Blog - CrossRoads Assembly of God

Posted on Dec 3, 2020 in Newsletter |

Romans 8:38a And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

SERVICES:

We continue our Sunday Online Worship service at 9:00 a.m. and In-Person Worship at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday morning.

We have Small Group classes on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. called “Free to Grow” and “Understand Depression.” Make plans now to be a part of a small group! This is a wonderful way to grow in Christ!

Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. We have an online and In-person service.

Pastor Joel is teaching on, Does God speak today? Does he speak through the Old Testament?
We begin a study of the Old Testament. Come and find out the importance of the Old Testament for our lives.

Join with us for all of these important studies. You will be blessed!

Remember, all of the Messages are found on Youtube.com under the channel, “CRAG Teaching Fellowship” . Pastor is asking that you subscribe to that channel then you can receive notices when new videos are available. We are putting up new things each week including the Sunday service and Wednesday night Bible study.

PLEASE if you need assistance in any way let your church family know. We are available for rides or for errands or the meeting of any ministry need. The “church” is not a building, WE are the church! We are the body of Christ, the family of God. Let’s support one another, serve one another, pray for one another, encourage one another. Church: 784-4949/Pastor 616-7998/Linda 616-6126

New Things

We have a PRAYER WALL on this page under the Sermon listing where you can make a prayer request, or offer a prayer for others. You may offer a prayer and allow others to agree in prayer with you. You may post a request that everyone can see and again when someone clicks on the “praying hands” it is an indication of their prayers for the request.

You may also make a request anonymously or just submit your name for prayer. Try it out! It’s a great way to stay connected.

We now have our church APP. This is a smaller version of the web site and something that you can check on a regular basis. You have to download the “Sharefaith App” and then choose “CrossRoads Assembly of God” as the ministry you want to follow. Allow CrossRoads to be your icon and allow us to send you notifications. Be Blessed.

Giving

There are many ways to give to the church. You may drop the offering by the church any morning Monday to Thursday, 9-12 am.

You may mail your offering to the church at CrossRoads A/G, PO Box 12344, Jackson Tn 38308.

You may give here on the web. The giving link is the last link listed. This will take you to the Engage giving site. If you are already a user of Engage then you just continue as usual. If you are new to Engage then you either have to create a new account or give as a visitor. Creating a new account allows you to receive credit for your giving at the end of the year. In order to create an account the church must have your email address on file, then you can create your account, the sign-on, a password, and add your credit card or bank information.

No matter how you give—God bless you for giving during these difficult times!!

Guidelines For Church Attendance

Come ready to worship the Lord! This is a celebration of God’s grace in our lives, so let’s come ready to sing, and pray and respond to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Face Masks are NOT required!! However, if you expect to greet someone with a “holy hug”, then you must wear a face mask and we require that you do not breathe directly upon anyone, with or without a mask. Masks will be available at the church. Remember not everyone will want a “holy hug”, so be kind and forgiving.

If you have been sick, or have any level of fever, please stay home and watch the service online. We will miss you, but let’s not infect others with any sickness, of any kind.

Restrooms are open, please use the Lysol spray to kill any potential viruses. We’ll have hand sanitizer available-everywhere! Please use Hand Sanitizer as you enter the building and as you exit!

Aug '22

Always Ready God

Posted on Aug 3, 2022 in Devotions |

Aug '22

“Good morning, how are you today? This is the greeting I receive from my super cheerful co-worker as I walk into work most mornings. Underneath the dark sunglasses, the over flat ironed hair, & severely caffeine deprived me, is someone who would really like to be a “morning person.” I manage a less than enthusiastic “I’m good”, and walk briskly to my desk. But, how glad I am that God is ready for us anytime day or night. “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness! His mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) We can always tell him our every burden and concern without waiting. There is no appointment needed. He is ready for us even early in the morning. “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3) There is no problem or concern too small for God. If it concerns us, then it concerns our Heavenly Father. We don’t have to bear it alone. God is not too tired, bored, or impatient with us. “He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. (Isaiah 40:28b) Aren’t you so thankful our God loves us so much? We have a faithful God who is ready to listen, to forgive, & to show mercy. We all need his help and forgiveness. Life’s problems can seem almost impossible at

Apr '22

Sweet Fellowship

Posted on Apr 12, 2022 in Devotions |

Apr '22

(Psalm 34:8) “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!”

