Hearing God Though the Bible: Maintaining the Connection

A couple of days ago I had the pleasure of spending some time with an old friend.  The two of us had not had sat down to visit for a couple of years, yet when we met, it was just like old times. I easily remembered why I liked him so much. However, I realized that as life caused us to drift apart, our relationship had changed. Even though I still enjoy this friendship, we are no longer as close as we once were when we connected daily.

This weekend at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we are concluding our Hearing God Though the Bible series by looking at how we can maintain a close intimate connection with our Creator. God longs to know us intimately and for us to know him daily through the study and reflection of scripture. On Sunday we will look at how we can maintain this close connection with him; so he will never feel like an old friend who we see from time to time but rather a close partner that walks with us daily.

Take some time this weekend to read and reflect on John 15: 5-8 and join us Sunday as we seek to hear God through Bible together.

Hearing from God: Understanding What You Hear

The other day, while I was driving down the road, I was singing one of my favorite 80’s songs. Rachelle stopped me in mid-sentence and asked “what are you singing?” I repeated the same lyrics that I have been singing for years.  “Those aren’t the lyrics,” she informed me. Of course, I had to check for myself. Sure enough, she was correct!

There are times in life when we miss out on a message because we misunderstand what we hear. On Sunday, we continue our series Hearing God Through the Bible. We will be looking at how, at times, we can miss out on the meaning of Scripture because we misinterpret what we are reading. We will look at how we can better understand the Bible with a few simple tools.

Hearing God Through the Bible: Acting on the Word

Imagine that a father goes away for a couple of days and leaves a note for his children. 

Kids, On Monday night, please take out the trash.Love, Dad

The kids see the note and decide to take some time to study it. One kid makes copies so that everyone can have their own copy. After reading the note, they all begin to study its possible meanings. One kid observes that kids could be a reference to us, or it could be are reference to a young goat. “Great insight!” the others comment.  Monday night, another kid says, could mean tomorrow or any Monday night! Finally another kid points out that trash could be either figurative or literal in the note.

Later in the week, the father calls home and asks his children if they took out the trash. They say, “well… no. But we had an excellent study on your note and we are going to meet again to discuss it next week.”

Sunday at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we are going to look at how we grow by acting on what the Bible says. Together we will see that acting on the scripture produces maturity, increases our sensitive to God and results in blessing for our lives. 

Take a moment to read through James 1:22-25 and join us Sunday at 10:30.

Audio: Get at Grip on Your Finances

Get a Grip on your Finances from Michael P Arnold on Vimeo.

"Get a Grip on Your Finances" is a weekend message I taught at Crossroads Church in Cranberry, a growing faith community in the north hills of Pittsburgh, PA. In this message we look at what scripture says about our stuff and how the things we own can end up owning us.

Why Can I Trust the Bible?

This weekend at Crossroads Church we are launching a 6-week spiritual growth campaign entitled Hearing God through the Bible. Through the years I have enjoyed partnering with people as they begin their journey with God. Often, one of the first questions asked is “how can I trust the Bible?” 

Many have sought wisdom and clarity from the Bible, but is it really trustworthy?  Is it really a word from God? On Sunday we will look at the amazing accuracy of this unique book. We will look at how its truths are compatible with science and how it is relevant to all cultures. 

No other book has impacted this world like the Bible and on Sunday we will look at why we can trust the truths in this amazing text.

What if We Could Hear God?

Have you ever been in a situation where you wish you could hear God? Maybe you had a difficult decision, and after asking all your friends and family for advice, you felt more confused than ever! All of us would like to hear God’s voice with a little more clarity from time to time. 

This Sunday at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we will be introducing this year’s spiritual growth campaign: Hearing God Though the Bible. We will look at the foundational discipline of reading Scripture and obeying God’s voice. We’ll also see how hearing God through the Bible can help us get to know Jesus in a personal way, reshape our character and spark our faith to new levels. 

Take some time this week to read through Matthew 7:24-27 and joins us Sunday as we start this new season together!

S.O.A.P.

At times I like to use the tool S.O.A.P. in my personal time with God.  This process of Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer often help me gain clarity and apply the Bible to my daily life.  Here are some thoughts from this morning.

