Ring In the New Year With Prophecy

As I write this to each of you at Crossfire, I am reminded of the prophetic words and song given by the Holy Spirit last Sunday. They were words of encouragement and of challenge regarding the depth of His love, the depth of our love, and our warfare on behalf of others. I am reminded of Matt. 24:3-14 where Jesus declared in the last days there will be persecution, many turning away from the faith, wickedness will increase, and the love of many will grow cold, but "He who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Greater grace even now overpowers the increase in wickedness. Where there is sin, grace abounds all the more. While many cannot believe in great grace, it simply IS. While many believers grow cold in their love for God, some will not. As the love of many grows cold the love of the remnant will heat up, will be fueled, will be stoked as never before. It is this deep love found in the remnant that will empower you to stand firm in faith, firm in belief, firm in righteousness, firm in character, firm in grace and firm in declaring the good news. It is this deep love from the bottomless well of God's grace that will power kingdom preaching to the whole world. It is this deep love that will cause many to war on behalf of those who have grown cold, even those unknown to you. It is this deep love that will cause last days leaders to rise up and move in His Spirit. It is this deep love that will testify to the nations of His character and goodness. There is good news in the last days as we move out from comfortable places into uncomfortable places. Yes, the remnant will move forward and it will be a testimony to all nations.

God is doing great things at Crossfire as we experience increase and move to new levels of walking and talking His message. I see only good things for us as a church, for our role in the body of Christ, and for our impact on nations in 2009. You are a part of what God is doing and is yet to do in our midst. May 2009 be so good in heart, soul, and body prosperity that you overflow abundantly to those around you.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Harvey

Last Days Leaders Will Be the Spiritual Lifeline in the World

This week I’m talking about Last Days Leadership. The Bible is very clear that the last days before the rapture will be chaotic and crisis-laden for people across the world. However, leaders who stand firm in Christ will see great and mighty works of God. Matt. 24:14 says we will be preaching the good news to all nations! Hallelujah!

Leaders in the last days will have much to rejoice in. As economic and political systems fracture, we will be pointing to the solution, the Provider, the one true God who can save, deliver, and provide order in the midst of chaos. Last days leaders will be prophetically declaring life in the midst of darkness and prosperity in the midst of poverty. We will be the spiritual lifeline to people who are looking for stability in the midst of systematic tremoring! So look forward in anticipation for what is about to happen!

There Is Good News For Last Days Leaders

This week I’m talking about Last Days Leadership. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:1, “Mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” Whether you’re a leader in business, government, or ministry you will be greatly challenged in the days ahead. You will be leading many people with cold hearts looking for solutions that are not from God the Father. You and I are embarking on uncharted territory spiritually, economically, and politically.

But there is good news! Matthew 24:12-14 says, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Praise God! We can be leaders with good news for nations! There is good news for last days leaders!

There Is Hope And Grace For Leaders In the End Times

This week I’ll be talking about Last Days Leadership. The Bible is very clear that the last days before the rapture will be chaotic and crisis-laden for people across the world. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:1 “Mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” He went on to describe the condition of people’s hearts during the last days. That condition is reaffirmed in Matthew 24 where Jesus said “because of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”

Jesus-centered leaders who lead in the last days will be trying to lead many people whose hearts are in bad shape. Ask any pastor today, and you will find frustration with unresponsive hearts. There is hope and grace for those leaders still willing to lead in the last days. Tune in tomorrow as we embrace Last Days Leadership.

There Is Freedom at Crossfire

This week I’ve been talking about Jesus-centered leadership. Giving of yourself is part of Jesus-centered leadership. Jesus told his twelve closest leaders, the apostles, very clearly in Matt. 10:8 “Freely you have received, freely give.”

If you’re looking for a church where leadership gives freely, try Crossfire in Centennial. Our pastors and leaders experience freedom in grace and freely give of ourselves. Freely we have received, so freely we pass that on to you. We have prophetic teaching, worship, and dance. We offer a strong message of grace with a prophetic edge. We do our best to live from a position of freedom.

Pictured: Worship service at Crossfire, where prophecy was taking place.

Giving: A Subtle Condition of the Heart

This week I’m talking about Jesus-centered leadership. Giving of yourself is part of Jesus-centered leadership. Jesus told his twelve closest leaders, the apostles, very clearly in Matt. 10:8, “Freely you have received, freely give.” I’m sure you’ve given many gifts to people in your life but did you give them freely? Did you give them without conditions for repayment? When you give of yourself in leadership in your place of employment or in church do you do so without a condition of repaying you?

