Your Daily Crossroad
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Aug '18
A Gentle Answer
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Aug '18
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
If a gentle answer turns away wrath, why do we choose to say harsh words? We hear harsh words everywhere we go. People seem to be so angry these days. The southern California freeways are notoriously known for drivers having “road rage.” I do not even want to know what kinds of words are being spoken in the cars of others while driving.
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Our mouths are speaking right from our hearts. The difficulty with having a “gentle answer” is that the character trait of self-control has to be developed first. If we look at the fruits of the Spirit, the last one is self-control. It starts with love and ends with self-control. We all have the ability to speak gentle and kind words to each other when we want to be kind and loving. However, we do not want to be gentle and kind when we have been criticized or mistreated. These situations require self-control so we can watch our words and answer with gentleness and kindness.
I pray for self-control daily. Not only do I not want to regret my words, but also I really want my heart to reflect the Lord. I see the Lord’s reflection in me when I hear the words that come from my heart. Listen to yourself today. What kind of words do you use? What kind of tone or attitude do you have? Are your words edifying and encouraging or destructive and negative? Then, when you get angry, evaluate your words again. God wants us to have peace: He left it and He gave it. Anger is not a sin but stirring anger up is. Pray for the Lord to take hold of your heart to help you to hold your words. Pray for self-control of your tongue.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
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Aug '18
The Gift of Time
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Aug '18
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25)
I headed into the post office in a big hurry. I had a number of things on my to-do list, but as I entered I was frustrated to find a long line backing up all the way to the door. “Hurry up and wait,” I muttered, glancing at my watch.
My hand was still on the door when an elderly stranger approached me. “I can’t get this copier to work,” he said, pointing to the machine behind us. “It took my money and I don’t know what to do.” Immediately I knew what God wanted me to do. I stepped out of line and was able to fix the problem in ten minutes.
The man thanked me and then left. As I turned to get back in line, it was gone. I walked straight to the service counter.
My experience that day reminds me of Jesus’s words: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).
My wait seemed shorter because God interrupted my hurry. By turning my eyes to others’ needs and helping me give of my time, He gave me a gift. It’s a lesson I hope to remember, next time I look at my watch.
Heavenly Father, all of the time I have is in Your hands, a gift from You. Please show me how to use it to bring glory and honor to You. Amen.
When I read today’s devotion I was reminded that sometimes our to-do list does need to wait. Don’t be so busy in your everyday life that you miss out on the opportunities that God has to use you in the most outstanding way. Be a blessing to others in whatever way He desires to work through you. Be available, even in the most “inconvenient” moments. You never know the impact you will make to bring glory and honor to God. Time is a gift.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 18:21
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Aug '18
He Won’t Leave You There
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Aug '18
Mark 4:35-41
Exodus 14:21-29
You don’t have to be alive very long to hit some rough waters. Everybody’s boat gets rocked from time to time. The wind blows like crazy and you might even take on water. The temptation is to freak out and wonder how—or if—you’ll make it to the other side.
Storms are part of the journey. For me, one of the hardest things is dealing with stuff I can’t fix. I’m tempted to try anyway, but the older I get, the more I realize it just doesn’t work. Some situations are above my pay grade. My fixes are nothing but thick patches on threadbare jeans. They don’t hold very long. I need God to set things right. He’s the only One who can get me unstuck and take me to the other side.
Does that sound familiar? Are certain circumstances getting worse the more you work on them? Are they starting to look like a permanent part of your scenery?
I know what that feels like, but I know this: you can get unstuck if you keep your faith moving. God’s got you. He won’t leave you there. He’s in your boat and He’ll go through the storm with you. When you get to the other side of it, you’ll be stronger for having made the journey.
If you’re in rough waters and you can’t see the other side, think back to all the times you saw no way out. Remember how He parted the sea, or brought life to something dead, or gave you the strength to take another step. You thought it was “The End,” but Jesus made a way for you—out of no way out.
Your past victories weren’t just for the past, they’re reminders of how God makes the impossible possible. You can draw strength from them. Today’s storm doesn’t have to paralyze you. He’s a good God and He’s with you. For sure, He won’t leave you there.
When I read this I felt it needed to be shared for someone to read and be encouraged today. Remember, He won’t leave you there. No night is too dark, No battle is too hard, No situation is too hopeless, No chains are too strong with Jesus by your side.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 12:2
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Aug '18
He Knows What He’s Doing
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Aug '18
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. (Job 1:20-22)
These are crazy times. Every day, things happen that we can’t explain, and every day we ask, “Why?” Again and again, we come up short of the answers. At least I do.
This life is a troubled land where sickness and heartache do not discriminate. Some wonderful people are suffering this very minute. I wish I understood it or had some way to fix their troubles, but all I can do is take their hands in mine.
Maybe the hardest question for us Christians is “Why?” We either avoid it altogether or beat our brains in trying to figure things out, but there are two things we know for sure, and they’re big. First, this is not our home. The day is coming when our Father will wipe away every tear and all suffering will cease, (Revelation 21:4). Second, we’re not alone, even when we think we are.
Maybe you feel like God has forgotten you. It might be hard to “see” Him or hear His voice right now, but that doesn’t mean He left you. He never will—never. If you feel like you’re the only one who’s in a mess, you’re not. You’d be surprised to know how many people—neighbors, friends, and even movie stars—feel just like you do.
The enemy of your soul is slick. He wants you to think you’re the only one – but that’s a lie. You’re not the first and you won’t be the last. You’re not alone, either. Jesus promised never to leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 3:5). When things go haywire, turn to Him and say, “I don’t understand what’s going on, but I will bless You, Lord. I am Yours and You are mine. I trust You in all things.”
Take cover in Jesus. He is one hundred percent trustworthy, and He knows exactly what He’s doing.
I read this devotion a couple days ago and when I woke this morning to put the daily devotion together, I kept being drawn back to this particular devotion, it wasn’t what I had planned to post today but God’s ways are much higher than my ways and I want to be obedient. Someone out there needs to read this and I trust His direction so His direction I will follow and trust Him to take care of the rest. Whatever your facing today just remember, He knows what He’s doing, Trust Him.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 4:23