Your Daily Crossroad
23
Mar '21
Re-Prioritize
23
Mar '21
Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. (Haggai 1:3-6)
The prophet Haggai was sent to speak to the group who had come back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple of the Lord. The Book of Ezra explains how the first group came back to begin the rebuilding process. Due to great opposition, the work came to a stop over the course of time. Haggai was sent by the Lord to re-start the work and get the people going again. The Lord was telling them to get their priorities straight. They had settled into their lives and homes but the temple was still not finished. They lived in paneled houses while God’s house lay in ruins (Haggai 1:4). If they took a close look at their lives, they would see how their efforts had produced little.
Do you ever feel as though you work really hard, try to do the right things, yet nothing seems to come from it? Are you blessed? Do you see the Lord’s hand in your work? If you feel as though you work to put your wages in a bag with holes, then maybe you need to “consider your ways.” Check your priorities. Are you giving your first fruits unto the Lord? It is not just about your work for God that matters, it is about your heart before the Lord. Is He truly first in your life? Do you do things for Him because you love Him, or is it for other reasons?
These are the questions that we all must ask ourselves. Sometimes we get so focused on our own lives that we lose God’s perspective. When that happens, we often begin to sense that things are not quite right. We do not see the blessings as we would expect or hope to see. As the Lord continued to tell His people through the prophets, “Repent and Return.” The message is the same for us today. Maybe it is time to put some new priorities in your life. Pray about what the Lord wants you to re-prioritize and ask Him to help you to make the changes He wants. Instead of pockets with holes, you will see storehouses that overflow with His blessings.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. I pray in return it blesses you, encourages you and causes you to pause and consider your ways.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
18
Mar '21
Like an Eagle
18
Mar '21
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:5)
Did you know an eagle molts its feathers about once a year? While old ones fall away, new ones grow back as a replacement. Interestingly enough, this process is not all at once.
The eagle molts his feathers slowly and gradually, allowing him to fly unhindered.
In a way, this is the same for us and God. When we follow and stand on His word, He promises to renew us daily with His overflowing abundance of joy, peace and strength.
The second we became born again, our old self was “molted” or stripped away. We instantly became new creations through Christ, robed in the light of His righteousness and glory.
Like the eagle renewing his feathers, the Lord promises to renew your youth by His grace. You now have His nature and He satisfies you with the goodness and glory of who He is.
No matter how many obstacles you have faced or how weary and worn you feel, it is never too late to take flight like the eagle.
Even in the midst of trials, you can still soar above and beyond… allowing God’s grace to transform you from the inside out and renew your soul.
I pray after reading this devotion you are encouraged to fly like the eagle, above and beyond, unhindered. Allow God’s grace to transform and renew your soul.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
16
Mar '21
Be Still In His Presence
16
Mar '21
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)
Be Still. On the days when we have a to-do list that’s a mile long, it can feel nearly impossible to do this.
When we are consumed and lost within the chaos of our schedules, we become numb to His voice and lose out on the precious things the Lord wants to share with us.
Too often we waste time struggling and panicking about our problems, thinking we have the power to solve them alone. We saddle ourselves with more tasks than we can bear, hoping our issues will fade away if we just try hard enough.
All the while, the Lord is standing alongside us, patiently waiting for us to cease our struggling so He can reach over and help.
Think of a person who is at a hospital waiting to receive a shot. The doctor cannot do their job effectively if the patient is struggling to sit still.
For us, it is the same with God. He is the ultimate physician and problem solver, but He will never force Himself upon you when you attempt to do things without Him.
Today, try to find time to sit down and be still before Him. The Lord will not shout over our chaos, but wait for us to quiet ourselves in His presence.
That is the place where you will hear His voice the clearest. When you choose to do this, He is exalted and able to bless you with His love.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. I pray you are encouraged to be still, quiet yourself and make time to bask in His presence. He is patiently waiting for you.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
11
Mar '21
Free Indeed
11
Mar '21
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
What a wonderful gift this is!
Never do we have to feel condemned or measured by our performance. There is no rat race of good works that earns us the love and approval of God.
While we should do our best to obey His word, it’s inevitable that we will mess up and fall short at times. But because of what Jesus did on the cross for us, we can walk through life in complete freedom!
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)
Ever since the day of your salvation, Jesus has lived inside your heart. He sent His Son to die for us so that He could break down the walls between you and Him and have an intimate relationship. This is the difference between Christianity and other worldly, false religions.
Relationship with the God of the universe is greater than any man-made religion.
When the garment of guilt oppresses you after you make a mistake, lay it down at His feet and remind yourself that God is faithful to forgive. Then, you can put on the garment of praise and put on the robe of righteousness He has already given you.
Today, walk in the freedom Christ purchased for you. You are who He says you are, not what the world says. You are a chosen child of the Most High God!
When I read this devotion it reminded me of an old hymn, “Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, lift up your voice to God.” I pray whatever you may be facing today, you are encouraged to put on the garment of praise.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!