Devotions By Jan


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A Fountain

Scripture for Today: Psalm 87:7 “As they make music they will sing, ‘All my fountains are in you.’”

Photo credit: MagicOlf https://www.flickr.com/photos/magicolf/4555139652

The Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas puts on quite the show! The water dances to the music, taking on different configurations. The differently colored lights keep time to the music and it all comes together to impress and entertain. But for me, I have always enjoyed even the most basic and simple fountain as I love the musical sound of moving water.

Today’s verse has people singing and making music. They are those blessed to be born in Zion or Jerusalem. But these believers in the one and only true God come from other regions as well (verse 4). Together, regardless of their origin, they proclaim that the fountain of all their blessings has but one Source! God calls Himself the “fountain of living waters” (Jer. 2:3). And Jesus calls Himself “living water” that in the believer would become a spring or fountain of water welling up to eternal life! (John 4:10 & 14)

When I see a fountain I am reminded that ALL my blessings flow from my relationship with the Giver of life, here and eternally! And I don’t deserve even one of them. Without His goodness life would be a dried up unsatisfying affair. But because of His incredible grace, life is rich with meaning and significance. I live to love Him more and I can sing with this same refrain, “all my fountains are in You.”

Lord, today, I praise You from whom all blessings flow!


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The Hyssop Flower

Scripture for Today: Exodus 12:22 “Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning.”

This field of hyssop is stunning! This flower is native to the Middle East and Southern Europe and it is in the mint family. The leaves are used in herbal medicine and in cooking. And did you know that it is one of the very few flowers mentioned in the Bible? Its twigs were used in rites of purification. This must be why today the flower has come to symbolize sacrifice, repentance, humility, purity, cleansing and health!

Today’s verse records its first mention in the Bible. Moses told the Israelites to use the twigs of the hyssop to put the blood of their sacrificed Passover lamb on the doorway of their homes. When in God’s judgement the firstborn of each family died that night, those with the blood of the lamb were passed over and spared. This was the last and most severe of the plagues on the Egyptians and the Israelites were finally allowed to go.

I am thankful that believers today are not under the former sacrificial system. There is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). But because Christ bled and died for me, He has become my sacrificial Lamb. And His sacrifice is once for all! (Heb. 7:27) He paid my debt. He absorbed and satisfied God’s holy wrath against my sin. I am no longer under that condemnation I deserve because of His great love!

Thank you Lord, for Your loving sacrifice for me!


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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!