Your Daily Crossroad
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Feb '19
Remain Faithful
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Feb '19
Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (Jeremiah 17:5-10).
Jeremiah was tasked with a pretty unpopular project: Confront the Israelites of their sin, and warn them about their crumbling future if they kept worshiping false gods.
Unfortunately, no one wanted to listen to anything Jeremiah had to say. Year after year, Jeremiah reminded them of the God who saved them from Egypt and even parted the sea for their exile, but they didn’t care; in fact, they just grew more annoyed. They weren’t interested in hearing about their sin, and they decided it was best to return to practices and gods of Egypt anyway.
But for 40 years, Jeremiah preached the same message: Return to God, put your confidence in Him, and you’ll experience His grace. He could’ve just been talking to a brick wall though, because no one took him seriously and not one person changed course.
You bet he was discouraged. Not only did his friends avoid him, but he never married, didn’t have children, and people dodged him walking down the street. Although Jeremiah was God’s chosen prophet, it’s safe to say his life wasn’t a very glamorous life, and he often felt unused and his work unfruitful. Yet God had called him to this mission specifically, and there was a purpose beyond what he could see—God just asked him to remain faithful and keep preaching His message.
We may have friends and family who don’t yet know Christ and aren’t interested in hearing about our faith. But as unpopular as the topic may be, God has still tasked His people to share the Good News—and as unglamorous and lonely as it may be, God is asking you, “Will you remain faithful to me? Will you remain faithful to your call?”
If our answer is yes, we can look forward to the day when we meet Jesus face to face and hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
Lord, it’s not always easy to share about the Gospel—some people don’t want to talk about sin, others don’t feel the need for a Savior, and there are some who just have a bad taste in their mouth about church and Christians. But as hard as it was for Jeremiah to stay true to the course and preach your message, he did it and you rewarded him. May I remain faithful to you, and even when it’s unpopular, rise up to share the Good News with those in my world. Amen.
Wow, what a powerful devotion. I was touched by this today. When God calls you, remain faithful, no matter what it may look like, there is a purpose beyond what you can see. I don’t know about you but my answer is Yes Lord, I will remain faithful!
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Jeremiah 17:10
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Feb '19
His Strength in Your Weakness
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Feb '19
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I didn’t have an easy childhood. I came from a home that was broken many, many times over. But I can look back on my past today and instead of moaning about it, I can say, “I went through that, and now I can comfort others.” It has become a tool to help others.
I wouldn’t want to go through that again, of course. Nor would I want anyone else to go through the same thing. But I’m thankful that God can take my past and use it for His glory today. I’m thankful that He can take that hardship and use it for His glory. He can do the same for you.
Maybe at this time in your life, you’re going through some hard times, and you’re wondering why. God will use it. It’s hard to believe now. But just remember that it won’t last forever.
As 1 Peter 1:6–7 says, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ). Trials don’t last forever.
I’m reminded of a sign posted at the end of an airport runway that reads, “Keep moving. If you stop, you are in danger and a danger to those who are flying.”
You can take that same statement and apply it to the Christian life. Keep moving. Don’t give up. Don’t abandon hope. You are going to get through that valley in your life. There will be an even greater mountaintop beyond it, with great lessons you have learned as God demonstrated His strength in your weakness.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 John 4:10
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Feb '19
Perfect Love
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Feb '19
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)
As children, we all dream about happily ever after. We pine away waiting for the knight on the white horse or daydream about love that is never anything less than perfect. When you think of perfect love, who do you think of? While many of you probably said Cinderella and Prince Charming; when I think of perfect love, my thoughts turn to Adam and Eve.
Kind of a bad choice for “perfect love” you might say; but Adam and Eve, while best known for the single worst mistake in history, were still the first couple ever made for each other in the literal and spiritual sense. God made Eve especially for Adam. She was made for him and from him. Their relationship was God’s handiwork and despite the whole apple thing, they created quite the life together.
Just like many love stories today, I have never turned a pumpkin into a carriage and my husband has never trotted in on a white horse to save me from some wicked queen. However, I have turned lemons into lemonade many days and he makes the cutest neigh when he gives our kids piggyback rides around the front lawn. We bicker from time to time. We don’t go dancing on Friday nights or awake every morning to breakfast in bed. He snores. I nag. He watches too much Sports Center and I watch too much Lifetime. But while we two are far from perfect, we love each other perfectly. God created our marriage in His perfect manner, in His perfect way … as only He can do.
