Your Daily Crossroad
21
Jan '19
Anonymous Kindness
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Jan '19
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. (Matthew 6:3)
When I first graduated from college, I found myself needing to adopt a strict grocery budget—twenty-five dollars a week, to be exact. One day, while entering the checkout line, I suspected the groceries I’d selected cost slightly more than my remaining money. “Just stop when we reach twenty dollars,” I told the cashier, and I was able to purchase everything I’d selected but a bag of peppers.
As I was about to drive home, a man stopped by my car. “Here’s your peppers, ma’am,” he said, handing the bag to me. Before I had time to thank him, he was already walking away.
Remembering the simple goodness of this act of kindness still warms my heart and brings to mind Jesus’s words in Matthew 6. Criticizing those who made a show of giving to the needy (v. 2), Jesus taught His disciples a different way. Instead of making giving all about them and their generosity, He urged that giving should be done so secretly it’s like their left hand isn’t even aware their right is giving (v. 3)!
As one person’s anonymous kindness reminded me, giving should never be about us. We give only because of what our generous God has so lavishly given us (2 Corinthians 9:6–11). As we give quietly and generously, we reflect who He is—and God receives the thanksgiving only He deserves (v. 11).
This devotion blessed me. Today, find some way to give quietly and generously, when you do this, you reflect God’s generosity. Remember, it’s not how much we are able to give but how much love we put into giving.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is John 15:2
17
Jan '19
What is God Like?
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Jan '19
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3)
To celebrate a special occasion, my husband took me to a local art gallery and said I could choose a painting as a gift. I picked out a small picture of a brook flowing through a forest. The streambed took up most of the canvas, and because of this much of the sky was excluded from the picture. However, the stream’s reflection revealed the location of the sun, the treetops, and the hazy atmosphere. The only way to “see” the sky was to look at the surface of the water.
Jesus is like the stream, in a spiritual sense. When we want to see what God is like, we look at Jesus. The writer of Hebrews said He is “the exact representation of [God’s] being” (1:3). Although we can learn facts about God through direct statements in the Bible such as “God is love,” we can deepen our understanding by seeing the way God would act if He faced the same problems we have on Earth. Being God in human flesh, this is what Jesus has shown us.
In temptation, Jesus revealed God’s holiness. Confronting spiritual darkness, He demonstrated God’s authority. Wrestling with people problems, He showed us God’s wisdom. In His death, He illustrated God’s love.
Although we cannot grasp everything about God—He is limitless and we are limited in our thinking—we can be certain of His character when we look at Christ.
Dear God, thank You for making a way for us to know You. Help us to grow closer to You by looking at Jesus. Amen.
Today, may we be reminded that looking at Jesus shows us God’s character. Jesus, our perfect hope.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Philippians 2:14-15
16
Jan '19
They Smelled Like Christ
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Jan '19
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. (2 Corinthians 2:15)
Hot and dusty, Bob dismounted from the bus he had ridden to a city far from home. He was tired from a long day of travel and grateful that he would be able to have dinner with friends of friends who lived in the area. They welcomed him in, and he immediately felt a sense of peace. He felt at home, comfortable, safe, and valued.
Later, wondering why he had felt such peace in an unfamiliar place, Bob found an answer in 2 Corinthians. The apostle Paul describes people who follow God as having the “pleasing aroma of Christ.” “That’s exactly it!” Bob said to himself. His hosts had “smelled like” Christ.
When Paul says that God leads His people in Christ’s “triumphal procession” spreading the fragrance of His truth, he’s referring to a practice in the ancient world. Victorious armies would burn incense as they marched through the streets. For their supporters, the smell brought joy. In the same way, Paul says the people of God carry a pleasing fragrance to those who believe. It isn’t something we create on our own but something God gives as He leads us in spreading the knowledge of Him.
Bob is my dad, and that trip to a faraway town took place more than forty years ago, but he’s never forgotten it. He’s still telling the story of the people who smelled like Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank You for leading Your people in triumph and spreading the fragrance of Your truth through us. Amen
When I first read this devotion I pondered this question, Who smells like Christ to you? It got me thinking, I pray after reading this devotion you desire to be a pleasing aroma of Christ to all those around you and if someone were to stop and ask themselves this very question, I pray you or I would come to mind. Today, begin spreading the fragrance of His truth through you.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 16:24
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Jan '19
A Believer’s Peace
15
Jan '19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (Romans 14:19)
Today, believers and unbelievers alike are looking for peace. But how do we follow after the things of peace? Since everyone is longing and searching for peace, let’s first define the difference between the peace of the unbeliever with the peace of the believer.
The unbeliever is looking for peace in the outer circumstances of their lives. “If only the world was a peaceful place to be, if only we had a leader that would establish peace, if only everyone else would be kind to one another….then we would have peace” are the hopes and thoughts of the unbelievers. So, they look for leaders who could bring this kind of peace to their environment. We all agree with this kind of thinking to some extent. Wouldn’t we all be happy with world peace and conflict free circumstances? But Jesus tells us that in this world you will have tribulation and the Bible teaches that the only leader who will bring world peace is the spirit of the antichrist. World peace cannot last under his reign for Satan is the master of division, destruction, disaster and death.
A believer’s peace is different. Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” The kind of peace Jesus gives is peace of heart. Christians should have great peace knowing that they are unconditionally loved and that God has a purpose for them. There is great peace seeing prayers answered and understanding the things of God. As a believer begins to meditate upon the things of God, the peace they receive in their hearts starts training their minds to think differently. We start hearing praise songs going through our minds and thanking God for His lovingkindness and goodness towards us. Finally, this peace of Christ is lived out through the believers’ behaviors. Their attitude is not negative and they smile for no reason. They are focused but not self centered. And their behavior starts reflecting a trust in God that all things will work together for good because they love God and know God loves them. A believer understands that it is not about conflict-free circumstances that bring peace but about Jesus who brings peace in the midst of all kinds of circumstances. So, we follow after the things of peace leading us to follow the Author of perfect peace Himself.
When I read this devotion I felt it was a great way to define the difference between the peace of the unbeliever with the peace of the believer. There is such a significant difference. My prayer today is if you are not reflecting the peace of a believer that you would be inspired by this devotion to make a change in your heart and life and walk with the assurance that as today’s devotion says, Jesus, The Author of perfect peace Himself brings peace in the midst of all kinds of circumstances. So today, even if you don’t see peace on the horizon, trust The Author of perfect peace.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is John 8:31-32