Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Word


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Blank Sign

sign unnamedScripture for Today: Isaiah 48:17 “This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.'”

I love walking the trails that meander through the hills surrounding San Juan Capistrano.  The peace and quiet of this gem of nature refreshes my soul!  I am just learning the trails and there are many choices of route.  I carefully look at each trail name so as not to lose my way.  I was surprised at this blank sign which gave me no help at all!

Our verse for today is a special reassurance that God is directing our steps.  The signs He displays put us on the best paths.  His signs are never blank.  They clearly point out His promises and commandments.  Following them gives the most enjoyable views and the straightest paths.  He wants to direct us to the path that is the absolute best!

There are plenty of blank signs around that do not help.  These are signs representing the arguments and pretensions of those without Christ (II Cor. 10:5).  They steer away from knowledge and obedience to the Lord.  They pretend to show a better way but are in fact blank, being hollow and deceptive philosophy (Col. 2:8).  They do not lead to a better life but a more arduous pathway.

Anytime I ignore His clear signs, I am settling for something that is less than best for me.  As my Creator, He knows what direction will bring me the most challenge, the most joy and the most satisfaction.  It is no mystery.  His signs are clearly marked in His Word.

Thank you Lord, that the path You have chosen is the very best one!


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Rattlesnake

Scripture for Today: Psalm 19:11 “By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

Who wouldn’t give one of these a wide berth?  Even the look of a rattlesnake is off-putting for me.  But of course, it is their bite and venom I especially want to avoid.  That nasty venom travels through the bloodstream causing swelling, internal bleeding and much pain.  A bite is not usually fatal if treated right away.  But most people have the sense to avoid provoking rattlesnakes and avoid them all together when hearing their distinctive rattle.  Those segments of keratin at the end of their tails knock together when the tail is vertical, producing a buzzing sound.  As if that were not enough, they can also hiss to warn off people or predators.

Our verse for today promises reward for keeping God’s laws and decrees.  That is the positive side.  The negative side in this verse is that they also serve as a warning.  Like the rattle on a snake, God’s commandments give us warning.  They let us know when we are headed toward trouble.  God, in His grace, alerts us through His Word so that we can avoid needless heartbreak.  Following His way rather than our own keeps us out of harm’s way.

Our sin hurts.  It complicates a life and results in brokenness.  But it does not have to be if we heed His warning signs.  It is unpopular to speak of absolutes but they are not my words.  God delineates quite clearly in His Word between what is good and evil, black and white, dark and light.  He makes it clear so I do not add senseless pain and guilt to my life.

Help me Lord, to see Your commandments as a loving gesture from You.


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Lookouts

look out unnamedScripture for Today: Psalm 24:1-2 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. For He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”

There are several lookouts along the paths of the Back Bay in Newport Beach.  Often, when I am intent on my power walks I just pass by them.  But when I do take the time to stop, these lookouts tell me what I am seeing.  They describe different landmarks the view presents.  They describe too the wildlife and the different species of birds and plants.  After stopping and enjoying the view and the new information, I continue my walk with a deeper appreciation for what I am seeing and smelling.

Our verse for today reminds us that all of creation is the Lord’s.  He is the Creator and like most every creator, He is pleased when we admire His work!  To have the Maker walk with us through His masterpiece of creation is a wonderful privilege.  He explains to us what we are seeing in His Word.  The Bible is our “lookout” explaining the view and how grand and awesome is the power He has.  All of creation points to the Maker and Author of life.  His invisible qualities, His eternal power, and His divine nature are clearly seen in what He has made (Romans 1:20).

Appreciating nature is something we share with most everyone.  What is sad is when creation is seen from a merely human point of view.  Passing by those “lookouts” of Scripture diminishes the appreciation and gratitude to our Creator!  A whole side to enjoying nature is missed!

I want to see it all from the Creator’s point of view!  Lord, keep me in Your Word today.


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Pelicans

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 15:4 “The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.”

How can something be so majestic and wonderful and yet make me laugh at the same time?  The pelican is an impressive bird, soaring overhead with a huge wing span.  But up close and personal, that large elastic throat pouch of theirs looks amusing.  However, God in His creativity designed that pouch to catch up to three gallons of water with their prey.  They then throw back their heads and squeeze the water out of the sides of the pouch, leaving the fish ready to be swallowed.

A pelican will swallow lots of things from fish and crustaceans to tadpoles and turtles.  If they are hungry enough, they might even drown and swallow a seagull!  Having all that water with their catch allows them to swallow just about anything!

Our verse for today contrasts one who is discerning to the one who is a fool, swallowing anything!  The discerning heart will seek knowledge and wisdom.  The fool, however, seems to be satisfied with foolish things.  The fool has no discernment and will swallow whatever folly the world presents, whether it is in the form of mindless television, slick magazines, or the latest fad.

I do not want to be a fool.  I want to be discerning in what I “swallow.”  Feeding on God’s Word gives me that discernment as it teaches me what is truth.  But it requires effort on my part.  I am to seek this knowledge rather than just mindlessly going through my day.  It is intentional living.  I want to be mindful as to what I will allow myself to accept.

Lord, make my heart discerning as I feed on the Truth of Your Word.  Don’t let me swallow anything else!


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Cliff Notes

CliffScripture for Today: John 5:39-40 “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life.  These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

At one point, Cliff notes were indispensable!  It was the preferred method for understanding the plot of a book without actually reading it.  It was widely considered cheating, except for the busy student who had no time to study!  The summary given in the Cliff notes gives others the impression that one knows everything there is to know about a book.  Of course, today there are on-line search engines that can give that same impression.

Our verse for today was addressed to the Jewish leaders persecuting Jesus.  Jesus affirmed that they took no shortcuts but diligently searched the Scriptures.  But they refused to believe the testimony of those Scriptures.  Rather than believe that Jesus is the Source of Life, they preferred to believe they could obtain eternal life through study.

Somehow, these religious leaders missed the whole theme of the Bible.  It was as if they had only read the Cliff notes.  In spite of all their study, they came to the wrong conclusions and refused Jesus Christ who Himself is the theme of the Bible.  In coming to Him, we not only receive eternal life, but we have our spiritual eyes opened to understand His Word.

The Scriptures are like no other book as they allow me to draw closer and closer to its Author.  He reveals Himself and communicates His love through those pages.  To study the Bible for the sake of study does not interest me.  To study the Bible to deepen my relationship with Him motivates me!

Thank you Lord, that Your Word leads me to You!