Pastor G: Pastor of Crossroads Ministries in Tahlequah, OK

Pastor G: Pastor of Crossroads Ministries in Tahlequah, OK Crossroads Ministries is a Non-Denominational Evangelical church committed to making disciples and building a community of faith.

We focus on sound doctrine, fervent prayer, and practical application of the Word.

09/16/2026

# # # WEDNESDAY — WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW, WAIT

**Key Scripture:** 1 Corinthians 14:32 (NASB 2020)

> “And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.”

# # # START HERE

Have you ever sent a text message and immediately regretted it?

You read it again and think,

*“I probably should have waited before sending that.”*

Sometimes the wisest spiritual response is exactly the same:

**Wait.**

Not every prompting requires immediate action.

# # # THINK ABOUT THIS

Imagine a firefighter standing outside a burning building.

The firefighter knows something needs to happen.

But that doesn't mean he simply runs through the front door without looking.

He checks the situation.

He listens.

He follows the plan.

He communicates with the team.

Why?

Because **urgency does not eliminate wisdom.**

The same principle applies when we sense the Holy Spirit prompting us.

# # # THE SPIRIT DOESN'T MAKE YOU A PUPPET

The second Week 6 document emphasizes an important biblical boundary:

> “The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.”

The teaching point is significant: the Spirit empowers believers, but believers aren't portrayed as helpless puppets controlled by an irresistible force.

That means you can pause.

You can pray.

You can wait.

You can ask for confirmation.

You can talk to a mature believer.

You can even decide not to speak publicly.

That isn't necessarily disobedience.

Sometimes **restraint is obedience**.

# # # WHAT IF I THINK GOD GAVE ME SOMETHING?

Suppose you're praying for someone and suddenly you have a thought:

*“I think God may want me to tell them something.”*

What should you do?

Don't panic.

Don't assume.

Don't force it.

Write it down.

Pray.

Consider whether it agrees with Scripture.

If appropriate, talk with a trusted leader.

The teaching material gives a simple principle:

**“When in doubt, sit it out.”**

If something genuinely needs to be shared, waiting a few minutes isn't going to make God powerless.

# # # GOD CAN HANDLE YOUR PAUSE

We sometimes think:

*“If I don't say it right now, I'll miss God.”*

But that can create unnecessary pressure.

The Spirit is not frantic.

You don't have to manufacture spiritual moments.

You don't have to force something because you're afraid of missing your opportunity.

Faith doesn't mean acting impulsively.

Faith means trusting God enough to obey Him wisely.

# # # TODAY'S PRACTICE

Today, when you feel an internal prompting to say or do something, practice a three-second pause.

Ask:

**“Lord, is this You?”**

Then ask:

**“Is this loving?”**

Then ask:

**“Is this the right time?”**

You may discover that God wants you to speak.

You may discover He wants you to wait.

You may discover He wants you simply to pray.

All three can be obedience.

# # # PRAYER

Holy Spirit, teach me to recognize Your promptings without becoming impulsive. Give me courage when You want me to speak and restraint when You want me to wait. Help me understand that I don't have to force what You are doing. Give me humility to receive correction and wisdom to operate within biblical boundaries.

**In Jesus' name, amen.**

**Today's thought:**
*Spiritual maturity isn't just knowing when to speak; it is knowing when to wait.*

09/15/2026

# # # TUESDAY — LOVE IS THE ENVIRONMENT

**Key Scripture:** 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NASB 2020)

> “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”

# # # START HERE

Have you ever tried to grow something in the wrong environment?

You can have good seed, good intentions, and plenty of effort—but if the soil is wrong, growth becomes difficult.

Paul gives us the right environment for spiritual gifts:

**Love.**

Notice what he doesn't say:

“Forget about spiritual gifts.”

He says:

**“Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts.”**

The two belong together.

# # # THINK ABOUT THIS

Imagine receiving a very expensive microphone.

It is powerful enough to fill an auditorium.

But imagine someone grabbing it and using it to shout insults at people.

The microphone isn't the problem.

The problem is how it is being used.

Spiritual gifts are similar.

A genuine gift can be exercised with the wrong heart.

Someone can have spiritual insight and still be arrogant.

Someone can pray powerfully and still seek attention.

Someone can speak prophetically and still fail to love the person hearing the word.

That's why Paul puts love first.

The gifts need the right environment.

# # # LOVE CHANGES HOW WE USE THE GIFTS

The second document emphasizes that love doesn't replace the gifts—it **governs** them.

