Come on home

And I will hold you in my arms.

True Food The Bible personifies wisdom as a woman calling those who are foolish to come to her. Like a caring mother, she nurtures and nourishes, guides gently, lovingly corrects, and shows the way to Jesus. He is then given the title of the ultimate Wisdom of God. He is the way. Enjoy this video today, a graphic animation of biblical themes including: sin and forgiveness, crucifixion and resurrection, the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, faith, Holy Communion, and the continuous striving of the Christian life that needs a loving Savior. Be sure you're in a quiet place, where you can meditate deeply, and linger for a while, and perhaps watch it again.  https://youtu.be/iaRUjfmKjhA  PRAYER: Dear Jesus, you promise that those who hunger for righteousness are filled. I'm starving to death. I've craved spiritual junk food. I'm poisoned and dying. I confess that my hunger remains, unfulfilled by what this world sees as significant. I turn to you, and trust in your sacrificial love. I need your constant mercy and forgiveness. I am hungry for you, and crave your true food. Give me a deeper appreciation for Holy Communion, a daily journey of crucifixion and resurrection in my soul united by Baptism to yours, and a walk of discipleship that is empowered by these images of divine truth. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: What artistic themes of spiritual truths resonate with you as you reflect on the video? Close down all screens and notifications. Put away the video. And just sit and reflect on these. Pray about them. Tell God what you're thinking, how you're feeling, and how much you appreciate them. Ask for deeper meaning, more committed discipleship, and closer intimacy with Jesus. Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron daron@holyword.net 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

Your doubting does you no good (part 2).

It actually makes things worse.

Peter How did Peter get back to the boat? The storm threatened the disciples' lives and, worse, their faith. They doubted and feared, even when Jesus appeared. He reassured them. He invited Peter to join him, walking on the water. And he did! Have you ever walked on water? Impossible. Except when the Creator and Master of the sea gives different orders. "Hold him up. Keep him afloat." Peter's faith combines with the special obedience of the sea. He walks on the stormy water, still crashing into the boat behind him, and into his hips threatening to knock him down. But he doesn't notice these things. He's focused on Jesus. He's not looking down. But then he looks down. He loses faith. Doubt seizes him again. He's no longer partnered with the commands of Jesus for the sea to hold him, and he plunges into the depths. Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31) Doubt didn't help Peter. Doubt doesn't help you. It never does, at least when it comes to the promises of Jesus. Doubt yourself. Doubt the weather forecast. Doubt stock futures. Doubt your team will win. But don't doubt Jesus. It only makes things worse. Jesus doesn't doubt that Peter can walk on water. He helps him up. And the next verse says, "they climbed into the boat" (v. 32). How did Peter get there? The Bible doesn't say. Possibly, Jesus carried him. But that doesn't really fit. I see Peter walking on the water back to the boat. And the storm hadn't stilled yet, either. But Peter realized that when Jesus makes a promise, nothing has the right to take our eyes off the reality of that promise always being true. "You of little faith," Jesus is saying to you. "Why do you doubt?" There's just no good reason. None. You may be sinking, struggling, swimming in scary waters. Jesus doesn't doubt. He's convinced you can walk on water, too. In his grace, he reaches out and pulls you up.  Now, in faith, take that step. And another. And another … PRAYER: Dear Jesus, this is incredible! This feeling of solid water under my feet isn't normal. It shouldn't be happening. Something even more amazing is true, though. The grip of your strong yet gentle hand pulling me up. Lifting me above what I fear. Securing me even in the storm. It shouldn't be happening. I don't deserve it. But I love it, and I love you. I appreciate your mercy, your forgiveness. Another chance. Your confident call, "Walk. You can do it." Jesus, you and I can do anything! Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Read the account of Jesus walking on the water in Matthew 14:28-33. Look for details you may have missed previously. Peter called Jesus on his promise (v. 28), but put himself into the "if this is true then _____" scenario. Where can you call Jesus on his promise in your faith? And not just, "Jesus, are you sure?" But, "Jesus, then I'm going to ______ and I need your promise to be absolutely true." When did Jesus calm the storm (v. 32)? What does this imply about Jesus and Peter walking back to the boat? What does this timing mean for your faith (and walking) in storms? Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron daron@holyword.net 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

Your doubting does you no good.

