Your Daily Crossroad
09
Apr '19
Celebrating Creativity
09
Apr '19
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life . . . (Genesis 1:20)
A rarely seen jellyfish waltzed with the currents, four thousand feet deep in the ocean near Baja, California. Its body shone with fluorescent shades of blue, purple, and pink, bright against the backdrop of black water. Elegant tentacles waved gracefully with each pulsing of its bell-shaped hood. As I watched the amazing footage of the Halitrephes maasi jellyfish on the National Geographic video, I reflected on how God chose the specific design of this beautiful, gelatinous creature. He also fashioned the other 2,000 types of jellyfish that scientists have identified as of October 2017.
Though we acknowledge God as Creator, do we slow down long enough to truly consider the profound truth revealed in the first chapter of the Bible? Our amazing God brought forth light and life into the creatively diverse world He crafted with the power of His word. He designed “every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly” (Genesis 1:21). Scientists have discovered only a fraction of the wondrous creatures the Lord created in the beginning.
God also intentionally sculpted each person in the world, giving purpose to every day of our lives before we drew our first breaths (Psalm 139:13–16). As we celebrate the Lord’s creativity, we can also rejoice over the many ways He helps us imagine and create with Him and for His glory.
What creative gifts has God given to you? How might you use them for His glory?
Today’s devotion blessed me when I read it. So often I fail to slow down and just admire God’s incredible creativity. Take a moment today and just admire God’s creativity through every living creature and remember He even sculpted you for a purpose. Make the most of each day He has given you for the good and to further His kingdom. Choose to make today even more beautiful. Creator God, thank You for inviting us to appreciate Your awesome creativity and to enjoy what You’ve given us. Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Ephesians 1:3
08
Apr '19
Second-Wind Strength
08
Apr '19
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
At the age of fifty-four I entered the Milwaukee marathon with two goals—to finish the race and to do it under five hours. My time would have been amazing if the second 13.1 miles went as well as the first. But the race was grueling, and the second-wind strength I’d hoped for never came. By the time I made it to the finish line, my steady stride had morphed into a painful walk.
Footraces aren’t the only things that require second-wind strength—life’s race does too. To endure, tired, weary people need God’s help. Isaiah 40:27–31 beautifully weds poetry and prophecy to comfort and motivate people who need strength to keep going. Timeless words remind fatigued and discouraged people that the Lord isn’t detached or uncaring (v. 27), that our plight doesn’t escape His notice. These words breathe comfort and assurance, and remind us of God’s limitless power and bottomless knowledge (v. 28).
The second-wind strength described in verses 29–31 is just right for us—whether we’re in the throes of raising and providing for our families, struggling through life under the weight of physical or financial burdens, or discouraged by relational tensions or spiritual challenges. Such is the strength that awaits those who—through meditating on the Scriptures and prayer—wait upon the Lord.
When have life circumstances taken the wind out of you? In what particular area do you need God’s strength today?
Lord, I come to You in my weakness and tiredness; please grant me renewed strength. Amen.
After reading this devotion I was reminded of that beautiful hymn, 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 they shall walk and not faint, teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait. Teach me Lord to wait down on my knees and in your own good time I know you will answer my plea, teach me not to rely on what others do but to wait in prayer for the answer comes from you. Today, whatever your facing, my prayer for you is that you will wait on The Lord, faith believing in prayer. He will grant you renewed strength, trust Him for it. He will provide you with your second wind in life.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 18:20
03
Apr '19
Being Consumed
03
Apr '19
When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. (Psalm 32:3)
In his book The Call, Os Guinness describes a moment when Winston Churchill, on holiday with friends in the south of France, sat by the fireplace to warm himself on a cold night. Gazing at the fire, the former prime minister saw pine logs “crackling, hissing, and spitting as they burned. Suddenly, his familiar voice growled, ‘I know why logs spit. I know what it is to be consumed.’’
Difficulties, despair, dangers, distress, and the results of our own wrongdoings can all feel consuming. Circumstances slowly drain our hearts of joy and peace. When David experienced the consuming consequences of his own sinful choices, he wrote, “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah” (Psalm 32:3–4).
In such difficult times, where do we turn for help? For hope? Paul, whose experiences were filled with ministry burdens and brokenness, wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9).
How does that work? As we rest in Jesus, the Good Shepherd restores our souls (Psalm 23:3) and strengthens us for the next step of our journey. He promises to walk that journey with us every step of the way (Hebrews 13:5).
What are some of the consuming struggles you’ve experienced? How did you respond? How did God meet you in those difficult times?
This devotion blessed me. May this be our prayer today, Father, give me the strength to endure the hardships of this day, and the hope of Christ for the eternal tomorrow You have promised. Amen. He is forever faithful.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 11:28
29
Mar '19
Flourishing Like a Flower
29
Mar '19
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. (Psalm 103:15)
My youngest grandson is only two months old, yet every time I see him I notice little changes. Recently, as I cooed to him, he looked up at me and smiled! And suddenly I began crying. Perhaps it was joy mixed with remembering my own children’s first smiles, which I witnessed so long ago, and yet it feels like just yesterday. Some moments are like that—inexplicable.
In Psalm 103, David penned a poetic song that praised God while also reflecting on how quickly the joyful moments of our lives pass by: “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone” (vv. 15–16).
But despite acknowledging the brevity of life, David describes the flower as flourishing, or thriving. Although each individual flower blossoms and blooms swiftly, its fragrance and color and beauty bring great joy in the moment. And even though an individual flower can be quickly forgotten—“the place thereof shall know it no more” (v. 16)—by contrast we have the assurance that “the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him” (v. 17).
We, like flowers, can rejoice and flourish in the moment; but we can also celebrate the truth that the moments of our lives are never truly forgotten. God holds every detail of our lives, and His everlasting love is with His children forever!
In what way can you flourish in this moment? How can you bring joy to another?
This devotion blessed me. God provides what we need to flourish for Him. I love the word, what an incredible reminder, The Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. Amen!!
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 4:7-9