October 24, 2022 following Pastor Alex Hardt's sermon of October 23, 2022.

I thought Pastor Alex made a compelling argument as he sought to explain why we can believe in the miracles of science as well as the miracles of faith.  They are not exclusive from one another.  One of the key factors is to look for the goodness of God in all things.  We see God’s goodness reflected in the beauty of the world around us, the intricacy and complexity of all life forms and the vastness of the universe.  I know our ability to see the goodness of God is dimmed by sin.  Before sin entered the world, God’s creation was all good and humankind was very good.  (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 25, 31) Since sin entered the world all creation has suffered.  Paul puts it this way in Romans 8:20-21 “20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.   Man suffers along with all creation due to the effects of sin. One of those effects is doubt.  Eve doubted God’s truthfulness about the effects of eating from the tree of good and evil.  She chose to believe the serpent’s lies.  As a result we all suffer.

We can apply this to science as well.  Do you chose to believe that God created all things or in some big bang force?  Do you believe in the creation of mankind by a benevolent being or by chance or an accident of nature?  Choosing to believe in the goodness of God and His power of creation is a choice of faith.  The Bible tells us that faith is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—   

What do I do if I don’t have faith?  If you truly desire to believe in God and His Son Jesus- pray and ask God to reveal himself to you.   Open His Word and read and mediate upon it.   Open your eyes and heart to see God in the world around you.  Look at the natural beauty of creation and also the love and kindness of others.  Jesus promises if you seek him, he will be found. Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”  God keeps His promises and you will find Him! Be a seeker of His truth and love!

Got Faith?  If you have faith, ask yourself do you live like you believe in God?  Are you open to His leading in your life?  Do you thirst for greater knowledge of who God is and how to serve Him?  Do you live in a way that reflects the goodness of God?  All of these are questions for serious prayer and meditation, but I would encourage you to see that goodness in our character is a result of being with God, being indwelt by His Holy Spirit and knowing Jesus as Savior.  In Christ alone we find the power to behave with goodness and reflect the quality of goodness of God in our lives. 

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  We are personally made by God, His way, to do good things and reflect His glory.   May Paul’s prayer for his fellow Roman Christians be upon our lips and in our hearts as we seek to do good and bring glory to His name.

Romans 15:5-6   “ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is good all the time!
Linda

SERMON LINK
Why? God... | Are Science and Faith Opposed?
Click Here to View the Sermon
Sermon series, "Why? God...." Today Alex Hardt teaches from Luke Genesis 1-2

​If you are local, please join us for our weekly service. Our Sunday service is held at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.

October 17, 2022 following Pastor Alex Hardt's sermon of October 16, 2022.
 
I so appreciated Alex’s sermon on Sunday.  So many times Christians are thought to be judgmental of the world, haters of the world and prejudiced against various groups that are not perceived as ‘like’ them.  What the world translate this to mean is that God is also like that, too.  That is NOT SO! We do know that Christians are sinners saved by faith in Jesus and not perfect.  We are all still ‘works in progress’ so to speak as we seek to be transformed though the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  This sanctification process takes a lifetime and we need to love and help one another in our daily walk with prayer, encouragement and correction when needed.

All this to say, we are not there yet but GOD is!  God is impartial and sees all of us in need of a Savior.  Our memory verse for this week gives God’s perspective perfectly, Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”   God desires that all come to know Him though His Son Jesus.  God’s grace to each of us is Jesus and the salvation He offers.  If God only wanted certain types of people to be in relationship with Him and His family, He would not have said ALL.   God does not lie or change His mind so we can take His word all to mean all.    However, what God sees when He looks at mankind is sin.  God cannot tolerate sin as he separated himself from Adam and Eve once they had sinned.  God’s plan to redeem us, bring us back from the sinful state in which we are born was to send Jesus to die for our sins and make us clean again.   I love Romans 5:8 “ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   God knew we could never be good enough to wash away our sins, pay enough or do enough good works to redeem ourselves and that only His solution-JESUS would work!  God was/is motivated by love for His creation.  God was gracious and sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins so we can come to Him.  When God looks down upon the believer in Jesus, God sees the blood of Jesus covering their sins.  Praise God we are covered by Jesus and redeemed by His blood.

