your daily crossroad
31
Aug '18
Why Kindness Matters
31
Aug '18
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-6)
Have you ever spent time with someone who’s unpleasant to be around because they’re always complaining and finding fault in everything … even when life seems to be rainbows and butterflies? Sometimes it’s difficult to be around people like that.
Now, imagine the kindest person you’ve ever met. What’s the difference? What is it that makes that person so kind?
I bet if we were to take a poll, most of us would want to be more like the person who’s kind. The Bible has quite a bit to say about kindness. Let’s explore some key passages below.
When we think about being kind, our reflection should begin with God Himself. A beautiful passage that shows this is Titus 3:4-6 and Ephesians 2:7-9.
These couple of passages are jam-packed with great things! God’s kindness is the cause of Jesus coming into the world, the cleansing of our hearts by the Holy Spirit and our eternal hope.
Our salvation is not because we’ve done any good works, but it’s because of God’s grace—an expression of God’s kindness.
Throughout the Bible we are commanded and exhorted to be kind (Gal 5:22; Eph 4:32; Col 3:12), even to our enemies (Lk 6:35). The reason for that is because God Himself is kind, even to those who are ungrateful and wicked (Lk 6:36).
Now that we’ve looked at what the Bible says about being kind, let’s consider some steps to help us as we seek to practice kindness in our lives.
1. Take some time this week and reflect on God’s kindness in our lives. Reread the passages we looked at above (Tit 3:4-6; Eph 2:7-9; and Lk 6:35-36).
2. Examine your interactions with people this week and ask yourself: in what ways have I been kind to others? In what ways have I been unkind?
3. Ask God’s Spirit to show you areas in your life where you need to improve on being kind to others, and then ask for help to overcome those areas.
4. List out possible ways that you might be kind to others, and then set some goals for your week on who you might reach out to others with kindness in your life.
5. Pray and ask God to show His kindness through you this week.
May the Lord be with you this week as you seek to be kind to others!
I felt this devotion needed to be shared because we need to be reminded that in a world obsessed with “getting my way,” kindness seeks the good of others, just as Christ set the example before us all throughout the Bible. Let’s take the initiative today and seriously reflect on those five things mentioned above before we start our day. You never know the impact you can and will make in someone’s life just by showing kindness, even when they may not deserve it in that moment. Remember, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Be His hands extended today and every day.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Hebrews 12:1
30
Aug '18
He Knows Us
30
Aug '18
O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. (Psalm 139:1-2)
Did God know about me as I drove at night on a 100-mile journey to my village? Given the condition I was in, the answer was not simple. My temperature ran high and my head ached. I prayed, “Lord, I know you are with me, but I’m in pain!”
Tired and weak, I parked by the road near a small village. Ten minutes later, I heard a voice. “Hello! Do you need any help?” It was a man with his companions from the community. Their presence felt good. When they told me the name of their village, Naa mi n’yala (meaning, “The King knows about me!”), I was amazed. I had passed this community dozens of times without stopping. This time, the Lord used its name to remind me that, indeed, He, the King, was with me while I was alone on that road in my ailing condition. Encouraged, I pressed on toward the nearest clinic.
God knows us thoroughly as we go about our everyday chores, at different locations and situations, no matter our condition (Psalm 139:1–4, 7–12). He does not abandon us or forget us; nor is He so busy that He neglects us. Even when we are in trouble or in difficult circumstances—“darkness” and “night” (vv. 11–12)—we are not hidden from His presence. This truth gives us such hope and assurance that we can praise the Lord who has carefully created us and leads us through life (v. 14).
Thank You, Lord, that You always know where I am and how I am doing. You know me inside and out. I’m thankful I can count on You to care. Amen.
When I read this devotion it blessed me so much! No matter what your facing today, remember this, no matter where we are, God knows about us. He sees you.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 46:1
29
Aug '18
You Love Me?