It actually makes things worse.

In the Storm Jesus satisfied over 5,000. He miraculously multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish. Wow! Peter helped hand it out. Bread crumbs still stuck to the fish oil on his hands. Real hunger. Real food. Real miracle.  Jesus asked for nothing from the crowd, he just fed them. Then he told his disciples to get in the boat and he'd meet them at the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Now, he was asking for something. Faith. It didn't take much faith for the seasoned fishermen among the disciples to take the ropes, hoist the sails, and point them in the right direction. But when the storm came, and their best response efforts weren't working, fear took over.  Wind sheer ripped the sails. "We're going to die!" Monster waves smashed into the boat like bombs. "Why would he leave us?" They had to strap in with ropes like seatbelts or be thrown overboard by the hungry storm. "Do something!!" Jesus appeared, in the middle of the storm, on the waves, hair flapping in the wind. And that made things worse. Because they didn't recognize him. "When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear" (Matthew 14:26).  He didn't miraculously calm the storm and then appear to help. He appeared to help in the storm. In. The. Storm. The doubt of the disciples that they'd survive was not the faith Jesus had asked from them. He told them that he would see them on the other side. That's a promise. The storm convinced them otherwise. So when Jesus appeared, their doubt made things even worse. They didn't recognize Jesus, but actually thought that what they saw was a threat. There's the lesson for your storms this week, your tears, your cries of help, and your faith in Jesus. Sometimes, he's in the storm. Sometimes, his answers to your prayers and his presence of help don't come after he calms the storm—but come in the midst of it.  Stop doubting. Remember his works. Believe his words. And you'll see him there. PRAYER: Dear Jesus, where are you? I'm tossed and turned by circumstances I can't control. I'm overwhelmed by deadlines crashing down on me. I don't know if I'll make it through this. And I need your help, please. You say that you're near. You promise that I'll make it through this. The storm says otherwise. Can you really handle this? Can I really find you? I want to be sure, I really do, but there's doubt. So find me, Jesus. In your patient grace, come to me in the storm. I'll watch for you there. Appear in your works I've seen and words I know, and in the midst of the storm these will be my faith over fear. You are bigger than the waves, more powerful than the wind, and you love me more than the storms threaten me. Help me believe you, see you, and not be afraid. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Read the account of Jesus walking on the water in Matthew 14:22-27. Look for details you may have missed previously. He had special plans for his disciples as compared to the crowd (v. 22). He expects more from them. Do you want Jesus to expect more from you, or do you want to walk away with the crowd? What is Jesus doing while his disciples are scared for their lives (v. 23)? Jesus isn't always holding your hand, sometimes he helps you better by folding his hands and talking to his Father about you. Why might that be better? The disciples were disoriented by the storm, but Jesus knew exactly where they were (v. 25). The circumstances couldn't prevent him from finding them. The disciples saw him but their doubt and fear didn't recognize him (v. 26). Imagine how often Jesus has come to you in the storm, but you just thought he was another threat. It added to your fear. Is it even possible for you to have courage? to conquer your fear? does Jesus care about these things (v. 27)? Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron daron@holyword.net 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

How do you explain the Triune God?

Don't go too far, but don't stop too soon.

