Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Self Image


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Picture This!

Scripture for Today:“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.”

I appreciate a fancy picture frame but these two go a little overboard! The frames are so ornate that it cannot help but distract from whatever picture it surrounds. The whole point of a frame is to highlight and draw the eye to the image. Whatever is inserted in these frames would be completely swallowed up! Sometimes, the simpler the frame the more effective it is in showcasing what it surrounds..

These ornate frames made me think of the concept in today’s verse. We can get carried away with our own importance. We forget that our role as believers is not to showcase ourselves and our own accomplishments, but to draw attention to our Creator. He is the central figure, not us. He is to be glorified and honored for His incredible love and faithfulness to us. Our role is to showcase all He has done and His perfect attributes. The frame that detracts is the frame that is full of self-importance.

Of course, God’s glory is too immense to be overshadowed by anything man can do or create. But anytime I take credit for something He has done for me and through me then I am failing to do what I am created to do. And that is to bring honor and glory to His name! To draw attention to Him is my purpose for living. To exalt Him, to praise Him, to extol Him and tell of His powerful and awesome works is why I am placed on this earth (Psalm 145).  Whether the frame is made of gold or wood is of no importance. He is the One I want to showcase!

Lord, don’t let this day pass without me praising Your name to others!


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Child of the Earth

Scripture for Today: I John 3:1  “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

credit to J. Maughn https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmaughn/8177494306

It’s a mystery how the Jerusalem Cricket got its name as it is neither from Jerusalem nor is it a true cricket! A possible origin could be the 19th century expletive, “Jerusalem,” elicited by its startling appearance! I sure wouldn’t want to be startled by this two-inch creature! Another idea is that early missionaries misunderstood the Navajo name of “skull insect” to be ‘Skull Hill.” This put in mind Golgotha outside of Jerusalem. The Spanish called this insect, “Nino de la Tierra” or “Child of the Earth.”

Today’s verse gives a different name for a child. God’s love can change one’s name from a “child of the Earth” to a “child of God.” God’s love is so great that in lavishing it on us, our identity is changed to be children of God. No longer do we belong to the world. As children of God we call Him Father and we call other believers in this worldwide family, brothers and sisters. The world often fails to recognize this family as they do not know the Father. And it is only through faith in Christ, His Son that we can belong to this family (Gal. 3:26).

I am a child of God. What an amazing humbling truth! As His child I no longer belong to the world or want to conform to it (Romans 12:2). No longer am I led by the current thinking or fad but instead I can be led by His Spirit (Romans 8:14). Because I have received Him and believed on His name, He has graciously made me His own (John 1:12). I am not always such an obedient child. There are times each day when I let down my Father. But unlike any human family relationship, I can always count on His love and forgiveness.

Thank you Lord, for making me Your child.


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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.