Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Self Image


by Leave a comment

Tatting Lace

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

In going through my Mother’s things my sister and I found some beautiful tatting.  As I am not talented in this area, I did not realize the effort that goes into creating this handiwork.  This method of making lace dates back to the early 19th century.  It seems a complicated and detailed process of forming a pattern of rings and chains.  There are gaps left between stitches that form “picots” along the outer edges.  All these knots and loops make for an intricate pattern of beautiful lace.

Today’s verse calls us God’s handiwork.  We are created for a very specific purpose.  God has prepared in advance the good works we are to do.  All those knots in our physical make-up, and all those loops in our personality and skill set are there for a purpose.  Nothing is by chance.  The works we are to do are matched up to the way He made us.  He knit us in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).  He wove us together before we ever saw the light of day (Psalm 139:15).  Each of us are uniquely made for Him.

As a believer, this verse gives purpose to my life.  I never have to wonder why I am on this earth.  My salvation is a gift (verses 8-9) and not earned by my works.  But my purpose in life is also a gift, and an incredible privilege.  He created me with everything I need to spend my life in service to Him.  He uses all my imperfections, my background, my family advantages and disadvantages.  He uses my talents and weaknesses.  He uses it all to serve Him.

Lord, show me how to serve You today.


by Leave a comment

“Lo How A Rose”

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 53:5 “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

I love all the old Christmas carols, the older the better.  “Lo How A Rose” is not so well known, written in the 15th century and translated from German.  I was surprised to hear the instrumental version in the mall!  Its poetic lyrics liken Jesus’ coming to the blooming of a rose, like a bright flower in the dark of night.  The fourth verse says that the fragrance of this Flower, “dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere.”

Today’s verse is a prophesy about the death of Jesus and what it will accomplish.  We celebrate His birth this season, knowing that His life and death changed history.  He came to this earth to die.  Just as the fragrance of a rose comes from crushing the petals, so  the fragrance of His salvation and grace was realized through being “crushed for our iniquities.”  The deep dark red of the rose reminds me of His precious blood.  Peace with God was not possible until sin was punished.  Because Christ took on Himself that punishment, our sick souls are healed.

I will forever be grateful for His birth, His life and His incredible sacrifice.  His coming that first Christmas meant hope, beauty and light in a dark desperate world.  What is so amazing is that He did it for me!  He did it for all those who will accept His love for them.  “Like a rose trampled on the ground, You took the fall, And thought of me, Above all.”

Thank you Lord, for coming to this earth for me!


by Leave a comment

Remembering Veterans

Scripture for Today: Revelation 3:12  “The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.  Never again will they leave it.  I will write on them the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem……and I will also write on them My new name.”

Today we honor all of our war veterans.  For many soldiers the memories of their service remain poignant and mark them for life.  But for the rest of the family, we often need help in remembering.  War memorabilia helps  to keep those memories alive.  This is especially true of a soldier’s dog tags that record his name, blood type, identification number and religion.  It is unfortunate that many of these dog tags are lost on the battleground.  How touching it is to hear stories of them being found and returned years later by caring strangers!

Our verse for today teaches that one day, believers will be “wearing” three names that will identify us.  The meaning here seems to be symbolic.  Those who are victorious and enduring to the very end will bear three names.  The name of God will show that we belong to Him forever.  The name of God’s city will show that we are citizens.  And His own new name will indicate our special relationship with Christ.

Our war is a spiritual one.  And although it may seem that a battle is lost here and there, the overall outcome of the war has already been established!  I am victorious because of Christ!  How reassuring to know that I will remain in His presence forever!  There is no way to misplace this “tag” and be lost.

Thank you Lord, for loving me enough to identify me as Your very own for all eternity!


by Leave a comment

Beaded Necklace

img_20161030_175353Scripture for Today: Ephesians 1:4 “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.”

My sister-in-law spent hours and hours making this beautiful beaded necklace for me.  It touched me that she would put so much time in to creating this piece with me in mind.  If it was the “thought that counts,” than all that time thinking of me makes the gift that much more special!  It has survived many wearings and moves over thirty-five years.  It will be a very sad day if it ever breaks apart.

Today’s verse tells us that those who have accepted Christ as Savior were chosen before the creation of the world.  The interplay between God choosing us and we choosing Him is something I can never hope to completely understand.  But what amazes me is that the Lord had me in mind before the creation of the world!  That is quite a long time to be thinking of me!  He chose me to be blameless and holy.  Because of what Christ accomplished on the cross, I am declared righteous in Him.  I am certainly not  blameless and holy by my own efforts!

He thought of me and chose me before the world ever existed.  He formed me specifically in the womb of my Mother.  And I know He thought of me on that cross as well.  How precious His thoughts are toward me, numbering more than the grains of sand on a beach (Psalm139:17-18).  No one could ever think of me more than He does!  His love is so amazing that there is never a moment in my day when He is not thinking of me!

Thank you Lord, for Your precious loving thoughts for me.


by 1 Comment

A Bad Penny

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

I am one of those rare people who still bend down to pick up a lost penny, bad or not!  The phrase, “a bad penny always turns up,” was coined in the mid eighteenth century.  Pennies used to be more valuable and because they were easily counterfeited, the “bad ones” would continually circulate, turning up in a pocket or purse.  “Turning up like a bad penny,” came to mean someone or something unwanted, turning up repeatedly and unexpectedly.

Today’s verse reassures the believer that God’s forgiveness of sin is complete.  He chooses to no longer remember our sins.  Because of Christ’s perfect sacrifice for sin, the penalty has been paid and God’s justice is satisfied.  Those sins are blotted out forever.  When He forgives, He does not bring it up again.  But like a bad penny, the thought of them (for the believer) can turn up at the most unwanted and inopportune times.  Thankfully, that is never the case for the Lord.  Of course, He is all knowing and so forgets nothing.  But the idea is that He does not call it to mind with censor and judgement.

I would love to be able to “remember my sins no longer.”  But the memories remain.  Thankfully, God’s Word is full of reassurances of unconditional love and complete pardon.  The Lord graciously softens and blurs memories of past failures.  If guilty memories occasionally do reappear, He is there to build me back up.  If nothing else, those remembrances can serve to remind me that I am not perfect, but His forgiveness is!

Thank you Lord, that Your grace chooses not to remember what is forgiven!