Think about what love does.

If I love someone, I don't use a word of knowledge to embarrass them.

If I love someone, I don't use a prophetic word to control them.

If I pray for someone's healing, I don't make them feel guilty if they aren't healed.

If I have discernment, I don't use it as an excuse to become suspicious of everyone.

If I have wisdom, I don't use it to prove that I'm smarter than everyone else.

Love changes everything.

# # # ASK THE HEART QUESTION

Before asking,

**“Is this a gift God wants to use?”**

ask:

**“Is love motivating me?”**

Paul's description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 becomes incredibly practical here.

Love doesn't brag.

Love isn't arrogant.

Love doesn't seek its own.

That means the Holy Spirit can work through us without us needing the spotlight.

The goal is not:

**“Did everyone notice that God used me?”**

The better question is:

**“Did this help someone see Jesus?”**

The documents make this distinction clearly: when gifts operate properly, people walk away looking toward Jesus rather than toward the person exercising the gift.

# # # A SIMPLE TEST

Before you speak, pray, share, or act on a prompting, ask:

**Is this loving?**

**Will this build someone up?**

**Will this point them toward Jesus?**

If the answer is no, slow down.

God is not in a hurry.

# # # TODAY'S PRACTICE

Choose one person today.

Don't try to impress them.

Don't try to demonstrate anything spiritual.

Simply ask God:

**“How can I love this person well today?”**

Then do whatever He puts in front of you.

Sometimes the most spiritual thing you do today won't be dramatic at all.

It might be listening.

It might be encouraging.

It might be praying.

It might be helping.

# # # PRAYER

Father, teach me to pursue love. Let love govern everything You do through me. Remove the desire for recognition and replace it with a desire to serve. Help me use whatever You have given me to strengthen people, encourage them, and point them toward Jesus. Holy Spirit, make my heart more important to me than my platform.

**In Jesus' name, amen.**

**Today's thought:**
*The gift may get people's attention, but love determines what I do with their attention.*

09/14/2026

# # # MONDAY — YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE

**Key Scripture:** 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NASB 2020)

> “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

# # # START HERE

Have you ever walked into a room and thought, *“I don't really have anything to offer here”*?

Maybe you were surrounded by people who seemed more experienced, more confident, more talented, or more spiritually mature.

It is easy to assume that God mainly works through the people who stand in front of the church.

But Paul says something very different:

**“To each one is given…”**

Not just pastors.

Not just worship leaders.

Not just people who have been Christians for forty years.

**To each one.**

The Holy Spirit has chosen to work through ordinary believers.

# # # THINK ABOUT THIS

Imagine a community cleanup day.

One person brings a truck.

Someone else brings shovels.

Another brings bottled water.

Someone brings trash bags.

A teenager shows up with nothing but a willingness to work.

At the end of the day, the job was accomplished because everyone brought something.

Nobody says, “The person with the truck did everything.”

The truck was useful—but so was the water.

The shovel was important—but so were the trash bags.

The Body of Christ works the same way.

The Holy Spirit doesn't give everyone the same assignment or the same expression.

The point isn't to become somebody else.

The point is to faithfully offer what God has placed in you.

Paul emphasizes that the Spirit distributes differently to different people, but the source remains the same Spirit.

# # # DON'T DISQUALIFY YOURSELF

Sometimes we think:

*“I'm not gifted enough.”*

*“I don't know the Bible well enough.”*

*“I'm not outgoing.”*

*“Someone else could do this better.”*

But the question isn't whether you are the most qualified person in the room.

The question is:

**Are you available to the Holy Spirit?**

The Spirit may use you to encourage somebody.

He may give you wisdom in a difficult conversation.

He may give you unusual faith to pray when everyone else feels discouraged.

He may give you discernment about a situation.

He may prompt you to pray for someone's healing.

You may never know beforehand what God wants to do.

That's why availability matters.

# # # REMEMBER THE PURPOSE

There is an important correction here.

The gift isn't primarily about **you**.

Paul says it is given **“for the common good.”**

The gifts are not trophies.

They are tools.

They aren't spiritual status symbols.

They are resources God gives His people so that others can be strengthened.

So don't ask only:

**“What gift do I have?”**

Also ask:

**“Who can God bless through me today?”**

# # # TODAY'S PRACTICE

Before you leave home, pray:

**“Holy Spirit, I am available to You today. Show me who You want to bless through me.”**

Then pay attention.

Look for the person who needs encouragement.

Listen carefully in conversations.

Be willing to pray.