You are only truly free when you can give of your heart of leadership without the condition of loyalty or compensation from those you lead. This is a subtle condition of the heart. When you lead from this position of freedom then you truly are free as a leader. There is no formula for it except trusting in Jesus as the one who is loyal and compensates you. You won’t really know it until you’ve done it.

Walk In Grace As a Leader

This week I’m talking about Jesus-centered leadership. Giving of yourself is part of Jesus-centered leadership. Jesus told his twelve closest leaders, the apostles, very clearly in Matt. 10:8, “Freely you have received, freely give.” You can only freely give of yourself IF you have truly received God’s gift of freedom: His son Jesus and all that it means to be ‘free in Christ’. It is the gift of grace. A Jesus-centered leader has received freely the grace of Jesus as redemption from sin, freedom from sin, and entrance into eternal life.

You can’t be a Jesus-centered leader unless you have not only accepted Jesus, but also received His freedom in your life-- freely received deliverance from slavery to the junk in your life. A Jesus-centered leader is centered on the freedom Jesus gave you. You must be centered on walking out that freedom as an incredible gift of grace. Then you truly walk in grace, you walk in Jesus-centered freedom and leadership.

Give Freely Beyond What You Are Compensated For

This week I’m talking about Jesus-centered leadership. Giving of yourself is part of Jesus-centered leadership. Anyone who has ever been in a leadership position in family, business, government, or ministry knows that you must give of yourself. We often rationalize that giving through the financial compensation for our job; that is, we justify giving of ourselves through the money we are paid.

Jesus told his twelve closest leaders, the apostles, very clearly in Matt. 10:8 “Freely you have received, freely give.” It’s when you give beyond your salary that you are truly giving. It’s when you’re leading beyond your financial compensation that you are leading freely. It’s great to be fairly compensated for our leadership; however, it’s when we are giving freely beyond that compensation that our leadership is a gift.

The Father Gave of Himself

This week I’ll be talking about Jesus-centered leadership. During this time of the year we do our season of celebrating Jesus birth and giving gifts at Christmas. A major element of Jesus centered leadership is giving. “Freely you have received, freely give.” Our Father God first gave Jesus to live as a man on earth. This was a huge commitment on God’s part to give his son, not only to live, but to die sacrificially for all of us.

The Father had to give of Himself, thus Jesus was born. Jesus then followed the Father’s example and gave of Himself, first by pouring himself out in teaching and ministry, then by going to the cross to die on behalf of all of us. What a gift of giving! Jesus-centered leadership always gives away. A Jesus-centered leader gives, not only at Christmas, but all year long. This Christmas, purpose in yourself to be a Jesus-centered leader.

Come to Crossfire And Get Refueled!

This week I’ve been talking about doing good. As Christians, we know we are supposed to do good things that reflect God’s nature. Doing good can burn emotional and even physical calories. It takes energy to do the good things we are called to do. In the process we may get weary and tired.

If you're looking for a church where you can get refueled and energized, try our church in Centennial. We have a prophetic edge, vibrant worship, challenging teaching, and we advocate Jesus-centered leadership. We would love to be a part of your life. Come and visit us this weekend near South University Blvd. and Arapahoe Road in Centennial. We meet at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. We are excited to see you! You can get the details on our website at http://www.crossfirechurch.us/

When The Calories Are Spent

This week we're talking about doing good. As Christians, we know we are supposed to do good things that reflect God’s nature. However, doing good burns emotional and even physical calories. It takes energy to do the good things we are called to do. Over time we often grow weary and tired of doing it. Then its time to do what Heb. 12:3 says: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

When you’re tired of doing, get your eyes on Jesus; get your eyes on what He did for you. When we focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we tap into the power he placed on the inside of us. We tap into His grace and goodness. Focus on Him today and you won’t lose heart.

Don't Lose Heart in Doing Good

Remember, this week we're talking about doing good. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advanced for us to do.” We are designed by God to good stuff. As we grow in Christ we do good-- and even great works-- in our families, our workplace, our churches.

But sometimes we grow tired. We want to back off or even give up. Then it's time to do what Paul told the first Jewish believers: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Don’t lose heart! Keep on keeping on. Consider what Jesus endured so that you can now do good works in his name. He gave you this opportunity. Don’t stop now!

Confidence As God's Workmanship

This week we're talking about doing good. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advanced for us to do.” We are designed by God to good stuff. When we come to believe in Jesus, we begin to do good things that reflect the Father’s heart. We begin to show off God’s workmanship by doing what He planned for us to do.

