Crosswalk Daily Guide

Here are some questions to go along with this week’s sermon: 1 — What can you do, today, to alleviate any bias you have in your heart? 2— How many times have you been the object of bias? 3 — How did that experience make you feel? 4 — How can you teach others who might not have that same experience how it felt and how to stay away from it? 5 — What do you think God feels about racism? 6 — What can you do in your community to make sure bias is being addressed? 7 — What does a world without bias look like? 8 — What does a church without bias look like. 9 — How does addressing bias in your heart lead to greater spiritual maturity? 

Text of the Day: So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. (James 2:12-13) Reflection Questions: 1 — How do you serve mercy and compassion to your fellow human being? 2 —How can you get involved in the various ministries of compassion and mercy at your church? 3 —Do you spend more time in worship or compassion?  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day:  For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. (James 2:10-11) Reflection Questions: 1 — Are you concerned about the Law of God? 2 —What are some action steps you can take today to become more inclusive in your worldview? 3 —What people or groups do you need to start getting to know better? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. (James 2:8-9) Reflection Questions:  — Where are you bias’s? Be honest about this. 2 —Do you think you have ever contributed to racism, classism, or bias by your words or actions? 3 —How can you change those behaviors or attitudes? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.. (James 3:22-24) Reflection Questions: 1 — How rich are you today? 2 —Do you find yourself chasing money too often? 3 — How can you change what you find valuable in your life?  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?. (James 2:2-4) Reflection Questions: 1 — Have you ever discriminated against someone because of how they looked? When and where did this happen? 2 —Where you ever wrong about the person you discriminated against? 3 —How can we be sure not to do this in our lives? 4— Are there some limits we should have on our hospitality? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? (James 2:1) Reflection Questions: 1 — How can you work to get rid of your bias? 2 —Reach out to someone you might not normally reach out to today, and begin to tear down those walls. 3 —Do you need to apologize to someone for the way you have acted in the past. This would be a good time.  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Here are some questions to ask today: 1— What is true religion to you? Explain it so we can see it! 2—What “targets” have you been trying to hit since you met Jesus? 3—Do you ever feel like the way you have been handling your faith is an “exercise in futility?” 4—How can Jesus give you more love? 5—How can you give more love? 6—Have you ever been afraid that you might run out of the love of God? 7— When were you stingy about the love you have to give away? 8—Have you ever felt that God’s love might stop flowing to you? 9—Is there one thing you want everyone to know about the Love of God? 

Text of the Day: Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.. (James 1:22-24) Reflection Questions: 1 — Have you ever had an anger issue? How did you get over it? 2 —What is the best way to slow your anger? What has worked for you? 3 —When you read scripture, what do you see that angers God? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Reflection Questions: 1 — Have you ever had VIP anything? What did you like about it and how did it make you feel? 2 —Do you believe you have true religion as James defines it? 3 —How can you share this true religion with others? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (James 1:26-27) Reflection Questions: 1 — Have you ever experienced True Religion as James defines it? 2 —How does your faith community connect you with these three things mentioned? 3 — What kinds of structures do you need in your life in order to make space for these three things?  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. (James 1:25) Reflection Questions: 1 — What is the function of law, according to Paul? (See Romans 3:19-20) 2 —What can the law help you with today? 3 —What is the best thing the law has taught you? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. (James 1:22-25) Reflection Questions: 1 — What do you “know,” but you don’t “do”? 2 —How can you begin to integrate that knowledge into your practice? 3 —Is there an expert you know that you can consult to help you design this integrative aspect of your life? (It could be health, theology, compassion, finances, etc.) Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day:Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. (James 1:19-21) Reflection Questions: 1 — Quick to listen. How many of us listen mostly to respond? We often find ourselves formulating responses to parts of sentences without listening to the whole thing. I know I am guilty of this at times. 2 —Slow to speak. Every once in a while, someone suggests I should exercise the “Ministry of Listening” a little more than I do. As someone who speaks for a living, it does me well to be reminded of the opportunity to listen rather than to speak. 3 —Slow to get angry. This is a good one. How many of us have the patience we need in order to continue to continue our relationships? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Here are a few questions for you to ponder this week: 1 — How can you tell when a temptation is coming your way? 2 — What processes and structures have you put into place in order to deal with them before they become a reality in your life? 3 — Where do you go for accountability in your decisions? 4 — Who is your support group you can go to in difficult times? 5 — What do you do to maintain accountable relationships with safe people in your life? 6 — What is the hardest thing you deal with right now? 7 — What do you think your life would look like if you could be a little more intentional about dealing with temptation? 8 — What has God given you that you can be thankful for? 9 — How can you create a new appreciation for the good and perfect things God has placed in your life? 10— How can you share your blessings with others?