Scripture: 1 Kings 18

Observation:

·      Elijah was at risk because of his belief in God.

·      Jezebel was killing people because of their faith. 

·      Obadiah was afraid to let Ahab and Jezebel know that Elijah was alive because the news of this put him at risk. 

·      Elijah had tremendous trust in God for his own provision and protection.

·      Elijah stood up for truth. 

·      God was faithful and strong enough to beat the profits of Baal. 

Application:

1.    The Lord is strong enough to protect us in times of trouble.

2.    Hold firmly to the truth and walk closely with the Lord.

3.    God has the power to do anything. 

4.    It is better to be one with God than 400 without him.

5.    God is source of strength.

Prayer: 

“Lord in moments of fear and trouble give me the courage to trust in you.  Your strength and your power are more than enough to meet the challenges of this day.  I trust in you.”

(Audio) Get a Grip on Your Attitude

Get a Grip on Your Attitude from Michael P Arnold on Vimeo.

"Get a Grip on Your Attitude" is a weekend message I preached at Crossroads Church in Cranberry, a growing faith community in the north hills of Pittsburgh, PA. In this message we look at the impact of attitude in our daily lives and what the Bible says about where to place our trust.

Nobody Stands Alone

Have you ever been a part of a team that is firing on all cylinders?  That moment when everyone is preforming at his or her maximum ability and the plan is coming together perfectly? Maybe you have played in a band or symphony and remember that song where it all came together. Or, maybe you played on an athletic team that clicked at just the right time in a run to championship.

This weekend at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we are going to have fun on Super bowl weekend as we look at the greatest team God has ever created: the church. We will see that God has created us for a mission beyond ourselves, and that we will need a strength that is beyond ourselves to accomplish this mission. 

Join us Sunday for as we take a look at how Nobody Stands Alone! Also, wear you favorite football jersey and bring a non-perishable food item for our local food pantry!

(Audio) Get a Grip: On your Schedule

Get a Grip On Your Schedule from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

"Get a Grip: On your Schedule" is a message I preached at Crossroads Church in Cranberry a growing community of faith in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA. In this message we look at the importance of rest in our lives and God's Plan for pace of life!

Get A Grip: On Your Schedule

Whenever someone asks me how life is going, there is usually one word that comes out of my mouth, “busy. “ I’m busy!  Busy with church, busy with work, busy with family. I’m busy.  However, I usually follow it up with something like, “but it’s good.”  It’s all good stuff and I’d rather be busy than bored. 

This weekend at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we are going to look at how even the “good stuff” of our lives can be unhealthy if we don’t get a grip on our schedule.  On Sunday we will look at God’s plan for pace in our lives and see how warp speed can at times warp our souls. 

Join us Sunday as we continue our series, Get a Grip, and look at the importance of taking time to rest and rejuvenate our souls. 

Get a Grip: On Our Relationships

One of the greatest human needs is healthy relationship.  Studies show that 35% of adults are currently chronically lonely!  This need for community has only grown through the age of social networking because we are created to live in face-to-face community.  In fact, we are created by a God who is community himself! 

This weekend at Crossroads Church we are going to look at this issue more closely as we continue our series, “Get a Grip.”  On Sunday, we’ll explore the importance of relationship in the area of our spiritual growth.  Take some time this week to look at 1 Corinthians 16:1-24 at the relationship between Paul and Timothy and how this community spurred them on to grow closer to God.  Bring a friend on Sunday and we hope to see you there!

Get a Grip: On Your Attitude

What is your 2013 going to look like? Will you enjoy it, or merely endure it? Will it be a great year filled with growth, joy and meaning? Or will it be a slog through hassles, disappointments and boredom? So much of our future depends on our attitude.

This weekend at Crossroads Church we are starting a new series entitled “Get a Grip.” On Sunday we are going to look at the powerful influence of attitude in our lives and how, in many ways, our attitudes determine our actions. We will be studying the life of Elijah, in 1 Kings 19, and how God replaced toxic thinking in his life. This new attitude changed the direction of Elijah’s life and we will see on Sunday how a new attitude can redirect our lives as well.

