Devotions By Jan


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Blue-Footed Booby

Scripture for Today: Romans 10:15 “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written; ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’

No, these birds did not step into a puddle of blue paint, although it sure looks like it! This unusual sea bird can be found in the Pacific from Southern California to Northern Peru and the Galápagos Islands. The males do a high-stepping dance to attract the female, lifting up those blue feet. Their name, “booby” comes from the Spanish word, “bobo” meaning foolish. Perhaps they are seen as foolish because they look so clumsy on land. Or they may be considered foolish as they are so willing to approach people.

Today’s verse describe another pair of beautiful feet. These feet are also willing to approach people in order to share good news. The feet are beautiful because they proclaim peace and salvation. (Isaiah 52:7) The good news is that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (verse 13) The Israelites did not accept this good news and were zealously trying to establish their own righteousness. (verse 3 & 16) But there is no peace with God apart from His Son. And there is no salvation under any other name but the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:12)

I do not think my feet are too beautiful but the message certainly is! Peace on our planet is so fragile and many times unattainable. But I do enjoy a peace that the world cannot give me (John 14:27) and it means that my heart is not afraid or troubled. Because of His salvation I enjoy peace with my Creator. He has taken care of the judgement my sins deserve. And He offers this peace and salvation to all who call on Him in faith!

Lord, make my feet beautiful today.


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Do I Follow My Heart?

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

This saying on a poster is beautiful, and there are many like it. We enjoy thinking of the heart as lovely and romantic, and so often it is. We counsel each other to just follow your heart and all will be well. Somehow, the heart will guide us to the right way, the right solution, the right love. When we listen to our heart, we discover what we really desire.

Today’s verse has a message of warning about the heart. The heart, which in the Bible is the seat of all our emotions and will, can deceive us. We try to understand what our heart is saying to us. But no one can quite understand. One day it says one thing and the next, another. The heart is fickle and incomprehensible. We ourselves cannot cure its deceitful nature. The only cure comes from its Maker. He sees the pride and selfishness hiding out there and His love and forgiveness are the cure.

I have often been quite sure about what I have wanted. Then, when I have managed to receive it, I find that I did not want it after all. That brings to mind the dog who chases after a car. He has no clue what to do with it once he catches up to it! Because I cannot cure it, I need to follow Someone who knows my heart better than I do. The Lord searches my heart and tries it. As my Creator, He understands my heart. He knows what I really want and what will bring me true satisfaction and fulfillment. He knows so much better than I do what is good for me and what is not.

Lord, do not let me be deceived today. Help me follow Your heart!

(Look familiar? This is a re-worked post from 2018)


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Not So Lovable

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 2:4-5 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”

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Tiger is looking quite lovable and innocent in this picture. But do not let him fool you! He is not so lovable when he has a struggling little bird in his mouth! He is not so lovable when terrorizing a lizard or cornering a mouse! Then there are the times he makes a mess on the carpet from his kills or from being sick. He is just being his own cat self. I show him mercy by not yelling at him or banishing him from the house. I show him grace by continuing to provide for his needs. 

Today’s verse describes God as rich in mercy. Mercy is not getting what one deserves! Because God loves us so much, He took care of what was deserved; the punishment for our sin. His love makes Him full of mercy and grace for us! Grace is being given what we do not deserve. And God did that by making us alive in Christ, so that we are no longer spiritually dead. God did all this, and not because we were lovable!

I sometimes think I am quite lovable to the Lord. After all, I can look pretty spiritual. I can have the right image, say the right words and even tithe and do good works. But in fact, it is only because of His undeserved grace that He has chosen to love me. He, more than anyone, knows just how black my heart can be. He sees the pride and the unforgiving spirit. He sees the flimsy excuses I invent to avoid complete obedience. How amazing that He should love me!

Thank you, Lord, for Your constant gracious love!

(If this seems familiar, it is a reworked blogpost from 2013)


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Like a Kid

Scripture for Today:  Malachi 4:2  “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in his wings, and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stalls.”

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I am not often around farm animals, but when I read this verse I remembered my sister’s baby goat, Sunshine. My sister and brother-in-law had built a home in rural Arkansas in the early seventies, and visiting them, I enjoyed all the four-legged “family members!” Sunshine was just like her name. She was a sweet thing who loved being fed from her bottle and enjoyed galloping around the place. She would kick up her heels when especially happy. I finally understood where our expression came from; “acting like a kid.”

Today’s verse describes calves rather than goats skipping about. The image is of sweet release from their confinement. When the Lord comes back it will be a sobering day of judgement. But for those who fear His name, there will be healing and release. Sin will be judged by Jesus, the Son of Righteousness, and He will make everything right. No evil will go unpunished and all will be brought to light. That joy at seeing right prevail is what is ahead for believers.  The joy will be so intense, we will want to kick up our heels and act like a kid! 

I can get discouraged watching sin seemingly triumph. Or I can live life skipping with joy knowing that one day, right will prevail! There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. (Matt. 10:26) God will not be mocked. (Gal. 6:7) My God is just and will exact vengeance on all evil. (Rom. 12:19) Nothing will ever get past Him. Evil will not win the day and I can look forward to every injustice being settled perfectly and forever.

Lord, thank you that You will make everything right.

(If this seems familiar, it is a reworked post from 2013!)


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Swallowed AirPod

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.”

It is a nice idea to listen to soft relaxing music while drifting off to sleep. But for one man, this peaceful experience sent him to the emergency room the next morning! After trying to drink a glass of water that would not go down, it was suggested that maybe he had swallowed his AirPod. Sure enough, he could only account for one! It took an emergency endoscopy to remove it from his esophagus!

There are many things that can make us feel peaceful. But today’s verse gives the Source of peace. We are encouraged to actively listen to Him. And it begins with a statement of intention, “I will.” Listening to the Lord through His Word takes effort and discipline. How worth it that is when He speaks peace to those that belong to Him! Listening to what God has to say not only gives us peace of heart but keeps us from acting on our own foolish ideas. What a peace we have in His unfailing love and salvation! (verse 7)

So many times I have come to Him in prayer totally agitated and stressed. He speaks peace. Especially in these troubled times, 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! Not only do I hear Him speak peace, but listening to Him keeps me from doing something foolish. Listening to Him daily through His Word is the best way to avoid my own folly. Oh how I need the peace and calm He offers!

Lord, keep me listening to You today.