Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Make Up Call

Scripture for Today: Acts 17:31 “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

https://www.flickr.com/photos/christianspenceranderson/6138402466

The Make Up Call would never be necessary in a perfect world where every referee call were done perfectly. But of course, referees are only human. If he erroneously gives possession of the basketball to one team, he may try to balance out the injustice with a make up call. To do that he may quickly whistle a travel or improper zone defense on that team in order to restore possession to the other wronged team. That penalty may be entirely fictional in order to right a previous wrong!

Today’s verse promises a day when the world will be judged. All wrongs will be put right. Perfect justice will be meted out and it will be perfectly done. It will be perfect because of who is appointed to do it; Jesus Christ. The proof of His right to establish justice is evident in His resurrection. In His perfect judgement there will be no make up calls to balance out an injustice. There will no challenges at all to the absolute rightness of what He will declare.

At no point can I ever argue with the His perfect justice. I can never point out something He missed or excuse myself because of my good intentions. There are no extenuating circumstances that can cloud the issue of my absolute guilt before Him. His justice is always fair. Thankfully, He sees Christ’s righteousness when looking at me (Rom. 3:22) and I am under no condemnation (Rom. 8:1). But it is comforting to know that whatever injustice gets overlooked here will one day be put right.

Thank you Lord, for Your perfect justice.


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Feathers

Scripture for Today: Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Is there anything softer than downey feathers? This is certainly why some duvets and pillows afford such wonderful and comforting sleep. Apart from being breathable and regulating body temperature, these soft feathers will envelop and conform to the body. They are so malleable that there is less strain on the muscles. Their natural softness just wraps around the body, so much so that it is hard to leave!

What a beautiful image feathers are in today’s verse! The Lord covers the believer with something so soft. Yet, at the same time, His feathers are strong, providing refuge from any attack! It is under His wings that we discover His faithful care, as strong and protective as a shield or surrounding rampart. His feathers are lightweight, not weighing us down. We can breathe deeply and catch our breath there, surrounded by His attentive safe keeping. His soft feathers wrap around the body shielding us from whatever threatens us.

The best place to be is under His wings. How good He is to provide that respite for the soul! Sometimes I do not even realize how harsh the world is until I go there and feel the contrast of His soft enveloping love. He offers me His protection and strength there under His waiting wings. But how often do I go there? I am just silly enough to walk right past Him and muddle through on my own. But I have had enough of hard realities. I need to relax, let go, and bask in the soft realities of His love and care.

Lord, keep me under Your wings today.


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Flex Alert

Scripture for Today: I Chronicles 29:12 “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”

Flex Alert is a voluntary program of energy conservation here in California. During extremely hot temperatures the power grid can get overloaded with an increase in demand. To avoid a black out or even planned roving power outages, folks are encouraged during peak hours to do three things: set the thermostat to 78 or higher, avoid using major appliances and turn off unnecessary lights. These measures keep us from running out of power.

Today’s verse acknowledges that wealth, honor, strength and power all come from the Lord. This praise is part of David’s prayer of praise at the building of the Temple. David had given of his wealth (verse 2) and he encourages the people to follow his example. Because wealth, honor, strength and power are from God’s hands, the people could open their own hands and give generously. But David first challenges the Israelites to consecrate themselves to the Lord (verse 5). That power from Him showed up in their willingness to give of themselves and of their wealth.

I often call on the Lord for His strength and power. His power is definitely present when I can say “no” to temptation. His strength is evident when He gets me through a difficult day after a sleepless night. When He comes through for me it is amazing! But it is just as amazing to step out in faith and give sacrificially to His work. To do so, I need to remember this verse. Power, strength, honor and wealth all come from Him and there are no outages.

Thank you Lord, that Your power enables me to give You myself and all I have.


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In a Pickle

Scripture for Today: I Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong and steadfast.”

It is such an odd expression to speak of one’s self as “in a pickle.”  The word “pickle” came from the Dutch word “pekel” meaning something piquant.  William Shakespeare used this expression in 1610 for his play, The Tempest, when one character asked another “How camest thou in this pickle?” meaning “How did you get so drunk?”  Being in a pickle today can mean being in any sort of disagreeable situation.  That difficulty is likened to becoming a pickle by soaking in brine and vinegar.

Today’s verse goes further than just a disagreeable situation!  The early Christians faced real persecution because of their faith and many were even martyred.  Peter reminds them of God’s favor in calling them and of their future reward.  He also points out that the suffering is temporary and only for a little while.  How precious that God Himself will personally restore them and make them strong and firm after that suffering is over!

There is a closeness that seems to come uniquely through suffering.  I have heard so many share their gratitude for having cancer because of their special bond and closeness to the Savior through it!  In some mysterious way, God moves in close to those who are suffering.  His presence is felt like never before as He affirms and reassures of His love and plan.  There is something about sharing His suffering that brings a close relationship even closer.  He has been there for me at some of the lowest times of my life and I am thankful.

Lord, help me feel You there in the hard times.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2018)


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Below the Surface

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

I am holding what looks to be a branch. But in fact it is a ficus root from our neighbor’s tree! For years and years the roots have spread, seeking out any cool damp earth. Unfortunately, they found some beneath the foundation of our bathroom! These ficus roots are notorious for breaking up patios, roads and building foundations! With moisture, the roots will expand in girth, creating havoc where no one sees!

Today’s verse tells us that there is nothing hidden from God, not even those nasty ficus roots! What is covered and secret to the human eye is uncovered and open to His scrutiny. He sees what no one else does: the motive, the intent, the circumstances and the rationale behind everything. The Lord is the only One who can see it all and judge with perfect justice.

When I first read this verse it made me squirm. There are regrets in my life that I prefer stay out of sight. Fortunately, when God sees those failures, He also sees the perfect righteousness of Christ. The right standing I have with God is His gift to me through faith in Jesus! (Romans 3:22) On that coming day of reckoning I can be assured that there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1) as His blood has washed away every nasty dirty sin. For the believer, this verse is a comfort and reassurance that His justice will triumph over all wickedness! What is sown will one day be reaped, whether good or evil. What a relief it will be to see the right prevail!

Thank you Lord that You see it all!