It’s an awesome thing to see believers in the workplace, on the streets, in the schools revealing what God has done on the inside of them. When we know God is working in us, we become confident by doing visible, tangible good works that reflect the Father’s heart. Be confident this week as you do all that He has called you to do.

Get Started Doing the Good Stuff

This week I’ll be talking about doing good. Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advanced for us to do.” We are designed by God to good stuff. From the moment we believe in Jesus Christ, our spirit desires to reflect God’s goodness in all we do. Our mind, will and emotions slowly get on board with that and begin to agree with our spirit. We begin to do all that He called us to do. But it starts in our spirit, that core part of each one of us that is a brand new creation by faith in Jesus.

Get on board with God’s design for your life. Believe in Jesus His son and you’ll start doing all the good stuff he's prepared for you.

A Grace Kind of Day

It's Monday morning and you are on your way to work. Sunday found you encourage, excited, ready to take on the world as you heard a great message at church and had time with family. But Monday mornings have a way of testing the depth of our faith and relationship with God. Several times before midday today, your faith will be challenged. Your integrity as a Christian will be challenged. Are you up to it?

Well, the answer is "yes!" Of course you are! if you are born again, you have already been blessed with everything you need to face life today. You have everything you need to meet the challenges of the day. If you feel a little weak just thinking about today, well thank God for it, because in your weakness, Jesus will show Himself strong. The Bible says that God's grace is sufficient for whatever you face. It's a now kind of grace. It's a today kind of grace. Let it flow through you and have a grace kind of day today.

Crossfire Understands Power and Love Are Parallel

This week I’m talking about Jesus-centered leadership and His authority. In Matt. 28:18 Jesus said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Jesus passed that authority on to us, His church. Jesus-centered leaders lead from a position of grace, compassion, love and power. We understand that the power of God and the love of God are not mutually exclusive--they are parallel aspects of Jesus-centered leadership.

If you’re looking for a church where there is Jesus-centered authority and leadership, try Crossfire. We have prophetic worship and dance and a great children’s ministry. We offer a strong message of grace with a prophetic edge. Come visit Crossfire at 10am this Sunday.

Pictured: Pastor Harvey with some children from Crossfire.

Pray For Jesus-Centered Leadership

This week I’m talking about Jesus-centered leadership and His authority. In Romans 13 the Word clearly states that government is God’s servant. It says “This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.” Government plays a God-given role in our lives.

We need Jesus-centered leaders positioned in our local and national government. Jesus-centered leaders have the unique ability to lead, not only from the position of civil authority, but from a position of Kingdom authority granted by God. Such leaders can pray strategically within their agencies for Godly perspectives and decisions. They can act and lead in response to Godly principles. Pray for Jesus-centered leaders to be raised up in our government in these last days.

Do Not Undermine Government Authority

This week I’m talking about Jesus-centered leadership and His authority. Jesus recognized civil authority. In Mark 12:17 Jesus said “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” He was referring to the payment of taxes to the government so government could properly do what they have authority to do.

Jesus-centered leadership recognizes the legitimate role of government in our society. In Romans chapter 13 the Word clearly states that government is God’s servant. It says “This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.” While there are spiritual limits to what God authorizes a government to do, government plays a God-given role in our lives. As leaders within the body of Christ, we must be careful not to undermine legitimate government authority and leadership.

Are You Using Your Authority?

This week I’m talking about Jesus-centered authority and leadership. In Matt. 28:18 Jesus said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He was given authority from His Father. In your workplace you have been given specific authority to accomplish your mission. He demonstrated that leading with authority can bring life and truth to those around you. When He used His authority great things happened!

You’ve also been given authority: spiritual authority to take dominion over evil, cast out demons, and declare the goodness of the Lord in your surroundings. You’ve been given natural authority by your employer for a mission and for tasks to accomplish that mission. Are you using your authority today? If you are, good things will be happening spiritually and good things will be happening in your workplace.

Jesus Operated In Authority

This week I’ll be talking about Jesus-centered authority and leadership. Jesus was the author of this concept. At the core of all leadership is the authority to lead. Our authority to lead people must first come from God the Father. In Matt. 28:18 Jesus said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He was given authority from His Father. He led people for three years under that authority. He commanded demons; He healed people; He directed His disciples; and He rebuked religious leaders under that authority. There was power when he operated in that authority.

If you want to be an effective, Jesus-centered leader you must recognize and operate in the authority given you and only the authority given you. Operating in that authority brings power to your ministry and your workplace.

