Nan Jones

Sparrows Sang, Bickered, Feasted. Then Stood Still

by Nan Jones | Aug 11, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Finding God's Presence, Nan Jones author and speaker | 0 |

Outside my window, the morning frenzy began as multiple sparrows dined at the feeder. They sang. They bickered. They feasted. Worship music saturated the atmosphere of my home as I began my day with Jesus. The Goodness of God began to play: “I love You, Lord. For Your mercy never fails me. All my days I’ve been held in Your hands … ”

I noticed the bickering and chattering had been replaced with silence. Opening my eyes, I glanced at the birdfeeder. I was stunned. All along the iron rods of two shepherd-hook poles, sparrows stood facing the window, their heads cocked, listening. Still. Quiet.

Help Me Walk in the Sufficiency of Your Grace, Lord

by Nan Jones | Aug 7, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Finding God's Presence, Nan Jones author and speaker | 0 |

Lord, You are El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient God. In You, there is no lack. Your sufficiency meets my insufficiency and I am complete — lacking nothing. But on the hard days, I tend to forget this. Teach me to walk in the sufficiency of Your grace at all times.

Your grace is such a blessing — a gift from on high. Your grace strengthens me and bathes me in peace in the unlikeliest of places. Your grace goes before me making the crooked places straight and gives me favor in the here and now.

Even Broken Ground is Holy When God is Near

by Nan Jones | Aug 4, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Christian speaker, Finding God's Presence, Nan Jones author and speaker | 0 |

Several years ago, I needed to be reminded that God is near in my difficult places. I sat on a moss-laden boulder wedged in the soil high above the river streaming through the valley below — a stream flowing in purpose, a stream of life, a stream of beauty even as it coursed over broken branches and places filled with jagged rocks.

It flowed steadily.

Why Am I Despairing, Lord, If I Find My Hope in You?

by Nan Jones | Jul 31, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Christian speaker, Finding God's Presence, hope, Nan Jones author and speaker, prayer | 1 |

Lord, You are Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, and my Prince of Peace. You are my everything. So why am I despairing if I find my hope in You? This battle …

This battle between flesh and spirit is hard. I stand firm on Your promises, I know Your Word is true, but when I allow my mind to wander and my focus to settle on the difficult places … well, despair slinks in.

God’s Abiding Presence Found in Indigo Blue

by Nan Jones | Jul 28, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Finding God's Presence, Nan Jones author and speaker | 0 |

As the light of a new day broke through the darkness, I was reminded of God’s abiding presence. Several sparrows were feasting at the birdfeeder, but they were not alone. An indigo bunting sat in the middle of the tray with them, the dusty cobalt blue of his feathers glistening in the morning light.

My thoughts were on Jesus as I sipped my coffee and watched the Lord paint the sky with colors of coral and blush, but when I caught a glimpse of the indigo blue there amid the sparrows, my heart skipped a beat. I realized the Lord was reminding me I was not alone in my difficult place — He was with me.

I Am Clay in Your Hands God, but the Process … Oy!

by Nan Jones | Jul 24, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Christian speaker, Finding God's Presence, Nan Jones author and speaker, potter and clay, prayer | 0 |

Lord, You are the Potter, I am clay in Your hands. You shape me and mold me into a vessel for Your glory, so it’s good … all good. There is purpose in the shaping, but mercy goodness! Sometimes the pressure is hard.

And yet … what a beautiful expression of Your love. You sanctify us — You shape us and mold us and refine us in the fire so that we might know You more, so that we will become holy as You are holy.

An Ocean of Deep Thoughts and a Persevering Squirrel

by Nan Jones | Jul 21, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Finding God's Presence, Nan Jones author and speaker, parables | 2 |

I grabbed a fresh cup of coffee, its hefty aroma calling to me from an ocean of deep thoughts — thoughts of persevering through the fiery trials. I settled onto the porch swing and tried to relax in the presence of the graceful day lilies swaying rhythmically in the breeze.

My spirit was exhausted from waging battle against life. My mind quarreled with the faithfulness of God; My spirit reminded me of my blessings. I knew the promises of God … I did.

I Will Fear No Evil, But It Sure Does Whisper Loudly

by Nan Jones | Jul 17, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Finding God's Presence, Nan Jones author and speaker | 0 |

Lord, You are my God. You hide me beneath the shadow of Your wing and I am safe. I will fear no evil, but it sure does whisper loudly calling my name, taunting me, causing me to tremble. Sometimes it’s hard to stand strong.

You, Lord, are my refuge and my fortress. Your truth is my shield and buckler, and in Your Name, I have placed my trust. Though a thousand fall at my side, and ten thousand fall at my right hand, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. You have given Your angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways.

So Great a Cloud of Witnesses Found in the Birdsong

by Nan Jones | Jul 14, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Christian speaker, Finding God's Presence, Nan Jones author and speaker | 2 |

I woke early this morning. Grabbing a cup of coffee, I wandered to the couch, sat curled up on the end, and enjoyed a gentle refreshing breeze coming through the open window. The light of dawn burst through the dark of night as birdsong broke through the silence. So great a cloud of witnesses there in the breaking of dawn.

Birds.

None were visible, but all were heard.

Am I Complacent, Lord? Surely Not! Say It Ain’t So

by Nan Jones | Jul 11, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Finding God's Presence, Nan Jones author and speaker, prayer | 0 |

Lord, You are my everything, my all-in-all. I love to tell Your story, to be an instrument of Your peace. But somedays, all of my focus turns back on myself and I don’t want to put forth the effort to walk this journey of faith. Am I complacent, Lord? Is this how You see me?

I don’t want to be complacent.

A Shadow of Remembrance is Hidden, but Not from God

by Nan Jones | Jul 7, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Finding God's Presence, Living Water, Nan Jones author and speaker | 2 |

Sweat dripped profusely after two hours of weeding my flower gardens. I left nothing hidden, not a shadow of remembrance from those despicable weeds. Nothing. I wiped my brow with a cold cloth and plopped onto my porch swing. A gentle breeze passed by. A glass of ice-cold water quenched my thirst.

But my body wasn’t the only thing thirsty. So was my spirit. It had been a long while since I had lapped with abandon at the river of Living Water.

God, You are the Burden-Bearer, Not the Burden-Giver

by Nan Jones | Jul 3, 2022 | bible devotions online, Christian Living, Christian speaker, Finding God's Presence, Nan Jones author and speaker | 2 |

Lord, You are high and lifted up, You are Lord over all the earth! You are mighty, filled with wonder and power and yet You are tender towards Your children You are the Burden-Bearer, not the Burden-Giver.

My burdens are great. Many I know are heavy-laden with burdens of the heart and by the struggles this fallen world creates.

Sparrows Sang, Bickered, Feasted. Then Stood Still

Help Me Walk in the Sufficiency of Your Grace, Lord

Even Broken Ground is Holy When God is Near

Why Am I Despairing, Lord, If I Find My Hope in You?

God’s Abiding Presence Found in Indigo Blue

I Am Clay in Your Hands God, but the Process … Oy!

An Ocean of Deep Thoughts and a Persevering Squirrel

I Will Fear No Evil, But It Sure Does Whisper Loudly

So Great a Cloud of Witnesses Found in the Birdsong

Am I Complacent, Lord? Surely Not! Say It Ain’t So

A Shadow of Remembrance is Hidden, but Not from God

God, You are the Burden-Bearer, Not the Burden-Giver

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