16
Dec '21
Shine Your Light
16
Dec '21
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
Even with twinkling lights all around, it’s easy to miss the light inside of us. May we welcome the light of God to shine within us and through us, spreading to everyone we encounter.
Lord, I want to see more than the gifts and decorations around me. I want to see Your light shine in every part of my heart. Fill me with Your light, and help me share it with those around me. Amen
I hope and pray you are encouraged to share His light with those around you, even those who are rude, angry or seem to have lost all hope. Be The Light we all desperately need. If we all shine together we will outshine the darkness that so easily makes its way into our world. Allow Christ to fill you with His light.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Merry Christmas!
(Devotion 2 of 5)
14
Dec '21
It’s Time to Get Ready
14
Dec '21
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)
The best place to start is by preparing our hearts for Christmas. We hear all about the hustle and bustle, we feel the joy and sometimes even some sorrow. Whether we face the holiday with excitement or sadness, readiness or overwhelm, we can bring it all to Jesus. And may we experience the gift that was ours from the beginning of time for all eternity.
Dear God, please prepare my heart for Christmas. I long to focus on the gifts You’ve given me more than anything else. Help me not get wrapped up in the must-do’s, to-do’s, and out-do’s of the season, and instead remember that You are with me. Amen
I recently read a five day devotion plan and I felt it would be fitting to share it with you over the next couple of weeks, leading up to the most important day of our lives, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope and pray over the next couple of weeks you are encouraged, uplifted and blessed by this set of devotions. I know I was.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Merry Christmas!
(Devotion 1 of 5)
09
Dec '21
Prepare Your Heart for Christmas
09
Dec '21
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)
The best place to start is by preparing our hearts for Christmas. We hear all about the hustle and bustle, we feel the joy and sometimes even some sorrow. Whether we face the holiday with excitement or sadness, readiness or overwhelm, we can bring it all to Jesus. And may we experience the gift that was ours from the beginning of time for all eternity.
Dear God, please prepare my heart for Christmas. I long to focus on the gifts You’ve given me more than anything else. Help me not get wrapped up in the must-do’s, to-do’s, and out-do’s of the season, and instead remember that You are with me. Amen
I pray this devotion is a reminder that He is truly the reason for the season.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
07
Dec '21
He is Worthy of Our Worship
07
Dec '21
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)
Complete this sentence: “God is…”
God, in every season, You are worthy of our worship. And so today, help me look for ways to humbly worship You. Allow me to reflect on Your marvelous deeds and Your faithful character. You have created all things with intentionality and care, so fill me with awe and wonder when I reflect on what You have done. Let my life become one continual act of worship. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I pray this devotion blesses you as much as it blessed me. I am reminded of a beautiful song, He’s All I Need, He’s All I Need, Jesus Is All I Need.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
02
Dec '21
Humble Yourself
02
Dec '21
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)
Robert Smith Jr. often says, “for every New Testament doctrine, there is an Old Testament picture.” So it is with humility and the servant of God. In the Old Testament, God favors the lowly shepherd.
Think about Abraham and Lot: Lot, taking his place at the table Sodom, and Abraham, tending to sheep in the pastures of the hills. God chooses Abraham.
Think about Esau and Jacob: Esau, the duke of Edom, a great hunter and man for the ages, and Jacob, tending the flocks. God chooses Jacob.
Think about Moses and Pharaoh: Pharaoh, the king of the greatest empire of his day; and Moses, tending sheep on the backside of the desert. God chooses Moses.
Think about David and Saul: Saul, from the house of Kish of Benjamin, called to be king over Israel; and David, tending his father’s sheep. God chooses David.
The Old Testament paints a vivid picture of greatness: a king, keeping the flock; a prince, feeding lambs. And God has not changed.
When King Jesus arrives, God first tells the shepherds (Lk. 2). The news of the Great Shepherd comes first to the lowly shepherds because God never divorces humility from greatness.
So many of us seek to be great.
Remember that no one in God’s kingdom can sit high on a throne unless they are first found sitting low in a field. God never divorces humility from greatness.
Powerful devotion. I pray it inspires and encourages you wherever you find yourself in this moment.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
30
Nov '21
Humility Towards God and People
30
Nov '21
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)
Humility towards God and people is essential to the Christian faith. The apostle Paul’s life was marked by humility and self-awareness.
Paul’s humility is most clearly seen in his own self-appraisal.
Paul was born again on the road to Damascus. As he begins to familiarize himself with Jesus and those in the faith, Paul writes to the Corinthians in AD55 and calls himself “the least of the apostles unworthy to be called an apostle because [he] persecuted the church of God (1 Cor. 15:9).
Continuing in his walk, growing closer to God and prominence in the Church, Paul writes to the Ephesians five years later and refers to himself as the very least of all the saints (Eph. 3:8).
Sometime later, at the height of his notoriety, renown, and standing, Paul calls himself the foremost sinner (1 Tim. 1:15).
