Your Daily Crossroad
12
Apr '18
Finding joy in Jesus
12
Apr '18
He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)
We’ve all heard that God’s plans are more important than our own. And if you’re like me, you’ve nodded your head in agreement at the wisdom of those words. Yet when we encounter a situation in life where things don’t go according to our plans, we can often become devastated!
John the Baptist’s disciples found themselves in a perplexing situation. They had been following an amazing prophet and man of God, only to see another Man rise up and take the spotlight off of John (John 3:26). Even though he had said a greater One would come (John 1:15), John’s disciples were confused and disappointed.
So how did the prophet respond? Using the analogy of being the best man at a wedding, he lifted up the joy that’s based in the success of another, not personal fulfillment (John 3:29). Like the best man of a groom, a teacher of a student, or a parent of a child, he felt great joy in knowing that Jesus was being lifted up. John the Baptist said, “He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all” (John 3:31).
In an age when selfishness rules, I so often forget about this kind of joy. It doesn’t focus on self, but on others and—especially—Christ. My peace is so often based solely on me, my circumstances, and my successes. But John the Baptist reminds me that the true source of joy for a believer is seeing Jesus lifted high and worshiped as our great King.
It’s our joy to serve God and—as the psalmist wrote in Psalm 84:1-12—to declare, “I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10). Let’s find joy in Jesus as we lift Him high today!
I am so uplifted by today’s devotion. When I woke today I felt The Lord say, find joy in your journey. My joy is found in Jesus! No matter what we are facing, He is greater, no matter the disappointment, He is greater, He is greater than I. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. He is my joy!
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 94:19
11
Apr '18
Seek His Heart
11
Apr '18
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)
I don’t blame Samuel for thinking that Jesse’s first son was God’s chosen man to replace Saul as King. Saul was described as “a choice and handsome man, from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.” Samuel anointed Saul as King but Saul’s heart turned from following God. God was grieved that he had made Saul the King of Israel. Now Samuel was to anoint someone after God’s own heart. Like Samuel, we judge by appearances. It would be natural to think that the outward appearance mattered because of Saul’s appearance. However, God exhorts Samuel to listen to Him, instead of his own instincts.
David was anointed that day. He was the youngest son, out tending the sheep. He too was described as “ruddy with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance,” but God was choosing David for his heart.
To do God’s work, we have to be sensitive to His leading. If we continue to do what we think is right by our own natural inclinations, we might not be representing God’s heart. We can’t read or judge someone’s heart. But if God has our heart, we can discern His ways. We need to pray for the Lord’s discernment. Today, be sensitive to pray before you make any decisions. Then, wait to hear if the Lord is ready to answer. He will make known His will if you are willing to seek His heart.
What blessed me about this devotion is so often we are quick to judge based on the outward appearance but The Word says we are to look on the heart. What wise instruction. Today I challenge you to look on the heart and pray for The Lord’s discernment. I also feel this could be seen how we see ourselves when we look in the mirror. Don’t compare yourself to those around you, you are uniquely created and God will use you if you are willing to seek His heart and wait patiently on Him. Seek His heart!
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Colossians 3:15
10
Apr '18
Learning to Wait
10
Apr '18
And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them (Exodus 25:14).
Moses had led the children of Israel out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, into the wilderness and now to the foot of Mount Sinai. As everyone settled in at the base of this mountain, God called Moses to come up to the top. As Moses prepared to leave, he gave specific instructions to the elders. “Wait here…” Wait. Hang out. Stay put. Do not go anywhere. Sounds like a simple message. But as is often the case, the people became restless and impatient. How long were they supposed to wait? Maybe they thought Moses would head up the mountain and then come right back down, kind of a short trip. Their measure of time did not meet God’s measure of time. How often does that happen to us? Very frequently in my experience!
