your daily crossroad

 

Comfort in Spiritual Sight

And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16-17) 
 
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt outnumbered? At times, many of us feel overwhelmed, either by people or by circumstances. Elisha and his servant found themselves outnumbered as the Syrian army encircled their city. When Elisha’s servant saw the number of horses and chariots ready for battle, he became immediately afraid. But Elisha saw their situation through spiritual eyes, not physical ones. Elisha saw God’s army and what an army it was! The keys to this story, however, lie in how Elisha prayed and how God answered. Elisha asked the Lord to open the eyes of his servant so that he could see into the spiritual realm. God then opened his eyes. How relieved that young man must have been! 
 
Paul says in Ephesians 6:12 that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” These spiritual forces are at work continually, even though we cannot physically see them. However, there is also a spiritual army fighting against them, God’s army. In those times when we feel outnumbered and overwhelmed, we are to take comfort in knowing that our Lord and Savior is always protecting us. 
 
How are you feeling today? As Christians, we will fight in battles, some harder than others, but battles and warfare are part of this life. The issue for us is how to handle them. Do we succumb to fear and paranoia? Or do we ask the Lord to open our eyes so that we may see? I think we should opt for the second choice. Our first line of defense should include prayer. Tell the Lord your fears and feelings, and ask Him to show you His plan for your protection. Sometimes the reason we go through battles is for our spiritual growth. It is through having our eyes opened that we truly begin to see the Lord working. Start asking Him today– you might be surprised at all He shows you. 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Colossians 4:5-6 
 


Seeking God

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
 
Do you really want God to hear your prayers? Would you like to know how to get God to listen to you? Read today’s verse and notice what God Himself is telling His people to do to get His attention. The children of Israel had turned from God. They practiced idolatry of all kinds, worshipping other gods, disobeying God’s laws and living their lives according their own desires. Regardless of the depths of their sin and wickedness, the Lord showed them mercy. God wanted to give them a chance for redemption but the people needed to come back to Him. 
 
The Lord clearly tells the Israelites what to do: humble themselves, pray, seek, and turn. In return, the Lord says that He will hear, forgive, and heal. Right here, in this one verse, we receive a message from the Lord that is just as relevant today in our lives as it was back then. First of all, we are told to humble ourselves. If you notice the order, humility comes before prayer. God wants us to come to Him in submission, in lowliness and brokenness, recognizing our desperate need for His saving grace. Then, we pray. We pour out our hearts to the Lord, asking, seeking and knocking for His response. In prayer, we must seek not only answers, but we must seek His face. To seek God’s face demonstrates our love for Him, our desire to know Him, and our relentless pursuit of His attention. We need more than just words; we need intimacy and fellowship with Jesus. Finally, our prayers must include confession and repentance of our sins. Again, not just in words asking forgiveness, but in a true desire to change. To change means that we are willing to turn from our “wicked ways” and start following the Lord’s ways by obeying His Word. 
 
Regardless of where you are today in your relationship with the Lord, be assured of one thing: He wants more of you. If you feel distant from God, He wants you to know He is not distant from you. If you feel close to God, He wants to be even closer to you. If you humble yourself before Him, pray and seek His face, and are willing to turn from your sins, then He promises to hear, forgive and heal you. Just ask Him. Humble yourself before the Lord today and open your heart to Him. Be sincere, honest and vulnerable before Him. If you come to the Lord in this manner, you will definitely have His attention, and your heart will be ready to receive His answers. 
 
Today’s devotion blessed me. Faithful He has been, faithful He will be. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is James 4:7


One Thing Will Remain

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35) 
 
Time passes and life goes on, but there will come a day when the world as we know it will cease and pass away. Heaven and earth will be gone. In Noah’s day, even as he built the ark and told the people of what was to come, they continued on as usual. They ate, drank, married and did all the things in life just as they always had done. Then the rains came, and within 40 days every living thing was under water, except for Noah and his family. Noah’s family was safe in the ark. They listened to God’s words and were saved. 
 
