your daily crossroad
05
Oct '21
The Lord is My Shepherd
05
Oct '21
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
In this psalm, David is saying that God, who is our shepherd, provides us with protection even when there is danger present.
He knows he doesn’t have to fear any evil because of God’s protective presence.
Just as a shepherd uses the crook of his rod to pull back his sheep from falling, so God does the same for us. The shepherd uses his staff to fight off wolves and other predators who seek to devour the sheep.
How many times has God pulled you out of a pit with his rod? How many times has God protected you from enemies that sought to harm you? Physically and spiritually?
Sometimes the path we are on can feel dangerous.
Thankfully, even if there is danger present, we don’t have to fear. We know our shepherd is right by our side.
God designed us to go through life with Him present in every moment.
Every second of the day.
When you awake each morning, take on your challenges with God by your side.
Know that no matter what is before your path, you and God can handle it together.
Whether it’s a simple everyday task, or distressing circumstances, your shepherd is there with you.
Today, choose to invite Him into whatever it is you are doing or going through. No matter the darkest valley, life will be better having God by your side. He will not let you down!
“Heavenly Father, thank you for going with me and before me in every season of life. Even when I walk through dark valleys and danger is present, I know your protective presence is there to guide me. I know whatever challenge I face, I am equipped to handle it because you and I will do it together. Amen.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
30
Sep '21
No or Not Yet
30
Sep '21
Thank And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)
No prayer of yours is ever unheard or unanswered.
Have you ever felt discouraged thinking that God cannot hear your prayers or that He is ignoring you?
Sometimes God’s answer is “no” or just “not yet.” Sometimes He answers us in ways we cannot see or understand.
God transcends space and time. Past, present and future.
His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.
God sees everything that happens behind the scenes. He sees things from the past, present and future that we cannot. He knows so much more than we ever will.
Be encouraged today that God does hear your prayers and that they do make a difference.
When you feel alone and unheard, remind yourself of God’s endless love for you.
Even when you cannot feel Him, He is there working on your behalf
The love and faithfulness of God goes so much more beyond our feelings!
Trust in His infinite wisdom and that He already knows what you need before you even finish telling Him!
“Heavenly Father, thank you that you hear and answer every single one of my prayers. You already know what I need before I even finish praying. Even when the answer is “no” or “not yet,” help me to trust in your wisdom and sovereignty. Amen.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
28
Sep '21
He is Everywhere
28
Sep '21
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. (Genesis 28:16)
He is everywhere at every time.
Even when you do not sense His nearness with your natural abilities, He is present with you in every moment.
But how do we become more aware of His presence? The answer to this is by spending more time with Him and basking in His light.
It is easy to be succumbed to the restlessness of the world.
The enemy fights us relentlessly when it comes to spending time with our beloved.
The devil knows what will happen if we bask in the Lord’s presence consistently.
Chains are broken off, healing takes place, and revelations are received!
In addition to this, we are transformed and become more like Jesus. The more we bask and soak in the light of the Lord’s presence, the brighter our light becomes for His kingdom.
Because the Lord is present in every moment, He holds your every moment.
This truth helps us to increase our trust in Him because we know we never face any moment alone. Even as you are reading these words, He is present with you.
Your holy Helper and constant Companion, the Holy Spirit, is always with you!
Take time to rest with Him today. Give yourself permission to lay aside every task waiting to be done.
When you spend time with your beloved, do not let time restraints make you rush through your communion with Him. Pause, be still, and allow yourself to bask in His radiance. When you do this consistently, transformation takes place, your awareness of His presence is enhanced, and your spiritual ears become more sensitive to His voice.
Even in times where you feel like it’s difficult to sense His presence and He seems far away… just whisper to yourself the words of Jacob: “Surely the Lord is in this place.”
“Lord, thank you that you are always present everywhere, in every moment. You hold my world in your hands. As I take time to rest with you, help me to be more aware of your presence, for surely you are here with me. Amen.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
23
Sep '21
He Has Girded Me With Strength
23
Sep '21
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. (Psalm 18:39)
You are a warrior for Christ!
