your daily crossroad
15
Apr '19
The Power of Trusting The Lord with All Your Heart
15
Apr '19
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
If the future feels uncertain right now, and worry keeps occupying too much room in your heart, in your mind, remember this: God is already in all of our tomorrows. He knows our way, and He has a plan. And we can be assured it’s always the best one for us.
God never asks us to figure it all out on our own. He just asks us to trust Him, to recognize His leadership and Sovereignty in our lives. And He promises to make our pathways straight.
– “Trust (be confident in, be bold, be secure)
– in the Lord with all thine heart (seat of emotions, inclinations, mind, soul),
– and lean not (trust, support)
– unto thine own understanding (discernment).
– In all thy ways acknowledge him (know, recognize),
– and he shall direct thy paths (pleasing, right, smooth).” Proverbs 3:5-6
We may not always see what’s ahead, but He does.
There’s great power in trusting Him. For it clears the way for our security to be based solely on Him, not on our circumstances, or other people, not on ourselves, or our own ways of thinking.
He is faithful to lead us and He sees the big picture. He brings clarity and light through foggy times. He knows what’s around the other side of the bend where we can’t fully see. His timing is perfect even when we start to feel like we’ve been forgotten. No matter how we feel or what our current situation may be, we can be confident that God’s Presence will go before us, paving out pathways, guiding and guarding our steps.
Keep choosing trust. Let go of worry, hold on to Him.
What do you need to trust God with today? Ask Him to help you guard and protect your heart from worry or trying to figure out everything on our own. Pray for His Spirit to fill you afresh and give you wisdom to hold on to His Truth.
I was blessed by this devotion today. I pray there are others who needed to be reminded of this scripture today as well. Have confidence in God, trust Him with ALL your heart! He will never fail you.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 3:5-6
12
Apr '19
Talk to Your Tears
12
Apr '19
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5-6)
There is nothing sad about sowing seed. It takes no more work than reaping. The days can be beautiful. There can be great hope of harvest.
Yet the psalm speaks of sowing “in tears.” It says that someone “goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed.” So, why are they weeping?
I think the reason is not that sowing is sad, or that sowing is hard. I think the reason has nothing to do with sowing. Sowing is simply the work that has to be done, even when there are things in life that make us cry.
The crops won’t wait while we finish our grief or solve all our problems. If we are going to eat next winter, we must get out in the field and sow the seed, whether we are crying or not.
If you do that, the promise of the psalm is that you will “come again with rejoicing.” You will “doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his (your) sheaves with him (you).” Not because the tears of sowing produce the joy of reaping, but because the sheer sowing produces the reaping, and you need to remember this even when your tears tempt you to give up sowing.
So, here’s the lesson: When there are simple, straightforward jobs to be done, and you are full of sadness, and tears are flowing easily, go ahead and do the jobs with tears. Be realistic. Say to your tears, “Tears, I feel you. You make me want to quit life. But there is a field to be sown (dishes to be washed, car to be fixed, sermon to be written).”
Then say, on the basis of God’s word, “Tears, I know that you will not stay forever. The very fact that I just do my work (tears and all) will in the end bring a harvest of blessing. So, go ahead and flow if you must. But I believe — though I do not yet see it or feel it fully — I believe that the simple work of my sowing will bring sheaves of harvest. And my tears will be turned to joy.”
I needed to be reminded of this today. I pray it encourages someone today to rise, put your hand to the plow, even with tears, and say with confidence, my tears will be turned to joy and keep moving forward. Be encouraged today. He is always faithful. What an incredible father He is.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 126:5
11
Apr '19
Take Another Look at Jesus
11
Apr '19
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6)
If there ever was a faithful person, it was Brother Justice. He was committed to his marriage, dedicated to his job as a postal worker, and each Sunday stood at his post as a leader in our local church. I visited my childhood church recently, and perched on the upright piano was the same bell that Brother Justice rang to notify us that the time for Bible study was about to end. The bell has endured the test of time. And although Brother Justice has been with the Lord for years, his legacy of faithfulness also endures.
Hebrews 3 brings a faithful servant and a faithful Son to the readers’ attention. Though the faithfulness of Moses as God’s “servant” is undeniable, Jesus is the one believers are taught to focus on. “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters . . . fix your thoughts on Jesus” (v. 1). Such was the encouragement to all who face temptation (2:18). Their legacy could come only from following Jesus, the faithful One.
