Imagine you have committed a crime.

You want to cover it up. You create fake identities.

Real Peace Imagine you have committed an ethical crime. You want to cover it up. You create fake identities. Aliases. You're on the run. You duck from video cameras which are everywhere. To escape attention you move around a lot. You're always looking over your shoulder. No peace.  Then imagine, it all magically goes away. Evidence turns up that you didn't even know about. It proves your innocence, based on legal technicalities. You aren't really a lawbreaker after all. As a matter of fact, what you did helped others.  How good would that feel? No more running. Instead of a criminal, you're a hero. You can be real. Peace. The All Points Bulletin has been withdrawn. Your record is wiped clean. You've been given a fresh start. Peace. This scenario is not imaginary, but true. It's your spiritual story. We're all lawbreakers in God's book, and you're no different. Guilty. Criminal.  And we all run. Hide. Create fake identities that pretend we've got it all together, pretend we're doing okay, pretend that nothing is wrong. But it is, and that's why we're on the run.  "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Evidence turns up, however. It proves your innocence, based on factual events and also the testimony of God himself. Jesus paid the sentence for your crimes and wiped them from the record permanently. Jesus entered into the legal accounting of God your purity and innocence, transferring it to your profile as a gift to you when he died in your place.  Peace. Stop running. Stop hiding. Stop pretending. You've been given a fresh start. You're not guilty after all.  Enjoy more of that freedom this weekend, and thank God for it by living as the clean record person he has saved you to be. Peace be with you. PRAYER: God of peace, you live and love in perfect harmony. You have no conflicts, even with me. May that peace resolve my conflicts, beginning in my own heart. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Spend some time in Romans 5:1-5. Can you put together the "peaces?" First, there is the status of peace with God in vv. 1-2. This is something to believe, and it is first. Then there is the practice, or the active principle of applying the peace of God in vv. 3-5. This is something to do. 1) Believe. 2) Do.  Pray on this, meditating on these promises, thinking out loud with God.  Envision what these two peaces look like in your day and weekend.  Ask for God's blessing. Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

Do you know what “prodigal” means?

Hint: it doesn't mean lost or rebellious.

Prodigal One of Jesus' most famous parables has changed names over the years. Modern Bible translations refer to Luke 15:11-32 at "The Parable of the Lost Son." In earlier translations, it was titled "The Parable of the Prodigal Son." When was the last time you used "prodigal" in a sentence? It's just an ancient and misunderstood word. But it has deep meaning and I wish it hadn't been replaced. Do you know what it means? It does not mean lost, or rebellious, or wild.  Prodigal means "recklessly extravagant" or "having spent everything." It describes the behavior of the younger son in Jesus' parable when "he got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living … [he] spent everything" (Luke 15:13,14). What a terribly reckless way to spend the inheritance his father had given him! "Prodigal," however, also describes the father in the parable, who represents God. When the son came to his senses and returned him, the father ran to meet him, embraced him, and announced, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate" (Luke 15:22,23)! What an inappropriate way to discipline a rebellious son's insubordination! Yes, reckless. That's what God's grace always is. More than that, it is recklessly extravagant. It spends everything. Gives everything. Freely to sinners, but at its own incredible cost. Please note that Jesus is telling a parable about salvation, not leading a workshop on parental discipline. There is a place for discipline. At the same time, the predominant feature of God's character is not discipline at all. It is grace. Prodigal grace. Reckless. Extravagant. Enjoy that grace right now. And share it soon. PRAYER: Dear loving Father, your reckless grace is my only hope today. You've spent everything on me! Give me a reckless zeal to honor you above all. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Well, c'mon, how can we not read the entire parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32? As you do, spend some time in discussion with a family member, friend or your group. Answer these questions: To whom is Jesus addressing the parable? (Hint: Luke 15:1,2) In Jesus' parable, we know what happened to the younger son. But we don't hear what happened to the elder son. Why would Jesus leave this open-ended? (Hint: see question #1) Both of the sons used their father to get things. Explain. Point to some actions or words of the father that demonstrate his "prodigal grace" to both of his sons. What is this parable saying to you? Pray about it. Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

God’s Word about God’s Word.

