Your Daily Crossroad
The Perfect Gift
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:8-11)
At some point in life everyone has received that horrible gift that defies logic. Perhaps you have given such a gift to someone? But the question is: Why give a gift that is meaningless? Maybe it’s because we don’t really know the person very well, or maybe it’s just that we are giving the gift as an obligation? But true giving is more about the person and how much we care for them. And when we truly love someone, we will give gifts according to their desires and needs.
Unlike humanity, God knows the deepest desires and needs of every human being. Therefore, He only gives gifts to His children that are a perfect fit for their needs and desires. He is able to do this because He intimately understands the true need of the human heart.
That is why He gave The Perfect Gift, His Son Jesus Christ! The gift was all about the true needs of the recipient. And according to the need of His children, God gave a gift that would last forever.
So, during this holiday season seek to understand the true needs of the other person, and according to that need, give a perfect gift that will last!
It is only three days until Christmas and I have yet to go Christmas shopping for the “perfect” gifts. As I read this it challenged me to stop and ponder what a perfect gift that will last, would be for those I have yet to get something for. With the hustle and bustle of the season it’s so easy to get caught up in the thought, let’s just get this done and think yes, that will do and get something for the sake of saving time. Christ didn’t think that when He chose to come to earth to live then knowingly die for us all because He loved us so much, He truly gave the ultimate gift so this year let’s truly give a gift that will last and do it with a loving heart. Christ our redeemer died on The Cross, died for the sinner paid all his dues; Sprinkle your soul with the blood of the Lamb, “And I will pass, will pass over you.” He is the perfect gift. Share Him with someone and give your very best.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 2:1-20
Your Harvest is Due
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness. (2 Corinthians 9:10)
Have you ever said, “When God when?” He hears you and He will answer you in due season.
So many times I want things now! I want to see the fruit of my sowing now as I cry out to God, “I’ve been faithful to sow! I am your servant; hear my cries. When Lord? When will you come and heal? When will you increase my substance? When will you answer?” Just when.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “All good things come to those who wait.” It is somewhat true. I’d like to add the words, “…on God while continuing to sow.” If you continue to sow the seeds God has given you to sow, you will reap a good harvest in due season. However, only He knows which season.
Your job is to keep plowing and sowing precious seed. Cultivate your crops. Weed. Spray some bug repellant so the locust don’t eat up your crops. Pray for rain, your season of harvest is coming!
The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. (Psalm 145:14-15)
Some seasons are short and some are forever long, but He knows your “due season” for a bountiful harvest. Don’t give up plowing! I know it gets hard and the sun is hot, but keep tending your fields! Harvest time is coming!
Father God, Lord of our harvest, give us strength for our season of plowing that we may reap a bountiful harvest in due season! In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen!
When I read this is made me think about the service we had yesterday in church. Our pastor reminded us that FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real but if we would replace FEAR with FAITH, Father All In Thy Hands and trust Him that He is The Lord of our harvest, He will give us strength for our season of plowing in ways we never imagined. He is faithful.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 9:10-15
Another Side of Comfort
Hear the word of the Lord . . . (Jeremiah 7:2)
The theme for our adult camp was “Comfort My People.” Speaker after speaker spoke words of assurance. But the last speaker drastically changed the tone. He chose Jeremiah 7:1–11 and the topic “Wake Up from Slumber.” Without mincing words and yet with love, he challenged us to wake up and turn away from our sins.
“Don’t hide behind the grace of God and continue to live in secret sin,” he exhorted, like the prophet Jeremiah. “We boast, ‘I am a Christian; God loves me; I fear no evil,’ yet we do all kinds of evil.”
We knew he cared about us, yet we shifted uncomfortably in our seats and listened to our own Jeremiah declare, “God is loving, but He is also a consuming fire! (see Heb. 12:29). He will never condone sin!”
Jeremiah of old quizzed the people, “Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?” (7:9–10).
This speaker’s brand of “Comfort My People” was another side of God’s comfort. Like a bitter herb that heals malaria, his words were spiritually curative. When we hear hard words, instead of walking away, may we respond to their healing effect.
Heavenly Father, You love us too much to let us continue defying Your instructions. Your correction is never to harm us but only to heal us. You are the God of all comfort. Amen.
I must admit when I first read this my initial thought was to skip it and look for something to share that was a bit more “comfortable” for people to read, something not so harsh but The Holy Spirit kept tugging at me to share it today. Why? I don’t know but I do know His word will not return void but it will accomplish that which it was sent to do, so I must be obedient and share what The Lord wants someone to hear today. I pray this blesses someone today, pricks your sinful nature and causes you to turn from your wicked ways and follow Him with a whole, honest heart. What a beautifully written devotion.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Jeremiah 7:1-11
Good News!
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! . . .(Nahum 1:15)
I recently read. World news bombards us from the Internet, television, radio, and mobile devices. The majority seems to describe what’s wrong—crime, terrorism, war, and economic problems. Yet there are times when good news invades the darkest hours of sadness and despair—stories of unselfish acts, a medical breakthrough, or steps toward peace in war-scarred places.
The words of two men recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible brought great hope to people weary of conflict.
While describing God’s coming judgment on a ruthless and powerful nation, Nahum said, “Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace!” (Nah. 1:15). That news brought hope to all those oppressed by cruelty.
A similar phrase occurs in the book of Isaiah: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation . . .” (Isa. 52:7).
Nahum and Isaiah’s prophetic words of hope found their ultimate fulfillment at the first Christmas when the angel told the shepherds, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11).
The most important headline in our lives every day is the very best news ever spoken—Christ the Savior is born! Amen!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Nahum 1:7-15