What does it mean to be "called"?  We sometimes hear that ministers have a "higher calling", or missionaries are "called" to foreign lands. But is that right?  Are only full-time, vocational ministers called?  What about the rest of us?  Are we called?  To what are we called?  And how do we live that out - how do we obey the call of God on our lives?

Scripture For Today
Matthew 20:20-28
Ephesians 2:8-10
Matthew 5:14-16
James 1:26-27
Isaiah 58:5-10
2 Thessalonians 1:9-12

Also the contact information for Trustworthy, Known Haitian Ministries

I Am Change - Haiti Support Fund
mail support to:
6001 W. Parmer Lane
Suite 370-136
Austin, TX 78727
www.iamchange.ort/haiti to contribute online

Mission to North America (MNA)
1700 N. Brown Road
Suite 101
Lawrenceville, GA 30043-8143
mail your check to MNA designated for Haiti 2010 Earthquake Relief
www.pca-mna.org to contribute online

Christian World Outreach
earmark for Haiti disaster and mail it to:
Christian World Outreach
PO Box 2716
Centennial, CO 80161
www.cwomissions.org ... << MORE >>

As we begin a new year and a new decade we also begin a new series that is designed to help us bring focus to the year 2010.  Everything in life begins and ends with God, and so we begin with Him as our focus.  The Bible tells us that God called Abraham his friend.  Jesus also declared that His disciples were His friends.  So what does it mean to be God’s friend?  What does that look like? Is it automatic, or something which must be pursued?

(2 Chronicles 20:5-7 NIV)  "5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said: "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?”

(Isaiah 41:8-10 NIV)  ""But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, 9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

(James 2:20-24 NIV)  "You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone."

 (John 15:12-17 NIV)  "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other."

(Exodus 33:11 NIV)  The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
(James 4:1-4 NIV)  "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

 (John 15:18-21 NIV)  "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

 Digging Deeper

1. What does it mean to be a friend?  How would you define it? What do you have to do to have someone as a friend? How does that translate to being a friend of God? What kinds of things must we do to be considered His friend?

2.  Jesus’ teaching in John 15 leads to His statement that He considers His disciples as friends.  Read John 15:1-17 several times, at least once out loud.  What does He mean when He tells us to “remain in me”?  What does verse 7 tell us about remaining in Him? (Note two key phrases:  “my words in you” and “ask what you wish.”  What do those phrases teach us about remaining in Him?

3.  What specific things does Jesus say that His friends do in John 15:1-17 (note especially verses 7-17)?   What would that look like in your life today?  Which of these are you doing as part of your friendship with Him?  Which do you need to start doing?

4.  Are you a “friend of God”?  A friend of Jesus? Why or why not?  

Played: 38 | Download | Duration: 00:33:29

As we begin a new year and a new decade we also begin a new series that is designed to help us bring focus to the year 2010. Everything in life begins and ends with God, and so we begin with Him as our focus. The Bible tells us that God called Abraham his friend. Jesus also declared that His disciples were His friends. So what does it mean to be God’s friend?  What does that look like? Is it automatic, or something which must be pursued?

(2 Chronicles 20:5-7 NIV)  "5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said: "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?”

(Isaiah 41:8-10 NIV)  ""But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, 9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

(James 2:20-24 NIV)  "You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not ...

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Last week we looked at the healing power of our words – that words well spoken bring joy and life.  This week we examine the opposite reality – that words carelessly or selfishly spoken bring pain and death.  Words themselves are generally neutral – their power is derived from their context, the motives behind them and the parties involved in the conversation. This morning we consider not only the importance of what we say, but also how and why we say it.

Digging Deeper

1.  Jerry talked about the power of our words.  Do you agree with Proverbs 18:21 - that words contain the power of "life and death?"  How do our words bring death?  How do they bring life? Has there ever been a time in your life when someone said something that hurt you deeply?  Why did it hurt? What were the consequences of their words in your life?  Read Proverbs 12:18. What does it compare words to?  In what ways do we (or those we know) use words like weapons? 
2. Read Matthew 12:33-37 and Matthew 23:25-28. What do these verses teach us about our words and what our words reveal about us?  Why would that be true?  Can you change your speech habits without changing your heart?  How would we go about changing our heart? (Hint: Read Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 36:25-27; 2 Corinthians 15:7).
3.  What does it mean in Matthew 12:36 when Jesus says we will "give an account" of the things we say?  When will that happen (Hint:  read Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11; Matthew 12:36).  How might knowing this truth change the things we say and the way we use our words?  Prayerfully consider – is there someone you may have wounded with your words?  Do you need ...<< MORE >>

... ...<< MORE >>

As

 

The future is a bit tricky. Don't you know that Cars ware out?

A Rock Badger, something like a prairie dog would be dead meat to a hawk.  Its safety is measured in how close it is to its home in the Rocks.

 

God is our refuge, How Close are we?

Proverbs 30:24-28 (English Standard Version)

 24(A) Four things on earth are small,
   but they are exceedingly wise:
25(

Cross references:
Proverbs 30:24 : Proverbs 30:15
Proverbs 30:25 : Proverbs 6:6-8
Proverbs 30:26 : Lev 11:5; Psalm 104:18
Proverbs 30:27 : Proverbs 6:7
Proverbs 30:27 : Joel 2:7, 8, 25

...<< MORE >>

As laceName>CrosspointelaceName> laceType>ChurchlaceType> celebrates its 25 Years of serving God's Kingdom, Please enjoy Dr. John Hannah, Professor from Dallas Theological Seminary examine Psalm 23.

