Your Daily Crossroad
18
Mar '19
The Good Old Days
18
Mar '19
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
As my wife and I anticipate the upcoming wedding of our only child, we have begun to reminisce about “the good old days” when our daughter was a toddler, and about the fun we had as we took her to the seashore, the park, or the woods to go camping. I began comparing my present life, with all of its various hardships, to this idealized past. My mind began to drift into the future, imagining how enjoyable it will be when we hopefully can repeat these activities with future grandchildren. But then I stopped myself and thought, What do I have to appreciate here in the present? I began to list my many blessings. In spite of my current hardships, I realized how many gifts God has given me in the present. It hit me that someday we may be looking back on our lives today — right here and now — and calling these “the good old days.” This sheds new light on the concept of living in the moment and of not dwelling on past memories or on things yet to come. In Philippians 4, Paul wrote that he had learned to be content, whatever his circumstances. Perhaps we too can be content by living in and appreciating each and every day, whatever our circumstances, and being thankful to God for the gift of each day.
Dear God, thank you for each day you give us and for your overflowing blessings. Amen.
What a beautiful devotion, it brought tears to my eyes when I read it. My daughters 9th Birthday is tomorrow and I myself have been reflecting on how quickly the years have past with fun filled beautiful memories but as I’ve thought about the future I have felt a little sad, I have felt as today’s devotion describes, how soon “the good old days” will become reality, but after I read today’s devotion I was reminded to be thankful to God for the gift of each day. To embrace it with love, joy and happiness despite our circumstances, for each day is overflowing with His blessings. Remember to give every day the chance to become the most beautiful of your life.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 15:13
15
Mar '19
Bearing the Burden of Wrongs
15
Mar '19
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing . . . (1 Peter 3:9)
On January 30, 2018, almost thirty-eight years after his conviction, Malcolm Alexander walked out of prison a free man. DNA evidence cleared Alexander, who had steadfastly maintained his innocence amid a myriad of court proceedings that were tragically unjust. An incompetent defense attorney (later disbarred), shoddy evidence, and dubious investigative tactics all put an innocent man in prison for nearly four decades. When he was finally released, however, Alexander showed immense grace. “You cannot be angry,” he said. “There’s not enough time to be angry.”
Alexander’s words evidence a deep grace. If injustice robbed us of thirty-eight years of our lives and destroyed our reputations, we would likely be angry, furious. Though Alexander spent many long, heartbreaking years bearing the burden of wrongs inflicted upon him, he wasn’t undone by the evil. Rather than exerting his energy trying to get revenge, he exhibited the posture Peter instructs: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult” (1 Peter 3:9).
The Scriptures go a step further: rather than seeking vengeance, the apostle Peter tells us we are to bless (v. 9). We extend forgiveness, the hope of well-being, for those who have unjustly wronged us. Without excusing their evil actions, we can meet them with God’s scandalous mercy. On the cross, Jesus bore the burden of our wrongs, that we might receive grace and extend it to others—even those who have wronged us.
Without excusing their actions, how can you extend mercy to others who have wronged you? What will it mean for you to “bless” them?
God, it’s hard not to want those who hurt me to hurt just as much. Help me to live out Your mercy and grace. Amen.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. What a profound statement, “There’s not enough time to be angry.” May we live our lives each and every day with that statement at the forefront of our minds. It’s always so easy to just react to injustice without giving much thought to extending mercy. Today, when someone cuts you off in traffic, honks at you, treats you wrong, is rude, cranky or careless, the list can go on and on, practice extending mercy. There’s not enough time to be angry.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 94:19
14
Mar '19
A Father’s Love
14
Mar '19
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. (Psalm 103:13)
I love my father. He is an ordinary man. He did not have great wealth, but he did not waver in his efforts to make sure his children could be successful. Though our family faced financial difficulties, he told me not to worry about the cost of my education. My father worked as hard as he could to secure enough money so that I could finish my studies and graduate from the university. My father’s struggles on our behalf made me love him all the more. His sacrifices for our family and the love that he showed us kept me constantly amazed. Even so, I know that there is a Father in heaven who loves me more than my earthly father. After all, God showed his love for us all through Jesus, his son, who suffered and died for the sins of the whole world! By God’s love through Jesus we are saved for abundant living and eternal life. As much as I love my father, God’s love goes far beyond that. God’s love for us cannot be measured — just experienced. I thank God for the love of my earthly father. But my gratitude is even deeper for God’s never-ending love for me.
Beloved Father, we thank you for earthly fathers who have shown us your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This devotion blessed me. It made me think of how incredibly blessed I am to have my earthly father. He too always works so hard to give his girls everything they need and want, even now, his love is and never has been a question in my mind and as today’s devotions says, if he loves me this much how much more does our Heavenly Father love. If you never had a great father role model, know that you always had and continue to have God looking out for you and loving you beyond measure. He is the father of all fathers.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Peter 1:5-8
13
Mar '19
Right There with Us
13
Mar '19
And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. (Matthew 14:17)
She was completely focused on the top shelf, where the glass jars of spaghetti sauce sat. I’d been standing beside her in the grocery aisle for a minute or two eyeing that same shelf, trying to decide. But she seemed oblivious to my presence, lost in her own predicament. Now I have no problem with top shelves because I’m a fairly tall man. She, on the other hand, was not tall, not at all. I spoke up and offered to help. Startled, she said, “Goodness, I didn’t even see you standing there. Yes, please help me.”
The disciples had quite the situation on their hands—hungry crowds, a remote place, and time slipping away—“This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals” (Matthew 14:15). When challenged by Jesus to take care of the people themselves, they responded, “We have here but . . .” (v. 17). All they seemed to be aware of was their lack. Yet standing right beside them was Jesus, not just the multiplier of bread but the Bread of Life Himself.
We can get so wrapped up in our challenges and trying to figure them out for ourselves with our often-limited perspective that we miss the abiding presence of the risen Christ. From remote hillsides to grocery store aisles and everywhere else in between, He’s Immanuel—God right there with us, an ever-present help in trouble.
How can you increase your awareness of Jesus’s presence? Why is it vital for us to gain His perspective in what we’re facing?
When I read this devotion I felt it was an incredible reminder for each and every one of us. Wherever we are and whatever the challenge, Immanuel is with us.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 8:28