Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames

Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames

November 8-10 @ 7pm

CrossWay Church

This weekend, our church is going all out. We're continuing an all-out assault on Hell's efforts to take claim to the lives and souls of people in our community. The Bible is clear about the fact that is appointed to each a time to leave this earth and face the Father. The goal of a Christian is NOT just to get to Heaven, but to get there with as many people as possible!

Last week, teams from CrossWay Church took this passion to the neighborhoods with the "Let it Shine" outreach, reaching out to about 800 people, with at least 500 of them being children!

This video is an awesome story of one life that was changed by what God did in her through the drama of Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames.

A Line in the Sand

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).

In 1836, Texas was in a battle for independence from Mexico. The conflict had come down to the battle at the now famous Alamo. Out numbered and under equipped, the soldiers at the Alamo prepared to give their lives for the cause of freedom. They believed in an independent Texas.

Legend has it, that shortly before the battle of the Alamo, Colonel William B. Travis drew a line in the sand. He gave each one of the men a choice. He told them that if they were willing to fight, even if it would cost them their lives, then to cross that line. All men but one, crossed the line. Even an ill Jim Bowie, had his stretcher carried across the line in the sand.

And though these brave men lost their lives at the Alamo, their courage and their honor became the pride and passion of a people who were motivated to continue what was started. The lost battle at the Alamo ignited a passion that carried them to win the war.

Today, see that there is a line for you. To cross that line is to say that I will live my life for Christ. No matter what it costs me, because it cost Him even more. I will sacrifice my desires for the greater desire of knowing that my life is honoring His.

Week of Prayer & Fasting: Day Two

Believing God for Breakthrough in our Nation

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Today I want to challenge you to pray for our nation. Our nation is at a time of great crossroads. Morality has come under fire. Faith in God has come under fire. Righteousness has come under fire. But the Truth of God remains!

I want to encourage you today to pray for the following:

Pray for our President - It doesn't matter whether you voted for him or not. He is OUR president, and he needs our prayers. Pray that God will speak to his heart. Pray that the decisions he makes are decisions that will honor and God. Pray that God will protect him and his family.

Pray for the G20 Summit - Some of the world's top leaders will be in Pittsburgh THIS week. Pray that God will move the hearts of these men and women and that the decisions that are made concerning the economy, defense, and other issues will be ones that will honor God and best benefit our nation.

Pray for our Troops - It doesn't matter whether or not you agree with the wars that are being fought. Pray that God will protect our troops and give them victory.

Pray for our Leaders - Locally and nationally, there are many men and women who are responsible for making and enforcing the laws of our land. Pray that God would reveal Truth to them. Pray for those that do stand for righteousness, that God would give them the strength to stand up under the fire.

Pray AGAINST "Moral Relevance" - There are many that say that "what was wrong before, isn't necessarily wrong now...times have changed." Yes, times may have changed, but God's Truth NEVER CHANGES. Abortion is still wrong. Homosexuality is still wrong. We believe in a God of forgiveness and a God of love AND we believe in a God who has the power to change hearts and lives.

Join us today as we pray for our nation!

Day One: Believing God for Breakthrough!

In short, we need to pray like never before. We need to connect to the living source of all truth. We need to run to the feet of Jesus, reach out take hold of His hand and not let go. We need Jesus in our lives. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to take control!

Spiritual Swine Flu

What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to the its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire" (2 Peter 2:22)

So many people come to konw the Truth, but don't stay passionate about pursuing it. Rather,

when the "novelty" of it all has worn down, and the requirement of discipline and self-control has gone into full-throttle, they return to what is familiar - even through it's the same familiar place of bondage.

If you don't continue to pursue God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, then you will not find Him and all that He has to bless and equip us with. It's not that He's lost, but rather you're lost outside of His will and plan for you. There are times it seems easier just to go back, because the self-control seems almost unbearable at times. But, He gives strength to the weary and hope to those who have lost it.

God can give you the strength TODAY, to continue to live in the victory that He has destined you for. You can do it...YES...even YOU. God loves you. It's true.

Anger Management

This last weekend, I shared with our church three keys in dealing with conflict within a relationship. The above video is funny, and a great example of one who has allowed pain, bitterness, rage, irritation, and disappointment to infect their ability to rationally deal with conflict.

Purpose Your Perception - We see what we want to see. So many conflicts are a result of people fighting for the other person to see what they see, rather than trying to see what the other one sees. It's a matter of pride vs. humility, and when pride wins, everyone loses.

Tame Your Temper - It's true that some people know just how to push your buttons, but you have the choice what is released when those buttons are pushed. When anger is control, God is not.

Monitor Your Mouth - It's easy to respond out of our hurt, our disappointment, our bitterness and our rage. However, when respond out of our hurt, it's hard for anyone to really hear. Words can bless and words can curse, but they can't do both and honor God at the same time.

This IS an impossible task...on our own. But God gives strength, He gives grace, and He forgives when blow it and need to start again!

Not Good Enough?

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree" (Galatians 3:13)

So many people fall into the trap that they are not good enough for God. They feel that everything they've tried has failed, so it must mean that they don't have what it takes. But the fact is, that Jesus became "not good enough" to show us that we don't have to be good enough. We'll never measure up to the standard to achieve His love on our own. It's only by HIS grace and HIS work on the Cross.

Don't allow discouragement to creep in and overwhelm you in your failures. Continue to see that Jesus' love doesn't stop because you - it continues because of you. When you realize this truth, let it compel you to live in a way that most honors Him.