Your Daily Crossroad
12
Mar '19
When You’re Not Chosen
12
Mar '19
And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias . . . (Acts 1:26)
My friend’s Facebook post announced he had finished a project. Others congratulated him, but his post knifed my heart. That project was supposed to be mine. I had been passed over, and I wasn’t sure why.
Poor Joseph. He was passed over by God, and he knew why. Joseph was one of two men in the running to replace Judas. The disciples prayed, “Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen” (Acts 1:24). God chose the other guy. Then He announced His decision to the group, when “the lot fell to Matthias” (v. 26).
As the disciples congratulated Matthias, I wonder about Joseph. How did he handle his rejection? Did he feel jilted, wallow in self-pity, and distance himself from the others? Or did he trust God and cheerfully remain in a supportive role?
I know which option is best. And I know which option I’d want to take. How embarrassing! If you don’t want me, fine. Let’s see how you do without me. That choice might feel better, but only because it’s selfish.
Joseph isn’t mentioned again in Scripture, so we don’t know how he reacted. More relevant is how we respond when we’re not chosen. May we remember that Jesus’s kingdom matters more than our success, and may we joyfully serve in whatever role He selects.
How do you feel when you’re not chosen or are left out? How could your attitude be hindering you from seeing God’s direction for your life?
This devotion blessed me. We have all dealt with some form of rejection at one point or another in our lives but as today’s devotion asks, how could your attitude hinder you from seeing God’s direction for your life. May this be your hearts cry, Father, as long as I can serve in Your kingdom, it doesn’t matter how or where. Sometimes God will bypass what you hope for to give you what you really need, don’t feel rejected but embraced by God.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
11
Mar '19
Songs in the Night
11
Mar '19
They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs; You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice. (Psalm 65:8)
As I turn on the barn lights and gather the cows for their early morning milking, a few sparrows begin a soft chatter in the milking-parlor rafters. They remind me of a few choir members gathering on a Sunday morning to warm up their voices. At this early hour, I start out grumpy. I love caring for the animals, but I feel lonely. The night gloom and my mundane tasks feel heavy on my soul. My focus turns to self-pity. I long for daylight. But then I notice a stunning sparrow rhythm unfold. About two hours before dawn, the bird chatter gradually swells to a soft, slow, throat-vibrating song directed heavenward. I feel invited to join. Sometimes I add my feeble songs of praise to the bird choir. Other times I just listen. I feel the icy heaviness melt, and joy and hope awaken in me. Yes, the darkness will end soon. Maybe, when we become keenly aware of our loneliness, our physical or relational wounds, our longing for darkness to turn to light, we can learn from the rhythms of the bird songs. Their songs reach a climax of praise during darkness to usher in the light they are expecting to come.
Dear God, thank you for directing your love toward us by day and causing your song to be with us by night. Amen.
When I read this devotion I was reminded of Psalm 59:17, Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. Even in the darkness, have hope and expectation for what’s to come. All of my life in every season He is still God, we have a reason to sing, we have a reason to worship.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Deuteronomy 7:9
08
Mar '19
Compassionate Friends
08
Mar '19
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. (Psalm 18:6)
My friend Virginia was overwhelmed and exhausted, having to go to work each day and also care for her husband, who was confined at home with terminal cancer. Tearfully, she would leave him each morning with his lunch and water within his reach and walk out the door with an agonizing prayer, “Lord, how am I going to do this?” Hearing of Virginia’s dilemma, several people from our church began helping with meals. Others came to sit with her husband for a few hours each day. They would read the Bible and pray, chat, or watch TV. Virginia told us how comforting it was to know that her husband was being loved and cared for when she could not be there. A bit of compassion goes a long way. God had heard Virginia’s distress call and prompted her community to come to her aid. It was an opportunity for us to show God’s love as we followed the call of Christ, lightening her load. God was with Virginia and her husband during that time — perhaps most powerfully through compassionate friends and family.
Dear Father, thank you for your care, and for the hands of those who share it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today’s devotion blessed me. I pray this devotion encourages you today to find a way you can be God’s hands extended. There is always someone in need and my prayer is that we are willing and ready to heed to His calling, that God may use us to be an answer to someone else’s prayers. Just being there for someone can sometimes bring hope when when all seems hopeless.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
07
Mar '19
Look Forward
07
Mar '19
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 3:13-14)
My husband, Jim, and I enjoy a well-cared-for vegetable garden. We like nothing better than fresh vegetables, and looking at those straight rows of plants gives us a sense of accomplishment. Jim was a truck driver and away from home several days at a time. Thinking that I would help him by cultivating the radishes, I got on the tractor, started it, put it in gear, and headed down the row. Jim had instructed me: “When you cultivate, you must never look back. If you turn to look behind, you throw an ‘S’ in the row.” Forgetting his advice, I looked over my shoulder one time. That’s all it took. When I got to the end of the row, I turned to survey my work. To my dismay, a large section of the radishes was upside down with the roots exposed. No amount of replanting helped. That whole section died. As believers, we may be tempted to look back. But when we focus too much on past failures, we can forget that Jesus has forgiven our sins. Paul gives us a better way: to press forward to the prize that awaits those who follow Jesus Christ and learn from his example. Rather than harming our future path of life by looking back, we can keep our eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2, KJV).
Dear God, help us not to look back at past failures. May we keep our eyes on Jesus and walk the path that he desires for all believers. Amen.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. What an analogy, I’ve never looked at in such a way. What truth, if you don’t keep your focus forward and continually look back you start to drift. Life is not meant to be traveled looking back, look forward and be grateful for the past. Allow Him to be the author and finisher of your faith by fixing your eyes on Jesus and look forward.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 139:23-24