(Philippians 4:6) “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

(Matthew 11:28-30) “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

(Psalm 1:2) “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

I watched my sister struggle for 6 years with a loss of taste and smell after suffering with a severe case of pneumonia. The mouthwatering taste gradually disappeared, and an unsettling offensive smell and taste became the norm. Even the memories of the taste of foods disappeared. The joys of “sweet fellowship” with family and friends around the table decreased and the church fellowship meals were of no interest anymore, the memories of feasting and rejoicing ceased.

BUT THEN, 6 years later I hear the words, “I CAN SMELL YOUR TEA! ” she said to me from across the table “I CAN TASTE!, she said. I knew from the expression on her face that the taste was SO GOOD!

This battle came to an end after many prayers through the long years, and then being led to a 2 day acupuncture procedure, which caused the joys of “sweet fellowship” to return as the smells and tasty flavors exploded.

I thought about our Jesus calling us to “sweet fellowship” as well, (Philippians 4:6) to come and sup with Him around the table. Even during our deepest disappointments, He is still at the table yearning for “sweet fellowship” with His children. He is

Mar '22

Precious Moments

Posted on Mar 5, 2022 in Devotions |

Mar '22

What comes to mind when you hear the words “Precious Moments”? Is it the birth of your children, the first time your grandchild calls you by name, a wedding proposal or is it the teardrop-eyed figurines that we all know and love? I know the list could go on and on.

But for the Lord, (Psalm 116:15) a Psalm of David, says “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” In the past several months with the passing of several dear friends and loved ones from ages 6 days to 96 years, our Lord has had some “Precious Moments.”

While pondering on these dear lives, I could not help but think about Linda Ellis’ poem, ”The Dash,” where she uses a metaphor, comparing a life, to the -dash- between the birth date and date of death on a person’s tombstone. If that is a “Precious Moment” in the sight of our Lord, just listen to what He says about your -dash- (Psalm 139:17) says, “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.They cannot be numbered!”

Isn’t that wonderful? His precious thoughts about you cannot be number and they began even before anyone could see your -dash- for verse 16 says “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”verse 13 says “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” What a Precious Moment” that must have been to the Lord. So doesn’t that tell you of His great love for you personally, and that God never leaves you in you -dash- nor forsakes you.

Jan '22

Awestruck

Posted on Jan 25, 2022 in Devotions |

Jan '22

While making a memories photo book for my grandsons15th Birthday, I came across one of my most breathtaking photos of him. It was his first look at the ocean from the window of our condo in Florida. Through the eyes of this 4 year old came this look of “awestruck” at the beauty of the spoken words from his Heavenly Father before the beginning of time. (Genesis 1:10b) “God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.”)

As a grandparent I want my grandson to always be in awe of His Heavenly Father all the days of his life. The one that created him in His own image and to always remember God’s words when He said “it was Very Good” (Genesis 1:31b).

I also want him to have memories as a young child reading that when Adam and Eve sinned God didn’t just leave him in a fallen world but made a promise to redeem him back to Himself (Genesis 3:15b) “He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Thus making a way for my grandson to have spiritual life by sending His son as a sacrifice to take away his sins and the sins of the world.

And lastly, I want him to cherish knowing that he is now a Friend of God. (Romans 5:10) “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.”

With my grandson turning 15 in a few days, my prayer would not mainly be for him to cherish all the wonderful memories in this photo book of his childhood moments with his grandparents, but cherish and to be “awestruck” all the days of his life as he recalls the memories of His God who spoke and these waters gathered.

Nov '21

Keeping Watch

Posted on Nov 2, 2021 in Devotions |

Nov '21

A parable is a familiar story that helps us to understand a spiritual truth. Jesus used several short parables to teach us that although we are here as pilgrims and strangers in this land, occupying until He comes, we should always be spiritually prepared for His coming.

Today let’s look at the parable of the 10 bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13)

This story begins after the first 2 stages of the Jewish Wedding.
The first stage was the engagement and the second was the betrothal. Now comes the third stage, the marriage. In this third stage, the bridegroom comes unexpectedly for the bride. No one knows the day nor the hour, for preparations for the marriage were being made.

Now, as we read in Matthew 25:1-13, the time has come, stage 3. The Wedding!

1. “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”

What do you think about the Lord’s coming? Are you “keeping watch,” or do you think like everyone else does? (Isaiah 8: 11 says “The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does.”)