The Bible is filled with prophecies concerning the last days. Many biblical scholars who study prophecy fully believe that we are in the last days and that at any moment our lives will be forever changed. Jesus could return at any moment. Are you ready? Or do you think that your life will just keep going? God did promise us that one thing would continue. He told us that His Word will never pass away. His Word through His Son, Jesus, will save us. All we have to do is believe in Him to live forever with Him. Our bodies will die but our eternal life will go on and on. We need to live for that day when we hear the Lord say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord’ (Matthew 25:23). 
 
What an incredible devotion, as I read it I was reminded of the sermon preached in service yesterday. The time is indeed near and we must be ready! What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see, and I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace; when He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land, what a day, glorious day that will be. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh (Matthew 24:44). Find us ready Lord! Are you ready to stand before God today, tomorrow or any day after? 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Psalms 68:19 


Inquire of Him First

Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:2-4) 
 
Think about one difficulty you are facing right now. It might have to do with your family, your finances, conflicts at work or even an accident you recently had. All these things can be considered as armies coming against you. I know from personal experience that any circumstance that has overpowered me is an army coming against me. I might come up with my own schemes and plans, but nothing I do is going to fix it. In desperation and anxiety, I cry out to the Lord. 
 
Crying out to the Lord as a last resort is a lot different than “resolving to inquire of the Lord” from the start (as Jehoshaphat did). God honored Jehoshaphat’s prayer and then he honored the Lord by singing praises to God before the battle even began. 
 
Circumstances are difficult in life. Many times, we wonder what is really going on and why is the Lord allowing this to happen? All the Lord wants is for you to include Him. Circumstances can be hard but His answers to your prayers are not. Go to God today first. Tell Him, “Lord, I don’t know what to do but I am looking to You.” He not only hears, sees and answers, but He assures the victory.  
 
When I read today’s devotion I felt there were many who needed to read this. I pray you are encouraged by these words today. Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not (Jeremiah 33:3). Great is thy faithfulness, God remains faithful through the most difficult circumstances in our lives. Inquire of Him first and trust Him! 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Psalms 51:10


Overflowing

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) 
 
“No! No! No! NO!” I screamed. It didn’t help. Not one bit. My brilliant solution for our plugged problem—flushing again—accomplished exactly the opposite of what I’d intended. I knew I had made a mistake the second I pushed the lever down. And I stood helplessly as water overflowed. 
 
How many times have our kids tried to pour milk and misjudged the process, with white liquid flowing everywhere. Or maybe we failed to remember that a two-liter bottle of soda just rolled around in the trunk . . . with explosively startling results. 
 
No, spills are almost never a good thing. But there might be one exception. The apostle Paul uses that image of overflowing to describe a people so full of God’s Spirit that what naturally spills out of them is hope (Romans 15:13). I love that picture of being filled to the brim with joy, peace, and faith because of His powerful presence in our lives. So much so, in fact, that we can’t help but exude and express winsome confidence in our heavenly Father. That might be during the beautiful, sunny seasons of our lives. Or when the proverbial cup of our lives gets jostled. Either way, what sloshes out over the top is life-giving hope to those around us who are “drenched” by it. 
 
Lord, spills happen in life. But when they do, help us to be so full of Your Spirit that what pours out of us is the kind of hope that others can’t help but notice and be blessed by. Amen. 
 
I love what today’s devotion expresses, let hope spill out of you today, no matter what your facing, hope. Allow each day to be filled to the brim with joy, peace and faith. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised) (Hebrews 10:23). The Father gave us the Spirit to make us like the Son. 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Romans 8:31

 



Lift Up Your Eyes

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. (Psalm 121:1-8) 
 
Today’s psalm is one of my favorites. I read it and meditate on the words when I need encouragement from the Lord. Are you in need of encouragement today? Do you feel as if trouble surrounds you? Maybe you feel as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Let’s be encouraged together as we look at what these verses are saying. First of all, we need to look up and “lift up” our eyes to the hills. We need to look up at the Lord and believe that He is coming to help us. Acknowledge that our Lord is the One who made heaven and earth with amazing power and majesty. He is strong enough to help us. I love the verse that says He “shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Our Lord is watching over us constantly. He is our keeper. 
 