So back to our thoughts that God is impartial and desires all to be His, be saved, to be brought into a relationship with Him.  For that to happen takes faith and a willingness to do things God’s Way! Pastor Alex pointed out that Jonah was not willing to extend God’s grace to his enemy the Ninevites.  God had another idea and brought Jonah around to His way of thinking through the belly of a whale.   Paul and Barnabas encountered those who wanted their ways to be followed to ‘get to’ Jesus.  Meaning they wanted all Gentile converts to become Jews, following their practices, in addition to believing in Christ.  God used Paul and Barnabas to change the minds of the Jewish Christians to His way of thinking.  God desires that all should come to know Jesus, accept His gracious salvation and seek to love Him and others.  God does not play favorites all who come to Him must come through Jesus the Son.  John 14:6 ““I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.   Acts 4:12 “ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”   God is a jealous God and wants all who come to Him to come to Him through Jesus the Son and to worship Him alone.  

God is impartial but the way to Him is set forth in His Word.  His way is narrow and restrictive and the ONLY way, but it is freeing, open and leads to blessings untold.  Once a believer, God seeks through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit to transform each of us.  He seeks to grow our love for all mankind and help us to get rid of our biases and prejudices.  God desires that we grow in His Spirit and seek to tell all others about His love, grace and salvation.
Speak love and grace to someone today in His name.  Seek to see mankind through His eyes- all in need of a Savior.
Linda
 
SERMON LINK
Why? God... | Does God Discriminate?
Click Here to View the Sermon
Sermon series, "Why? God...." Today Alex Hardt teaches from Luke 7:37-50

​If you are local, please join us for our weekly service. Our Sunday service is held at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.

I am disturbed when I hear people say, ‘there are many ways to God.’  Jesus spoke plainly that HE was the only way to come into right relationship with God. He is the only one who can make us clean before God. He is the only one who can reconcile us to God and eliminate our sin.
​
Sin is what separates us from God since Adam and Eve brought sin into the world and changed our very natures. We are born with a sin nature- a bent towards sinning. There is no way for man to ‘make himself or herself’ acceptable to God. We cannot be good enough, do enough good works, keep ourselves from having impure thoughts, or just trying to be good. We cannot do it! Only God! According to the scriptures, God’s plan to save humankind is by providing a Savior who will take our burdens, sins, and punishments upon them. Jesus is the only way!

Jesus had gathered his disciples in the upper room for a final session of teaching before his death. He assured them that He was going to prepare a place for them and that they would one day be with him there. Thomas, the doubter, asked “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” in John 14:5.  Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except though me.”   This promise of Jesus gives us hope and assurance. Here are several lessons and truths we can glean from this verse alone.

1. Jesus is the only way to come into a relationship with God. Jesus says plainly it is through him and him alone that we can know and see the Father. Because we know Him, we can know the truths about our Father in heaven.

2. Through Jesus we can have a life that is full and eternal. In Him we can have abundant life that is filled with hope and assurance.                     

3. Jesus reveals the truth that is God and about God. Knowing Jesus leads us to see truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Knowing truth in Jesus brings us to God.

So, what is keeping you from trusting Jesus? Are you having doubts about the exclusivity of Jesus and His way?

Look at John 3:16, it shows why God sent Jesus—it was because He loved us and desired us to be with Him eternally. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to humankind by which we must be saved.”   Paul states it plainly too that Jesus is the only way to salvation.

Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

Just as Jesus assured the disciples, through Him we can know the way to heaven, to an abundant life and greater knowledge of God. Claim it! Live it with Jesus today!

​Linda

SERMON LINK
Why? God... | Is Jesus The Only Way?
Click Here to View the Sermon
Sermon series, "Why? God...." Today Damon Hopkins teaches from John 14:1-7

​If you are local, please join us for our weekly service. Our Sunday service is held at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.

October 5, 2022 following Alex Hardt’s sermon of October 2.
 
Pastor Alex spoke on a subject that is near and dear to my heart this last Sunday, God’s Word. He lead us to see that God’s Word is the greatest love story ever written as it speaks of God’s love for us and His immeasurable sacrifice of sending His one and only Son to die in our place to redeem us from sin.
My thoughts have drifted into Why did God provide us with His Word? There are a few reasons I came up with (I know there are more): guidance “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105, hope “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word”. Psalm 119:114,  joy “Your statutes are my heritage forever;  they are the joy of my heart.”  Psalm 119:111, peace “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” Psalm 119:165,  love “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.” Psalm 119:107 

• Without God’s Word, we would not be confronted with our sinful nature, Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. 
• Without God’s Word, we would not know of our need for a savior and the penalty of our sin and God’s offer of redemption, Romans 6:23 “ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• Without God’s Word, we would not know of God’s provision of a Savior in Jesus. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  
• Without God’s Word, we would not know the way to Jesus and faith in Him.  Romans 10:9-10 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”  John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
• Without God’s Word, we would not know how God wants us to act towards Him and how to treat others, Matthew 22:37-39   Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

This list could go on and on as to the many things we know because of His Word to us.  We know about God and His character, the future He has planned for us, our home in heaven, our empowerment through His Holy Spirit in our lives, the power of His Word plain and simple to transform us. 

