Your Daily Crossroad
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Oct '18
A Hidden Ministry
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Oct '18
Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. (2 Corinthians 1:10-11)
A big academic project was weighing on me, and I was fretting over whether I could complete it by the deadline. In the midst of my anxious thoughts, I received three notes of encouragement from friends who were cheering me on. Each one said, “God brought you to mind today when I was praying.” I felt humbled and encouraged that these friends would contact me without knowing what I was going through, and I believed God had used them as His messengers of love.
The apostle Paul knew the power of prayer when he wrote to the people in the church of Corinth. He said he trusted that God would continue to deliver them from peril “as ye also helping together by prayer for us” (2 Corinthians 1:10–11). And when God answered their prayers, He would be glorified as the people gave Him thanks for the “answer to the prayers of many” (v. 11).
My friends and Paul’s supporters were engaging in the ministry of intercession, which Oswald Chambers calls “a hidden ministry that brings forth fruit through which the Father is glorified.” As we focus our minds and hearts on Jesus, we find Him shaping us, including how we pray. He enables us to give the gift of true intercession to friends, family members, and even strangers.
Has God put someone on your heart and mind for whom you can pray?
This devotion blessed me. Today, if God lays someone on your heart and mind, pray for them and if He leads you to reach out and let them know to uplift and encourage them then do so. You never know the positive impact you can make in that persons current situation. Be obedient today. Be His messenger.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 5:7
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Oct '18
Confident Hope
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Oct '18
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
Dr. William Wallace was serving as a missionary surgeon in Wuzhou, China, in the 1940s when Japan attacked China. Wallace, who was in charge of Stout Memorial Hospital at the time, ordered the hospital to load his equipment on barges and continue to function as a hospital while floating up and down rivers to avoid infantry attacks.
During dangerous times, Philippians 1:21—one of Wallace’s favorite verses—reminded him that if he lived, he had work to do for the Savior; but if he died, he had the promise of eternity with Christ. The verse took on special meaning when he died while falsely imprisoned in 1951.
Paul’s writing reflects a deep devotion we can aspire to as followers of Jesus, enabling us to face trials and even danger for His sake. It is devotion enabled by the Holy Spirit and the prayers of those closest to us (v. 19). It’s also a promise. Even when we surrender ourselves to continued service under difficult circumstances, it is with this reminder: when our life and work end here, we still have the joy of eternity with Jesus ahead of us.
In our hardest moments, with hearts committed to walking with Christ now, and with our eyes firmly fixed on the promise of eternity with Him, may our days and our acts bless others with the love of God.
Make of me, Father, a willing servant in times of weakness and times of strength. Amen.
When I read today’s devotion I was reminded of my former pastor who has since gone on to be with The Lord. He undoubtedly surrendered his entire life to Christ under difficult circumstances and fought the good fight to the very end, never giving up on what he was called to do, be a willing servant. My family, my dad, my mom, my sister and I were saved under his ministry, our lives forever changed for the good and I am who I am today because of His commitment to Christ and my prayer is that I can strive to carry on his love for Christ, his passion and zeal for winning souls, so one day when my time is through I can say with assurance, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, just as he did. How I loved my Pastor, James F White. He was a true example of a willing servant. Let’s remember today, sacrifices offered to God are opportunities to showcase His love.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 6:27-28
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Oct '18
Hearts Full of Thanks
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Oct '18
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:19-20)
Hearts full of thanks — that’s what makes for good singing! With Jesus as the source of our salvation and center of our future, how can we not sing! But singing is not just for us and God. God wants our songs to bless others. It is our ultimate spiritual talk.
O Lord my God, you are awesome and wondrous. Your works are magnificent and your deeds are beyond comprehension. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart ever declare your praises. May my heart be filled with thanksgiving for all that you have done to save us from sin, shame, law, and death. You alone are worthy of my praise, my songs, and my life. In the holy name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
This devotion blessed me, although shorter than usual it spoke to my heart and I pray it encourages someone to sing. No matter what you face never loose that song in your heart and declare His praises. My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise (Psalm 57:7). Have a heart full of thanks today!
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Ephesians 5:1-3
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Oct '18
Impossible to Hold
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Oct '18
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. (Acts 2:24)
Jesus delivered a blow to death, ending its power to intimidate and defeat His followers. According to Peter, “having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he (Jesus) should be holden of it” (Acts 2:24).
Peter said these words to a crowd in Jerusalem. Perhaps many of them had been the ones yelling out, “Crucify him!” to condemn Jesus (Matthew 27:22). As a result, Roman soldiers fastened Him to a cross where He hung until they confirmed He was dead. Jesus’s body was carried to a tomb where it stayed for three days until God resurrected Him. After His resurrection, Peter and others spoke and ate with Him, and after forty days they watched Him ascend into heaven (Acts 1:9).
Jesus’s life on Earth ended amidst physical suffering and mental anguish, yet God’s power defeated the grave. Because of this, death—or any other struggle—lacks the ability to keep us in its grip forever. One day all believers will experience everlasting life and wholeness in God’s presence. Focusing on this future can help us find freedom today.
Dear Jesus, Your victory over death gives me hope! I praise You as the resurrected One who died so that I could have eternal life. Amen.
This devotion blessed me because it’s an incredible reminder of eternal hope in Christ. No matter what we face here and now, we have a hope of eternal life. The key is this, if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10). The grip of the grave is no match for the power of God.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 9:10