Your Daily Crossroad
10
Oct '18
Getting a Grip on Gratitude
10
Oct '18
Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? (Numbers 11:22)
The years of weariness caused by chronic pain and frustrations with my limited mobility had finally caught up with me. In my discontent, I became demanding and ungrateful. I began complaining about my husband’s caregiving skills. I griped about the way he cleaned the house. Even though he’s the best cook I know, I fussed about the lack of variety in our meals. When he finally shared that my grumbling hurt his feelings, I was resentful. He had no idea what I was going through. Eventually, God helped me see my wrongs, and I asked my husband and the Lord for forgiveness.
Longing for different circumstances can lead to complaining, and even a form of relationship damaging self-centeredness. The Israelites were familiar with this dilemma. It seems they were never satisfied and always griping about God’s provision (Exodus 17:1–3). Even though the Lord cared for His people in the wilderness by sending them “bread from heaven” (16:4), they began craving other food (Numbers 11:4). Instead of rejoicing over the daily miracles of God’s faithful and loving care, the Israelites wanted something more, something better, something different, or even something they used to have (vv. 4–6). They took out their frustrations on Moses (vv. 10–14).
Trusting God’s goodness and faithfulness can help us get a good grip on gratitude. Today we can thank Him for the countless ways He cares for us.
I’m certain we have all found ourselves in this situation at one time or another in our lives. We’ve all had to get a grip on gratitude. If you are in a valley of complaining and self centeredness, own it today, go to God and ask Him to help you rejoice over the daily miracles in your life. Grateful praise satisfies us and pleases God. We all have something to be grateful for in our lives and I’m certain that something will turn into many things when you open your eyes to the things that truly matter.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 19:20-21
09
Oct '18
Much More Than Words
09
Oct '18
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)
At a dedication ceremony during which a Bible translated into a local African language was presented, the area chief was presented with his own copy. In appreciation, he lifted the Bible to the skies and exclaimed, “Now we know God understands our language! We can read the Bible in our own native mother-tongue.”
No matter our language, our heavenly Father understands it. But often we feel unable to express our deepest longings to Him. The apostle Paul encourages us to pray regardless of how we feel. Paul speaks of our suffering world and our own pain: “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together” (Romans 8:22), and he compares that to the Holy Spirit’s work on our behalf. “The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities” he writes. “For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (v. 26).
God’s Holy Spirit knows us intimately. He knows our longings, our heart-language, and our unspoken words, and He helps us in our communication with God. His Spirit draws us to be transformed into the image of God the Son (v. 29).
Our heavenly Father understands our language and speaks to us through His Word. When we think our prayers are weak or too short, His Holy Spirit helps us by speaking through us to the Father. He yearns for us to talk with Him in prayer.
Thank You, Lord, for understanding my language and innermost longings. When my prayers are weak and dry, bear me up through Your Spirit. Amen.
I feel so many times we allow discouragement to creep in when we pray, thinking it’s not good enough or your words aren’t eloquent enough and we just choose not to pray all together but God understands our every prayer just as today’s devotion says. Go to Him, sup with Him, share your heart with Him and watch Him bear you up through His spirit. Make time for God today, in the shower, in your car on the way to work, while your doing dishes, feeding the kids, whenever it may be just take time today to pray. He’s waiting for you and He hears.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 18:24
08
Oct '18
Giving to God First
08
Oct '18
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:17-19)
We quote Philippians 4:19 frequently to ease our concerns about insufficient finances as we say, “I know that God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” However, did you know that the context of this verse is about giving, not receiving? According to the context of this Scripture, Paul was saying that we will receive from God if we are willing to give to God first. Paul was thanking the Philippi believers for giving to him. Paul also said that he had learned to be content in all circumstances and he was thankful that they gave, so that fruit may abound on their behalf.
Why is it so difficult to give first? How can we live with an eternal perspective when it comes to money? Because we need to pay real life monthly bills, make actual house payments and physically handle money, it is difficult to believe that our money will go the extra distance by giving tithes and offerings. We can give away older things to replace them with newer things, although that kind of giving tends to be to our personal advantage. We can give to our families and even to our own social life, but to tithe regularly seems impossible. The word “tithe” means a tenth or 10% and God specifies that the amount is subtracted from our first fruits (our gross salary). God also talks about “offerings.” An offering is in addition to the tithe. This seems like it would require too much faith to even begin giving.
But God asks us to give so He can bless us, to give cheerfully, not with clenched fists. If we open our hands freely to the work of God, we are in a position that we can freely receive from His open hand toward us. Corrie ten Boom said, “I have learned to hold on to things loosely because it hurts when God pries them away.” The interesting thing about clenched fists towards God is that we can never protect what we have from God any way. Remember: God will supply all of our needs when we supply to His first.
Oh Lord, help me to give to You without my left hand knowing what my right hand is doing. Let me be a blessing to You first and I will trust You to take care of me. Amen.
After reading todays devotion I know first hand how God will supply your needs when you supply to His first. I’ve heard it said and it couldn’t be more true, I would rather live on 90% of Gods Blessings than 100% without it. Think on that the next time you have a clinched fist. Open your hands freely to the work of God.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Philippians 2:3-4
05
Oct '18
Pursue Peace
05
Oct '18
Seek peace, and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14)
My computer crashed one night and oh, the feeling of anguish and loss that came over me. My husband and I tried hard to work on it, reboot it and reinstall the system, but to no avail. I was reading and studying Psalm 34:14
when the computer went down, “Seek peace and pursue it.” Obviously the verse and my state of mind were not in the same place, so I started reasoning with the Lord over it.
To seek peace means to search for it like you are looking for a lost child. Have you ever had that happen to you? One minute your child is right next to you and the next minute, gone. Oh the feeling of panic that overwhelms you as your heart starts beating faster, a burning sensation moves throughout your body, your eyes become fixed and your voice raises as you firmly and seriously call out your child’s name. Nothing is right until you find your child. That state of mind is not very peaceful and yet we are instructed to seek peace like we are seeking a lost child. What does that mean?
A missing child isn’t normal for the parent as much as missing peace isn’t normal for the Christian. Jesus left us His peace as if He left it in His will for us to claim, own and enjoy. However, it doesn’t come naturally. Jesus says that He gives us His peace not the world’s peace. If we don’t have peace, we need to find out why and then pursue it.
I pursue peace by meditating on Scripture, and thinking on the verse over and over. I pray the verse back to the Lord asking Him to reveal His will for me from the verse. So when the computer crashed, I felt my peace being traded in for panic. Because the contrast was so evident, I sought for my peace first and then focused on the computer. You have to put yourself in that place to claim your rights to God’s peace regardless of the circumstance at hand. Peace is yours. Seek for it, pursue it, claim it and own it!
When I read today’s devotion I could relate to the feeling of panic and complete lack of peace when my child went missing, it was but only for a few seconds but it felt like an eternity. That state of mind was in no way peaceful and so to read today’s devotion and be challenged to find peace despite the circumstances made me truly reflect on how often I claim my right to God’s peace regardless of the circumstances at hand and although I may have felt I handle situations just fine I do need to work on seeking it, pursuing it, claiming it and owning it in the midst of my circumstance. Today, take a step back, seek peace first and then focus on your circumstances. I know it will make your days so much better. Seek peace and pursue it!
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is John 8:32