Your Daily Crossroad
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Sep '18
The Blessing of Encouragers
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Sep '18
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:27)
The 2010 movie The King’s Speech tells the story of England’s King George VI, who unexpectedly became monarch when his brother abandoned the throne. With the country on the brink of World War II, government officials wanted a well-spoken leader because of the increasingly influential role of radio. King George VI, however, struggled with a stuttering problem.
I was especially drawn to the film’s portrayal of George’s wife, Elizabeth. Throughout his struggle to overcome his speech difficulty, she was his constant source of encouragement. Her steadfast devotion provided the support he needed to overcome his challenge and rule well during the war.
The Bible highlights the stories of encouragers who gave powerful assistance during challenging circumstances. Moses had Aaron and Hur’s support during Israel’s battles (Exodus 17:8–16). Elizabeth encouraged her pregnant relative Mary (Luke 1:42–45).
After his conversion, Paul needed the support of Barnabas, whose name literally means “son of encouragement.” When the disciples were fearful of Paul, Barnabas, at the risk of his own reputation, vouched for him (Acts 9:27). His endorsement was essential to Paul being welcomed by the Christian community. Barnabas later served as Paul’s traveling and preaching companion (Acts 14). Despite the dangers, they worked together to proclaim the gospel.
Believers in Jesus are still called to “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). May we be eager to offer encouragement to help support others, especially as they face difficult circumstances.
After reading this devotion I am reminded of the many times throughout the Bible where God uses encouragers to support and lift one another up. My prayer today is, God use me to to be a friend of encouragement, use me to lift someone up today and every day because just the encouragement of a friend can make all the difference. May we be someone’s Aaron and Hur, someone’s Elizabeth, Barnabas, the list goes on, these are just a few examples throughout the Bible. Let’s be an encouragement in someone’s life today.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 John 1:7
27
Sep '18
When We’re Weary
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Sep '18
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)
Sometimes trying to do the right thing can be exhausting. We may wonder, Do my well-intentioned words and actions make any difference at all? I wondered this recently when I sent a prayerfully thought-out email meant to encourage a friend, only to have it met with an angry response. My immediate reaction was a mixture of hurt and anger. How could I be so misunderstood?
Before I responded out of anger, I remembered that we won’t always see the results (or the results we desire) when we tell someone about how Jesus loves them. When we do good things for others hoping to draw them to Him, they may spurn us. Our gentle efforts to prompt someone to right action may be ignored.
Galatians 6 is a good place to turn when we’re discouraged by someone’s response to our sincere efforts. Here the apostle Paul encourages us to consider our motives—to “test our actions”—for what we say and do (vv. 1–4). When we have done so, he encourages us to persevere: “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (vv. 9–10).
God wants us to continue living for Him, which includes praying for and telling others about Him—“doing good.” He will see to the results.
Dear God, thank You for the encouragement we receive from Your Word. Help us to persevere in doing good. Amen
This devotion blessed me so very much. It can be summed up in six simple but so powerful words, He will see to the results. We can leave the results of our lives in God’s hands. Trust Him and do good unto all men.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Peter 1:3
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Sep '18
It’s Not About the Fish
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Sep '18
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. (Jonah 3:10)
The Bible tells us about a “huge fish” so rare that God had provided it especially to swallow a runaway prophet (Jonah 1:17). Most know the story. God told Jonah to take a message of judgment to Nineveh. But Jonah wanted nothing to do with the Ninevites, who had a reputation for cruelty to just about everyone—including the Hebrews. So he fled. Things went badly. From inside the fish, Jonah repented. Eventually he preached to the Ninevites, and they repented too (3:5–10).
Great story, right? Except it doesn’t end there. While Nineveh repented, Jonah pouted. “O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? ” he prayed. “I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” (4:2). Having been rescued from certain death, Jonah’s sinful anger grew until even his prayer became suicidal (v. 3).
The story of Jonah isn’t about the fish. It’s about our human nature and the nature of the God who pursues us. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God offers His love to brutal Ninevites, pouting prophets, and you and me.
Father, we tend to look at what others “deserve” and forget we need Your love just as much. Help us live in Your love and tell others about it. Amen.
When I read this devotion today it reminded me of just how good God is. Despite our failures and weaknesses He still loves us. Today’s Reading goes right in line with today’s devotion, I love when God does that, Ephesians 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Live in His love today and remember just how much He loves you no matter what your going through. Our love has limits; God’s love is limitless.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Ephesians 2:8-9
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Sep '18
Many Beautiful Things
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Sep '18
And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. (Mark 14:6)
Just before her death, artist and missionary Lilias Trotter looked out a window and saw a vision of a heavenly chariot. According to her biographer, a friend asked, “Are you seeing many beautiful things?” She answered, “Yes, many, many beautiful things.”
Trotter’s final words reflect God’s work in her life. Not only in death, but throughout her life, He revealed much beauty to her and through her. Although a talented artist, she chose to serve Jesus as a missionary in Algeria. John Ruskin, a famous painter who tutored her, is said to have commented, “What a waste,” when she chose the mission field over a career in art.
Similarly, in the New Testament, when a woman came to Simon the Leper’s house with an alabaster jar and poured perfume on Jesus’s head, those present saw it as a waste. This expensive perfume was worth a year’s common wages, so some of the people present thought it could have been used to help the poor. However, commending this woman’s deep devotion to Him, Jesus said, “She hath wrought a good work on me” (Mark 14:6).
Every day we can choose to let Christ’s life shine in our lives and display His beauty to the world. To some, it may seem a waste, but let us have willing hearts to serve Him. May Jesus say we have done many beautiful things for Him.
Dear Father, help me express my love to You in beautiful ways. Amen.
This devotion blessed me today because it is full of such truth and encouragement. No matter what those around you are saying based on what they see, remember this devotion, to some it may seem a waste but have a willing heart to serve Him faithfully and you will quickly realize it was never a waste but opportunity for God to do great and mighty things through you to further His kingdom. We are just passing through, make the most of every day and may our lives display the beauty of God.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Hebrews 11:1