Life is full of battles.
In the spiritual and natural realm, we will face opposition and trials.
Forces of the world and kingdom of darkness are restless in their effort to try to pull us away from God.
Thankfully, the Lord has faithfully equipped us with His armor and given every weapon we need to face our enemies!
No matter what we face in life, we know that God goes before us to scope out the battle.
There is no surprising God or catching Him off guard.
This is why even in the midst of warfare, we can place unwavering trust in Him because we know how faithful and reliable He is.
God knows the battles we will face before they even arrive! When you have God on your side, your victory is already secure!
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)
If you’re a child of God and love Jesus, then you already have the victory! The Greek verb tense in this verse for “overcome”, indicates continuous action.
This means we are continually and consistently overcoming the world! Even when you become weary in battle, remind yourself of the God who has endless strength that is on your side fighting for you. Remind yourself of the victory that already belongs to you as a child of God.
As a warrior for Christ, it is important to get in the habit of putting on your armor each day.
Each day, you need to refresh yourself with His word and the spiritual armor that comes with it.
TODAY: Remember you are a warrior who overcomes the world and all that it throws at you!
Knowing who you are in Christ and that Jesus goes with you into every battle, you can rest assured that you will be victorious!
“Heavenly Father, thank you that you have armed me with your word and give me the strength to endure every battle! Thank you for going before me and staying by my side. I can rest at ease knowing that I am an overcoming warrior and already have the victory through you! Amen.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
21
Sep '21
Broken and Contrite
21
Sep '21
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
If you have ever experienced heartbreak in the past or are currently going through it, then you are far from alone.
Jesus Himself is very familiar with heartbreak.
He had to bear the weight of sin itself on His shoulders and watch as the ones who pledged their allegiance and love, turned their back on Him.
Jesus experienced the ultimate betrayal and the complete depth of what it means to be heartbroken.
Jesus experienced anguish so deep that scripture tells us that He “sweat drops of blood” in the garden of Gethsemane.
If you’re experiencing heartbreak, make an intentional decision to enter into the Lord’s presence!
There, you can take the broken pieces of your heart and lay them down at his feet.
Pour out your heart to Him and tell Him everything.
In the midst of your pain, you will find Him.
Out of everyone you will meet in this life, Jesus is the only one who understands you perfectly.
He not only knows everything about you, but He also knows how to heal you.
Take comfort in the Holy Comforter himself, and listen to what He has to say.
Remember, God loves you beyond your comprehension. He has seen all you’ve gone through, not even the smallest detail has escaped His notice!
You are cherished, desired, seen, heard, and loved by the Father!
“Heavenly Father, thank you for healing my broken heart and piecing me back together again for your glory. Thank you that you understand me perfectly and know how to heal me. I love you and choose to take refuge in you! Amen.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
16
Sep '21
Hope, Peace & Encouragement
16
Sep '21
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3)
God, when I feel saddened by what’s happening around me, please show me how I can bring hope, peace, and encouragement to this broken world. You have called me to be Your light bearer – so please help me do that. Use me to spread Your love on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
14
Sep '21
Do Unto Others
14
Sep '21
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
God, change my heart and align it with Yours. In every situation, help me to think about how to consider others as better than myself. Help me, Lord, to look out not only for my own interests – but also for the interests of others. At all times, let me display Your love to the people around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
09
Sep '21
The Depth of God’s Love
09
Sep '21
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (Psalms 18:1-2)
The Lord is the defender of your heart.
When David wrote this Psalm, it was a song of victory and breakthrough.
In fact, this poem appears twice in the Bible due to how important it is. (You can also find it in 2 Samuel 22.)
As a beloved child of God, He is your defender. What does it mean to defend? Well, to defend has numerous meanings… some are: “to cover,” “to surround,” “to guard,” “to safeguard”, “to secure”, “to cushion,” “advocate”, “plead”, and “to protect.”
In your relationship with God, He is all of these things for you!
Because of God’s extravagant love for you, He is VERY protective of you.
