your daily crossroad
Do Some Counting Today!
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! (Psalm 139:17)
Often I become so immersed in things I haven’t finished or things I don’t have that I fail to see all the good things around me. I have forgotten to count the new friends made this year and the answered prayers received, the tears of joy shed and the times of laughter with good friends.
My ten fingers are not enough to count all that God gives me day by day. “Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered” (Ps. 40:5). How can we even begin to count all the blessings of salvation, reconciliation, and eternal life?
Let us join David as he praises God for all His precious thoughts about us and all He has done for us, when he says, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee” (139:17–18).
Let’s learn to count again!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 139:14-18
Pray for others!
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (John 17:11)
I recently read…
Hours before Judas betrayed Him, Jesus prayed for His disciples. “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:11). Knowing what was about to happen, Jesus looked beyond Himself to focus on His followers and friends.
During our times of illness and distress, we long for and need the prayers of others. How those prayers help and encourage us! But may we also, like our Lord, lift our eyes to pray for those around us who are in great need.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is John 17:6-19
Reflect
Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the Lord . . .(Numbers 33:2)
Numbers 33 is a chapter in the Bible we might pass by without reflection. It appears to be nothing more than a long list of places tracing Israel’s pilgrimage from Rameses in Egypt to their arrival in the plains of Moab. But it must be important because it’s the only section in Numbers that follows with the words: “Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the Lord . . .” (v. 2).
Why keep a record of this? Could it be that this list provides a framework upon which the Israelites emerging from the wilderness could retrace that forty-year journey in their thoughts and recall God’s faithfulness at each location?
I envision an Israelite father, sitting near a campfire, reminiscing with his son: “I will never forget Rephidim! I was dying of thirst, nothing but sand and sage for hundreds of miles. Then God directed Moses to take his staff and strike a rock—actually a hard slab of flint. I thought, What a futile gesture; he’ll never get anything out of that stone. But to my amazement water gushed out of that rock! A generous flow that satisfied the thirst of the thousands of Israelites. I’ll never forget that day!” (see Ps. 114:8; Num. 20:8–13; 33:14).
So why not give it a try? Reflect on your life—stage by stage—and remember all the ways God has shown you His faithful, covenant love.
Count your many blessings, name them one by one. Johnson Oatman Jr.
This devotion intrigued me because I would have been the one to pass by without giving it much reflection but after reading this devotion it gave me a much different light to the purpose and meaning behind Numbers 33 and I read it with a desire to understand the why and where. It has provoked me to give each chapter in God’s word a chance, even the ones that I may think don’t need much reflection, if it’s in The Bible, there is purpose and reason and it’s up to me to research it, dig deeper and find the meaning behind why God felt it to be of importance to add whatever it may be to the Bible. If it’s in the Bible then there is meaning and purpose.
Let us take the time today and count our many blessings and name them one by one. Take time to reflect on your life today.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Numbers 33
He is in control!
It makes me laugh that the disciples are described as terrified AFTER Jesus calmed the storm. We mere mortals are sometimes less afraid to die at the hand of what we know then to be saved by what we cannot comprehend. But thankfully, Jesus teaches us to trust in His powerful hand. The hand with the power to calm the seas is the same hand that will wipe every tear from our eyes. When we fear the power of the Lord, it ought not be a dreading fear but a respectful fear. Yes, He could destroy us with one gesture, but instead He draws us close and protects us.
When we are held in the hand of God, we ought to act and speak with great courage. The threats of a world that can be quelled merely by His voice have nothing to fatally wound us with. The world has the power to inflict temporary wounds, but the Lord will bring a permanent end to its evil.
Jesus has shown us His power many times, if we have the eyes to see it. The disciples had certainly seen Him perform miracles and yet they still feared a storm when the Creator of the wind and rain sat among them. Our perspective can be so near-sighted sometimes. We become paralyzed by fear of the bad things happening before us because we fail to look beyond the temporary circumstances to the One who is sovereign over all.
Granted, this is much easier said than done. It can be hard to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus when the struggles of life keep yanking on us and screaming for our attention. But we will be far better able to address our struggles when we have the proper perspective. When we look at the Eternal One, we will remember that whatever else needs our attention is merely a light and momentary trouble. He is eternal and real. This life is very real, but it is also very short. Focusing all our energy on the moment when eternity lies before us is a silly waste.