Well, let’s begin by looking at what it means to “keep watch.” We see that the 5 wise bridesmaids had an extra supply of oil with them. This means their lamps were always ready to shine bright even if he is delayed. They were prepared.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, “keeping watch” comes from an ongoing relationship with Him. This means spending quality time with Him where you both share back and forth everything that’s on your heart. The main way you will hear Him speak to you is through His Word, the Bible. If you are a new believer or if you seem to be struggling lately, I want you to get your Bible out! The New Living Translation is a great one to start with. Turn to the New Testament. As you begin reading, ask Him to share His heart with you. Then think about what you read, and let Him speak. Don’t get in a hurry. Listen for His voice.

“Keeping watch” is also about sharing your own burdens and dreams with Him. As you begin to do this your trust will begin to be secured in Him from the quality time you spend together. You can trust Jesus with anything. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” That means everything! A place where you can exhale. In these trying times, doesn’t that bring joy to your ears to know you can lay all your cares at His feet in prayer?

Now, one final note on how to “keep watch” is, as you spend time with the Lord, you will begin to hear His heartbeat for the world and His plan to use you to partner with Him. The way the Lord does this is to place you in a local church body. The Lord will empower you

Oct '21

Perhaps Today

Posted on Oct 6, 2021 in Devotions |

Oct '21

When I got out of high school and started working in “the world” it was an eye opener. I was from a small town, small High School, and I was involved in our School Bible club and a big part of church activities. I never heard a curse word at home, or hardly ever around me. The work crowd where I was now working wasn’t loving Jesus AT ALL! I didn’t join in with the work crowd in their lifestyle, and to them I wasn’t normal. I began talking about the Lord and my church. Then I became “Miss Holy” and I was not welcomed in most conversations anymore.

One day I hid my “Perhaps Today” witness pin when the conversations became so worldly. I just knew someone was going to ask me what it meant, and they would be uncomfortable, well, I was the one uncomfortable! I felt like I had betrayed my Jesus! So immediately I put it back on and confessed my shame and sin to the Lord. I then had another opportunity to share that “Perhaps Today” the trumpet will sound and Jesus will return. This is our blessed hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 says to encourage or (comfort-KJV) one another with the Word of His coming.

1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18, says
“13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.
17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage (comfort) each other with these words.”

What a promise we have! Jesus is coming again. The Thessalonians were concerned about some believers that had already died and what would happen to them when Jesus returns.

Jul '21

THE ADOPTION

Posted on Jul 13, 2021 in BLOG, Devotions |

Jul '21

Standing in the large church foyer I hear the words “Hey Mamaw”, coming from my newly adopted grandson as he comes running for a hug! My heart melts to know that just one day before, he was adopted into our family. This had been in the making for about a year. I got to experience this great love firsthand when I heard the judge called him by his new last name and watched his little 5-year-old face lite up as he hugged my son, his new dad, and said “I’m adopted”!

After signing documents, making pics, giving hugs and kisses, with family and friends, my new little grandson leaves the courthouse along with his newly adopted 1 year old sister, and their “parents”. Outside awaits a white limo with a driver to escort them to the celebration location. As they take their seats I noticed out of the corner of my eye, that just as the limo driver goes to close my grandson’s door, he holds out his hand against the door to let the driver know “I’m a Dolan” his newly adopted name.

This moment has kept me in awe for over a week now to have witnessed and to be a part of one of the deepest loves I have ever experienced.

Ephesians 1:5 declares the Greatest Love of all from eternity past. “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”

If you are a believer, you too have been adopted.

Jul '21

Greater Things

Posted on Jul 13, 2021 in BLOG, Devotions |

Jul '21

Recently my husband and I met a young Hispanic couple at the end of our dead-end street where we often walk. The couple had a little girl and a baby on the way! We waved a few times wondering if they could even understand us if we spoke. A few weeks went by, and we noticed as we drove to the end of the road to turn around that she was holding her newborn baby. We were compelled to go to the store and get a small gift for the baby and a doll for the little girl. We dropped the gifts off at the house a few days later finding only the father at home. He was very receptive, spoke a little English, and said his wife would bring the baby down to meet us soon. A few weeks later we heard a knock at the door and there was the mom, her daughter, and their new baby girl. We had a good visit, she was so thankful for the gift, and she shared many, many, burdens with us as we played ball with the little girl who would laugh and only say “pssst” to get our attention. We listened intently and just kept speaking life. We then invited them to our church but had no response from her. With the Tennessee extreme hot weather, we ceased walking outside. So, I had asked the Lord to put her in my path again if I was to minister in any way.