29
Aug '18
I have loved you, saith the Lord . . .(Malachi 1:2)
The Israelites questioned how much God loved them because of their time in captivity in Babylon. But that captivity was God’s correction for their continued rebellion against Him. So now, God sent the prophet Malachi to them. His opening words from the Lord were, “I have loved you” (Malachi 1:2). Israel replied skeptically, inquiring as to how God has loved them, as if to say, “Really?” But God, through Malachi, reminded them of the way He had demonstrated that love: He had chosen them over the Edomites.
We all go through difficult seasons in life. We may be tempted to question God’s love for us during those times. Let’s recall the many ways He’s shown us His unfailing love. When we stop to consider His goodness, we find that He is indeed a loving Father.
Lord, You have shown tender care for me over the course of my life. You’ve been present with me in difficult seasons. Help me to always remember Your love. Amen.
I pray this devotion blesses someone today who may be in a difficult season of life. Stop and reflect on the many ways He has shown His unfailing love to you. He will comfort you, He loves you. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 27:14
28
Aug '18
Whom Are You Seeking?
28
Aug '18
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? (John 20:15)
The first person Jesus appeared to after His death was to Mary Magdalene. She had already told the disciples that Jesus’ body was missing. Peter and John ran to see. Peter did see but John saw and believed. The word “believe” means that he put his trust in God for what had happened. None of them had yet understood the resurrection. He just believed that God was responsible for the missing body of Jesus.
While the disciples went home, Mary stayed at the tomb. She wept and stooped down to look into the tomb. Two angels in white were seated there and they spoke with her. She continued crying and questioning and seeking Jesus, despite the actual presence of angels. She would only be satisfied with Jesus Himself. Jesus stood behind her, but it wasn’t until He called her by name that she turned and clung to Him. I can imagine Mary was thinking, “You got away from me once and I am not letting You go again.” Once again, Mary went to the disciples, but this time with a different message. She had sought Jesus and He found her.
The first person Jesus revealed Himself to as “the Christ” was the Samaritan woman (John 4). And the first person Jesus revealed Himself to after His death was Mary Magdalene. If you, male or female, are seeking Jesus, He will reveal Himself to you. He shows no partiality or favoritism. We are all given the same Holy Spirit, and one day, we each will behold our Lord face to face. But as of today His promise stands that if you seek Him, you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart. Whom are you seeking?
Today’s devotion blessed me, it’s so simple, and yet so powerful and life changing. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. He will reveal Himself to you in such a mighty way and your life will be forever changed for the good. Seek Him.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
27
Aug '18
Joy in Sorrow
27
Aug '18
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. (Psalm 138:3)
At some time in life all of us feel the loneliness of sorrow. Mary and Martha were saddened by the death of their brother, Lazarus, and Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Theirs was a loneliness of sorrow. The shortest verse in the Bible tells us that at the tomb of Lazarus “Jesus wept.” He enters into our sorrows.
When we come to Jesus Christ, He does not promise to exempt us from trouble or sorrow. Tears will come, but deep inside there will be a joy that is difficult to explain to you. It is a joy from God—produced by the Holy Spirit. In the midst of trials and agony and tears which come to us all, a supernatural power is given out, producing joy.
Your comfort in times of sorrow, loving Lord Jesus, enfolds me, giving light and hope in my darkness. Amen.
I have recently experienced sorrow with the loss of my grandma of whom was very dear and near to my heart and life but the loneliness that comes with sorrow is something I know my mother is feeling and so when I read this devotion it touched close to home and I felt it needed to be shared. Maybe you are feeling the loneliness of sorrow, I pray this devotion gives you some comfort in knowing that even in times of sorrow, Jesus enfolds us, giving us light and hope in the darkness. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness (Psalm 30:11). He is faithful even in times of sorrow.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 26:3
24
Aug '18
When Fear Creeps In
24
Aug '18
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Psalm 56:3)
When my daughter exclaimed, “Mommy, a bug!” I looked where she was pointing and saw the largest spider I have ever encountered outside of a pet shop. Both the spider and I knew that he would not be allowed to stay in our house. And yet, as I faced him, I found I could not take one step closer to end the standoff. My pulse quickened. I swallowed and gave myself a pep-talk. Still, fear kept me frozen in place.
