Your Daily Crossroad
13
Aug '20
To Serve and Not Be Served
13
Aug '20
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (Philippians 2:3)
Selfishness focuses on my interests above the needs and interests of others.
When we operate out of a place of entitlement, we fail to look at other’s needs.
In this verse, Paul says selfishness is related to arrogance, or empty conceit.
When we build ourselves up by tearing another down, we fail to show the love of Christ.
However, God is so good.
He always has a remedy.
He tells us to be kind, compassionate, and loving to one another.
When we put the needs of others above ourselves, we become more like Christ.
Jesus came to serve and not be served. He is to be our example.
Lord, help me be like you. Let my heart be that of your servant. Help me to love others as you did, appreciating them, showing compassion and kindness to all! Amen.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. I pray it opens our eyes to value others and realize that influence is providing attention and value to others.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
11
Aug '20
Envy Rots the Bones
11
Aug '20
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. (Proverbs 14:30)
The definition of rot is to decay or the action of decomposing.
Have you ever smelled spoiled milk or rotting food?
It is a putrid stench, and can make you sick to your stomach.
Proverbs tells us that envy will rot our bones.
Envy looks at another and desires what they have.
Envy is so destructive that it robs us of joy. It steals our peace of mind and causes bitterness in our hearts.
When we look at another and ache for their life, we fail to appreciate our own.
While someone else’s life may sound great to us, we do not know the struggles they may be facing.
However, Proverbs gives us the solution to envy.
It tells us that a tranquil heart gives life.
Tranquility means we are calm and quiet.
We are not fretting over what we don’t have.
Lord, give me a tranquil heart, one that looks to you with gratefulness. Replace any envy I may be experiencing with an appreciation for all you have done for me! Amen.
When I read this devotion it blessed me so much. I felt it had to be shared. So often we are trapped in this web of lies, thinking the grass is greener on the other side but I am reminded of a saying. “The grass isn’t greener on the other side, the grass is greener where you water it”. So the next time you find yourself aching for someone else’s life, remember this devotion, stop and count your blessings, water your grass.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
06
Aug '20
Be Kind One to Another
06
Aug '20
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Kindness is manifested in small, simple gestures.
From a smile to a thoughtful word, a loving act can turn someone’s day around!
Jesus tells us that we are to be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving one another.
Now more than ever, we need tenderness.
God, in His great mercy, freely offers forgiveness to us.
The more our hearts draw near to Him and His ways, the more we want to be like Him.
Having received forgiveness, we will pass it on to others.
Just as children imitate their mothers and fathers, we are to be imitators of Christ.
How might you show sacrificial love to those in your life?
As I encounter difficulties and irritations, I will freely forgive, showing kindness and grace to all those I interact with and meet! Amen.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. I felt showing forgiveness, kindness and grace is something we all need to do just a bit more these days. Many have become easily irritated with the state our world is in, being told what to do and what not to do, passing judgment on one another, speaking in anger. I pray in those moments when it would be so easy to lash out and voice your opinion that you would stop and think, how would Christ handle this, how can I imitate Christ and show forgiveness, kindness and grace? Ephesians 5:1, Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
04
Aug '20
Wisdom
04
Aug '20
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. (Proverbs 8:11)
Did you know that when an oyster receives an irritant in its’ shell, it releases a fluid that coats the irritant?
Layer upon layer of this coating is deposited, until a lustrous pearl is formed.
This natural defense mechanism in the oyster creates one of the most beautiful jewels on earth.
Likewise, when carbon is put under extreme heat and pressure, a diamond is formed.
Diamonds and pearls are some of the most beautiful treasures on earth.
But, the Bible tells us that God’s wisdom is even more precious and more desired than these treasures.
Often in life, we are faced with irritating situations.
Like pearls, we may have a defense mechanism that we fall back on to cope.
Or… we may even feel like a diamond under tremendous pressure.
But God uses the heat of trials to refine us and help us become more like Him.
The more we understand His word and apply it to our lives, the more like Him we become.
As we strive to be like Him, we will radiate, and shine His love to others!!
Help me filter my flaws, pressures, and irritants through you, Jesus. Is there a flawed thought process you need to turn over to Him so that you might radiate the beauty of Christ?
I love this devotion. We all struggle with this very thing from time to time but I pray you are encouraged to seek His word and apply it to your life. Psalm 34:10, they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Seek Him!
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!