What Psalm 119 finally teaches us.

Seek Me, God Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the Bible, at 176 verses. You could call it God's Word about God's Word.  The psalm utilizes 8 different synonyms for God's Word, and uses those synonyms 178 times in 176 verses. God has something to say here about what he has to say! With the psalm writer, we rejoice in the benefits of God's Word. How it is true, life-giving, forgiving, life-changing, enlightening, comforting, and more. We pray for God to teach us, so that we become better students of his Word, better practicers, better in meditation and memorization as we take his words to heart.  And we see God's mercy in his Word through Christ. In the final verse of the psalm, after this great exposition about God's Word—how important it is for us to know and believe and live it—we say this: "I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands" (Psalm 119:176).  If we have not forgotten God's commands, how can we stray? Because more powerful forces of our sinful nature and pressures from the world convince us they are more reliable than God's Word. Knowing does not always equal doing.  So we stray. We get lost. We don't practice what we preach. After 176 verses praying to God about our deeper commitment to his Word, it all boils down to this: God's commitment to us. It's all worthless unless he seeks us. And he does. Be glad today that you're not only seeking God's Word as you read this, but even now, God's Word is seeking you. PRAYER: Dear God, your Word is alive and active. Open my eyes of faith to seek your Word, but more than than—to be glad that in your Word you are seeking me. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Read the longest chapter of the Bible in one sitting! Turn to Psalm 119. It should take about 20-25 minutes. Focus your attention in two areas: 1) How Psalm 119 describes God's Word. What is it like? It's attributes. 2) How  Psalm 119 describes the results of God's Word. What does it do? Its outcomes.   Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

What’s in your refrigerator?

Its doors keep cold air in and food fresh.

Jesus is the Gate Doors or gates serve two purposes. They keep in what is supposed to stay in, and keep out what is supposed to stay out. They allow full access in a way that doesn't compromise #1.  Your refrigerator doors keep cold air in, keep warm air out, and allow easy, full access to the scrumptious food inside. Jesus identifies himself in that way when he says, "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved" (John 10:9). He was telling people that we are like sheep and he's like a shepherd, then he switches metaphors and calls himself a gate. Yes, he's both. Pasturing in the countryside with his sheep, each evening the shepherd needs to round them up, account for them, and keep them safe. So he leads them into a natural shelter, like a cave. Or, he designs a "sheepfold."  A sheepfold is a circular barrier made of a small rock wall, or branches and even thorns. When the shepherd completes it, he leaves an opening as an entrance, and leads the sheep into the safe sheepfold for the night.  Then to keep the sheep safely in, and to keep threatening predators out, the shepherd lies down, across the opening. The shepherd is the gate.  Sheep who enter the sheepfold, and remain in the sheepfold, receive full attention, care and direction because their shepherd is the gate, or the door. Sheep who don't enter the sheepfold are on their own, and will get lost or killed.  Who can enter? Anyone who wants this protecting and providing that Jesus gives. Anyone who realizes that on their own, by natural instinct, they stray and can't perfectly protect themselves. Jesus says, "Please, come into the sheepfold I made for you. You'll be safe here." PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I can find my way much of the time, but not all the time. You always know the right way. Teach me to trust in your promise that by following you, entering your care, I am always safe. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Read John 10:1-10. Jesus mentions the thief a few times. "The thief" is anyone or anything trying to convince you that it can give you what only Jesus can give. Perfect safety and security. Forgiveness and acceptance. Identity. Value. Triumph over temptation. Peace and contentment. The thief is a taker. Jesus is a giver. The thief can be, and usually is, something good like a job, or health/beauty, friends, spouse, kids. It can also be a hobby or habit. Spend 5 minutes in quiet meditation and prayer, asking God to give you more understanding about the identity of thief who comes to you, and the faith to realize its lies, and to follow Jesus.  Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

It’s a new week!

You are always being made new through the saving death of Jesus.

