Crusade 300

10/29/2024

Two-Way Conversation
Psalm 17:3, 6 (NLT®)
You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. … I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.

They are common characters in television comedies: those people who just keep talking and talking, oblivious to the fact that they are completely dominating the conversation. But it’s not so funny when we pray that way. We can be so busy talking to God that we don’t give Him an opportunity to speak. We can be so focused on giving Him our lists—our urgent list, our wish list, our preferred method list—that we don’t allow time to listen to what He has to say. David knew that effective prayer is not a one-way speech but a two-way conversation. He knew that God would test his thoughts and examine his motives. David also knew he could trust God to hear him and speak into his life. Perhaps this is one of the reasons Paul could say in Acts 13:22, “God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”

THINK ABOUT IT
We often think we should be speaking, and God should be listening and responding. But what might happen if we sat quietly and let God speak—then humbled ourselves enough to listen and respond?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me recognize that You do answer prayers. Give me the ability to be still enough to listen for Your voice. Grant me a humble and receptive heart, so I recognize Your invitations and choose to cooperate. Today, I humble myself so You might be honored through my words, my hearing, and my actions. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson

10/25/2024

The Whole Story
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV®)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Some Christians seem to feel that the New Testament has more authority than the Old Testament. It’s almost as if the New Testament is understood to be an amendment, correcting the weaknesses of the earlier work. I meet Christians who have never really read the Old Testament, which is unfortunate, because the New Testament makes no sense without the context of the Old Testament. Jesus knew it well and quoted it often. His disciples, observant Jewish men, also knew the Old Testament writings. If God intended for us to put the Old Testament on the shelf and focus on the New Testament only, He would’ve told us so. In fact, the opposite is true, as Paul reminds Timothy that ALL Scripture is God-breathed and useful. Make a commitment to read your Bible. Reading the whole story of the Bible will bring good things to you.

THINK ABOUT IT
If you have never systematically read through your Bible, find a Bible reading plan and begin to read it. Our church’s plan will take you through the Bible in a year, and you’ll find a link to that plan beneath this devotional. Don’t wait until New Year’s Day. Start today!

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, which is Your message to me. I am grateful I do not have to wander through life because You have shown me how to live through Your written Word, the example of Your Son, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I praise You for Your faithfulness to all generations. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Daily Bible Reading Plan: https://wochurch.org/bible-reading-plan/

Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson

Bible Reading Plan Today's Reading View Full Plan Download PDF Read your entire Bible this year Join us this year as we read through our Bibles, cover to cover. Whether it’s your first time or your 50th, God has more for you. Consistent time with His word brings new life and wisdom, peace and humi...

08/16/2024

God-Assignments 2.0
James 1:22-25
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

It’s a very important time to turn our attention to the Lord. Much of the Church in the earth has spent decades accommodating ungodliness. We have diminished conversations about sin, immorality, self-denial, and personal sacrifice. Instead, we have preferred things like self-fulfillment, prosperity, and cultural approval. God has initiated much of this recent season of shaking for the purpose of awakening His people. We’re being disciplined. We’re being prepared. We’re being trained—if we choose to be. If we will cooperate with God, I believe we will be deployed, and we will be given assignments in new ways.

THINK ABOUT IT
Think of someone you know who boldly advocates for God and His purposes. How can you begin to practice those behaviors in your own life?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I offer myself to You today. Forgive me for when I’ve been reluctant, hesitant, disinterested, or indifferent. Have Your way and let Your purposes come forth within me. Give me a new boldness, a new anointing, a new hunger, and a new thirst for righteousness. Let the fear of the Lord grow in my heart as never before and lead me to new opportunities to be a representative for Your Kingdom. I want to be faithful to what You created me to be and do—able to teach, encourage, and strengthen those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson

02/23/2024

07/14/2022

05/13/2022

Fred Martinez was visiting from San Antonio when he says he found himself accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy.

02/08/2022

God gives us the privilege of being a part of his mission in the world. When we do the work of the Great Commission we have the joy that only comes when we're used by him for his purposes!