Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Word


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The Pelican

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!

Today’s verse 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!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2015)


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Milkweed

Scripture fro Today: I Peter 2:2  “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

There are over 100 species of this beautiful milkweed but they all have one thing in common; they each produce a milky sap for which it gets its name. It leaks out from the stem or leaves. In large quantities this sap is toxic to animals. But for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar, this sap is tasty and the only thing they will eat! The monarch butterfly will only lay its eggs on these leaves or else the caterpillar starves!

Today’s verse describes that same single-minded craving. A new believer will show enthusiasm for reading and learning from God’s Word. And it is not something a believer ever need deny himself. Although a mature believer will gradually add the meatier doctrines of the Bible, one never outgrows the need to review and appreciate the foundational truths, or milk. (Heb. 5:12) By it we grow and by it we taste just how good God is!

The milk of God’s Word is described as pure. It is not to be mixed with the world’s philosophies as it is His truth and can stand on its own! Its purity means that the essentials are there for my faith to grow. Mixing in anything else will dilute its personal message to me. Mixing in anything else dulls my spiritual taste buds. I do not want to miss out on tasting just how good the Lord is! Nothing else can take the place of His personal message to me and that sweet communion leaves me craving more of Him.

Thank you Lord, that Your Word nourishes my soul!


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Penny Farthing Bicycle

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 4:5 “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

Fjmustak, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

With each pedal stroke, this gentleman can travel great distances, as much as 15 feet! That is because of the huge size of that front wheel. And even though he is rolling on cobblestone, his ride is smooth. But despite these advantages, the Penny Farthing bicycle, created in the 1870’s, is not safe. As he sits so high and nearly over the front axel, he is prone to pitching over those mustache handlebars head first and landing on his head!

Today’s verse is a charge to Timothy from his mentor, Paul. He is told to “keep his head.” The idea is to always be steady and clear headed. Despite unexpected hardship, Timothy is encouraged to stay calm, cool and steady. Timothy is warned that soon, sound doctrine and truth will no longer be welcomed. His listeners will prefer myths and what is easy to hear (verses 3-4). But he is to remain faithful to what God has called him to do, just as Paul had been.

I could lose my head in only listening to what is easy and pleasing, ignoring the doctrines and meat of God’s Word. If I were to take that easy route, I would be unprepared for any kind of hardship. Suffering, trials and difficulties are all part of my Christian walk and the best way I know to meet them head on is to know what God says. I may never understand the “why” of that unexpected hardship. But by staying in His Word, I can be assured of God’s love and faithfulness through it.

Thank you Lord, that You help me keep my head!


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Poking Holes

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 11:10 “He (Abraham) was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

There was a problem. We had been living with it for awhile and finally decided to do something about it. The “something” meant poking a hole in the foundation. It was the only way to fix the shortcuts that were taken in the building of our house 46 years ago. After repairs below, there was no question but that we had to go that extra step. The foundation needed work to be stable once again. It would be unthinkable to live with a gaping hole in a foundation.

Today’s verse describes the faith of Abraham, looking forward to the Celestial City with sure foundations. He does not have to worry about how those foundations were built as the Builder and Architect is God Himself. Abraham lived as a nomad, in tents and on the move. (verse 9) He lived like a stranger in a foreign country. The idea of building his life on an unmovable foundation must have been especially attractive.

The foundation this world offers is never a sure one. Its changing “truths” make it full of holes and unstable. Trying to build my life on it is like trying to nail jello to a wall! If there are no absolute truths there can be nothing sure and certain on which to build my life. But my foundation is God’s unchanging and life-giving Word. Nothing and no one can poke holes in His Word, His character and His plans. Despite the uncertainties of this life, I can look forward with certainty to the fulfillment of every promise. My Builder and Architect is even now preparing a place for me (John 14:2).

Lord, keep me looking forward to what You have prepared for me!


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Garlands

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 4:9 “She (wisdom) will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”

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What woman does not feel more beautiful with a flower garland on her head? Even as little girls, we play with field flowers, making chains and placing them on our heads. We pretend we are princesses and prance around feeling special. There does seem to be something royal about a garland on the head as it can resemble a tiara. The bridal industry understands this and there is quite a wide choice of flower garlands for the big day.

Today’s verse describes wisdom as being that garland or crown. Wisdom in a life makes it beautiful and graceful. Wisdom, or skillful living, even brightens the face and changes its hard appearance! (Eccl. 8:1) More important than physical beauty, a wise life exudes a loveliness and grace that does not diminish with time. And that wisdom is found in obeying and loving His Word. It is the Lord who gives this wisdom as knowledge and understanding come directly from His mouth (Prov. 2:6)

Like Eve, I can desire wisdom but look in the wrong place for it (Gen. 3:6). Just because something looks good and pleases the eye does not mean it will make me wise. A life marked by wisdom will be a life that makes right choices. And I cannot discern which choices are right without God’s Word telling me exactly what they are! He is my source of wisdom, helping me lead a life without the complications and sorrow of sin. Obedience to my Creator is wise living that creates for me grace and glory!

Lord, grace my head with Your wisdom today.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2014)