Your Daily Crossroad
06
Feb '19
Seen by God
06
Feb '19
And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? (Genesis 16:13)
The slave Hagar realized that as she fled from her mistress Sarai’s unkindness. Hagar was a “nobody” in her culture, pregnant and alone, fleeing to a desert without help or hope. Seen by God, however, she was empowered, in return, to see Him. No longer a vague concept, God became real to her, so real that she gave God a name, El Roi, which means “You are the God who sees me.” She said, “I have now seen the One who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).
Our seeing God sees each of us too. Feeling unseen, alone, or like a nobody? God sees you and your future. In return, may we see in Him our ever-present hope, encouragement, salvation, and joy—both for today and for our future. Praise Him today for this gift of amazing sight, to see the one true and Living God.
Lord, I’m just one person in a big world, but I thank You for looking from on high and seeing me—so that I may see You. Amen.
After reading this devotion I am reminded of just how much God knows my name and sees me. Be encouraged today, you are seen, your not alone, God is with you wherever you go, He sees you.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 19:26
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Feb '19
Love and Peace
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Feb '19
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:10-11)
It always amazes me the way peace—powerful, unexplainable peace (Philippians 4:7)—can somehow fill our hearts even in our deepest grief. I experienced this most recently at my father’s memorial service. As a long line of sympathetic acquaintances passed by offering their condolences, I was relieved to see a good high school friend. Without a word, he simply wrapped me in a long bear hug. His quiet understanding flooded me with the first feelings of peace within grief that difficult day, a powerful reminder that I wasn’t as alone as I felt.
As David describes in Psalm 16, the kind of peace and joy God brings into our lives isn’t caused by a choice to stoically stomp down the pain during hard times; it’s more like a gift we can’t help but experience when we take refuge in our good God (vv. 1–2).
We could respond to the aching pain that death brings by distracting ourselves, perhaps thinking that turning to these other “gods” will keep the pain at bay. But sooner or later we’ll find that efforts to avoid our pain only bring deeper pain (v. 4).
Or we could turn to God, trusting that even when we don’t understand, the life He’s already given us—even in its pain—is still beautiful and good (vv. 6–8). And we can surrender to His loving arms that tenderly carry us through our pain into a peace and joy that even death can never quench (v. 11).
Father, thank You for the way Your tender touch embraces and holds us in our times of joy and pain. Help us to turn in trust to You for healing. Amen.
When I initially read this devotion I hesitated to share it. I felt I didn’t want to dwell on death and sadness, I don’t even like talking about death, it causes me to think of the possibility of loosing those close to me and that pain seems unbearable but as I started to pass up this devotion The Lord touched my spirit and I felt Him encourage me to post it. I don’t know who this is meant for but I know it will not return void, maybe this devotion was meant for me, a sweet reminder that despite our pain, whatever that pain may be, God’s love carries and holds us through our pain into peace and joy. I prey you are encouraged by this devotion today. He is my refuge and strength.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 43:19
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Feb '19
Praying and Growing
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Feb '19
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17)
When my friend David’s wife developed Alzheimer’s disease, the changes it brought to his life made him bitter. He needed to retire early to care for her; and as the disease progressed, she required increasingly more care.
“I was so angry at God,” he told me. “But the more I prayed about it, the more He showed me my heart and how I had been selfish for most of our marriage.” Tears welled in his eyes as he confessed, “She’s been sick ten years, but God has helped me see things differently. Now, everything I do out of love for her, I also do for Jesus. Caring for her has become the greatest privilege of my life.”
Sometimes God answers our prayers not by giving us what we want but by challenging us to change. When the prophet Jonah was angry because God spared the wicked city of Nineveh from destruction, God caused a plant to shade him from the hot sun (Jonah 4:6). Then He made it wither. When Jonah complained, God answered, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” (vv. 7–9). Jonah, focused only on himself, insisted it was. But God challenged him to think about others and have compassion.
God sometimes uses our prayers in unexpected ways to help us learn and grow. It’s a change we can welcome with open hearts because He wants to transform us with His love.
Lord Jesus, thank You for helping me grow when I pray. Help me to be sensitive to what You want for my life today. Amen.
When I read this devotion I was encouraged. When it said “God sometimes uses our prayers in unexpected ways to help us learn and grow” I was reminded of the many times in my life when I was quick to complain about my prayers not being answered in the exact way in which I prayed but looking back now I can see The Hand of God in every situation I was and continue to be in, even if it’s not exactly how I wanted it to work out, in the end, it was exactly what He wanted for my life to grow. God grows us as we spend time with Him.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Philippians 1:6
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Feb '19
The Heart
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Feb '19
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. (Psalms 139:23)
Deep within us lies the truth. Not the superficial things that others see. Not our own preferences or how we hope to be perceived.
Our true self can get buried beneath layers and masks, so that even we cannot recognize it. We might accurately identify the symptoms, but incorrectly label them as the cause of our misery. Or we might overlook the layers entirely. We need to dig deep to uncover the core of our being, and often we’re afraid to probe as deeply as necessary.
But God reminds us that He goes beyond the surface. He knows the deepest things about us. For He “seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
God calls us to recognize these truths and realize how important this understanding is to our relationship with Him and to our spiritual maturity. Instead of being concerned with the approval of others, God calls us to focus on getting our hearts right with Him. To love Him not in superficial ways but “thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).
Jesus pointed out that many religious people (even leaders) did not understand God’s concern for the deeper things. Citing Isaiah, He said, “this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8).
Today, give God permission to search your heart and mind, revealing deep things to you. Be sensitive to His Spirit, and love Him with your whole being. Make Him your highest priority.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Deuteronomy 6:5