Devotions By Jan


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He is My Fortress

Scripture for Today: Psalm 91:2  “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.”

Touring the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado fired our imagination with scenes of a very different kind of life!  The overhanging cliffs afforded the Ancestral Pueblo people some protection from enemies.  But they also built fortress-style buildings as look-outs and for added protection.  These structures were built in the late 1190’s and served their purpose.  But in the end, it is thought that the enemy of drought drove them from their homes.

Today’s verse talks about God being our fortress and a place of refuge and security.  Because of His strength and power we can be safe.  We can trust in Him.  We do have enemies, perhaps not the same kind that David had to face.  But there are many times when we are attacked.  It can come from several different quarters.  We could be attacked by a temptation.  But God promises us a way of escape (I Cor.10:13).  We may be attacked by Satan himself, but we have God’s armor so we can stand and fight (Eph.6:11).  When do we run to a fortress?

I run to God, my Fortress, when I am being attacked by depression, anxiety, and despair.  I run to His presence when I am being attacked by worry, doubt, or fear.  In His arms I am reassured when assailed by feelings of hurt or betrayal.  In Him I find the courage to face the world again.  In my quiet time with Him I am strengthened against all these attacks.  The verse says, “I will say of the Lord…”  And I am saying it here.  I want to testify to what God as my Fortress does for me.

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)


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Counting Jelly Beans

Scripture for Today: Matthew 18: 21-22 “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

It was pure guess work.  I tried being methodical as a prize would be awarded for this baby shower-party-game.  Otherwise, I wouldn’t have bothered trying to count the jelly beans in this jar.  But in fact, my counting left something to be desired as my total was way off.  Someone else walked away with the coveted prize.  I would have been happy to walk away with the jelly beans!

Today’s verse is about something we are not to count; how many times to forgive someone.  Peter perhaps felt he was being generous to suggest forgiving seven times as the current thinking among the Pharisees was three times.  That makes Jesus’ answer all the more surprising.  The idea was not to forgive seventy-seven times or even seventy times seven.  The idea is that forgiveness is not to be counted at all.  Forgiveness is to be immeasurable.

My memory is so faulty on some subjects but somehow, the memories of when and how I have been wronged are very clear.  Forgiving someone more than once for the same offense is also too easy to remember.  I have had to say to my husband, “I am sorry, forgive me,” countless times over more than 40 years of marriage.  And I have had to forgive him too, many times without number.  It is so difficult to “forgive from the heart” (verse 35) over and over again.  And yet, I cannot think of a better way to show true love.  This is exactly what the Lord has done in forgiving me countless times.

Thank you Lord, that You do not count.

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)


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Desert Soil

Scripture for Today: Colossians 1:16b-17 “…all things have been created through Him and for Him. He (Christ) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

The views in the Utah National Parks are truly breathtaking!  Around every corner is another amazing scene of cliffs, arches, and odd rock formations.  One thing that seems unimpressive is the unforgiving soil being so dry and barren.  But in fact, it is teeming with activity, due to the microscopic cyanobacteria one eighth of an inch below that surface.  There are signs to keep off this fragile crust.  This bacteria is binding the sand and soil particles together, creating a place for algae, moss and fungi to grow.

Today’s verse is a powerful statement to the absolute creative control Jesus has in every part of nature.  Despite what one believes about how this earth came into being, these verses say categorically that Christ was involved in the process.  Everything created has been created through Him and for Him.  No power is above Him and in Him and that power, all things hold together.  From the exact tilt of our earth to the crust on the desert floor, He holds it all together.

Because He can and does hold things together on such a grand scale, I can be confident that He holds me and my life together as well.  His creative power holds me squarely and securely in His hand (John 10:28).  Nothing is out of His control today even if I feel like things are flying apart.  He even scrutinizes the path ahead, knowing what is around the next corner (Psalm 139:3).  When I am feeling overwhelmed, He holds together what I cannot.  He knows the end from the beginning and I can trust Him with every detail.

Thank you Lord, for holding me together.

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)


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Enjoying the View

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 119:45 “I will walk about in freedom for I have sought Your precepts.”

I imagine that anyone with a fear of heights would give the Needles Overlook a wide berth.  This view of Canyonlands National Park in Utah is a panoramic one going in all directions.  The overlook affords a view of the Abago Mountains and the peaks of La Sal.  But this open plateau edge drops suddenly away 1,600 feet above the valley floor!  If it were not for that sturdy rail going around the perimeter, I would not feel free to walk very close to the edge and I would miss out on those amazing views.

Today’s verse puts two words together that normally one would not think to do; freedom and precepts.  Prevalent thinking equates freedom with no rules or restrictions at all.  But God’s laws are like the railing.  Because of its presence I can freely walk about and enjoy incredible vistas.  God’s laws provide safety and protection.  They are there, not to restrict and be a burden, but rather to free us to walk in confidence.  God’s laws even alleviate our anxiety.  “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (Ps. 119:165)

The author of this psalm cannot say enough about how he loves God’s laws.  He describes them as giving comfort (verse 52). God’s statues and precepts reassure me of the right direction my life is taking.  I never have to wonder if another way is better or more exciting.  I do not miss out on anything except for what will harm me.  His law is an expression of His love for me.  Following it gives me the best kind of life there is!

Lord, keep me walking about in the freedom that following Your law brings!

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting)


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Peek-A-Boo Canyon

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 13:12 Colossians 3:1-2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

The Peek-A-Boo slot canyon in Zion National Park ushers the hiker into another world!  The trail twists and turns, narrows and then widens.  It is eerily quiet and the temperature drops.  Some parts are dark with overhanging rock.  But in other places one can see orange, warm red and rustic brown on the curving sandstone walls.  Some walls soar up to 100 feet and the narrowest part is only 16 inches wide!  It is like a glimpse into another dimension.

Today’s verse gives us a small glimpse of Heaven.  Paul tells believers to set their minds on what is found there.  Christ is on His throne and He sits at the right hand of God the Father.  Our minds and our hearts are to be changed by this eternal perspective.  What we see on earth does not match up with spiritual realities.  What we see, touch and feel around us can be breathtaking, but it is not eternal.  God’s incredible creation is real but it will not last.

When I set my mind and heart on the realities of Heaven, it changes how I view that awful situation.  It affects how I see my problems.  What can loom so large for me is in fact only, “light and momentary trouble.” (II Cor. 4:17)  All the hard things in this life are, “achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”  When I think of Heaven, my heart fills with hope.  And I need that hope to get me through.

Lord, help me see even a glimpse of what is to come!

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)