Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Testimony


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Ornate Frames

Scripture for Today: Psalm 115:1 “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 this one goes a little overboard!  The frame is 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 photograph.  A photo inserted in this frame would be completely swallowed up!  Sometimes, the simpler the frame the more effective it is in showcasing the picture.

This ornate frame 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, than I am failing to do what I am created for; glorifying His name.  To acclaim Him is my purpose for living.  To exalt Him, to praise Him, to extol 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 most worthy of all praise!

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


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Light

Scripture for Today: Psalm 97:11 “Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.”

How often I have read novels or seen movies where at the end of  life, one moves toward a light!  In these stories the light represents eternity and the presence of God.  The light is bright and welcoming.  We associate light with warmth and goodness, whereas darkness can represent something cold and evil.  Even just a small pinpoint of light is powerful, dispelling darkness and chasing away shadows.  The light has a direct affect on our sense of well-being.  Without enough light, we can easily become depressed and negative.  Light has a way of lifting our spirits and giving us hope.

Today’s verse describes another blessing for the believer.  Light and joy shine on those whose heart is in right standing with God.  There may be darkness all around but “even in darkness, light dawns for the upright.” (Psalm 112:4)  When our hearts are right with the Source of light and joy, then it stands to reason that we can experience that light and joy ourselves, regardless of our circumstances.

I cannot drum up light and joy on my own for any length of time.  It is too easy to allow negative guilty thoughts darken my mind, robbing me of joy.  Light and joy are directly linked to my relationship to Him.  They are a natural outgrowth of a close relationship with my Creator.  He has made His righteousness mine through His Son, and with that clean heart comes the light and joy I so need!  How wonderful the benefits of forgiveness and grace!  In a world of pessimism and darkness, I can share that light and joy with others!

Thank you Lord, for being my light and my joy today!


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Neighborhood Parties

Atanase-2-ParisScripture for Today: Proverbs 14:21 “It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”

In 1999 a young Parisian had a vision.  He was concerned that there was such a disconnect between neighbors.  When he heard of an elderly neighbor found dead after four months in a nearby apartment, he established what is called, “Fête des Voisins” or Neighborhood Parties.  At the end of May or the beginning of June neighbors come together in yards, streets, and courtyards to share a meal.  Such a simple idea has spread to 36 countries with over 20 million participants!  Out of these gatherings has come a renewed community life.  Marriages have been established, some have found work, and grandmothers have felt less isolated.

Today’s verse has something to say about our attitude towards our neighbors.  Living in close quarters with people different from ourselves is rife with possibilities for conflict.  Not only are we told not to despise our neighbor, but we are to actually love them as much as we love ourselves (Luke 10:27).  What an impossible challenge that seems!

Jesus explained that loving our neighbor is the second greatest command after loving God.  When I love the Lord with my whole heart, soul, strength and mind I am in a better place to love my neighbor.  In fact, the way I demonstrate my love for Him is by how I treat my neighbor and respond to his needs.  Loving God finds its expression in the love and kindness I show those around me.  Today’s verse promises blessing to the one who is kind to the needy.  Regardless of the imposition and inconvenience it may be, I am always blessed when I make the effort.

Lord, give me opportunity today to show Your love to my neighbors.


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Like, Follow and Share

Like-Follow-Plus-ShareScripture for Today: Psalm 96:3 “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

We place quite an importance on three simple words in social media; “like,” “follow,” and “share.”  Whether it be Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin, we look for the feedback of our readers on different social media platforms.  There is a definite progression from simply liking an entry, to becoming a regular follower, to then sharing and promoting the content to others.  Sharing with others seems to involve more effort.  In fact, analysts have found that sharing is a whole lot less popular that liking.  They found that sharing feels more like work while liking seems more like play!

I could not help but see the spiritual parallels!  Today’s verse is about moving to that last step of “share.”  Of course, for the believer the word “like” is much too watered down for what is felt for the Lord.  To really know Him is to love Him with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength!  And a love like that wants to follow Him in the “paths of righteousness” He sets before us.  But getting to that third step of sharing with others is sometimes the most difficult.  We are to declare to the nations His glory and tell others of all the wonderful things He has done for us!  We are even to proclaim the salvation He has given us “day after day!” (verse 3)

What the Lord has done for me is too good not to share!  He has shown His grace and faithfulness to me time after time.  The way He has met my needs over the years is nothing short of amazing.  The way He has led me is nothing I could have ever scripted for myself!

Lord, give me the opportunity to share You today!


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Bigger and Better!

fruitnut1Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 1:10  “I appeal to you brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

Have you ever wondered why some pieces of the exact same variety of fruit vary in size?  My first thought is sun exposure or better access to water.  But size difference can also be attributed to cross pollinating.  Whether a tree is self-pollinating or not, its fruit can be bigger and better and its yield more impressive when there is cross pollination.  But one needs two different cultivars of the same fruit tree; for example Red Delicious with Fuji apple.  Two exact same trees in close proximity do not improve the fruit.

Our verse for today admonishes believers to get along with one another.  There were reports of quarrels in the church in Corinth damaging their reputation or “fruit.”  The local church brings together such a diversity of people that there are bound to be differences of opinion.  Even though different varieties are thrown together there is to be fruit from our unity and cooperation.  Of course there are differences in our politics, education, preferences and backgrounds but they are not to divide us.

When believers can actually work together, we enjoy a wonderful yield.  The world sits up and takes notice when we can show respect and love to one another (John 17:23).  We live up to being associated with the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!  Standing close and united, our differences make our fruit  bigger and better!

Lord, regardless of our differences, keep me one with other believers for Your name’s sake!