Think about some of your loved ones for a moment. If you saw one of your friends or family members being attacked or hurt in anyway, you would naturally jump to help them, right?
God is the same way with us.
When we look at this verse, some people think of God being their protection just in the physical sense. While that is true, He is our defender in so many other ways as well.
He is also our defender from ourselves.
For example, have you ever bad-mouthed yourself, beaten yourself up with insults, and then felt convicted about it later?
Well, that’s the Holy Spirit trying to defend you!
Or maybe the Lord spoke through a family member or friend to stop you from talking bad about yourself.
The Lord does all of these things because you are His child and He loves you.
Rejoice in the depths of God’s love for you. As your best friend, you can count on Him to have your back!
“Heavenly Father, thank you for being the defender of my heart and for saving me, even from myself. I love you Lord, and I choose to sing your songs of victory as I am confident in you as my refuge! Amen.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
08
Sep '21
He Knew Thee
08
Sep '21
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee . . .(Jeremiah 1:5)
Grasp the significance of this verse today!
When God spoke to Jeremiah here, He was informing Him of his calling.
Before Jeremiah was even born, God had pre-arranged that he would be a prophet of the nations.
God created Jeremiah to be set apart.
God has done the same for you.
You have been hand-picked and given a divine purpose for here on earth.
Before you were even born into this world, you were on the mind of your Heavenly Father.
Regardless of how your birth came to be, you are no accident.
You have a unique role and specific assignments only YOU can carry out.
Before you were even one day old, God’s plan for your life was already recorded in His book.
Scripture affirms this. Psalm 139:16 says,
“Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”
Out of all of humanity, there is not one person exactly like you. God created each of us unique on purpose.
Nobody has your same DNA, exact personality, voice or assignment that you have.
God wired you with specific dreams, desires and longings that align with His will so you can be a vessel to expand His kingdom here on earth!
Ask yourself today, “Am I living out my calling with confidence and boldness?”
Because just like Jeremiah, God has set you apart and given you a wonderful purpose!
“Heavenly Father, thank you for helping me to walk in boldness for the calling you’ve assigned to me. I want to serve you with humility and grace. Amen.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord
02
Sep '21
Become Better
02
Sep '21
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
Samwise Gamgee, the real hero in the Lord of the Rings saga, wakes to find his friends surrounding him, and he exclaims:
“Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead! Is everything sad going to come untrue?”
The answer is yes. Everything sad is going to come untrue. All evil is going to be undone.
God is not simply going to dull the pain. God is not going to cover up the pain. God is not going to soothe us or offset our pain. No, every bad thing you have ever experienced will be transmuted into greater joy.
Every problem. Every wrong. Every evil is going to be undone…not simply covered up, but undone.
Somehow, everything is going to become better because it wasn’t right.
Somehow, our suffering and brokenness will make the renewal of all things more glorious.
Tim Keller once said, “God knows and feels what we do. He too wants to see it rewound and replayed differently. He has known grief and sadness, He has wept, He has suffered, He too has died. And because of this, because of a God who came to dwell with us, was broken, died and then rose again whole and holy, we are assured, in His time, everything sad is going to come untrue.”
Take heart in knowing that God knows your pain. He knows your suffering.
The day may be dark, but light is coming. We may be in the midst of a storm, but new and better seas are ahead.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new. Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21: 4-5).
One day our tears, grief, and pain will be nonexistent— not even a memory. It will be a new day, a better day. May it quickly come!
Your prayer this morning, “Lord, I believe everything sad is going to come untrue. Hold me fast until that day.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
31
Aug '21
Radical Generosity
31
Aug '21
Your prayer today, “Jesus, help me be more generous.” Sell that ye have, and give alms . . . (Luke 12:33)
Kingdom people are radically generous people.
In Luke CH. 12, Jesus gives us a picture of what Kingdom people look like, and Jesus is clear—
Kingdom people are radically generous.
When Jesus tells us to “sell our possessions, and give to the needy,” He is trampling on the Old Testament standard of the tithe.
The tithe is simple; things come in, and you give 10%.
