Your Daily Crossroad
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Oct '18
Twinkle
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Oct '18
Shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ . . . (Philippians 2:15-16)
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is an English lullaby. Its lyrics, originally a poem by Jane Taylor, capture the wonder of God’s universe where stars hang “up above the world so high.” In the rarely published later stanzas, the star acts as a guide: “As your bright and tiny spark lights the traveler in the dark.”
In Philippians, Paul challenges believers in Philippi to be blameless and pure as they “shine . . . as lights in the world” while offering the good news of the gospel to all around them (2:15–16). We wonder how we can shine like stars. We often feel inadequate and struggle to think our “light” is bright enough to make a difference. But stars don’t try to be stars. They just are. Light changes our world. And it changes us. God brought physical light into our world (Genesis 1:3); and through Jesus, God brings spiritual light into our lives (John 1:1–4).
We who have God’s light in us are to shine in such a way that those around us see light and are drawn to its source. As effortlessly as a star hanging in the night sky, our light makes a difference because of what it is: Light! When we simply shine, we follow Paul’s directive to “hold forth to the word of life” in a world in deep darkness, and we draw others to the source of our hope: Jesus.
Dear God, may Your light shine out of the very cracks of our beings as we hold out the Word of life to others. Amen.
This devotion blessed me. Today let’s choose to allow our lights to shine so bright so we, as today’s devotions says, draw others to the source of our hope: Jesus. Let your light so shine today and watch others be drawn to that light.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Hebrews 10:23
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Oct '18
Agreeing to Disagree
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Oct '18
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (Romans 14:19)
I remember hearing my dad talk about how difficult it was to walk away from unending arguments over differing interpretations of the Bible. By contrast he recalled how good it was when both sides agreed to disagree.
But is it really possible to set aside irreconcilable differences when so much seems to be at stake? That’s one of the questions the apostle Paul answers in his New Testament letter to the Romans. Writing to readers caught in social, political, and religious conflict, he suggests ways of finding common ground even under the most polarized conditions (14:5–6).
According to Paul, the way to agree to disagree is to recall that each of us will answer to the Lord not only for our opinions but also for how we treat one another in our differences (v. 10).
Conditions of conflict can actually become occasions to remember that there are some things more important than our own ideas—even more than our interpretations of the Bible. All of us will answer for whether we have loved one another, and even our enemies, as Christ loved us.
Now that I think of it, I remember that my dad used to talk about how good it is not just to agree to disagree but to do so with mutual love and respect.
Father, please enable us to be patient and kind with those who don’t agree with us about anything or everything. Amen.
This devotion blessed me because to often I feel we can so easily hold grudges and distance ourselves from making a difference in one’s life just because we disagree about one thing or another. If we would apply today’s lesson to our lives we just may be able to impact more for Christ and when the day comes to stand before God, He will be well pleased with how we chose to love instead of argue. Be patient and kind with those who don’t agree with you. We can agree to disagree—in love.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 7:24
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Oct '18
Stories of Jesus
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Oct '18
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25)
As a girl I loved to visit my small local library. One day, looking at the bookshelves holding the young adult section, I reasoned I could probably read every book. In my enthusiasm I forgot one important fact—new books were regularly added to the shelves. Although I gave it a valiant effort, there were simply too many books.
New books continue to fill more and more bookshelves. The apostle John likely would be amazed with the availability of books today since his five New Testament books, the gospel of John; 1, 2, and 3 John; and Revelation, were handwritten on parchment scrolls.
John wrote those books because he felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to give Christians an eyewitness account of Jesus’s life and ministry (1 John 1:1–4). But John’s writings contained only a small fraction of all that Jesus did and taught during His ministry. In fact, John said if everything Jesus did were written down “the world itself could not contain the books that should be written” (John 21:25).
John’s claim remains true today. Despite all the books that have been written about Jesus, the libraries of the world still cannot contain every story of His love and grace. We can also celebrate that we have our own personal stories to share and rejoice that we will be proclaiming them forever! (Psalm 89:1).
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.
After reading this devotion it blessed me and I pray it causes you to take a moment and do a self check and let your life tell the story of Christ’s love and grace.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Chronicles 29:11
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Oct '18
Not Our Favorite Word
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Oct '18
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18)
The word “submit” is not one of our favorite words in the English vocabulary. I actually heard that on certain computer programs and websites, the word “submit” will be removed (Submitis usually the button clicked on a website when someone agrees to a purchase, accepts contractual terms for a software product or approves other related entries to get to the next link). For wives, the word “submit” is often scoffed at. The thought of it makes many of us downright angry at times. Why is it so hard for us to submit, especially to our husbands? Oh, there are lots of reasons…too many to list here.
Here is the key for us to get past this issue: we must place our feelings about it before the Lord and ask Him to help us. Why? Because the Bible tells us to submit. But, let me comment on a couple of notes about this. First, submission involves respect and honor, not a doormat mentality. Second, submission is a place of strength, not weakness because it gives God the power to work on our behalf. Our first submission is to God, then the rest will follow. The enemy will blind you with your own pride and selfishness to keep you from submitting to the Lord. Our pride keeps us from humbling ourselves and serving others, even our own husbands. Let the Lord work these issues out with you and you will see the power of God displayed in amazing ways in your life.
I learn something every day about submission, whether I like it or not. Just the other day, my husband asked my help in something and then demanded of me what he wanted me to do. With this specific task, I was truly clueless. After unsuccessfully pleading my case with him, I submitted and vowed to do whatever I could to help him. Behind the scenes, I begged the Lord to help me. I repented of my rebellious heart and I gave up the fight. I saw the Lord not only rescue me from the task, but also show my husband what to do to find the answers himself. It is simply amazing to watch the Lord move like that! For me, my heart was tested. Was I willing to humble myself and submit? This time I did…but believe me, I have to pray and ask for the Lord’s help every single time I get into these struggles with submission. God will get the glory as we submit to Him first and then ask Him for His help towards others.
I truly love today’s devotion. What a beautiful reminder for all of us, weather you are a wife, someone’s child, someone’s employee, we are all a child of God so therefor submission applies to all of us. May we take that one word and think on it more seriously today and ask ourselves, am I submissive, and when you choose to be submissive you will as today’s devotion says, see the power of God displayed in amazing ways in your life. I find it an honor to serve my husband and I’m proud to admit that for myself. I am grateful for the man of God He is in our home and in His own life, He walks with integrity, love and commitment. Today is his birthday and God couldn’t have dropped a more fitting devotion in my path to remind me of what an honor it is as his wife to be submissive unto my husband and unto God.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 62:2