Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Word


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Storks

Scripture for Today:  Jeremiah 8:7  “Even the stork in the sky knows when it is time to move on.  The turtledove, swallow and the crane recognize the normal times for their migration.  But My people pay no attention to what I, the Lord, require of them.”

I am fortunate to live in an area known for its stork population.  I so enjoy watching them fly past our windows.  The cranes around here are almost as big but do not have the same “wow” effect for me.  I am anxious to see them return with the warmer weather.  They winter in Sub-Saharan Africa, something I wish I could do!  They often will return to the exact same nest.

Our verse for today talks about four different kinds of birds but with one thing in common; they all migrate.  Their little bird brains know instinctively when it is time to move on so as to avoid the freezing temperatures.  Jeremiah mentions these birds as a contrast to the Israelites.  The people prided themselves in possessing the Law of God.  But they continually turned to their own individual course, rather than following God’s way.  The Law, instead of being written in their hearts, became a mere code or outward ceremony.

I wish obeying God was as instinctive for me as migration is for the birds.  But then it would not mean as much.  God wants my obedience to be an intentional choice.  Knowing what God expects of me is a good thing.  But I do not want to make the same mistake as the Israelites.  The point is not how many Bible verses I can recite by heart.  He is more interested in how many I obey!  Help me, Lord, to be obedient.


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Turkish Delight

Scripture for Today: Psalm 111:2  “Great are the works of the Lord.  They are studied by all who delight in them.”

I find the name of this mid-eastern candy intriguing.  Its other name is “Lokum.”  Turkish Delight is quite common here in France and easily found in the special foods section of the stores.

This is the candy of choice for Edmund, one of C. S. Lewis’ characters in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.  Edmund not only took delight in this candy, he became addicted to it.  The wicked white Witch was able  to manipulate Edmund with promises of more.  But no matter how much Edmund ate, he still longed for it again, never satisfied.

Our verse for today speaks about a delight found in studying God’s wondrous works.  I am more familiar with another verse that tells us to “delight yourself in the Lord…” (Psalm 37:4)  The source of delight is found in our relationship with Him, but it is also found in studying His great works.

I am no academic and I do not normally put the words, “study” and “delight” in the same phrase.  There are many who find delight in studying math equations or Greek.  But I am not one of them!  However, with God’s wondrous doings as the subject of study, I do find delight.  I am to seek out what He has done, both in the Scripture and in my life.

Studying His work in Scripture is in fact a means of knowing Him better.  All the works of the Lord reveal who He is.  Every miracle of creation, every changed heart, and every evidence of care gives insight into His character.

True delight is found in Him and His works.  He is a delightful study!  And unlike Turkish Delight, He satisfies!


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Cheerleaders

IMG_20130219_095627Scripture for Today:  Romans 15:4  “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

When our daughters were young they were thrilled to wear these cheerleading outfits.  At that time my husband taught at a public high school.  He had these outfits professionally made so the girls could cheer along with the “real” cheerleaders at sporting events.  They were quite the hit!

Anytime spirit lagged among the spectators, all the girls had to do was look cute and shake their pom-poms and the crowd would find their voice again!  With just a little encouragement from the girls, the crowd would cheer.

Our verse for today gives us another source of encouragement; Scripture.  We need its encouragement to hold on to our hope.  We need the encouragement of Scripture to endure.  Our spirits sometimes lag.  We get discouraged waiting for that answer to prayer or His promise to be fulfilled.

God’s Word is so much more than a pep talk though.  His Word is a love letter where the Lord reveals His heart as well as His plan for me.  He so often points me to just the right passage to encourage me when I am down.  He speaks to me through His Word when I am tired and feel like giving up.  He knows just what I am feeling.

Nothing in this world can give me the same kind of encouragement to hope that God’s Word does.  Hope in what is certain, true and unchangeable is a sure hope and not some flimsy wishful thinking.

God’s Word cheers me on.  He is on my side and He wants me to succeed.  He gives me daily encouragement to keep on keeping on!  Thank you, Lord!


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Eating Light?

IMG_20121117_190433Scripture for Today:  Hebrews 5:13-14  “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.  But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”

The other day we went out to dinner with another couple.  Ignoring the inviting aromas of pizza and pasta, I decided I would eat “light.”  The holidays are coming and there will be too many occasions to overindulge.  I honestly thought I was being “good” to order a salad.  My mistake was to not have asked more questions of our waitress!  Between the toasts, the cheese and the lardons fumés, there was nothing light about my salad.  And yes, I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway!

There are times in approaching God’s Word that I just want something “light.”  Maybe I feel rushed.  Or maybe I am feeling pretty good about myself.  No conviction today, please.  Perhaps I just want a message for someone else but not for myself.  A promise would make me feel good.  I am sometimes not sure I want to look up any cross references or dig at all.  A little light reading of something I am already familiar with would be just the thing.

Our verse today is in no way discounting “milk.”  It is necessary and foundational for the new christian.  There are times when even a mature believer will go “light” and only have what is basic or a reminder in Scripture reading.  The problem comes when one has ONLY milk and does not progress to “solid food.”  Always eating “light” does not allow for good spiritual growth.  Too much light eating will result in a failure to distinguish between good and evil.

Lord, help me not to go “light” on Your Word today.


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What Will Last

IMG_20121124_143745Scripture for Today:  Matthew 24:35  “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall never pass away.”

My husband and I have a lot of fun climbing around old castle ruins like the one pictured here.  I enjoy imagining the kind of life lived there in by-gone years.  Which area had the room with the best view?  Where did they put the kitchen?

The walls are so very thick one would think it would last forever.  The location high up on the hill was strategic for their defense.  Those who lived here probably could not imagine their castle being one day in ruins.

Our verse for today says that all of heaven and earth shall pass away.  There is the bad news.  However, the good news is that there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1).  There will be no sin there and so they will last forever!

Everything here will one day be gone.  It is a difficult concept for me to grasp.  Especially here in Europe, there are some very ancient buildings.  As an American from a young country I am often impressed with the age of things.  Even our house is over a hundred years old.   But as these ruins remind me, nothing man builds will stand the test of time.

In contrast, God’s Word will never pass away.  His words are faithful, true and eternal.  They will never change.  It is because this is true that it is worth my time loving His Word, obeying it, and basing my life on it.  There is no other thing on this earth that has the same value.

May I be faithful in giving the Lord the time and study His Word deserves.  Nothing else lasts forever!