Triune God The God of the Bible is beyond our understanding. That's good news.  If you worship a god you can totally understand, then your god is no bigger than your mind, your capacity, and your control. Then your god is you. Yet the God of the Bible reveals much to us that we do not understand by instinct or nature. Much about himself. Much about his nature, his instincts, his attributes. Much about his relationship of mercy with sinners, about our life now and life everlasting in heaven.  So we know a lot, but not all. We know enough—about God, ourselves, his saving plan of grace in the gospel. I'd venture to say that none of us fully grasp the "enough" that we can potentially know. So there's more to learn! How do you grasp God? Specifically, his three-in-one nature? What makes God more than a dogmatic understanding in your brain, and develops a relationship with him in your heart?  Get to know him a little more today. Allow yourself 5 minutes to search the following Scripture section. Can you find multiple expressions of the three-in-one God? Spend time meditating on this. Then allow yourself another 10 minutes and watch the video linked below in the "Further Meditation" section.  Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:4-6) Enjoy God today! PRAYER: God, I want to enjoy you more. Sometimes it can feel like we have a business arrangement. We keep it professional. We follow our systems and transactions, and it's working for the most part. I've been good with that, but I don't want to be good with that anymore. I want more, and you do, too. I want us to be closer. I want us to be in love more deeply. I want you to be bigger in my life. I want to know more about you! You promise that you want to be as close to me as you, God the Father, are to your own Son Jesus. You promise me that you are the Holy Spirit living by grace in the heart of every believer. Open my eyes to see you, know you, love you, and enjoy you. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Find a quiet place. Watch this 8-minute video about God https://youtu.be/eAvYmE2YYIU. Answer these questions: What is an attribute? Where is the first place God the Holy Spirit appears in the Bible? What is Jesus' favorite title to call himself? The God of the Bible isn't for us to fully know or understand. So what's the point? Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron daron@holyword.net 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

Climb the mountain

There's a great view. No, not of you.

Climb Climb the mountain so that you can see the world, not so that the world can see you. Pride is the petri dish where other sins grow. Learn to recognize it, repent of it, and realize where it lurks in your heart. Understand that even low self-esteem, depressive thoughts, and introverted shyness partner with pride. Then learn what humility looks like, even on top of a mountain. Learn to walk into a room and say "There you are!" instead of "Here I am!" Instill habits and rituals into your life, gather friends around you, engage in study of God and his Word that centers you not pessimistically, not optimistically, but realistically. I'm an unworthy sinner who deserves God's wrath, yet his mercy reaches me and promises that I'm his privileged, forgiven and equipped child who shines like a star. Angels rejoice over me! "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1 Peter 5:5,6) PRAYER: Dear Jesus, it's hard to be humble. I need to control things, get on top of them, be strong and move up the ladder. I need to manipulate people, make myself so needy that people notice me, order people around and demonstrate my superiority in both strong and subtle gestures. You simply want me to need  you. Forgive me for replacing you with everything my self-glorifying heart thinks I need. Remind me of your humiliation. How low. How painful. How submissive to the Father. Save me from myself. Show me the path of humility and grace. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Slow down, please. Don't rush through these meditations as if they're a pill you just wash down and it's supposed to do some magic work without you even noticing. God isn't for you to download. But for you to delight. He wants your quality time. Do you have that special place and time to focus on him each day? For most people, it must be at the beginning of the day before things get busy and they're less in control of their schedule. Give God that quiet, quality time and when you're more in tune with each other, just watch what happens each day.  Read 1 Peter 5:5-11. Humility helps with relationships, anxiety, prayer, self-control, resisting the devil's powerful temptations, suffering, resilience and hope. Choose one of these and pray about it using the PRAY acronym. Praise (tell God what you appreciate about him) Repent (tell God about your sins, trust in his promises of forgiveness) Ask (go ahead, think big, or focus on a small detail, God wants to hear it all) Yield (talk to God about the next step after you say "Amen," how you want faith to lead the way, how you are willing to be part of his answer and see it develop for your good) Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron daron@holyword.net 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

