TMG
Tom’s Midweek Greeting
Crossroads Community Church
Nevada MO
Hello, Crossroads Family!
I enjoyed our Monday Night Bible Study this week! I know some of you joined us on the livestream, and a few were with me at my house for the study time and discussion afterwards. Awesome! I love the idea of needing and receiving God’s strength, and I’ve grown attached to the strength verse we studied this week, Deuteronomy 33:25, “As your days, so shall your strength be.” If you weren’t able to join us “live,” I hope you’ll take time to watch the video on the Crossroads Facebook page. It lasts about 45 minutes. Next Monday night at 7:00 we’ll consider 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
We’re rejoicing, too, in the baptisms last Sunday of Vicky Parker and Rickey Sims, two of the young people God has placed among us and in whose lives He is doing a special work. Let’s remember to pray specifically for Vicky, Rickey, and others of our young people to grow strong in the Lord, to have patience in their spiritual walk, to be protected against the many temptations and trials they face in the world, and to have willing hearts to serve the Lord.
It was a great Sunday to have so many young people … and to have a nursery functioning for the youngest among us! Thanks to Michaela and the new nursery team for your organization and commitment! If you would like to be part of that team, please let Michaela know! Thank you!
This Sunday will be our last sermon in the book of Philippians. I’m looking forward to it, and I hope you’ll join us at the Y at 10:00 on Sunday morning. The sermon will be from Philippians 4:10-23, “Three Cords of Contentment.” Here is where Paul says, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.” How I’m sure we all long for that! There seem to be three cords, or threads, that run through this passage concerning contentment. We’ll be looking for them together this Sunday morning. It’s amazing to read a passage of the Bible that seems to assert that we can find contentment in every situation, and that we can have every need supplied. “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Coming Up
Home Group tonight (Wednesday), 6:30 – 8:30.
If you feel able to join us at Cris and Donna’s house, please come for some food, fellowship, and midweek encouragement! There will be a good time for all ages. Check with Donna about food needs. Hope to see you there! *contact us for the location*.
Crossroads Connection, Sunday, September 27, following worship.
We’ll have a time of fellowship and food following worship on the 27th. Plan to stay to interact with others in the Crossroads family. We’ll have ministry news and updates, and there will be time for ministry teams to connect that need to. The meal is going to be dips and chips. Please bring your favorite hot or cold dip and some crackers or chips to share. We’ll have a team of people helping us serve the food. If you have questions or need more information, please check with Kim Reedy (417-448-9396).
New Sermon Series starting September 27
I’d like to take a break from Paul’s letters and do about five weeks of a “You Asked For It!” sermon series. Please let me know if there is a subject or specific Bible passage you would like for me to preach on. Don’t hesitate – I need something to start preparing for September 27 already! Is there a question on your mind, or are you wondering how the Bible addresses a particular subject? Pass along some ideas to me, and we’ll do a few weeks of sermons that you ask for! Here are some topics that have been part of “You Asked For It!” series in the past:
- Is the Bible True & Trustworthy?
- King Hezekiah : The Keys to His Strong Life
- A Survey of the Book of Revelation
- What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?
- What Does the Bible Say About Sports?
- Who was Gideon?
Text, email, or let me know in person an idea you have!
Monday Night Bible Study, September 21, 7:00 pm.
Join us live on the Crossroads Facebook page, or with a few others at my house. We’ll continue our series in Robert J. Morgan’s book, The Strength You Need.
On Immortality
I’ve been enjoying a book of prayers given to Diana and me by a close friend many years ago. I’ve re-printed one below that has to do with our own immortality, a subject we discussed last week on the Crossroads Facebook page. Take time to read this prayer. It gives a beautiful perspective on what it means to be immortal beings, and what it means to know a God who lives outside of time and space. Read it slowly, study it, then let it be a help to you in your own praying. It uses some old language, but I don’t think that will be a distraction to you. This prayer was an encouragement to me, and I hope it will be to you! See you soon!
O God who art from eternity unto eternity, and art not at one time in one place because all times and places are in Thee, I would now seek to understand my destiny as a child of Thine.
Here I stand, weak and mortal, amid the immensities of nature. But blessed be Thou, O Lord God, that Thou hast made me in Thine own likeness and hast breathed into me the breath of Thine own life.
Within this poor body Thou has set a spirit that is akin to Thine own Spirit. Within this corruptible Thou hast planted incorruption, and within this mortal immortality. From this little room and this short hour I can lift up my mind beyond all time and space to Thee, the uncreated One, until the light of Thy countenance illumines all my life.
Let me keep in mind that my mortal body is but the servant of my immortal soul.
Let me keep in mind how uncertain is my hold upon my bodily life.
Let me remember that here I have no continuing city, but only a place of sojourn and a time of testing and of training.
Let me use this world as not abusing it.
Let me be in this world but not of it.
Let me be as having nothing yet possessing all things.
Let me understand the vanity of the temporal and the glory of the eternal.
Let my world be centered not in myself but in Thee.
Almighty God, who didst raise from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ and didst set Him at Thy right hand in glory everlasting, I thank Thee for this hope of immortality with which through many ages Thou hast cheered and enlightened the souls of Thy saints, and which Thou didst most surely seal through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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