your daily crossroad

God of Patience

Posted on Aug 12, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: Romans 15:5

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. (Romans 15:5)

Jesus, You did not consider Your equality with God as a way to gain special favors. Instead, You humbly served a hurting world. Thank You for modeling what true humility and love look like. Today, please allow me to follow Your example. Show we what it means to consider others as better than myself, and teach me how to love others with genuine affection, humility and grace. Amen.

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Aug '21

My Strength and Shield

Posted on Aug 10, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: Psalm, Shield. Strength

Aug '21

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psalm 28:7)

God, nothing compares to how great You are! The heavens declare Your glory and the earth points to Your power. You are holy and set apart! You are above every area of my life, and it is by Your hand that my world is held together. All glory and honor belong to You alone! Hallelujah and Amen.

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Aug '21

Hide God’s Word in Your Heart

Posted on Aug 5, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: Psalm 119:11, Word of God

Aug '21

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)

God, in Your presence I find peace and rest. Today, I want to intentionally draw near to You. Help me to hide Your words in my heart. Remind me of Your commands and show me what pleases You. I want to make my life a living prayer to You, so today I choose to contemplate Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Aug '21

Reflecting on God’s Power

Posted on Aug 3, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: His Faithfulness, Psalm 103:19

Aug '21

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. (Psalm 103:19)

God, as I reflect on Your power, I am overwhelmed by how great and kind You are. You created all things, Your understanding is unsearchable – and yet You also care about the little details in my life. Thank You. Today, I want to remind myself that You are near, and You love me. Nothing is impossible for You! Hallelujah and Amen!

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Jul '21

He Delights in You

Posted on Jul 29, 2021 in Devotions |

Jul '21

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

Have you ever felt prompted by the Lord to pray, but didn’t know what to pray?

Or have you ever known you needed to pray, but were unable to?

Thankfully, the word of God says that the Holy Spirit is able to rise up within us and intercede for us on our behalf.

You don’t have to worry whether your payers “sound good enough” or if they meet a minimum word requirement.

There is no fancy formula of religiosity that is needed.

What matters is that we make sure our attention and affections are completely turned to Him with the concerns, petitions and praises of our hearts.

Even the most frantic, inaudible, clumsy and intelligible prayers can be profound and deep when they are birthed from the depths of your heart. Rest assured that God still hears those prayers all the way to Heaven!

Whenever you feel weak and frail in prayer, lean on the Holy Spirit and ask Him to fill your mouth.

He always knows what you need to pray for and is waiting for you to call upon Him!

Many times while you are praying, the Holy Spirit may tell you what to pray or ask for by reminding you of a certain person, thing, situation, or give you a mental image. Never underestimate His ways to communicate with you.

As you go through today, be reminded of what a privilege and wonder it is to be able to commune with the Creator of the universe at any time.

He delights in you more than you realize, and loves when your attention and affection turn to Him!

Even the simplest of prayers like, “Jesus, I love you” are adored by Him.

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Jul '21

The Answer is Prayer

Posted on Jul 27, 2021 in Devotions |

Jul '21

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. (Luke 5:16)

Jesus knew the importance of prayer. Over and over again, Scripture points to the fact that Jesus would “withdraw and pray…”

Tim Keller recently said that “prayerlessness is a sin…” Prayerlessness “comes from a self-sufficiency that is wrong and dishonors God. Prayerlessness is also a sin against our neighbor. We should be engaging the heart of God and the power of God in our neighbor’s need.”

It is any wonder then that Jesus withdrew to pray.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus is trusting the power of God to keep Him, and help us.

Jesus trusts this power because He is always resting in and calling upon the power of God. Even He (Jesus), “who being in very nature God (Phil 2:6),” prayed to God. Prayer was essential to Jesus!

Perhaps today, your foundation is cracking. Your bedrock is eroding. You’ve lost your way. The answer is not “lacing up and trying harder.” The answer is not another bible study or more biblical knowledge.

The answer is prayer.

