Your Daily Crossroad
That you May Believe
And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. (John 19:35)
Over 333 prophecies were fulfilled during the life of Christ. Twenty-eight of those prophecies were fulfilled while Jesus was on the cross. In this Scripture passage, John points out three times that certain events occurred for the Scriptures to be fulfilled, “so that you may believe.”
In the Christian life, our salvation (our faith) is based upon one thing: our belief that Jesus Christ came to earth as the Son of God, fully God and fully man, and that He gave His life as a ransom for us. He was not just a good man or prophet or teacher–He was God incarnate. Jesus began His journey to earth back in the Garden. God told us that her Seed (the woman) would crush his head, the head of Satan. The rest of the Old Testament foretold of His coming and God’s people knew to look for Him. Yet, when Jesus showed up on the scene, many of them did not believe. In the course of three years, He did more miracles than could be recorded. But still, many did not believe.
Jesus fulfilled the prophecies, just as had been told. He died on a cross for the sins of humanity and opened the way for all who look upon Him and believe in Him, to have everlasting life. But, He did not stay dead–He arose on the third day. Jesus conquered death so that we may live. One day the rest of the prophecies will be fulfilled, just as the Bible foretells. One day, Jesus will return and will reign as the King that many of these people were looking for when He came the first time. Until then, we wait and we eagerly look for Him to return. Do you believe?
The Bible was written so that we may believe. The Gospel of John was written by the disciple whom Jesus loved, so that we may believe. Regardless of life’s trials and hardships, do not allow the hardness of this world to weaken your faith. Look up! Look to the Cross and be saved. Sometimes we need to be reminded to look up and see Jesus. He is with us right now–He is with you right now. Just believe.
Lord, I will never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross. Help me to never take for granted the forgiveness You have extended to a sinner like me. Help me walk in the freedom You gave to me as a result of Your perfect sacrifice. Amen!
As I reflected on this devotion it blessed me more and more. What powerful truth, what a reminder!! Just believe. May we never take for granted the forgiveness He extended to all sinners, if we would only believe and trust Him!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Ephesians 5:1-16
Writing Letters
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men. (2 Corinthians 3:2)
My mother and her sisters engage in what is increasingly becoming a lost art form—writing letters. Each week they pen personal words to each other with such consistency that one of their mail-carriers worries when he doesn’t have something to deliver! Their letters brim with the stuff of life, the joys and heartaches along with the daily happenings of friends and family.
I love to reflect on this weekly exercise of the women in my family. It helps me appreciate even more the apostle Paul’s words that those who follow Jesus are “a letter from Christ,” who were “written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God” (2 Cor. 3:3). In response to false teachers who wanted to discredit his message (see 2 Cor. 11), Paul encouraged the church in Corinth to keep on following the true and living God as he had previously taught. In doing so, he memorably described the believers as Christ’s letter, with their transformed lives a more powerful witness to the Spirit working through Paul’s ministry than any written letter could be.
How wonderful that God’s Spirit in us writes a story of grace and redemption! For as meaningful as written words can be, it is our lives that are the best witness to the truth of the gospel, for they speak volumes through our compassion, service, gratitude, and joy. Through our words and actions, the Lord spreads His life-giving love. What message might you send today?
Lord God, write the story of my life so that I might reflect Your love and goodness to those I encounter today. Amen.
When I read this one simple thought came to mind. You may be the only bible some people read. What message are you sending today to those watching?
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 3:1-6
Clothes for the Climate
While removing the price tag from an item of winter clothing I had purchased, I smiled at these words on the back: “WARNING: This innovative product will make you want to go outdoors and stay there.” When properly clothed for the climate, a person can survive and even thrive in harsh and changing weather conditions.
The same principle is true in our spiritual lives. As followers of Jesus, our all-weather spiritual wardrobe has been prescribed by the Lord in His Word, the Bible. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Col. 3:12–13).
These garments that God provides—such as kindness, humility, and gentleness—allow us to meet hostility and criticism with patience, forgiveness, and love. They give us staying power in the storms of life.
When we face adverse conditions at home, school, or work, the “clothing” God tells us to wear protects us and enables us to make a positive difference. “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness” (v. 14).
Dressing according to God’s guidelines doesn’t change the weather—it equips the wearer.
Heavenly Father, help me to put on Your garment of love so that I am prepared for whatever life brings me today. Amen.
May each and every one of us have staying power in the storms of this life, knowing that in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Equip us this day Lord to weather the storm. We would never remove our jacket during a storm, let us not remove our spiritual wardrobe when the storm is at it’s worse but be equipped and ready to face whatever life’s storms throw at us with love and strength. He is our strength! This devotion blessed me so much today. Dressing according to God’s guidelines doesn’t change the weather—it equips the wearer. Amen!! Remember this today.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Colossians 3:8-17
Do Not Give Up
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)
Are you feeling “weary” these days? Do you ever feel as if “doing good” really gets you nowhere? I bet that if we were honest, most of us would admit to these feelings or thoughts at some points in our Christian life. If you spend much time at all reading Paul’s letters in the New Testament, you hear him telling us to persevere, to run the race with endurance, and to not lose heart. The Apostle Paul understood the trials of suffering and how hard it can be just to keep going, day in and day out. Today’s verse has a promise at the end, one that we can all claim in victory. If we do not grow weary and give up, there will be a time of reaping, a season of harvest.
The enemy will use every scheme he can against us to discourage us from moving forward. I wonder how many times we give up at the last minute. What would happen if we never gave up? When the Lord calls you to step out, you must go. Once you make that decision, you will be tested. You will be tempted to quit, especially in your thoughts. To combat the temptations to quit, we must stay in the Word of God to renew our minds and to surrender to His will over our natural-born desires. Through the Holy Spirit, we can overcome and live a life pleasing to God. Praise God, for He wants for you to overcome and live a life pleasing Him.
God is leading you, you must follow Him, step by step. Know that there will be times when you will feel weary and your heart wants to sink, but that is when you turn to the Lord for strength and encouragement. Do not give up! The victory may be a day away.
When I read this I was blessed by this devotion today, the victory may be a day away, wow, what truth!! It’s okay to admit weariness and discouragement, it’s what we do after that makes the difference. We must persevere, run the race with endurance, and not lose heart. Don’t allow the enemy to plant seeds of doubt in your mind, read your word and pray every day, stay close to God and watch His plan unfold in your life. In His time you will reap the harvest. Don’t give up on God, He has never given up on you. He loves you so much He sent His son to die for you. What love!! Be not weary, do not give up.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Galatians 6:9