If you miss a day, don’t get discouraged or think that ‘you’ve blown it.’  Remember we are growing in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, not in our own strength.  During my first 90 days, I missed some days, so on the following day, I took extra time to get caught up. 

Find a pattern of reading that works for your schedule.  You may have to get up earlier, or read during a lunch hour, or go to bed earlier so that you can read and not fall asleep.    I’ve heard it before that if you want to start doing something, you need to stop doing something else. 

I encourage that you talk about what you’re reading with others.  With your spouse, with your kids, with a friend, or with your small group.  The statistics show that you retain more of what you read if you discuss and talk about the content. 

The goal is to develop in your life a daily discipline of reading the Bible and saturating your mind with the Word of God.  Try to avoid that feeling of checking it off your to do list, and instead, see it as an opportunity to turn the pages of Scripture that will lead to a deeper and stronger walk in the Lord.  My hope is that by daily reading it, it whets your appetite for more, and after awhile, you begin to hunger for more of the Word in your life. 

Because we are reading 3-5 chapters a day, you’re reading at a more high level overview.  You’re looking at major themes and truths that are coming from the Word. There will inevitably be parts you read of the Word that you don’t understand.  That is ok.  You’re not a ‘bad Christian’ because you find them confusing.  The Word of God is meant to be studied and dug into, and there will be parts that you will want to go back to study further at another time. 

I encourage you to mark up your Bibles, to underline verses that stick out to you, and to make notes off to the side of questions or responses you have from reading it.  Many of you might even want to keep a notebook handy, or journal through the 90 days. 

As you read the Bible consider questions such as:  What does this passage reveal to me about the nature and character of God?  After reading this, is there something in my life that is not aligned with Scripture?  What is something new I am learning?  What is a truth that I am being reminded of? 

And if you’re still in need of a good Bible to read and study with, please talk to myself, Erik, or contact the church office.  We’ll get one in your hands for free. 

Looking forward to this church family!! 

Dave

Over this past summer, God has taught me a lot about seeking Him first and pursuing Him, all the time, no matter what, and with all I’ve got.  One of the practical ways I have done that is through working through a 90 day reading plan of the New Testament through the summer.  In May, I challenged the elder team and the staff to join me, and we all have been working through it a few chapters at a time.  Personally speaking, it has proven to be one of the greatest times of growth in my life.  I have fallen back in love with reading the Word, and God has taught me so much through the daily discipline of reading my Bible. 

On Sunday, August 15th, I issued a challenge to the Body, in particular, the men at Crosspoint, to join with me again on a 90 day reading plan through the New Testament.  I am calling it NT90X.  Some of you might’ve heard of P90X to get in better shape physically.  Well, this is along those lines, but spiritually speaking.  If you were unable to listen to the message on the 15th, I’d encourage you to listen to it as it will help give further context around this challenge. 

Specifically, I want to challenge men to this study.  Ladies, students, you are more than welcome to do it as well.  But I want to target you men specifically.  During the challenge, guys, I will be opening up the Ministry Center on Saturday mornings from 6:30-7:30am (dates below).  We’ll memorize Scripture each week (see below), we’ll talk about what verses are sticking out to you.  And you may not know anything about the Bible, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of this.  We’re all learning together. 

If you’re married guys, your wife may have not ever verbalized this to you before, but she desires for you to lead spiritually.  She doesn’t want you to pretend you know it all, but she wants to know that her husband is praying for her, and is hearing from God and reading His Word.  Now guys, I know for a fact some of you who hear that challenge say, well, I don’t have the time.  Yes, you do.  Your work schedule may not permit you to come on a Saturday morning.  But to say that you don’t have 20 minutes in your day to open your Bible, read His Word, hear from Your Creator, grow to become more mature in your walk…well, you’ve got the time for it.  It is more a matter of choices than of time. 

What I am saying is that anything worth pursuing takes discipline.  If you know Jesus as your Savior, would you not agree with me that He’s worth it.  He’s forgiven you of your past, present and future sin.  He’s prepared a place for you in Heaven.  He’s given you purpose, and hope in this life.  He doesn’t want to be a part of your life.  He wants to encompass your life.  Your mind, your heart, your habits, your words, your thoughts.  He wants to the center point of your life.

Message audio from August 15th (part 1)

NT90X Reading Plan

NT90X Meeting Dates and Memory Verses

*If you haven’t already, please let me know if you plan on taking on this challenge.  I’d love to start praying for you!  As of today (8/18), we have 36 men and women committed to it!

Dave

Contact: Sam (212-1688), Cheri (oggcheri@yahoo.com), or Becky (micbec@mtco.com).

My encouragement was to commit to tithe for three months.  Tithing means to give the first 10% of your income back to God and His work through the local church.  If you’re already tithing, pray about giving more.  Choose to step out in faith and be radically generous with what God has given you.  Reinvest the blessings that you’ve received back into God’s Kingdom work.  If God says test Him (Malachi 3:8-10), then test Him. 

As your pastor, I absolutely love you.  I love this church, I would die for the vision to reach more people with the Gospel.  I want to see you get free from debt.  I want you to serve and worship Jesus more than the almighty dollar.  I want God’s business to flourish under your management.  I want your life to reflect your Savior’s life.  I want your life to reflect the grace of God.  And God’s grace is generous, radical, loving, and other-oriented. 

Imagine a church that is full of people who are totally committed and devoted to Jesus, who love one another and meet needs for one another, and who are driven to reach people with the life changing news of the Gospel.  This is the vision of Crosspoint.  This is our vision.  It is yours and mine.  You’re owners and partners in the vision.  And I can’t wait to see what God does in our lives and in the life of this church in the coming months.   

Continue to walk out your faith, and grow to trust in God’s provision.  And as He provides and meets needs in your life, I’d love for you to share that.  To give testimony of God’s grace and faithfulness in your life.  I believe it would be a great encouragement to everyone! 

Call, email, or talk to me if you’d like to share.  Dave

So, on August 22^nd, we are moving our Sunday service from here, to Lower Lake park as a part of that weekend.  I’m pumped about it, and see it as a God-given opportunity.  So mark your calendars…August 22^nd.  The day before, our band will be playing for a couple hours out there as well, so it should be a really fun weekend to be a light to our community…and eat a funnel cake. 

Then the following Sunday, the 29^th, we’ll be at the park again, but this time at the upper portion, like we’ve done the last couple years, to celebrate 7 years of ministry thus far at Crosspoint!  Two outdoor services in a row…it should be total blast!  So make sure you’re there.

A big thanks to Josh Niemi who put this together!