Your Daily Crossroad
22
May '20
Hope and Great Expectations
22
May '20
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
Our job is to not give up!
We overflow with peace because God cannot change and he is good!
He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
God is faithful and the overflow of confidence is built though our experiences with His goodness.
His promises are true and you can trust Him!!!
I choose each day to endure, to try again, to hope again and live with expectancy. My God is good!
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)
I felt after reading this devotion that it needed to be shared time and again. I pray you are encouraged to do as today’s devotions says, endure, try again, hope again and live with expectancy. I am reminded of Psalm 62:5, My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. Great expectations!
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
19
May '20
God Sees You
19
May '20
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)
“Look in me eyes, daddy! Look in me eyes,” our sweet toddler exclaimed one busy Sunday afternoon.
The curious phrase became a habit from that day forward. His intensity often left my husband and me laughing. But make no mistake: Chase was serious, taking his daddy’s face into his hands, leaning close, eyes inches apart.
When he needed a little extra attention, this was his go-to response. The only thing that would placate him was the reply, “I see you, sweetie. I see you.”
Coming from a big family, I remember yearning as a child for more one-on-one time with my parents. Because we traveled and sang, I learned quickly that performing well temporarily satisfied the desire to be noticed. I loved music so much, and though I was somewhat shy, it felt good to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
But the older I got, the more I began to understand: Applause fades. The show ends. People “outgrow” you.
It can lead a tender heart to wonder …
Do I matter? Does anyone REALLY see me? Am I invisible?
Although I’m not a kid anymore, I wrestle at times with feeling unnoticed, desperately wanting to grab the faces of those around me and demanding, “Look in me eyes.” Sometimes I feel like I have to do that with God, too.
It’s easy to question our worth when it appears others don’t appreciate or truly see us, or when we compare their “glamorous” life with our “simple” one. I see my friend’s highlight reel as she serves orphans in Uganda and then feel like I’ve all but disappeared in the lowlight of an underwhelming day.
Washing dishes, running errands, making dinner … none of it feels meaningful. Sometimes the false belief — that value lies in the things we do and not in the God who made and passionately loves us — can crush our fragile hearts.
Have you been there?
May I speak hope into your soul today? A heart turned toward God never goes unnoticed.
He sees you right where you are, even if no one else does. He is actively searching for a heart like yours! A heart that loves the Lord — one that’s surrendered to Him — cannot be ignored. But our gracious God doesn’t stop there.
In our key verse, 2 Chronicles 16:9a, the Scriptures declare God sees the whole earth, and He promises “to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
Strength to fold one more load of laundry? You bet.
Strength to plan one more meal? Yes.
Strength to trust His timing? In abundance.
Strength to faithfully serve Him in the small things? Absolutely!
Strength to wait for the season to change? It’s yours!
In the hardest of times and on the loneliest of days, I don’t have to perform or jump up and down for God to notice me. Instead He is ever reaching, ready to take my face in His hands, lean close and whisper, “Look in My eyes, child. Look in My eyes.”
In that closeness, where His tender gaze meets our weary but trusting heart, we’ll hear Him say, “I see you, sweetie. I see you.”
Face to face with our heavenly Father, He soothes the ache to be seen. The desire to perform disappears in the revelation that I am fully known and fully loved by God. And my heart can finally see that His eyes upon me are the only ones I’ll ever need.
Dear God, thank You for really seeing me. Knowing Your eyes are always on me matters more to me than being noticed by others. When I crave attention and validation, I choose to receive Your love, placing all that I am in Your hands. Thank You for strengthening my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
When I was pondering on what The Lord would have me post for a devotion today I kept feeling in my spirit, “I see you”. It led me to this devotion and it brought tears to my eyes. I knew I had to share it. I needed this gentle reminder today. So often we can have these feelings in life and we need a gentle nudge from God reminding us, “I see you”. Remember today and every day, You matter and God Sees You!
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
15
May '20
Following Your Own Spirit
15
May '20
Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! … thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts … the Lord hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. (Ezekiel 13:3-4, 6)
In Ezekiel’s time, some people spoke words they felt were genuinely inspired by God. Yet they misled themselves as well as others and were not genuine prophets. Their ideas originated in their own hearts and minds. They might have thought of themselves as brilliant or wise, but God called them “foolish.”
Regardless of their opinions, their discernment was faulty. They had “seen nothing” (v. 3) and “the Lord [had] not sent them.” They were “like foxes in the deserts,” cunning and resourceful. Regardless of how they sounded, they had not heard from God and had not made a total commitment to follow Him.
Their understanding of the future was faulty. Their motives were not pure, so they saw things that profited or benefited themselves. Deep down, they weren’t really confident, but they just hoped that their words would be confirmed.
The reality is that any of us can fall victim to tendencies like these. We need to be careful to be sensitive to God, to speak only His words, to do what He has called us to do, and to make sure our motives are pure. We need to focus on never being self-centered, but instead we need to be dedicated to God and His Kingdom.
Surrender your life anew to God. Fill your heart and mind with His Word. Seek to be more sensitive to His Spirit. Let Him guide, correct, and lead you.
Father, help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit. I am Your servant, ready to speak Your words and do what You have called me to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I was blessed by this devotion. I pray it encourages you to take a moment and evaluate yourself, have you been a bit self-centered lately. Wanting only what you want, claiming it’s The Lord’s will for your life but not seeking him for the true answer and direction for your life. Who’s spirit are you following, His spirit or your own?
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
12
May '20
When Silence Speaks
12
May '20
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. (Proverbs 13:3)
It’s easy to speak rash words fueled by strong emotions. But such reactions can often lead us — and others — to hurt-filled and unrighteous places. God provides a better way.
Wisdom prompts us to trust in the Lord and guard what we say — even when we’d rather spout our explanation or defense. Whether this means we remain silent or speak with love, our Father leads us well. Indeed, He does.
Heavenly Father, teach me to guard my lips well. Forgive me for the times that I haven’t. I trust You to know best whether I should remain silent or speak in the situations I encounter today, tomorrow and beyond. So, whether it’s with words or silence, I choose to glorify You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This devotion blessed me. I pray you are encouraged to listen and obey when God is prompting you to be silent. God’s reasoning for your silence will always become clear but It’s up to you to obey.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!