Your Daily Crossroad
25
Jun '18
Love Covers a Multitude of Sin
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Jun '18
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60)
Stephen was a man described as being “full of faith and power, (doing) great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8). He had been selected by Peter and the other disciples as one of seven to whom they would entrust certain ministerial duties, while preaching about Jesus. It was not long before Stephen found himself in the center of controversy, standing before the powerful Sanhedrin Council personally to account for his zealous activities for Christ. Today’s verse records the last words that Stephen would speak as he is being stoned to death by the people. Stephen’s prayer is similar to Jesus’ prayer in Luke 23:34 as Jesus said from the cross, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Stephen had a love for the people that only comes from the Father. He was not only filled with faith and power but also with love because he had the Holy Spirit living within him. As the people gathered to stone Stephen, they lay their garments at the feet of a man named Saul. Saul became the Apostle Paul, the one who brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. As Saul stood in agreement to kill Stephen, Stephen asks the Lord to forgive them all (including Saul). Did Stephen have any idea that God would greatly use Saul (who would later become the Apostle Paul)? Not at this point, but his love would cover a multitude of sins and God knew how it would all work out.
As Christians, we know that we are supposed to love and to forgive those who sin against us, but truly doing that in our hearts does not come easy for any one of us. The Holy Spirit is the One who fills us with God’s love and only God’s love can forgive those who hurt or betray us. Instead of waiting until something happens to us personally, we need to be proactive and to ask for the love of Christ to fill us to overflowing. Love is not something to take for granted. Love is something we must pursue. Pursue love today and consciously make it part of your prayers. Ask the Lord to give you a love for Jesus and for His people that surpasses understanding. For Jesus loves us so much that He is still asking the Father to forgive us our sins.
When I read today’s devotion I was reminded of Luke 6:28, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. You never know what God has in store for those that curse you or despitefully use you so pray for them just as Stephen did for Saul who later was spiritually transformed into the Apostle Paul who then went on to change the course of history for eternity by bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. We must pursue Love because Love does cover a multitude of sin. Never underestimate what God can do.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Peter 5:8-9
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Jun '18
Fellowship with Jesus
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Jun '18
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. (Philippians 3:8)
I’ll never forget the time I had the privilege of sitting next to Billy Graham at a dinner. I was honored but also somewhat nervous about what would be appropriate to say. I thought it would be an interesting conversation starter to ask what he loved most about his years of ministry. Then I awkwardly started to suggest possible answers. Was it knowing presidents, kings, and queens? Or preaching the gospel to millions of people around the world?
Before I had finished offering suggestions, Rev. Graham stopped me. Without hesitation he said, “It has been my fellowship with Jesus. To sense His presence, to glean His wisdom, to have Him guide and direct me—that has been my greatest joy.” I was instantly convicted and challenged. Convicted because I’m not sure that his answer would have been my answer, and challenged because I wanted it to be.
That’s what Paul had in mind when he counted his greatest achievements to be of no worth compared to the “excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). Think of how rich life would be if Jesus and our fellowship with Him was our highest pursuit.
Lord, forgive me for chasing after things that matter far less than my fellowship with You. Thank You that You stand ready to enrich my life with Your presence and power. Amen.
I was blessed and challenged by today’s devotion. I wanted to share it in hopes it would provoke others to stop and think about this. Is Jesus and your fellowship with Him your highest pursuit? To remain faithful where God has placed you, give Christ first place in your heart.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 119:114
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Jun '18
Hearing The Word of God
21
Jun '18
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
The Bible is clear in its teachings on faith. Faith is essential to our salvation. If we do not have faith to believe in Jesus Christ, then we cannot receive Him as Savior. It takes faith to believe in God. Believing in God through our faith is the victory that has overcome the world (1 John 5:4). Jesus says in Matthew 17:20 that with faith we can move mountains and that nothing will be impossible for us. The power of God’s Holy Spirit lives within each believer; but do we live as if we believe it? Not without faith.
How do we get more faith? First of all, faith is given to each of us as a gift. Everyone has faith. But we can have more faith in the things of the world than in the things of God. We have faith that the sun will rise and set each day, even though we have no way of controlling its movements; we just trust that it will continue to work the way it always has. But we need to grow in trusting the One who makes the sun rise and set, the One who put it there in the first place. Therefore, our first step in gaining more faith is by getting to know more about our God, our Lord, our Creator. And the way to obtain knowledge of God is by getting into His word.
I love today’s verse because it tells us to hear the word of God. Did you know that when you start reading His Word, you will start hearing His voice? When you start hearing His voice through His Word, then you will see His intervention in all areas of your life. You will pray in accordance with His will because you will know where He is leading you. You will see God answer your prayers. And the end result: more faith! Take a moment to ask the Lord to help you in your faith by helping you hear His Word. Ask for more of Him, more of His Word in your life–more faith.
When I read this devotion I couldn’t help but think, less of me and more of you Lord! Start reading His word today, start with a scripture, an entire chapter, whatever you are able to commit to, start today and you will find yourself reading more and more and hearing His voice more and more. Big achievements come one step at a time, one day at a time. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . .(Colossians 3:15). The peace of God comes when you start digging in and reading His word. Start today!
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 6:33
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Jun '18
True Love
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Jun '18
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6)
A few years ago as I attended a church retreat, I sat at lunch with ladies I did not know. The woman in charge opened with prayer and then introduced an icebreaker to share around the tables. The question was: “What do you think true love is?” Six out of the eight of us at my table said that love is unconditional acceptance. Their definition included the ability to accept people right where they are, no matter what they look like or what they do. The seventh woman said that she thought love was telling people the truth about sin and where sin leads them. I heard the others snicker at her answer. However, according to Paul’s statement in First Corinthians 5:6, only one in seven got the right answer.
The Corinthian church was accepting sinful behavior from a church couple and glorying in their ability to do so. Paul is saying that this is not good; this is not love and they should not be proud of themselves for accepting this couple’s behavior. Often we get confused of what love really is when judging others’ sins. We do not want to judge others because we ourselves want to be accepted for our imperfections. So we say that acceptance of sin is love. Jesus says in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The truth is that sin destroys. The truth is that the wages of sin is death. If we truly love others, we do not want to see them destroyed by choices that the Bible calls sin. Paul then takes it a step further by saying that the consequences of accepting this sin of sexual immorality will permeate the whole church and will destroy the whole fellowship of believers. Why? Because this acceptance allows people to sin instead of helping them to overcome it. It demonstrates the wrong standards of love, sin and the ways of God.
Our choices and behaviors really do impact others, just as a little bit of leaven makes the whole lump rise. We have to know the Word of God so we can love others according to God’s standards. True love speaks out with kindness and compassion, not allowing others to destroy themselves.
What truth today! The key to this devotion is true love speaks out but what’s so important is how love speaks out, with kindness and compassion. To often we try to impact people and situations without kindness and compassion. We must dig deep into the Word of God as today’s devotion says so we can love others according to God’s standards. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love (Ephesians 4:2). Is there someone in your life today that can use some truth in love about sin and where that sin is leading them? Eternity awaits all of us and once we die, the judgement, there’s no turning back, no changing our mind once we are standing before Him, wouldn’t you much rather lead those in love now while you have the opportunity? Look to God to guide you with kindness, compassion and honesty because that’s what True Love is.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Hebrews 4:16