Devotions By Jan


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Wishing on a Star!

Scripture for Today: Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

“Star light, star bright, The first star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight.”  This nursery rhyme from the late 1800’s still comes to mind when I see a bright star or planet shining on a clear night. But I am sure those Magi from the east were not thinking of wishing on His star. (Matt. 2:1)  Instead, they faithfully followed the star in order to worship the One born King of the Jews.

“Wishing on a star” pretty much describes the thinking of those who place their confidence in anyone but Jesus. It is a poor flimsy substitute for real hope. Hope for the believer is faith in what is sure. Our hope is only as good as its object and that makes our hope in Jesus unshakable! A star will not save. A star cannot fulfill promises and save souls. But a star can and often does move us to worship the Creator, as it did in a unique sense for the Magi. God’s own hands stretched out the heavens including that unique star of Bethlehem. (Isaiah 45:12)

Because of Christ’s birth, I have hope. I not only have hope, I am overflowing with it as I trust Him! And in this broken world, I lean more and more on the hope He gives me. He promises to fill me with all joy and peace as I live in that hope and trust. The coming of Jesus is hope realized as He made a way for me to live eternally with Him. There is a bright future ahead because of that hope. The darkness of my despair is dispelled by the heavenly light of His presence!

Thank you Lord, for Christmas and for being my hope.


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Give Me Love

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

Photo credit to Deb at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ferlinka/5199503201

This was quite the touching scene over a decade ago in Brazil! This poor stray puppy found a safe warm place snuggling up to the baby Jesus. At least for one night he found a soft welcoming place to sleep. How heartbreaking to live life without love! Love was the theme of George Harrison’s popular song in the 70’s. But his prayer does not stop with “love.” He goes on to list: peace on earth, light, life, freedom, hope, help to cope and the ability to reach heart and soul.

Today’s verse says that the gift of Jesus that God gives us is “indescribable”. But this list, though not exhaustive, does a pretty good job of naming all that Jesus Christ is and what He offers us! He is love, love that came down at Christmas to make reconciliation with God possible. The love of God through His Son, Jesus, completely changes our lives. Unlike the Hindu spirituality George Harrison aspired to, God’s love is a GIFT in the birth, sacrifice, resurrection and daily presence of His Son.

The gift of Jesus not only overwhelms me with love but gives my heart peace. He has changed my darkness into light (Psalm 18:28). The life He gives is not an easy one but it is full of significance. He has freed me from the power of sin and death and gives me the sure hope of eternity with Him. His help and presence help me cope with the troubles each day can bring. Because of Jesus I can touch and reach God with my heart and soul!

Thank you Lord, for the gift of Jesus.


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“Love’s Pure Light”

Scripture for today: I John 2:10 : “Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the Light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.”

This beautiful town of Monschau, Germany is known for its medieval center which includes half-timbered homes, cobblestone streets and a castle. As beautiful as it is in the daytime, it seems especially fairy-like all lit up in the night! This photo could even serve as a Christmas card with the title of the well-known carol, “Silent Night.” The less-familiar third verse says, “Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s Pure Light.”

Today’s verse talks about living in the light of Jesus. He illuminates the path of obedience we are to walk.  Obeying Him allows us to remain within the beam of that light. It is easier to talk about obedience in general terms, but here the verse is very specific about one particular commandment; loving our brother and sister in Christ. As believers we are at risk of falling when we do not love other believers. Loving our brother and sister as God commands keeps us in His light and on the right path.

I never realized before how closely linked are LOVE and LIGHT.  The amount of light I live with is dependent on how much I love other believers. And loving others is not always easy. Quite frankly, I get used to my way being dimly lit. My eyes adjust to the lack of light due to my lack of love. I do not think to do anything about it…….until I stumble. I trip on my lack of love. How much better it is to make that effort to forgive, show grace and want the best for others. My walk is so much more pleasant in the light!

Lord, help me to live and love in Your pure light.


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White Elephant Gift!

Scripture for Today: James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly light, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

It’s that time of year again! The season of white elephant gifts is upon us! It is always a challenge for me to find just the right thing to wrap up, be it something in the house or an item chosen at the thrift store specifically for the exchange. Will it make people laugh? Will it be a “hot” item that is traded multiple times? I find that the sillier the item is or the more useless, the fancier it will be wrapped! Regardless of its value inside, we are drawn to what is shiny and wrapped with a big bow!

Today’s verse teaches us that every gift that is good and perfect has a loving heavenly Father as its source. For those who are His children, He gives what is only for our good. He is perfect and His gifts are tailor-made and perfect with us in mind. The problem is that we do not always recognize them. Those gifts may not be wrapped in shiny paper with big bows. They may be wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with frayed string. But what is inside is a closer and more meaningful relationship with Him!

I certainly have not always recognized that a trial or difficulty can turn out to be a gift! Like the pearl found inside a crusty outside shell, God wraps His best gifts in difficult experiences. These are gifts I am not drawn to. But what is so wonderful is the growth of my faith that can result. The reliance on God’s strength and help gives me a new and deeper closeness with Him. When I cry out to Him in pain or frustration He answers me with more of Himself and I am reassured. He is good. He is perfect. And so is what He allows in my life.

Thank you Lord, for the good and perfect gifts You give!


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Let’s Talk Turkey!

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:1 “Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”

This cartoon turkey looks a bit worried, as he should be during this Thanksgiving week! For years I have heard the myth circulated as fact that turkeys are so dumb, they will drown while looking up at the rain! It is true that the turkey will look up at the sky during a rain storm. And some have a neurological condition where they tilt their heads back and are unable to move for a time. But it is unrelated to the rain. So perhaps a turkey or any human being glancing up to the sky poses no fatal risk!

Today’s verse has us looking up and consciously setting our hearts and desires on what is above. As believers who were once dead to spiritual things, we are now raised up to be alive to Him! Instead of setting our hearts on what is fleeting and temporal, we now have a different perspective! We look up to what is above, our eternal Home where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. And having this mind set changes how we live our lives.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. said, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good.” How untrue! When pleasing my Creator is my heart’s desire, it is then that I can do the most good! Living with eternity in mind motivates me to reach out to those who have no hope. Obeying God’s command to love Him with my whole being enables me to love my neighbor as myself! Rather than living selfishly, I can, with eternity in view, do those good works that He has planned for me!

Lord, keep me looking up to my eternal Home!