Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Jellyfish Lake

Scripture for Today: Psalm 145:10 “All Your works praise you, Lord; Your faithful people extol You.”

“O my God, it’s beautiful!” was the first thing out of the mouth of a meteorologist as she broke the surface of Jelly Fish Lake.  I can understand her reaction as the underwater camera panned the millions of jellyfish who had been her swimming partners.  This lake is found on Eil Malk Island in Palau.  It once had an outlet to the sea but is now closed off.  Over time, these golden jellyfish lost their sting making snorkeling through them possible.  These fascinating creatures are always moving as they follow the sun’s arc across the sky.  Swimming through them must be an eerie and unforgettable experience!

Our verse for today proclaims that all of God’s creation praise their Maker.  Perhaps this is what prompted the reporter to exclaim as she did.  The millions of golden jellyfish extol the greatness and creativity of their Maker by their very presence.  Even at such a remote location, God demonstrates His artistic power in creating something that most of us will never even see.  Even if man does not recognize how they came to be, God’s eternal power and divine nature are revealed through what He has made (Romans 1:20).

All of the beauty and majesty of the Lord’s creation is intentional.  His intention is to reveal Himself to those who would seek Him.  All of His creation is like a huge megaphone announcing to those who would listen, “I am here.  This is for you and I love you.”  Those golden jellyfish following the sun are a reminder to me to continually stay close to the warmth of the Son’s presence and light.

Thank you Lord, for revealing how wonderful You are through Your wonderous works!


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The Forest

Scripture for Today: Psalm 33:10-11 “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purpose of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purpose of His heart through all generations.”

Over the years I have enjoyed my walks in the vineyards above our house.  They climbed the hills and afforded views of Guebwiller and surrounding villages below.  But further up, the crest of these hills is covered by a forest.  I never saw all of the forest at once.  It circled the crest of those hills for quite a distance and to see it in its entirety, I would need to see it from a higher viewpoint.  I could not see the forest for the trees!

Our verse for today gives a perspective that is eternal.  The Lord allows a glimpse of the entire forest.  His plans and purposes will prevail despite the individual “tree” that blocks our view.  I can get discouraged when I focus on the details of my own sin and failures.  But focusing on my little life is like seeing only an individual tree.  He has a plan and purpose for the entire world.  Certainly, if He can order and carry out His plan for nations, He can bring about His purpose in my life as well.

What is His purpose?  Ultimately, it is not about me, but about Him and His glory.  I am here on this earth to contribute my small part to reflecting His glory.  I am one small tree in a forest lifting up my branches to praise His name!  I am part of His bigger plan and purpose that stands firm throughout the ages!  What an incredible privilege!

Thank you Lord, for allowing me to be part of the big picture of what You are doing!

 


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Green!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 11:28 “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”

Today everyone wants to be Irish!  There are parades and celebrations everywhere this week marking Saint Patrick’s Day.  This patron saint of Ireland is often depicted holding a green shamrock.  It is said that he used it as a visual aid to teach on the Trinity.  But since the holiday has moved away from any religious associations, the green shamrock is now touted to be good luck and the day sees many of us wearing green.

Our verse for today gives us another reflection when thinking of the color green.  Green is the color for growth and health.  Those who thrive with the color green are those who make the Lord the focus of their trust.  It is not the green of money that is the object of our confidence.  We are not green and healthy because we have a healthy bank account balance.  We thrive and grow when we lean and rely on the Lord Himself.

When I look to my own resources, my color turns to a sickly brown.  No other resource in life can sustain me and hold me up as the Lord can out of the riches of His mercy.  Because of the unlimited blessings He gives, I will not fall.  He never disappoints, taking care of all my needs.  He promises that even in old age, I can stay fresh and green when I proclaim to others that the Lord is my upright and righteous Rock! (Psalm 92:14).

I just may wear green today, but with this verse in mind.  Thank you Lord, for keeping me fresh, green and thriving because of Your riches!


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Mystery Leak

leaky-pipesScripture for Today:  Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

We have had our share of leaks recently.  But this last one was a mystery.  The water was continually beading up through the slats of our newly-laid floor and quickly deforming it.  There was no way to find the problem except to remove the sink and toilet.  Unfortunately, the floor had to be replaced, all because of a small, hidden and persistent leak.

Our verse for today talks about being filled with joy and peace.  Our God is a God of hope.  Because of His love and plan for His children, we can wait with confidence for all that is ahead.  Because of hope, He fills us with joy and peace.  We can experience that sense of joy and peace when we are in a place of trust.  In being filled with these sometimes elusive qualities, we overflow with hope!

Unfortunately, there are leaks when levels of joy and peace slowly diminish.  It can be a slow leak that can go unnoticed for a time.  But eventually, we no longer overflow with hope.  The pressures of life work on us and we struggle through, but without that joy and peace we had.  Before long, we find ourselves questioning God’s goodness and becoming cynical.

Those leaks happen when I do not trust Him.  When I try living life by my own strength and resources, without depending on Him, my joy and peace slowly leak away.  It is no mystery that I am not living by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you Lord, for being trustworthy and filling me with hope!  Keep me leak free!

 


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Seashells

shellsunnamedScripture for Today: John 17:15 “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.”

This shell collection of my Father’s was a surprise. He was always an avid rock collector but I did not realize he was collecting shells as well.   He kept them in a large tin canister, each one wrapped meticulously.  He saw beauty in the myriad of colors and in the shapes of each seashell.  The variety and detail of God’s creation is amazing!

Of course, the seashell is about more than beauty.  It is there to protect that living creature inside!  Our verse for today is a prayer of Jesus specifically for the protection of His disciples.  There would be persecution ahead as each one takes a stand for Him.  This prayer is equally applicable to believers today (verse 20) as Jesus includes all who will believe the message of His disciples.

It may seem as if God did not answer this prayer of Jesus.  Most of the original twelve disciples died a martyr’s death.  Were they not protected?  Today, we see horrible scenes of Christians being killed for their faith in Christ.  Is this prayer invalid?

From what does God protects us?  In His grace He protects us repeatedly from bodily harm.  So often, we are not even aware of His protective hand.  But this prayer of protection concerns the evil one.  Our souls are protected.  Though the body is destroyed, no evil can touch the soul and its sure destination (Matt. 10:28-29).

As the world becomes increasingly hostile to true Christ followers, I can live without fear.  My soul belongs to Christ (II Tim. 1:12) and I am persuaded that He will keep what I have committed to Him.

Thank you Lord, for Your beautiful protection.