What do you do when the winds of temptation are swirling all around you? When you are weary and worn and want to quit? The text invites us to, as one paraphrase renders it, “Take a good hard look at Jesus” (3:1 The Message). Look at Him again—and again and again. As we reexamine Jesus, we find the trustworthy Son of God who gives us courage to live in His family.
Father, through Your Spirit, empower us to courageously love, honor, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
This devotion blessed me. Looking to Jesus can give us courage to face the challenges in our lives. No matter what your facing, remember to take another look at Jesus.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 1:16
10
Apr '19
In the Moment
10
Apr '19
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life. . . No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself . . . (John 10:17-18)
The ambulance door was about to close—with me on the inside. Outside, my son was on the phone to my wife. From my concussed fog, I called his name. As he recalls the moment, I slowly said, “Tell your mom I love her very much.”
Apparently I thought this might be goodbye, and I wanted those to be my parting words. In the moment, that’s what mattered most to me.
As Jesus endured His darkest moment, He didn’t merely tell us He loved us; He showed it in specific ways. He showed it to the mocking soldiers who had just nailed Him to a cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). He gave hope to a criminal crucified with Him: “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (v. 43). Nearing the end, He looked at His mother. “Behold thy son,” He said to her, and to His close friend John He said, “Behold thy mother” (John 19:26–27). Then, as His life slipped from Him, Jesus’s last act of love was to trust His Father: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
Jesus purposefully chose the cross in order to show His obedience to His Father—and the depth of His love for us. To the very end, He showed us His relentless love.
When I read this devotion it depicted a very real image of what Christ went through for you and I, why, because He loves us, before we were even born, He chose to die for me, for you. What an example to follow knowing that every word of Jesus was spoken in love. I am reminded of James 1:29, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. May we ponder these questions today, What matters most to you? How do love and obedience fit together?
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 51:1-2
09
Apr '19
Celebrating Creativity
09
Apr '19
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life . . . (Genesis 1:20)
A rarely seen jellyfish waltzed with the currents, four thousand feet deep in the ocean near Baja, California. Its body shone with fluorescent shades of blue, purple, and pink, bright against the backdrop of black water. Elegant tentacles waved gracefully with each pulsing of its bell-shaped hood. As I watched the amazing footage of the Halitrephes maasi jellyfish on the National Geographic video, I reflected on how God chose the specific design of this beautiful, gelatinous creature. He also fashioned the other 2,000 types of jellyfish that scientists have identified as of October 2017.
Though we acknowledge God as Creator, do we slow down long enough to truly consider the profound truth revealed in the first chapter of the Bible? Our amazing God brought forth light and life into the creatively diverse world He crafted with the power of His word. He designed “every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly” (Genesis 1:21). Scientists have discovered only a fraction of the wondrous creatures the Lord created in the beginning.
God also intentionally sculpted each person in the world, giving purpose to every day of our lives before we drew our first breaths (Psalm 139:13–16). As we celebrate the Lord’s creativity, we can also rejoice over the many ways He helps us imagine and create with Him and for His glory.
What creative gifts has God given to you? How might you use them for His glory?
Today’s devotion blessed me when I read it. So often I fail to slow down and just admire God’s incredible creativity. Take a moment today and just admire God’s creativity through every living creature and remember He even sculpted you for a purpose. Make the most of each day He has given you for the good and to further His kingdom. Choose to make today even more beautiful. Creator God, thank You for inviting us to appreciate Your awesome creativity and to enjoy what You’ve given us. Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Ephesians 1:3
08
Apr '19
Second-Wind Strength
08
Apr '19
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
At the age of fifty-four I entered the Milwaukee marathon with two goals—to finish the race and to do it under five hours. My time would have been amazing if the second 13.1 miles went as well as the first. But the race was grueling, and the second-wind strength I’d hoped for never came. By the time I made it to the finish line, my steady stride had morphed into a painful walk.
Footraces aren’t the only things that require second-wind strength—life’s race does too. To endure, tired, weary people need God’s help. Isaiah 40:27–31 beautifully weds poetry and prophecy to comfort and motivate people who need strength to keep going. Timeless words remind fatigued and discouraged people that the Lord isn’t detached or uncaring (v. 27), that our plight doesn’t escape His notice. These words breathe comfort and assurance, and remind us of God’s limitless power and bottomless knowledge (v. 28).
