Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Guidance


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Obstacle Course

Scripture for Today: Psalm 143:10 “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

I had never tried to do an above-ground obstacle course before. I wouldn’t recommend it if you are afraid of heights. I thought I could handle it during a women’s retreat at Forest Home. I knew from rock climbing in my college years that the harness would hold me up if (when) I fell. But I was no longer a college student. And the thought of climbing up those moving steps and having the harness abruptly pull me up made me wonder what I was thinking!! I will admit it. After my friend took the picture, I climbed back down to the stable level ground below!

Today’s verse was a prayer of David’s during a time of intense distress. He was being pursued by his enemies and he hides himself in God, entrusting his very life to Him. He claims God as his God and commits to following His will. David looks to God’s Spirit to lead him on level ground where he could be secure and stable. He needed to be led by God’s Spirit to ground that was free from dangers and obstacles.

My stability and security are not found in my circumstances. Sure, there are days that are smooth and uneventful. And I am thankful for them. But it is in the stress of not knowing which way to turn or what decision to make that I need that reassurance that He is leading me. When I am feeling vulnerable to evil in the world I need that confidence. I can feel secure knowing that He is present (Heb. 13:5) and that He will always keep His Word. (II Cor. 1:20)

Lord, keep me close to You for the stability and security You provide!


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All Directions?

Scripture for Today: Joshua 1:7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law My servant Moses gave you.; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”

These signs are common in France. Apparently, everywhere I want to go is to the left! “All Directions” is actually a helpful indication when trying to change course. It helps to know how to change direction when confused. Details come later. This sign at least points toward major streets from which one can exit the area. By following it, one can avoid going around in circles and getting tied up in a maze of one-way streets.

Today’s verse calls for strength and courage. This is the charge the Lord gave directly to Joshua as he took over as leader of the Israelites. The law came through Moses but was not to be considered invalid at his death. Obedience to the law was to continue. And following it would bring blessing and success.  But there was plenty of temptation to turn away from it. A few steps to the left or to the right would be detrimental. The verse warns us to be careful not to turn away from what God had said.

There are signs everywhere encouraging me to turn off with promises of an easier route. The sign, “All Directions” is everywhere. Surely, there is more than one way. Try this route, or maybe that one is just as valid with less trouble. There are roads that are narrow that lead to life or there are roads that are wide that lead to destruction (Matt 7:13-14). All directions? No, only one way leads to the destination I want. How important it is for me to choose God’s way!

Give me strength and courage Lord, to carefully follow Your way!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2015)


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Greener Grass

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:2-3a “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”

This silly goat must be convinced that the grass is greener on the other side of his fence to be in this predicament! We cannot fault him too much as our longing for what might be just out of our reach is an apt description of many of us! The author and scholar James Pomerantz, proved in 1983 that grass at a distance will appear greener even when it is not! Without going into his optical and perceptual laws, it is seeing the blades of grass close up and perpendicular to the ground that will give us the true color.

Today’s verse speaks of green pastures. God, as our Shepherd leads us there and makes us to lie down. It is such a beautiful picture of rest and refreshment. The grass is plenty green as it is fed by quiet waters and it is there that our souls are refreshed. It is not on the other side of the fence. It is not out of reach. However, our Shepherd has to lead us there. It can be right in front of us but we are too busy and distracted to see it. We are also too busy to slow down and stop. He makes us lie down.

When I am feeling overwhelmed or discontent my soul needs refreshing. The world will tell me that I need to refresh myself with a spa treatment, the newest tech product or any number of theatrical or culinary distractions! I believe in having a balanced life that includes fun. But none of these touch my soul. Restoring my soul is spending time with my Shepherd in that green pasture. My soul is refreshed when He walks with me along those still waters. He calms that pervasive disquiet inside.

Thank you Lord, that spending time with You refreshes me.


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Mission Impossible

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:12 “Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.”

The eighth and perhaps final film of the Mission Impossible franchise was shot on location in the arctic. This posed some challenges and the film’s director admitted there were a few, “polar-bear-related shutdowns!” But even with those delays the mission was not impossible. The choice to accommodate the wildlife was a good one. Although it was an expensive choice, the possible cost in physical harm was avoided. Tom Cruise was not wrong when he had earlier said, “our lives are the sum of our choices.”

Today’s verse talks about choices made by the one who fears and reveres the Lord. The choices faced by this individual can be guided by God. He instructs which choice is the good one but even more, which choice is the best one! The Lord sees ahead, around corners where the believer cannot. His guidance is invaluable as He sees the end from the beginning. The one who fears the Lord is the one who wants to serve Him and do His will. When that is our heart, He will respond with clear instruction.

Our choices do impact the trajectory of our lives. The choices I have made have not all been guided by the Lord. But when I confess my pride, doubt or lack of trust in seeking His counsel, He is so gracious to forgive. His way to do things is always the best way. And His guidance will always agree with what He has clearly instructed In His Word. My choices do define my life and my most important choice has been to make HIM the Lord of my life!

Thank you Lord that Your help is available in every choice!


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Suddenly Sightless!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.”

I can just imagine the surprise this pigeon must have felt! He’s minding his own business when all of a sudden he can’t see a thing. As I am not a fan of pigeons I can’t feel too sorry for him. But he must have felt a bit lost and disorientated. With his little bird brain I wonder how long it took for him to figure it all out. Maybe he panicked and just waited for the next gust of wind to clear his vision.

Today’s verse is a prayer that God would open the eyes to see what is wonderful in God’s law. Our eyes can miss what is positive in God’s commandments. Those wonders can easily escape us. We need God’s Spirit to clear our vision to see God’s law differently. This entire psalm goes on to extol and praise His law. The author’s eyes have been opened to see a long list of wonderful things: blessing, purity, delight, strength, understanding, knowledge, good judgement, freedom and comfort, to name just a few! God answered the author’s prayer.

I do not often feel this way about God’s law. Instead of seeing “wonderful things,” in His law, I sometimes see it as negative and restrictive. There is a rebel inside of me that doesn’t like to be told what to do and what not to do. My eyes need to be opened! I want to see those same wonders in His law, especially the comfort and blessing! God’s law is given with love and with a desire to make life work for me. I need my eyes open to explore and discover how God wants me to live and to see it as wonderful!

Open my eyes today, Lord.