Your Daily Crossroad
13
Jun '18
Advice from My Father
13
Jun '18
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
After being laid off from an editorial job, I prayed, asking for God to help me find a new one. But when weeks went by and nothing came of my attempts at networking and filling out applications, I began to pout. “Don’t You know how important it is that I have a job?” I asked God, my arms folded in protest at my seemingly unanswered prayer.
When I talked to my father, who had often reminded me about believing God’s promises, about my job situation, he said, “I want you to get to the point where you trust what God says.”
My father’s advice reminds me of Proverbs 3, which includes wise advice from a parent to a beloved child. This familiar passage was especially applicable to my situation: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6). To “direct thy paths” means God will guide us toward His goals for our growth. His ultimate goal is that I become more like Him.
This does not mean that the paths He chooses will be easy. But I can choose to trust that His direction and timing are ultimately for my good.
Are you waiting on God for an answer? Choose to draw near to Him and trust that He will guide you.
Lord, thank You for guiding and caring for us every step of the way. Help us to trust in You daily. Amen!
I felt this devotion was important to share, some days the waiting can feel agonizing and burdensome but we must remember in whom we have believed. His timing is incredibly perfect and if we will find peace in the waiting, we have found all that we need. Why? Because He’s there with us, every step of the way, there is never a moment in waiting that we are alone, if we feel alone it’s only because we chose it. We must remember, God knows what is best for you and I, trust Him on the path He has placed you on today and allow Him to lead and guide you along the way, faith believing that He’s got it all figured out and in His time all will be revealed. Trust Him with ALL your heart. Remember this, if God brings you to it; He will bring you through it.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Colossians 3:13
12
Jun '18
A Humble Heart and Willing Spirit
12
Jun '18
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22)
So many factors are involved in someone sinning against another. Many times, the thoughts and motives of the one who sinned are not as clear as the reaction of the person who was sinned against. Conflict is hard. Conflict takes a toll on both parties. Defensiveness goes up and trust goes down. Both parties though, the one who needs to forgive and the person who needs to ask for forgiveness, have their share of difficulties. The one who would forgive, deals with skepticism. They hope for real change this time, and deal with thoughts such as, “I hope this is the last time you need to ask forgiveness. I hope this time it works for good. By choosing to forgive you, I may just get hurt again.” But the person who continually asks for forgiveness is also in a difficult situation. When we sincerely confess our sin to another, we have to admit to ourselves that we have hurt someone else as a result of our behavior or words. To ask forgiveness repeatedly is to admit that we do not have the ability or power to change that trait in us. So to ask sincerely means that we need to keep seeking ways to change. After a while, it is natural in the flesh to justify and rationalize the sinful behavior instead of continually trying to change. That is why Jesus takes both sides. If someone is repeatedly willing to ask forgiveness, sincerely looking for help, then we need to be willing repeatedly to restore that person back.
I am thankful for Jesus’ teaching because I know that He lives by His own teaching. We sin against Him more than anyone else. If we are repentant, He is willing to forgive us – over and over and over again. We have to pray that our hearts remain soft enough to keep asking for forgiveness. His mercies are new every morning, probably because we use up all His mercy the day before.
If you need to ask forgiveness from someone, ask the Lord to give you a humble heart and a spirit willing to change. If you are being asked to forgive, ask the Lord to help you look to Him to help restore the person back in your heart without bitterness. The Lord will help you. He is on both sides. Let us pray that we keep His focus and His heart during the conflicts, and not our own.
After reading today’s devotion I was reminded of one simple yet powerful word, LOVE, we must love, no matter the hurt, no matter the conflict, love. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 5:44
11
Jun '18
The Arm of Flesh
11
Jun '18
Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)
Hezekiah was a king who helped focus God’s people back to the pure and true worship of God. He restored the temple, tore down the high places built to other gods, reinstated God’s feasts and celebrations and was known as a king who led people to celebrate the one and only true God. But now, another nation came up to war against him. Hezekiah knew that this other king had the strength and ability to overcome the Israelites in battle. This king also caused a lot of conflicts for King Hezekiah.
Hezekiah could have just surrendered to the fear caused by the tactics and overconfidence of the king of Assyria but he didn’t. Instead, Hezekiah started building up his military defenses, working hard on repairing broken parts of the walls around the city and making more weapons. Then he spoke the words of these verses that encouraged the people. These words, however, were not just bursts of intimidation as with the king of Assyria, but came from a heart of passion and purpose from the Lord. By verse 20 of the story, Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah were crying out to the Lord, knowing that He has the power to fight the battle for them. And He did. Verse 22 says, “So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all others. He took care of them on every side.”
We worship a God who takes care of us on every side. It was good that Hezekiah prepared for battle, but it was better that Hezekiah prepared His heart to turn to the Lord. The arm of flesh is limited. We need to be prepared to fight as we use the weapons God has given us. The strongest weapon is a tender heart that knows the Scriptures and how to turn to the Lord on our knees. No battle is too great for the Lord.
If you are in a situation today in which you need to see the Lord on your side, get on your knees and start asking for help. God is waiting to show His power no matter what circumstance you are facing.
Wow! This blessed me so much. We as children of The One True King have to start getting on our knees in prayer and live with an assurance truly believing and knowing The Lord is on our side. I was so blessed in service yesterday and I want to share three words with you today to go along with this powerful devotion, Let Him Breath. Whatever your facing, whatever your going through, frustration, sadness, anger, hurt, fear, whatever it is, let Him breath into your situation and watch His peace come over you in that very moment. God is waiting, Let Him Breath.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 5:3-4
08
Jun '18
Before the Beginning
08
Jun '18
Thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)
“But if God has no beginning and no end, and has always existed, what was He doing before He created us? How did He spend His time?” Some precocious Sunday school student always asks this question when we talk about God’s eternal nature. I used to respond that this was a bit of a mystery. But recently I learned that the Bible gives us an answer to this question.
When Jesus prays to His Father in John 17, He says “Father, . . . Thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world” (v. 24). This is God as revealed to us by Jesus: Before the world was ever created, God was a trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)—all loving each other and being loved. When Jesus was baptized, God sent His Spirit in the form of a dove and said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (whom I love)” (Matthew 3:17). The most foundational aspect of God’s identity is this outgoing, life-giving love.
What a lovely and encouraging truth this is about our God! The mutual, outgoing love expressed by each member of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is key to understanding the nature of God. What was God doing before the beginning of time? What He always does: He was loving because He is love, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:8).
God, thank You for Your overflowing, self-giving love. Amen!
When I read today’s devotion I was reminded of Romans 8:39, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God loves you even in your darkest hours. He comforts you even in your darkest moments. He forgives you even in your darkest failures, why, because God is love. We are created in the image of a God who is loving and relational. To love God is the greatest virtue; to be loved by God is the greatest of blessings.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 43:2