The second-wind strength described in verses 29–31 is just right for us—whether we’re in the throes of raising and providing for our families, struggling through life under the weight of physical or financial burdens, or discouraged by relational tensions or spiritual challenges. Such is the strength that awaits those who—through meditating on the Scriptures and prayer—wait upon the Lord.
When have life circumstances taken the wind out of you? In what particular area do you need God’s strength today?
Lord, I come to You in my weakness and tiredness; please grant me renewed strength. Amen.
After reading this devotion I was reminded of that beautiful hymn, they that wait upon The Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint, teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait. Teach me Lord to wait down on my knees and in your own good time I know you will answer my plea, teach me not to rely on what others do but to wait in prayer for the answer comes from you. Today, whatever your facing, my prayer for you is that you will wait on The Lord, faith believing in prayer. He will grant you renewed strength, trust Him for it. He will provide you with your second wind in life.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 18:20
03
Apr '19
Being Consumed
03
Apr '19
When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. (Psalm 32:3)
In his book The Call, Os Guinness describes a moment when Winston Churchill, on holiday with friends in the south of France, sat by the fireplace to warm himself on a cold night. Gazing at the fire, the former prime minister saw pine logs “crackling, hissing, and spitting as they burned. Suddenly, his familiar voice growled, ‘I know why logs spit. I know what it is to be consumed.’’
Difficulties, despair, dangers, distress, and the results of our own wrongdoings can all feel consuming. Circumstances slowly drain our hearts of joy and peace. When David experienced the consuming consequences of his own sinful choices, he wrote, “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah” (Psalm 32:3–4).
In such difficult times, where do we turn for help? For hope? Paul, whose experiences were filled with ministry burdens and brokenness, wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9).
How does that work? As we rest in Jesus, the Good Shepherd restores our souls (Psalm 23:3) and strengthens us for the next step of our journey. He promises to walk that journey with us every step of the way (Hebrews 13:5).
What are some of the consuming struggles you’ve experienced? How did you respond? How did God meet you in those difficult times?
This devotion blessed me. May this be our prayer today, Father, give me the strength to endure the hardships of this day, and the hope of Christ for the eternal tomorrow You have promised. Amen. He is forever faithful.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 11:28
29
Mar '19
Flourishing Like a Flower
29
Mar '19
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. (Psalm 103:15)
My youngest grandson is only two months old, yet every time I see him I notice little changes. Recently, as I cooed to him, he looked up at me and smiled! And suddenly I began crying. Perhaps it was joy mixed with remembering my own children’s first smiles, which I witnessed so long ago, and yet it feels like just yesterday. Some moments are like that—inexplicable.
In Psalm 103, David penned a poetic song that praised God while also reflecting on how quickly the joyful moments of our lives pass by: “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone” (vv. 15–16).
But despite acknowledging the brevity of life, David describes the flower as flourishing, or thriving. Although each individual flower blossoms and blooms swiftly, its fragrance and color and beauty bring great joy in the moment. And even though an individual flower can be quickly forgotten—“the place thereof shall know it no more” (v. 16)—by contrast we have the assurance that “the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him” (v. 17).
We, like flowers, can rejoice and flourish in the moment; but we can also celebrate the truth that the moments of our lives are never truly forgotten. God holds every detail of our lives, and His everlasting love is with His children forever!
In what way can you flourish in this moment? How can you bring joy to another?
This devotion blessed me. God provides what we need to flourish for Him. I love the word, what an incredible reminder, The Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. Amen!!
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
28
Mar '19
Are You There?
28
Mar '19
I will be with thee . . .(Exodus 3:12)
When his wife contracted a terminal illness, Michael longed for her to experience the peace he had through his relationship with God. He had shared his faith with her, but she wasn’t interested. One day, as he walked through a local bookstore, a title caught his eye: God, Are You There? Unsure how his wife would respond to the book, he walked in and out of the store several times before finally buying it. To his surprise, she accepted it.
The book touched her, and she began to read the Bible too. Two weeks later, Michael’s wife passed away—at peace with God and resting in the assurance that He would never leave or forsake her.
When God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, He didn’t promise him power. Instead, He promised His presence: “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). In Jesus’s last words to His disciples before His crucifixion, He also promised God’s eternal presence, which they would receive through the Holy Spirit (John 15:26).
