In nature, you plant a seed, you care for it, and then it grows. The same is true when growing healthy relationships and a healthy life. Whatever you plant and care for, that is what will grow. How can we begin sowing the kind of seed that will result in a harvest of good, close and loving relationships?
Read MoreWisdom is putting God’s truths into action. But because of our ongoing struggle with sin, there’s a battle between two wisdoms within us. One is from heaven and the other from earth. The challenge is, we can’t always tell which one is leading us.
Read MoreAs Christians, no matter how difficult life may be, we press on in Christ. It’s a challenge that transcends any generation or circumstances that we face. Because that statement at its core, is who we are. We’re not driven or defined by what’s going on around us but rather the faithfulness of God. So, in all circumstances, we press on.
Read MorePeople love to talk. Our words are a dead giveaway as to who we are. But more than just revealing what’s inside, our speech determines where we go. It sets a course of life for us. The tongue, perhaps more than any other part of our body, reveals what our spiritual condition is.
Read MoreTrue faith always produces good works. Works of self-sacrifice, charity, and kindness. True faith is right belief, coupled with right action. Few people have enacted truer faith in their lives than Abraham, a man whose journey helped him discover that it is not faith and works; it is not faith or works; it is faith that works.
Read MoreIt's one thing to say you believe something on an intellectual or emotional level. It's another to let your beliefs actually change you. As people we can make a great profession about what we believe, even about Jesus, without it making much practical difference in the way we live.
Read MoreWhether we admit it or not, our hearts are plagued by favoritism. We’re all guilty of discriminating against others based on outward appearance or social status. It’s only when we learn to see other people as God sees them that we’ll be able to truly change. Love is the only cure.
Read MoreWe all want happiness. We all want blessing. But a life filled with happiness and blessing is only available to those that actually put God's words into action in their daily living. The Word of God is not just meant to be heard. It’s meant to be responded to and reflected in our lives.
Read MoreMany who come to faith in Christ think that the richness, satisfaction, sense of well-being and, peace in life come just by signing on the dotted line. Just by proclaiming Christ as Savior. Just by being a Christian. But just because the word has been planted in our souls, doesn't mean that it will just sprout up into this thing of great beauty effortlessly. We must actually accept the Word that is in us. But how?
Read MoreWhen temptations come our way, they do not promise to pollute or hurt us. In fact, they never even hint about the consequences. They merely promise to fill all the desires of our hearts. In Part 6 of our series, we examine the words of James on how to deal with and overcome temptation.
Read MorePerseverance is the road. It is the path to maturity, and the backbone which lets us stand against the trials and brutalities that life throws at us. To all those who persevere, God has promised to make it worth their while. In Part 5 of our series, Just Do It, we examine what it takes to stand firm through our trials and the outcome (or reward) of persevering through life’s hardships.
Read MoreWe live in a world where people are valued based on how much they make, what they do for a living, or how successful they are. The battle with money, is one of the most demanding trials we face on a daily basis. But, trials give us an opportunity to exercise our faith. And from time to time, we need to be reminded that money is not the measuring stick of our self-worth, Christ is! James reminds us that it’s when we treasure Christ that we’re able to see who we truly are.
Read MoreHow is it possible to look upon the trials of life not as enemies, but as vehicles to get me where God wants me to be? The key is wisdom. Wisdom equips us with the skill for living and in this context, living through, and rising above life’s trials. Wisdom in the context of the trials of life, is knowing, and then carrying out God’s will in the midst of trials.
Read MoreIt's interesting that James begins his letter with the subject of life’s difficulties, writing: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds.” How can, and for what reason would anyone face their trials...with joy?
Read MoreWe begin our series with the first verse of the book of James. We’re introduced to James, a skeptic turned saint, turned servant of God who saw the importance of putting God’s words into action. The strength of a life, a family, a community and a nation rests on the shoulders of God’s people who know, embrace and live out God’s truth, and Just Do It.
Read MoreHelping people come to, and grow, in a saving knowledge of Christ, is at the heart of what we do as a church. The gospel is too good to keep to ourselves. It welcomes anyone who wants to come in, and runs after those who feel left out. As much as we want close communities here at the Crossing, we can’t have closed communities. There comes a point when a group needs to multiply for the sake of reaching more people for Christ.
Read MoreAs the body of Christ, we were made to serve each other. Serving is the glue that holds us together, when life tries to pull us apart. The true aim of service is: pointing people to Christ in the midst of their pain and struggles. But how do broken people help broken people?
Read MoreThe Bible uses several metaphors to describe the church, but one that seems to stand out over and over again is "the family of God." We see countless examples of Jesus creating a culture in His church; that went beyond formalities and rituals, to the intimacy found in a home. Which became a place where they could be known, loved, and belonged. He created a family. And as a family, we were made to love each other.
Read MoreWho is holding you up in your faith, and who are you encouraging in theirs? We believe that God never intended life to be lived alone. We were created for community. Jesus invites us to a changed life and to seek truth. This happens best when we're in relationship with others where we grow closer to Jesus, by growing closer to each other.
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