your daily crossroad

 

Painting a Portrait

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5)

The National Portrait Gallery in London, England, houses a treasure of paintings from across the centuries, including 166 images of Winston Churchill, 94 of William Shakespeare, and 20 of George Washington. With the older portraits, we may wonder: Is that what these individuals really looked like?

For instance, there are eight paintings of Scottish patriot William Wallace (c. ?1270–1305?), but we obviously don’t have photographs to compare them to. How do we know if the artists accurately represented Wallace?

Something similar might be happening with the likeness of Jesus. Without realizing it, those who believe in Him are leaving an impression of Him on others. Not with brushes and oils, but with attitudes, actions, and relationships.

Are we painting a portrait that represents the likeness of His heart? This was the concern of the apostle Paul. “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus,” he wrote (Phil. 2:5). With a desire to accurately represent our Lord, he urged His followers to reflect the humility, self-sacrifice, and compassion of Jesus for others.

It has been said, “We are the only Jesus some people will ever see.” As we “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (v. 3), we will show the world the heart and attitude of Jesus Himself.

Father, please build the heart of Christ into my heart that those around me will see Him clearly and desire to know Him too. Amen.

When I read this just this morning I knew it needed to be shared. To some we are the only Jesus some people will ever see, how are you portraying Christ? When others see you and your life do they desire to know Him too? Every single morning I encourage my daughter to show The Love of Christ in all she says and does. My prayer is that I do just that in my attitude, actions and relationships. Help me today Lord to show Your love, even in those challenging moments.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Philippians 2:1-11



He Knows

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. (Psalm 139:4)

It’s comforting to know that God loves us with a deep familiarity. David wrote, “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether” (Ps. 139:4). Imagine having a quiet conversation with Jesus where you’re telling Him the deepest matters of your heart. Just when you’re struggling to get the words out, He gives you a knowing smile and expresses exactly what you couldn’t quite say. How good it is to know that we don’t have to get our words just right to talk to God! He loves us and knows us well enough to understand.

You know all about me, Lord, and You love me. Thank You for understanding me completely! Please help me to love You and follow You today. Amen.

When I read this it made me think of the many times I’ve struggled to express what I wanted to say to The Lord but what truth I was reminded of today, He loves me so much and knows me so well, He understands even when I can’t quite get the words out. God hears every unspoken word. What peace!

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Psalm 139:1-12



Who Sharpens You?

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

When you are stuck in sin, what are you compelled to do? Are you compelled to engage other believers and prayerfully work through sin’s power in your life? Hopefully, that is the case. Unfortunately, many believers urge themselves to withdraw, retract, and disengage from those who would walk through our sin with us because it can be embarrassing admitting we have messed up. However, this is the last thing we should do!

Let us remember, as Christians, we are called to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16). This is not an irrational rule meant to shame us into compliance. Contrarily, it is intended for our benefit and building one another up in love and grace. What we seem to forget is that what we struggle with, others have or do as well. Our Christian brother or sister has already been through what we are experiencing and can be there to help us through it. Don’t let pride keep you in sin!!

We may be grieved by our sin but continue to live in it because we aren’t confessing it and being sharpened in our fight against it. Repentance is much more than feeling sorry about our sin; it is literally turning around and going in the opposite direction. Rather than living in the dark and returning to sin, confess your sin to a brother or sister and stay accountable to him or her. When this happens, you will find you both become sharper, more useful tools for the Lord.

Who sharpens you?

This blessed me when I read it and I felt it needed to be shared. Just remember it’s not a free pass to gossip but to genuinely find that one person in your life who sharpens you, won’t judge you, get mad at you but love you and pray with you and for you and who will be honest in love and in return you do the same for them. You may be thinking, I don’t have anyone in my life I can go to and that’s the furthest thing from the truth, go to God, talk to Him and He will bring someone into your life who sharpens you. Believe Him for that person in your life and you go out and be that someone for someone else. Allow God to use you to be that person that someone is looking for to sharpen them. It could be your spouse, your child, your co-worker or even your friend. I needed to be reminded of this today. Here I am Lord, use me.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Proverbs 27:1-17



Kindling

And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them. (Isaiah 1:31)

I recently read. Humankind is possessed of a self-destructive bent. We consistently over-indulge in lifestyles and behaviors that will ultimately bring about our demise (i.e. addiction to drugs, alcohol, smoking, deviant sexual activity).

