Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Guidance


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Bumper Bowling

bowling121009-F-DY381-016Scripture for Today: Proverbs 2:7-8 “He holds success in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.”

Maybe I would feel differently about bowling had I grown up using these bumpers.  Imagine no more gutter balls!  But I did not have this luxury and I was on my  own trying to get that blasted ball to reach any of those bored pins.  It was not as if my Dad did not try to teach me.  He was in a bowling league at his work and had his own ball.  He and his team won trophies, but of course no serious bowler would consent to using these bumpers.  But I love the idea of having that little edge to correct the course of my wayward ball.

Today’s verse is beautiful!  The Lord God wants us to succeed but true success is only found in a relationship that follows His course.  None of His commands are arbitrary.  They exist for our good and for our protection.  Through His Word He speaks and guides.  When we obey and follow His perfect way, we enjoy the blessing of intimacy with Him.

I look at those bumpers as His grace to forgive, correct and restore.  Even with the best of intentions I fail.  I am “prone to wander” off His path.  But because I belong to Him, He does not let this silly sheep stray too far.  Sometimes that corrective bump can be a bit of a shock and not at all comfortable.  But it is just what is needed to get me back on course.

Lord, I want to always be one of Your faithful ones.  Keep me on that path of righteousness today.


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The Leaning House

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:5-6  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is perhaps not so unique!  This house, used as a hotel, is found on the Blau river in Ulm, Germany.  The Guinness Book of Records named it the most leaning hotel in the world in 1997.  It was built around the 15th century in the Fisherman’s Quarter of the city.  I cannot imagine staying there.  I would be afraid that I would roll out of bed!

Today’s verse is a loving warning against leaning on one’s own understanding.  When a believer counts on his own reasoning rather than trusting in God’s unveiled plans, he leans as precariously as this house.  Our own understanding is flawed and limited.  We never see the big picture.  Leaning and trusting in only what we can understand makes us lean away from the sure foundation that He is!  In limiting ourselves to what we can surmise or figure out, we become unstable.  We teeter and sway rather than standing firm with a wholehearted trust in His direction.  He has promised to lead the way and make our paths straight.

My own understanding sure gets me in trouble.  I assume the wrong thing.  I read a situation incorrectly without even knowing it.  I think I know, and I do not.  There is only One who knows the future, who knows what is best for me.  The Lord not only knows, but He has the power to bring it about!  If I lean at all, I want to lean into Him and His strong arms.

Lord, keep me trusting in You with all my heart.


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Good Taste

Scripture for Today: Job 34:3-4 “For the ear tests words as the tongue tests food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.”

This cat looks to be enjoying ice cream almost as much as I do!  Our Tiger never tasted the stuff because I was always unwilling to share.  However, I have given him as taste of yogurt and he was thrilled.  I imagine many cats enjoy foods that involve milk or cream.  But I still remember the veterinarian warning us that the digestive system of an adult cat does not take too well to drinking milk.  Although the taste is delicious, it is not so good for him.

Today’s verse records the advice of one of Job’s three friends.  Elihu was eager to help Job discover the reason for his troubles.  He had a lot to say but it was off the mark.  Certainly, we are to test what we hear and listen with discernment.  Just as we taste food to see if it has a pleasing flavor, so we “taste” what we hear to decide if it rings true.  The problem is that we all have differing taste buds.  What seems right and good to one can seem wrong and sour to another.  Our subjectivity gets in the way of finding absolute truth.

Thankfully, we do not have to discern for ourselves what is right.  It is not up to us to come to some sort of consensus.  God’s Law goes beyond individual opinion or cultural norms.  God’s Law does not change with the times.  Surveys and votes do not change what God has put in place.  And not only does it taste good, but it is good for us!

Help me Lord, to discern what You call good and right.


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Ask!

Scripture for Today: James 1:5 “But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.”

I can ask Google anything.  Apparently, there are no questions too stupid that it will not answer.  In fact, when asking something very obvious that everyone should know, it does not make fun of me or roll its eyes!  I get no attitude from Google.  Imagine it saying, “What?  You don’t know that?” or, “I answered that yesterday!  Can’t you remember anything?” In the privacy of my own home I can ask it anything without fear of disdain for my stupidity!

Asking questions from people can be humbling.  It is difficult to put aside one’s pride and admit not knowing.  My motto is often, “Fake it ’til you make it.”  How often I have continued a phone conversation despite not knowing which Kathy or Jim is on the line!  My pride prevents me from asking for a last name.  No one likes to admit not knowing.

Today’s verse encourages the believer to ask for wisdom from the Lord.  He does not reprimand us for not knowing.  There is no exasperation on His part.  He is patient and understanding.  But we do not receive this wisdom until two things happen: we recognize our lack and we humble ourselves enough to ask Him.

Google is not infallible and it is limited to just the facts.  Google cannot help me to live my life with skill and godliness.  However, God invites me to approach Him with faith, anywhere and anytime for help with any area.  He is the limitless and infallible source of every answer I need!

Help me Lord, to turn to You today for every answer!


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The Horse

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 32:9  “Be not like the horse or the mule, which lack understanding, which must have their mouths held firm with bit and bridle, or else they will not come with you.”

“Flicka” was the name of the horse I rode as a camp counselor at Summer Park Ranch in New Mexico.  She was sweet and calm for the most part.  She did have some intestinal problems that meant we were always at the end of the line, but I enjoyed her submissive spirit, most of the time.

Flicka had the problem of being what is called, “barn sour.”  She was fine leaving the barn for the trail.  But the minute we turned towards home, she picked up speed.  Off she would trot or even gallop in anticipation of being back at the barn to eat and rest.  As an inexperienced teenager, I had to learn how to use that bit and bridle to slow her down.  It was never easy.

In our verse today we are told not to be like the horse needing a bit and bridle.   They need to be controlled as they have no real understanding of what is good for them.  We, on the other hand, know we need the help and guidance that the Lord offers.  The context of this verse is a promise to instruct and teach us in the way we should go.  He does not force us in a certain direction with a bit and bridle.  He instead waits for quiet submission on our part to be led by Him.  I need His guidance.  There are choices ahead that I do not dare make on my own.  His way is the way I want.

Lord, keep me from following my own limited understanding.  Guide me in Your perfect way.