Devotions By Jan


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The Thiou River

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 46:4 “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.”

We have enjoyed living near a river in every European town we have lived. In Albertville it was the Arly. We enjoyed the Loire in the Orleans area. In the Grenoble area the Drac and the Isère rivers join. We walked along the picturesque Kander river in Kandern.  In Guebwiller we were just  two hundred meters from the Lauch River.  I loved crossing the quaint bridges hanging with flower planters. Pictured here is the Thiou River in Annecy, France, considered one of the cleanest in Europe.

Today’s verse describes a river that makes a whole city glad!  It is found in the city of God where the Most High will make His abode!  On the new earth this river will be clear, pristine and never polluted. This unique river is described as “the river of the water of life.” (Rev. 22:1-2) It will be clear as crystal and flow from the throne of God right down the middle of the city!  It will be a river that leads to His very presence, He who is the only Source of life! No wonder it makes the city and all its inhabitants glad!  

Rivers and the sound of water do lift my spirits. There is something so calming about flowing water. It is beside quiet waters that my Shepherd refreshes my soul. (Ps. 23:2) Near the very end of the Bible is an invitation to this water. (Rev. 22:17) But I do not have to wait until that day for my heart to be glad. Despite negative circumstances, the Lord gives me joy. In coming to Him, God keeps me occupied with gladness of heart! (Eccl. 5:20)

Thank you Lord, that You make me glad!


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The Clinging Jellyfish

Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 13:4 “You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him, and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him and cling to Him.” (NASB)

The variety of shapes, sizes and colors among starfish is amazing! To see their long tentacles floating in water makes them seem eerie and other-worldly. This guy is one of the smaller ones being only about an inch in diameter. He is found off the coasts of the Northeastern states and can easily escape detection being almost entirely transparent. But two characteristics are notable; the orange-brown cross on their bodies and their ability to cling tenaciously to the seaweed.

Today’s verse is a command of the Lord to His people, the Israelites. Together they were to be set apart from all the nations around them and worship Him alone. In no way were the people to tolerate the worship of other gods. To love Him with all the heart and soul (verse 3) was shown by following His commands, listening for His voice, serving Him and clinging to Him. To do that they had to resist the pull of the cultures around them, holding fast to Him.

The Lord asks me to cling to Him as well. Following and obeying Him is a choice that can weaken. My world entices me to let go and live a little! The temptation to compromise and indulge myself is always present, like the current in the water, pulling me away from Him. Anything I value more than Him becomes an idol. But clinging to the worthless idols of this world means turning away from God’s love for me. (Jonah 2:8) Why would I want to let go of the love and goodness He shows me! That effort to hold fast is well worth it!

Keep me clinging to You, Lord.


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Chollo Cactus

Scripture for Today: Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise Him.”

Can a cactus really jump? The chollo cactus is known as the “jumping chollo.” Its barbed spines detach so easily that they seem to jump, hitching a ride on any passing human or animal! When they are finally shaken off, the cactus spine roots where it falls to the ground. What a great way to spread yourself! These cacti are some of the largest and most beautiful but be careful not to be jumped on when stopping to admire them!

Today’s verse describes a heart that trusts in God’s strength, protection and help. This is a heart that finds reasons for joy, so much so that the heart leaps with that joy! Because of our incredible salvation, we can be filled with inexpressible and glorious joy. (I Peter 1:8-9) And like the jumping chollo, this joy can spread! Even in an inhospitable desert soil where water is scarce, the joy of the believer can spread to others! This joy comes as we praise Him for His faithful care.

When I am not feeling this joy it is probably because I am focusing on the dry desert soil around me. I am not happy with my circumstances. The disappointments I am living with are clouding my vision of the eternal. I am not jumping up and down with joy. But that can and does change when I turn my heart towards Him in gratitude for His blessings. Praising Him changes everything! And when that deep-seated sense of well-being returns, I am in a good place to spread it!

Lord, keep me grateful.


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At the End of the Roll

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”

Who would have thought it! First folks were hoarding toilet paper in this time of pandemic. And now, so many months down the line, the hoarding has moved to paper towels! There are similarities in the material being disposable paper and in being on a roll. With both there may be a sense of panic or at least concern when coming to the end of that roll! The French have a saying for running out of money; “au bout du rouleau,” meaning to be at the end of the roll.

For the believer, we need not ever panic when it comes to finances.  Today’s verse gives us a promise.  He will supply all our needs.  His store of supplies will never run out.  One can never come to the end of the riches of His glory. Paul wrote this verse while in prison.  He experienced all kinds of hardship and yet he was able to affirm this truth.  God took care of all his needs.  I am sure that while traveling on his mission trips, he saw God supply all his needs.

I can affirm the truth of this promise.  For the last 33 years in full time ministry my husband and I have seen God provide for all of our needs through individuals and churches.  Some times were leaner than others.  But the Lord has always come through for us. My problem is distinguishing between what is “need” and what is “want.”  God’s Word does not promise to supply all I want.  (I know, I’ve looked!)  He knows the difference.  But He loves to give good gifts and His generosity is amazing!

Thank you Lord for Your faithful care.


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Flame Vine

Scripture for Today: John 15:11 “I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

This beautiful flowering vine is obviously called the Flame Vine for its vibrant color. It grows very quickly and is a native of Brazil and Paraguay. Some stems can be as long as 80 feet! Its vigorous growth will cover fences, trellises, trees and small buildings. When everything else is dying and turning brown in the fall and winter, this vine puts on a stunning show of flame-colored blossoms. In a cold bleak time one can almost feel its warmth.

That beautiful happy color only stays vibrant when these flowers stay connected to the vine. Today’s verse speaks of joy, a much-sung commodity in the Christmas season. Jesus is telling His disciples that the fruit of joy comes as we stay connected to the vine, meaning Jesus Himself. Remaining connected to this source of joy is done through our obedience to His commands. We remain in His love (verse 9-10) through following His commands, enjoying that sense of closeness to His heart. His joy comes through that connection as well, especially as we love others as He has loved us. (verse 12)

There are quite a few props to joy that are missing from my celebration of Christmas this year. Somehow, without some Christmas traditions I can lose sight of my joy. But the joy that comes from connection to Jesus remains and cannot be stolen from this season. His joy is a complete one that does not depend on those outward prompts. His quiet deep joy comes from the warmth of His love and presence. And just like the flame vine I can exhibit vibrant joyful color against a bleak landscape because of His joy!

Thank you Lord, that You give me joy.