When we live life outside of God’s will and companionship, many of us follow our sinful tendency of utter selfishness. We live and work for ourselves, and essentially pursue first and foremost that which will bring us pleasure.

In a sense, what Isaiah was so eloquently speaking of here is that when we live worshipping ourselves or idols, we become kindling, and everything we put our hand to acts like a spark. This epitomizes the destructive nature of sin, that we would labor toward the very thing that will destroy us! It’s like a full gas can and playing with matches.

Be weary then, for though sinful living can be immediately gratifying, our adversary the devil “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Living in habitual sin and disregard of the Lord will bring about our ultimate judgment, and there will be no one “to quench” the agony of eternal separation from God.

Do you live selfishly in service of only your pleasure?

To some this may seem harsh but it’s truth and we as followers of Christ must speak the truth in love and urgency, God is returning soon, we must be ready and in return seek to live a life that leads others to Christ not into eternal separation from God.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Matthew 22:37



You Are Worthy

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

Most days I feel unworthy. I don’t feel like I deserve anything good to happen in my life. I don’t feel worthy of love or friendship. I plain just don’t feel worthy of any kind of blessing or goodness or kindness showed to me.

Now, if I let these feelings overtake me, I can fall into a deep pit of despair and depression that becomes overwhelming, and you know Satan loves to just kick you when you are down. I’m not sure if you realize this, but your enemy doesn’t fight fair. You are not in a boxing match, for that has rules; you are in a street fight with the devil and there are no rules in a street fight. He will bludgeon you when you are down and he won’t let up.

Finally, when I come to my senses, I can hear that still, small voice say to me, “My body was broken for you and you are mine.”

Do you not realize you were worthy of His dying for you? You may not feel worthy, but you are worth-ful. No man dies for anything that doesn’t have worth. He died because you have worth to Him. He died so that you could have everlasting life with Him, an abundant life full of His blessings and goodness.

It doesn’t matter how you feel; it only matters what He says. You are His. Trust in this today, in Jesus’ name! Amen.

When I read this it made me wonder how many folks there are in this moment feeling so inadequate, so unworthy, so defeated. I pray you are encouraged and uplifted by this today, knowing that you are loved and when the enemy tries to beat you when your down just remember to look up, call out to Jesus, just a whisper of His name and He will be there with an outstretched hand to help you up. I’ve been there personally and in that moment all I could utter was Jesus and I instantly felt His presence surrounding me and I knew in that moment that everything was going to be okay. He’s just as real as the breath you breathe. He’s waiting for you to call out to Him today. You are His! He loves you!

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 53:4-5



Hebrews 11 Faith

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Hebrews 11 is a great example of the pillars of our faith. It is filled with the stories of faithful men and women who were faithful to God’s leading, many times not even living to see their works bear fruit (Hebrews 11:13).

We can read these verses and be amazed at the faith of these people and maybe even dream of how we would respond to God in similar situations. However, God has called us today to have faith just as those in Hebrews 11. Their faith wasn’t limited to one particular instance or event, but it was woven through everything they did. For “without faith it is impossible to please” God.

Everything we do in life should be directly linked to our faith in the Faithful One. James even wrote of this as it pertained to prayer. He said that if we don’t pray with the faith that God will answer our prayers then we are unstable in all of our ways (James 1:6-8).

Do you go to church just because it is what Christians do?

Or, do you go to church expecting in faith that God will move in a mighty way?

Our Christian disciplines can easily become routine and no longer be a part of our faith in God as they once were. Don’t let reading your Bible, praying, going to church be another thing to check off your list of Christian things to do. Do them with faith, knowing that a loving and powerful God will move in and through you as you do these.

What areas of your life do you need to start doing in faith?

