reveals the Lord’s plans for His own.  He is good, merciful, loving and compassionate. It only follows that His plans are good as well. He sees the beginning and He sees the end and knows every hidden outcome. But His plans for the believer will include hard times that grow our faith and glorify Him. He erases our ideas of what is good and replaces them with what He knows is best. He is the only One who has the power and the control to do that. He is the only One I can trust to do that.

In looking back, I can see that His plans have been for the best. I do not regret His eraser. If left to myself and my own warped desires, I  am pretty sure I would have made a mess of things. His way leads to a life that is richly blessed with His presence and love. With His plans, there is always hope and an incredible future!

Lord, help me to trust Your plan for this new year!


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The Capybara

Scripture for Today: II Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

Meet the largest rodent in the world! He looks to be a cross between a pig and a beaver but with no snout or tail. He can stay submerged like the hippo with eyes, ears and nostrils near the top of his head. With his webbed feet he can stay underwater five minutes at a time to hide from predators. Water is a source of life for the capybara. He uses it for his dry skin, for plant foods and to escape danger.

Today’s verse talks about God’s divine power being the source of a godly life for the believer. Everything that is needed to live a godly life has already been given to us. Knowing Him is knowing the Source of divine power. On our own, we are unable to do what He asks of us. But through knowing Him we can participate in His divine nature. He is the Source of goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, affection and love. (verses 4-7)

What an amazing description of what is godly or like God! And when reading these I see how little they describe what I can come up with on my own! I so need His power to exhibit any of these characteristics. Thankfully, He has made His power available to me through His Spirit. Living a life that is godly is possible through Him. My problem comes when I think I can generate anything godly without Him. (John 15:5) How good of Him to have already given me everything I need to live for Him!

Thank you Lord, for being the Source of anything godly in me.


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“Tilting at Windmills”

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

These windmills do not look much like the enemy, but try explaining that to Don Quixote! The English idiom, “tilting at windmills,” means to attack imaginary enemies. It comes from the story of this deluded but chivalrous knight in Cervantes’ classic story. Don Quixote sees a field of windmills and thinking they are giants, he rides out to fight them. Unfortunately, he charges full speed at the closest one just as the sail descends, catching his lance and throwing him to the ground!

Today’s verse reassures the believer that whoever we think might be our enemy, we can be confident that God is for us. The question in this verse can be answered in one word; “nothing!” The list of “these things,” includes: death, life, angels, demons, the present, the future, powers, height, depth, nor ANYTHING ELSE in all creation will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus! (verse 37-39) Whether our enemies are real or perceived, we are more than conquerors.

I do not know what my future holds and I can imagine lots of unhappy scenarios. I can easily make a giant out of what is just an innocuous windmill. The future sometimes looms large in my thinking, taking on a power that it does not really have. But even in imagining the worst case scenario I can find comfort in the fact that God’s love would carry me through. Because of His love and power there is no obstacle in my future that is insurmountable. Nothing is too hard for Him. (Jer. 32:17) I belong to the Creator of giants and windmills!

Thank you Lord, that You will always be there to fight my battles!


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Bones

Scripture for Today: Ezekiel 37:5 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.”

This must be what happens when there is just too much exercise and dieting!  I recently had a bone scan done but I am fairly sure I did not look like this skeleton.  With osteoporosis in my family I need to be concerned about good bone health.  There are lots of preventative measures to take.  Weight-bearing exercise is recommended as well as a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.  I am thrilled to see ice cream and frozen yogurt on the high-in-calcium list!  Although vitamin D is important, I would prefer getting it from the sun rather than a pill.  The next time I enjoy ice cream in the sunshine, I can do it without a shred of guilt!

Today’s verse comes from a vision the Lord gave His prophet, Ezekiel.  The bones represent the nation of Israel.  Their bones were dried up as their hope was gone and they were cut off.  God promised to put flesh on those bones and give life through His Spirit.  It was an image of what He would do for them, bringing them back to their land.

There is no life without His Spirit.  We are all dead in our sins without His life-giving Spirit.  Those who reject Jesus Christ are like dried up bones, without hope and cut off from a vital relationship with their Maker.  But with His breath comes true life.  In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).  The breath of His Spirit moves me to a living loving relationship with Him.

Thank you Lord, for breathing true life into me!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2017)


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Palm Reading

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 49:15-16a “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.”

Palm reading is generally thought to be a superstitious belief but it continues to enjoy some success for those who want to believe. There are different types of palmistry practiced but the idea is to interpret one’s future by looking at the heart, head, life or fate lines. Classic palmistry has its roots in Greek mythology where a god or goddess is related to different areas of the palm or fingers.

Today’s verse talks about God’s palm and what is written there! The Lord is reassuring the Israelites that He will never forget them. As unusual as it may be for a mother to forget her child, He will never forget His own chosen people. A mother may not have compassion for her child, but the Lord will comfort His people and will have compassion on them. (verse 13) Those that God loves He will never abandon. Those that He loves are engraved on the palms of His hands.

How reassuring it is that the Lord will never forget me! His thoughts towards me are as numerous as all the grains of sand in the world. (Psalm 139:18) That means I can never catch Him NOT thinking of me! His palms are engraved with my name and no one can snatch me out of those loving powerful hands! (John 10:28) My heart, hand, life or fate are all in His control as I belong to Him. What an amazing confidence and peace His love makes possible!

Thank you Lord, that You will never forget me.