Devotions By Jan


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What To Do?

Scripture for Today: Acts 9:6a (KJV) “And he trembling and astonished said, ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?'”

I remember growing up in this church where all the “cool kids” sat up front on the right. Me? I am sitting on the left with my parents! What a wonderful legacy and impact this church had on my life and the life of my family. All three of my siblings found their spouses in the youth group. And week after week the words of this banner were burned into my soul. The underlying message was faithful submission and obedience to whatever the Lord would want to do with my life.

Today’s verse is the origin of this banner. These are the words of Saul (later renamed Paul) on the road to Damascus. This is his response to the Lord’s revelation of Himself. It is no wonder that Saul trembled with astonishment at the blinding light and the voice from Heaven speaking his name. Because of God’s miraculous confrontation, Saul’s zeal to persecute Christ followers was now redirected to love and serve Him. Saul immediately gives his life over to whatever God will do with it.

Seeing this verse every week made me realize that my life was not my own. The Lord bought me with a price (I Cor. 6:20) and I belong to Him. The price was so high that the only reasonable response is to submit my will to His. This concept is not just theoretical. It impacts my every day and what I choose to do with it! Following what He wants is not always easy, but life sure is not boring! His plans make every day significant. This verse is a question I want to ask Him everyday of my life!

Lord, show me what You want from me today!


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Military Honor

Scripture for Today: Psalm 62:6-7 “Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God.  He is my mighty rock, my refuge.”

It was a moment of honor.  My Father was a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy during WWII.  Last week we buried him with military honor for his service all those years ago.  It was a moving moment to hear the three gun salute and taps being played.  It was an  especially touching moment to see those soldiers saluting the coffin.

The memorial service the next day was entirely different.  It was also a moment of honor as we remembered the life of a wonderful man.  But there was a difference.  In speaking of my Father, we also honored our Heavenly Father.  He had been my Dad’s rock and refuge since 1939.

Today’s verse says that salvation depends on God.  We cannot save ourselves from our sin.  He is the One who in His grace bends down to extract us from the messiness our sin creates.  But our honor also depends on Him.  In addition to redeeming our lives, He crowns us with love and compassion (Psalm 103:4).  David even talks about how God increases honor for him! (Psalm 71:21)

If my life or my Dad’s life is honorable, it is because of the Lord.  Our Creator continually works in those who belong to Him, forming His beautiful character.  The praise and honor ultimately belong to Him!  He makes a life beautiful and worth living. It really will not be so long before I am with my Dad, worshiping and honoring together the One who gave us honor. 

Thank you Lord, that You create honorable lives  May my life honor You today.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2014)


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Playing Darts

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 6:16 (ESV) “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”

When I think of the game of darts I think of the pubs and taverns all over England. But the history of darts goes much further back to medieval times. To keep skills sharp, English archers started throwing shortened arrows during peace time. This pastime eventually moved indoors during inclement weather. The shortened arrows became the precursor to today’s darts. Of course arrows, whether short or long, can do great damage, especially when the tips are coated in pitch and set on fire!

Today’s verse describes a very important piece of the armor of God. The shield of faith is our defense against the flaming darts or arrows of Satan. He will use whatever he can to cause the believer to doubt God. Those darts of doubt could be the result of unanswered prayer. The darts may be the result of questions that remain unanswered. Or those darts could be doubts that question God’s character. Is He really good? Does God truly care? When we take up the shield of faith, we can smother those flames that challenge our faith.

When I take up my shield of faith, I can be confident of what I cannot see. My shield of faith makes me bold, resolute and unwavering in my sure hope. Challenges to my faith come every day in the scorn of unbelievers. But even more disturbing are those negative circumstances that tempt me to forget His promises. I take up that shield of faith every time I take up God’s Word! Those flaming darts can do nothing more than fizzle out!

Thank you Lord, that faith in You is my protection!


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The Tasmanian Devil

Scripture for Today: Galatians 5:15 “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Despite his name I would hate for the Tasmanian Devil to become extinct.  His only natural habitat is the Australian island-state of Tasmania.  Because of his husky snarl and bad temper, he often has what is called a “devilish expression.”  Since 2008 he has been on the endangered list.  The reason?  A cancer called, “devil facial tumor disease,”  which results in grotesque tumors around the head and mouth.  It is thought to be transmitted when they bite each other!

Today’s verse teaches that the words from our mouths can inflict pain and even destroy another.  Life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  So much of what displeases the Lord comes from the mouth, whether it be gossiping, lying, mocking, arguing, criticizing, ….the list goes on.  And each of these has such a devastating effect on the one to whom it is directed.  What is more, the “tit for tat” reciprocity only escalates the problem until both parties are destroyed.

It is only by His Spirit that I can love and forgive the one who has inadvertently or intentionally hurt me.  My memory is long when it comes to hurtful words.  But I have definitely taken things a step further when I want to retaliate.  There might be a momentary feeling of satisfaction but the relationship remains tense and broken.  Forgiveness is so difficult but without it, the relationship is “endangered” and at risk of extinction.  Realizing God’s forgiveness for me helps me get a better perspective on the whole mess.  And His love and His power are there to make forgiveness and restoration possible.  It is just not possible on my own.

Thank you Lord, that You heal those difficult relationships.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from earlier this year)


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United States of Anxiety

Scripture for Today: Psalm 94:19 “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” (NASB)

“We are all in this together.”  It is a phrase I repeatedly hear on social media.  As a society we are divided on so many fronts; political, religious, racial and economical.  But one thing seems to united us and unfortunately it is anxiety.  It may be that our anxiety is only an occasional thought.  Or it may be an underlying state of mind that colors our whole day.  For some, this anxiety is showing itself in disturbing dreams (ahem….) or interrupted sleep.  In any case, it is a natural state of affairs when we feel we are not in control and we do not know what is next!

Today’s verse gives an answer to our anxious thoughts that seem to multiply within us.  The soul can be delighted with His words of comfort and consolation even in the middle of such uncertain times.  We can move from anxiety to delight when we turn to His Word and His promises.  His lovingkindness holds us up (verse 18).  The Lord will not abandon or forsake His people who are His inheritance (verse 14).  Whatever the future holds, He is there and He is faithful.

I am a great one for asking myself, “what if?” or “what then?”  My questions come from a desire to know and control.  But there is no way of knowing or controlling.  And I do not really need these answers to experience delight in the deepest part of me.  Rather, I need the One who does know and control.  He reassures my heart that He has a plan for my future and He is good.  I can let go of anxious thoughts when I spend time with Him.

Lord, thank you for relieving my anxiety.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from earlier this year.)