Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Self Image


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The Fearless Harpy!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 22:4 “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”

This strange-looking eagle knows no fear. And there is good reason. The Harpy is among the largest and most powerful eagles with rear talons as big as a grizzly bear’s claws. Its legs are as thick as a person’s arm and its wing span can reach up to six and a half feet. This powerful eagle has no natural predators, so it is surprising that it is on the decline.The reason for this is its lack of fear. The Harpy will confidently sit on a perch and allow humans to approach and in consequence is shot!

Today’s verse points out the blessings of fearing the Lord. They are riches, honor and life itself. But the fear of the Lord is not possible without humility. Fearing the Lord is understanding just how big He is and just how small we are. Fearing Him is having a healthy respect for His power over our lives. Fearing Him is giving Him the awe and recognition He deserves. This attitude is lacking in the one who thinks too much of himself and his own prowess. Pride in our own strength or talent to the exclusion of the Giver of those gifts will rob us of the riches, honor and life with which He wants to bless us.

My perspective often needs changing. I can start to feel capable, strong and in control with no thought of Him. Fearing Him is an act of humility and involves seeing myself as totally dependent on Him, for my next breath, my next heartbeat and my next lucid thought! I need to be reminded through His Word of just how incredible He is! My fear of Him intensifies my worship and He is gracious to respond with blessing!  My life is richer for fearing Him for the awesome God He is!

Lord, keep me humble and fearing You.

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2020)


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The Shrug

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 12:16 “If you shrug off an insult and refuse to take offense, you demonstrate discretion indeed. But the fool has a short fuse and will immediately let you know when he’s offended.” (The Passion Translation)

Credit: Mark Giles, https://www.flickr.com/photos/admitone/195114154

I might shrug my shoulders to release tension, especially after working at the desk in one position. But a shrug of the shoulders can also have many meanings as part of a conversation. This body language can communicate indifference, indecision or the inability to do something. The one-sided shrug can indicate ambivalence, internal conflict, or insincerity. The shrug can be a hurtful sign of disrespect. It usually happens in a context where the meaning is pretty clear.

In today’s verse, the shrug is in a context that is very positive. The shrug here is dismissing an insult. The attitude behind this shrug is a refusal to take offense. Not allowing an insult to affect you demonstrates to others your discretion and prudence. It is even “to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” (Prov. 19:11) In contrast, the fool is easily offended and will let everyone know when his feelings are hurt. The fool, being so annoyed, will seem petty and prideful.

I do not want to be that fool where everyone has to tiptoe around me. I want to be the bigger person and let that unfair remark slide off my back. I have many people in my life who affirm and support me. Do I really need to worry about a negative random comment? The insults Christ suffered were infinitely worse and He did not take offense. I want to be so secure in God’s love for me that I can shrug off that mean hurtful thing one might say.

Lord, help me to overlook any insult today.


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Fishy Hierarchy

Scripture for Today: Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

The Clownfish has a very different hierarchy and a unique way of preserving it. A group of clownfish will have just one breeding female among its males. She is the most important and mates with just one male, who then becomes second in importance. Following him is the biggest male and on down the line. But when she disappears, everything changes. The male biologically changes into a female! He takes her place and everyone moves up in the hierarchy!

Today’s verse changes every hierarchy whether based on race, status or gender. In Christ Jesus, there is a oneness that is found no where else in the world. The divisiveness of a hierarchy is gone. The power play over others is gone. Jesus Christ is the Head of every believer. And we all have the same position being members of His body and being submitted to Him. Being “in Christ” means we are all His children through faith, clothed with Him and belonging to Him. (verses 26-29)

These distinctions lose their importance when “in” Christ Jesus who is so far superior. And being in Him is not something future but is a reality today. Living out this truth is done imperfectly, though. It seems easier to be divided. It is natural for me to want the upper hand. But I can have the correct view of myself in relationship to others when I see my position in Him. The ground at the cross is level. Regardless of earth-made hierarchies we are united in needing continual forgiveness, grace and help.

Lord, help me to live this “oneness” with other believers today.


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Jockeying for Position

Scripture for Today: Matthew 20:26-27 “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.”

These jockeys are neck and neck with each other, each looking for an opening to better their position and win the race. The term, “jockeying for position” obviously comes to us from the horse racing world. So much of the winning strategy involves maneuvering the horse into that narrow space for the win. The phrase now has a larger meaning and usually with a negative implication. It often refers to gaining an advantage at the expense of others less cunning, less aware, or more moralistic than you!

Today’s verse concludes a conversation where a well-meaning mother is jockeying for position for her two sons. She asks Jesus to place her two sons on His right and left in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus tells her that she has no idea what she is asking. First, it would involve a “cup” of suffering that they may not be able to endure and second, this honor was something only the Father could give. And because so many Kingdom values are opposite the world’s, the last will be first and the first will be last (verse 16). It is those who serve in a lowly position that become great!

Whether on the road with questionable maneuvers or jockeying for position in a crowd to get the best view, I forget this truth. My gaining of an advantage over someone else is not serving them or their interests. I need God’s Spirit to change my heart as this is so against my selfish nature. I have the most amazing example in Jesus, serving others and washing feet. And yet, He is exalted and His name is above every name!

Lord, give me a servant’s heart today.


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Great White Shark Sighting!

Scripture for Today: Joshua 4:24 “He did this so that all the people of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

Recently a stretch of beach in Huntington Beach, California was temporarily closed due to a Great White shark sighting! Beaches are routinely closed if the Great White is thought to be aggressive or measures over six feet. Ever since the movie, “Jaws” in 1975, a widespread perception persists that you could be in danger of becoming his next meal. Although fatal attacks on humans are fairly rare, I am all for taking these precautions as they are the most dangerous of the shark species given their size, speed and power.

Today’s verse talks about the hand of the Lord being powerful. God reminded Joshua to remind the Israelites that His power had dried up the Red Sea and more recently the Jordan so that they could safely cross. And this demonstration of power was done so that all people on earth would fear Him. It is when we understand God’s power and control that we respond as we should with fear. If God did not inspire fear, than He would be someone we could tame, control or manipulate. Fearing God is obeying His Word with a healthy aversion to the consequences possible when we do not.

My fear of the God of the Bible, who is just, holy and righteous produces an awe and respect that drives me to my knees. This God of the universe is all powerful and yet He chose to love me! But His perfect love drives out a particular fear, the fear of punishment, as His Son took that punishment on Himself! (I John 4:17-18) What a wonderful gift as this means I can approach this powerful, sovereign God with confidence! Although I still sin and can face discipline, I am no longer under condemnation (Rom. 8:1) and can enjoy His faithful love!

Thank you Lord for Your power and for Your powerful love for me!