Devotions By Jan


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A Disappointed Dog

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:3 “No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.”

The day was full of promise and the sunshine beckoned. This dog, full of pent-up energy, bounds outside with his ball, hoping for a game of catch. Barking and jumping he approaches who he thinks is a likely playmate. The video of what happened next shows him repeatedly offering the ball and barking with excitement. But of course, nothing happens except for the dog losing hope and eventually walking away disappointed.

Today’s verse validates the hope the believer places in the God of the Bible. No one who hopes in the Lord Almighty will be put to shame. Our confident expectation in His promises will never be disappointed as He is always true to His Word. To place our hope in anything or anyone else is to set ourselves up for potential disappointment. Shame and disappointment do come to the “treacherous” who mistakenly think they will not be held accountable.

It is God’s love for me that motivates me to keep my hope firmly fixed on Him. (Rom. 5:5) My family, my friends, my government, or my circumstances can all disappoint. I do not want to be like that silly dog, trusting in what will not come through. The Lord God has all the power, all the resources and all the control to come through in any difficulty I face. So why would I turn to anything else? I will trust in His “unfailing love.” (Psalm 13:5)

Lord, keep my hope firmly fixed on You.


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Mud Rain

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 2:22 “Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me.”

My husband’s recent ministry road trip meant that extra effort was needed to keep the car looking presentable. After an especially long car-cleaning session, it felt good to have all that road dust removed. However, that night there was a blustery rain storm. In the morning, he expected to simply have an added rinse. Instead, the car was covered with “mud rain!” During the night those winds had blown in dust particles that had combined with the raindrops, negating all his cleaning!

Today’s verse is God’s reprimand to the Israelites for turning away from Him to false gods. They even knew they were were guilty but said, “It’s no use! I love foreign gods and I must go after them.” (verse 25) Their poor attempts at washing themselves did nothing to remove the guilt as they continued in their disobedience. God in His grace and mercy would have forgiven their sin and guilt had they been sincerely repentant.

Turning away from what I know to be wrong requires His power. There are times I too am thinking, “It’s no use” when desiring change. Yet, He has promised a “way out” when feeling overwhelmed with temptation. (I Cor. 10:13) He understands everything I am thinking and feeling and He is there, ready to give the grace that says “no” to temptation. (Titus 2:11-12) And when I blow it, His cleansing not only removes the sin but also the guilt!

Lord, thank you for your patient and complete forgiveness!


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Not So Perfect!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 20:8-10 “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin.'”?

I was told that Amish quilts had an interesting peculiarity. A “mistake” sometimes called a “humble block” will intentionally be included in the handwork. The idea is that no one is perfect except God. In looking for the origin of this practice, I learned that the Amish quilters themselves strongly deny this custom. Yet, the folklore continues. This myth is embraced however by those producing Persian rugs and Native Americans blankets with the same idea; no one is perfect!

Today’s verse is a rhetorical question and the obvious answer is, “no one!” We need not look to flawed individuals in Scripture for examples. We need only to look in the mirror! We all fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23) Jesus tells us to be “perfect” or “complete” even as the Father is. And He asks this of His followers in the context of loving our enemies. If there is ever a litmus test of imperfection or incompleteness, it is this! Do I love my enemies? Can I?

Loving those who love me makes me feel fairly satisfied with myself. But I know how closed my heart can be against a perceived enemy. It is a great coping skill to excuse myself and rationalize my behavior with the same thought….”well, no one is perfect except God.” But with His Spirit residing in me and making His “I Corinthians 13 love” available, I am without excuse. I do not have to have warm fuzzy feelings towards that person, but He wants me to forgive and show the same love that I have received from Him!

Lord, complete what is lacking in me today.


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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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The Ferret

Scripture for Today: John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Did you know that a group of ferrets is called a “business of ferrets?” Apparently, the business of the ferrets we knew was to infiltrate our 100 year home in Guebwiller, France and throw dance parties in the attic at night! The “business” of ferrets used to be helping hunters by flushing out rabbits and rodents from their burrows. Later, chasing down a rabbit evolved into the expression of chasing down or “ferreting out” the truth.

Today’s verse is part of the prayer of Jesus to His Father concerning those who follow Him. There is no need to “ferret out” truth as Jesus plainly says that God’s Word is truth. And this truth of God’s eternal and infallible word does something for the believer. It sanctifies or sets him apart as different and distinct from others. The believer is set apart for His purposes and for His service. Living in the light of God’s truth makes the believer atypical as it changes our desires, values and worldview.

Being convinced of the truth of His Word motivates me to stay the course, regardless of the fluctuating ideas of “truth” around me. Because there is absolute truth in the spiritual realm, my faith remains firm. Not only does God’s Word instruct, correct and reassure, but I am upheld by the Person who is Truth. (John 14:6) It is on the solid ground of His truth that I can stand and what a difference this makes in my life!

Lord, thank you for the stability and purpose Your word gives me!