Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Hope


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Puddle Jumping

Scripture for Today: John 21:7b “…As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.”

Puddle splashing and little boys go together!  My grandsons happily jump into the biggest puddle they can find with both feet, hoping to make as big a splash as possible.  With the recent rains and flooding in Southern California, there are plenty of opportunities.  At their age it is a supervised controlled activity, but I imagine when they are older, shoes, socks and pants will be well soaked.

Today’s verse has someone jumping in the water.  The disciples were not too sure who exactly it was on the shore telling them how to fish.  But in following His instruction, these experienced fishermen realized that their huge haul was a miracle.  With John’s declaration, impetuous Peter jumps into the water to meet the Lord!  He is excited to brave the wet and cold in order to reach Jesus first.  If it meant getting wet and soggy he was willing.  That cold water was surely a shock to the system for Peter, especially after fishing all night.  But after the humiliation of his recent denial, Peter may have been anxious to prove his love and faithfulness with that jump.

Jumping in with both feet into something cold, wet and uncomfortable does not appeal to me.  But often, the Lord puts those trials or puddles directly in my path.  That path could lead to a deeper more intimate relationship with Him.  If going through that difficulty can result in a closer more loving relationship, than maybe I should “consider it joy” (James 1:2) and jump in with both feet!

Lord, help me live life with joy, regardless of the puddles.


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Wishing on a Star

Scripture for Today: Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

“Star light, star bright, The first star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight.”  This nursery rhyme from the late 1800’s still comes to mind when I see a bright star or planet shining on a clear night.  But I am sure those Magi from the east were not thinking of wishing on His star (Matt. 2:1).  Instead, they faithfully followed the star in order to worship the One born King of the Jews.

“Wishing on a star” pretty much describes the thinking of those who place their confidence in anyone but Jesus.  It is a poor flimsy substitute for real hope.  Hope for the believer is faith in what is sure.  Our hope is only as good as its object and that makes our hope in Jesus unshakable.  A star will not save.  A star cannot fulfill promises and save souls.  But a star can and often does move us to worship the Creator, as it did for the Magi.  His own hands stretched out the heavens (Isaiah 45:12).

Because of Christ’s birth, I have hope.  I not only have hope, I am overflowing with it as I trust Him.  He promises to fill me with all joy and peace as I live in that hope and trust.  The coming of Jesus is hope realized as He made a way to live eternally with Him.  There is a bright future ahead because of that hope.  The darkness of my despair is dispelled by the heavenly light of His presence!

Thank you Lord, for Christmas and for being my hope.


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Nutcrackers

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 4:8 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.”

For years I have enjoyed seeing the nutcracker in Europe, but now I am seeing more and more making their appearance in America for Christmas.  They have long been a symbol of good luck in Germany where they originated.  The early ones were in the shape of animals, birds and people in the 15th century.  By the 1800’s they were fashioned to represent and vilify unpopular leaders of the day.  Now, the most popular ones are the soldiers who benignly stand guard.   Their function as nutcrackers is almost forgotten!  But their purpose is to press that hard nut until it is crushed.

There is hard pressing in today’s verse but not crushing.  Paul goes on to say that there is persecution but not abandonment.   He is struck down but never destroyed.  Paul experienced tremendous pressure but his spirit was not crushed.  He did not crack.  He did not lose heart as he was convinced that the One who raised Jesus from the dead would also raise him (verse 14).  Despair does not have a chance as Paul is filled with hope, fixing his eyes on the unseen and eternal (verse 18).

This Christmas season has been unique for me.  I have found myself buying several condolence cards for friends instead of Christmas cards.  The pressure of sadness can feel overwhelming in the face of loss.  But for the believer there is hope instead of despair.  There is God’s comfort and presence instead of abandonment.  He is especially close to those who are brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).  What is unseen and eternal keeps me from feeling utterly crushed.

Thank you Lord, that Your birth at Christmas brings hope.  I pray You will especially comfort those who are hard pressed today.


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Attack!

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 4:18 “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

This dog attack looks pretty frightening.  I would not want to be the one at the receiving end of those sharp teeth!  He could do real damage and even take a life.  But as one can see from the photo, this dog has not run amok.  He may have that urge to bite but there are some restraints and protections in place.

Recently, evil seems to have run amok in our world.  When we see senseless murderous attacks on innocents we wonder where our world is headed.  Laws, governments and any security measure known to man cannot guarantee personal safety.  Those intent on evil will always find a way.  And next time there is an attack, I might be in the very path of that evil.  But regardless of what flaming arrows the Enemy might launch my way, I have the shield of faith to protect me. (Eph. 6:16)  My soul cannot be touched by evil.  It belongs to the Almighty God who is sovereign over all.  As today’s verse says, the Lord will bring me safely into His Kingdom.

How could I sleep at night without the beautiful assurance this verse gives me!  Without His promises it would be too easy to succumb to depression and pessimism when I see the terror and fear around me.  But I know He has placed His restraint on evil in the world through His Holy Spirit and His people.  And one incredible day, the Lord will establish justice and peace when He establishes His Kingdom.

Come, Lord Jesus.  Come quickly!


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Punctuation

Scripture for Today: I John 5:11 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

I had no idea that there is a National Punctuation Day!  It was established in 2004 and since then has been celebrated every September 24th.  The idea is to promote correct usage of punctuation.  The founder encourages people to send in pictures of everyday errors they encounter.  A rich source is maybe the Facebook news feed!  Without strategically placed commas, one can say some pretty outrageous things!

I recently heard a pastor use punctuation marks to describe life.  Because of eternal life in Christ, the believer does not end his life with a period.  It is not over.  There is more.  The life of the believer ends with a comma.  It is just a brief pause as he crosses over to his eternal home.  His life continues on and in fact, the period never even makes an appearance!

Eternity is the only way to make sense of life.  God has set eternity in the human heart. (Eccl.3:11)  We long for it to be true and there is something deep inside us that hopes that it is.  When we see a life cut short, when we grieve over the early death of an innocent child, we know that cannot be all there is.  And we are right!

Today’s verse tells us that we can know we have eternal life.  God does not keep us wondering.  He assures us that this life is found in His Son, Jesus.  We can know because He said it.  We can know because He promised.  What Christ did on that cross made possible a relationship that continues on into eternity!

Thank you Lord, that death is not the end.