Fear is powerful; it can override logical thinking and produce irrational behavior. Thankfully, Christians don’t have to let fear of anything—people, situations, or even spiders—rule our actions. We can declare, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in [God]” (Ps. 56:3).
Taking this stand against fear is consistent with the Bible’s instruction to “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5). Our own understanding may lead us to overestimate the object of our fear and underestimate God’s power. When we are afraid, we can depend on God’s understanding (Isa. 40:28) and trust in His love for us that “casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). The next time fear creeps into your life, don’t panic. God can be trusted in the darkness.
Into His hands I lay the fears that haunt me, The dread of future ills that may befall; Into His hands I lay the doubts that taunt me, And rest securely, trusting Him for all.
I was blessed by this devotion. So often we allow fear to creep in but we must take a stand as children of God and claim what’s ours, peace that passes all understanding. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear is a liar.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 116:1-2
23
Aug '18
Hope in Grief
23
Aug '18
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. (Luke 24:31)
When I was nineteen, one of my close friends was killed in a car accident. In the following weeks and months, I walked each day in a tunnel of grief. The pain of losing someone so young and wonderful clouded my vision, and at times I even felt unaware of what was going on around me. I felt so blinded by pain and grief that I simply could not see God.
In Luke 24, two disciples, confused and brokenhearted after Jesus’s death, didn’t realize they were walking with their resurrected Teacher Himself, even as He explained from Scripture why the promised Savior had to die and rise again. Only when He took bread and broke it was it revealed that this was Jesus (vv. 30–31). Although the followers of Jesus had faced death in all its horror when Jesus died, through His resurrection from the dead God showed them how to hope again.
Like those disciples, we might feel weighed down with confusion or grief. But we can find hope and comfort in the reality that Jesus is alive and at work in the world—and in us. Although we still face heartache and pain, we can welcome Christ to walk with us in our tunnel of grief. As the Light of the world (John 8:12), He can bring rays of hope to brighten our fog.
Lord God, thank You for being the light in the darkness. Bring hope when I’m sad and confused, and help me to see Your glory. Amen.
When I read this devotion I was reminded, though we grieve, we have hope in Jesus. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4). I am so grateful that no matter what we face The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:18). Nothing is ever too far out of the reach of God’s grasp so just remember whatever your facing today, grief, sadness, loneliness, He is able to comfort you and bring you through victoriously. Seek His face.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 7:1
22
Aug '18
To Stay or To Go
22
Aug '18
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (John 17:15)
After reading the prayer of Jesus, I realize how far I am from understanding the truth of His message. Jesus prayed that we not be taken out of the world but that the Father would keep us from the evil one. There are times when some of us want to be taken out of this world as soon as possible just to be in heaven with Jesus. When you love someone, you want to be with them, and as Christians, our hearts yearn to be closer to Jesus. Other times, life here on earth is so hard and such a struggle that we want to be taken out just to get out of here. Admit it; we all have felt this way at times. But these feelings are no surprise to the Lord.
Jesus’ prayer to keep us in the world was truly based on love. He has provided everything we need for life and godliness, despite our circumstances. He has given us creation to see His handiwork and understand His unlimited abilities. He has given us His Word that sanctifies us and sets us apart for Him. And He has given us His own testimony as Jesus, Son of God, who walked on this earth and lived in this world. He prayed that the Father would not take us out of this world but to keep us from the evil one. Jesus prayed that we be made one with Him while remaining on earth. At times, it seems impossible to walk against the pattern of this world. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus understands what we are going through. Our only hope is to depend on Him, which is exactly what He wants in the first place.
Where are you today? Do you secretly desire at times to be taken to heaven? Only you know the reasons why you feel this way but know today that Jesus has a plan for you being right here, right now. He loves you and has a plan for your life. Ask the Lord to give you strength in times of trouble, peace in times of struggle and hope when the world seems to be hopeless. Only in Jesus can we stay in this world and experience heaven on earth.
