Your Daily Crossroad
The Anchor of Hope
We might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast . . . (Hebrews 6:18-19)
The writer of Hebrews uses the image of an anchor to describe the confident hope we can have in God. When a boat is in open water, away from a dock, nothing can keep it in place but an anchor. The anchor keeps the boat from drifting off in any direction. No wonder Hebrews calls hope “an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.” That is what an anchor is for a boat, and that is what hope is for our souls.
Hebrews 6 tells us about two people who assure us that hope in God is an anchor for the soul. The first is Abraham. God promised Abraham land and descendants. Even though those promises were threatened many times during Abraham’s life, Abraham hoped in the anchor of God’s promises, and those promises eventually were fulfilled. The second person is Jesus, “our forerunner.” Jesus ran ahead of us. He ran the race of human life. He ran through death, and he returned victorious to life, rising from the dead. Following in his footsteps gives us an anchor for our souls. Because he lived, died, and rose, we have hope that God will also give us new life after death.
When the waters of life get rough, or when we can’t see the shore, let our hope in Jesus be the anchor for our souls.
Faithful God, we often feel like a boat that is far from shore. At those times, and at every time, give us the sure anchor of hope in you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
When I read this it uplifted and encouraged me so much. There have been times when I have felt like a boat that is alone and far from shore but what a reminder that Jesus is my anchor and my hope, sure and stedfast. I am blessed and never alone. He is my anchor of hope.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Hebrews 6:13-20
Take Him Seriously
As He consistently did throughout His teachings, Jesus reminds us of His power, He reminds us that we have divine purpose, and He reminds us that we are loved and cared for. He reiterates what He has been saying to His disciples for 3 years, and also a few centuries too. When the Defeater of death tells you He’s powerful, that you have a purpose and work and that He is with you always, you should take Him seriously. If Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth, should how you worship Him and speak to Him change? If you’re meant to be making disciples and teaching them everything Jesus has commanded, does your day-to-day life need to change? What about your weekend plans? And if Jesus Christ is with you always, how does that affect your spirit? Your joy? Your courage? Your peace? Jesus defeated death for you and for me. Let’s live like it.
When I recently read this I couldn’t deny such truth, to some it may step all over your toes but my prayer is that it challenges you to be real with yourself and answer the questions honestly. Jesus defeated death for you and for me. Let’s live like it. Amen!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 28:17-20
An Alternative to Anger
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife . . . (Proverbs 20:3)
One morning in Perth, Australia, Fionn Mulholland discovered his car was missing. That’s when he realized he had mistakenly parked in a restricted zone and his car had been towed away. After considering the situation—even the $600 towing and parking fine—Mulholland was frustrated, but he decided not to be angry with the person he would work with to retrieve his car. Instead of venting his feelings, Mulholland wrote a humorous poem about the situation and read it to the worker he met at the tow yard. The worker liked the poem, and a possible ugly confrontation never took place.
The book of Proverbs teaches, “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife” (20:3). Strife is that friction that either simmers under the surface or explodes in the open between people who disagree about something.
God has given us the resources to live peacefully with other people. His Word assures us that it’s possible to feel anger without letting it boil over into rage (Eph. 4:26). His Spirit enables us to override the sparks of fury that prompt us to do and say things to strike out at people who upset us. And God has given us His example to follow when we feel provoked (1 Peter 2:23). He is compassionate, gracious, and slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Ps. 86:15).
Dear God, Please help me to manage my anger in a way that does not lead me into sin. Give me self-control through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Wow, when I read this my heart was convicted. I have moments and times when I have been quick to anger and or frustration. Help me Lord to show compassion, grace and to be slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. At times I have felt the way I was feeling was justified but it never is. We have been called to follow God’s example when we feel provoked. My prayer today is for Christ to give me self-control through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 20:1-15
Don’t 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)
I recently read. We often find ourselves determined to reach out and help someone we know who is in great need. But when we fail to see improvement right away, our resolve can weaken and we may eventually give up. We discover that what we hoped would be an immediate change has become an ongoing process.
The apostle Paul urges us to be patient in helping one another through the stumbles and struggles of life. When he writes, “Bear ye one another’s burdens” and so “fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2), he is comparing our task to the work, time, and waiting it takes for a farmer to see a harvest.
How long should we keep praying and reaching out to those we love? “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (v. 9). How many times should we reach out? “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (v. 10).
The Lord encourages us today to trust Him, to remain faithful to others, to keep on praying, and to not give up!
Father in heaven, we ask for hope and perseverance to continue reaching out to others. Amen.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Galatians 6:1-10