Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Guidance


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GPS

Scripture for Today: James 4:6 “But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The other day while finding our way in the mountains, our GPS got totally confused.  Her voice stayed confident as she told us take the second exit at the round point where there was none!  There were several times that had we obeyed her, we would have turned right into the mountainside!  After listening to her continue to give us outrageous directions, we finally just turned her off!  Thankfully, we had an old fashioned map as a back up.  But not once did she apologize!  She never said, “I was wrong and you were right!”  Of course, had she admitted her mistake I would have fainted with surprise!

There is something in all of us that bristles at the thought of admitting our errors.  Sometimes, the only way it can happen is if we can point to extenuating circumstances!  Or we can maybe admit we were wrong if someone can share our chagrin.  It is never a comfortable experience.

In our relationship with the Lord, humbling ourselves and admitting our wrongs is the starting point to our relationship with Him.  We cannot receive forgiveness without confession.  But pride can keep us from admitting our sin.  Pride itself is the root of so much sin and heartache.  This is why it tops the list of abominable sins in Proverbs 6:17.   There are those who would rather face the opposition of the Almighty God than be humbled.

The good news is that there is grace for those who come clean with Him.  He shows me unmerited favor when I humble myself in honest confession.  Forgive me my pride, Lord!  Oh how I need your grace today!


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Autopilot

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 acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

It worries me to think of an airplane with autopilot capabilities!  They have been in use for a long time, but my imagination takes flight sometimes along with the plane.  I can think of lots of things that could go wrong!  But everything is so computerized that planes can execute some pretty precise maneuvers, even landing a plane with zero visibility.

I learned that the autopilot of an aircraft is sometimes referred to as “George!”  It is a good thing that George can be switched off in times of failure.  That manual override is important when there is a bad connection or a sensor failure, resulting in a loss of needed input data.  The presence of that pilot remains essential.

Sometimes in my Christian walk, I feel like I am on autopilot.  I have been a believer a long time.  I can go through all the motions of the Christian life without much thought.  I can pray spiritual-sounding prayers at the drop of a hat.  I know all the lyrics of all the old hymns and can quote verses with the best of them.  But I usually know when I am on autopilot, as something is missing.  My heart is not in it.

Our verse today talks about leaning on our own understanding and directing ourselves.  When I am going through the motions, doing things in my own strength, and directing myself, I am at risk of messing up.  Flight turbulence brings me to my senses!  I acknowledge Him by giving Him back the controls.  Thank you, Lord, that You are there and waiting to straighten my paths.


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Sounds

IMG_20130427_193737Scripture for Today:  Deuteronomy 13:4  “You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.”

This is a sound machine.  I find myself explaining what it is quite often when I travel by air.  The security people often look baffled and concerned over it!  Unfortunately, I cannot sleep without this constant white noise, as it blocks out all other sounds.  It does need to be constant though.  The choice of sounds includes ocean waves.  I never pick that one as I find myself always waiting for the next wave!

Our verse for today is a clear command.  The context of this verse speaks of false prophets who do wonders and encourage others to follow after false gods.  But there is only one voice to which we are to listen, and that is His voice.  We are to listen to His voice with a desire to obey Him, serve Him, and cling to Him.

There are plenty of other voices out there that clamor for our attention.  Their voices can be quite persuasive, especially when their fulfilled predictions seem to authenticate their message.  But if their message deviates at all from the Word of God, then we are not to listen.  Let it be white noise.

Believers are like sheep who recognize and follow the voice of their Shepherd (John 10:27).  His voice is like no other.  He knows and speaks our name.  Mary, at the tomb, recognized the voice of Jesus at the sound of her name coming from His lips.  His voice is worth listening to as He speaks love to my heart.  His voice woos and calls.  It is a voice I want to follow and obey.  Help me to listen for Your voice today.


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Thirsty

IMG_20130227_110838Scripture for Today:  Nehemiah 9:20  “You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, Your manna You did not withhold from their mouth, And You gave them water for their thirst.”

My poor poor tulips!  They died an early death.  From just one day to the next they gave it up.  When I threw them out, I saw that the vase was bone dry, not that there was any doubt as to cause of death.

It is true that I do not have a green thumb for potted plants.  But what possible excuse do I have here?  All I had to do was check the water level and add some when needed.  If I let this happen too often, my husband will not be so motivated to bring me flowers!

From our verse for today we see that our God is a God who provides for us both spiritually and physically.  This passage speaks of His compassion for the Israelites.  In the wilderness there was no bread and there was no water.  Yet He supernaturally provided both.  He took care of both their hunger and their thirst.

I am very aware when I am hungry or when I am thirsty.  He is so good to meet those needs daily.  But there is another provision in this verse, that of the instruction of His Spirit.  I am not always aware of this need.

His Spirit teaches me and His instruction is just as needed as my daily provisions.  I often do not see it that way.  Either I am too distracted by my physical needs, or I feel I am doing fine without His Spirit.  But without His instruction and guidance I find myself resembling those tulips!

Lord, keep me aware today of my need for You.


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Love and Light

Scripture for Today:  I John 2:10 “The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.”

It can seem very dark here in Alsace.  It is not that we live in the country.  But we are in a much less populated area than southern California.  Things are spread out and there just is not as much artificial light.  Sometimes between villages, my husband will turn off the headlights to impress our visitors with how dark it can get.  When walking at night, I always use my small key chain flashlight to avoid tripping.

Today’s verse talks about staying in the light.  Jesus is our light.  He illuminates the path of obedience we are to walk.  Obeying Him allows us to remain within the beam of that light.  It is easier to talk about obedience in general terms, but here the verse is very specific about one particular commandment; loving our brother.  We are at risk of falling when we do not love our brother.  It is like turning off the headlights or forgetting my flashlight.  Loving our brother as God commands keeps us in His light and on the right path.

I never realized before how closely linked are LOVE and LIGHT.  The amount of light I live with is dependent on how much I love my brother.  Quite frankly, I get used to my way being dimly lit.  My eyes adjust to the lack of light due to my lack of love.  I do not think to do anything about it…….until I stumble.  I trip on my lack of love.  How much better it is to make the effort to love.  My walk is so much more pleasant in the light!

Lord, help me to stay in Your light by my brother.