This message is not just for today but also for eternity. He preserves our soul and protects us from all evil. He preserves our every move and keeps watch over us everywhere that we go. Because of His Son, Jesus Christ, all who believe in Him are preserved for eternity in heaven. Some days seem longer than others here on earth, but be encouraged and know that the Lord of heaven and earth has His eyes upon you every moment of every day. Take comfort in the words of this psalm and meditate on it throughout times of trouble. Consider these precious words as promises from God, and trust that He always keeps His promises. 
 
Be encouraged and uplifted by these words today and don’t allow the enemy to feed you lies that you have been defeated. You are an overcomer, trust Him for His promises. For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Titus 2:11-12


Too Hard for The Lord?

And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. (Genesis 18:13-14) 
 
Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old when Isaac was born. Both Abraham and Sarah were well past child bearing age. Most likely, they could not imagine having a baby at such an old age, but God had a different plan. The Lord knew the exact time in which Sarah would have Isaac and it would clearly be a miraculous blessing to her life. Throughout the years, as the Lord kept telling Abraham of this promise, Abraham kept believing and waiting on the promise to be fulfilled. Twenty-four years after God first promised an heir to Abraham, three men showed up at Abraham’s door. The Lord was one of the three and He again restated His promise that they will bring forth a son, a baby boy. Sarah reacted by laughing. The Lord responded with a question: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” 
 
Abraham was a man of faith. God said it and Abraham believed what God said. Simple, pure, powerful faith. Sarah believed Abraham and trusted his words but when the Lord showed up, she lacked in her faith to believe. She even laughed at what God said. For us, sometimes it is easier for us to believe a person or to believe in a person than to trust in God. If God gives us a promise we can have a hard time trying to work it out ourselves. The hardest part is waiting on the Lord to fulfill it. We wait, we wonder and sometimes we worry but God is always faithful to keep His promises. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. Nothing. If He says it, then He will do it. 
 
I pray after reading this devotion you walk away feeling uplifted and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We must strive to be men and women of faith. My prayer today is that we trust Him for his promises no matter the wait and that we truly realize no thing is too hard for The Lord, if He says it, He will do it. Simple, pure, powerful faith. 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Galatians 6:7-8 


Even If

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. (Daniel 3:17-18) 
 
These three men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—were hurled into the fiery furnace; and God miraculously delivered them so that not a hair of their head was singed and their clothing was smoke-free (vv. 19–27). They had been prepared to die but their trust in God was unwavering—“even if” He had not saved them. 
 
God desires that we cling to Him—even if our loved one isn’t healed, even if we lose our job, even if we are persecuted. Sometimes God rescues us from danger in this life, and sometimes He doesn’t. But the truth we can hold firmly is this: “The God we serve is able,” loves us, and is with us in every fiery trial, every even if. 
 
Dear Lord, we love You! Please give us unwavering faith—and strength and hope for each day—no matter the circumstance. Amen.
 
I believe it is so important that we continually share and remind ourselves of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. What Faith!! The faith they had in that moment and time is the same faith we have available to us today. It’s up to us to stand on it, cling to Him and believe God for whatever answer comes. Always remember, God is able!
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
 
Today’s Reading is 1 Peter 1:24 


The Spiritual Fight Against Fear

And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land. (Joshua 8:1) 
 
The Lord told Joshua to go up to Ai. Actually, He was telling Joshua to go back to Ai. Since their earlier defeat at Ai, the men of Israel have been through a tragic experience because of the disobedience of one of their men, Achan. The punishment for Achan’s sin no doubt left a fearful impression upon all these men, who must now be prepared for war. So the Lord tells Joshua to “fear not, neither be thou dismayed.” In other words, He is saying, “Get back up and let’s take care of the business at hand. Let’s complete the job we have started.” The Lord promises to be with Joshua and his men, even going so far as to tell Joshua that He has already given the king, the people and the land into their hands. 
 
