Jesus Qualifies You!

Three years ago (2008), my mom said a pretty powerful statement that I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I was just beginning as the new senior pastor at CrossCurrent.  I was overwhelmed, nervous, a bit anxious, freaked out and yet so excited at the enormous potential and the possibilities that lied ahead for us at CC.  I was sharing with her all that I was feeling and she just said this statement that stuck. She said  “God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called”.  That statement alone helped me tremendously as I moved forward as pastor. Over the past several years, this is what God has settled in my heart- maybe this can help you in your journey:

* Jesus makes the difference-  When God calls you and I to specific tasks, we do not have to take it, force it or even prove ourselves— we just need to be with Jesus! He will give the words, skills and courage to do what He is asking you to do.  Acts 4:13

* Follow Jesus-  People will have all kinds of opinions, thoughts and feelings. If you don’t believe me, go sit in the stands at a PH high school football game and listen to the crowd when the coach calls a play they don’t like.  There are some people who are very well meaning and there are some who are not. They are filled with an agenda, selfish ambitions and control issues, they just have a need to spread negativity. Remove them off your bus. Ultimately, we need to hear what the Lord saying?

* It’s real easy to be tuned in to the voices of people more than the voice of Jesus. The fear of man is a snare and it can pull you into deep pit!  I share this from experience.  Michael, the former pastor of CC once told me that “You can’t truly lead people to freedom until you are free from the pull(words) of people” How true that is!  All people who are used by God greatly need to be free from the highs of man’s praises and lows of mans criticisms. Ultimately, what is the Lord saying to you/me?

* Schooling can suck and rock at the same time!  I have never been to bible school, but I can tell you that HSU(Holy Spirit University) is the toughest and most rewarding school you will ever be part of. The late night study times, the exams, pop quizzes, the people you are in school with, and even the unexplained assignments you didn’t think you signed up for- all this works together to make us into what He has designed and called us to.  You never graduate His school.  You can quit, drop out, complain, hate it, love it, even re-enroll, but you never never graduate.  You just keep moving to new levels.  

I want to live my life like the guys in Acts- maybe not the sharpest tool in the shed or having the most knowledge- but I do want to know Jesus and I much rather people say “but they have been with Jesus” than “wow, is he smart! lol”.  He can and will use anyone with a “Yes” in their heart toward Him… and will make you look so smart as well. It’s the best of both worlds.

Love ya and can’t wait to see how He uses you for great things-

Pastor Mark 

God does the qualifying!

Is Jesus amazing or what?

This series we are in right now- the Big and Little C- have got to be one of my favorites. I love preaching about the church and God’s heart for it.  It fires me up in a huge way. Keeps the proper perspective of what this thing is all about.  I’m still blown away at how much Jesus loves His bride and that I get to be a part of it.  So cool!  We have been hearing some incredible stories that are so humbling, and yet so inspiring!  Keeps us  moving forward. What’s the word?  Stay the course!  

Just a few of the stories I wanted to share about God’s goodness…

 

  • I met a sweet lady who came up during meet-n-greet. She began to tell me with tears in her eyes that she hasn’t stepped foot in a church in 20 years and she repeatedly thanked me for creating this environment for her to meet Jesus. Dang! Pretty much wrecked me for the rest of the service. When we create the right environments, people grow! 

 

  • I was able to meet a young couple after service who said “they used to go to church when they were younger and walked away because of the judgmental, always pointing the finger, and talking about other churches.” With tears in her eyes, she tells me “this is the first time I have felt at home in a church”

 

  • Worship was unbelievable on Sunday and just continues to increase on a weekly basis. I encourage you to come expecting and watch what happens.

 

  • We are being asked to do baptisms!  People are hungry to follow Jesus— So stinking cool.  W saw more come up this week and commit their lives to follow Jesus.  

 

  • I had someone come up after service and hug me like there was no tomorrow. She said that for the first time in 6 years, she is excited about coming to church and feels things are coming alive again in her walk with Jesus.

 

We have seen over 170 people receive Jesus since January!  Can somebody give a shout out there! I mean this is awesome people. Shout! Rejoice! Dance! Roller skate… do something!  Heaven is celebrating and need to be as well.

 

Just crazy awesome! I share these with you not to boast in us, but rather to brag on Jesus! He has been so faithful and is moving right before our eyes.  This ought to encourage us to stay the course- knowing that lives are being changed. Keep praying! Keep serving! Keep giving! Keep loving!  

 

We haven’t seen anything yet- it’s just the beginning!

 

 

Pastor Mark

The Locker Room

Sunday I shared a bit about how the Michigan Wolverines game Saturday was the tale of two halfs. The first half we got our butts kicked up and done the field. It was pretty bad to watch and quite frustrating! It was very apparent that our offense and our defense needed some serious help- we couldn’t do anything!  But when they went into the locker room, they made some much needed adjustments and came out and played a completely different game in the second half. As most of you know, we ended up winning the game in dramatic fashion. This game has now become an instant classic. As I thought about this, I thought about Cross Current and even our lives.  Maybe you have been through a tough season and you feel as though you have been beaten up and down the field.  No matter what you have tried… no success!  Deep levels of disappointment, discouragement, hopelessness and even despair have now made their home in you.  Your question may be,  ”why engage in serving again” “why even go back out and play?” “Is it even worth it?” “Maybe this is just the way its gonna be!”  I want to encourage you keep going after Jesus and get back in the game… 

Ask yourself these questions:  

Am I listening to what the coach is saying?  Don’t say that God is not speaking- He does.  Whether its through the bible or directly to you or through someone else… sometimes one- sometimes all.  Are you hearing Him and just have a tough time believing what he is saying?

Have I been in the locker room too long?  Maybe the team already got back on the field and you find yourself being left behind a bit in what God is doing?  This is a dangerous place to be and can result in bitterness, resenting God and others, poor me, victim mentality and will stifle your ability to help the team (church) move forward. Oh, there are always other players that God will put into play, but why not you?  Go get suited up again and get back out and play— do your part even if you don’t ‘feel it’. Your team needs you.

Has the circumstances of the first half now turned into rebellion to his voice? Football teams only go into the locker room for 15-20 minutes. It’s used as a time to refresh, refill- and as a team, make any necessary adjustments so that the second half will be different.  So has your locker room become a way of life now?  Has your time of adjustment turned into years of stale living?  Is God telling you get back out and play and you are simply not budging?  Has your first half experience now become your god? I don’t think you want to keep missing the second half… get out and play and believe it will be better… and even if some things don’t, at least your in the game playing your position.  Elijah got back on the field and had to go back and finish what God wanted.  Paul had to get back on the field after being stoned and left for dead.  Jesus got back on the field.  Jonah got back on the field after being spit out of the whale and finished the work.  Peter got back on the field after denying Jesus.

Will you allow for your broken, beat down, and wounded faith to rise up again? Without faith, you can’t please God. You won’t feel it much in the beginning.  What’s He saying to you.  He’s speaking… Pray! Trust! and get back out and play hard.  Believe the second half will be better than the first. Believe that your the winner.  People are waiting for your story to become their message.  

God believes in you-I believe in you-you have what it takes- now go do it!

Pastor Mark