Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Guidance


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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.


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Herded

Scripture for Today:  John 16:8   “When He  comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement……”

Although we do not own a dog we enjoy those of others.  However, this morning on the beach I did not appreciate this “sheep herder dog” who ran headlong at me and head butted my ankle!  His owner was very apologetic, explaining that the dog’s instinct to herd got the better of him.  I guess he thought I was going in the wrong direction.

Today’s verse talks about the role of the Holy Spirit.  Like the herder dog that nudges the sheep in the right direction, so we need Him to direct and lead.  We are like sheep and left to ourselves would go astray (Is. 53:6).  We all need the Shepherd’s rod and staff for correction and for getting us out of danger!  His Spirit brings the conviction of what is wrong, what is right and the consequences a behavior brings.  The Spirit incites the positive godly guilt that leads to repentance, so it is a good thing. (II Cor. 7:9)

However, just as there was pain with that dog, the guilt and conviction from the Holy Spirit is not a comfortable experience.  The quicker I listen and obey, changing direction, the sooner the experience is over.  But that temporary discomfort is well worth avoiding that fall over a cliff!  His desire is always for my good.  As my Shepherd He leads me in the paths of righteousness where I can find quiet waters to refresh my soul (Psalm 23).  That is why His conviction as a rod and staff can actually bring me comfort!

Lord, help me follow You follow more closely today, and be listening for Your voice.