Your Daily Crossroad
The Gift of Encouragement
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36-37)
An old Merle Haggard song, “If We Make It Through December,” tells the story of a man laid off from his factory job with no money to buy Christmas gifts for his little girl. Although December is supposed to be a happy time of year, his life seems dark and cold.
Discouragement is not unique to December, but it can be amplified then. Our expectations may be higher, our sadness deeper. A little encouragement can go a long way.
Joseph, a man from Cyprus, was among the early followers of Jesus. The apostles called him Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” We meet him in Acts 4:36–37 when he sold a piece of property and donated the money to help other believers in need.
Later, we read that the disciples were afraid of Saul (Acts 9:26). “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles” (v. 27). Saul, later called Paul, had formerly been trying to kill the believers, but Barnabas defended him as a man transformed by Christ.
All around us are people longing to be encouraged. A timely word, a phone call, or a prayer can bolster their faith in Jesus.
The generosity and support of Barnabas demonstrate what it means to be a son or daughter of encouragement. That may be the greatest gift we can give to others this Christmas.
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of encouragement. May we encourage others as they have encouraged us. Amen.
When I recently read this and I was reminded that discouragement is amplified during this time of year it makes me want to find all those who are discouraged and make it all better but obviously I can’t so I will do what I can, even if it means starting with those in my own life and those I come in contact with. It starts with one, it starts today. Encourage someone today.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Acts 4:32-37, 9:26-27
The Fruits of Your Labor
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (2 Corinthians 11:26-27)
When you are working to build or maintain a ministry, whether it be international, local, or contained in the confines of your home, it is almost inevitable that doubts in the form of a myriad of negative thoughts will plague you. As you face obstacles, bumps in the road, and even roadblocks, you may find yourself wondering if this vision or dream of yours is really from God. You may even find yourself questioning God, wondering if He knows what He’s doing or if He made the right decision in choosing you to do what it is He called you to do. After all, if you were meant to do this, wouldn’t it be easier? Wouldn’t more people support your efforts?
As we look at the above scripture, we must remember that what Paul is speaking of occurred not only when he was working in his calling, but also when he was working within the will of God. He was doing what God charged him with doing, what He called him to do, and still he was met with opposition after opposition and trouble upon trouble. What this scripture shows us is that doing the will of God does not exempt us from trials or obstacles. God does not promise us that the road to fulfilling our calling will be easy. What He does promise us is that He will be with us and that He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6) He also promises us that our reward will be worth the trouble we face. (Galatians 6:9)
If you find yourself feeling discouraged and wanting to give up on your ministry or life’s calling, remember Paul’s sufferings and his impact on our faith despite it all. His words are still inspiring us today! See the fruits of your labor instead of concentrating on the thorns. If your ministry brings one single soul to Christ, isn’t that worth the trouble?
Today’s Reading is Deuteronomy 31:6, Galatians 6:9
Our Savior
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:23-24)
I recently read. The only people on earth that I would voluntarily suffer for the way Jesus suffered for me are my husband and my children. The familial relationships that scripture uses to describe God’s relationship to us are important because it gives us a human lens with which to understand how deeply God regards and cares for us. We are the flesh of His flesh, bone of His bone. He loves us with the protective instinct of father and the intimacy and oneness of a spouse. This is why He suffered for us. This is why He took the beatings without fighting back, why He let Himself be mocked.
The incredible beauty of Jesus taking on our suffering is that it wasn’t just left at that. He didn’t take our suffering but still leave us as mortal, fallible people destined to die. He took our suffering AND healed the wounds inflicted on us by our own sin. He switched places with us completely. He who knew no sin became our sin so that we who had been born in sin could know everlasting, perfected life. He took our punishment AND healed us of all our pain, guilt and shame too.
It’s important as we start the Christmas season that we understand why Christmas is worth celebrating. We have to first understand what took place at the cross. We first have to realize that we are sinners and then we have to realize that Jesus took our sin, suffered for it, healed us and adopted us into a family of eternal glory and incredible love. We aren’t just celebrating the birth of a little Jewish boy a few thousand years ago. We are celebrating the beginning of our own rescue mission. We are celebrating the birth of our Savior. But there’s no point in celebrating a Savior if we don’t need saving. So we have to remind ourselves how desperately lost we were before Jesus. We have to understand what we deserved. And we have to be floored and overwhelmed that we will never receive one drop of that cup of judgment because it was entirely poured out on the head of a man whose birth we will celebrate in a few weeks. He took your wounds, Christian. He took the ones you deserved and then He healed the ones you inflicted and received from yourself and other sinners just like you. He took it.
I hope that over the next few weeks, as you open presents, look at lights, eat Christmas cookies and listen to Christmas music, that last phrase hovers over all your sweet joy, pouring deep meaning into why we have all these little celebrations and joys at all: “By His wounds you have been healed.”
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Peter 2:23-24
Reflect The Light
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)
The first Christmas “light-up” ever was not created by electrical cables, glitter, and neon lights but by “the glory of the Lord [that] shone around” (Luke 2:9). No tourists saw it, just a few simple shepherds out in their field. And it was followed by an unexpected rendition of “Glory to God in the Highest” by an angelic choir (v. 14).
The shepherds went to Bethlehem to see if what the angels said was true (v. 15). After they had confirmed it, they could not keep to themselves what they had heard and seen. “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child” (v. 17).
Many of us have heard the Christmas story often. This Christmas, why not share the good news with others that Christ—“the light of the world”—has come (John 8:12).
Lord, help me this Christmas to reflect the light of Your presence and goodness to others. Amen.
I recently read this and I wanted to share it because I pray this Holiday season we show others the true meaning of Christmas and what it’s truly about, Christ our Savior. May we reflect the light of His presence and goodness to others in what we say and do.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is John 8:12-20