Crosswinds Assembly of God

1 day ago

There is little doubt that Deborah was a mighty woman of God. She had 3 distinct qualities that stand out to me. 1. She had courage! Judges 4: 8&9, states, Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” 9 “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. Certainly! She had no doubt, she was going. Courage! 2. Deborah was a leader! Judges 4:4, 4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading[a] Israel at that time. Do you see that?! Leading. It was absolutely unheard of that woman led. But my girl Deborah did. 3. Deborah was a warrior! Barak respected her as a leader and a worrier. He wanted Deborah at his side. That also says a lot! So, what do we learn from Deborah? She had huge courage. We need to have courage. To know that we know that we know. How many times have we been uneasy about a decision, but we do it anyway? How many times have we’ve known to go forward, and haven’t? God gives us the Helper for a reason. Second, we learn is we need to be leaders. What makes you a leader you ask? To think differently not go along with the status quo. Also, to ask the hard questions. Third, we need to be warriors! We are in a battle. Do not be unarmed! We need to have the armor of God. 0 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. “12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-18. Our battle is not of flesh and blood, so my friends do not be unarmed! Armed yourself with God armor. ... See MoreSee Less

Crosswinds Assembly of God

2 days ago

When I was first learning how to drive, I learned an important principle. Determined to stay in my own lane, I’d fix my eyes on the line closest to my side of the vehicle. Inevitably it would cause me to get too close to that line and even to cross over it from time to time. It wasn’t until I learned to fix my eyes on the middle of the lane that I was able to stay within the lines. The principle is that we will ultimately move towards whatever it is we’re focusing on. Self-help guru, Tony Robbins says it like this, he says, “Energy flows where attention goes.” Think about that for a moment. Harvard Business review says it this way: It says, “To control your life, control what you pay attention to.” Regardless of how it’s stated, the principle remains the same. We will eventually become like (or arrive at) whatever we’re focused on. In Romans 8:5 (NLT), the Apostle Paul chimed in: He said, “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.” So, let me ask you…When was the last time you thought about things that please the Spirit? Let’s face it. Our lives are dominated by what we see on the screen and read on the page. No wonder we’re so self-absorbed, angry, and bitter. Listen folks, it’s way past time to shift our focus. It’s past time to starve our selfishness and feed our spirit. In the very next verse (6) Paul says, that if we let the Spirit control our mind, He’ll lead us to life and peace. Isn’t that what we want? Let’s make the necessary corrections and change our focus, amen? Let’s think about what pleases the Spirit. ~ David Schmidt ~ Associate Pastor ... See MoreSee Less

Crosswinds Assembly of God

3 days ago

Recently, I heard a song that captured my imagination (Echo by Charity Gayle). The lyric declared, “God, we echo Your authority!” It reminded me of Matthew 10:1 where Jesus gave authority to His disciples to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of sickness and disease. Now, some might presume, that authority was only given to the twelve. It doesn’t apply to us. And most of our hands-on experience might concur. However, throughout history, there have been countless other men and women who have exercised that same authority with power and effectiveness. So, why not me? Well…I can think of two biblically based reasons. One is found in 2 Timothy 2:20-21. Go read it for yourselves. The other is in Ephesians 3:16-21. There, the Apostle Paul explains there’s a measure of power and fullness that can only be had when we’re rooted and established in God’s love for us. Now most of us know (intellectually) that God loves us. We know (intellectually) that His love is measured by what He gave – by what He sacrificed to demonstrate that love. But – hear me now - that’s…not…enough! Somehow, our “head” knowledge must first mutate and grow into “heart” knowledge. We must receive a personal revelation of God’s focused love for us that goes beyond our intellect and performs surgery on our hearts. Our world is desperate for men and women who exercise their Christ given authority. Will you pray, along with the Apostle Paul, that God will strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner-being? Will you think about the way God loves YOU? Only then will you “be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19) Now, go and echo God’s authority!
David Schmidt ~ Associate Pastor ... See MoreSee Less