Soon I saw her at the store where she immediately shared her burdens first thing. I just listened and told her we would pray. I also found out her mom has been a believer for years. Then soon we both ran into her at the store again, this time she thanked us for praying.

Will I see her again? I don’t know, but I believe this was God ordained. Many times, we look to do “Great Things.” Maybe it’s to have a great pulpit ministry, great evangelist meetings, starting a church plant, to have great followings with YouTube, Instagram, or maybe even to move to another country to serve in a much-needed difficult place. I wonder if we are looking over the horizon to see “Great Things” while missing the “Greater Things” right in our path.

Imitating God

Posted on May 4, 2021 in BLOG, Devotions |

While pondering on how to bond a little better with my youngest grandchildren 10 hours away (a 5-year-old and 9-month-old) I began to think about what children are like. Though it has been a while since I had little ones around, children are basically all the same. A 5-year-old is usually ready to have fun. They are full of life and energy with the attention span of maybe 5 minutes. They enjoy being the center of attention and crave lots of love. This tells me if I make a little video of me reading a book, it needs to be very short and my video needs to have action, excitement, and needs to be full of love. My 9-month-old, though just beginning to crawl, is ready to explore, she learns by watching and observing others, and then imitates as best as she can. My goal there will be to use hand motions of clapping, pointing, times of singing, and repetition of saying my name. If I do these things consistently, and they do the same, then when I go to visit, we will just continue where we left off.
Just as the little ones learn by watching, observing, and then imitating, we too must do the same with Jesus. (Ephesians 5:1-2) says “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”
How do we do this you might ask. Do you remember the game “follow the leader?” The leader moves around by running, walking, zigzagging, going in every direction and you, as the follower, must follow by watching closely, listening to direction, and observing every step, and then, do the same.
If we are to imitate Christ, living a life filled with love, we must get to know Him better just as I want my grandchildren to get to know me. It must be consistent. It’s a following like we read in Luke 9: 23 “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
We too must come daily watching, listening, and observing by communing with Jesus through His Word and then doing what Jesus would do. If I want my grandchildren to get to know me, I must be consistent. I must continue the videos, some calls, and some FaceTime to bond. It is in the doing.
You will never learn to imitate Christ if you follow Him by just popping into a church service on Sunday or saying help me God only when in need. It must be a life filled with imitating daily. The only way to imitate is to watch, listen, and then do what He does which comes through fellowship, through hearing His voice from His Word, the Bible.
Then you will learn to be like Christ having a life full of love for Him and for others. He forgave us by becoming a sacrifice for us which was a pleasing aroma to His father. Watching Him we learn to forgive too those who wronged us. Luke 11:4 says, “and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” He forgave so we forgive. That is learning to live the life of Love!
Jesus’ love was a life of sacrifice even to the place of death, a pleasing aroma to God. May we too imitate Him by taking up our cross following daily, and just like when I get to see my grandchildren when I arrive, when we see Jesus, we will take up where we left off. Now that’s a beautiful aroma. Deann Dolan

Mar '21

God’s Loving Presence

Posted on Mar 1, 2021 in Devotions |

Mar '21

Does it bring you peace to know God is always with you? Or do you find you are overwhelmed by difficult circumstances, worry, & doubts. Can you find God’s loving Presence during those times? In Romans 8:38 Paul writes “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.” Looking closely at this verse Paul doesn’t say “except one thing, or a few things”, He says NOTHING can separate us. This means no problem, sickness, worry, difficulty, or any lie Satan can come up with can push aside God’s love for us. We are all going to have difficult times. Do we turn to Christ first? Think about God’s people & all that they experienced in the past. As the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordan River into the promised land, they took with them the promise of God. “For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

This promise is for us also. He already knows what’s going on in our lives. We can grow closer to him. He is with us! In January while recovering from covid, there were days when it was so hard to feel God’s Presence, I knew that a sickness would not separate me from God’s love. I had to just lean heavily on Jesus & his promises. He knew what I was going through every minute, & He was with me every minute, even when I couldn’t feel His Presence with me. “He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) Be encouraged to know Jesus loving presence is with you today & always. Amen.
By Deborah King