Crosspointe Meadows Church

09/08/2026

Daily Devotion 9/8/26 Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” – Romans 12:1
​
Devotion -
The book of Romans is full of significant theological details that bring clarity and questions to what it means to truly follow Christ. In this first verse of chapter 12, so much of that substance comes to a head in the plea that the Apostle Paul gives to the Roman church. He is pleading with them to live a holy life, one that does not conform to the ways of this world. Instead, they are to be a people who live against the grain by submitting to the will of God. Not in a blind, robotic manner, but in a way in which discernment is exercised by prayer, analysis, study, and application; a relationship with God.

There are so many questions that can come up moment by moment in our lives as to whether or not we are applying the word of the Lord in the appropriate way. God desires us to involve ourselves in working out our salvation in fear and trembling; at the same time we have assurance of our salvation through faith in Christ. It is within that tension and release, between the ebb and flow, in which the Spirit of God works in dynamic and powerful ways. More and more we see the mercies of the Lord, and more and more we gain understanding of the depth of the first time we called him Lord over our lives.

Prayer -
Dear Heavenly Father,
As we walk with you, help us trust and obey; let our hearts be hearts of submission toward your will through knowledge of your word, with help from the Holy Spirit. We need you every hour, Lord. Help us see as you see and care as you care. We give you praise with all our hearts. Let our worship extend to meet each and every one with the same grace and love you give to us. Give us strength; let us be humble, not naive, wise but not proud, so that we may glorify you in all we do. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
​
By Abran (Abe) Garcia

09/08/2026

09/07/2026

Daily Devotion - 9/7/26 Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.” – Psalm 3:3

Devotion -
This is a psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom, who conspired to take over his father’s kingdom. Absalom had already killed his half-brother Amnon for what Amnon had done to Absalom’s full sister Tamar. The dysfunction and chaos within the family brought much grief to David. For a time, Absalom gained the heart of the people of Israel by pretending to be an advocate for them, promising that if he were in charge, their grievances would be heard, but his heart was not in the right place. Absalom eventually built up a rebellion; the king fled with loyal subjects and eventually returned to battle against Absalom’s forces. Absalom was eventually killed after having his hair caught in a tree and one of David’s soldiers finishing him off.
There are many layers of the story to sift through, and some may challenge our ideas of justice, right and wrong, and the motives behind these characters' actions. Each individual in the story has their faults and virtues; each one is imperfect, but only one of them was appointed by God to be the king of Israel. The faith and heart David had was one of resolve in the midst of chaos. In this psalm, he relies on the Lord for protection, reflects on the sustaining power of the Lord, and praises God in difficult circumstances. Though we all suffer from division in a household, for it cannot stand; it is the Lord who judges among the faithful, each according to their gifts and what was done with them.

Prayer -
Dear Heavenly Father,
We pray for unity in the body of believers; let it be a unity brought together by faith in Christ by a sensible understanding through discernment and prayer by submission to your word and the Holy Spirit. As we pray and reflect on your word, let us all be of one mind, seeking to glorify you in all we do. Help us, lead us, and guide us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
By Abran (Abe) Garcia

09/05/2026

Daily Devotion 9/5/26 Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.” – Psalm 119:9
​
Devotion -
Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. This section of the Psalm uses the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, “Bet” or “Beth”, meaning house or tent. A question is posed in the Psalm to engage the reader, and an answer is immediately given. This is to reiterate the points from the previous “Aleph” section in which the psalmist clearly outlines that to know the word is to obey and apply the word of God.
There are times in which a person’s heart may be longing for peace and satisfaction, especially when their life is wrought with sin and trauma. To take heed means to listen to God’s word. To listen is to reflect on the scriptures, and when reflection takes place, the word illuminates the darkness within a person, making them realize where they have fallen short. This realization could have brought them to a place of shame and guilt, but instead they are met by the sweet sound of grace through Christ. Then healing takes place: for by his wounds we are healed.
Prayer -
Dear Heavenly Father,
We pray for the lost, for the poor, and for the beaten down. Soften their hearts, open up their minds, and ready their ears to be receptive to your word that can bring them healing through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. We give thanks that the word does the same in our lives, and we pray that we continue to read, study, hear, and apply your word daily. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
​
By Abran (Abe) Garcia

09/04/2026

Daily Devotion 9/4/26 Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” – James 1:19
​
Devotion -
In his letter to the Jews scattered among the nations, James wrote to them, giving them advice and sharing with them the expectations of behavior and sense that a follower of Christ should have. In this section, he explains that human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires and for that reason everyone must exercise self-control by being receptive while listening, choosing their words wisely, and not having a short fuse.
Anger is a normal human emotion, but it is not normal to respond in anger all of the time. James is not saying we should never be angry but instead he is saying we should allow room for grace with each other the majority of the time. This doesn’t just apply to the youth or elders but to everyone within the church. Exercising patience, prudence, and self-control can be tricky, but when we look at Jesus and his great mercy, we are convinced of the need to share the grace we have been given.