I remember when one particular individual gave their ‘story’. They said that they came to faith
by reading the Word of God. I believe it was their encounter in the book of John that brought them to salvation. 

God’s Word has power as it is God’s Word written which we can liken to God’s spoken Word when He spoke the
world into existence by His Word. He has the power to create in us a new character in Him.

• Take care to love and revere God’s Word
• Read His Word
• Pray His Word to align your heart to His will
• Memorize and meditate upon His Word  

So that you will be complete and equipped for every good work!
Linda

SERMON LINK
Why? God... | Can I Trust the Bible?
Click Here to View the Sermon
Sermon series, "Can I Trust the Bible." Today Alex Hardt teaches from 2 Timothy 3:15-17

​If you are local, please join us for our weekly service. Our Sunday service is held at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.

CROSSROADS COVENANT MISSIONS
For further information, contact us and we will put you in touch with Linda Knight who provides oversight of our missions. Crossroads continues to support several missions, both foreign, local and regional.  Currently we are supporting these missions:

• Wycliffe World Bible Translation (Gregorievs)
•  Bridges of Hope (Sorensons)
• Serving in Cameroon (Stokers/Covenant)  
• Bay Area Chaplains
• Options Health
• Pacific Southwest Conference 
• Project 180 Ministries 
  
  

UPDATE - Wycliffe Ministry 
Email received from Nathanael and Darla Gregoriev
 
Dear Prayer Partners, 
We are grateful for your prayers.  Thank you for investing in our Wycliffe ministry.  God is good.  We are thankful for all he has done and is doing.  If you want more ideas on how to pray for us, we resonated with the suggestions at this link:  https://hungryformore.org/prayer-for-returning-missionaries
 
Your prayers matter.  We recently took our car in for regular maintenance.  The mechanic found that a rodent had some fun chewing on stuff under the hood so that was good to get fixed.  Another item we wanted to get checked out was the hood.  We could raise it a bit when it was latched.  The mechanic said the hood certainly could have disconnected and flew into the windshield.  We are so grateful for your prayers for our safety!!  Thankfully, that is fixed and Lord willing we won’t need to worry about it causing an accident any time soon.  Our car sounds great and is ready for the next road trip that starts on Monday.
 
Upcoming Travel Schedule
September 25 – Altamont, Kansas
October 2 – Buckeye Lake, Ohio
October 9 - Bedford, Virginia
October 16 – Merritt Island, Florida
October 23 – Rockledge, Florida
October 2022 – January 2023 – Florida/Arizona/Missouri
 
Please pray for these ongoing needs:  

• $120 monthly minimum need
• Wisdom
• Perservance as we walk this journey to our new assignment
• Excellent quality sleep each night
• That the $423 in new pledges will be able to start soon

Blessings,
Nathanael, Darla and Eliana
 
 UPDATE - OPTIONS HEALTH Celebrate Life Gala
Join Options Health for the 2022 Celebrate Life Annual Fundraising Gala Friday, October 7, 2022 at the Bay Church in Concord. Dinner & Program 6:30 pm
Throughout the program, you will hear how Options Health has impacted the lives of women, men, and their families in our community.  
Questions:  Call 925-827-0100
Info@optionshealth.org

Options Health is looking for volunteers.  To learn about opportunities, call their Concord Center at 925-827-0100 or email info@optionshealth.org. Training is provided!
 
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UPDATE - Bridges of Hope
 
We were pleased to have a surprise visit from Karin Sorensen in September.  She shared from her heart about the extreme needs both physically and mentally and spiritually in Micronesia.  Please continue to pray for the young people at Pacific Island University for spiritual growth, strength and that the outreach to the islands to recruit for students would not be hampered by Covid.  Pray for an opening of both hearts and minds in this closed off area of the world.
 
Check out Karyn Sorenson's amazing story about Guam and what God is doing there:
wearecrossroads.church
 
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UPDATE - Bay Area Chaplains 
Chaplain John will be sharing information at Crossroads on Sunday, October 2.
 
