Cross Training

GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES — Even if it seems impossible

December 12, 2024 by Eddie Leave a Comment

We are all familiar with the story of the Annunciation, as found in the first chapter of Luke’s gospel. It begins with the Angel surprising Mary with the greeting, “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Then the angel calms her down and proclaims God’s plan, about her giving birth to God’s Son, and then assures her that even though she’s a virgin, the Holy Spirit will come upon her and make the impossible virgin birth happen. Finally, the story concludes with Mary accepting and saying, “I am the servant of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.”

There’s a particular verse in this passage that has brought hope to me personally in my ministry, in my role as a father, in my work, and in even in my prayers for others people’s well-being. And I pray that this verse today brings hope to all of us all year long.

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WHAT IF FRIENDS REJECT YOUR INVITATION?

November 21, 2024 by Eddie Leave a Comment

I want you to picture the scene when Jesus is about to enter into Jerusalem for the last time. This is found in Luke 19:41-44.

Jesus is not going into Jerusalem alone. He is with His disciples and many other pilgrims who have taken the long journey from Galilee to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. Nearing the city, their route descends the west slope of the Mount of Olives, and they will cross the Kidron Valley and then climb into the city, to the temple. As they approach the city, Jesus instructs His disciples to borrow a donkey for Him to ride on. And this is not because He is tired from the long journey. But they all see the symbolic meaning of this, recalling what was written in Zechariah 9:9, which says “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.” So they set the stage for the triumphal return of a victorious king. The road is lined with cloaks and palm fronds, and people greet Jesus as He passes by with their Hosanna chorus, as if celebrating the arrival of the Messiah.(https://www.bibleref.com/Luke/19/Luke-19-41.html)

But wait, as the walls of Jerusalem come into view, Jesus stops, takes in the view of the city and He is overcome with emotion, and cannot hold back his tears. He knows that in a few days, He shall meet His executioners and be crucified. But He is saddened not because of this pending crucifixion, but He is sad for Jerusalem, because though they had an opportunity to recognize the Messiah in Him, they refused to acknowledge this and would not believe.

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GOD SEES AND SOLVES REAL PROBLEMS WE DIDN’T EVEN THINK WE HAD

November 14, 2024 by Eddie Leave a Comment

On two separate occasions, Jesus is asked about the coming of the Kingdom of God, and in both cases, Jesus gives an answer that surprises the people who want to know. You can find this story in Luke 17:20-25.

First. In vv 20-21, it is the Pharisees who ask Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. Jesus gives them an answer they didn’t expect, saying “the Kingdom of God is in your midst.” Basically, Jesus is saying, “Surprise!! you’re looking at him.” Of course, the Pharisees don’t react to that, because of their narrow-minded bias for an answer to what they think is the problem that the Messiah will solve. They think that the problem is the Romans; and all they want is for the Romans to be driven out, and Israel returned to the Jews.

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JESUS DIDN’T ALLOW PUSHBACKS TO STOP HIM — So should you. Stay on mission.

October 31, 2024 by Eddie Leave a Comment

“Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.’” We find this incident told in Luke 13:31-35. This passage shows us how committed Jesus was to obey His Father, despite threats on his life, and how the plan and purpose of Jesus in fulfillment of the Scriptures written centuries before His time was so perfectly executed.

At this point in His ministry, Jesus is still preaching and performing miracles in Galilee. The Pharisees want to get rid of him, and so they intimidate Him to leave Galilee saying that Herod Antipas (who was the one who had John the Baptist killed, remember?) was ready to have Him killed too. These Pharisees hope that Jesus will run for His life and depart from Galilee, away from the territory of Herod.

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JESUS SENDS US INTO UNPLEASANT AND HOSTILE ENVIRONMENTS — and there He joins us

October 18, 2024 by Eddie Leave a Comment

There was a time when Jesus sent 72 disciples to go to various towns and villages to bring blessings of peace and to announce that “The Kingdom of God has come near to you.” He also gave them authority to perform miraculous healings. BUT Jesus also warned them that they should expect opposition, because they would be going out like sheep among wolves. You can find this in Luke 10:1-9.

Those of us who have heard and embraced the good news of Jesus Christ are called to continue this mission, for indeed the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. And we would be well advised to anticipate, as many of you must already have experienced, that there will be all sorts of opposition to the good news, ranging from callous indifference, to skepticism, and even attacks on our person.

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