Your Daily Crossroad
Failure Is Not Fatal
And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6:69)
Prime Minister Winston Churchill knew how to bolster the spirits of the British people during World War II. On June 18, 1940, he told a frightened populace, “Hitler knows that he will have to break us . . . or lose the war. . . . Let us therefore brace . . . and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire [lasts] for a thousand years, men will still say, ‘This was their finest hour!’ ”
We would all like to be remembered for our “finest hour.” Perhaps the apostle Peter’s finest hour was when he proclaimed, “Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69). Sometimes, however, we let our failures define us. After Peter repeatedly denied that he knew Jesus, he went out and wept bitterly (Matt. 26:75; John 18).
Like Peter, we all fall short—in our relationships, in our struggle with sin, in our faithfulness to God. But “failure is not fatal,” as Churchill also said. Thankfully, this is true in our spiritual life. Jesus forgave the repentant Peter for his failure (John 21) and used him to preach and lead many to the Savior.
Failure is not fatal. God lovingly restores those who turn back to Him.
Dear Father, thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You that Your mercy and grace are given freely through the shed blood of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
I recently read this and thought what an incredible God we serve. I wouldn’t want to live this life without knowing Him and having a relationship with Him! When God forgives, He removes the sin and restores the soul.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is John 18:15-27
“A Four-Letter Word”
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
More than once since I committed this verse to memory I have had to embrace it as truth and pray that I not give in to a “spirit of fear.” I have come to believe that the word “fear” really is a four-letter word and should be considered profanity. Wouldn’t it be great if we could somehow have it censored from all of our thoughts and feelings, like bleeping out a bad word? But instead, fear is very much a part of our reality, even more so than we realize or want to admit. I know there are times when being fearful can be a good thing, such as being afraid of doing something that might bring harm or danger.
The spirit of fear as mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7 is a different kind of fear. This fear hinders what God has given us: His power, love and sound mind. This fear grips us with doubts and insecurities, waging war with our thoughts and feelings. This kind of fear is not of God but of the enemy, the devil. Fear is one of the greatest weapons Satan uses against us, as it attacks our minds. He tells us that we are no good, not worthy, unloved and useless. These thoughts affect us all, he picks on everyone, no one is spared. How can we fight against such thoughts? By believing the truth of the second part of the verse. God through His Holy Spirit has given us power, love and a sound mind, not in our strength but in His.
Are you dealing with fears today that are gripping you so tightly that you feel helpless and hopeless? How can these fears be conquered? Start by praying for the Lord to open your mind and help you understand how to use the power given by His Holy Spirit. The power precedes love, so next pray for your heart to be filled with His love, knowing that His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). What a great pair…power and love! Then, ask the Lord to clear your mind and bring to your thoughts His words, taking captive those thoughts not of Him.
O, Lord, I pray that You teach us how to live victorious lives through the empowering love and strength of Your Holy Spirit. And in Jesus name we ask that You break those strongholds of fear that bind us up and keep us from experiencing the peace and joy that You desire for us. Amen.
I recently read this and I knew it had to be shared. Fear is a stronghold and it’s time we break the chains of fear that hold us captive. I pray this blesses someone right where you are today and I pray it inspires you to get up and keep moving forward.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Timothy 1:6-12
Nothing is Useless
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
In my third year battling discouragement and depression caused by limited mobility and chronic pain, I confided to a friend, “My body’s falling apart. I feel like I have nothing of value to offer God or anyone else.”
Her hand rested on mine. “Would you say it doesn’t make a difference when I greet you with a smile or listen to you? Would you tell me it’s worthless when I pray for you or offer a kind word?”
I settled into my recliner. “Of course not.”
She frowned. “Then why are you telling yourself those lies? You do all those things for me and for others.”
I thanked God for reminding me that nothing we do for Him is useless.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul assures us that our bodies may be weak now but they will be “raised in glory” (v. 43). Because God promises we’ll be resurrected through Christ, we can trust Him to use every offering, every small effort done for Him, to make a difference in His kingdom (v. 58).
Even when we’re physically limited, a smile, a word of encouragement, a prayer, or a display of faith during our trial can be used to minister to the diverse and interdependent body of Christ. When we serve the Lord, no job or act of love is too menial to matter.
Jesus, thank You for valuing us and using us to build up others. Amen.
This blessed me when I read it because so many people feel inadequate when it comes to what they have to offer others but God can and will use you right where you are with what you have. Today let’s encourage ourselves and remember, when we serve The Lord, no job or act of love is too menial to matter, nothing we do for him is useless, ever! Even if in the moment all you have to offer someone is a smile, you never know all the good that a simple smile can do.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading Is 1 Corinthians 15:42-58
Someone to Trust
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? (Proverbs 20:6)
“I just can’t trust anyone,” my friend said through tears. “Every time I do, they hurt me.” Her story angered me. Struggling to trust again after a pain-filled childhood, this betrayal seemed just one more confirmation that people could not be trusted.
I struggled to find words that would comfort. One thing I could not say was that she was wrong about how hard it is to find someone to fully trust, that most people are commpletely kind and trustworthy. Her story was painfully familiar, reminding me of moments of unexpected betrayal in my own life. In fact, Scripture is very candid about human nature. In Proverbs 20:6, the author voices the same lament as my friend, forever memorializing the pain of betrayal.
What I could say is that the cruelty of others is only part of the story. Although wounds from others are real and painful, Jesus has made genuine love possible. In John 13:35, Jesus told His disciples that the world would know they were His followers because of their love. Although some people may still hurt us, because of Jesus there will also always be those who, freely sharing His love, will unconditionally support and care for us. Resting in His unfailing love, may we find healing, community, and courage to love others as He did.
When I read this I felt it was important to share. Often times we use the excuse, well I can’t trust anyone but that’s the furthest thing from the truth. Take a moment today and without lashing out at the ones who have hurt you refocus your thoughts and take a moment to reflect on those who God has placed in your life who truly and unconditionally support and car for you, even if you can only think of one single person, Thank God for them. My prayer today is that despite the hurt from others in my life, may I be that person in someone’s life who they can stop and say, yes, I may have been hurt by this or that person but I know I have a true friend in her who will unconditional support and care for me. Let me be that person who God uses to uplift and encourage others and may I not solely reflect on those who have hurt me but reflect on those who truly love me because that’s what truly matters.
Thank You Jesus for placing those in my life who love me and support me unconditionally. Help me not to focus on those who have hurt me. Thank You for making true love possible. Amen!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is John 13:33-35