Prayer -
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us, lead us, and guide us to exercise love, care, patience, and understanding with everyone. We recognize your mercy toward all of humanity in providing for us a way out of spiritual death and into new life through Christ Jesus. Let us all be marked by a humble demeanor toward one another with the knowledge that we are undeserving of such grace and yet we still receive the gift of faith and salvation through Christ. Help us all be more loving through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

By Abran (Abe) Garcia

09/03/2026

Daily Devotion - 9/3/26 Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.” – Psalm 119:50
​
Devotion -
Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, and the section of today’s verse is in the “ZAYIN” section. Zayin is the seventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet and means sword or weapon. The psalm opens with the psalmist reflecting on how he has been caused to hope in the word of God. The word of the Lord is the source of comfort during times of affliction for the psalmist. Though people make fun he chooses to obey and trust the Lord.
Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 10:34, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Jesus explained that people, even family, would be divided by the truth of his word. Hebrews 4:12 explains that the word of God is alive and actively going deep into individual(s), even to the point of dividing soul and spirit, bone and marrow, and judging the attitudes of the heart. From this, we get the idea that the word of God is a weapon in the spiritual battles we face. It makes sense given Ephesians 6:17: “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Jesus himself is the word of God in the flesh, and the resounding implications of that bring us nearer to God when Christ is Lord over our lives.
​
Prayer -
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are our source of comfort and peace, our weapon in difficult times, our protector and shepherd. We give thanks that we are not alone, but you have given us your word through Christ. Help us reflect deeply on your word, discerning what you are calling us to do. As you stir our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit, protect us from evil and give us clarity of mind and strength in our bodies to do your will and give you glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

By Abran (Abe) Garcia

09/02/2026

Daily Devotion 9/2/26 Abran Garcia Jr

Scripture -

“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

For He has done marvelous things;

His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.” – Psalm 98:1

​

Devotion -

The psalmist opens with an invitation for worshipers to think and reflect on all the works of the Lord. The Lord is the creator of all things but has also sustained his people through many trials. God spoke to individuals and prophets, who then communicated God's will; and in several instances, obedience to God’s word gave the people of Israel victory over their enemies. It is the Lord who wields power and strength for both salvation and judgement, and he is to be praised for it.

The Lord has continuously sustained us in our lives. Whether it be difficult moments, times of doubt, or suffering, the Lord has a curious way of sorting out people and events to help us in our faith and give him the glory. Though new songs may come about, when centered on the Lord, they have different themes but the same spirit of worship.

​

Prayer -

Dear Heavenly Father,

Let us worship you in Spirit and in truth. We give thanks that you call us to a relationship with you that is deep, personal, and that fills us with joy when we give you praise. Let us reflect and hold fast to your word, singing with joyful hearts as we go about the day. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

​

By Abran (Abe) Garcia

09/01/2026

What does it really mean to follow our Shepherd?
A message by Pr. Brian Johnson

09/01/2026

Daily Devotion 9/1/26 Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11

Devotion -
In Isaiah Chapter 55, the Lord invites the people of Israel to drink and to eat the bread of life that truly satisfies. During that time of exile, the Lord called them, telling them to incline their ear to his word. Those who listened would live and be in an everlasting covenant with God. Throughout the invitation, the Lord gives mercy and love, urging those who are sinful to turn from their wicked ways and return to him while he is near. But they are to remember that the Lord’s ways are higher than man’s, and whatever he speaks to be, it is so and will be done.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites people who are weary and burdened to come to him and receive rest. It’s amazing that a similar invitation given to the people of Israel in Isaiah is extended to us, and not just by anyone but by the Creator himself, the Word in the flesh. There is a tenderness, a gentle and loving kindness that is juxtaposed with an incredible strength that is more than enough to care for so many who suffer and hurt. If we are to remain under the Lord’s protection, love, and care, we must listen and incline our ears and hearts to the word of the Lord. As we apply the teachings of Christ to our lives, we see that the word of the Lord is not empty, but that his will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

Prayer -
Dear Lord,
All of creation declares your glory. From the canopy of the stars to the depths of the oceans, the mysteries that we have yet to fathom, you have known since the beginning. We surrender ourselves to listen and ponder your word, to reflect in the rest in the protection we have in our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. As we are nourished, give us strength, and as we are strengthened, help us feed those who are hungry, clothe those who are bare, and visit those who are lonely. We ask and pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Abran (Abe) Garcia