Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Service


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Rest for the Weary

Scripture for Today: Mark 6:31 “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Walking the boardwalk of the Seaforth Marina in San Diego, we saw this squirrel sunning himself! With the warmth of the sun above and of the rock beneath, as well as the mesmerizing movement of the fish, he was having the perfect rest! Some squirrels take rest further with times of “torpor,” conserving energy by lowering their metabolism when in a cold climate. But for this fellow, his rest can be taken throughout the year with California’s generous sunshine!

Today’s verse has an invitation to rest, given by Jesus to his disciples. The constant coming and going of people with their needs was tiring. He encourages the disciples to come away with Him to a quiet place, without the people pressing in, a quiet place where they could rest. What follows is a time of intense activity; the miraculous feeding of the five thousand! (counting just the men) The disciples worked hard distributing all that food to so many and then gathering up the leftovers. Thankfully, they had that rest first!

Resting in a quiet place may not seem like such a spiritual and fruitful “activity.” Yet, that rest is with Him. His invitation to rest is not only to be refreshed physically but also to have my soul nourished and ready for whatever comes next! The disciples did not know what was coming next. But they were ready. I do not know what is next. But I need that same rest to be ready for whatever is around the corner.

Thank you Lord, for the rest you give!


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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.