This blessed me so very much. I lost my precious grandma, Barbara, a couple hours ago and as I was sitting here, my heart was aching from the loss of a beautiful person who impacted my life in so many wonderful ways, I felt she still had a good fifteen, twenty years left in her but God was ready to take her home to be with Him and although I don’t understand “the why” I do understand one thing, He is my strength in times of trouble, He is my peace in times of struggle and He is my hope when things in life seem hopeless. No joy we’ve known, we know, or will know; will EVER come close to the JOY that is unspeakable that Our Lord has prepared for them that believe!!! It has been, will be, and IS our Blessed Hope in times of Sorrow!
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 91:2
21
Aug '18
The Power of Imitation
21
Aug '18
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. (1 Corinthians 4:16)
We are masters at imitation. Whether we are copying someone else or they are copying us, we are continually being influenced and adapting our personality to the conformity of others. We may not realize that the things we do or wear or say are a result of imitating someone or something in our culture.
Paul understands these issues when he says to the Corinthians “imitate me.” They were living in the world and enjoying being of the world. Paul knew that they needed a living example to follow. He became their example, a real person from whom to watch and to learn. Paul also knew that their only hope was in Jesus. He was the One they must ultimately learn to imitate.
Second Corinthians 4:18 says that, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Our focus should only be on Jesus Christ our Savior. This world and all that is in it will someday be gone. Where will you be when this happens? Do you choose your friends wisely, those who set the example in Christ as Paul did? Or are you influenced more by the world’s temporary offerings, instead of Christ’s eternal promises? How accountable are you to set godly examples for those who are imitating you? Ask the Lord to help you become the role model and example that He wants you to be for others. His Holy Spirit will guide you in this role.
When I read this devotion it made me stop and reflect on the example I’m setting in my own life. I pray I show more patience, love, forgiveness and understanding. We must be aware of the enemies devices to sift us as wheat, we must be aware of the example our actions and our words are setting for those who are watching, you may be the only Bible that others read. Ask yourself, what are they reading? Time is short, Matthew 24:37-39 says, But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Let us not be as the fool, eating and drinking, giving no thought to the importance of ones salvation and eternity. I pray we all have a stronger desire to be His servant. We must live each and every day to obey his commandments. My prayer today is that many are encouraged to seek God and ask The Holy Spirit to guide you in becoming the role model and example that He wants you to be. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Hebrews 10:35
20
Aug '18
Our Father Helps Us
20
Aug '18
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. (1 Corinthians 2:3)
My children come to me the quickest and the loudest when they are weak, fearful or trembling. Someone knocked them down, something scared them or something just does not “seem fair.” As they bare their concerns and worries to my listening ear, they regain composure to walk right back into the same exact situation. Usually nothing has changed, neither the circumstances nor the playmates, but by expressing those concerns to me, they were changed.
We need to remember that God is our heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to come to Him and bare our souls. It is in those times of weakness, fear and trembling that we need to learn to talk to Him. We need His strength to get back out there again. I pray for this frequently. Why? Because, like Paul, I have found in my walk with Christ that, “when we are weak then He is strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). God’s strength is made perfect, or complete, in weakness. In times of helplessness and panic, I find hope and peace only when giving those burdens to Christ. And after sensing His strength and power flowing through that weakness, fear and trembling, I know without a doubt that the living God alone has heard my cry. The situation or circumstance may not change but I change and when I change, He gets the glory.
Today, give God whatever situation is making you feel weak, fearful and helpless. Ask Him to fill you with His power and wisdom. Ask Him to work a miracle and change the situation, or ask Him to just change you–which also would be a miracle. Record it and watch what God does.
Pray about it: Oh Lord, I pray that You may increase and I may decrease (John 3:30). I pray that your power may be perfected in my weakness, for I know that when I am weak, You are strong. I want to draw from Your strength today. Use me for Your glory.
This devotion reminded me of what was preached in church yesterday, I must decrease so He can increase in my life. I am reminded of Hebrews 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”. God is wanting us to reach hearts and lives for His glory but we must first decrease. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). He is greater than I.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 16:8
17
Aug '18
A Gentle Answer
17
Aug '18
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
If a gentle answer turns away wrath, why do we choose to say harsh words? We hear harsh words everywhere we go. People seem to be so angry these days. The southern California freeways are notoriously known for drivers having “road rage.” I do not even want to know what kinds of words are being spoken in the cars of others while driving.