Confess your need of God today. Make withdrawing and praying to God a part of your daily routine. If Jesus needed to, so do you.

Your prayer today, “Lord, I want with all my heart for you to give me a heart for prayer. Amen.”

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Jul '21

He is Waiting for You

Posted on Jul 22, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: He is waiting for you, prayer, Romans 8:26-27

Jul '21

Have you ever felt prompted by the Lord to pray, but didn’t know what to pray?

Or have you ever known you needed to pray, but were unable to?

Thankfully, the word of God says that the Holy Spirit is able to rise up within us and intercede for us on our behalf.

You don’t have to worry whether your payers “sound good enough” or if they meet a minimum word requirement.

There is no fancy formula of religiosity that is needed.

What matters is that we make sure our attention and affections are completely turned to Him with the concerns, petitions and praises of our hearts.

Whenever you feel weak and frail in prayer, lean on the Holy Spirit and ask Him to fill your mouth.

He always knows what you need to pray for and is waiting for you to call upon Him.

As you go through today, be reminded of what a privilege and wonder it is to be able to commune with the Creator of the universe at any time.

He delights in you more than you realize, and loves when your attention and affection turn to Him!

Even the simplest of prayers like, “Jesus, I love you” are adored by Him.

When I read this devotion it blessed me. I pray it uplifts and encourages you in your walk with The Lord.

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Jul '21

The Power of Thankfulness

Posted on Jul 20, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: Hebrews 12:28-29, thankfulness

Jul '21

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Never underestimate the power of thankfulness!

When we choose to approach each day with a thankful heart towards God, it helps us have a better attitude and kills the root of ungratefulness.

All our possessions and all that we are ultimately belong to Him. Each day we wake up to is also another gift from Him, never to be taken for granted!

Some people sleep-walk through their life in a haze of self-sufficiency and misery. They claim that happiness can only come from Self, yet they never seem to be satisfied.

The secret to being thankful is by viewing the world through God’s perspective.

As His beloved, we have full access to a deep relationship with Him, which also allows us to share His mindset.

All of creation is a reflection of His glory, creativity and love. It is vibrantly alive and a breathing masterpiece of His presence.

Today, instead of seeing things the way the world does – look through His lens of truth, wisdom and love! Doing this makes having a thankful heart much easier and positions your heart to offer up pure worship to His name!

What a powerful devotion. I want to end it the way it began, “Never underestimate the power of thankfulness!” Enough said, Hallelujah!

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Jul '21

Even in the Silence

Posted on Jul 15, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: 1 Samuel 1:13, He hears you, prayer, Silence

Jul '21

Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard . . . (1 Samuel 1:13)

God is neither impressed nor moved by our vocabulary or oratory skills.

But, as always, God is concerned with the heart.

God would say to Hannah’s son, Samuel, “…the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” God speaks the language of the heart.

Have you ever spoke to God without speaking? Where only the groaning of your inner person can be heard? Extraordinarily, we serve a God whose understanding of his creatures extends even to wordless prayers (Rom. 8:23, 26-27).

That God comprehends our wordless prayers is both hopeful and comforting. We serve a God who not only searches and knows our heart, but He hears us when we are too overwhelmed for language. God speaks the language of our hearts.

There are times when I’m in too much pain and anguish to speak words.

There are times that fear and anxiety are so suffocating that I can’t breathe, much more speak.

There are times when I am so exposed that I am ashamed to call upon the name of the Lord, nor could I present Him a verbal prayer.

Praise be to God that in these moments of pain, and weakness, and fear, we serve a God who hears us when we’re too overwhelmed for language.

God heard the inner groaning of Hannah. So likewise, God hears and understands our inner thoughts, groanings, and prayers. In Christ, by the groanings of the Holy Spirit, all of our prayers are honored. Even the ones we don’t understand ourselves.

Even in the silence, God hears you.

Your prayer today, “…”

“Even in the silence, God hears you.” When I read this devotion those seven words stood out to me, incredibly powerful. When you choose to go to God in prayer, He hears you, even in the silence. Make the choice today, fall at His feet and even if it’s time spent with Him in silence or in tears, He hears you, He sees you. Choose Him!