We ought to present ourselves before Jesus Christ and say “Lord, you are forever good and in control of all. Look at this storm that is before me and do what You alone can do.” Then we can sit back and watch Him work in His perfect timing, trusting in His loving, powerful hands. The alternative is to panic as the disciples did. To act as though our world is ending and that Jesus is stuck along for the ride with us instead of realizing that He is in control of the car. The perspective is entirely up to us.
Amen.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Mark 4
Light of The World!
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14)
I recently read this and I felt it was worth sharing. Not long ago I went to a seamstress to have some clothing altered. As I entered her shop I was encouraged by what I saw on the walls. One sign read, “We can mend your clothes but only God can mend your heart.” Near it was a painting of Mary Magdalene weeping in anguish as the risen Christ was about to reveal Himself to her. Another sign asked, “Need prayer? Let us pray with you.”
The owner told me that she had run this small business for fifteen years. “We’ve been surprised how the Lord has worked here through the statements of faith we have posted in different places. A while back someone trusted Christ as their Savior right here. It is amazing to watch God work.” I told her I too was a Christian and commended her for telling others about Christ in her workplace.
Not all of us are able to be so bold in our workplace, but we can find many creative and practical ways of showing others unexpected love, patience, and kindness wherever we are. Since leaving that shop, I’ve been thinking about how many ways there are to live out our Lord’s statement: “Ye are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14).
Dear Father, use me to be a light today to the world around me. I love You and want others to know and love You too. Amen.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 5:1-16
Change
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit . . .(Ezekiel 18:31)
When God created humans, He didn’t make robots. God made us in His image, and this means we can think, reason, and make decisions. We’re able to choose between right and wrong. Even if we have made a habit of disobeying God, we can decide to redirect our lives.
When the ancient Israelites found themselves in trouble with God, He spoke to them through the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel said, “Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. . . . and make you a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezek. 18:30–31).
This kind of change can begin with just one choice, empowered by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:13). It might mean saying no at a critical moment. No more gossip. No more greed. No more jealousy. No more ___________. (You fill in the blank.) If you know Jesus, you’re not a slave to sin. You can choose to change, and with God’s help, this personal revolution can start today.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Ezekiel 18:25-32
Fear
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)
This has always been one of the hardest things for my heart to process. Mentally, I know that God loves me and that He isn’t out to get me, but I still fear the bad things that He may allow to happen to me in this broken world. I am still a work in process, slowly being perfected in the love of Jesus. But in the meantime, how should I, and others like me who struggle with fear, answer the fears of my own heart and the doubt in God’s perfect love that causes those fears?
First, we ought to remind ourselves that God is powerful and loving. God’s power goes beyond our comprehension of power and His love is beyond our understanding. This means that what God allows in our lives, even that which we fear most, is only allowed because He loves us and wants the ultimate best for us.
Second, we ought to remember that God is no stranger to fear or to painful situations. Jesus experienced mass alienation by His community, was betrayed by His closest friends, abused by society and the government and ultimately killed in a horrific and painful way. He begged the Father to remove the burden of the cross from His shoulders. He knew fear and anxiety. He understands when we feel those same things. We do not follow an unsympathetic, uncaring God. We follow a God who has wept bitterly and who has promised to one day wipe every single tear from our eye.
Some of us fear things that may never come to pass and we can become paralyzed by our fears and anxiety. And walking through this process mentally and emotionally can be difficult, especially when we have to do it time and again. But we have been called to pick up the cross and follow Him. Nelson Mandela said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” We can feel fear and yet move on in spite of it, trusting that someday, we will be forever united with Christ in a place where fear cannot exist and where we are finally and fully made perfect and fearless in the love of Jesus.
Our Journey!
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:18)
Certainly “a journey” describes life in this broken world. On the way we encounter mountains and valleys, rivers and plains, crowded highways and lonely roads—highs and lows, joys and sorrows, conflict and loss, heartache and solitude. We can’t see the road ahead, so we must take it as it comes, not as we wish it would be.
The follower of Christ, however, never faces this journey alone. The Scriptures remind us of the constant presence of God. There is nowhere we can go that He is not there (Ps. 139:7–12). He will never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5). Jesus, after promising to send the Holy Spirit, told His disciples, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18).