As your income comes in, give 10%. When the crop comes in, give 10%. You receive 20 coins, give 2 away. Not radical, simple.
In Luke 12:33, Jesus commands something more, something radical.
Jesus isn’t talking about income; He is talking about assets; He is talking about your life!
Jesus tells us to take the things we own, the things we enjoy, the things we value, and be radically generous.
With one phrase, Jesus blows past the simple practice of the tithe, and He commands radical generosity.
So why aren’t more of us radically generous?
Jesus tells us, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (vs. 32).
Jesus introduces radical generosity by telling us to “not be afraid.”
The opposite of generosity is not greed—the opposite is fear.
People do not practice radical generosity because they are afraid. Afraid of not having enough. Fearful of having less than my neighbor.
Fear, not greed, is what keeps us from being generous.
Yet Jesus is telling us, “drop your small ambitions and trust me.” “Fear not,” He says, “you are Kingdom people with a King’s inheritance.”
Your prayer today, “Jesus, help me be more generous.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
26
Aug '21
My Source of Strength
26
Aug '21
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24)
God, You are my source of strength and peace, and I’m so grateful I can turn to You for help when I need it. Right now, You know what I need. You know where I’m struggling and where I’m thriving. Please help me. Meet my needs today and give me the wisdom, peace and discernment I need to make wise choices that honor You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
24
Aug '21
Make Me Aware
24
Aug '21
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)
God, please continue to shape me into someone who encourages other people. Show me what it means to do good to all people, and then help me to live this out. Make me aware of the opportunities to serve others that You place around me, and help me to act on them. I want every area of my life to reflect Your kindness and compassion. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
19
Aug '21
My Rock
19
Aug '21
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. (Psalm 62:6)
If safety and peace are something you long for, then making your home in the Lord is your answer.
People who don’t know God often turn towards success, fame, self-exaltation and self-sufficiency for fulfillment. Sooner or later, they find their pseudo foundation of self-found stability crumbling apart like sand.
While the world says to follow your heart and your own desires in order to find happiness, security and peace, scripture tells us that God alone is our rock and salvation.
He is the only one who can save us from ourselves and offer true stability and security in life.
Every day we must be diligent in choosing the Lord as our foundation and nothing else.
When we do this consistently, our lives will be secure in His leading and protection.
His wrap around presence will permeate your being and life, further opening your heart to receive His peace, joy and strength.
Know today that the Lord is your rock and champion defender.
Even when troubles multiply around you, you don’t have to allow the enemy to paralyze you with fear because there is never any risk of failure in God!
When you stand firm in the Lord, He will defend you and you shall not be moved by anything life or the devil throws at you!
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you are my rock and my salvation. I choose to make you the foundation of my life. Thank you for always being my champion defender and wrapping your presence around me. In you, I know I am safe and secure. Amen.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
17
Aug '21
The Lord is Nigh
17
Aug '21
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
If you’ve ever experienced heartbreak in the past or are currently going through it, then you are far from alone.
Jesus Himself is very familiar with heartbreak.
He had to bear the weight of sin itself on His shoulders and watch as the ones who pledged their allegiance and love to Him turned their back on Him.
Jesus experienced the ultimate betrayal and the complete depth of what it means to be heartbroken.
Jesus experienced anguish so deep that scripture tells us that He “sweat drops of blood” in the garden of Gethsemane.
If you’re experiencing heartbreak, make an intentional decision to enter into the Lord’s presence. There, you can take the broken pieces of your heart and lay them down at his feet.
Even in the pain of heartbreak, you can find Him there.
Let Him be the focal point in the midst of struggle.
Out of all the people you will meet in this life, Jesus is the only one who understands you perfectly and what you’re going through.
Remember, God loves you beyond your comprehension. He has seen all you’ve gone through, not even the smallest detail has escaped His notice!
You are cherished, desired, seen, heard, and loved by the Father!
“Heavenly Father, thank you for healing my broken heart and piecing me back together again for your glory. Thank you that you understand me perfectly and know how to heal me. I love you and choose to take refuge in you! Amen.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!