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Jul '21

A Conversation

Posted on Jul 13, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: Key, Matthew 6:6, prayer

Jul '21

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)

No man is greater than his prayer life. It is as one saint said, “the people who are not praying are straying…”

Anyone can be “religious.” So often, that is what Sunday becomes, a shop window where we put forward the best version of ourselves. Church becomes a place where we are more “religious” than “real.”

Yet, in the prayer closet, no one can show off.

There is no one to impress.

There is no one to fool except yourself.

Thus our Lord’s admonition today, “when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Jesus knows that the Father wants real. Jesus knows that the secret to praying is praying in secret. It’s like Drake White said;

“What you love, what you hate.

I’ll take the real, leave the fake.

I want the sinner and the saint.”

God wants us to be “real,” and that begins with prayer. Prayer is not performance. Prayer is not a time to drum up theological phrases. Instead, prayer is petition, simple and simply profound.

A conversation between you and God that begins with you and God. You have needs. You have wants. You have sins that need forgiveness, and you have people that you need to forgive.

Everything that you need and want begins in the prayer closest. That’s the reward— God hears real prayers. God will meet your needs. He will grant you your request. God will answer your prayers (Matt. 7:11).

But those prayers must be real. We do not pray for show. We do not pray to display our piety. We pray to meet God where we are so that He might make us more like Him. So every day, we pray in secret so that God may know us and that we may know Him.

Your prayer today, “God, give me the courage to be alone with you. See me for who I am, not who I pretend to be. You know my needs, God. Help me.”

I recently read this devotion, I felt it was full of such truth and needed to be shared. Prayer is the key to finding peace, joy, love and fulfillment.

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Jul '21

Be Still and Rest in His Presence

Posted on Jul 8, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: His Presence, Psalm 46:10, Rest

Jul '21

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)

As the Lord prepares you for this day ahead, take time to be still and rest in His presence.

The more you persistently practice this at the beginning of each day, the more the Lord is able to gradually build trust bonds between you and Him within your soul.

Much of our anxiety comes from excessive planning and obsessing over the future.

This tendency is so common in the ‘hustle and bustle’ culture of our world today.

Sadly, this habit only hinders our sensitivity to the Lord.

Whenever we feel the urge to anxiously jump into the future, we must resist it immediately and return to the present where His presence is waiting for us.

The more you become accustomed to resisting anxious planning, the more you will be able to receive from the Lord in the present.

He designed us to cooperate and partner with Him in the now.

It is His job to be the one who orchestrates our future path, not ours.

As you take time to be still before Him today, surrender your anxiety to Him.

Know that He longs to take away all your anxiety, as it has no place in His Kingdom.

Jesus already paid the price for your freedom, so that anxiety and stress is His to deal with, not you. When you place it in His hands, He will then cast it off into the sea of forgetfulness, never to be seen again!

Jul '21

When You are Weak

Posted on Jul 6, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: He is my strength, Isaiah 40

Jul '21

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. (Isaiah 40:29-30)

I recently read this devotion and it blessed me so much. I pray it too blesses you…

When you are weak, do not despise your neediness.

Those who are weak with weariness are the ones who can receive His flowing power the most.

The Lord realizes in full measure the depth of your neediness and wounds.

He knows the difficulties of your life-path and the pain caused by others along the way.

How He longs to revive you!

When you come to Him with an open heart and empty hands, He will empower you with the abundance of His spirit, showering you with blessings.

Let Him fill you up with His presence and power, nurturing your mind, body, soul and spirit back to strength.

When you waver in dependence on Him, do not let yourself despair. It is not a sign of a lack of faith, but a nudge and link to His healing presence.

The weakness and opposition you face as well as the attacks of the enemy may discourage you for a little while, but take heart! For the Lord is able to use those weaknesses and oppositions to propel you forward!

But 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; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

If you are feeling discouraged, take it to the One who can fill you up again.