When I read this I was amazed by so many different examples in Hebrews 11, by faith, by faith, by faith, by faith. May I live each day by faith, even if to some it’s crazy faith, by faith, I want to live my life by faith and watch what God will do, by faith. So simple and yet so powerful.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Hebrews 11



A Chuckle in the Darkness

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

In a Washington Post article titled “Tech Titans’ Latest Project: Defy Death,” Ariana Cha wrote about the efforts of Peter Thiele and other tech moguls to extend human life indefinitely. They’re prepared to spend billions on the project.

They are a little late. Death has already been defeated! Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (John 11:25–26). Jesus assures us that those who put their trust in Him will never, ever, under any circumstances whatever, die.

To be clear, our bodies will die—and there is nothing anyone can do to change that. But the thinking, reasoning, remembering, loving, adventuring part of us that we call “me, myself, and I” will never, ever die.

And here’s the best part: It’s a gift! All you have to do is receive the salvation Jesus offers. C. S. Lewis, musing on this notion, describes it as something like “a chuckle in the darkness”—the sense that something that simple is the answer.

Some say, “It’s too simple.” Well, I say, if God loved you even before you were born and wants you to live with Him forever, why would He make it hard?

Dear Jesus, I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I want to accept You as my Lord and Savior and follow You. Please forgive my sins and help me, from this moment on, to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen!!

When I read this I felt there was so much power and truth behind it and it needs to be shared over and over and over and over until it reaches the ones who need to receive this gift. My prayer today is that someone reads this and finds the gift of salvation. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth (Luke 15:10). What a mighty God we serve.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is John 11:17-27



No Looking Back

And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:61-62)

I recently read, One of the greatest challenges for every Christian is to follow Jesus, and to pursue His purpose for our lives without looking back. Imagine trying to drive a car on the highway while looking in only the rearview mirror; you’d be challenged to stay in your lane and avoid a collision. Jesus’ illustration of plowing a field would have made perfect sense to his listeners living in an agricultural context. If a farmer did not focus on what is ahead but was distracted by what was behind or on the periphery, it would be impossible to plow in a straight line. The ox and plow would certainly veer off course.

Both positive and negative aspects of our lives have the potential to become distractions:

Past successes
Past failures
Internal insecurities
External circumstances
Comfort & security
Relationships
Career

It’s interesting that the man who wants to follow Jesus is distracted by something that we would consider a positive: his home and family. Jesus is letting us know that even something that’s a huge blessing in our lives can become a distraction if it becomes more important than pursuing Jesus and His purpose. As we continue to seek Jesus, we must constantly be aware of the potential distractions in our rear view mirror of life. There can often be a tendency to look back and remember the good, instead of the great in front of you with Jesus.

How can you look ahead and refocus on Jesus and His purpose for you?

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Philippians 3:13



When You Don’t Feel Like It

For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. (Psalm 119:89-95)

We all struggle with spiritual discouragement and lethargy.  Some days our circumstances threaten to overwhelm us, and we struggle just to pray.  Many times we just don’t feel like doing the things we know we should.  For one reason or another, God sometimes seems far off and unreachable.

David faced times like these in his life.  The Psalms are filled with verses that express his despair and feeling of abandonment.

Yet the Psalms also give us the key to living victoriously during the dark periods of life.  Let’s take a quick look at Psalm 119:89-95.

“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances…”

My circumstances or feelings have not changed God.  He is the same God today as He was when He hung the stars in the sky, led the Israelites through the Red Sea , and fed the five thousand.

 “For all are thy servants…” 

All things, even the things affecting me right now, are God’s servants.  The circumstance, people, and events around me are all under God.  They are His servants, designed to help and bless me spiritually.

“Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.”

Recalling God’s faithfulness and control over everything that touches us gives us strength to walk with God even when we feel like giving up in despair.  After all, our feelings and circumstances have not changed God.  He is perfectly capable of sustaining us if we will only let Him.  We simply need to choose to delight in and diligently consider God’s precepts (His principles and character) despite how we feel.  Choosing to delight in God might not be easy.  It might even involve hard work.  But only God can revive and save our soul from spiritual lethargy.

Next time you feel spiritually drained or inadequate, remember that you have a choice.  You can wrap yourself up in excuses and self-pity, or you can choose to draw your strength from an unchanging God.

