Devotions By Jan


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Hot House Orchid

Scripture for Today: II Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

This gorgeous flower needs pampering! When transplanting the orchid out of its tropical habitat, it will need special conditions to grow and flourish. The artificially heated greenhouse will provide an environment that will make this delicate plant happy and stable. In that hot house will be other vulnerable plants not hardy enough to grow under natural conditions. The phrase, “hot house flower” also describes a person who is fragile and vulnerable.

Today’s verse talks about what is needed for the believer to grow in his faith: grace and knowledge. There is not a Christ-follower alive that does not need these special conditions to grow. Being exposed to the harsh world-environment can choke out what God wants to produce in us. His grace or unmerited favor and the knowledge of Himself is His hot house. His grace is sufficient when we are weak (II Cor. 12:9). And the power to thrive comes through our knowledge of him (II Peter 1:3).

I forget so often. My independent and prideful spirit makes me feel that I am doing just fine on my own. That takes all the glory for myself when it rightfully belongs to Him. And before long, my attitude starts to show in shriveled leaves and droopy flowers. It is clear to me that my faith is stunted when I totally lose it at the first sign of difficulty. But when I can respond with dependence on His grace and a recognition of His goodness and love, then I can not only survive, but thrive. It is the Lord that keeps me from being fragile and vulnerable.

Thank you Lord, for the growth that comes from You!


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Poking Holes

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 11:10 “He (Abraham) was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

There was a problem. We had been living with it for awhile and finally decided to do something about it. The “something” meant poking a hole in the foundation. It was the only way to fix the shortcuts that were taken in the building of our house 46 years ago. After repairs below, there was no question but that we had to go that extra step. The foundation needed work to be stable once again. It would be unthinkable to live with a gaping hole in a foundation.

Today’s verse describes the faith of Abraham, looking forward to the Celestial City with sure foundations. He does not have to worry about how those foundations were built as the Builder and Architect is God Himself. Abraham lived as a nomad, in tents and on the move. (verse 9) He lived like a stranger in a foreign country. The idea of building his life on an unmovable foundation must have been especially attractive.

The foundation this world offers is never a sure one. Its changing “truths” make it full of holes and unstable. Trying to build my life on it is like trying to nail jello to a wall! If there are no absolute truths there can be nothing sure and certain on which to build my life. But my foundation is God’s unchanging and life-giving Word. Nothing and no one can poke holes in His Word, His character and His plans. Despite the uncertainties of this life, I can look forward with certainty to the fulfillment of every promise. My Builder and Architect is even now preparing a place for me (John 14:2).

Lord, keep me looking forward to what You have prepared for me!


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Cicada Invasion!

Scripture for Today: Psalms 150:6  “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord!”


Pmjacoby, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Get ready for a noisy invasion! Every seventeen years the Brood X Cicada emerges from underground in fifteen eastern states. This is no small invasion as he is joined with about a trillion of his friends! They appear en masse to follow a strict program of shedding skins, flying, mating, laying eggs and dying, all within several weeks. They are natural pruners for trees and add nitrogen to the soil when they die. But the negative side is their loud mating noise that some call singing. It can be deafening.

Today’s verse is a call to praise the Lord. In this short psalm, instruments are listed that can praise the Lord. But so can the cicada. He may not sound melodious but neither does the clashing cymbal! (verse 5) He has breath too and his chirping, clicking and buzzing are praise to his Creator. All creeping things are to praise the Lord, from the great sea creature to the small. (Psalm 148:7, 10) But how much more meaningful is man’s conscious and specific praise!

He is worthy of all my praise all the time. I want His praise to continually be in my mouth! Life and breath were given to me for this very purpose. When my heart is “tuned to sing His praise,” then I am fulfilling my purpose here on earth. Praise to my Creator begins here imperfectly but will continue into eternity! There, my praise will be beautifully melodious! But whether here or there, I want every breath of my life be a praise to Him for all He has done for me!

Lord, You deserve every note of praise!


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Mexican Walking Fish

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”


Уткина Дарья, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What a bizarre creature! He looks to be having a bad hair day but in fact those are his feathery gills standing up! He seems to be grinning although if he knew of his endangered status, perhaps he wouldn’t be. This strange salamander has been given several names. No, he is not walking nor is he a fish. But this is the name the Mexicans have given him. His name in the Aztec language, “Axoloti” means “water dog.” He is simply an amphibian but his appearance does fire the imagination!

The description of love is very clear in today’s verse. Yet we tend to name many different emotions as “love” when they are not. It might look like love. It might feel like love, but many times it falls short of what true love is all about. Whether it is a brotherly love or romantic love, this much-misunderstood emotion is the commitment to faithfully seek the best for the other person. Whatever we name “love” is to resemble the qualities listed in I Corinthians 13, including the important quality of love never failing.

What an impossible standard this seems to me! My love for others is so tainted with self-interest! Thankfully, God gives me His Spirit without whom I could never give or experience this kind of love. I can only love because He first loved me! (I John 4:19) He is the Source. He is the example, and He gives the power to get myself out of the way and treat others as I would like to be treated.

Thank you Lord, for enabling true love.


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The Tapir

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 9:10 “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”

https://www.flickr.com/photos/briangratwicke/2639595421

Meet Baird’s Tapir, one of three kinds found in the forests of South America. These animals are related to the horse and the rhino and are recognizable by their “mini trunk.” This flexible snout is really their nose and upper lip combined. It is used to grab branches, pluck fruit and as a snorkel in water! The tapir is called, “the gardener of the forest,” as they spread seeds everywhere in their scat!

Today’s verse tells us that God is the Source of our seed as well as of our bread. We, as believers, are to sow seed that will result in a harvest of righteousness. The Source of our store of seed promises to increase it when we give to others generously. His blessing means having what is needed in order to “abound in every good work.” (verse 8) We are encouraged to sow generously so as to reap generously a harvest that is spiritual. (verse 6) God blesses with spiritual fruit those seeds of time, talent and money sown for Him!

Over the years I have seen the truth of this principle. I cannot explain God’s blessings in my life. They are totally undeserved. But whether I have a lot or a little, my focus is not to be on how much is in the storerooms but how much I am giving out. Somehow, when my attention is on His kingdom and giving to see it advanced, I see my own needs met and feel no lack. Seeing His blessing reassures me of His care and keeps me focused on HIs priorities!

Lord, make me generous and not overly concerned with the storehouse.