Crossfire Focuses on Sending Capacity, Not Seating Capacity

This week I’ve been talking about my recent ministry trip to Vietnam and how awesome it was to share a little bit of our abundance with the people of that country. Reaching the unreached people of the world is a major focus of Crossfire. We have a small, intimate church that has reached over fifteen countries with the good news of Jesus! We support children’s homes in Africa and Asia. We love to send people to the far ends of the earth to bring good news of Jesus Christ.

If you’re looking for a church home, a place where there is passion and compassion for more than our backyard, try Crossfire. We have prophetic worship and dance and offer a strong message of grace and faith righteousness. We emphasize building people not buildings. We have a passion about sending capacity rather than seating capacity. Come visit this Sunday, we'd love to meet you!

Pictured: Some members of the Crossfire team with locals on a ministry trip in Vietnam Oct. 2008.

Ask For a Missions Trip for Christmas

I recently returned from a ministry trip to Vietnam. What a trip! Our team of nine built houses for poor people. We took disadvantaged children for their first visit to a water park. We talked with college students about Jesus and what it means to be a Christian. We distributed the Jesus video in Buddhist temples. We spoke in underground churches. All in just ten days!

Have you ever been on an international missions trip? I know you’ve thought about it but never done it. This Christmas put a missions trip on your Christmas wish list. Yeah! Tell your family and friends you want them to send you on a missions trip in 2009. You don’t need more clothes and adult toys. . . you need a missions trip. You will be surprised how your family will respond when you make this request. You’ll give the gift of Jesus to someone in a distant country. They’ll give you the perfect give to make it happen.

Pictured: An underprivileged Vietnamese child experiencing his first trip to the water park with our team.

Spread Some Good News

I’ve been talking this week about my recent ministry trip to Vietnam. Most believers there meet secretly because of the extreme control exercised by the communist government over public forms of Christianity. If discovered, underground pastors and church members are often imprisoned for long periods. I ministered in a small church one Sunday. It was the pastor’s home. He had converted ½ of his house into a large room decorated with Christian symbols, filled it with stackable plastic chairs, and installed a small sound system. In the bedrooms and kitchen were setups for children’s classes. Every weekend he ministers to 40 courageous people willing to risk their personal freedom to hear the good news of Jesus.

What are you willing to risk to tell someone you know about Jesus Christ? This Christmas take the risk. Spread some good news.

Is There a Labor of Love You Can Do?

I recently returned from a ministry trip to Vietnam. What a trip! A team of nine people from Crossfire built two homes, ministered to children, and brought God’s word to hungry people. Crossfire raised money to buy materials for one home while our ministry partner in Asia raised a matching amount for the second home. Two very poor families wanted to replace their shanties with clean, sanitary shelter. Our team worked with local college students replacing shanties with beautiful homes for very poor people in the Mekong Delta. Our team brought the love of Jesus to those two families. It was like an early Christmas gift. We worked hard, but it was a labor of love.

As we approach the Christmas season, where can you do a labor of love? , As Christians, our first priority should be helping others. You may not be able to go to Vietnam, but you can go to your neighborhood and help someone this Christmas.

Pictured: Crossfire team members working on the labor of love: homes for two families in the Mekong Delta.

Being In Church Halfway Across the World

I recently returned from a ministry trip to Vietnam. What a trip! Vietnam is hungry for the life of Jesus. The country is communist and very oppressive toward any vibrant form of Christianity; however, churches are springing up underground all over the country. It’s an awesome thing to see what the Lord is doing! I ministered in a small church one Sunday. We could not gather outside the building because they did not want to attract any attention. But inside that building there were 40 men, women and children praising God, worshiping with uplifted arms, swaying to worship music and exalting the one true God of the universe, Jesus Christ. It was so exciting to walk into a church halfway across the world and experience the same Holy Spirit, read from the same Bible, and prophesy in the same name-- the name of Jesus Christ.

Pictured: Street scene in Vietnam

God Planned to Feed Us Encouragement

This week I’m talking about the need for encouragement. None of us is immune to the effects of the daily economic news or the latest national business projections. It’s tiring and even discouraging! You need a spiritual protein bar to get beyond it. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you don’t have to live in discouragement. You don’t have to embrace the bad economic news. In fact Jesus gives us supernatural encouragement through His power, His Spirit, His gifts, and His people that energize us to overcome the bad news.

1 Cor. 14:1-3 says that the gift of prophecy is for “strength, encouragement, and comfort’. God planned to feed us encouragement. As encouraged people we are stronger, more optimistic, and hopeful. Look to His gifts for strength, encouragement and comfort today.

