TMG
Tom’s Midweek Greeting
Crossroads Community Church
Nevada MO
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
We had a good discussion at the Sunday evening Momentum group on the blessing of meekness. Is meekness a desirable quality in our society, or even in the church? The Lord certainly seems to think it is ; He says the meek will inherit the earth!
We learned that meekness is not weakness; rather, it’s strength brought under control. Getting used to the hand of God is how it was explained in Colin Smith’s video last Sunday night. The image of breaking in a horse was used (a horse getting used to the hand of its master). Another word used – and one we don’t always like – was “submission.” The prefix “sub” means “under,” so submission means putting my own mission under God’s mission!
A meek person is learning to submit to God’s Word, to God’s will, and to God’s people.
— Meekness involves submitting to God’s Word. How often do we read or hear the Bible but privately say, “God may say that, but I don’t believe it”?
— Meekness involves submitting to God’s will. God may put us in circumstances we would not have chosen for ourselves … for the purpose of getting us used to His hand (bringing our wild horse nature under control).
— Meekness involves submitting to God’s people. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ,” is how Paul puts it in Ephesians 5:21. Committed, connected relationships with the church family are key to developing the meekness Christ talks about.
Here are the eight strategies for cultivating meekness:
- Moderate your expectations of others. God, in His kindness, remembers our frailty (Psalm 103:14) ; we should remember the frailty of others.
- Make friends with meek people(Proverbs 22:24-25).
- Learn to discern God’s hand, even in the actions of your enemies. Jesus, at the cross, wasn’t looking to Judas or Pilate, two people responsible for His crucifixion, but to the Father: “Shall I not drink the cup which the Fatherhas given me to drink?”
- Remember how much you’ve been forgiven(2 Peter 1:9).
- Pause before you form judgments. “Quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,” is how the Apostle James puts it (James 1:19).
- Take pleasure in the joys other people are experiencing(Romans 12:15). “I don’t have much money (health, good times) right now, but at least I have the joy of knowing other people who do!” That kind of thinking requires real meekness!
- Walk in daily fellowship with the Lord Jesus. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle (meek) and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). He is our model of meekness.
- Ask Godto give you meekness.
As we continue to talk at Crossroads about building a strong, healthy community, wouldn’t it be great to also say a strong, healthy, and meek community!
Happening at Crossroads This Week:
Youth Group Tonight (Wednesday) at the Rods, 6:30.
Everyone age 16 and up through college age are welcome to come out to the Rods for pizza, games, and encouragement. *contact us for location* Contact Cris or Donna if you need directions!
Crossroads Connection This Sunday Following Worship.
Bring a casserole or soup this Sunday, and we’ll connect again around some food following the worship service. Paperware and drinks will be provided. If you’re unable to bring food, come anyway! There will be plenty for everyone! Contact Kim Reedy if you have questions. An elders meeting is scheduled following the meal.
Momentum Home Group, Sunday Evening, 6 pm.
Momentum Home Group will meet again this Sunday evening at my house, *contact us for location*
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Andrew and Olivia who were engaged last weekend! We rejoice with you and look forward to God’s blessing on your lives in coming days!
This Sunday
I’m looking forward this Sunday to a good time of worship, fellowship, and responding to God’s Word with you. It will be our last sermon in the series on “Building a Community.” We’ll look at one more building block toward a strong, healthy, church community. 10:00 this Sunday morning at the Osage Prairie YMCA.
Thanks for the good discussion last Sunday on our unique “shapes” and giftedness to serve the community. Here’s at least a part of the “Ways to Serve at Crossroads Church” list we put together at the end of the service:
- Serving the community outside the church. For example, shoveling snow(!), seeking opportunities at the Moss House.
- A coordinator to reach out to people in need.
- Youth leaders.
- Reaching out to families of young people.
- A building search team to find a building or property.
- Prayer and leadership about building needs.
- Inviting people to church.
- Organizing fellowship opportunities.
- Bringing refreshments on Sunday and at other times.
- Getting involved in our ministry “gates”: worship, set-up, missions, nursery, follow-up, greeter ministry.
- Preparing the bulletin.
- Facebook & website upkeep.
- Being a leader in discipleship; being a mentor to someone else.
- Being a prayer partners.
There’s great potential in that list. Let’s keep communicating with each other. You and I are the church! We are the community, so it’s about building a strong and healthy you and me!
Finally … an employment opportunity
We’ve had contact recently from a construction business in Rich Hill that’s expanding and looking for work help. Koehn Building Systems in Rich Hill is a Christ-centered construction business that specializes in erecting steel buildings. God has blessed the company in such a way that they find it necessary to expand. They are looking for people with the following qualities:
- teachable
- integrity
- good work ethic
- positive attitude
- someone looking for a career, not just a job
- some background in construction would be helpful but not mandatory
KoehnBuildings.com
P.O. Box 180
Rich Hill, MO 64779
(866) 943-7751
Clayson Lyons, (417) 684-7352
See you this Sunday at the Y!
— Tom
Leave a Reply