The challenges and opportunities we face on our journey can be met confidently, for God has promised us His never-failing presence.
Heavenly Father, thank You that You not only know the path I take, You walk it with me. Help me to rely on Your presence, help, and wisdom every day of my journey through life.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.
The LORD replied:
Have a wonderful day in The Lord and remember He is carrying you.
Today’s Reading is John 14:16-21
Waiting and Trusting
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)
God has a purpose and plan for your life, and His timing is perfect. Sometimes He answers our prayers with “yes” or “no.” But at other times, He says, “Not now.” When this is the case, we can avail ourselves of the rich rewards that come while we wait.
One very practical blessing is that God strengthens us as we lean on Him during delays. Isaiah 40:31 describes an eagle soaring—an apt metaphor for how the believer who abides in the Lord will be lifted and sustained by His Spirit.
When we are facing a difficult decision, the real key is learning to wait. There is no verse of Scripture that tells us to take control and fight our own battles. God is the one who fights them on our behalf (2 Chronicles 20:15). We are to be patient and trust in Him.
When David faced his greatest battles, he waited upon the Lord. God delivered him from destruction and set his feet on solid ground (Psalms 40:1-3). He will do the same for you. When you abide in Him, He gives supernatural energy to accomplish the things He requires of you—His Spirit does for you what you cannot do for yourself.
In reading through the Scriptures, we see that every time one of God’s saints gains a victory, he or she is waiting and trusting in the Lord. You can likewise experience triumph in your life. When you have the omnipotent Creator of the universe acting on your behalf, you can’t lose.
I felt this devotion was fitting for what many may be going through right now. It’s so easy to allow the enemy to creep in and discourage. Discouragement can become a heavy weight to bare but it’s not meant for us to bare, the enemy would love nothing more than to convince you that you are to fight your own battles but it’s in those moments when he tries to discourage you and overwhelm you with the unknown that you remind him that God is the one who fights the battle on your behalf and you can’t lose. Wait patiently on The Lord and you will experience complete victory. One thing I have found on my journey with God is even when God says no or not now, even if it turns out the complete opposite of what I expected, God’s outcome far surpasses my greatest expectation. Remember, delays are not defeats. Allow the Lord to renew your strength today, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. He is fighting for you, take His hand today and trust Him.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 40:28-31
Encouragement
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. (1 Thessalonians 4:1)
I recently read. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians he motivated them not with an award but with words of encouragement. He said, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more” (1 Thess. 4:1). These Christians were pleasing God through their lives, and Paul encouraged them to continue to live more and more for Him.
Maybe today you and I are giving our best to know and love and please our Father. Let’s take Paul’s words as an incentive to continue on in our faith.
But let’s go one step further. Who might we encourage today with Paul’s words? Does someone come to mind who is diligent in following the Lord and seeking to please Him? Write a note or make a phone call and urge this person to keep on in their faith journey with Him. What you say may be just what they need to continue following and serving Jesus.
Dear Lord, thank You for encouraging me through Your Word to keep living for You. Help me to encourage someone in my path today who needs an encouraging word to keep the faith and to continue following and serving You. May I be a light in someone’s day today. Amen.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
He will help you!
For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. (Isaiah 41:13)
I recently read. Our Lord God is sovereign and in control of all things. He is all-powerful and all-loving toward us. When we are staring something truly scary in the face, He wants us to remember His promise: He will help us. We don’t need to be afraid because the One who is in control of all is on our side.
The physical image of God’s reassurance is of Him taking hold of our hand. He is holding our hand and walking us through the fire. But God doesn’t take just any hand. He takes the right hand. In the Bible the right hand is mentioned quite often. Why? Because the majority of us are right-handed. We use our right hand the most. It is our strong hand, our action hand. And it’s that hand that God takes hold of. He is not only telling us not to fear and that He will help us, but by taking hold of our hand of action, He reminds us yet again who is in control. Spoiler alert: it’s not us.
God holds onto our right hand so we can have the reassurance of His comfort and presence and so we can be right next to Him watching as HE, not us, HE, fights for us, shields us and saves us. Without our hand we are useless to defend ourselves which is a reality. We are not capable of saving ourselves which is why we require a Savior to do it for us. And praise Him that we have one! Because of Jesus Christ, we can release our sense of control to the One who is actually in control and trust in Him to help us out of our fear and into the peace that comes with His presence and touch.
