Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Salvation


by Leave a comment

“Breath of Life” Roses

Scripture for Today: Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

These beautiful apricot-colored roses turn pink with age and bloom multiple times. It is a climber and can reach up to ten feet. The long-lasting blooms make for a good vase life and it has a pleasing fragrance. Its unusual name comes from Britain’s Royal College of Midwives. They chose the name, “Breath of Life,” to signify the Creator in Genesis and everyone’s first vital act on entering this world. There is great anticipation at a baby’s birth for that first gasp of breath announcing life!

Today’s verse comes from Elihu’s counsel to Job, who though well-meaning, was wrong in his conclusions regarding the reason for Job’s trials. However, this statement was absolutely true as the breath of the Almighty is what gives life to each individual. In Genesis, we are told that after creating Adam, it wasn’t until God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life that Adam became a living being. (Gen 2:7)

This week will end with a memorial to that momentous moment when Christ on the cross “breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46, Mark 15:37) Although this was (and is) a common saying to signify death, what happens next demonstrates that this was not his last breath! In three short days, the breath of the Almighty will bring Jesus back to life! Christ’s next breath not only announced life for Himself but for all who will trust in Him as God’s Son. (I John 5:11-12)

Lord, I am forever grateful that You conquered death and gave me new life in You.


by Leave a comment

The Weathervane

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 103:12-13  “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those that fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

I imagine if these gentlemen continue drinking long enough, they will not care which direction they go!  This weathervane can be seen in Piddlehinton in the United Kingdom. There are lots of different whimsical figurines that can be part of the weathervane including ships, cats, and very often in France, the rooster. The important thing is that it sits up high, catches the wind and indicates its direction.

Today’s verse reminded me of the weathervane. Just how far is the east from the west? They never meet. They cannot meet as there is no junction point. God chose this image to teach us that He has removed our sin an infinite distance from us. And He did that because of His love. It cost Him His life on the cross to do that for us. Satan can try to bring us down with memories and accusations, but it is to no avail. Who can possibly condemn us (including ourselves) when God has chosen us and Christ intercedes for us? No one. (Rom. 8:33-34)

There is lots of confusion about the nature of true love. But one essential component is complete forgiveness. God’s love for me is so great it reaches to the heavens. His love is so pure that He never revisits what He has forgiven. I am so thankful I can live this day and every day without the crushing weight of guilt. There is NO condemnation because I am in Christ. (Rom. 8:1) What more proof of His love do I need? Isn’t this the greatest proof?

Thank you Lord, for Your amazing love and forgiveness.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2018)


by Leave a comment

A Message of Peace

Scripture for Today: Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

They came down from the sky above and were obviously not from the neighborhood. Their appearance was other worldly. But their mission was clear. They left a message that said, “We came in peace for all mankind.” The year was 1969 and that message was left by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin when they walked the surface of the moon.

Today’s verse is also a message of peace. But this was the message of the angels to the shepherds in the fields at the occasion of Christ’s birth. This peace is nothing like what the world can produce. It is a peace between estranged mankind and their Creator. In our rebellion we were enemies against the God of the universe (Romans 5:10). But God initiated a reconciliation through the substitutionary death of His Son. Jesus Himself is our peace. For those who accept His forgiveness through the cross, there is now a relationship possible with Him where before there was none.

The huge obstacle to having peace with God was my sin. But because He has paid the punishment I so richly deserved, there is now a closeness and communion. I can enjoy His presence in my life as I am no longer under any condemnation (Romans 8:1). Not only is there peace with Him but He enables me to live in peace with others! And what is really amazing is that sense of peace and well-being He puts in my heart. What an incredible gift to live with this inner peace in a world that is so troubled!

Thank you Lord, for Your amazing gift of peace.


by Leave a comment

A Margin of Error

Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 7:20 “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.”

It is complicated to calculate margin of error, at least to those who do not have strong math skills! This concept in statistics expresses the amount of random variation underlying a survey’s results. In principle, the larger the sample is, the smaller the margin of error is. The other important factor is the confidence level, whether 90, 95 or 99%. There are also other sources of error that come into play; bias in the questions, excluding groups that could not be contacted, people refusing to respond, people lying or miscounting.

In today’s verse there is absolutely no margin of error! The sample is the largest it can be: earth’s entire population. Added to this fact is the veracity of God’s Word. Paul affirms this statement when quoting Psalm 14:1-3, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Rom. 3:11) God’s standards of righteousness are well above man’s. God looks down from Heaven on all mankind. (Ps. 53:1-3) And if it were not for the grace He showed when taking on Himself the punishment of our sins on the cross, there would be no hope of forgiveness or of eternal life with Him.

No. There is no error at all in what God declares is true. I have a confidence level of 100% because God said it. There is not a person on this planet (myself included) that can merit eternal life. No one can slide in as part of some forgotten percentage. God does not grade on a curve. His standard is holiness and I am woefully short. Thankfully, He has given me not only abundant grace but also the righteousness of His Son! (Rom. 5:17)

Thank you Lord, that there are no margins of error needed in what You say!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


by Leave a comment

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!