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Our mouths are speaking right from our hearts. The difficulty with having a “gentle answer” is that the character trait of self-control has to be developed first. If we look at the fruits of the Spirit, the last one is self-control. It starts with love and ends with self-control. We all have the ability to speak gentle and kind words to each other when we want to be kind and loving. However, we do not want to be gentle and kind when we have been criticized or mistreated. These situations require self-control so we can watch our words and answer with gentleness and kindness.
I pray for self-control daily. Not only do I not want to regret my words, but also I really want my heart to reflect the Lord. I see the Lord’s reflection in me when I hear the words that come from my heart. Listen to yourself today. What kind of words do you use? What kind of tone or attitude do you have? Are your words edifying and encouraging or destructive and negative? Then, when you get angry, evaluate your words again. God wants us to have peace: He left it and He gave it. Anger is not a sin but stirring anger up is. Pray for the Lord to take hold of your heart to help you to hold your words. Pray for self-control of your tongue.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
16
Aug '18
The Gift of Time
16
Aug '18
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25)
I headed into the post office in a big hurry. I had a number of things on my to-do list, but as I entered I was frustrated to find a long line backing up all the way to the door. “Hurry up and wait,” I muttered, glancing at my watch.
My hand was still on the door when an elderly stranger approached me. “I can’t get this copier to work,” he said, pointing to the machine behind us. “It took my money and I don’t know what to do.” Immediately I knew what God wanted me to do. I stepped out of line and was able to fix the problem in ten minutes.
The man thanked me and then left. As I turned to get back in line, it was gone. I walked straight to the service counter.
My experience that day reminds me of Jesus’s words: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).
My wait seemed shorter because God interrupted my hurry. By turning my eyes to others’ needs and helping me give of my time, He gave me a gift. It’s a lesson I hope to remember, next time I look at my watch.
Heavenly Father, all of the time I have is in Your hands, a gift from You. Please show me how to use it to bring glory and honor to You. Amen.
When I read today’s devotion I was reminded that sometimes our to-do list does need to wait. Don’t be so busy in your everyday life that you miss out on the opportunities that God has to use you in the most outstanding way. Be a blessing to others in whatever way He desires to work through you. Be available, even in the most “inconvenient” moments. You never know the impact you will make to bring glory and honor to God. Time is a gift.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 18:21
15
Aug '18
He Won’t Leave You There
15
Aug '18
Mark 4:35-41
Exodus 14:21-29
You don’t have to be alive very long to hit some rough waters. Everybody’s boat gets rocked from time to time. The wind blows like crazy and you might even take on water. The temptation is to freak out and wonder how—or if—you’ll make it to the other side.
Storms are part of the journey. For me, one of the hardest things is dealing with stuff I can’t fix. I’m tempted to try anyway, but the older I get, the more I realize it just doesn’t work. Some situations are above my pay grade. My fixes are nothing but thick patches on threadbare jeans. They don’t hold very long. I need God to set things right. He’s the only One who can get me unstuck and take me to the other side.
Does that sound familiar? Are certain circumstances getting worse the more you work on them? Are they starting to look like a permanent part of your scenery?
I know what that feels like, but I know this: you can get unstuck if you keep your faith moving. God’s got you. He won’t leave you there. He’s in your boat and He’ll go through the storm with you. When you get to the other side of it, you’ll be stronger for having made the journey.
If you’re in rough waters and you can’t see the other side, think back to all the times you saw no way out. Remember how He parted the sea, or brought life to something dead, or gave you the strength to take another step. You thought it was “The End,” but Jesus made a way for you—out of no way out.
Your past victories weren’t just for the past, they’re reminders of how God makes the impossible possible. You can draw strength from them. Today’s storm doesn’t have to paralyze you. He’s a good God and He’s with you. For sure, He won’t leave you there.
When I read this I felt it needed to be shared for someone to read and be encouraged today. Remember, He won’t leave you there. No night is too dark, No battle is too hard, No situation is too hopeless, No chains are too strong with Jesus by your side.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 12:2
14
Aug '18
He Knows What He’s Doing
14
Aug '18
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. (Job 1:20-22)
These are crazy times. Every day, things happen that we can’t explain, and every day we ask, “Why?” Again and again, we come up short of the answers. At least I do.