Reflection Questions: 1 — Have you ever experienced trouble in your life just when it felt you were becoming closer to Jesus? 2 —Did that upheaval derail your spiritual walk, or did it make it stronger? 3 —How can we be sure Jesus has our backs in this struggle with evil? What texts give you strength? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. (James 1:15) Reflection Questions: 1 — What are you looking for when you go to scripture? Is it a greater revelation of Jesus? 2 —How can you use that which you find about Jesus to help you in your everyday life? 3 —What is the most profound truth you have found about Jesus? Write it down!  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. (James 1:16-17) Reflection Questions: 1 — What do you have in your life and in your character that is good? 2 —Where did those things come from? Who is the author of the good things in your life? 3 —What can you do to encourage someone else to recognize the goodness in them today, and also how can you point them to who that goodness came from?  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. (James 1:15) Reflection Questions: 1 — When was the last time you were tempted and you knew it was happening? What was the temptation? 2 —Why is it that James and Jesus are so concerned at getting to the source of the problem, rather than the behavior? 3 —How can you move your attention closer to the source, and how can you begin to shift some of your thinking upstream toward the temptation, rather than the behavior?  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. (James 1:13-14) Reflection Questions: 1 — What is it that you find yourself tempted by on an ongoing basis? 2 —How can you begin to design your life so you may be able to move away from this issue? 3 —Pray today for clarity and for courage. Clarity to see where God can work in your life and courage to make moves to design your life differently.  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. (James 1:13) Reflection Questions: 1 — What is tempting to you? 2 — How can the enemy use that to his advantage in your life of faith? 3 —How can you begin to design a process from which to expunge that particular temptation?  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Here are some questions to get you thinking: 1— Are you prepared to put your identity completely in Christ? 2— Are you willing to see the opportunity in the trials and troubles you will inevitably have to endure? 3— If you put your identity in Christ, what would that mean to you every day, every hour, every minute? 4— Is there someone you greatly admire in faith that you would like to echo in your life? 5— Can you reach out to them and ask for mentorship? 6— What is the design you would like your faith to take? 7— How can you be explicit in identifying what that ultimate design looks like in your life so you can begin to engineer your path to it? 8— Who are examples from scripture you would like to emulate? 9— Why is faith so hard sometimes? 10— What sort of trials and troubles are you currently experiencing and how is it growing you closer to Christ? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:9-12) Reflection Questions: 1 — When people ask you what you “do,” how do you answer them? (In some ways, this is where you have placed your identity, and sometimes, your value). 2 —What can you do to readjust what you are proud of in your life? Of what do you boast? 3 —How can you remind all of those around you of your identity in Christ? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? Email podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:3-8) Reflection Questions: 1 — When have you felt tested and troubled? What did it do to your faith? 2 —How can we know when we are leaning into the wisdom of God? 3 —How can we know God’s timing? Can we at all?  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (James 1:2) Reflection Questions: 1 — What trials are you going through right now? 2 —How are you going to get through them? 3 —How can purpose, the Holy Spirit, and a Savior help? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (James 1:1-2) Reflection Questions: 1 — What Joy did you find in your troubles so far this year? 2 — How can you look at blessing differently than simply having things go well? 3 — If you could tell people about 2020 in 20 years, what would you say changed in your life for the better and for the worse?  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:3-4) Reflection Questions: 1 — How do your struggles make you stronger? 2 —Where do you find your strength to endure? 3 —Can you endure a bit more each time? Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! (James 1:1) Reflection Questions: 1 — Have you ever been frustrated by your experience of faith? 2 —Have you ever tried to create consistency in your faith with a hoped-for outcome? 3 —What would your well-designed life of faith look like?  Want to get in touch with someone at CRSWLK? podcast@crosswalkvillage.com

Here are some questions to go along with this week’s sermon: 1 — What have you thought about judgment over the years? 2 — Has reading these texts changed your idea of judgment from God? 3 — How has God judged in your favor in the past? 4 — What have you thought about Hell and eternal torment? 5 — How can a God who loves you enough to come and die for you allow you to be tortured forever? 6 — What can you do to let someone know how much God loves them today? 7 — Has fear ever made you do something you wouldn’t normally do? Be honest. 8 — How can we explain to people about the “good news” of God’s judgment? 9 — Have you ever had a judgment not go in a friend’s favor and found a bit of joy in it? Again, be honest. 10— What do you think “forever judgment” will look like? Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess 1:12) Reflection Questions: 1 — What can you do today to build god’s reputation in the world? 2 —What is the greatest gift you can give someone? 3 —How can you share how great God is with someone today? Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. (2 Thess 1:9-10) Reflection Questions: 1 — Have you ever found yourself happy when someone “gets what they deserve?” 2 —What can you do to move away from those feelings and move closer to love? 3 —How can love lead you to truth? Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thess 1:7-8) Reflection Questions: 1 — What “signs of the times” have you seen lately? 2 —What is it teaching you about trusting in Jesus? 3 —What can you do to help someone with “eschatological anxiety” today? Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, (2 Thess 1:5-6) Reflection Questions: 1 — When was a time when judgment went in your favor? 2 —Elaborate on how you felt when the judgment went your way! 3 —How can you make sure people know how much God is for them, so they won’t fear judgment?  Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. (2 Thess 1:3-4) Reflection Questions: 1 — What would you want people to know about your faith in the midst of this crisis? 2 —Do you think Paul would talk about your faith, hope, and love? 3 —How can you tangibly express your faith today? What will you pray for? How will you serve others? Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Here are some questions to go along with this week’s sermon: 1 — How can you lift up your spiritual leaders today? 2 — Who would you consider to be a spiritual mentor or leader in your life? 3 — How can you show them appreciation and support? 4 — What of the previous exhortations do you struggle with, and how do you hope to overcome those issues? 5 — What do you aspire to be? Are the words of Paul helpful or harmful on your journey 6 — How can you encourage the people around you? 7 — What inspirational things do you encounter in your faith journey? 8 — How can you be an inspiration to someone else? 

