Connecting: Motivated

No one likes weakness. We live in a culture that teaches us to pursue strength at all cost. We exercise to become physically stronger, seek counsel for emotional strength, develop friendships for relational strength and pursue education to develop intellectual strength. If we are honest, it is often only when we have exhausted all other possibilities that we come to God with our weaknesses.

 

This weekend at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we are continuing our series entitled Connecting by looking at how God can use our weaknesses to motivate us to draw closer to Him. In Luke 18:35-43, it is the weakness of the blind man that caused him to reach out to Jesus. This one connection with God changed the life of this man and many others forever.

Join us Sunday as we look at how God can use our weaknesses to further motivate us to connect with Him and change our world.

Insights on Luke 18:35-43

·      We all are blind to something and need help to see but we can still hear.  Listen and change. (35)

·      We all are weak but some of us are good at hiding it.  In what way are you weak today? (35)

·      When you realize your weakness ask for help. This will take humility and faith. (36)

·      Jesus still causes a commotion when he passes by.  He rattles our hearts and lives let Him do this, it is for your own good. (37)

·      When you know that God is near and you realize your weakness, call out.  Ask for help and draw close to Him. (38)

·      Many people feel that only the strong and beautiful can come to Jesus but He likes the messes.  Yell to him when you are weak, He will listen. (39)

·      He has time.  He will stop. He will listen. He cares.  (40)

·      Trust Jesus with your mess.  Let Him know your weaknesses.  Lay it out to Him.  Ask Him to fix it.  Let your pain and weakness be the very thing that draws you closer to Him. (41)

·      When Jesus changes you thank Him.  He did it not you.  Give Him the credit and beware of pride.  If you do this others will see Jesus too. (43)

Connecting: Obstacles

What keeps you from connecting with God? Is it fear, anger, or a lack of time? All of us have obstacles in our lives that distract us from the most important thing in life: Connecting with our Creator.

This weekend at Crossroads Church we are starting a new series entitled, Connecting. On Sunday we will be looking at the story of the rich young ruler and the obstacles that kept him from truly connecting with Jesus. Take some time this holiday weekend to read Luke 18:18-30 and join us Sunday as we identify the obstacles in our own lives that keep us from connecting with God.

Persistence

What comes to your mind when you think of persistence?  Maybe it is the challenge of a steep hill on your morning run or the focus it takes to finish a long day at work, or the voice of your child that constantly reminds you that you promised to make time to play.  All of us need persistence in life if we are going to achieve our goals and dreams.  Many good things in life just don’t come easy.

This weekend at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we are continuing our series entitled: Perspective.  Sunday we will be taking some time to look at the story of the persistent widow.  In this story, we see a person with little to no influence change the minds of those in power simply by her persistence.  Take some time this week to read through Luke 18:1-8 and come this Sunday with something in mind that you would like to see Jesus change.  It is going to be a powerful morning.

Perspective: Gratitude

It is usually around this time a year that many of us pause to reflect on our lives and express gratitude or thankfulness for what we have. Some will be thankful for good health, others thankful for jobs, some thankful for families or new relationships but all of us have a reason to be thankful.

This week at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we will be continuing our series entitled, Perspective by looking at the topic of Gratitude. The challenge for us today is to live in a way that is open to gratitude every day. To find a spirit of thankfulness in the seemly small blessings in life, the ones that often go unnoticed.

Join us this Sunday as we take some time to look at Luke 17:11-19 and learn from the gratitude of one that took the time to thank Jesus for the blessings in his life.

Perspective: Serve

“Perspective: Serve” is a weekend message I preached at Crossroads Church, a growing multi-site church in Pittsburgh, PA. In this message we look at the difference between serving and volunteerism and how this relates to our connection with God.

Perspective: Serving vs Volunteering

What is the difference between serving and volunteering? At first glance, these two actions may seem very similar but there is a subtle difference in perspective that changes everything.

The servant knows who's in charge and it is not himself! He seeks to do good because he longs to please the Master and because the Master has been so good to him. The volunteer on the other hand feels that he is the one in control. He will give his time and resources as he sees fit or when it is convenient in his life. He believes that he is in charge and the Master benefits from the generosity of the volunteer. This subtle change in perspective shifts everything.

This weekend at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we are continuing our series entitled: Perspective, by looking at our call as servants of God. I would like to encourage you to take some time this week and read through Luke 17:1-10 as you prepare for this weekend. And take some time to ask this question: How am I serving God with my life?