Devotions By Jan


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Brittle Sea Star

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 59:1 “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.”

I have to say that our granddaughter has no qualms about picking up this off-putting brittle sea star! I am less likely to touch those five long skinny arms. They twist and coil all over the place to propel themselves across surfaces. Creepy crawly things make me shudder but these creatures, related to the sea star, are pretty remarkable. To escape a predator they can leave an arm or two behind and grow them back. Those arms can also reach a distance of twenty four inches!!

Today’s verse turns our attention to the arm of the Lord. It is long enough to save the most sinful and rebellious. No one is out of His reach to save. It is His outstretched arm that made the heavens and the earth. Nothing is too hard for Him. (Jer. 32:17) His arm is long enough to reach into the darkest night and save us from drowning in despair. His arm is long enough to save from any physical danger. But most important of all, His arm is long enough to extract a soul from the kingdom of darkness and lovingly place that one in His Kingdom of light!

What wonderful power is in His arm! It is amazing that this same powerful arm wants to wrap itself around me! I am safe and secure there. Nothing can touch me except what He allows. I know and am persuaded that He is able to keep my soul, committed to Him, for now and for all eternity. (II Tim. 1:12) There is no power greater than His that can separate me from His love! (Rom. 8:38-39) His powerful arm is long enough to save me and to keep me!

Lord, help me trust Your arm today.


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Blind Spot

Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Did you know that everyone has a blind spot?  It is found in the visual field where the optic nerve enters the eye. It is for the most part not noticeable and normal to be there as there are no photoreceptors at that location. But what is pictured here is a much more serious abnormality, called a “scotoma.” And unless one moves the head and remembers what was seen, that blind spot could hide a dangerous obstacle!

Today’s verse comes from the charge given by Moses to the Israelites. He knew that their tendency was to forget those incredible miracles God had graciously used to protect and provide for them. They had seen God reveal Himself at Mount Horeb, through the fire, dark clouds and darkness when giving the ten commandments. But they were still tempted to worship other gods, forgot what they saw and lived with a serious “blind spot.” Without those memories cherished, guarded and taught to the next generation, they were at risk to forget.

I have my own blind spots. They obscure the way ahead because I have forgotten God’s faithfulness in the past! When financial worries cloud my vision, I need to remember how God has so many times miraculously provided! When I am tempted to fear what is ahead, it is because I have let fade from my heart what He has done for me in the past! He has never let me down! His miracles in my life are too numerous to list! I don’t have to live with those blind spots when I am careful to remember and praise Him!

Help me Lord, to remember Your faithfulness!


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Crystal Ball

Scripture for Today: Psalm 147:5 “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”

Do you sometimes wish there were a crystal ball to tell you what lies ahead? Gazing into the orb is supposed to give a vision of the future (visible of course only to the one charging a fee). This fortune- telling practice has a long history. The Druids in ancient Celtic cultures used clear water surfaces, glass and later balls to see ahead. Also, glass balls have been found in tombs dating back to the 5th century and St. Augustine, living in that same period, condemned their use.

Today’s verse reveals that God never needs to look ahead to gain wisdom. He is great and mighty in power. And there are no limits to His understanding. He does not need to look back over 2023 to make plans for 2024! He never wishes He could change an action taken in the past as all His ways are perfect. (Deut. 32:4) He would never regret His own perfect decisions nor would He be surprised at their outcomes. There is no need for God to look ahead to improve His understanding of events. He is all-knowing and eternal, seeing all from outside the confines of time.

What a mighty God I serve! There is nothing He does not understand. He is aware of every thought, every motive and every circumstance. How deep are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge! (Rom. 11:33) And this is why I can trust Him for 2024. He not only completely understands what I cannot about the past but He already sees what lies ahead. There is a plan already in place, globally and personally. (Jer. 29:11) My understanding will always be limited. But I can trust my All-Knowing Father. When I look ahead, He is already there and I can face the future with confidence.

Thank you Lord, for the unknown future. I am so grateful that it is not unknown to You!


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Masting in the New Year!

Scripture for Today: Matthew 13:8 “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

As I walked along a path of oaks in the small town of Marion, Massachusetts, I couldn’t help but step all over the fallen acorns! They were everywhere, littering the ground. My first thought was that a strong wind must have blown them all down at once. I later learned that this carpet of acorns was due to what is called, “masting.” Every few years, especially among nut-producing trees, the acorns would all fall at once, not just for an individual tree but for all of that species in an area! It is not well understood just how and why the trees seem to know when to let go all at once!

Today’s verse comes from the parable Jesus told of the Sower and the Seed. The first seed was eaten by the birds, representing Satan snatching away what was not fully understood. The second seed grew no root because of troubles and persecution. The third seed was choked to death by worry and deceitful riches. But, there was a sort of “masting” or bumper crop from the seed that fell on good soil. This is the seed who hears, understands and accepts God’s Word and in turn produces much fruit!

As I stand on the cusp of a New Year, I would love to see “masting” in my life, producing much fruit. But it does not happen by wishing it were so. There is no fruit in my life unless I remain in Him (John 15:4). And I remain in the Lord by cooperating with His pruning, (verse 2) by saturating myself in His Word (verse 7) and by obeying and enjoying His love! (verse 10) Perhaps then there will be a bumper crop of fruit that glorifies and pleases Him!

Thank you Lord, for another year and another chance to bear fruit!


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Star of Wonder

Scripture for Today: Matthew 2:9b-10 “… they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”

There is something about a brightly shining star that changes a mood and brings a measure of hope. The song, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” was originally written for Judy Garland to be sung in a movie scene in 1944. But there are two versions. The first was quite sad and melancholic saying, “Until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow.” A later version was tweaked for Frank Sinatra and said, “Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.” What a different tone!

Today’s verse has the Magi from the East overjoyed at the sight of the star! This was no ordinary star as it had led them over many miles and many months. And where it stopped was over the place where they would find Jesus. How appropriate to signal His presence on earth with a star as Jesus calls Himself the “morning star.” (Rev. 22:16) His coming pierced the darkness forever with His holy light! And the light of His Word continues to dispel the darkness of a mind separated from the life of God (Eph. 4:18).

Jesus does not shroud Himself in mysterious shadows. He wants to be found. He reveals Himself and makes His presence felt through the starry sky and all creation. The light of His presence is seen when hope triumphs over adversity in my life. The light of His promises gives me an excitement for what is ahead. Though my eyes have yet to see and my ears have yet to hear, He has prepared things I cannot even imagine! (I Cor. 2:9) The star of wonder still shines through faith in Him!

Thank you Lord, that You came and You stayed!