When I recently read this is struck a cord in me that I couldn’t shake. I can wrap myself up in excuses and self pity or I can choose to draw my strength from an unchanging God who cares so deeply for me and wants the very best for me. It’s so easy to get caught up and overwhelmed by the daily obligations in life but if you turn it around and see your “obligations” as blessings it will completely change your perspective. Let’s take time today and draw strength from God and remind ourselves of the many blessings in our lives.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Psalm 119:89-95



How Should I Answer The Fears of My Own Heart?

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

This has always been one of the hardest things for my heart to process. Mentally, I know that God loves me and that He isn’t out to get me, but I still fear the bad things that He may allow to happen to me in this broken world. I am still a work in process, slowly being perfected in the love of Jesus. But in the meantime, how should I, and others like me who struggle with fear, answer the fears of my own heart and the doubt in God’s perfect love that causes those fears?

 First, we ought to remind ourselves that God is powerful and loving. God’s power goes beyond our comprehension of power and His love is beyond our understanding. This means that what God allows in our lives, even that which we fear most, is only allowed because He loves us and wants the ultimate best for us. 

Second, we ought to remember that God is no stranger to fear or to painful situations. Jesus experienced mass alienation by His community, was betrayed by His closest friends, abused by society and the government and ultimately killed in a horrific and painful way. He begged the Father to remove the burden of the cross from His shoulders. He knew fear and anxiety. He understands when we feel those same things. We do not follow an unsympathetic, uncaring God. We follow a God who has wept bitterly and who has promised to one day wipe every single tear from our eye.
 

Third, we ought to walk in obedience. Even though Jesus cried out for the cup to be taken from Him, He obeyed His Father and drank it anyway. And He suffered deeply and unimaginably. We know how painful it is for human fathers and sons to be separated by death. Imagine how much more agonizing the separation was for the Father and Son who love even more deeply than we do. We know they both suffered greatly, but we also know that on the other side of that suffering came resurrection, redemption and paradise. For all who know Jesus as their savior, those same results await us on the other side of all our suffering. 

Some of us fear things that may never come to pass and we can become paralyzed by our fears and anxiety. And walking through this process mentally and emotionally can be difficult, especially when we have to do it time and again. But we have been called to pick up the cross and follow Him. Nelson Mandela said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” We can feel fear and yet move on in spite of it, trusting that someday, we will be forever united with Christ in a place where fear cannot exist and where we are finally and fully made perfect and fearless in the love of Jesus. 

I recently read this and incase there are those out there dealing with fear, my prayer is that this strengthens you in some way and gives you hope. Today let’s triumph over fear and set whatever it is aside and remind ourselves that no matter what happens in this life, we win! Live for Christ every day and one day fear will not exist. Wow! I am looking forward to that day.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is 1 John 4



Hope

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)

One definition for hope is: To look forward to with confidence or expectation. We must bring the Word of God with all its hope to someone who does not know it is real. When we bring hope, we bring life. It is life changing to finally believe again. It is more than just asking God for something we so badly need; we must expect our miracle. Somewhere in the midst of asking, believing, and expecting God to answer, we will find what we are looking for.

I have felt for a long time that the biggest problem we have in the world today is there are so many people who have lost hope. There seems to be so many hurts, problems, sicknesses, troubles, financial woes, family problems, world issues, political concerns, etc. It seems the world has no hope.

Apart from God, it is an awful, hopeless place. But with God’s help, we can make it. I want you to know that whatever situation you find yourself in at this moment, there is hope. You may not be able to see or feel the hope, but it is there for you. How do we find the hope? There is only one place where hope can be found, and that is in Jesus Christ.

Trust God. He wants you to trust Him. You need to agree with God about your situation. What does God say about who you are and what His will is for your life? Don’t go by your feelings. Instead we should remind ourselves that God only has plans for us that are good. Jeremiah helps us remember what God has to say about us. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

We do not need to be disappointed and feel alone. We can have hope! God’s love in our hearts will ignite the flames of hope we have buried deep inside our hearts. God’s Word can encourage us as we read it with great anticipation and faith.

I don’t want this to be just another Devotion. I want it to bring life to you. Pray out loud the words of hope into your life and your situations. I have hope! My hope is in the Lord! I will be strong and wait on the Lord. I trust God with my life and the life of my family. Speak these words every day. Hope Is Real. It comes from God! He has placed it in your heart. Speak it out and watch what God will do for you. Amen!