Be willing to serve.

Don't force anything.

Just be available.

# # # PRAYER

Father, thank You that You have not left me without something to give. Thank You that Your Spirit works through ordinary people. Help me stop comparing myself with others and become fully available to You. Show me how You want to use me today for the good of someone else. Give me humility, sensitivity, and courage. Holy Spirit, use me—not for my recognition, but for Your glory and the blessing of others.

**In Jesus' name, amen.**

**Today's thought:**
*I don't have to be impressive to be useful. I simply need to be available.*

09/13/2026

9/13/26

09/13/2026

sunday morning service

09/12/2026

Activate the Gift

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10 (NASB 2020)

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.”

Devotion

There's a difference between having a gift and using a gift.

You can have something valuable sitting unused.

You can have a tool in your garage and never pick it up.

You can have a talent and never develop it.

And spiritually, you can have a gift from God and leave it dormant.

The teaching gives a strong challenge:

“If you do know your gift—stop sitting on it. Start using it.”

That's the challenge for today.

Don't wait until you feel completely qualified.

Don't wait until everyone recognizes you.

Don't wait until you have a title.

Start serving.

Maybe your gift is encouragement.

Encourage somebody.

Maybe it's serving.

Find a need and meet it.

Maybe it's teaching.

Help someone understand God's Word.

Maybe it's giving.

Give generously.

Maybe it's leadership.

Take responsibility and help move something forward.

Maybe it's mercy.

Go sit with somebody who is hurting.

Maybe you're still discovering your gift.

Then experiment.

The important thing is to move from observation to participation.

The Church doesn't become healthy because a few gifted people do all the ministry.

It becomes healthy when every part begins functioning.

The goal is not to admire the gifts.

The goal is to activate them.

Put It Into Practice

Before this day ends, do one intentional act of ministry.

Not tomorrow.

Not someday.

Today.

Ask God:

“Who can I serve?”

Then obey what He puts in front of you.

It may be something small.

That's okay.

A small act of obedience can become a significant ministry in someone's life.

Prayer

Father, I don't want to bury what You have placed in me. I want to be a faithful steward of Your grace. Give me courage to serve, humility to learn, and faith to step out. Use my gifts to strengthen Your Body, bless people, and advance Your Kingdom. Make me a participant, not merely a spectator. In Jesus' name, amen.

09/11/2026

Truth Must Walk with Love

Scripture: Romans 12:9 (NASB 2020)

“Love is to be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.”

Devotion

Spiritual gifts are powerful.

But gifts alone aren't enough.

How we use them matters.

The teaching makes this especially clear when discussing the prophetic motivational gift.

A person motivated by prophecy may have a strong passion for truth. They may recognize error quickly. They may be willing to say what others are afraid to say.

That's valuable.

The Church needs people who love truth.

But there's a danger.

Truth without love can become harshness.

Correction without compassion can become condemnation.

Being right doesn't automatically mean we've represented Christ well.

That's why Romans 12 moves from gifts directly into love.

The file's study notes make this important observation: Paul doesn't end the discussion of gifts by telling believers to discover their personality type. He immediately moves toward “Let love be without hypocrisy.”

Your gift must operate inside love.

That applies to every gift.

The teacher needs love.

The leader needs love.

The giver needs love.

The servant needs love.

The person showing mercy needs love.

And the person speaking truth definitely needs love.

The goal isn't simply to use your gift.

The goal is to use your gift like Jesus.

Put It Into Practice

Before you speak today, ask:

“Is this true?”

But don't stop there.

Also ask:

“Is this loving?”

You don't have to choose between truth and love.

Jesus calls us to both.

Sometimes the most loving thing is to speak truth.

But truth should be delivered with the heart of someone who genuinely wants the other person's good.

Prayer

Jesus, teach me to use whatever gift You have given me with love. Keep me from becoming harsh, proud, controlling, superficial, or self-centered. Let my words and actions reflect Your heart. Give me courage to speak truth and compassion to speak it in the right spirit. Amen.

09/10/2026

Serve in Your Sweet Spot

Scripture: Romans 12:6 (NASB 2020)

“However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly…”

Devotion

Have you ever done something that was difficult but somehow left you energized?

And have you ever done something that wasn't necessarily wrong, but seemed to drain you completely?

That may be telling you something.

The motivational-gift teaching emphasizes that God has wired believers differently. These gifts shape how we naturally contribute to the Body.

Some people naturally see practical needs.

Others naturally teach.

Some encourage.

Some lead.