Psalm 23 (English Standard Version)

Psalm 23
The LORD Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
 1The LORD is my(A) shepherd; I shall not( want.
 2He makes me lie down in green(C) pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
 3He(D) restores my soul.
He(E) leads me in(F) paths of righteousness[b]
   for his(G) name’s sake.
 4Even though I(H) walk through the valley of(I) the shadow of death,[c]
   I will(J) fear no evil,
for(K) you are with me;
   your(L) rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.

 5You(M) prepare a table before me
   in(N) the presence of my enemies;
you(O) anoint my head with oil;
   my(P) cup overflows.
6Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I shall(Q) dwell[f] in the house of the LORD
   (R) forever.[g]

Footnotes:
Psalm 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest
Psalm 23:3 Or in right paths
Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness
Psalm 23:6 Or Only
Psalm 23:6 Or steadfast love
Psalm 23:6 Or shall return to dwell
Psalm 23:6 Hebrew for length of days
Cross references:
Psalm 23:1 : Psalm 78:52; 80:1; Isa 40:11; Jer 31:10; Ezek 34:11, 12, 23; John 10:11; Heb 13:20; 1 Pet 2:25; 5:4
Psalm 23:1 : Psalm 34:9, 10; Matt 6:33
Psalm 23:2 : Ezek 34:14; John 10:9
Psalm 23:3 : Psalm 19:7
Psalm 23:3 : Psalm 5:8; 31:3; 139:10, 24; 143:10; Isa 40:11; 49:10
Psalm 23:3 : Prov 4:11; 8:20
Psalm 23:3 : Psalm 25:11; 31:3; 79:9; 109:21; Ezek 20:9, 14
Psalm 23:4 : Psalm 138:7
Psalm 23:4 : Job 3:5
Psalm 23:4 : Psalm 3:6; 27:1, 3; 118:6
Psalm 23:4 : Exodus 3:12; Isa 43:2
Psalm 23:4 : Mic 7:14
Psalm 23:5 : Psalm 78:19; Prov 9:2; John 6:51; 2 Sam 17:27-29
Psalm 23:5 : Psalm 31:19
Psalm 23:5 : Psalm 45:7; 133:2; Luke 7:46; Psalm 92:10
Psalm 23:5 : Psalm 16:5
Psalm 23:6 : Psalm 27:4
Psalm 23:6 : Psalm 21:4

Played: 16 | Download | Duration: 00:44:29

Pastor Jerry Rahm shares a very personal message that includes his personal history and how the Gospel has impacted him and how God his planned his and Linda's life and their experience with Linda's illness.



Scripture

Ephesians 5:25-27 (New International Version)
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.


WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,and to enjoy him forever.

Proof Notes
Psalm 86. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Show me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me. Isaiah 60:21. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. Romans 11:36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 1 Corinthians 6:20, 31. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.... Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Revelation 4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

[2] Psalm 16:5-11. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 144:15. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Isaiah 12:2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Luke 2:10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Revelation 21:3-4. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

[3] Matthew 19:4-5. And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? With Genesis 2:24. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Luke 24:27, 44. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.... And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 1 Corinthians 2:13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 14:37. If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 2 Peter 1:20-21. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 3:2, 15-16. That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.... And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

[4] Deuteronomy 4:2. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Psalm 19:7-11. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Isaiah 8:20. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. John 15:11. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 20:30-31. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Acts 17:11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 2 Timothy 3:15-17. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 1 John 1:4. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

[5] Genesis 1:1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. John 5:39. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 20:31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Romans 10:17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 2 Timothy 3:15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Played: 139 | Download | Duration: 00:23:20

Jesus is God, don't be deceived.

The Apostle John wrote 3 letters which are preserved for us in the New Testament.  This morning we look at the second of those letters, a very short book we call “2nd John.” While this letter is only 13 verses long (245 words) it contains some very profound Biblical truths, and a warning to all of us that we hold fast to those truths.

Digging Deeper

1.  Read the letter of 2nd John again, and as you are reading answer these questions: “Does this epistle (letter) declare Jesus to be God, and if so, in what ways or how many ways?”  “What is the relationship of Jesus to the Father?” “How is God mentioned and in what ways is that term used with respect to Jesus and to the Father?”  “Could anyone reading this letter think that John is referring to Jesus simply as a man?  Why or why not?”

2.  Does John mention the Holy Spirit or refer to Him in this letter?  Does that mean that John does not believe in the Holy Spirit or the Trinity (Father, Son AND Holy Spirit)?  Read the following passages (all written by the Apostle John) and see if you can state what John believes about the trinity:  1 John 3:24 (compare John 14:16-17, 26,  and 15:26); 1 John 4:13-16 and 1 John 5:6-10.

3.  Why is an understanding of who Jesus is, the trinity, and their role in our salvation important?  How does this truth (or should this truth) impact our lives (see 2 John 3, 4-6 and 10-11).  What would it look like to stand up for the truth in our culture?  To reject the “antichrist” (verses 7-11)? What kind of deception was happening in John’s day?  Is that happening today?  In what ways?

Scripture

(2 John NIV)  "The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth--and not I only, but also all who know the truth-- 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

7 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. 11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your chosen sister send their greetings."

2 John 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (English Standard Version)

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 NIV)  "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God."

(John 13:34-35 NIV)  ""A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.""
 

Played: 63 | Download | Duration: 00:33:17

 

Today we will have a meal together.  We will hear about opportunities to engage in relationships and community. Why would we do that? Why would we take the risk to know and be known?  Is it worth it?  Or as our culture might say, “What’s in it for me?”  Today we consider the joy and the pain, the gain and the challenge of living in genuine community.

 (Luke 6:37-42 NIV)  "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." 39 He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

(Mark 11:25 NIV)  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

(Colossians 3:12-13 NIV)  Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and ...<< MORE >>