God tells us in 1 John 4:12 (KJV),
“If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”
So, even though Adam and Eve were the epitomes of imperfection, even though Adam probably forgot to take out the trash and Eve probably forgot to wash his leaf now and then, their imperfection was made perfect in their love for one another. No matter how flawed they were, their marriage was created in perfect love because the Master created it and He dwelt within the midst.
Don’t stress over living up to the fairytale. Your love story, no matter how simple or how elaborate, was designed by God. He perfected it. He wrote it. He even illustrated it and signed his name on your copy. He’s the author and the finisher. (Hebrews 12:2)
Happily ever after doesn’t always come with ball gowns and white horses. Most of the time, it comes with sweat pants and minivans. But that’s ok, because if it comes from God, it’s perfect and nothing less.
This devotion blessed me today. What a reminder on a day such as today, Valentines Day. My husband and I have a saying we love, every love story is beautiful but ours is my favorite. Today, be reminded of the love you share with those in your life, build a life you love with Christ as the center and you will see despite what your happily ever after looks like, it’s perfect and nothing less.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is John 13:34-35
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Feb '19
Oh. No. She. Didn’t!
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Feb '19
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)
People use all kinds of expressions to describe being upset or offended. Such as “That flew all over me” or “Well, I never!” Another expression that comes to mind is “Oh no she didn’t.” For example …
When someone takes credit for your big idea. Oh no she didn’t.
When someone passes the blame on to you. Oh no she didn’t.
When someone gives you a backhanded compliment. (“Your hair looks so much better since you had it cut.”) Oh. No. She. Didn’t!
From little offenses to major ones, it’s easy to get our feelings hurt when we perceive someone has wronged us. Whether or not we have cause to be offended, when we take offense, our relationships can suffer. It’s as if we develop relational blind spots.
As hard as it is to admit, sometimes I’m easily offended. It’s easy to blame others when we get hurt, but the truth is, we have control over our emotions. And I can choose whether to feel offended.
I’ve learned to consider honestly whether I’m easily offended by asking the following questions:
- Do you find that your feelings are frequently hurt?
- Have people told you they feel as if they have to walk on eggshells around you?
- Are you constantly feeling annoyed?
- Do you frequently expect someone to apologize?
- Are you constantly repeating the words, “You hurt my feelings”?
Much like forgiveness is a choice, not being easily offended is also a choice.
There was a time when I had to make this choice at work. I was looking forward to a new hire coming on board. Unfortunately from day one, she made comments toward me that left me feeling … well, offended.
As a result of both her actions and my response, we frequently butted heads, causing our team to be less cohesive than it could have been. One day, I learned that this woman had recently been injured. In that moment, I had to make a decision. Was I willing to extend grace to her despite how she had treated me? The choice was clear.
So, a colleague and I scrambled to take care of some things for her, and we picked up the slack during her recovery. A short while later, my boss asked me why I had helped this woman, despite the way she had treated me.
“Because love covers a multitude of sins,” I replied. This answer comes from 1 Peter 4:8. The Amplified Bible explains that this means love forgives and disregards the offenses of others.
While I had every reason to be offended, the Lord impressed upon my heart that I had an opportunity to be kind. As a result, the relationship improved so that it was more professional. I extended grace to her, treating her how I would want to be treated. I worked hard to let go of the offenses and integrate the words of 1 Peter 4:8 into my life. And it worked!
Jesus’ love through the cross has covered a multitude of our sins. Allow His grace to overflow out of that excess to those in your life who offend you, and choose to turn your “Oh no she didn’t!” into “Oh yes He did!”
Dear Lord, I’m sorry for how I’ve offended others. I ask that You reveal to me if there’s anyone I need to make peace with. At the same time, show me when and how to let go of offenses against me. Help me learn to be a better spouse, neighbor and friend. And when someone offends me, enable me to give that person grace in the same way You’ve shown me grace. May I respond in a way that helps, rather than harms, my relationships. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Wow! This devotion blessed me so very much and I pray it too has blessed you in some way. What an incredible reminder for all of us, we can all be so easily offended from time to time but today you can choose to make a change for the good. Ask yourself, am I easily offended?
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Philippians 2:3