Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Service


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Cow Encounter

Scripture for Today: Psalm 50:9-10 “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.”

This sweet little guy seemed as enthusiastic as I was for a photo op! His friends, not so much. I didn’t want to think about where they might be headed that day. Each one was carefully tagged with a number and it was clear that their destiny was not to be anyone’s pampered pet. In any agricultural society, being too attached to the farm animals would not be such a great idea given their purpose. Where I see something sweet and furry (albeit stinky) their owner sees dollars and cents!

Today’s verse teaches that God does not need anything we can give Him. He already owns every animal and every created thing. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and this includes the wealth of every land. Although sacrificing animals was put in place by God to foreshadow the future sacrifice of Jesus, for many, this act of worship had become ritualistic and insincere. He sees our motivation and is looking for a truly thankful heart (verse 14).

I am so thankful that Christ’s sacrifice for sin on the cross was perfect and complete, with no more animal sacrifices needed (Rom. 3:25). But out of a heart of gratitude for what Jesus has done for me, I do want to give back to Him! Doing good and sharing with others is a sacrifice (Heb. 13:16). When I praise God even in the face of difficult circumstances, that is a sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15). My whole life can be a sacrifice to Him when lived following His will and not my own (Rom. 12:1-2).

Lord, may today be a day when I give back to You.


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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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Monstera

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Photo credit Ewen Roberts https://www.flickr.com/photos/donabelandewen/4320869118

This plant is aptly named! It is a “monster” with its huge leaves. The Latin origin of the name being “monstrous” makes sense. But I did wonder about those holes in the leaves and why they were there. And what I found was surprising! The Monstera plant shares! The older larger leaves get more sunlight due to their size and position. They block that sunlight for the younger leaves below them. So they develop holes in order to share the light!

Today’s verse tells the believer not to neglect doing good and to share. This verse is not only for those who have surplus. The doing good and the sharing are both sacrifices. It may even create holes in our pockets or poke holes in our daily agendas. But this kind of sacrifice pleases the Lord. We are not only sharing something tangible but the light of the Gospel is being shared by those sacrificial holes that result! Our generosity with others is infinitely more impactful when it points that person to the “Light of the world!” (John 8:12)

My leaves are large with God’s blessing in my life! But His blessings are not for me to hoard but to share. There is so much need. There is so much hurt. The Lord wants me to be generous with doing good, with meeting others’ need. Not only is He pleased with my sacrifice but His name is honored and the Light of the Gospel is more visible.

Lord, may my sharing point others to You!


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Fill Our Staplers Day

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 2:21 “Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

Who would have thought there would be a day set apart to fill our staplers! This day’s observance began in 2013 as part of the Chase Calendar of Events. We are supposed to kindly go around the office and fill everyone’s staplers so that the day will go smoother for all. If we are not involved in office work the idea is to go around the house and do the same for the family. It is true that no one likes to interrupt a project with this mundane task, especially when in a hurry! Any extra step in preparedness usually pays off.

Today’s verse talks about being prepared so as to be useful to the Master. As believers we are called to do good works for the Lord. These good works have been prepared by God in advance (Eph. 2:10). But we are to be prepared as well to do them! And we do that by making sure we are cleansed, confessing our sins (I John 1:9). We are likened to vessels made of either gold and silver for special purposes, or made of wood and clay for common use (vs. 20). That we are used by Him for any purpose is a privilege. But we can be set apart for special purposes when we keep our lives free from sin.

There are days when I feel that I am made of clay or wood. And I wonder if I am of any use to Him at all. Thankfully, He uses all kinds of vessels for all kinds of purposes, using the gifts of the Spirit. But if I long to be more fruitful for Him, if I long to make a difference to His Kingdom work, than I need to be sensitive to His conviction of sin in my vessel! I need to examine my heart daily and do the uncomfortable work of confession.

Thank you Lord, that You want to use me. Help me stay prepared.


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Masting in the New Year!

Scripture for Today: Matthew 13:8 “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

As I walked along a path of oaks in the small town of Marion, Massachusetts, I couldn’t help but step all over the fallen acorns! They were everywhere, littering the ground. My first thought was that a strong wind must have blown them all down at once. I later learned that this carpet of acorns was due to what is called, “masting.” Every few years, especially among nut-producing trees, the acorns would all fall at once, not just for an individual tree but for all of that species in an area! It is not well understood just how and why the trees seem to know when to let go all at once!

Today’s verse comes from the parable Jesus told of the Sower and the Seed. The first seed was eaten by the birds, representing Satan snatching away what was not fully understood. The second seed grew no root because of troubles and persecution. The third seed was choked to death by worry and deceitful riches. But, there was a sort of “masting” or bumper crop from the seed that fell on good soil. This is the seed who hears, understands and accepts God’s Word and in turn produces much fruit!

As I stand on the cusp of a New Year, I would love to see “masting” in my life, producing much fruit. But it does not happen by wishing it were so. There is no fruit in my life unless I remain in Him (John 15:4). And I remain in the Lord by cooperating with His pruning, (verse 2) by saturating myself in His Word (verse 7) and by obeying and enjoying His love! (verse 10) Perhaps then there will be a bumper crop of fruit that glorifies and pleases Him!

Thank you Lord, for another year and another chance to bear fruit!