In the second part of this verse, the Lord tells Joshua to “see.” This is not a physical seeing because the battle has not yet even begun. This form of seeing requires spiritual eyes of faith to believe that what the Lord is saying is true, even though it cannot be physically seen at this time. For Joshua, this is an important step of faith. He has just been dealt a severe blow through what happened with Achan and now he must get back up. He must continue to fight. He must take each step with the Lord. 
 
God is faithful and just. He will complete the work He has started. Do not let fear, anger or discouragement keep you from following the Lord. Get back up, trust Him and take that next step. The enemy will do whatever he can to keep you from taking that next step, but the Lord will help you to “see” that He has delivered you and will lead you forward.
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is John 13:34-35


He Never Forgets Us

Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. Ihave blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. (Isaiah 44:21-22) 
 
Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) was chosen by God, but not because he was sinless or above reproach from man’s perspective. His descendants were just like us- real people with real problems making real mistakes. But God used this group of people to bring Jesus into the world and to give us a relationship back to God. Even though we have been dealing with the same sin issues since creation, God does not separate Himself from us because of our sin. Jesus made a way for us to be united with God forever.  We do not have the ability to become perfect while on earth but we can be perfected (or conformed) into God’s image because of Christ. 
 
It is because of the cross that all things are made new. We need to cling to the cross because it is there that we have been set free. We are forgiven, reconciled back to God and called out to be used of Him. I need to do nothing else but to accept that my sins have been cleansed and be willing to accept how the debt has been paid. It is of the Lord that we have been called. We are His witnesses established for His glory and sanctified for His purposes. 
 
Nothing we do can separate us from Him but the same is not true of us. We tend to hang on to our sins, which lead us away from the Lord. Jesus has cleansed us from all sin–past, present and future. We need to be thanking Him for how good God is that He made a way for us to be with Him forever. 
 
Relax. Take in a deep breath. Think about how much grace has abounded to you. Talk to the Lord about the sin issues in your life that keep pulling you away from Him. Thank Him for never pulling away from you.
 
When I read this I couldn’t help but think how faithful and real God is. When we commit our lives to Him, He goes before us, makes the crooked paths straight and truly forgives us of all our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. It’s up to us to go to Him and allow Him to be present in our lives. He never leaves us nor forsakes us and He never forgets us. Go to Him in prayer today. 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 21:21


The Land of Far Distances

Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. (Isaiah 33:17) 
 
Amy Carmichael (1867–1951) is known for her work of rescuing orphaned girls in India and giving them a new life. In the midst of this exhausting work there were times she called “moments of vision.” In her book Gold by Moonlight, she wrote, “In the midst of a crowded day we are given almost a glimpse of ‘the land of far distances,’ and we stand still, arrested on the road.” 
 
The prophet Isaiah spoke of a time when God’s rebellious people would turn back to Him. “Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off” (Isaiah 33:17). To view this “land that is very far off” is to be lifted above the circumstances of the immediate present and to gain an eternal perspective. During difficult times, the Lord enables us to see our lives from His viewpoint and regain hope. “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us” (v. 22). 
 
Each day, we can choose to look down in discouragement or lift our eyes to “the land that is very far off,” to “the glorious Lord who will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams” (v. 21). 
 
Amy Carmichael spent more than fifty years in India helping young women in great need. How did she do it? Each day she fixed her eyes on Jesus and placed her life in His care. And so can we. 
 
Lord, today we lift our eyes from the circumstances that discourage us to see You in Your splendor, and find peace. Amen. 
 