Wait a while in His presence, and He will cover you with His supernatural grace and divine strength. He will raise you up on the wings of eagles, empowering you to finish the race He has called you to!

Jul '21

Every Day Is A Precious Gift

Posted on Jul 1, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: Psalm 118:24

Jul '21

I pray you are encouraged by this devotion, just as I was when I first read it. It’s simple, make time for Him today.

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

Every day is a precious gift given to us by God.

When we invite Him to walk alongside us, there is never any day that is without purpose.

Even the most seemingly mundane and uneventful days can be filled with rich purpose when we look to the Lord for direction.

In the same way, even the busiest of days can be filled with His peace and contentment.

The moment we awake in the morning, many of us have a habit of immediately meditating on our schedule and what needs to be done. Before we even place our feet on the floor, tasks and priorities are already competing for our attention.

However, God wants us to set our priorities in alignment with His will, not ours.

When your mind seems to swirl with overwhelm, stop and seek His face.

The Holy Spirit will help you discern what is most important and what He wants you to do with your time and energy.

This practice will aid in bringing organization and stillness to your mind, knowing you have done exactly what you were supposed to according to the path the Lord laid out before you.

At the end of the day, you will be able to lie down in peace about the things you accomplished, and the things still waiting to be done.

Today, invite Him into all your activities. Despite it being counter cultural, He is attracted to your neediness for Him. When your thoughts and attention turn towards Him, He is delighted! Even the most simple of prayers like, “Lord, I need you,” or “Jesus, please help me,” are enough to help you engage with His constant presence in that very moment.

Rejoice and be glad! For this is a day He has made with you in mind!

Jun '21

You are a Winner

Posted on Jun 29, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: Romans, Winner

Jun '21

I recently read this devotion and I felt it had to be shared…

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (Romans 8:37)

Did you know you are a winner?

You have everything you need to overcome every trial, trouble or problem you face!

We know this to be true because Paul states, “God has made us to be more than conquerors”!

The Greek word “hupernikao” is a combination of “Huper” and “Nikos”. “Huper” means over, above and beyond, while “Nikos” means conqueror. Put these two words together as “hupernikao”, and we have scripture telling us that we are enormous, overwhelming conquerors!

The love of God has given us a hyper-victory, causing us to completely triumph over every obstacle! This is who you are in Christ! A masterful champion who is unrivaled against anything that tries to come against you.

Today, know that you are a victor in Christ. The power of the One who lives inside you cannot be parallel or rivaled by any other force in existence. God’s extravagant love for you has already secured a spot for you in the winner’s circle.

Wherever you go, He is with you and empowering you with His love, so that no matter what enemy you face, you are empowered to conquer it!

Jun '21

Still Your Soul

Posted on Jun 24, 2021 in Devotions | Tags: Zechariah

Jun '21

I recently read this and I felt it needed to be shared…

Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. (Zechariah 2:13)

Stopping, waiting, and being still is becoming more and more rare in today’s culture.

The Lord searches the land, looking for those who are seeking Him above the noisy opinions of man.

When you successfully carve out time to be quiet before the Lord, He is there to meet you in the stillness of your soul.

Do not be discouraged or feel condemned at how difficult it can be to fight for your time with Him. The Lord sees your efforts.

He also sees what others cannot, beyond the surface into your heart, He sees the longing you hold for Him despite the opposition that comes against you.

In the secret place where you meet your beloved, He is able to commune with you and rejoice over your openness to His presence. Furthermore, refuse to allow time restraints or to-do lists hinder your precious time with Him. Many of the things that pull on our minds can often wait.

Today, find time to still your soul before the Lord. Unlike the world around you, He is not in a hurry. Never has He rushed you during your time together, so why would you rush Him? Instead, allow Him to be sovereign during this intimate time, and surrender all hastiness. After all, a patient cannot receive treatment from their doctor if they cannot stay still.

By quieting your mind and stilling your soul, you will be able to receive the abundance of His peace, joy and strength!

devotions

your daily crossroad