Your Daily Crossroad
The Power of Simple Words
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16)
Raucous laughter marked the guests in my father’s hospital room: Two old truck drivers, one former country/western singer, one craftsman, two women from neighboring farms, and me.
“…and then he got up and busted the bottle over my head,” the craftsman said, finishing his story about a bar fight.
The room bursts into laughter at this now-humorous memory. Dad, struggling for breath as his laughing fought with his cancer for the air in his lungs, puffs out a reminder to everybody that “Randy is a preacher” so they need to watch what they say. Everything got quiet for about two seconds, then the whole room exploded as this news makes them laugh harder and louder.
Suddenly, about forty minutes into this visit, the craftsman clears his throat, turns to my dad, and gets serious. “No more drinking and bar fights for me, Howard. Those days are behind me. Now I have a different reason to live. I want to tell you about my Savior.”
He then proceeded to do just that, over my father’s surprisingly mild protests. If there’s a sweeter, gentler way to present the gospel message, I’ve never heard it.
My dad listened and watched, and some years later believed in Jesus too.
It was a simple testimony from an old friend living a simple life, reminding me again that simple isn’t naïve or stupid; it’s direct and unpretentious.
Just like Jesus. And salvation.
As I read this I struggled with even sharing it because to some it may come across a bit rough around the edges but I kept coming back to it with the thought that this is reality for many people and there past but what is wonderfully amazing is that once we turn our lives over to Christ we all have a simple testimony to share with an old friend from our past. We truly have a different reason to live. May we share our testimony with someone today, no matter how dark your past was, let us present the gospel message today to someone in need. Is there someone in your life who could hear a simple testimony from an old friend living a simple life?
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Peter 1:12-21
On Time
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son. . .(Galatians 4:4)
Sometimes I joke that I’m going to write a book titled On Time. Those who know me smile because they know I am often late. I rationalize that my lateness is due to optimism, not to lack of trying. I optimistically cling to the faulty belief that “this time” I will be able to get more done in less time than ever before. But I can’t, and I don’t, so I end up having to apologize yet again for my failure to show up on time.
In contrast, God is always on time. We may think He’s late, but He’s not. Throughout Scripture we read about people becoming impatient with God’s timing. The Israelites waited and waited for the promised Messiah. Some gave up hope. But Simeon and Anna did not. They were in the temple daily praying and waiting (Luke 2:25–26, 37). And their faith was rewarded. They got to see the infant Jesus when Mary and Joseph brought Him to be dedicated (vv. 27–32, 38).
When we become discouraged because God doesn’t respond according to our timetable, Christmas reminds us that “when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son . . . to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal. 4:4–5). God’s timing is always perfect, and it is worth the wait.
Heavenly Father, I confess that I become impatient and discouraged, wanting answers to prayer in my own time and on my schedule. Help me to wait patiently for Your timing in all things. Amen.
When I read this I smiled because I am often late myself but thank God we serve a living King who is never late but always on time. My prayer today is if your waiting on God for answers, do not loose faith or hope, He is never late, He is always right on time. Be encouraged today in knowing that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 2:25-38
Spreading Joy
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:10)
I recently read, When Janet went to teach English in a school overseas, she found the atmosphere gloomy and depressing. People did their jobs, but no one seemed happy. They didn’t help or encourage one another. But Janet, grateful for all that God had done for her, expressed it in everything she did. She smiled. She was friendly. She went out of her way to help people. She hummed songs and hymns.
Little by little, as Janet shared her joy, the atmosphere at the school changed. One by one people began to smile and help each other. When a visiting administrator asked the principal why his school was so different, the principal, who was not a believer, responded, “Jesus brings joy.” Janet was filled to overflowing with the joy of the Lord and it spilled over to those around her.
The gospel of Luke tells us that God sent an angel to ordinary shepherds to deliver an extraordinary birth announcement. The angel made the surprising proclamation that the newborn baby “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10), which indeed He did.
Since then this message has spread through the centuries to us, and now we are Christ’s messengers of joy to the world. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we continue the practice of spreading the joy of Jesus as we follow His example and serve others.
How might you spread the joy of Jesus to others today?
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is John 16:16-24
Christ the newborn King
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
I am more excited for Christmas this year than I have been in a long time. My little ones are approaching the age of learning and the slow, repetitive teaching about Christmas and why we celebrate has been so very good for my soul. The daily teaching of why we celebrate Christmas has fed my soul’s appetite to celebrate my Savior. I am normally a big Christmas fan anyway. I love the decor, the music, the lights, the yummy goodies- it’s all so fun. But this year I am excited for it in a deeper way than I have been in a few years. This year, I am excited to really celebrate the coming of Christ and not just the presents and food. My joy in the coming of Christ is deepened this year because of my deep hope for Christ to be Savior to my children as He is to me. They need Jesus as I do and the thrill of Hope for their souls gives me renewed vigor to rejoice.
The eagerness in my heart this year has convicted me of its absence in years’ past. The thrill of hope should have been there always, but so often I failed to feed the flame. Christmas become too commercial to me. Too much about the presents, too much about the pretty lights and jingle bells and too little about the humbled King who submitted Himself to 33 years on death row for my sake. I lost sight of the celebration of the advent of my salvation and I know I’m not alone in my misguided tunnel vision.
All this sparkle and singing and feasting and beautifully wrapped gifts are just shabby child’s play of the celebration that Heaven has prepared to celebrate our salvation because the Father has rescued the Prodigals from their pig pen. I hope you join me in a renewed anticipation and joy in the celebration of Christmas this year. I hope the twinkling lights on your tree are nothing compared to the shining, shimmering thrill in your soul when you celebrate the birth of Jesus. I hope that the decked out tree reminds you of the rough tree limbs that ran red with the blood of your salvation so that you joyfully, humbly celebrate Christ the newborn King and all that His coming means.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 9:6-7