Quote 20 Mar
Every man that cometh to reading of this holy book ought to bring with him first and foremost this fear of Almighty God; and then next, a firm and stable purpose to reform his own self according thereunto.
— Thomas Cranmer
Quote 30 Dec
Our tendency is to conquer the Bible, rather than consider it.
— Stephen Watson
Quote 6 Dec
You can’t stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.
— Martin Luther on the issue of temptation and sin.
Quote 1 Dec
Love does not want to prosper at the expense of others. Love wants others to prosper, and if it costs us our life, that’s ok. Jesus will take care of us.
— Finally Alive by John Piper
Quote 29 Nov
I have often heard it said, ‘If I had been the only person on the earth, Jesus would still have died for me.’ Although our Lord could have given his life for just one person, it most certainly would not have been because that person was so valuable, but because God was so gracious. Such an occurrence should hardly, therefore, be regarded as a source of pride or self-esteem. For me to argue that Jesus would have died for me if I were the only person on earth simply indicates that my sins alone, without the rest of you contributing your share, were sufficient to demand the severe punishment Jesus Christ vicariously assumed in my place. When faced with that reality, we ought to weep for the selfless sacrifice of our Lord instead of finding in it one more opportunity for feeling good about ourselves.
— Dan Matzat
Quote 19 Sep

Though He could justly write us off forever, in love God acted to save those who trust in Him. So while His holiness required the just payment of death for sinners, in love He paid the penalty Himself in the person of His only Son.

-commentary on Romans 3:21-26

— Ted Cabal, Chad Owen Brand, E. Ray Clendenen et al., The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2007), 1685.
Photo 17 May What I came home to find. I’m lighting them all. (Taken with instagram)

What I came home to find. I’m lighting them all. (Taken with instagram)

Photo 18 Apr 1 note DTR.  Define the relationship.  Many of us today have heard this popular phrase as it relates to dating.  However, when a boy and girl actually “define their relationship,” the measuring rod is far too often found in the world’s standards. As broken homes and divorce rates are increasing, and those in the church are rivaling the secular world, it becomes more and more apparent that the state of the heart in relating to the opposite sex must be addressed at an early age.  Crosspoint Student Ministry will be going through a series called DTR over the next several weeks.  Students will learn what the Bible says about marriage, dating, sex, gender roles, and everything in between.  Teenagers are under attack.  The world wants to shape these beliefs, but we as the church must be radical in our courting, dating, and marital relationships if we intend to pursue holiness and bear God’s image well.  Simply put, we hope to urge students to follow God’s plan for their lives as it relates to their relationships today and the impact they have on the relationships of tomorrow.  To quote Mark Driscoll in his book Religion Saves, “The bottom line? Satan is still a liar, and God’s plan is still the best.”  

DTR.  Define the relationship.  Many of us today have heard this popular phrase as it relates to dating.  However, when a boy and girl actually “define their relationship,” the measuring rod is far too often found in the world’s standards. As broken homes and divorce rates are increasing, and those in the church are rivaling the secular world, it becomes more and more apparent that the state of the heart in relating to the opposite sex must be addressed at an early age.  Crosspoint Student Ministry will be going through a series called DTR over the next several weeks.  Students will learn what the Bible says about marriage, dating, sex, gender roles, and everything in between.  Teenagers are under attack.  The world wants to shape these beliefs, but we as the church must be radical in our courting, dating, and marital relationships if we intend to pursue holiness and bear God’s image well.  Simply put, we hope to urge students to follow God’s plan for their lives as it relates to their relationships today and the impact they have on the relationships of tomorrow.  To quote Mark Driscoll in his book Religion Saves, “The bottom line? Satan is still a liar, and God’s plan is still the best.”  

Quote 28 Mar
Be more concerned with how people think about God, rather than how they think about you.
Photo 20 Mar 1 note The Hulk Inside James 4:1-10 Have you ever watched the Incredible Hulk?  I caught myself the other day watching old episodes online. As a kid, and even now, there was nothing cooler than watching Bruce Banner explode into the Hulk whenever the situation called for it. Injustice brought out the Hulk in Bruce.  When he felt threatened, or right was being wronged, the Hulk came out. Sometimes the Hulk comes out of us too. However, it can happen when we feel like we’ve been wronged, or when someone or something gets in the way of our desires. James refers to this as our “passions”. PASSIONS = Goals, Desires, or Ambitions. We often think achieving our “passions” will provide the satisfaction we are longing for. In James 4, James tells us that we get in fights with one another because our passions are at war within us. Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever found yourself in an argument because either your friends or your parents were keeping you from doing something you selfishly wanted? When we pursue our “passions” above our relationship with God, and our relationship with others, we can become angry and hurtful to those who get in the way. When we act this way, we are actually acting as God’s enemy (James 4:4). So, rather than chasing after your passions, draw near to God, for he opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. Only when we draw near to God can our souls be truly satisfied.  ______ Posted by Josh Jones

The Hulk Inside

James 4:1-10

Have you ever watched the Incredible Hulk?  I caught myself the other day watching old episodes online. As a kid, and even now, there was nothing cooler than watching Bruce Banner explode into the Hulk whenever the situation called for it. Injustice brought out the Hulk in Bruce.  When he felt threatened, or right was being wronged, the Hulk came out.

Sometimes the Hulk comes out of us too. However, it can happen when we feel like we’ve been wronged, or when someone or something gets in the way of our desires. James refers to this as our “passions”.

PASSIONS = Goals, Desires, or Ambitions.

We often think achieving our “passions” will provide the satisfaction we are longing for.

In James 4, James tells us that we get in fights with one another because our passions are at war within us. Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever found yourself in an argument because either your friends or your parents were keeping you from doing something you selfishly wanted? When we pursue our “passions” above our relationship with God, and our relationship with others, we can become angry and hurtful to those who get in the way. When we act this way, we are actually acting as God’s enemy (James 4:4).

So, rather than chasing after your passions, draw near to God, for he opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. Only when we draw near to God can our souls be truly satisfied. 

______

Posted by Josh Jones


Design crafted by Prashanth Kamalakanthan. Powered by Tumblr.