Your Daily Crossroad
05
Mar '19
Friends?
05
Mar '19
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands . . . (Isaiah 49:16)
While waiting with my sick children to see a pediatrician, I noticed a face that looked familiar. As she came closer with her two kids in tow, I was pleasantly surprised that I remembered her name and that she was a classmate from back in my secondary-school days. However, what could have been an exciting reunion turned slightly embarrassing when I went over to say hello and she didn’t recognize me or recall my name — even after I introduced myself! I was even more perplexed by this encounter since she is a Facebook “friend” of mine. However, it dawned on me how easily the roles could have been reversed, that I could have been the one who had forgotten her name. This experience reminded me how grateful I am that I have a God who not only calls me friend but whose palms are inscribed with my name. I marvel that while I struggle to recall the name of a few hundred acquaintances and former colleagues, God invites all 7.6 billion people on this earth to be his close friends! My prayer is that I will cultivate a meaningful, personal relationship with God so that I can recognize God’s voice and follow God’s will every day.
Dear God, thank you for loving us and calling us each by name. Amen.
When I read this devotion I was instantly reminded of Luke 12:7, But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. No matter what difficulty your facing today be encouraged, you are more than a friend to God, your name is inscribed in the palm of his hand. Wow! God loves you far more than you can even imagine, what love. Remember today, you are loved more than you will ever know by someone who died to know you.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Deuteronomy 6:6-7
04
Mar '19
More than Knowledge
04
Mar '19
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)
When I was in divinity school, I took classes about God, church history, the Bible, Hebrew, and Greek. Seminarians take these classes for three or four years to gain knowledge that will form us and help us be effective ministers when we leave school. People who are seminary-trained are supposed to be prepared when asked to preach or confronted with a difficult question. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians flies in the face of any efforts we make to know God on our own. He prays that they may be strengthened by the Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, not by attaining a special kind of knowledge. Then he prays they may “know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (3:19) The strength of the Spirit, Christ dwelling in our hearts, and the love of Christ are gifts that a pastor cannot give. These gifts come only from God through faith, not by our own efforts to achieve a special level of knowledge. God’s love and presence are gifts given freely by God. That’s something worth knowing.
Thank You, God, for the gift of Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge. Amen.
I pray you are not offended by such a devotion. There is nothing wrong with going to school to learn more about God and the scripture and to further your knowledge of God. It’s when we try to know God on our own, as the devotion explains. When I read this devotion it blessed me. I was reminded of Luke 12:12, The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them. What you put in will come out, if you put God’s word in, when you need it, The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say in the time of need, it’s The Holy Spirit in you that reaches those who are lost not the amount of knowledge you have attained. Remember to keep Him first, then your knowledge will become useful in winning souls to further His kingdom. It’s about more than just knowledge.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 15:4
01
Mar '19
No Comparison
01
Mar '19
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. (Proverbs 14:30)
One of these days I’m going to put it all on Facebook—not just the good stuff!”
My friend Sue’s comment—made casually over lunch with her husband—caused me to laugh out loud and also to think. Social media can be a good thing, helping us stay in touch with and pray for friends across the years and miles. But if we’re not careful, it can also create an unrealistic outlook on life. When much of what we see posted is a “highlight reel” of “the good stuff,” we can be misled into thinking others’ lives are without trouble, and wonder where our own went wrong.
Comparing ourselves with others is a sure recipe for unhappiness. When the disciples compared themselves to each other (see Luke 9:46; 22:24), Jesus quickly discouraged it. Soon after His resurrection, Jesus told Peter how he would suffer for his faith. Peter then turned to John and asked, “Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me” (John 21:21–22).
Jesus pointed Peter to the best remedy for unhealthy comparisons. When our minds are focused on God and all He’s done for us, self-focused thoughts fall gently away and we long to follow Him. In place of the world’s competitive strain and stress, He gives us His loving presence and peace. Nothing can compare with Him.
How can you use social media in a God-honoring way? How can a real relationship with God keep you from making unhealthy comparisons?
When I read this devotion I felt it was one that needed to be shared many times over. I’m sure we have all had a moment of reflection with regards to comparing someone else’s life with our own and as today’s devotion reminds us, it’s a recipe for unhappiness. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Don’t compare, choose to be a better version of yourself. Comparison is the thief of joy.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Deuteronomy 30:16