Belief is the teacher of your feelings

And who you believe, that makes all the difference

Convinced What are some of your most negative feelings? Think of your most uncontrollable emotions that get you in trouble. They are not in charge. Yes, I know, in the depths of despair or height of anxiety it isn't easy just to "snap out of it." You don't just tell a person hot with anger like the Incredible Hulk to stop it and calm down (that often makes it worse).  Feelings hold powerful influence over us. So we start believing that we are their servant. And that feelings are the master. "I can't help it, I'm just a worrier," she explains. Sometimes, feelings even become who we think we are.  Failure. Loser. Or, on the other hand, delusions of being infallible, perfect or never wrong. The apostle Paul was tempted to define himself with all those. A once popular and powerful authority figure, he felt on top of the world persecuting the church and murdering Christians. Jesus converted him to a missionary, proclaiming grace which he himself needed so desperately.  Paul recalled his bloody past often, yet it didn't own him. He felt regret and shame, but these weren't his masters.  "I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:12,13). "I know … I believe … I am convinced … with faith … in Jesus." That tells Paul's feelings of being ashamed that they aren't true. They aren't in charge. Truth is. But only if you believe it. And when you do, Jesus becomes bigger and better than your feelings. PRAYER: Jesus, my feelings love to drive my life. The thing is, I think I let them. I give them the keys because they tell me I don't have another choice. But I do. Faith in you. Belief that your truth is in play, actively influencing my life, and setting me free. Here, take the keys, Jesus. They are your keys, after all. I trust you to drive. I know you'll take me to new places. Strange places. Dangerous places. Places that don't feel right. Like the disciples sailing into storms, you call me beyond my feelings to rely on you, to see the power and love of your promises. Thank you for your mercy, Jesus. For your patience, kindness and forgiveness. You will never forsake me or forget about me. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Open your Bible and spend 15 minutes reflecting on 2 Timothy 1:7-13. The apostle Paul was in prison, soon to be executed. Whose prisoner is he (v. 8)? How does this belief help him through suffering (v. 8)? When did God decide that he would save Paul and call him to such courage (v. 9)? Death is one of the most frightening experiences. What belief makes all the difference (v. 10)?   Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron daron@holyword.net 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

Only one step to God’s wisdom

It's so much closer than we think.

Wisdom "All you had to do was ask." That statement brings such relief. And also some regret that we worked ourselves up over nothing.  We stacked all kinds of conditions up, and analyzed all of the consequences, and assembled a massive case to convince someone of something. And then they say, "You didn't have to do all that. All you had to do was ask." That's what God says about wisdom.  Wisdom is the ability to apply the perfect, practical truths of God to life situations. The aptitude of making clear, confident decisions. We often desire this kind of wisdom. We see it in other super gifted spiritual people. "Wow, I'd love that kind of wisdom," we think. Then we start mentally assembling all of the work it would take to get there … and give up. Not a chance. But God says, "You don't have to do all that. All you need to do is ask." If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5) PRAYER: I want wisdom, God, and I realize the irony that I'm not wise enough to get it. That's why you promise it to me as a gift. It comes from you, not from me. By your grace that forgives my faults and doesn't consider them, you instill my hungry heart with wisdom that is heavenly. Teach me to trust that searching honestly for your wisdom is the one thing needed, and when I search I will find. When I knock, the door of wisdom opens. Then teach me to recognize the wisdom you give and use it as a resource more often. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Check out Proverbs 2:1-6 and all of the "if you …" statements about finding wisdom from God. It may seem like jumping through a lot of hoops, but look carefully. The conditions for finding "the knowledge of God" all really mean this: you're looking, you're searching, you're hungry. You know you don't have the kind of wisdom you need and you believe God can give it. That's it. If faith and humility you "ask God" (James 1:5), and "then you will understand" (Proverbs 2:5). No schooling required. No GPA. No advanced degree. Just want wisdom from God. Just ask for it. That very practice prepares you to receive it. And then, be ready for a treasure that enriches your life! Daron Lindemann CrossLife Church LOVING. LIFE-CHANGING. FAMILY. + + + Pastor Daron daron@holyword.net 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.