This devotion is just what I needed and I pray it blesses you today. I am reminded of a beautiful hymn, Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. No matter what we face we can choose to focus on the circumstances that discourage us or lift our eyes to see His splendor and find peace. It’s our choice, which will you choose today? Fix your eyes on Jesus! 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is 2 Chronicles 7:14 


Rich Fulfillment

O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. (Psalm 66:8-12) 
 
Sometimes we have the misconception that being a Christian should be all about riches, fulfillment and abundance. As Christians, we know the Lord personally and have been given everything we need for life and godliness. We are the children of the King. What else could we possibly need that He has not already given to us? But why do we face such hard trials in life? 
 
The Psalmist explains the real life version of receiving fulfillment. “For You, O God, have tested us,” God tests the hearts and intents of His people. He allows trying circumstances to squeeze us: As if we are “in a net”; we carry affliction “on our backs”, often while submitting to others whose motives and intentions are wrong. God brings us through terribly trying situations to test and grow our faith in Him. 
 
These trials are confusing and difficult. But we can we see God’s love and care through them because when we have come through the fires of this life, and walked through the tests and trials, the crown of eternal life awaits us. Fulfillment and abundance have to do with the victory in overcoming the most terrible trials. That satisfaction comes when we know that we are still with the Lord regardless of the circumstances. There is a place of rich fulfillment and abundance on the other side of the tests. All the riches of the world cannot be compared with the love, joy and peace we get from God. Read through Psalm 66 and really praise the Lord for the trials of life. Praise and worship brings the greatest fulfillment and abundance of them all. 
 
When I read this today it blessed me. No matter what we face we must truly believe, God’s got this! Don’t allow the circumstances to overwhelm you or dictate your victory. Commit every situation to God and trust Him for the outcome. 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is 2 Timothy 3:16-17


God Makes Things Right

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) 
 
Have you ever wished you could take back something you just said? Or, have you ever thought “If only I had known then what I know now, I would have done things differently?” More than once in my life, I have wished I could go back and do something over to make it right. Even with our best intentions and motives, there are times when our words come out the wrong way and we find ourselves feeling badly. We usually know it immediately. I have learned from my own experiences that the Holy Spirit will convict and impress upon me that I should have handled a situation differently. One of the Greek definitions of the word “conviction” means to bring to light, to cause shame, or to show one’s fault. One of the Holy Spirit’s jobs is to convict us when we say or do things outside of God’s will. This includes speaking when we should have been listening or speaking from our own wisdom instead of the Lord’s. 
 
When I find myself in a situation where I feel badly about what I have just said or done, I start praying. I begin by confessing my sin and asking for forgiveness. The Lord promises that He will forgive us our sins if we confess them (1 John 1:9). Repentance is definitely the next step because we need to acknowledge that we do not want to continue sinning against Him or others in this way.  Next, we have a responsibility not only to pray for ourselves but also to pray for the person(s) involved because our sins do affect others. And that is one of the reasons I love Romans 8:28. I pray this verse to the Lord when I know I have made a mess of something. I start asking the Lord to work it together for good despite what I have done or said. 
 
I can honestly say that the Lord has always been faithful to these prayers. You see, we are going to say and do things that we wish we could take back. We are going to hurt others, even when our intentions are good. We will fail and fall short; we need a Savior. We are sinners saved by grace. So today, put the responsibility back on our Savior and Lord. Ask the Lord to work “all things” together for good and apply this verse to those times when you know you have just made a mistake. Ask forgiveness, and then start praying for God to make it right. Only He can make things right. God’s love, mercy and grace cover us every moment of our lives and He gives us His Word to help guide us. Memorize this verse today and ask the Lord to bring it to your mind in times of trouble. 
 
