Taking a break.

While I didn't want this to end up like this, Crossfire Contemplations is in the need of taking a break. Due to time constraints with life, ministry, teaching, etc. CC must take a break (as you may have noticed it has not been as consistent as it once was). My prayer is that it has had the purpose of getting you into the word on a more frequent basis and that you will continue to spend time daily with the Lord. If you wish to write any encouragement to others (even to others around the world) or suggestions for books or devotionals or even scripture feel free to leave responses on this web site. You can even go back and look at some of the close to 100 earlier entries. I hope this has been a blessing to you and my hope is that this will be a brief hiatus. Keep longing after God.

in HIM
CC

Community

When this experiment first started, it was started to be the beginning of community. It was started to have each of us help one another grow closer to God. That is the wonder of Christian community. I must apologize at this time for not being able to update this as much as I would like, but I am still trying to do so as much as possible.

While I am not sure if this has been helpful in seeing us look beyond ourselves to what we can bring to community and how that community can bring us closer to God, I do hope it has sparked an interest in knowing God more, knowing him deeply, and striving for that connection. What are the ways, beyond Crossfire Contemplations, that you are growing in your walk with the Lord. Be the one to encourage others today in their walk. Share your thoughts by commenting on this blog at www.fbcacrossfire.blogspot.com.

I'm jumping in.

Did you ever have one of those experiences where you couldn't help but go all in. You were so excited about something that you just couldn't contain it? Truthfully, besides my wedding, (and before that asking my wife out) there are few things that I think I could put into that catagory. But how are we when it comes to God? Do we seek Him with that type of passion and dedication? Do we dive into time with Him in a way that shows we can't wait any longer?

Peter had that type of longing for Jesus. We see in John 21:1-14 another example of Jesus appearing to the disciples. This time though there is some distance between them. Peter wanted so hard to be with Jesus he jumped out of the boat and swam to Him.

Are we like that? Do we want to be like that? Pray today for God to be our passion, pray that we may jump in after Jesus.

What's the point?

Have you ever gone to hear somebody talk (hopefully not me!), or read through a book, or watched a movie, and you just found yourself thinking, "what's the point?" Sometimes if you find yourself thinking that in a negative way, as in you can't figure out what the point is even if you asked the question, it can totally ruin the message. I have had countless experiences like this.

But the great thing is, in some cases, we get to a point at the end of the message and the point of the message is finally revealed. In this moment, something clicks. While the book of John is captivating throughout, we come to the end, specifically chapter 20 verse 31 where we finally see the point of his message.

John writes this, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." There is no better moment of truth than this. The point of this gospel is so that we may believe and have life. Is this a "clicking" moment with you? Have you seen the proof of the Christ as we have gone through the book? Hopefully you have, and hopefully you have grown closer to God through this time. Thanks for spending time with your God and savior today!

Be sent out.

Lately, I have been convicted of a need to share Christ with others out of love. We too often forget how great the news of the gospel really is. In John 20:19-31, Jesus meets with his disciples after his resurrection and He gives them one command in verse 21. Jesus said "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

Just as Jesus came with the "good news" he has sent us out with the "good news." Who is somebody you can invest yourself into to bring the good news to them? Jesus has set the example, and he has given us the opportunity. Let us truly be disciples of Christ today and be sent out with the good news that Christ is Risen!

Who God uses.

Can you imagine what it would have been like to be in the garden that morning when Jesus rose from the dead? It had to be such an emotional roller coaster of a day. But as we look at that morning 2000 years in John 20:10-18 we see that Jesus is making a grand entrance back into the lives of his followers.

But it is interesting to see who the Lord uses to announce his resurrection. He uses Mary Magdalene! But she was a prostitute and woman! (By the way, women didn't have much of a say in that day). But he used the one who may have been most dedicated. She was the one that was weeping at the tomb. When all others had left, she was still there. And since she was the one seeking the Lord, he blessed her with being the first to see Jesus resurrected.

Jesus wants to use us, even today, but He can only do that if we are willing and available. It doesn't matter what our position is in life, we can be used and blessed by God in so many ways if we seek Him and make ourselves available. Are you seeking Him today? Are you available to his leading? Don't miss out on the amazing things He has planned for you today!

Scripture

I read this quote today:

"Scripture was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our conduct."

This very true statement that is mirrored in the book of James. Take a look at James 2:14-26 and don't just learn, but learn to do!