Delivered Out Of Darkness - Chaplain’s Celebration Dinner
We are pleased to announce that in lieu of our annual benefit dinner we will host a dinner to celebrate God's faithfulness through 20 years of ministry including the legacy of Chaplain Harold Albert.  
Contact Linda Knight if you would like to join her and others from Crossroads attending this event.
 
When: Friday October 28th, 2022, 6:30 PM
Price $30.00 per person
Location: Oak Park Christian Center 2073 Oak Park Bl., Pleasant Hill
 
Your heart will be blessed.  Hearing the testimonies of former inmates who have been at the very bottom of social ladder, and who through Christ have put their lives back together, will bless you and your church.
Lance Marshall, Chaplain
lmars@so.cccounty.us
 
CHANGING LIVES and BUILDING HOMES through Spiritual Guidance of the Incarcerated

Getting to Know the Heart of Your Leadership Team Through Scripture
 by Linda Knight
 
Recently I asked members of the Leadership Team to give me their favorite scripture. 
 
Just a slight deviation from favorite verses today to favorite Bible stories. When I asked my friend Kathy for a favorite verse or two she responded with her favorite stories. As I thought about this, it so suits Kathy. She is a lifelong student of the Bible and the consummate Sunday School teacher. She sees things relationally as they impact our lives. Here are her favorites:

“I love the story of Esther because it tells me that even though the name of God is never mentioned, He is there, working in our lives.” Do you see God working in each area of your life? Is He with you in the hard times- rescuing, helping, guiding and providing all that behind the scenes encouragement? Do you also turn to Him in praise when things go well? I am reminded of God’s promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Esther believed God was there with her and her people. What about you?
 
 “I love the story of Ruth because of the love and devotion it speaks.” Ruth gives us an example to follow because of the love she showed her mother-in-law, Naomi. Do you have someone you are serving even though it is hard? Are you letting the love of God shine through you towards them? Paul put this in another context in Romans 12:9-11 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” What does your love reflect?
 
“I love the story of Jonah because it tells me that I can’t outrun God.” Jonah is such a great example of thinking we know better and can get away from God. Do you try to second guess God and tell Him how things should be? Submission is not easy but it is biblical. Christ is our example in Hebrews 5:7 “ During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Let us learn from Jonah and strive to be like Jesus.
 
“I love the story of the blind man in John 9 because it tells me that even though people can see, they may still be blind.” Jesus made mud and put it on this man’s eyes and his eyes were opened. He had been blind from birth. The Pharisee’s were incensed that Jesus healed this man and did it on the Sabbath. They considered healing work and Jews were not permitted to work on the Sabbath. They questioned the man’s parents to verify he was born blind. They questioned the former blind man about who had healed him. He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not (meaning Jesus), I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” He was blind physically but Jesus gave him sight. The Pharisee’s were blind spiritually and could not see the truth of Jesus and His power. Are you open to His work and leading so that you can see God’s truth in your life?
 
 “I love the story of Ananias and Sapphira because it tells me that God knows me so well, I can’t lie to him (and lying never brings about a good ending).” This story occurs in Acts 5. Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. It would seem from what happened, they said they were giving all the proceeds from their land sale. Maybe they wanted to look good in the eyes of the apostles and their fellow believers so they would think well of them, think them generous and selfless when they secretly held back a portion for themselves. Their actions were deceitful and here is what happened. Ananias came before Peter:
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, carried him out and buried him.
 
Next his wife came in, not knowing what had happened to her husband. “About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.  The sin was not that they did not give it all to the Lord’s work but lying about it. If they had been truthful about the price and what they were giving, all would have been well but they tried to lie and get away with it. What a price to pay for pride and trying to be more than they were. I agree with Kathy this is an example of God’s Omniscience and man’s pride. God knows, and we kid ourselves, when we think we can get away with things. God always knows.

I am reminded of 1 John 3:19-21 “This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.”

Be encouraged today with these stories displaying God’s character. He is Omnipresent and Sovereign as in Esther showing His providential care and guidance. He is loving and the great Provider as seen in Ruth. He is Omniscient in the case of Jonah and Ananias and Saphira. He is Compassionate, Loving and Almighty God as seen by the blind man. Who is God to you? How do you see him in the story of your life? Is He Faithful, Unchanging, Savior, Redeemer and friend? Take time to thank Him for His presence in your life today.

I’d love to hear your favorite story too. Thanks, Kathy, for directing me to these gems of scripture that give us foundational truths to live by.
​
Linda
​