Crossroads Church

In this life, you will suffer. It is not a matter of if, but when. As overwhelming as this can be, Peter reminds us that suffering is not strange to the way of Jesus, and we should not be surprised. Taking an honest look at suffering, Peter points us to its sanctifying effects and where we can find strength to endure.

EVERYDAY DISCIPLES S1:E6Following the way of Jesus in everything, everywhere, every day."And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” - Mark 1:17Welcome back to the Everyday Disciples podcast, where we discuss what it means to follow the way of Jesus in everything, everywhere, every day. This month, we are talking with Lynsey Kornoelje and Grayson Kessenich about what it means to worship: everywhere in everything. SHOW NOTESWHAT IS WORSHIP?Our English word for worship is derived from the word “worthship,” literally meaning to ascribe worth to something. When we think of it this way, we realize that we all worship something. There are things that we give our time, talent, and treasure to all the time. WHAT IS BIBLICAL WORSHIP?We see early on in Scripture that God makes a covenant with His people, making it clear that we are to have no one we put before Him. And so we ascribe worth, love, awe, wonder, and fear to God and God alone. (Exodus 20)Worship encompasses a full-bodied experience—praise, sacrifice, bowing, shouting, singing, and more. James K.A. Smith, author of You Are What You Love, states, “Worship that restores us is worship that restories us”.  Richard Foster encapsulates worship as the “Human response to the divine initiative.” Donald Whitney says, “Worship is focusing on and responding to God.”  My attempt to define worship is “a response of awe and love to the revelation of God.” Worship is designed to be biblically formed, God centered, and Gospel shaped. PRACTICES FOR THE MONTHBEGIN WHERE YOU AREAs you go about your day, begin with worship. Pause and thank God for the breath in your lungs. Think through your previous day and call out the moments where you saw God’s goodness.  Practice praising God.TRY A NEW PRAISE PRACTICEListen to only worship music, keep a praise log of three things a day you can praise God for, try a different posture of praise, and read classic Hymns. WRITE A PSALM OF PRAISEWrite a psalm, a poem, or a  testimony of praise.Everyday Disciples is a production of Crossroads Church located in Grass Valley, California. 

The scripture calls us to arm ourselves with the same way of thinking as Jesus, ceasing from sin and living for God's will rather than human passions. This shift requires us to step out of our comfort zones and spectator mentalities, putting our faith into action even when it means facing opposition or ridicule. The passage reminds us that the end of all things is near, urging us to be self-controlled, sober-minded, and earnest in our love for one another. As we reflect on this, we're invited to consider how our lives might change if we truly lived with an awareness of Christ's imminent return. Are we using our God-given gifts to serve others and glorify Him? This message encourages us to move beyond casual Christianity and into a deeper, more committed relationship with Jesus, one that's willing to suffer for His name and stand firm in faith.

We have all heard the phrase, “two wrongs don’t make a right.” So, how do we respond with a reasoned hope in the face of adversity? How can our actions align with our beliefs, and what does it look like to tell a better story with our lives? Peter once again acts as our guide as he points us to be ready with a reasoned hope.

When someone cuts you off on the road, how do you respond? When your boss seems to single you out unfairly, what do you do?  When decisions are made that you disagree with, what are your options?  This Sunday, we will once again look at the words of the Apostle Peter as he guides us in the way of hope in all of life: our families, our careers,  our country, and beyond.

EVERYDAY DISCIPLES S1:E5Following the way of Jesus in everything, everywhere, every day. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” - Mark 1:17 Welcome to the Everyday Disciples podcast, where we discuss what it means to follow Jesus's example in everything, everywhere, and every day. This month, we are talking with Steve Dang about what it means to be connected in community. SHOW NOTESWHAT IS COMMUNITY?The working definition we are going off of for community is: following in the way of Jesus together. We see community as disciples of Jesus following in the way of Jesus together. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”  Acts 2:42  WHERE CAN WE START?Who are people already in your life that you can be intentional about pursuing and doing life together?Be the friend you wish you had.Build trust by giving trust.Communicate what you are counting on someone for.Keep Jesus at the center.PRACTICES FOR THE MONTH:START WHERE YOU ARE.  - Invest in the friendships and connections you already haveSHARE A MEAL/COFFEE AND YOUR STORY WITH SOMEONEFIND A WAY TO SERVE ALONGSIDE OTHERSRESOURCES:“One Another” Passages - https://tpcc.secure2.agroup.com/files/uploads/59OneAnothers.pdf Everyday Disciples is a production of Crossroads Church located in Grass Valley, California. 

The strength and depth of a tree’s roots keep it secure and grounded. When the wind and rain come, the roots help the tree maintain strength and stability. But what keeps you secure and grounded? What are you currently rooting yourself in? Peter once again guides us to the deep roots of the story we find ourselves in.

When people ask you about yourself, what do you say? How do you define who you are? As Peter continues to guide us toward hope, he reminds us that the hope we have in Jesus shapes and defines who we are and how we live. But what does this look like?

Is there something you are looking forward to right now? Do you ever find yourself thinking of that moment in the midst of a bad day? Like every student looking forward to summer, sometimes we borrow hope from the future to help us through the hard times of today. In these verses, Peter reminds us of the future hope that we have in Jesus, which provides present strength for today.

As we step into the letter of 1 Peter, we take a lay of the land in both Peter’s day and ours. This survey leaves us with the question: What would it look like to live in a settled hope, in an unsettled world?