This life is a troubled land where sickness and heartache do not discriminate. Some wonderful people are suffering this very minute. I wish I understood it or had some way to fix their troubles, but all I can do is take their hands in mine.
Maybe the hardest question for us Christians is “Why?” We either avoid it altogether or beat our brains in trying to figure things out, but there are two things we know for sure, and they’re big. First, this is not our home. The day is coming when our Father will wipe away every tear and all suffering will cease, (Revelation 21:4). Second, we’re not alone, even when we think we are.
Maybe you feel like God has forgotten you. It might be hard to “see” Him or hear His voice right now, but that doesn’t mean He left you. He never will—never. If you feel like you’re the only one who’s in a mess, you’re not. You’d be surprised to know how many people—neighbors, friends, and even movie stars—feel just like you do.
The enemy of your soul is slick. He wants you to think you’re the only one – but that’s a lie. You’re not the first and you won’t be the last. You’re not alone, either. Jesus promised never to leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 3:5). When things go haywire, turn to Him and say, “I don’t understand what’s going on, but I will bless You, Lord. I am Yours and You are mine. I trust You in all things.”
Take cover in Jesus. He is one hundred percent trustworthy, and He knows exactly what He’s doing.
I read this devotion a couple days ago and when I woke this morning to put the daily devotion together, I kept being drawn back to this particular devotion, it wasn’t what I had planned to post today but God’s ways are much higher than my ways and I want to be obedient. Someone out there needs to read this and I trust His direction so His direction I will follow and trust Him to take care of the rest. Whatever your facing today just remember, He knows what He’s doing, Trust Him.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 4:23
13
Aug '18
Knowing Christ
13
Aug '18
But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. (John 9:18)
To open the eyes of the blind was a clear sign that Jesus was the Messiah. The religious leaders knew that no one could open the eyes of the blind. However, they did not believe that the man had really received his sight until his parents confirmed the fact that he had been born blind. The Jews choose to not believe that Jesus healed his sight.
Today, Jesus is still performing miracles as He gently touches us and others. He is still answering prayers on a daily basis. Nevertheless, like the Pharisees, we do not always appreciate the work of God because of the hardness of our own hearts. We personally want to tell God what He can and cannot do. We want to challenge the miracles and call them “coincidences” or deny that a miracle happened at all. We talk Christianity and try to exclude the “Christ.”
I had a man say to me once that he tried “that Christianity stuff and it did not work”. He went on to tell me that he read the Bible, prayed and did good works within the church but it was only a phase. I then asked him the following questions: “Have you ever gotten down on your knees, begging God to cleanse you from your sins? Have you ever told the Lord that you only desired to live for Him, to serve Him and to follow Him wherever He wanted? Have you ever had such a hunger and thirst to read His words that He placed within His book just to get to know Him better? Did you ever want Jesus more than you wanted anything else and desired to please Him in everything you did?” He clearly and quickly answered, “NO.” And I said, “Then I don’t think that you ever came to know Jesus, and without Jesus, there is no Christianity.” Christianity without Christ is just a lot of wasted time and effort, doing some good things that do not really matter. Jesus does not need us to do anything. He wants us to come to Him, listen to Him and enjoy His fellowship.
There are many reasons why we may want to be religious. God does not want our actions; He wants our hearts. When our hearts align with His, our actions will follow to please Him. No one has to pretend or try to act like a Christian. As you believe in Him, He will change you. Pray that your heart will stay soft to recognize the works of God in your life. Pray that the miracles of Jesus make a difference in your day and affect the lives of others. Pray that you see Him moving in you, touching you and healing you from the depths of your heart today. Jesus wants to gently and quietly love on you. God does not need you to play Christianity. God wants you to know Christ.
When I read this I felt it was so powerful and something we all need to read and be reminded of. Today, stop and ask yourself those questions and answer them honestly then seek His face through prayer, fasting and reading your word. How well do you know Him?
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 27:1