As I prepared to post a devotion one word kept coming to my mind this morning, Hope! I feel someone needs a little hope today. When I read this devotion I felt someone needed to read it and my prayer is it touches someone in a way nobody could ever know but God. Hope in God! He will never fail you.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Psalm 31:24, Psalms 119:74, Isaiah 40:31, Romans 8:24, Romans 12:12



Be Strong and Courageous

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)

Moses had just spent forty years leading the Israelites through the wilderness. He was the only man to talk to God face to face (Exodus 33:11). He was a great leader and man of God, but his time was up. He was to pass the reins to a new leader who was to lead God’s people to the Promised Land. This man was Joshua.

The first 9 verses of Joshua Chapter 1 is comprised of God giving him a pep talk in preparation for his task. As you read this, note that there is one thing that God mentions over and over, “be strong and of a good courage.” God doesn’t tell Joshua to take it slow and to pray over every little detail. He doesn’t tell him to seek the council of five Godly men before he makes every decision. He tells him to be “strong and courageous.” God had already set in Joshua’s heart what he was to do, and He wanted him to do it.

As Christians, we can often spend much time trying to discern God’s will for our lives. This plays itself out in us stopping at every intersection in life to cast our lots or waiting for a voice from God. How many times has God given us this pep talk and told us to be “strong and courageous,” and we become timid and cowardly upon advice from those around us. Remember, Joshua was one of two men who said God could help them take the promised land while the other 10 were afraid (Numbers 13:30). God can call you to do great things as He did with Joshua. Be strong and courageous today in your walk with the Lord.

How can you walk in greater boldness with the Lord and still maintain wise counsel? What will this look like in your life, or those around you?

Have you been instructed by The Lord in times past to go and do great things for him? How many opportunities to make an impact have you passed up because you were timid and cowardly so the opportunity passed you by? When I read this my first thought was, guilty, we are flesh, we make mistakes, we allow intimidation to sometimes overtake us but it’s what we do once we get real with ourselves and say yes, guilty, and ask God to give us the strength and courage to go out and do what He has commanded us to do. Let us not allow one more day to pass us by but take advantage of today and be obedient. We are not guaranteed tomorrow but God has given you today. You can!! Be strong and courageous!!

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Ephesians 6:10-20



Faint or Faith

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. (Proverbs 24:10)

I recently read, Adversity is a mirror. It’s a microscope. It’s the scalpel that opens us up and shows us what’s inside. Adversity, pain, and trials are what shake us.

When things are comfortable, we’re like a tranquil pond. Lilly pads quietly float atop the crystalline water below. Things are good. But then, the rocks of trial come hurdling down. Our water gets stirred up and the silt explodes into an inky cloud. Our once-pure pond is ruined! All of the gunk that’s lain silent is riled up and exposed. Suddenly, we discover facets, depths, and wrinkles in our hearts we’d never known were there. Maybe anger or resentment. Maybe greed or lust. Or any other number of things that come crawling out when the pressure’s on.

In trial, we find out who we really are, what’s really inside of us (Proverbs 17:3). In times like those, we have two choices: faint or faith.

We faint when we’re overwhelmed, when we’ve built the structure of our lives upon the sand. Finances can be shaken and shattered. Health can be gone before we finish crossing the street. Relationships can vanish with the wind—sweet for a moment, bitter the next. The problem is that the junk at the bottom of our pond is often the foundation we’ve built our security upon. But it shifts and shivers and shakes when adversity comes.

We faint when we’ve nothing left to stand on. We faint when our faith has been entrusted in ourselves, our bank accounts, our relationships, our still beating heart—really, our anything… But we learn from Jesus that the wise man built his house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-27), and when the storm came, it stood. He weathered the hurricane because he’d entrusted the very foundation of his life, his family, and his hope to the great rock. Jesus is that rock. Our identity, value, and worth are both found and secured in him.

Adversity is painful. It is daunting. It is uncomfortable. But we shouldn’t spend our lives running from it.