You Have Everything You Need

This week I’m talking about the need for encouragement. Ever start your day wondering if you’ve got what it takes to succeed or if you’ve got what it takes to make it? You need a full dose of God to make it today, but you may be seeing the glass as only half full. I want you to know today that your glass is not half full, it’s full of Him. If you have Jesus in your heart and have been filled with His Spirit, then you’re full what you need today.

2 Peter 1:3 says “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” It says ‘everything’, that means everything! You’ve got everything you need today because Jesus is on the inside of you. You’ve got His counsel, his comfort, his power, and his love to face the challenges of the day. Be encouraged! You’ve got it!

Even The Early Church Needed Encouragement

This week I’ll be talking about encouragement. This week may not be much different from last week, but you need encouragement to face discouraging times. Encouragement is a powerful tool embraced in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul constantly encouraged the believers to keep on in the faith. There was much opposition to joyfully walking out their faith. In the book of Acts we find the church in Antioch was ‘encouraged and strengthened’ by the message brought by the apostles. The early church needed encouragement. So do we. I want to assure you there is no problem you’re facing today that God cannot solve. There is no meeting, no decision, no faith challenge for which God has not equipped you. Be encouraged today. His Word says you have all you need in Christ Jesus.

We Will Reap On All the Good Stuff We Sow

This week I’m talking about doing good. Christians are designed by God to do good stuff. We try to do good even when times are tough and it would be easier to do it differently. When the economy takes a downward turn, your 401k slides downhill, or your business is stretched just to make it every week, you may get discouraged and say "what's the use?!" Well, be encouraged! There is a reward. Gal. 6:9 says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." The secret is in not giving up!! You can’t give up doing what God’s called you to do. You’ve got to hang in there in tough times. The Word of God assures us that we will reap on all that good stuff we’ve sown so keep on doing it.

Keep On Keepin' On

This week I’m talking about doing good. Christians are designed by God to good stuff. But when the economy takes a downward turn, your 401k slides downhill, or your business is stretched just to make it every week, you may get discouraged. You are not the first generation to go through tough times.

The Galatians over 2000 years ago had it tough. Paul wrote to them and said in Gal. 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. They didn’t give up!! They became a powerful church and maintained their course of doing good. Be encouraged that doing it God’s way will always produce a harvest if you don’t give up. You got to keep on keeping on.

There Will Be A Harvest

This week we're talking about doing good. We are designed by God to do good stuff. When we come to believe in Jesus, we begin to do good things that reflect the Father’s heart. Whether we work in construction, in banking, in business or in government, we can being doing good things and following God’s principles, yet knowing we will not always see an immediate reward.

We get tired. We get weary. But take heart. A harvest is coming! It’s in God’s word. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Take heart that we know there will be a harvest-- a positive return on our investment of doing good. Don’t stop doing good! There will be a harvest!!

Visit Crossfire This Sunday. We Advocate Consistency for Our Leaders

This week I’ve been talking about consistency in leadership. Jesus was the same person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He was a 24/7 leader, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Each of us has the desire to be led by people who are consistent in their life. If you’re looking for a church that exhibits 24/7 consistency in leadership, try Crossfire. We have a prophetic edge, vibrant worship, challenging teaching and we advocate consistency in leadership for all of our leaders. We would love to lead you. Come and visit us this weekend!

Pictured: Crossfire Pastor Deborah Wittmier

Be The Same Person Everywhere

This week I’ve been talking about consistency in leadership. Jesus was the same person twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. He lived with his disciples for three years. He was a 24/7 leader, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

What kind of leader are you? If you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior you have the power on the inside of you to be a 24/7 leader: a person who is consistent in life, irrespective of circumstance or context. A consistent leader will gain trust and faith from those they lead. Jesus did it and, if he lives on the inside of you, so can you. Be the same person in church as you are at the construction site, the same person at the office as you are at home, the same person in private as you are in public.

Leadership By Conviction, Not Polls

This week I’ve been talking about consistency in leadership. Jesus was the same person twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. He lived with his disciples for three years. There was no room for inconsistency in his leadership life. This is a powerful leadership trait. We see it today as we experience political campaigns. People look not only for consistency of message, but consistency of character.

People crave leadership that they know will serve them the same way behind closed doors as in front of TV cameras. People crave leadership that takes positions of conviction in spite of poll numbers and focus groups. We all want a leader whose character has been tested and refined by trials, a leader who does not waiver when confronted with evil. Jesus didn’t waiver. A Jesus-centered leader should not either.

