At crossroads, we are committed to demonstrating the love of Jesus. As I read this article from Mission Network News, it made me think about what demonstrating the love of Jesus would be like in a place where Jesus-followers will be persecuted. Iraq (MNN) While many Christians are fleeing persecution in Iraq, some have chosen to say. Karen…
delegate!
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 18 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his…
so why should we praise God?
The following is a post from my old blog that continues to get feedback. Based on all the interest, I am reposting it here, and welcome your responses as well: OK, here’s an easy question… or is it? Why should we praise God? Maybe a part of that question should be what does it mean to praise God? And…
prayer warriors
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: ‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ [Luke 22:31] The wilderness symbolizes times when our faith is tested. Our spiritual enemy uses these times to turn us against…
seek wisdom, blessing to follow
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy. [1 Kings 4:20] This describes the blessing God promised Abraham: I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand…
our daily bread
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Give us today our daily bread. [Matthew 6:11] For many people, their relationship with God is a fair-weather one. When the weather is fair, their faith is strong. When the weather is foul, their faith is weak. Prayer amounts to asking for things, and expecting God to take care of it. There seems…
go and tell
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ [Mark 5:18-19] When people…
pray for the persecuted
God has laid it on my heart that we need to continue to pray for people who suffer for their hope in Jesus. Can we imagine what it would be like to live in a place where believing in Jesus meant that we would be ridiculed, harassed, beaten or even killed. Imagine if believing in…
be still and know
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ [Mark 4:40] The Israelites have seen amazing signs of God’s power. They have witnessed miracles. They excitedly left Egypt, hoping for a new life, but when they see pharaoh’s armies chasing after them, they panic. ‘Moses, don’t…
will I follow where He leads?
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [Matthew 6:13] God wants to lead me, but do I want to follow? Am I prepared to choose God’s way, and to trust that His way is the best way? The Israelites had to trust God and Moses to follow, because…