When I read this I felt it applied to every single one of us at one time or another. But God! He is incredible, He is forgiving and He can take what the enemy meant for evil and make it good. So today, no matter what you may have said or done, listen to the Holy Spirit’s conviction, go to God, seek His face and pray. Only God can mend brokenness but you have to be willing to allow Him to. Look to God, repent and forgive. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin . . . (2 Chronicles 7:14). God makes things right! 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Psalms 115:14-15 


Miracles in the Everyday

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19) 
 
There are many times that I just want to quit. There is no real reason but I just don’t feel like continuing on the same path. I want to see new things, do new things, feel new things and think on new things. I look for the miracles to come and, at times, I seem to end up more miserable than when I started. Sounds like moments of a mid-life crisis, doesn’t it? Maybe some of you deal with similar feelings at times. Wouldn’t it be great to have a relationship that changes from being filled with tension to all of a sudden being filled with those loving feelings? Wouldn’t it be great to suddenly wake up every morning early, bright-eyed to spend an hour with the Lord and to hear Him answer you? Wouldn’t it be great to be able to eat whatever you want without worrying about gaining weight or needing to exercise? That would cause a whole new way of thinking and feeling and doing and even living. Those miracles can happen–and do. I have seen the Lord do those things, which is why I look for those kinds of miracles every day. But I have come to realize that God uses the boundaries in our lives to teach us victories in entirely new ways. I hate to admit it, but I have come to learn that the victories in life come mostly in the everyday things. 
 
I was reading the book of Zechariah along with the book of Revelation and cross-referencing similar passages. I knew that the Lord was speaking through them to me. I got this great feeling that He was going to be doing something great in my life that day. As time went by, I was looking for the miracle. And God is so faithful; I realized that He did do a miracle that day. There was something I have dreaded to do every week, but all of a sudden, I was excited to go and participate. It was a miracle. I didn’t have any of those feelings of dread or insecurity, just excitement. Why did God choose to reveal His blessing to me in this way? Because He values our everyday lives and wants to have us enjoy His blessings in them. That new thing may seem so small but it yielded so much peace. God is in the business of granting peace. Look for the Lord in the little things. He wants your revelation of His works to become bigger as you look for Him in the every day. And believe me, living on the same path but now with peace is living in the miraculous. 
 
When I read this I couldn’t help but think how we all go through things in life like this devotion expresses but we must look for The Lord in the little things. Don’t loose faith or trust just because He didn’t answer your prayer the way you felt it should be answered. Look for him today and every day in the small things, for you will realize they were so great. Allow Him as today’s devotion says, to teach you victories in entirely new ways. When you do, it will open up an entirely new perspective on finding peace in your life. 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Hebrews 12:2


Just Believe

Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. (John 1:50) 
 
What does it take for you to believe? For some, we want the small things like a peaceful day. For others, we want our bodies healed. And for others, we want God to appear to us and give us direction on what to do next. All of these requests fall on the lines of appeasing our flesh. Our flesh doesn’t want to struggle or guess; we want clarity, peace and a life that is pain free. But that is why many do not believe. 
 
At times, God does perform these kinds of miracles, but God doesn’t need to prove He is God as much as we need to prove we believe He is God. Despite how we feel, what we see or how we think, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith goes beyond the senses to a deep understanding and knowing that He is God in the midst of a hassled day and in the hurts from life’s circumstances. Faith is believing without seeing. 
 
The Lord asks us today, “Do you believe?” If the answer is yes, He will spiritually open your eyes to see in faith what He has for you. He might not show you through a burning bush or through an earthquake, but it is that still small voice that will testify within your spirit His will and ways for you. Sometimes He says, “Wait.” Other times He will say, “Go.” But every time, the Lord Jesus Christ will say, “Just believe.” He knows what is best. Trust Him today with that issue you want to see God work through so badly. Give it to Him. Lay it down at His feet. Just believe and you will see greater things than these. 
 
Wow! What a powerful devotion! I pray this touches someone to the core today and ignites something inside them that gives them hope to keep moving on. You will see greater things than these, just believe. 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
 
Today’s Reading is Psalm 37:5