And then, at the end of his life, never more known and closer to God, Paul tells Timothy to come quickly because his life is ending, a life that is nothing more than a drink offering to God (2 Tim. 4:6). If you know anything about temple offerings, you know that a drink offering is the lowest form of offering, reserved for the poorest of poor.
Think about Paul’s spiritual progression and keen self-awareness: a proud, self-righteous Pharisee to the foremost of sinners. Only a person of genuine humility would describe himself in such terms.
From where did Paul’s self-awareness come?
Paul knew that the closer he got to God, the more he needed God. The closer he got to the light of Christ, the more he saw his sin and corruption. Paul had genuinely tasted grace, which made him thirst and hunger for grace all of his days.
In light of God’s grace, where do you see yourself today?
A spiritual giant, do you believe that you have arrived? Or, like Paul, are you so close to God, seeing Him for who He is, that you realize your enormous need for God?
A true spiritual giant knows that he stands as an impoverished dwarf before God.
Fantastic devotion. I pray it blesses you.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
25
Nov '21
Thanksgiving Perseverance
25
Nov '21
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)
Here is a part of the Thanksgiving story you may not know. While the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in October of 1621, it was not until October of 1777 that all 13 colonies celebrated Thanksgiving, for the first time. At one point, our first president, George Washington, proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving, but conflict and difficulties among the colonies put an end to its observance.
It was a magazine editor, Sarah Josepha Hale, whose work led to the celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday we observe today. Hale wrote letters to governors and presidents, and editorials in magazines, books and newspapers, promoting the observance of Thanksgiving. In 1863, after 40 years of letter writing and campaigning (that’s not a typo, she really wrote letters for 40 years), Hale’s persistence paid off and President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving. Since then, every president has supported Thanksgiving. Forty years of dedication, persistence and passion, all to make sure that this country would celebrate a National Day of Thanksgiving each year. Impressive.
We can learn from Hale’s perseverance. It took her 40 years to accomplish what she set out to do. Just like her story, the Christian faith is often described as a marathon, not a sprint. Each day of our life is another day to choose between right and wrong, to help someone in need, to read our Bible and pray. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:12-14. Christians are called to persevere, to press on. Sometimes it can feel like an unrewarding task. It is hard, but important, to look to God for the BIGGER plan. What if Hale had chosen to give up after one year or ten years? Her goal would have been left unfinished. Press on towards the call of Christ! Endure! But be forewarned, just like Sara Josepha Hale, it may take 40 years to see the fruit of your labor!
What a powerful devotion. I pray you are inspired and blessed by this as you set out to celebrate Thanksgiving in whatever way you choose. Look to God for the BIGGER plan, press on and endure. Hallelujah and Amen!
Happy Thanksgiving!
23
Nov '21
Trust Jesus
23
Nov '21
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (Matthew 17:20)
Have you ever wondered why some things in your life are seemingly immovable?
In this passage of Scripture, the disciples were facing a situation that was not going their way.
Like we often do, they questioned Jesus as to why things were not working out. Jesus explained to them that they lacked faith.
While it is the power of God that causes mountains to move, Jesus desires that we have faith in Him to do so.
When we feel weak or discouraged, it is often due to our lack of faith or trust in God.
So what mountain in your life remains unmovable? Do you believe God can provide what you need to deal with this issue?
He can and will do it! Just think of the contrast in this verse. Something as tiny as a mustard seed is all that is needed to move something as large as a mountain.
Whatever it is that you are facing today, trust Jesus to take you through it. He can do far above all we ask or imagine!
I love this devotion, two incredibly powerful words to live by each and every day, trust Jesus. Oh how I love my Master, He first loved me.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
17
Nov '21
Total Trust
17
Nov '21
I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. (Psalm 17:6)
Have you ever experienced a time in your life that God seems silent?
You keep praying, but you don’t receive an answer to your prayers.
Our natural response as humans is to become discouraged or doubt.
But God wants us to turn to Him in total trust, believing that He will provide an answer in the way that is best suited for us.
So, how do we trust God when we are suffering and questioning?
We do not lean on our understanding or look at our circumstances.
Instead, we look at who God is. We focus on His attributes because He never changes!
Holy Father, you are a God of miracles. It is in Your character to show Yourself and Your glory to us by working in the most impossible of places. So today, Jesus, I ask you to please show yourself in my life, heal my body, heart, and mind. Provide when the bills mount, and the finances seem impossible. Heal and reconcile relationships that need your special touch.
Holy Father, we thank you for being near. We ask you to draw close to us today. Fill us with Your mercy, compassion, grace, and overwhelming love that only You can provide.
Beautiful devotion…
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
11
Nov '21
Veterans Day!
11
Nov '21
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
TO ALL OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN PAST AND PRESENT, THANK YOU for your Service, Sacrifice and Support.
We, here at Crossroad Fellowship, appreciate and support, every single one of you, past and present. THANK YOU!