Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Holiness


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Running

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 119:31-32  “I hold fast to your statutes, Lord, do not let me be put to shame.  I run in the path of your commands for You have broadened my understanding.”

Running is in my family.  My husband, son, and brother-in-law all seem to enjoy running.  My problem is that I do not like to sweat.  If one should ever see me run, it would be for some kind of an emergency!  But the health benefits are undeniable and many runners talk about that “runner’s high.”  The endorphin levels rise during intense exercising, affecting one’s mood.  That feeling of euphoria can sometimes comes from long distance running.  I can think of some other less strenuous sources of euphoria, say in eating good chocolate!

Our verse for today uses the image of running to describe enthusiastic obedience to God’s commands.  Normally, one would not think of running to obey.  More common is the idea of reluctant compliance.  We know God’s commandments are given in love and are good for us.  But there is something innate in us that wants to rebel, wants to go our way.  We think we know better.  The end result is shame for our choices.  But obedience to Him will never result in shame.  Obeying His laws gives us wisdom and understanding about Him, about life, and about how our own way is just not as good as His.

Running to obey Him shows a heart that is completely His own.  Waiting only gives room to doubts and fear.  Obeying Him quickly shows a trust that is absolute.  When God gave Abraham a command concerning his son, he rose early the next morning to obey (Gen.22:3).  As incredibly difficult as it was, Abraham did not wait to obey.

Lord, may I run to obey You today!


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Baking Disasters

cakePhoto1190Scripture for Today:  Hosea 7:8 “Ephraim, he has mixed himself among the people.  Ephraim is a cake not turned.”

I can relate to the baking disaster pictured here!  Apparently, the baker added maple syrup to the middle of the muffin and the batter spread all over the place!  There have been times I have undercooked or overcooked something with similar results!  I end up with too much or too little of some ingredient.  Maybe I have added something I should not have.  Perhaps the heat was unevenly distributed.  In any case, my family has usually been good sports about eating my mistakes!

In our verse for today is another baking disaster!  The cake that is not turned for even cooking represents the lack of commitment to follow God’s laws.  Ephraim has shown itself to be “half baked” or not in complete obedience to God.  This tribe of Israel was dominant among the ten who made up the tribes of the Northern Kingdom.  Unfortunately, because it mixed itself with the surrounding nations and influenced the other tribes to do the same, God scattered them.  The foreigners were sapping their strength and they did not even realize it!

Being “half-baked” is still a temptation today.  The pull of the world is so strong.  It is easy to compromise.  But having one foot in the world and one foot in the church does not work.  To love the world and mix myself up in it is contrary to a sincere love for my Lord (I John 2:15-17).  Loving the world weakens my faith, slowly sapping my strength without me even realizing it!

I do not want to compromise as Ephraim did with dire consequences.  I want my faith to stay strong.  Lord, keep me from conforming to the world around me.


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Coals

coalsunnamedScripture for Today:  Proverbs 25:21-22  “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head and the Lord will reward you.”

Some folks are not so happy to see what they feel are these ugly receptacles on the beach.  But having them there means people can continue to have bonfires in the rings provided or cook with charcoal.  No more killing trees with dumping coals or ash near their base.  No more accidents with coals still hot, buried in the sand.

Our verse for today has another use for burning coals.  There has been a lot of speculation as to the meaning.  Some believe that sharing hot coals with your enemy is another act of kindness, ensuring that his hearth fire is not extinguished.  Others believe it is an expression that means to shame the enemy into repentance.  Still others believe that if one’s enemy does not respond to good works done for them, they are somehow under greater condemnation.  In any case, the message is clear that to respond to an enemy by serving him is commended by the Lord and rewarded.

Loving one’s enemies, praying for them and meeting their needs is completely opposed to my natural inclination!  Yet, it is what God calls me to do.  Romans 12:20 repeats this verse while also teaching that vengeance belongs to the Lord.  Whatever evil I have suffered at the hands of an enemy is repaid by His perfect justice.  I cannot overcome evil by taking revenge in my own hands.  I only make things worse.  I overcome evil by responding with good towards that person.  Leaving room for the wrath of God is revenge enough.

Lord, keep me trusting in your perfect justice!


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Watershed

Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 30:18  “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.  So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants. “

I never get tired of gazing at the Swiss Alps!  Their towering peaks and gorgeous glaciers are impressive.  The Swiss Alps directly or indirectly feed Europe’s four largest rivers; the Danube, draining into the Black Sea, the Po into the Adriatic Sea, the Rhone into the Mediterranean Sea, and the Rhine near us, draining into the North Sea.  One could say that these glaciers are the “watershed” of Europe.

A watershed is an area that separates waters flowing to different river basins or seas.  We often use this word to describe a turning point in life that decides the future.  Our verse today is some of Moses’ last words to the Israelites.  This is a watershed moment for them as they choose.  The choice is expressed so clearly; life or death? blessing or curse?  The passage goes on to say that loving and obeying the Lord is life and length of days.

The Lord gives us watershed moments as well.  He gives opportunities to make a clear decision that will affect the rest of one’s life.  It happened to me and I chose Him.  In doing so I chose life!  Since making that decision for Him I have been incredibly blessed.  I shudder to think how my life would have “flowed” had I not chosen Him.  My life is no bed of roses or “vie en rose” but it is blessed by His presence, His care and His love.  I have never regretted my choice, not once, not ever.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me such a clear choice!


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Measuring Growth

oversized ruler growth chartScripture for Today: II Peter 3:18  “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen.”

When our kids were small, measuring their growth was just a matter of a straight edge and a pencil marking on the wall.  Of course, at some point the wall would need cleaning!  On the market today are all kinds of whimsical growth charts to keep a fun record.

Our verse for today describes a very different kind of growth; growing in grace and in knowledge of our Lord.  They are Peter’s  last words in his second epistle.  Growing in our knowledge of Him continues forever.  We can never come to the end of knowing God as He is eternal.

Grace, being God’s unmerited favor, is unfathomable.  We are called, saved and justified by His grace.  Our Christian walk is also a matter of grace.  We stand in grace, establish our hearts and are strong in grace.  Certainly, His grace is sufficient to meet a particular need (II Cor. 12:9)  But how does one grow in grace?

At least three times in Scripture, God tells us to whom He gives more grace; the humble.  (Prov. 3:34, James 4:6 and I Peter 5:5)  The humble realize their need and more often approach the throne of grace.  The humble are aware of their sin and guilt are more likely to recognize His grace!  The humble are conscious of their weakness are in a place to receive His grace.  Growing in grace is to see the need and look to Him to fill it.

Everything good in my life is a grace from Him.  Oh, how I need to grow in His grace.  Lord, humble me so that I can experience more and more grace!