Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Guidance


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Planning

pencilindexScripture for Today: Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”

This pencil is just a little bit special.  If you look closely, you will see that there is an eraser on both ends!  This must be what I am figuratively using right now, as my own plans seem to be in a constant state of change.  That is pretty normal when taking care of a fifteen month old baby.  His needs take priority over any plans I might have envisioned for the day.  I might have planned to shower.  I might have planned to sleep.  I certainly did not plan on a crying meltdown!

Today’s verse reveals the Lord’s plans for His own.  He is good, merciful, loving and compassionate.  It only follows that His plans are good as well.  He sees the beginning and He sees the end.  He knows the outcome that we cannot know.  But His plans will include hard times that grow our faith and glorify Him.  He erases our ideas of what is good and replaces them with what He knows is best.  He is the only One who has the power and the control to do that.  He is the only One I can trust to do that.

In looking back, I can see that His plans have been for the best.  I do not regret His eraser.  If left to my self and my own warped desires, I  am pretty sure I would have made a mess of things.  His way leads to a life that is richly blessed with His presence and love.  With His plans, there is always hope and an incredible future!

Lord, help me to trust Your plan for today!


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Tandem Bicycling

bikeemily_and_justin-3-Edit-3_grandeScripture for Today: Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Now this is the way to ride a bike!  As much as I enjoy bicycling, I am not too thrilled about the soreness or leg cramps that often follow my rare excursions.  How much nicer to share the pedaling!  The rider in front is called the captain, the steerman or the pilot.  As the stronger and more experienced rider, he is responsible for steering, braking, shifting, changing gears and keeping the bike balanced.  The one in back is called the stoker and only helps with pedaling while listening and following directions.

Today’s verse is an invitation from Christ to come to Him for rest.  Work does not stop but there is help.  Being yoked with Him makes the burden of work lighter and easier to handle.  He is gentle and humble and does not force Himself.  But when I allow Him be the “steerman” than the load is shared and the result is rest for the soul.  Being connected to Christ makes all the difference.

It takes a conscious effort on my part to come to Him and yield to Him the control.  It is only when I come to the end of my own strength that I am open to the idea.  To relinquish the controls is not always easy.  I have my own ideas about how fast or slow I should be pedaling and what direction to take.  But His plan is always the better one.  There is relief when I allow Him to take charge.  There is a lightness of heart when I can look around me and enjoy the journey.  There is rest.

Lord, make my burden lighter today by giving me rest for my soul.

 


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The White Ibis

Scripture for Today: Job 38:36 “Who gives the ibis wisdom or gives the rooster understanding?”

Perhaps the rooster is given understanding to know when to crow.  I often wish he was not so understanding!  But how is the ibis wise?  It could be because he knows to fly in the energy-conserving V formation.  Maybe he is wise because he uses his long beak to feel for and capture his prey without even seeing it.  I like to think he is wise because he is mostly monogamous!  Of course, these behaviors are instinctive but they show more wisdom and understanding than some humans demonstrate!

Today’s verse reminds us that it is the Lord who gives wisdom and understanding.  It is given, not earned.  He is the Source and gives freely to all who ask in faith (James 1:5-6).  He not only gives but gives generously and without reproach.  Without asking Him, we are not wise.  We may think we know the best solution to our predicament.  But with His wisdom there is always the potential for something better.  That is because there are consequences we do not anticipate.  He knows the future.  He can see the outcome.  Every decision made without His wisdom to guide and direct is suspect.

I am not an instinctive creature.  God created me with the ability to ponder, weigh options and reflect on possible outcomes.  But sometimes, these God-given abilities make me an independent thinker.  I think I can make decisions just fine without Him.  And sometimes things work out.  But before long, the Lord will humble me to the point where I see my need to ask Him.  How much better to recognize my limits and ask Him in the beginning of that decision-making process!

Lord, thank you for the gift of Your wisdom every day for every decision.


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Puddle Jumping

Scripture for Today: John 21:7b “…As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.”

Puddle splashing and little boys go together!  My grandsons happily jump into the biggest puddle they can find with both feet, hoping to make as big a splash as possible.  With the recent rains and flooding in Southern California, there are plenty of opportunities.  At their age it is a supervised controlled activity, but I imagine when they are older, shoes, socks and pants will be well soaked.

Today’s verse has someone jumping in the water.  The disciples were not too sure who exactly it was on the shore telling them how to fish.  But in following His instruction, these experienced fishermen realized that their huge haul was a miracle.  With John’s declaration, impetuous Peter jumps into the water to meet the Lord!  He is excited to brave the wet and cold in order to reach Jesus first.  If it meant getting wet and soggy he was willing.  That cold water was surely a shock to the system for Peter, especially after fishing all night.  But after the humiliation of his recent denial, Peter may have been anxious to prove his love and faithfulness with that jump.

Jumping in with both feet into something cold, wet and uncomfortable does not appeal to me.  But often, the Lord puts those trials or puddles directly in my path.  That path could lead to a deeper more intimate relationship with Him.  If going through that difficulty can result in a closer more loving relationship, than maybe I should “consider it joy” (James 1:2) and jump in with both feet!

Lord, help me live life with joy, regardless of the puddles.


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The Water Lily

Scripture for Today: Psalm 19:8 “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

Water lilies fascinate me!  Their beautiful white and pink flowers look as if they bloom effortlessly as they serenely  float on the surface of the water.  They can be seen on lakes or ponds whose waters are still, and they can root up to seven feet deep.  If left undisturbed they can cover hundreds of acres of water.  Because they float, they access the sunlight unhindered by taller plant species.  Their leaves lie flat on the water soaking up all that light.  The result is beautiful!

Today’s verse tells us that the commands of the Lord are radiant.  They give all the light needed to grow and thrive in life.  His commands refresh the soul and make simple people wise (verse 7).  They give joy to the heart.  Each and every direction God gives is right and completely trustworthy.  Obeying His laws makes our lives beautiful.

I do not normally think of rules and regulations as a source of joy.  But just as a child can feel unloved and neglected without parental boundaries, so we too can feel as if God does not care if He had not given us His commands.  They are a sign of His love.  He cares that I succeed in life and He has shown me how.  His commands and precepts are designed with my welfare in mind, not to limit me or restrict my freedom.  They can give joy to my heart when I see them as proof of His tenderness and care.

Lord, keep me in the still water, soaking up the light of Your presence today!