There are many things God could give us to help us through life’s challenges, such as material comfort, healing, or immediate solutions to our problems. Sometimes He does. But the best gift He gives is Himself. This is the greatest comfort we have: whatever happens in life, He will be with us; He will never leave nor forsake us.
How can you draw on the power of God’s presence? How can you live differently, knowing He’s there with you every step of the way?
Lord, thank You for the wonderful promise that You’ll be with me always. In the midst of life’s crises and routines, may I learn to rely on Your presence, knowing You are walking with me. Amen.
This devotion touched me. I love what it says, the greatest comfort we have: whatever happens in life, He will be with us; He will never leave nor forsake us. What a reminder, an assurance we have in this life. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, Psalm 46:1. He is always faithful.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 6:6
27
Mar '19
Watch Out!
27
Mar '19
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
I grew up in warm southern cities, so when I moved north, it took me a while to learn how to drive safely during the long, snowy months. During my first hard winter, I ended up stranded in a snowdrift three times! But after several years of practice, I began to feel comfortable driving in wintry conditions. In fact, I felt a little too comfortable. I stopped being as vigilant. And that’s when I hit a patch of black ice and skidded into a telephone pole on the side of the road!
Thankfully, no one was hurt, but I learned something important that day. I realized how dangerous it can be to feel comfortable. Instead of being watchful, I had gone on “autopilot.”
We need to practice that same kind of vigilance in our spiritual lives. Peter warns believers not to glide thoughtlessly through life, but to “be vigilant (alert)” (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is actively trying to destroy us, and so we too need to be active, resisting temptation and standing firm in our faith (v. 9). That’s not something we have to do on our own though. God promises to be with us in our sufferings and, ultimately, to make us “strong, firm and steadfast” (v. 10). By His power, we learn to remain watchful and alert in resisting evil and following Him.
Where do you need to be more alert? In what ways will you stay vigilant in following Jesus?
This devotion blessed me. May this be our prayer every single day. God, keep me from growing lazy or too comfortable in my spiritual life. Help me to remain watchful and alert so that I can resist temptation! Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 62:7
26
Mar '19
Enjoying Beauty
26
Mar '19
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
The painting caught my eye like a beacon. Displayed along a long hallway in a big city hospital, its deep pastel hues and Navajo Native American figures were so arresting I stopped to marvel and stare. “Look at that,” I said to my husband, Dan.
He was walking ahead but I hesitated, bypassing other paintings on the wall to gaze only at that one. “Beautiful,” I whispered.
Many things in life are beautiful indeed. Master paintings. Scenic vistas. Inspired crafts. But so is a child’s smile. A friend’s hello. A robin’s blue egg. A seashell’s strong ridges. To relieve the burdens life can bring, “[God] has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). In such beauty, Bible scholars explain, we get a glimpse of the perfection of God’s creation—including the glory of His perfect rule to come.
We can only imagine such perfection, so God grants us a foretaste through life’s beauty. In this way, God “has also set eternity in the human heart” (v. 11). Some days life looks drab and futile. But God mercifully provides moments of beauty to ponder.
The artist of the painting I admired, Gerard Curtis Delano, understood that. “God [gave] me a talent to create beauty,” he once said, “and this is what He wanted me to do.”
Seeing such beauty, how can we respond? We can thank God for eternity to come while pausing to enjoy the glory we already see.
How do you respond to the beauty God has placed in this world? How does beauty reflect Him?
This devotion blessed me. May this be your prayer today. Father, help me in the moments of this day to see and enjoy the beauty You bring into my life as I also look forward to eternity.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 10:5
25
Mar '19
Set Free!
25
Mar '19
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
My mom was the only child born to a 13-year-old single mother in the 1930s. She grew up poor and feeling unloved. My mom was an angry woman who didn’t appear to like being a mom. She raised us the same way she’d been raised, with a harsh tone and little affection. So we grew up feeling unloved too. Around fourth grade, mired in shame and guilt of my own, I began to lash out at others. The girls who seemed to come from loving and caring families became the ones I targeted on the playground after school. I hated those girls. My actions didn’t make me feel better, though. In fact, I felt worse. One summer during Vacation Bible School, I learned about Jesus. I learned that he loved me to the point of death on the cross and that he died so that I would not have to feel shame and worthlessness. I couldn’t imagine someone loving me like that. I finally felt comforted, knowing that someone loved me. I was a new creation. (See 2 Cor. 5:17.) I didn’t have to hate girls whose moms took care of them. In loving others who came from better circumstances than I did, I could actually experience the love of God and become the kind of person God intended me to be.
