TMG
Tom’s Midweek Greeting
Nevada MO
May 13, 2021
Dear Church Family,
How are you getting along in your personal reading (or listening) of the Bible? I find that no matter what state of mind I’m in, and no matter what particular things are happening in my life, connecting with God’s Word each day is essential. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God,” is what the Bible says itself (Romans 10:17).
This month I should finish another trip through the whole Bible. It takes me about nine months now to read through the entire Bible, … and usually in that time I can get through Psalms twice. I’d like, eventually, to be able to read through the whole Bible twice in a year. That’s a personal goal.
As I read each day, if there’s a verse that sticks out, challenges, or encourages me in some particular way, I simply jot it down in the margins of the reading plan I have stuck in the back of my Bible. I’ve listed below some of the verses that have helped me over the course of the past nine months. They may seem somewhat random, and most are from the Psalms. I hope you’ll read through the list, be encouraged, and also ask yourself, “How does this verse apply to my life? How does it apply to our church?” Maybe you would want to spend some time meditating, or memorizing, one of them.
The Lord is king forever and ever. Psalm 10:16
Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! Psalm 20:1
And no resident (in the coming kingdom) will say, “I am sick.” Isaiah 33:24
Realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 Timothy 3:1
I delight to do Your will, O my God. Psalm 40:8
How long will your wicked thoughts lodge within you? Jeremiah 4:14
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul. Psalm 54:4
Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you. Psalm 55:22
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3
For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes. Jeremiah 31:25
The Lord on high is mighty. Psalm 93:4
I am indeed concerned about you. Exodus 3:16
I will teach you what you are to say. Exodus 4:12
Now then, do whatever God has said to you. Genesis 31:16
He lifts the needy from the ash heap. Psalm 113:7
In my trouble I cried to the Lord, and He answered me. Psalm 120:1
Israel, hope in the Lord ; for with the Lord there is lovingkindness, and with Him abundant redemption. Psalm 130:7
Going on at Crossroads
As you know, there’s a lot going on at Crossroads in the coming weeks … and in all of our lives! Be sure to check the church website and calendar if you need a reminder. http://www.nevadacrossroadschurch.org Is there a friend you would like to invite to join us at any of the following? Who’s not usually with us that you would like to be with us?
This Sunday
Worship at 10:00 at the Y.
Recognition of our graduates at the conclusion of our service.
Tom preaches at Senior Sermon, Nevada High School, 6 pm.
Elders meeting, 7 pm.
Wednesday, May 26
Youth Group Scavenger Hunt. Meet at the Rodriguez home, 6:30 pm.
Sunday, June 6
Baptism at the conclusion of the worship service.
Crossroads Connection cook-out following the baptism.
Ministry Teams meetings.
Monday, June 7
Monday Night Bible Study begins for a five-week series. Meet at my house at 7 pm, or connect via Facebook live.
Theme: Christian Urban Legends — What are some popular ideas Christians believe that might not be entirely true? Things like … (1) Everything happens for a reason. … (2) Christians shouldn’t judge. … (3) God helps those who help themselves. … (4) Dead people go to a better place. … (5) Forgiving means forgetting…
How do we need to grow as a church?
Thank you for praying for Crossroads as we navigate through this season of potentially needing to find a new meeting place. Our elders visited the church building in Deerfield last night. It was a good visit with a super-friendly group of people still meeting there. The elders will discuss the visit further at a meeting this Sunday night. Our conversation with the Deerfield church members led me to thinking about ways we need to grow as a church. Here are some that come to mind :
- A better understanding of missions and outreach. We had a lively discussion about the importance of missions, both local and worldwide. What is our level of real commitment to sharing the Gospel beyond our walls?
- Reaching out to families and young people. Are we intent on keeping Crossroads “young” at heart? Do we want to reach children, young people, and young families? How can we do it? Would you commit to praying with me that the Lord would bring two more families to the church, and 2-3 more singles in the months to come. He has done it in the past! What a difference that would make.
- Understanding true fellowship and what it means, practically, to be someone’s friend. Friendship is hard to come by in the world today, and Christians should be among the best kinds of friends. Do we know how to be a good friend to someone?
- Continued growth in the use of our spiritual gifts to build up the Body of Christ. We’ve done well in this area, but, as Paul says, “let us excel still more” (1 Thess 4:10) ! One of the roles of pastors and teachers in a church is to “equip the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body” (Ephesians 4:11). In a healthy church, every person has a role to play!
Thank you for praying! Thank you for your love for God’s family, the Church! I look forward to seeing you this Sunday for a special time of worship and fellowship! Our sermon will be from Genesis 4-6, “Is There Hope?” As always, the sermon will be posted on the Crossroads Facebook page (and on my YouTube channel) by Saturday evening!
— Tom
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