Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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UFO Clouds

Scripture for Today: Nahum 1:3 “The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.”

Omnisource5, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What a bizarre shape for a cloud! This lens or saucer look reminds me of a UFO. The lenticular cloud, as it is called, can seem motionless and stable. But in fact, it is made up of very unstable air. Instead of moving horizontally across the ground, this cloud when disturbed by the wind, will move vertically and even accelerate!

Today’s verse describes clouds as the dust of God’s feet. This poetic description of God’s power is part of a warning against the city of Nineveh. Our God is a jealous and avenging God (verse 2). Mountains quake and hills melt away before their Creator (verse 5). But the people of Nineveh disregarded God’s righteous wrath against their wickedness. That is until they heeded Jonah’s message and repented. This same righteous and powerful God is a refuge in times of trouble and cares for those who trust Him (Verses 7-8).

What kind of God would He be if He did not punish the wicked? His absolute holiness demands it. But thinking on His wrath is not a comfortable subject. Thankfully, in His incredible mercy, He made a way for me by placing all my guilt on His Son. God’s righteousness was satisfied in Christ’s sacrifice for me. Yes, His judgement and wrath are to be feared. But at the same time, His mercy and grace are my refuge! He is slow to anger, not willing that any perish and enter eternity without Him (II Peter 3:9).

Thank you Lord, for Your power, justice AND mercy.


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Our Training Wheels

Scripture for Today: I Timothy 4:7 “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourselves to be godly.”

This sweet little girl looks a bit unsure of herself, even though she uses training wheels. She glances behind her to make sure her mom stays close. I can still remember learning to ride a simple bike with those all-important training wheels. The first time I tried riding without them was a wobbly milestone moment! Mom had to be close enough to grab me in case I fell or I would not have attempted it!

Today’s verse reveals that to be godly takes training. Paul was addressing the false Gnostic ideas that condemned marriage and certain foods. Perhaps this group thought such heresies would give them a shortcut to godliness. But godliness, or conduct that honors God, can only come through knowledge of the Truth (Titus 1:1) The Lord has already provided everything needed for the believer to live a life of godliness through our knowledge of Him (II Peter 1:3). But there is no shortcut to studying the Scriptures, which give us our training in righteousness (II Tim. 3:16).

The training never stops. Those small helpful wheels never come off! I can never come to the end of knowing Him. There will always be more to learn and more changes to make in my behavior. I may make progress but I will always need Him, His wisdom and His strength to avoid falling over! I need to be continually in His Word to exemplify any godliness in my life. In studying His Word I grow closer to Him and He keeps me balanced. His Word shows me how beautiful He is! And His Word shows me how to live a beautiful godly life that honors Him.

Help me Lord, to live in a way that honors You.


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Sweet Kisses

Scripture for Today: Psalm 85:10 “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”

Something like the chocolate kiss was first produced by Henry Oscar Wilbur in 1894 and called the “Wilbur Bud.” But it was Milton Hershey who made this chocolate drop into a sweet kiss thirteen years later. Hershey was a master at marketing and packaging the kiss. But perhaps its amazing success and longevity is due in part to its name, trademarked in 2000. There is debate on how it became known as a “kiss.” Perhaps it came from the kissing sound made from the nozzle dispensing the chocolate on to the conveyor belt.

Today’s verse brings righteousness and peace together in a kiss. Righteousness and peace are often mentioned together in Scripture. Peace is in fact the result or fruit of righteousness (Isaiah 32:17). The Kingdom of God is characterized by righteousness and peace (Romans 14:17). And peace, as well as faith and love, belong to those who pursue righteousness (II Tim. 2:22). Righteousness or right standing with God is essential to having peace with God and in turn with others. He is the Source and our only hope of true lasting peace.

There is no peace in my heart when I am ignoring the Source or actively rebelling against what He wants. But when I do pay attention to His commands, I feel His peace flood my heart like a river (Isaiah 48:18). Yes, righteousness and peace are not only kissing but locked together in a firm embrace. I cannot have one without the other, try as I might. But His peace is worth pursuing by staying in right relationship with Him. And one day, sin and ugliness will no longer interrupt this peace!

Lord, may I feel Your peace today.


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Worn Out Welcome

Scripture for Today: II Peter 1:11 “…and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

My welcome mat is looking a bit sad. The welcome seems worn out with time although it is not that old. There is an old truism written by Benjamin Franklin and found in his Poor Richard’s Almanack. It says that fish and visitors stink after three days! If that is true I have stunk plenty of times. The idea is that after three days, a fish left out will smell and the welcome of a visitor may wear out.

Today’s verse is about crossing over the threshold from an earthly life into the eternal kingdom of God. I am not so sure there is a mat needed to mark that entrance! However, there will be a “rich welcome” for those who have placed their faith in the saving work of Jesus. And there is no other entrance except through Him (John 14:6). A rich welcome must mean that no one enters quietly or unnoticed. Each arrival will be a celebrated home-coming and marked with a warm welcome. Perhaps the believer will experience the same kind of welcome as the Prodigal Son. When he returned to his Father’s house, his Father ran out to greet him.  He welcomes him with the best robe, a ring and sandals. And there is a feast and celebration all done to welcome him!

I wonder what is done to welcome believers into that eternal kingdom. No way do we slip in unnoticed. I imagine one’s “rich welcome” means being greeted by family and friends who arrived before us. But the richest welcome of all would be to be greeted and held in the warm embrace of the Savior! And this welcome will never wear out!

Thank you Lord, for the rich welcome in my future!


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Cow Escape!

Scripture for Today: Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

This is the only kind of cow I would want to see on the street! But recently, the residents of Pico Rivera, California were surprised to see 41 escaped cows running wild in their neighborhoods! A gate at the local slaughterhouse was left open and the cows made a run for it! There was understandably some property damage and injuries in the chaos, but eventually most were corralled and returned to captivity and their unhappy fate.

Today’s verse talks about a different kind of captivity. It is one that captivates our thinking. Paul warns that we can be deceived by fine-sounding arguments (verse 4). As believers, we have freedom in Christ. His cross has disarmed every legalistic power and authority coming from human rules (verse 15). Because we no longer belong to the world we are no longer captive to rules such as, “Do not handle. Do not touch. Do not taste” (verse 21). The god of this world uses the pride in following such rules to keep us from true holiness.

How thankful I am not to be captive to a set of rules or a list of do’s and dont’s! Because of the cross, Christ has broken the power of sin in my life! Following His way is not a matter of rules, but of a changed heart that seeks to please Him. He is not impressed with my outward superficial show of religiosity. Instead, He wants all my heart, soul, mind and strength. I am free to follow Him and experience a fulness to my life, found only in Christ (verse 10)!

Thank you Lord, for freedom in You!