The Gospel Song If you are into something, it means that this thing has you pulled in. And everybody knows it. "He's into gaming," or, "She's really into keto." A person can be into Jesus Christ, also. Really pulled in. And when that happens, it changes things. It creates new things: new perspective, new faith, new strength, new love. Are you into Christ? He's into you. How? Watch a video today, depicting these Bible verses: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! … God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17,21). https://youtu.be/aoxWSk9fLMU  See how much Jesus Christ is into you?  PRAYER: Dear Jesus, your death is all about my life. It brings me into you and you into me. As you give me yourself and your forgiveness, change me to leave old sins behind and become new like you. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: What's new in your life? That can be a conversation-starter. Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. "New" and "life" are framed with different meaning than a conversation starter. What is the meaning? Spend 10 minutes thinking about those words, and the truths presented here. What is new in your life according to 2 Corinthians 5?  Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved

“Dear God, please do what is best for us”

In your prayers get closer to God

Prayer about Us "Dear God, please make me as wealthy as possible. And healthy. And happy, too. Oh, and make life easier for my friends and family, and for me too, please." Amen.  Think about this, how many of your prayers did I just describe? I know that describes a lot of mine. Hey, I make them sound so spiritual, and I say the kindest words and ask humbly, but overall I think that it's very important to me that God makes me happy. It's more important to God that he is my happiness.  Just recall the Lord's Prayer. How does it start? With a term of endearment between you and God. Then a reminder that you're sitting on the lap of the CEO of the universe. Then you get down to business—God's business—and ask that everything you think, say, do, and plan is part of his business plan. "Oh, and God, all those things you want … I want to want them, too. I trust you. I follow you." And, finally, then is the request for health and wealth and earthly circumstances all summed up in "daily bread." "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God" (Proverbs 30:8-9). See that? The writer of this proverb prays, "God, do what is best for us (you and me, God)." Relationship with God is primary. Things are secondary.  When God is first for you, you'll get both. When things are first for you, you'll get neither. PRAYER: Dear God, help me pray more about us. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Meditate on the Lord's Prayer as I described it above. Pause. Take some time to ponder the meaning of each phrase, and especially how it asks, "God, do what is best for us." Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved

St. Patrick: The Rest of the Story (Part 4)

Souls belong to people and so

People Matter Christians want to win souls for Christ. That's great! But we need to remember that souls are connected to people.  People filter their life experiences not just in their soul, but through emotions, faulty beliefs, and limited viewpoints. People bring their personal history to every new scene. People assemble and create culture. People are ethnic. People have learning disabilities and unique gifts. People get tired, or excited, or hungry.  Some of the best leadership wisdom I've heard says, "Be efficient with projects, but be effective with people."  St. Patrick was effective with people, and in so doing he won many souls for Christ. About 700 churches begin in Ireland because of his efforts to engage with people, caring for their soul by caring for them. Rather than set up a church as the center of a mission outreach, Patrick would travel to various settlements, meet with the people and engage them in conversation. He would pray for sick people, counsel those who needed it and mediate conflicts. He would speak in stories and parables that engaged the Celtic imagination and connection to nature. Legend has it that when Patrick wanted to preach about the Trinity he would pluck a shamrock—a three-leaf clover—and use it to describe how God is one and three at the same time. Patrick encouraged the people to ask questions and express their hopes and fears. After a while, a community of faith emerged, and Patrick and his entourage would move on, leaving behind a priest to nurture the fledgling community. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:23) Jesus saved not just your soul, but your body. Jesus cares about not just your soul, but your intellect, your emotions, your will power. Jesus knows how all that works—he became a real human being! So remember, the souls who need Jesus belong to people. Relate the gospel to people. Show them you care. Speak their language. Offer them hospitality. Be real, because you are! PRAYER: Dear Jesus, the mission work of St. Patrick teaches me a lot. Sometimes I think relating to people is just a contemporary fad or a generational stereotype, but you considered it so important that you became one of us. And you ministered to people's needs. Thank you for understanding me, for caring about me as a person, and for saving my body and soul and mind. Help me to better understand and care for others, as an effective witness. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Take some time to think about 5 of your friends who need Jesus, whose faith is weak or you are uncertain whether they believe. Write down their names. Now pray for them, asking God to show you an opportunity to care for them and share the love of Jesus. Then be ready for God to answer that prayer! Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.