Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Guidance


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Dayspring

Scripture for Today: Luke 1:78-79 “because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

How wonderful to celebrate the arrival of Spring this week! This welcomed season was originally called, “lent,” as a derivative of the German word, “langitinaz,” meaning lengthening of days. And I do enjoy the additional daylight! From the 14th century on, the name was changed to “springing time” to mark the resurgence of plant growth. Spring in latin is “tempus primum” meaning first season. And Spring was first in the Roman calendar. It makes sense then that this season signals for many a fresh start!

Today’s verse has a rising sun, which in other translations is called “Dayspring.” These verses come from the newly loosened tongue of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, prophesying John’s role in preparing the way for the coming Dayspring from Heaven. Jesus is our Dayspring, shining light in a world darkened by sin and brokenness. He is sent to us out of the tender mercy of our God, making a way to establish peace between God and mankind.

Spring, with the lengthening daylight hours, with dormant growth coming to life, and with the offering of a new beginning is also a beautiful picture of Jesus. He has brought newness of life to me and a reason to have hope. What can look dead and gone can be given a new season of growth. Instead of being in the shadow of death, I can enjoy the light of His continual presence. One day, I will live without interruption in the warmth and sunshine of that Dayspring!

Thank you Lord for spring and the small glimpse of what is to come!


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No Footsteps!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 77:19  “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footsteps were not seen.”

We live in an age of amazing technology! Underwater robots plunge the depths of the oceans and bring up all kinds of new information. Their unmanned exploration has been used in a variety of ways. Some are able to do repairs on oil rigs. Some can predict the magnitude of an approaching hurricane. Others can locate, map and sometimes raise the wreckage of a downed airplane! Their discoveries have increased our appreciation of God’s creation! But there is one thing these underwater robots will never find on the ocean floor; God’s footprints!

We do not see His footsteps but we do see the evidence of His creative work and His mighty deeds. Today’s verse uses the images of the sea and the mighty waters to represent the unseen reasons for the hard times in life. The author begins this psalm feeling rejected and forgotten by God. He decides to meditate on all God’s miracles of the past. He reaffirms God’s mighty power and ends with trust. Even though he does not see God’s “footprints” he responds with faith.

I sometimes feel that I am “out of my depth” with why God allows hard things to happen. But in doing so He is leading me into deep waters. It can sometimes feel so deep that I cannot find my footing. I do not see His footsteps or any evidence at all of His being there in that moment of distress. But I know He is.  I am not navigating those deep waters by sight, but by faith (II Cor. 5:7).

Help me Lord to trust You, even when I don’t understand.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2014.)


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My Favorite Flavor

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 4:26-27 “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.”

It was 1929 and the country was in the midst of the Great Depression when this ice cream was invented. This innovative flavor was thought to have originated with William Dryer. One day he used his wife’s sewing scissors to cut up walnuts and marshmallows to add to his chocolate ice cream. He gave it the name , “Rocky Road,” as the financial landscape was so bleak.

Today’s verse tells us to be thoughtful about what path we choose. We do this by being steadfast and resolute to follow a path of righteousness. We are warned not to turn off this path to the right or to the left. It may be tempting to turn off our narrow path on to a wider one. We may feel that another path has fewer rocks or obstacles. It would be tempting to change paths to one that goes downhill rather than uphill. But the way of the wicked leads only to destruction. (Psalm 1:6)

It is more effort to follow a rocky road. Living a life following God’s commandments will not always be smooth. It is challenging and requires steadfast commitment to Him as the other path choices can seem easier. But His way leads to life. He knows when to lead me to still waters and green pastures. He knows when to restore my soul so I can keep going. His presence and help keep me from falling into a trap of compromise. I would rather have a rocky road with Him than a smooth easy road without Him!

Lord, keep me steadfast and determined to obey.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


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Artificial Intelligence

Scripture for Today: Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”

Artificial Intelligence is front and center these days with the popularity of the GPT chatbot. This computer program uses vast amounts of internet text to answer questions and perform tasks while itself not knowing anything! Its conversational style, creativity and authoritative replies are blowing minds! The problem however is that the GPT chatbot can generate misleading information as well. As with any information, it is always best to verify it from the original source before relying on it.

Today’s verse talks about going a step further than knowledge. As important as intelligence is in so many domains, wisdom is what will affect our day to day living. Wisdom is skillful living and its beginning is found in a correct relationship to the God of the Bible. We are wise when we live like HE is God and we are not. We are wise when we realize our own limitations and His unlimited power. He is all-knowing and absolutely infallible. Obeying what He says is right and true will make us wise.

Artificial intelligence cannot help me live my life with skill and godliness. It can make me knowledgeable but not wise. I have the beginning of wisdom in my relationship with God through Christ. But to grow in wisdom is to accept His invitation to approach Him and actually ask for it in the decisions I make! (James 1:5) He is the limitless and infallible source of every answer I need! He even promises to make wise the simple! (Psalm 19:7)

Remind me Lord, to turn to You today for wisdom.


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The Last Word

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 16:1 “To humans belong the plans of the heart but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.”

The Siamese cat is known for his distinctive coloring. I grew up with Chin-Chin, a seal point. She was very dark and her blue eyes were startling. The Siamese are one of the oldest breeds, thought to originate in Thailand in the 14th century. Our Chin-Chin lived to about eighteen years old. But what I remember most about her was how talkative she was! A Siamese is known to be vocal, commenting on everything throughout their day. Chin-Chin took it one step further. She had to have the last word!

Today’s verse, a proverb, makes the observation that man naturally makes plans in his heart. But the Lord has the last word on those plans. From Him comes what is proper to do and to say. With His word or decision, He establishes plans. (verse 3) It is the Lord who establishes man’s steps. (verse 9) Whatever the plans of our hearts, James tells us to do our planning with the recognition that the Lord has the last word on whether today or tomorrow, “we do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

I need to lay every plan or project before the Lord. My motives can be dubious and I can be unaware of them. (Jer, 17:9-10) But He can search my heart and examine my mind, pointing out wrong motives. I may be convinced that my plan is good. And it might very well be. But His plan is always better. He sees what I cannot. And when I humbly lay my plans before the Lord, I can at the same time ask for His will, His way and His blessing.

I am grateful, Lord, that You have the last word and that Your word is good!