If we want to grow, this is the path to sunlight. If we want a pure faith, this is the filter. If we want to be deepened, welcome to the dredge. Remember that adversity is the Great Gardener’s pruning, and faith in his ability and intention to care for us is our only strength in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Remember, Jesus was made perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10). Why should we think it will be any different for us? Should we really want it to be? Press into faith and stand in your days of adversity.

My prayer today is that I stand firm in my faith and not faint when the going gets rough. Faith in action. He is The Way maker. Trust Him!

Have a wonderful day in The Lord

Today’s Reading is Proverbs 24:10



God and Creation

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31)

God looked at his creation and said that it was very good. The world he created, the trees and plants, animals and insects, and even humans were a part of this “very good”. As Christians we do a good job of trying to bring the human part of creation back to the “very good” that God was talking about. We tell people about Jesus with the hope that they will put their faith in him. Our hope is that they may enter into the relationship with God that Adam and Eve had before the fall.

What we sometimes forget is that nature was also considered “very good” in God’s eyes. With this in mind, we tend to neglect the proper upkeep and care of nature. How many times have you been told it is your job as a Christian to protect the Earth from human destruction in a sermon? Probably never. Your first thought coming to your mind after the last two sentences might be “tree-huggers”.

In Romans 1:20 we learn that the creation God made shows his eternal power and divine nature. If this is the case, wouldn’t we want this creation to look the best for those who aren’t followers of Jesus? Do we want generations after us to look at a barren Earth with no hope on it and to think what kind of God would make this? Look around you today and thank God for the creation of nature. Let it bring to your remembrance his power and divinity. Let that spur you on to do the little you can to protect it, and to keep it clean.

Sometimes we forget that nature was also considered “very good” in God’s eyes. Let us remember today the blessings God has given us, and our ability and duty to protect every last one of them.

After I read this I almost scrolled past it but I couldn’t shake the truth behind it. Although to some it may seem a bit odd for a devotion I felt it had truth that isn’t shared very often. This provoked me to see God’s creation in a different light, it’s not just about us, we are not the only “very good” so today do something to make a difference in God’s creation. Even if that means not littering, picking up a piece of garbage you see on the ground, recycle, or walking instead of driving when you can, whatever it may be it starts with the small things that makes a world of difference.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Genesis 1



He is Patient

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)

We frail humans lack a great many powers and perspectives that our Creator has. In our own strength, we cannot heal or resurrect one another. We cannot create massive universes with a word. We cannot walk on water or multiply bread or turn water into wine. And our perspective of time is extremely limited. In our day-to-day lives, it is likely that it is this limitation that causes the most frustration. Our entire day is based on time, schedules and waiting on what we want. Much of our mood is swayed by what has or has not yet come to pass.
 
Of all the things that he could write to encourage his brothers and sister in Christ, Peter chooses to remind us of our limited perspective on time. He wants us to know that as powerless as we are against the sands of time, there is One who is neither powerless or against time. Our heavenly Father uses time in our favor. When challenges seem to wane on for ages, it is because He has a purpose that is for our sanctification and His glory.
 
When we are struggling in a wait, whether it’s a wait for a spouse, a job, a pregnancy, or a healing, God is using our wait to mold us and make us more like Him. As Peter writes, when we think we are being forced to be patient with Him, the reality is that He is being patient with us as we mature in our faith. The Lord is never slow to answer His children. He always answers us in perfect timing. It is our impatience and lack of faith in Him that makes the time drag on. We don’t trust Him to do what is best for us so we get stuck living in a slow motion life full of anxiety, angst, and suffering.
 
Only The Lord knows what is best for us. I can choose to either trust in His timing or I can complain day in and day out about how long it’s taking for His timing to come about. More often than not, I choose to complain and I know for a fact that it makes my day seem even longer than the ones in which I focus on trusting the Lord.

Wow! What truth! When I read this I felt I had to share it with someone else. I needed this today. He’s always speaking right to my hearts cry. What a mighty God we serve. What patience He has, when I think I am being forced to be patient with Him, the reality is that He is being patient with me as I mature in my faith. The Lord is never slow to answer His children. He always answers in perfect timing. Thank You Lord for showing me and reminding me of this truth today. Amen!

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is 2 Peter 3:8-9