Some give.

Some are drawn toward people who are hurting.

Others are compelled to speak truth.

These differences are intentional.

Romans 12 doesn't tell us to make every believer function identically.

It says we have different gifts according to grace.

The goal is not simply to discover a label.

The goal is to discover how you can faithfully serve.

And sometimes you won't discover your gift by sitting around thinking about it.

You'll discover it by doing something.

The teaching gives three practical steps: pay attention, experiment, and ask someone who knows you.

In other words, start serving.

Try something.

Pay attention to what God blesses.

Listen to what mature believers see in you.

Your gift may become clearer as you use it.

Put It Into Practice

This week, try something you've never done before.

Serve somewhere.

Help someone.

Join a ministry opportunity.

Encourage someone.

Teach someone what you're learning.

Visit someone who is hurting.

Don't wait until you have everything figured out.

You often discover your gift while you're using it.

Prayer

Father, help me discover how You have wired me to serve. Give me courage to step out and try something new. Help me pay attention to what energizes me, what bears fruit, and what others recognize in me. Lead me into the place where I can serve You and others most effectively. In Jesus' name, amen.

09/09/2026

Don't Expect One Person to Do Everything

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11–12 (NASB 2020)

“And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.”

Devotion

Have you ever expected one person to meet every spiritual need in your life?

We can easily do that with a pastor.

We expect the pastor to preach, teach, counsel, visit, evangelize, lead, organize, pray, care for everyone, answer every question, and somehow still have time for his family.

But that's not God's design.

Ephesians 4 shows us something different.

Christ gives different ministry gifts.

The teaching describes the five functions this way:

Apostles help the church go.
Prophets help the church hear and respond.
Evangelists help the church reach.
Pastors help the church care.
Teachers help the church understand.

Different gifts.

Different functions.

One Body.

And there's something beautiful about that.

You don't have to be everything.

Neither does anyone else.

The pastor doesn't have to be the evangelist.

The evangelist doesn't have to be the teacher.

The teacher doesn't have to be the pastor.

God designed His Church as a team.

The purpose of these ministry gifts isn't for leaders to do all the ministry. It is “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry.”

The goal isn't a church where one person does everything.

The goal is a church where every believer is equipped to participate.

Put It Into Practice

Today, think about the people God has placed around you.

Instead of asking, “Why don't they serve like I do?”

Ask:

“What has God put in them that I don't have?”

Learn to appreciate different gifts.

You don't need everyone to be like you.

You need the Body to function together.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for giving gifts to Your Church. Help me appreciate the differences among Your people instead of criticizing them. Teach me to recognize the gifts in others and to use my own gifts faithfully. Help us become a church where everyone participates and everyone builds up the Body. Amen.

09/08/2026

Gifts Are for Others

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NASB 2020)

“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

Devotion

God gives gifts.

But here's the important question:

Why?

The answer is not primarily so that we can feel gifted.

It's not so we can receive recognition.

It's not so we can build our reputation.

It's for the common good.

That changes the way we look at spiritual gifts.

If God has given you the ability to encourage, that gift isn't primarily about making you feel good about yourself. It's about strengthening someone else.

If God has given you a teaching gift, it's not simply so you can accumulate biblical knowledge. It's so you can help others understand God's truth.

If you have a serving gift, it's not merely because you enjoy being busy. God can use your practical service to meet needs and demonstrate the love of Christ.

The teaching on the motivational gifts describes them as grace-gifts—expressions of God's grace given for the benefit of others.

That means your gift is really a stewardship.

God placed something in you that He intends to flow through you.

Think about a river.

A river isn't blessed because it keeps all its water.

Its purpose is fulfilled as the water flows somewhere else.

Your spiritual gift works the same way.

God's grace comes to you, but it isn't supposed to stop with you.

Put It Into Practice

Ask yourself today:

“Who could benefit from the gift God has placed in me?”

Then do something about it.

Send the encouraging text.

Help someone who has a practical need.

Share something God has been teaching you.

Give generously.

Pray with someone who is hurting.

Take responsibility for something that needs to get done.

Don't wait for a platform.

Start where you are.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the grace You have placed in my life. Help me understand that Your gifts are not about me—they are about serving others. Show me someone I can strengthen, encourage, help, teach, lead, or bless today. Let what You have placed in me flow through me for the good of Your Body. In Jesus' name, amen.

Address

Tahlequah, OK
74464

Opening Hours

Wednesday 7pm - 8:30pm
Sunday 9:30am - 12pm

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