Join us Sunday as we start out a new year and “Get a Grip” on our attitudes!

Coming Soon: When Will the World End?

Last weekend, for me, was an amazing weekend in sports! The Ohio State Buckeyes beat their bitter rival, the University of Michigan, and the Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. For many of my friends, in both Michigan and Western, PA, it felt like the end of the world! For me, I was content enough to say, “I am ready for Jesus to Return!” 

This weekend, at Crossroads Church in Cranberry, we are starting a new series entitled “Coming Soon.” We are going to look at what Scripture says about the end of the world. Many people today are talking about the Mayan prediction that the world will end on December 21, 2012 and on Sunday we are going to look at why the bible says these predictions are incorrect, and how we are to “prepare for,” not “predict,” the return of Christ. 

Join us Sunday as we gather for worship and launch this new series together!  Coming Soon!

Detours: Dealing with Identity Theft

One of the most frustrating detours in life that one can face is the issue of identity theft. A recent survey shows that the average victim spends more than 330 hours fixing the problems it caused. However, the problem of identity theft is much larger than just our finances. Everyday the work we do, the people we know and the stuff we have can be the very things that fight for our focus and identity. 

On Sunday we are going to continue our study on the life of Joseph, and how his identity was set in being a child of God through all seasons of life.

Have a great Thanksgiving and join us Sunday at Crossroads Church as we learn how to deal with identity theft in our lives.

Detours: Betrayal

One of the most painful and unexpected turns in life is when someone close to you betrays your trust. One friend of mind said it this way: "nothing hurts like friendly fire." However, chances are that at sometime or another, each of us have experienced the painful sting of a knife in the back.


This weekend at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we are continuing our series entitled Detours by looking at betrayal, and how we are to handle this as followers of Jesus. On Sunday, we will see that betrayal does not have to lead to bitterness and vengeance, but rather through Jesus we can forgive and truly move on.

Join us Sunday as navigate this detour and celebrate the gift of communion together. 

Detours: Loss

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One of the most frustrating things in life is running into an unexpected detour. A number of weeks ago I was headed to a meeting, and had planned just enough time, when before the last turn I noticed those dreaded orange signs pointing me in another direction. If you are like me, you may drive past the signs to see if there is another way around, or “local access” to the route. For me, that day, there was no such luck; a bridge was under construction and I needed to add 20 minutes to my drive thanks to this detour!  

On Sunday we are starting a new series entitled “Detours,” and looking at how to handle seasons of loss in our lives. We all like to win in life, but loss at times is an inevitable reality. Loss of health or a job, loss of a friend or marriage can devastate us, but it is often in these moments that God recalculates our hearts and shows us new ways to follow Him. 

Join us Sunday at Crossroads Church in Cranberry as we learn how to lean on God’s presence and support each other in seasons of loss.

Video: Michael Franzese

MP4 of Michael Franzese Speaking from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

This is a message taught by Michael Franzese at Crossroads Church in Pittsburgh, PA. In this message Michael tells an amazing story of how God changed the direction of his life and is now using him to change the world for good.

Michael Franzese

This weekend we will have a special guest speaker. Michael Franzese was a mob boss; the head of the Columbo crime family. At one point he held the #18 spot on the FBI's Most Wanted List. He lived life his way and was far from God, until God got a hold of him. He left organized crime, and is the only high ranking member of a major crime family to walk away without protective custody and live.

This is a great chance to invite people you know to hear him tell his story and the Scandalous Grace that saved him. Encourage them to watch this video  or visit michaelfranzese.com to check him out before they come.

Scandalous Grace: Forgiven and Saved

I have debt. There are things I own that are not completely paid for: my car, house, education and my life, for that matter, are part of my debt. Many of us can relate to living in debt, but what would you do if someone paid off all that you owe?

This weekend at Crossroads Church we are going to look at the scandalous act of forgiveness and how Jesus Christ paid that debt; the one debt that all of us carry and could never repay on our own. On Sunday we will look at how to respond to this incridible gift and live in a new way. 

Join us as we continue our series entitled Scandalous Grace and celebrate the forgiveness that can only be found in Jesus Christ.