Dear Lord, give us the desire to show others love as you have loved us and the strength to treat others well regardless of our circumstances. Amen.
This devotion blessed me. I pray it changes your perspective regardless of your circumstances and in return show The Love of Christ and pray for those who treat you badly. You never know what that individual is dealing with. A moment of hate can devastate a lifetime of work, whereas a moment of love can break barriers that took a lifetime to build. Use me today Lord to love beyond my own circumstances and help break barriers that may have taken a lifetime to build for you are The Way, The Truth and The Life. Use me to help others experience your Love so they too can become the kind of person you intended them to be.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 19:14
22
Mar '19
Praise God!
22
Mar '19
All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. (Psalm 66:4)
In the springtime, I love to sit outside alone in the early morning chill to sip a mug of hot coffee, read the word and bask in the sounds of nature. Each creature praises God in its own way. I especially enjoy the symphony of praise performed by all the different birds that live nearby. The orchestra often includes the loud trumpet sounds of Canada geese flying overhead, the high-pitched whistles of black-capped chickadees jostling for a place at our bird feeder, and a lone woodpecker holding down the percussion section in a tall oak tree. Each bird has its own unique sound, but together they generate a beautiful morning chorus of praise. Just like the birds, we each have our own distinctive, God-given voices with which we can praise God. Some people have the ability to praise God out loud for all to hear; some have the same gift of quietly praising God during conversations with others; some are skilled at soundlessly praising God through prayer. Like the birds, we can merge our unique voices and together share a magnificent melody of God’s praise for all the world to hear!
Dear God, help us become more aware of the many reasons for praising you. Amen.
This devotion blessed me. Give God praise, for He is worthy to be praised.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Samuel 7:22
21
Mar '19
Why So Afraid?
21
Mar '19
Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. (Genesis 32:11)
One time in elementary school I said something mean to a kid in my class. Mike was a tough kid and much bigger than I so I expected that when we went outside for recess, he was going to beat me up. I worried the whole day. When recess came I told Mike, “If you’re going to hit me, please hit my arm so it won’t hurt so much.” He laughed and said that he wasn’t planning on hitting me, that he had forgotten all about it. I had worried over nothing. Fear does serve a purpose. If not for fear, we would take foolish risks, endangering our lives. But we can’t fear everything. Jacob cheated his brother Esau out of his rightful inheritance twice, and then ran away for years. When God told Jacob to return home, he feared his brother would kill him and his family. Jacob wasted years fearing his brother’s vengeance — for nothing. Esau had long since forgiven his brother. If we can do something to fix a bad situation, then we should do it. Regardless, we can exercise our faith and turn our worries over to God.
Heavenly Father, we know you care about every aspect of our lives. Help us to trust you more and to worry less. Amen.
This devotion blessed me. I feel we can all be reminded to trust God more and worry less. Today, take a moment and do as today’s devotion says, exercise your faith and turn your worries over to God. Turn your worries into worship and and watch God turn your battles into blessings.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Jeremiah 17:7-8
20
Mar '19
Making a Difference
20
Mar '19
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)
Two mornings a week I take the bus into town. I find that bus ride an uplifting experience. I am constantly struck by the presence of God in the lives of the people around me. The drivers are kind and caring, often waiting for people who are running late to catch the bus. They greet everyone, not just the regulars, and go out of their way to help those with disabilities. Similarly, the kindness of the passengers is an inspiration. If anyone needs help, two or three people will immediately offer assistance — by giving up their seats to those who are frail and elderly, by lifting heavy suitcases, and by helping mothers with strollers and children. We often think that we must do great deeds to make a significant difference in the world. However, my morning bus ride reminds me that small acts of kindness done by ordinary people are just as significant. What a lovelier place our world would be if we all treated other people as we ourselves would like to be treated. We can serve God faithfully every day by showing kindness to one another.
Loving God, use us to show your love through our kind actions and words to people we meet each day. Amen.
After reading today’s devotion I was blessed by the truth of it. Today, may be stop and reflect on this very statement, “What a lovelier place our world would be if we all treated other people as we ourselves would like to be treated”. Be the change you want to see in the world.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Acts 4:12