Thank You God, You are in control of all things and it’s not for me to fight any battle alone but to trust in You and You alone, not myself or anyone or thing but You. You watch over me, You shield me and You fight my battles. God, You are my protector. Help me Lord to be still and know. Amen.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 41:10-13
Sacrifice
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
Just as one man’s sin (Adam’s) brought condemnation to the world, so one Man’s righteousness (Jesus’s) brought salvation to those who believe (Rom. 5:12–19). Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
John makes it more practical when he says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16). This won’t likely mean literal death, but as we align our lives with Jesus’s example of sacrificial love, we find that we are “laying down our lives.” For instance, we might choose to deprive ourselves of material goods in order to share them with others (v. 17) or make time to be with someone who needs comfort and companionship.
Who do you need to sacrifice for today?
In what ways have others sacrificed for your well-being?
When I read this it truly blessed me today. I took a moment and instantly thought of the many people in my life that have sacrificed, sacrificed time and material good to comfort me and help me in times of need and continue to. I am blessed beyond measure to be surrounded by family and friends who care so much. May I in return pay it forward to those in need. May I show love and appreciation for all the good in my life, family and friends included. Thank You Lord for laying down your life for me. Your love is unmeasurable. Amen!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 John 3:16-17
Nabal
On the run from Saul, David had provided security detail for the sheep of a wealthy man named Nabal. When David learned that Nabal was shearing those sheep and celebrating with a feast, he sent ten of his men to politely ask for food as remuneration for these duties (vv. 4–8).
Nabal’s response to David’s request was beyond rude. He said, “Who is David? . . . Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?” (vv. 10–11). He broke the hospitality code of the day by not inviting David to the feast, disrespected him by calling out insults, and essentially stole from him by not paying him for his work.
The truth is, we all have a little bit of Nabal in us. We act foolishly at times. The only cure for this is to acknowledge our sin to God. He will step in to forgive us, instruct us, and give us His wisdom.
I’m selfish sometimes, Lord. I get more concerned with what I need than what others need. Give me a heart of integrity and compassion. Amen.
I must be honest, when I read this my first response was, this doesn’t apply to me but then it provoked a self check and I quickly realized I too have been guilty of being a Nabal. My prayer for today is that we all do a self check and ask God to help us overcome whatever area of sin, big or small, we struggle with. He truly will step in, forgive, instruct and give us His wisdom. We first have to be honest with ourselves, willing and obedient. When we are honest with ourselves, we allow room for growth and in return we can make a difference not only in our lives but in those lives we touch.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Samuel 25:1-12
Be Merciful
I recently read. When Jesus offered His words about forgiveness in Luke 6, He was helping us understand the difference between people of grace and people without grace. Those who know His forgiveness are to be strikingly unlike everyone else. We must do what others think impossible: Forgive and love our enemies. Jesus said, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (v. 36).
Imagine the impact in our workplaces and on our families if we were to embrace this principle. If a salute can make armies whole again, what power there must be in Christ’s grace reflected through us! Scripture gives evidence of this in Esau’s embrace of his deceitful brother (Gen. 33:4), in Zacchaeus’s joyful penance (Luke 19:1–10), and in the picture of a father racing to greet his prodigal son (Luke 15).
With the grace of Christ, may we let this be the final day of bitterness and dispute between our enemies and us.
Lord, we know how the gentle power of forgiveness can bring healing in relationships. Grant us the courage to end our conflicts by Your grace. Amen.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 6:27-36
Be strong in The Lord!
There are many kinds of strength. But the most important one is the strength you need in the Lord. True Christian strength is not of the body. True Christian strength is of the spirit, measured in faithfulness, trust, and perseverance. By Grace we live by Faith.
Our (true) struggle is against powers and principalities and the Lord wants you to be strong.
There are many things to fight in this world. For instance you can fight sickness, fatigue, death of loved ones, failure of your plans and hopes, questions without answers, and pain without reason. Yes we fight in this world. But we also fight in the spiritual world.
It is Satan who opposes you. It is he who seeks to sift you and destroy your bodies and souls in the eternal blackness that will be his unending grave of torment.
Yet the blood of Christ has guaranteed your deliverance from that awful end. Jesus bought you with His blood and ensured that none of those bought would be lost. Praise the name of the Lord.