Devotions By Jan


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Rising Up!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 30:18 “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him.”

What a beautiful and impressive sight to see these hot air balloons rise up during the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Festival in Turkey! This annual event, usually in August, attracts thousands from around the world. More than two hundred years ago the first flight took place from the Tuileries Gardens in France thanks to the research done by the Montgolfier brothers! (I always wondered why a hot air balloon was called in French a “montgolfière!”) Unlike hot air balloon rides today, the first passengers were a sheep, a rooster and a duck!

Today’s verse speaks of the graciousness of the Lord. He rises up to show compassion for those He calls His own. Many times in Scripture “rising up” speaks of God’s judgement on the wicked. But here, He rises up to show compassion, with reassurance that He will be faithful to those who are targets of injustice. His justice will prevail because He is gracious and compassionate. It may be that He shows justice in our lifetime, but if not, surely in the life to come! And we are called on to wait for Him.

I am not feeling so “blessed” when I see all kinds of injustice in our world. It can weigh very heavily on my spirit, especially when loved ones are targeted. It is so difficult to see brothers and sisters in Christ suffer. But in believing in the God of the Bible and His ultimate justice, I am able to rise up myself and stand firm! (Ps. 20:8) One day, every wrong will be made right! This is my confident hope and expectation, one that lifts my spirits.

Thank you Lord, that I can trust Your justice!


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The Royal Guard

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 1:12 “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

Did you know that those guards at Buckingham Palace are actual soldiers in the British army carrying real guns? There are four sentry guards when the King is in residence and only two when he is elsewhere. In addition there are five regiments of foot guards: Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh. Although their uniforms differ subtly, they all have the same charge to guard and protect.

Today’s verse is Paul’s declaration of faith in God’s power to guard what he has entrusted to Him, namely his soul. During a time of discouraging imprisonment, Paul stays confident of God’s control. He is suffering but does not feel shame for being in prison. He shares in the sufferings of Christ but is also experiencing Christ’s abundant comfort (II Cor.1:5). Paul knows that his soul will live on even if he does not survive. God has promised and He is all -powerful and able to keep His word.

Knowing and being convinced of God’s power to guard my soul makes all the difference to how I live.  And it will make just as big a difference to how I die. My eternal security rests on His finished work of perfect sacrifice. It does not rest on me, my laundry list of good works or how I am feeling. My soul is in His powerful hands and nothing and no one can pluck me out of there! (John 10:28). I have no power to guard anything. But He does.

Lord, I trust that You guard my soul!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2019)


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Spaghetti Overflow!

Scripture for Today:  Romans 5:15 “But the gift is not like the trespass.  For if the many died by the trespass of one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many.”

I am very familiar with spaghetti overflow. Although maybe not to this extent! Somehow, I always figure I know better than the instructions regarding the amount per person. The charts on the package are quite clear, giving precise amounts of pasta, water and salt per person. But in my superior understanding, it never looks quite enough! I am quite sure this never happens to my readers!!

Today’s verse talks about an overflow that is much more positive than this one! Paul is teaching that even though the consequences of Adam’s sin are far reaching and for all time, God’s grace and salvation overflows to the many. His grace or unmerited favor is greater than all our sin (Romans 5:20). There is not a single sin that is not covered by God’s grace when confessed. The gift of His grace is much greater than the judgement that followed that one sin of Adam’s. Christ’s gift of grace covers all sin and provides right standing with God (verse 16).

God’s abundant supply of grace is overflowing. He never stops it up and says, “that’s enough!” His grace never runs dry. It continually flows bringing forgiveness and righteousness! As I continually sin, I need His grace to be overflowing. Everyday I need to feel His love and forgiveness wash over me, giving me a new start. Everyday I can count on His grace as it has nothing to do with me earning it and everything to do with His incredible love.

Thank you Lord, for Your overflowing grace to me!


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Watch Out for Splinters!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 36:6 “Look, I know you are depending on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him.”


I do not suppose that this lizard worries about getting splinters from the rough surface of this door!  With his thick, tough reptile skin he can move all over that weathered wood and never be bothered. I, on the other hand, would not want to push or lean on that wood for fear of splinters piercing my skin! I still have memories of my childhood and that painful process of splinter removal!

Today’s verse describes a hand that leans on a flimsy splintered reed of a staff and so is pierced. The King of Assyria was absolutely right to say that leaning on Egypt for help against his attack would be no help at all for King Hezekiah and the Israelites. But then he goes on to insult their dependence on the Lord God! (verse 7) King Hezekiah turns to the Lord in His temple and to the prophet, Isaiah. He prays that God will vindicate His name. And the Lord does, delivering them with a miraculous victory!

Who do I depend on in a crisis? My first thought needs to be His help. He may direct me to all kinds of good sources of aid, but I want my trust and dependence to be firmly placed first and foremost on Him and His power to work. Putting my weight on any other kind of support may just give me those “splinters.” But He will always answer my cries. Nothing is beyond His strength. And when He answers, His name is once again vindicated in my life and in the eyes of all who are watching!

Lord, keep me leaning and depending on You!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


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Elephant Ear

Scripture for Today: Psalms 85:8  “I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants –  but let them not turn to folly.”

The reason for the name of this plant is obvious. The size and shape of this plant’s leaves resemble the ear of the elephant. In fact, this invasive plant can overshadow the surrounding flowering plants with its big leaves, blocking their sunlight. The leaves of the Elephant Ear, or Colocasia, can grow three feet long and two feet wide, or more! If their ears could actually hear, I wonder if they would hear their gardener grumbling about their size and tendency to take over the garden!

I wish my spiritual ears were as big as this plant so as not to miss God’s voice! In today’s verse God’s voice promises peace to His faithful servants. It begins with the psalmist’s statement of intention, “I will listen.” There are a myriad of sounds out there clamoring to be heard. But listening to the Lord through His Word takes intentional effort and discipline. And listening to Him keeps us from folly or doing anything foolish.

He speaks peace to those that belong to Him. What a promise! So many times I have come to Him in prayer totally agitated and stressed. He calms me down and listening intently I hear reminders of His love and control in my circumstances. I get in that troubled state usually because I have not been listening to Him in the first place! If I am honest with myself, I realize I am quite capable of doing all kinds of foolish things with impeccable rationale! Listening to Him daily through His Word is the best way to avoid my own folly. And I so need the peace and calm He offers.

Lord, keep me peaceful by listening to You!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)