Crosswinds Assembly of God

9 hours ago

Smart phones, led by Apple, have changed the way we do business and operate our lives in just a few short years. Even if you have never had a “smart phone,” you know somebody who does. One of the great things of “smart phone living” is the ability to have a “GPS” system with you at all times. Sometimes my wife and I like to walk together, and when we do we take our phone along with us to chart the walk, tell us the time, track our distance, and log in the calories burned. When we find ourselves in a part of the town that we are unfamiliar with we use the phones capability to talk to us and give us turn by turn directions to reach our destination. Having been blessed to visit four continents in the last three years, I can tell you that the smart phone works even in the African plains or the cities of India. We have come to depend a lot on this invention in our lives. Do you know that the Holy Spirit is a God-given GPS for those who are in Christ? God tells us that “In his heart man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Pr 16:9). Living victoriously means living in total dependence on God, not yourself. Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). We may not always look where we are going, but we will always end up going where we are looking! Your perspective determines your choices and direction in life. There are times that I have not believed the GPS on the phone, but I have found that when I think that I know better than what I have been told, I usually end up in the wrong place. When we do not listen to the direction of the Lord we usually end up in an unplanned situation. Gratefully, we can always return to Him and He will be willing to lead us into the safety of His presence and plan. Have you consulted your Holy Spirit GPS today?
We are in His presence
Pastor Pete ... See MoreSee Less

Crosswinds Assembly of God

1 day ago

What happens to you when you hear a bad report? Where do you go mentally when something that disrupts your lifestyle, weather real or perceived, comes into your life? Do you call a friend and discuss it incessantly? Do you spend hours trying to figure it out on your own? Do you spend sleepless nights in fear of something that probably will never come to pass? Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, heard a report that the enemies of God were attacking him with a superior force that could bring great destruction upon his kingdom. He had a choice: Run and hide, live in fear, seek outside help, or to go to the only place that could bring complete victory in this situation. “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord” (2Ch 20:3). The Lord has not changed down through the ages. He is always by the side of his children and is waiting for them to come to Him with their deepest needs and their most difficult problems. “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as with eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa 40:31). What are you facing that is bringing anxiety to your spirit right now? Resolve to inquire of the Lord. Listen for his answer and know that He will make a way for you through this rough patch, and you will be victorious through the blessing of the Lord on your life.
We are blessed
Pastor Pete ... See MoreSee Less

Crosswinds Assembly of God

2 days ago

“Shame: a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.” At least, that’s what my dictionary says. But recently, during a quiet moment with the Lord, I discovered something contradictory. I realized…I’ve been carrying shame that I WASN’T conscious of – shame buried so deep and carried for so long I’d grown numb to it – I had developed a blind spot. And here’s the problem with that: Shame has prevented me from fully receiving God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. In Luke 7, Jesus explains why this is so important. After a woman of immoral repute anoints Him with expensive perfume, in verse 47, He explains, “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Don’t you see? In order to become the man God created me to be, I first need the constant and pervasive awareness that I’m completely forgiven and fiercely loved by the Father. The immoral woman’s ability to love was a direct result of the absence of shame. She had received forgiveness, was acutely aware of it, and was now living in freedom from shame. She was loving like Jesus loved. So-o-o…if you are irritable, angry, resentful, or depressed…most likely you’re still bearing shame that you’re not meant to carry. Romans 8:1 says, “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 5:19 says that God no longer counts our sins against us. Listen folks…along with me, we HAVE TO get this! The world is waiting! Sit down with the Lord and RECEIVE His forgiveness. Let it wash over you, so you can, once and for all, move past your shame and regret.
~ David Schmidt ~ Associate Pastor ... See MoreSee Less