Text of the Day: Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thess 5:12-24) Reflection Questions: 1 — When you heard, “abstain from evil in all its forms,” were you nervous you might not be able to do that? 2 —What are different forms of evil that you struggle with? Refer to Romans 1:18ff for a list. 3 —Were you relieved when you realized that it is God who helps us stay away from evil? Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. (1 Thess 5:20-21) Reflection Questions: 1 — What do you think prophecy is? 2 —What is your favorite prophet to read about in the Old Testament? 3 —What does this do to your idea of what a “Prophetic” voice should be? Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies,. (1 Thess 5:19-20) Reflection Questions: 1 — What are your first thoughts on this? Does the Holy Spirit still work? If so, how? 2 —What do you think about new prophetic words? Would or could God still send them? 3 — What makes us hesitant to believe that God is still doing some of these acts?   Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day:   Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thess 5:16-18) Reflection Questions: 1 — What are you grateful for today? 2 — How can this give you joy? 3 —How can you express joy for what God has given you right now? Make this tangible in your life.  Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day:  And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (1 Thess 5:14-15) Reflection Questions: 1 — How do you minister to those who see the world in a different way than you do? 2 —When someone is negative, does it frustrate you? 3 —Taking Paul’s counsel into account, what can you do to encourage these people in your life? Maybe write down who they are and work out a strategy. Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day:  We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thess 5:12-13) Reflection Questions: 1 — What is a good moral teaching (Paraenetic) that you live by and have for a while? 2 —Where did it come from? Was it something you found in scripture? Share it on social media today with the hashtag #lovewell. 3 —How can you encourage your boss, your pastor, your congressperson, or your spouse today?   Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

As we look at these texts in the sermon today, ask yourself these questions: 1 — Do you have a true belief that you are saved and that no one can take that away? 2 — Are you okay with God being your judge? 3 — How often do you find yourself questioning your salvation? 4 — What is the most important thing to you? Purity or compassion? 5 — Are they mutually exclusive? Why or why not? 6 — How dirty is your robe today, this week, this month, this year? 7 — In what ways have you been taught about the judgment of God? 8 — Do you think God is angry with you? 9 — Do you know how much God loves you? 10 - What has God given you as His great Co-Mission in life? Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day: For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out His anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.. (1 Thess 5:9-11) Reflection Questions: 1 — Where do you feel the most encouragement? 2 —How can you help make your community a community that seeks to lift one another up? 3 —If Christ does not allow his anger to be towards us, should we be afraid of him? Or should we seek to better understand his compassion for us?  Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day:  Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clear headed, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. (1 Thess 5:7-8) Reflection Questions: 1 — Has anyone ever tried to take away the confidence you have in the Cross of Jesus? 2 —How can we remain confident in these situations? 3 —What scripture do you look toward to keep yourself clear on what Jesus has done for you?  Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day:  But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. (1 Thess 5:4) Reflection Questions: 1 — How can you make sure you are walking in the light? 2 —How does the light prepare you for the second coming of Jesus? 3 —What can you do today to bring others into the light with you? Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day:  When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. (1 Thess 5:3) Reflection Questions: 1 — How are you preparing for the Day of the Lord?  2 —What plans do you have that can change and you will still be okay? 3 —How often have you said that everything is safe and secure and even prosperous? Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day:  Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write to you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. (1 Thess 5:1-2) Reflection Questions: 1 — Have you ever wondered when Jesus is coming back? 2 — Have you ever been frustrated that you didn’t know? 3 —Do you remember thinking about this when you were younger? How did it make you feel? Is it different now that you are older? How?  Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Here are some questions to get you thinking: 1— When did you first hear about the end of time? 2— Were you young, old, or in between? 3— How did it make you feel? 4— Has your perspective on things eschatological changed? 5— What do you want to see happen? 6— How can you know what is going to happen? 7— Are you ready for it? 8— What does being “ready for it” even mean? 9— How can you prepare yourself for the end? 10— Who wins?  Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com

Text of the Day:  So encourage each other with these words. (1 Thess 4:18) Reflection Questions: 1 — Who can you encourage today? Be specific.  2 —What do they need to hear to become closer to Christ? 3 —How can you give them more than encouraging words, but encouraging actions as well?  Want to get in touch with a pastor? Crosswalk Redlands: mike@crosswalkvillage.com (Mike Rhynus) Crosswalk Chattanooga: cwchattanooga@crosswalkvillage.com