Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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Fill Our Staplers Day

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 2:21 “Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

Who would have thought there would be a day set apart to fill our staplers! This day’s observance began in 2013 as part of the Chase Calendar of Events. We are supposed to kindly go around the office and fill everyone’s staplers so that the day will go smoother for all. If we are not involved in office work the idea is to go around the house and do the same for the family. It is true that no one likes to interrupt a project with this mundane task, especially when in a hurry! Any extra step in preparedness usually pays off.

Today’s verse talks about being prepared so as to be useful to the Master. As believers we are called to do good works for the Lord. These good works have been prepared by God in advance (Eph. 2:10). But we are to be prepared as well to do them! And we do that by making sure we are cleansed, confessing our sins (I John 1:9). We are likened to vessels made of either gold and silver for special purposes, or made of wood and clay for common use (vs. 20). That we are used by Him for any purpose is a privilege. But we can be set apart for special purposes when we keep our lives free from sin.

There are days when I feel that I am made of clay or wood. And I wonder if I am of any use to Him at all. Thankfully, He uses all kinds of vessels for all kinds of purposes, using the gifts of the Spirit. But if I long to be more fruitful for Him, if I long to make a difference to His Kingdom work, than I need to be sensitive to His conviction of sin in my vessel! I need to examine my heart daily and do the uncomfortable work of confession.

Thank you Lord, that You want to use me. Help me stay prepared.


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Conversation Hearts

Scripture for Today: Luke 6:45 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Growing up, I loved these conversation hearts, giving away to that “special someone” what I could not bring myself to actually say! And receiving these from others would communicate to me something the giver may not have intended! Today, one can special order these candies with your own personalized message. That way you can say exactly what you want the other to hear. Communicating what is in the heart is not always easy.

Today’s verse gives us a reliable way to know what is in the heart of another. What is there is evident by that person’s behavior. Expressing emotions can be lovely but the real indicator of feelings and the state of the heart is evident in our actions. And one action is especially telling. What comes out of our mouths demonstrates the good or the evil found in the heart. That sincere compliment or word of encouragement shows love. The snide remark or the profanity that escapes our lips signals that all is not well.

What slips out of my mouth can be shameful. I am so glad that some of it happens when there is no one to hear. However, there is always Someone who hears. And whether others are around or not, those nasty words signal a need for some serious heart cleaning! Thankfully, He is full of grace and forgiveness, ready to make me clean again and give me a new start!

Lord, clean my heart and fill it with good things to say!

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2018)


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The Best Nose in the World

Scripture for Today: I Kings 3:9a “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong…”

Photo Credit: Tim Flach

Meet the Saiga Antelope, who unfortunately is critically endangered! They are hunted for those impressive horns that are used in some Asian folk remedies in Central Asia. And their numbers have also dwindled because of disease. But one thing that is not a problem for them is the dusty air of the deserts and dry grasslands of their environment. That bizarre swollen nose that looks so comical is the best nose in the world for keeping out all that dirty air, acting as a filter.

Today’s verse is the prayer of Solomon as he stepped into his role as king. The Lord had appeared in a dream and invited Solomon to ask whatever he wanted and He would give it to him. (verse 5) Solomon asked for a discerning heart to distinguish right from wrong. The Lord gave him that (and much more) so that Solomon could filter out the evil and cling only to the good. (Rom. 12:9) And God continues to offer His wisdom as a filter for us. Those that are mature in the faith are able to distinguish good from evil. (Heb. 5:14)

The dust and dirt of a world that does not acknowledge God pollutes the air for a believer. I need the purity of God’s unchanging Word to sniff out what is truly good! God has promised that He has given me everything I need to live a godly life and escape the “corruption in the world.” (II Peter 1:4) His Word is my filter and His truth is life-giving! (Ps. 119:25)

Lord, keep me breathing in the pure air of Your Word!


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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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The Court Jester

Scripture for Today: Psalm 14:1 “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.”

This week some will celebrate April Fool’s Day by tricking friends and making them laugh. In medieval times, the royals had the luxury of having a court jester always available to make one laugh. He was also called a “fool” and would wear brightly colored clothes and bizarre hats in a motley pattern. His job was simply to entertain. His was a privileged position in the court as he could mock and revile without penalty.

Today’s verse describes a different sort of fool; the one that in his heart says that there is no God, mocking the very idea of God. But his Creator says He will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7). This fool may not be easily recognized as his foolishness is hidden in his heart. He may be revered for his doctorates or admired for his sophistication. But God sees them as a fool and even laughs at the wicked! (Ps. 37:13) And the fool is eventually revealed to others by his behavior.

It is never my place to call anyone a “fool” as in a curse (Matt. 5:22) as I cannot see what is in the heart. That is better left to the One who can. However, my own behavior can be very revealing and I know when I am being foolish with my decisions. When I choose to do things my own way instead of the Lord’s, I am being foolish. When I decide I know better I feel chagrin at the mess I make of things. Better to obey His Word even if I look the fool to the world!

Lord, keep me from being foolish today.