Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Big Boy Pants

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Avanguardisti.jpeg

We have a saying in our home that my husband uses when faced with a difficult or unpleasant task; ” I’ll just put on my big boy pants!” Although not heard so often, the idea comes from an earlier era. In the 1910’s and 1920’s, wearing long pants was a true rite of passage. Sometime during the teen years, knee pants, knickers or knickerbockers worn as a boy are exchanged for long pants. This signals to others a certain recognized maturity. So to wear big boy pants today is to do the responsible mature thing!

Today’s verse is Paul’s confident assertion that Christ gives him strength. This strength enables him not just to do the responsible mature thing but to find contentment in whatever situation he finds himself. It is Christ’s offered strength that is the secret to Paul’s contentment (verse 12). Not only does God give strength for the task but He also gives a sense of contentment throughout the ordeal. And it is in abiding and connecting ourselves to the Source of strength that we can rise to the occasion and be effective (John 15:5).

I tend to lean on my own resources. There is a certain “can do” attitude that I expect of myself. But to have a contented heart when the going gets tough is truly a gift of strength from the Lord. When I am overwhelmed by circumstances I cannot change, I need His supernatural strength to be settled and peaceful inside. His contentment has nothing to do with whether today was a good day or a bad day. What a beautiful gift His contentment is! Regardless of the difficulty, He makes my heart light.

Lord, I need Your strength today.


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Eye Lashes in the Sky

Scripture for Today: Job 37:12-13 “At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them. He brings the clouds to punish people or to water his earth and show his love.”

Betty Flowers https://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/9040974523

This incredible image shows scud clouds hanging from underneath a thunderstorm. They almost look like lace as they grace the sky above Wallops Island, Virginia. Also pictured is a roll cloud which resembles a horizontal tube. The air spins inside the roll clouds creating the lacy look of the scuds hanging from it. What an imaginative scene! Does anyone else see eye lashes?

Today’s verse reminds us of God’s creative power as He is the one who designs these tableaus. It is at His direction that the clouds swirl around to form what we see overhead. And the clouds stand ready to do His bidding. Our powerful God commands the clouds. His duel purpose is to punish people or to show love in watering the earth. All of His creation is under His control and responds to His directives. Nothing is outside His authority. And as a perfectly just God, it is His prerogative to punish or to bless.

I am eternally grateful to have God’s love and blessing. Because of Christ’s sacrifice for my sin, I am under no condemnation (Rom. 8:1) and do not need to fear His punishment. His blessing means an eternity with Him. But He has also given me every spiritual blessing here and now! (Eph. 1:3-8) So even when I see clouds that are not so beautiful but dark and menacing, I can be confident of His love and care. I can look up with assurance that He knows exactly what is happening.

Thank you Lord, for Your loving control in my life!


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A New Voice

Scripture for Today: Psalm 29:4 “The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.”

I am excited to one day hear my Mom’s voice in Heaven. Half of her voice box was removed due to cancer while pregnant with me! My older siblings all remember her natural, true voice but I have never heard it. The doctors told her she would only be able to speak in a whisper. Thankfully, that was not the case. But her voice was raspy and tired easily. Although she left us 5 years ago, today would have been her 100th birthday. But now her voice is perfect and strong, singing praise to her Lord.

Today’s verse describes another voice. Although we have never physically heard it, we will recognize it immediately! It is a powerful and majestic voice that thunders. It is a voice that breaks huge cedar trees into pieces. God’s voice can strike like lightening and can shake a desert! His voice is so powerful that it twists oaks and strips forests bare! (verses 5-9) There is no mistaking this voice and the only response possible is to cry, “Glory!” (verse 9)

What an incredible description of His powerful voice! When He speaks, there are no arguments! His word was all that was needed to create the world into existence. And every word of His is faithful and true. It is a voice that I can trust with my earthly life and for my eternity. No voice in heaven or earth is more powerful. Yet, He sometimes chooses to communicate in a gentle whisper as with Elijah and I could miss it! One day His voice will be unmistakeable. But here and now I need to listen for those whispers of love and assurance.

Lord, keep me listening for Your voice today.


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God Is With Us

Scripture for Today: Matthew 1:23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’).”

This image came from a site that provides greetings to friends and families, personalizing them with a name. Immanuel or Emmanuel is not a name I hear too much except in France. There, it is used for boys or for girls but with a different spelling. But in both cases it is often shortened to “Manu.” I cannot hear the name Immanuel without thinking of this verse and its meaning; God with us.

Today’s verse is part of the angel’s message to Joseph. Not only does it reassure Joseph, but the name Immanuel also ties in to a prophecy in Isaiah 7. The wicked King Ahaz was in a tight spot, his reign threatened by two kings. God sent Isaiah with God’s promise to deliver Israel both then and in the future. Despite Ahaz, Judah and David’s line would be preserved through the coming of the Messiah! Because “God is with us” Isaiah says to be careful, keep calm, do not be afraid and do not lose heart (verse 4).

What an amazing message is wrapped up in the name, Immanuel! Because God is with me, I can stay calm, despite what is happening around me or even to me! There is no reason to be fearful because God keeps His Word. He will never leave me or forsake me (Deut. 31:6) even when surrounded by enemies! He will never leave or forsake me when facing financial challenges (Heb. 13:5). His presence is constant so I do not lose heart. I may not understand what is happening but I understand that He is there and He loves me!

I love You, Immanuel.


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Confidence!

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

I am all for confidence and that “can do” attitude. If we did not believe we could do something, it would never get done! We instill a healthy dose of confidence in our children. We give ourselves pep talks to move through a challenge. Confidence is essential to any kind of success. And admitting to weakness is thought to work against us. We somehow believe that acknowledging limits and weakness will sabotage our efforts. So we downplay them.

How counter-intuitive today’s verse is! Paul felt weak. And rather than hide his weakness from view he not only acknowledges it but boasts about it. Paul sees that it is only in admitting weakness that he can experience Christ’s power. Unlike this image, Paul does not believe in himself. He believes in God’s grace giving him power. God’s power is showcased through our weak ineffectual efforts. We are weak breakable jars of clay in order to show that power is from God. (II Cor. 4:7)

Do I believe in myself? To a certain extent I do. But at the same time, there is not a breath, a heartbeat, a talent or ability that does not come from Him! He is my Creator and I can claim nothing as coming from myself. And He has made me with my own set of weaknesses and limits for His purposes and for His glory! I would much rather believe in Him than be overly confident in myself. That way I can experience His power in me!

Thank you Lord, that You work through my weakness.