Your Daily Crossroad
08
Nov '18
Dangerous Distractions
08
Nov '18
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35)
Artist Sigismund Goetze shocked Victorian-era England with a painting entitled “Despised and Rejected of Men.” In it, he portrayed the suffering, condemned Jesus surrounded by people of Goetze’s own generation. They were so consumed by their own interests—business, romance, politics—that they were shockingly oblivious to the Savior’s sacrifice. Indifferent to Christ, the surrounding crowd, like the mob at the foot of Jesus’s cross, had no idea what—or who—they had missed.
In our day as well, believers and unbelievers alike can easily become distracted from the eternal. How can followers of Jesus cut through this fog of distraction with the truth of God’s great love? We can begin by loving one another as fellow children of God. Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 nlt).
But real love doesn’t stop there. We extend that love by sharing the gospel in hopes of drawing people to the Savior. As Paul wrote, “We are . . . ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
In this way, the body of Christ can both reflect and project God’s love, the love we so desperately need, to both each other and to our world. May both efforts, empowered by His Spirit, be a part of cutting through the distractions that hinder us from seeing the wonder of God’s love in Jesus.
While I was reading this devotion I came across this saying and I had to share it, “To a world living in the fog of distraction, we bring the light of the good news of Jesus”. Be a light in someone’s fog today, don’t allow distractions of self interest detour you from making a difference in someone’s life today. We are ambassadors for Christ.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 7:1
07
Nov '18
I’m Sorry
07
Nov '18
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (Colossians 3:13)
In 2005, Collins falsified a report that resulted in McGee being thrown in prison for four years, and McGee vowed to find Collins when he got out and “hurt him.” McGee was eventually exonerated, but not before he lost everything. Meanwhile, Collins’s many falsified reports were uncovered, he lost his job, and he too spent time behind bars. But both men came to faith in Christ while in prison.
In 2015, the two discovered they were working together in the same faith-based company. Collins recalls, “I [told McGee], ‘Honestly, I have no explanation, all I can do is say I’m sorry.’” It was “pretty much what I needed to hear,” said McGee, who graciously forgave him. The men were able to reconcile because both had experienced the incomparable love and forgiveness of God, who empowers us to “forgive as the Lord forgave [us]” (Colossians 3:13).
Now the two are great friends. “We have this joint mission . . . of letting the world know that if you owe an apology to somebody, put your pride down and go apologize,” said Collins. “And if you’re holding something against somebody, let go of the bitterness because it’s like drinking poison and hoping it’s hurting them.”
God calls believers to live in peace and unity. If we have “a grievance against someone,” we can bring it to Him. He will help us to reconcile (vv. 13–15; Philippians 4:6–7).
Dear Father, thank You for forgiving us when we come to You in sorrow over our sins. Help us to receive Your forgiveness and to extend it to others. Amen.
This devotion blessed me, what a reminder. If there is someone your struggling to forgive remember How much Christ has forgiven you. It’s incredible how far I’m sorry can go when it’s genuine. Christ sets us free to forgive.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Timothy 2:1-2
06
Nov '18
Who’s Driving?
06
Nov '18
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)
My neighbor Tim has a figurine on his dashboard of a “wild thing” based on Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book Where the Wild Things Are.
Not long ago Tim was following me through traffic and made some abrupt moves to keep up. When we arrived, I asked, “Was that the ‘wild thing’ driving?”
The following Sunday I forgot my sermon notes at home. I “flew” out of the church to retrieve them, passing Tim along the way. When we met later, he joked, “Was that the wild thing driving?” We laughed, but his point hit home—I should have paid attention to the speed limit.
When the Bible describes what it means to live in a relationship with God, it encourages us to “yield yourselves unto God” (Romans 6:13). I took Tim’s response to me that day as a gentle reminder from God to yield my “lead foot,” because I am to give all of myself to Him out of love.
The question of “who’s driving?” applies to all of life. Do we let the “wild things” of our old sin nature drive us—like worry, fear, or self-will—or do we yield to God’s loving Spirit and the grace that helps us grow?
Giving in to God is good for us. Scripture says that God’s wisdom takes us down “ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17). Better to follow where He leads.
Loving Lord, thank You for the grace You give us to obey You, and the peace You give us as we stay near. Amen.
When I initially read this devotion I was going to pass it up but I felt a nudge to post it, I was hesitant as it was mentioning “wild things” but if we are honest we all have “wild things” in our lives that we must be open and honest with ourselves about and then turn them over to God, who is ever patient, loving, gentle and kind. Things may not be as you would like to see them but when we turn everything over to Him, He fills us with wisdom as today’s devotion says, that leads to pleasantness and peace. What God requires He also inspires. Follow where He leads, even if the path going the opposite direction looks much more inviting. Who’s Driving? He will never lead you astray.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is John 1:14
05
Nov '18
Still The King
05
Nov '18
Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily. (Psalm 74:22)
One news report called it “the single deadliest day for Christians in decades.” The pair of attacks on Sunday worshipers in April 2017 defies our understanding. We simply don’t have a category to describe bloodshed in a house of worship. But we can find some help from others who know this kind of pain well.
Most of the people of Jerusalem were in exile or had been slain when Asaph wrote Psalm 74. Pouring out his heart’s anguish, he described the destruction of the temple at the hands of ruthless invaders. “Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations,” Asaph said (v. 4). “They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground” (v. 7).
Yet the psalmist found a place to stand despite the awful reality—providing encouragement that we can do so too. “For God is my King of old,” Asaph resolved. “Working salvation in the midst of the earth” (v. 12). This truth enabled Asaph to praise God’s mighty power even though His salvation seemed absent in the moment. “Have respect unto the covenant,” Asaph prayed. “O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name” (vv. 20–21).
When justice and mercy seem absent, God’s love and power are in no way diminished. With Asaph, we can confidently say, “But God is my King.”
Lord, with the psalmist we pray for the honor of Your Name. Show Yourself strong and compassionate. Rise up and defend Your cause. Amen.
When I read this devotion I thought, what a way to start your day!! But God is my King! No matter what you face today remember these words, But God is my King. No matter the outcome, But God is my King!! When justice and mercy seem absent, But God is my King! Find joy today in what is and don’t focus on the what if’s.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is James 1:2-3