Your Daily Crossroad

Victory Parade

Posted on Jul 1, 2019 in Devotions | Tags: 2 Corinthians 2:14, March

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Victory parades are not a modern invention. A famous ancient parade was the Roman Triumph, in which victorious generals led a procession of their armies and captives through crowded streets.

Such parade imagery was likely in Paul’s mind when he wrote to the Corinthian church thanking God for leading believers as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession (2 Corinthians 2:14). I find it fascinating that in this imagery, followers of Christ are the captives. However, as believers we’re not forced to participate, but are willing “captives,” willingly part of the parade led by the victorious, resurrected Christ. As Christians, we celebrate that through Christ’s victory, He’s building His kingdom and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).

When we talk about Jesus’s victory on the cross and the freedom it gives believers, we help spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:14). And whether people find the aroma to be the pleasing reassurance of salvation or the odor of their defeat, this unseen but powerful fragrance is present everywhere we go.

As we follow Christ, we declare His resurrection victory, the victory that makes salvation available to the world.

What does Jesus’s victory on the cross mean to you? How are you living out the power of His resurrection?

I pray you are blessed by this just as I was and I pray after reading this devotion you are encouraged to march with confidence, declaring His resurrection victory. Choose to live out the power of His resurrection today. Jesus is our victorious King! As children of The King we are victorious!

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Romans 12:3

Jun '19

Something to Brag About

Posted on Jun 28, 2019 in Devotions | Tags: Boast in The Lord, Jeremiah 9:23

Jun '19

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. (Jeremiah 9:23)

Boasting starts out strong; but in the end, it always fades away. Jeremiah lists three areas where this is evident: “wisdom . . . strength . . . riches” (Jeremiah 9:23). The wise old prophet had been around long enough to know a thing or two, and he countered such boasting with the Lord’s truth: “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord” (v. 24).

Let us, the children, brag about God, our good Father. In the unfolding story of His great love, it’s the wonderful way you and I grow to become more and more real.

Think of a person you know who embodies the ability to “boast in the Lord.” What is one way this week you can follow their example?

Father, help me to remember Jeremiah’s words. May my only boasting be in the knowledge of You and Your great love which endures forever. Amen.

When I read this devotion I was reminded that we as Christians have something pretty incredible to brag about, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His love for you and I never fails.

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Luke 6:36

Jun '19

Who We Are

Posted on Jun 27, 2019 in Devotions | Tags: Acts 9:15, Who You Are

Jun '19

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. (Acts 9:15)

The Lord sees more than our past. In Acts 9, He directed Ananias to heal Saul, a known persecutor of the church whom God had blinded. Ananias was incredulous at receiving this mission, stating that Saul had been rounding up believers in Jesus for persecution and even execution. God told Ananias not to focus on who Saul had been but on who he had become: an evangelist who would bring the good news to all the known world, including to the gentiles (those who weren’t Jews) and to kings (v. 15). Ananias saw Saul the Pharisee and persecutor, but God saw Paul the apostle and evangelist.

We can sometimes view ourselves only as we have been—with all of our failures and shortcomings. But God sees us as new creations, not who we were but who we are in Jesus and who we’re becoming through the power of the Holy Spirit. O God, teach us to view ourselves and others in this way!

How can you begin to better view yourself and others in light of who you are in Christ today? How does it encourage you to know God isn’t through growing and refining you?

Heavenly Father, help me to find my full identity in You. Allow me to humbly see others through Your eyes of grace! Amen.

What a powerful devotion. How it blessed me. My prayer today is that the next time the enemy tries discouraging you by bringing up your past that you remind him of today’s devotion. God sees you as a new creation, not who you were but who you are in Jesus and who your becoming through the power of the Holy Spirit. Praise The Lord!

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Matthew 6:14

Jun '19

Faithful in Captivity

Posted on Jun 26, 2019 in Devotions |

Jun '19

And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (Genesis 39:20-21)

Haralan Popov had no idea what turn his life would take when the doorbell rang early one morning in 1948. Without any warning, the Bulgarian police took Haralan away to prison because of his faith. He spent the next thirteen years behind bars, praying for strength and courage. Despite horrible treatment, he knew God was with him, and he shared the good news of Jesus with fellow prisoners—and many believed.

In the account from Genesis 37, Joseph had no idea what would happen to him after he was mercilessly sold by his angry brothers to merchants who took him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, an Egyptian official. He found himself in a culture surrounded by people who believed in thousands of gods. To make things worse, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph. When Joseph refused repeatedly, she falsely accused him, leading to his being sent to prison (39:16–20). Yet God didn’t abandon him. Not only was He with Joseph, but He also “gave him success in everything he did” and even “showed him kindness and granted him favor” with those in authority (39:3, 21).

Imagine the fear Joseph must have felt. But he remained faithful and kept his integrity. God was with Joseph in his difficult journey and had a master plan for him. He has a plan in mind for you too. Take heart and walk in faith, trusting He sees and He knows.

What difficult situation have you experienced—perhaps one in which you were falsely accused? Why is it vital for you to maintain your integrity?

God, thank You for being with me always, even when life’s circumstances cause me to be uncomfortable. Help me to be faithful to You. Amen.

When I read this devotion I was reminded of how good God is. Only He can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph and a victim into a victor. Take courage today and remember, He is faithful now and always, stay the course and keep your mind stayed on Him. Stay faithful and persevere, He will fight for you every time.

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Leviticus 19:18

Crossroad Fellowship

Your Daily Crossroad

Victory Parade

Something to Brag About

Who We Are

Faithful in Captivity