Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:39 — 33.5MB)
Date: August 3rd, 2014
Scripture: Genesis 50:20
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
For more resources please visit crosslifechurch.org
It’s been a crazy week. Trying to push out technology to 10,000 students and teachers is no easy task. But at the same time I’ve been reflecting on resting.
What drains you…
It’s good to identify what drains you. What really is wearing you out? Little Sleep, poor diet, and too many commitments can all be things that drain us. We can even be drained doing the things we love. If you can limit what is draining you, it may help you with your rest. Unfortunately, we don’t always have that choice. So if you can’t limit what is draining you, then maybe you can figure out what re-fills you.
You need to Refuel and Re-fill…
Work can be draining and ministry can be draining as well, but what fills you back up? I think this is where Jesus’ invitation comes into play. “Come unto me… and I will give you rest” We need time with Christ to refuel. I’m still working on this, but guarding your time and calendar is one of the most important things anyone can do to stay spiritually strong.
For me, music is often what re-fills. It seems like I can be incredibly drained, but some time playing the guitar or listening to some Shane and Shane and things are just a little better.
So the next time your stressed take Jesus up on his invitation. Spend some time with Him and Give It A Rest.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:54 — 31.0MB)
Date: July 27th, 2014
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
For more resources please visit crosslifechurch.org
You can check out this year’s convention at the link below:
http://p23.worshipstream.com/156/FreeWillBaptistNationalConvention
Looking forward to a great convention!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:00 — 44.9MB)
Date: July 20th, 2014
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-10
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
For more resources please visit crosslifechurch.org
I am blown away by this truth from Lamentations 3
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
The Lord gives new mercy every morning. Not on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, but every day. “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” More faithful than the sun to rise is this promise that the Lord will give mercy for the day. Hallelujah!
This thought from John Piper has really resonated with me this week…
Our task today is not to have the strength needed for tomorrow’s burdens. Our task today is to live by the mercies given for today, and to believe that there will be new mercies for tomorrow. Today’s mercies do not include strength for tomorrow; they include faith that tomorrow’s unseen mercies will be sufficient for tomorrow. — Piper
Here is the full article from Piper.
I sometimes get so worried about tomorrow – but the Lord says he has given strength for today. Just like manna in the wilderness, he gives us what we need as we need it. Our job is to wait, hope and seek Him.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:05 — 33.0MB)
Date: Juy 13th, 2014
Scripture: Lamentations 3:21-33
3:21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
For more resources please visit crosslifechurch.org
Sometimes life is just plain stressful. We’ve all been there. We get wrapped up and pulled into things that really aren’t all that important, and yet we are still drawn in. We end up spending so much time on temporary things. Tonight we looked at 2 Corinthians 4.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
This is such a great reminder to focus on what matters. What have you done today that will matter in eternity? Here are a few ways to do something for eternity every day..
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:07 — 35.8MB)
Date: Juy 6th, 2014
Scripture: Psalm 100
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
For more resources please visit crosslifechurch.org
I’ve always thought that pride was the original sin, but I heard a quote last week that has really had me thinking. It’s from Ignatius of Loyola.
Is it an ungrateful spirit that leads us to into the tempation of greener grass or the lust of the eyes or the lust of the flesh? This is an interesting question. I did some scripture searching and found very little about ingratitude or ungratefulness, but the scriptures are full of commands to give thanks. There is a difference from telling someone to stop being ungrateful rather than imploring them to be thankful.
I’m not talking about the power of positive thinking, but the implications of grace in the life of the believer. What I’ve been reminded of is this – the closer we get to God the further we get from ingratitude and even sin itself.
Lord, please help us to take time to reflect upon your attributes: your mercy, steadfast love, faithfulness, justice and holiness. And let that reflection create within us a true attitude of thankfulness.