We live in a world that is fast-paced, with instant messaging and real-time technology. We wait for very few things. We get impatient and anxious over the smallest time delays. Waiting in line to do anything seems futile and a waste of time. We pray for self-control just so we are not completely rude or offensive to those around us, especially those who may be holding up our schedule. But just as in the days of Moses, there are consequences to the behavior that comes from such impatience. The children of Israel decided to build a golden calf, throw a wild party around it, and make complete fools of themselves before God. We may not build a golden calf while waiting in traffic but many of us (if honest) must admit that we can get pretty foolish in how we handle our frustrations. Horns beeping, people yelling, gestures and faces display hostility…what has happened to us? The short answer: we have no concept of what it means to wait.
As Christians, we serve a God who is never in a rush. The Lord is patient and steadfast. If we treat our prayers like a slot machine or a 9-1-1 call, we will most likely be disappointed. The Lord will wait. So often, He is waiting on us to come to Him, or to come back to Him. He does not respond according to the world’s pace. He wants us to follow Him, not the world. Waiting on the Lord brings strength to our character. As His child, we should be diffusing the hostility with love. There is no better time to be a witness for Jesus than when we are being pressured to act like everybody else. Stop today and think about this message. If you find yourself in a line at a store, in traffic or anywhere that you are told to “wait,” pray for God’s strength to give you patience. Pray for the person standing before you in line or the Cashier before you get to her. Pray that it be an opportunity to glorify Him and be His witness.
What I love about this devotion is it applies to each and every one of us from time to time. I challenge you today to stop and pray before you react and glorify Him. Your reaction to a situation literally has the power to change the situation itself. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16) Learn to wait patiently.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 119:93
09
Apr '18
Don’t Look Back
09
Apr '18
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62)
I have come across this verse four times in a week so I am getting the feeling that the Lord wants my attention. There are so many things that compete for our attention. The home, the kids, work, our health, keeping the car tuned up, relationships and of course, the things that entertain us. If we continue to just try to stay afloat without thinking or praying, we find ourselves surviving instead of thriving. It is so easy to not get rid of bad habits because we at least know what to expect and what to do. When God starts helping us to focus on something better and healthier, we are at a loss for awhile on how to live with the change. That’s why it is so much easier to look back.
The Israelites really struggled with this when leaving Egypt. They struggled with looking back so much that they never made it forward. All they could think about was the comparison between the luxuries in Egypt with the barrenness of the desert. Even though God completely provided miracles for them and freed them from the cruelty of slavery, they could not stop thinking of the comforts of their bad lifestyle over the freedom of their new lifestyle. And they never learned to work it out with the Lord. They just complained about it. As much as we hate to admit it, we struggle with the same things at times.
If we really think about it, life was not better before we became a Christian. The difference is that we didn’t have anyone to blame our issues on then, but now we can blame them on God. How silly but how true! Life is so much better knowing the Lord. We have the power of prayer, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the promises of hope for an everlasting life. We have fellowship with Him, and we should have a great attitude. But we need to learn how to put the Lord first in everything and have Him lead us, instead of figuring out our own needs and asking the Lord to meet them. By giving our lives to Jesus, we should never look back. There is nothing back there worth living for any way. If you are struggling with bringing the past into the future, ask the Lord to help you become more fit for the kingdom of God. Confess that sin and ask the Lord to help you open your heart to receive all He has for you. Then move forward in His Name!
I love when confirmation comes through God’s word. This devotion couldn’t be more fitting for what was preached in service yesterday. We must go to God in prayer with complete honesty and an open heart to receive His forgiveness and His guidance. Choose to put God first today, go to Him in prayer. If you find yourself saying, I don’t have time to pray then pray while your brushing your teeth, pray while your getting your kids ready for school, pray while your working out, pray during your morning commute, pray at your lunch hour, find time to pray, all He’s asking is that you make time for Him and He will meet you right where you are. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us (1 John 5:14). Don’t just survive, thrive, by making Him your priority. Keep looking forward.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Revelation 1:8