Don't Let Darkness of Heart Undermine Your Leadership

This week I’ll be talking about consistency in leadership. Jesus was the same person twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. There was no room for inconsistency in his leadership life. Few things undermine your leadership more than for the people you lead to discover darkness of heart in your life.

Several years ago I listened to a government leader speak to an audience eloquently and passionately about a certain topic. He seemed so professional, even poetic in his leadership. A few hours later in an informal setting with a few people, he was totally different. He spoke belligerently and profanely. He was inconsistent in his life and it undermined my trust in him.

Consistency In Leadership

This week I’ll be talking about consistency in leadership. Jesus was the same person twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. He lived with his disciples for three years. There was no room for inconsistency in his leadership life. So it is with any leader. Effective leaders must be the same person in the dark as they are in the light; the same person in private as they are in public. Effective leadership is undergirded by the trust developed with those you lead. People trust because they know your authenticity transcends venue and circumstance. Even when a consistent leader makes unpopular decisions, those they lead will still follow if they trust the heart motives of the leader, heart motives revealed by consistency in their life.

Crossfire Leaders Lead By Love

This week I am talking about servant leadership. When God called Moses into leadership he told him this in Ex. 15:13, “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you guide them to your holy dwelling.” Moses guided people towards God and did so in love as he led them to the Promised Land.

If you're looking for a local church where leaders lead by love and always point to God the Father as their source of leadership strength, try Crossfire. We have a prophetic edge, vibrant worship, challenging teaching, and we advocate Jesus-centered leadership. We would love to lead you. Come and visit us this weekend!

Pictured: Servant-leader Lydia U., who is an intercessor and teaches occasional classes for Crossfire.

Humility In Leadership

This week I’ll be talking about Jesus-centered leadership. God called Moses into leadership to deliver the Israelites from slavery. All Godly leadership is always provided by God and centered in Him. Moses declared this in Exodus 15:13 “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you guide them to your holy dwelling.” The Lord would lead Moses and Moses would lead the people.

Jesus-centered leadership guides people to the source of our strength, Jesus Christ. This takes humility. Moses was humble in his heart towards his leader. When awards, affirmation, and accolades come to you as a leader, it takes humility to then point to God as your source of strength, wisdom and counsel for your leadership success. Give Jesus the credit this week for success in your leadership.

Jesus-Centered Leadership Will Point To God

This week I’ll be talking about Jesus-centered leadership. God called Moses into leadership to deliver the Israelites from slavery. All Godly leadership is always provided by God and centered in Him. Moses declared this in Exodus 15:13 “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you guide them to your holy dwelling.” The Lord would lead Moses and Moses would lead the people.

Note that the Word says God would guide them to God’s holy dwelling. Yes, Jesus-centered leadership will point to God rather than to self. Many leaders in the church and in business get that turned around. They point to themselves rather than to God. This doesn’t mean you have to preach a sermon to your employees every day. But when accolades for your leadership success are bestowed upon you, you have opportunity to give God the credit for working through you.

Leaders: Keep People's Eyes on God

This week I’ll be talking about Jesus-centered leadership. God called Moses into leadership to deliver the Israelites from slavery. All Godly leadership is always provided by God and centered in Him. Moses declared this in Exodus 15:13, “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you guide them to your holy dwelling.” The Lord would lead Moses and Moses would lead the people. Jesus-centered leadership will always point to God the Father.

Moses was constantly challenged to keep the people focused on God the Father. In so doing, the people experienced miracles, experienced God’s Spirit leading them each day, and had more than enough food to sustain them. Only when the people took their eyes off God did they falter and fall. So it is with leaders today. Only when the people take their eyes of God do they falter and fall.

Lead By Love

This week I’ll be talking about Jesus-centered leadership. God called Moses into leadership to deliver the Israelites from slavery. All Godly leadership is always provided by God and centered in Him. Moses declared this in Exodus 15:13, “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you guide them to your holy dwelling.” The Lord would lead Moses and Moses would lead the people. Jesus-centered leadership leads from a position of loving those you lead.

I know this is hard to fathom in the corporate culture in which we live, but it is true. Moses had to see past the inadequacies of the Israelites to be an effective leader. He had to extend love rather than judgment, mercy rather than punishment. Love helps you see what people are in spirit rather than in the flesh. It helps you see past emotional walls into their heart. Jesus did this routinely and so can you!

Crossfire Advocates Servant Leadership

This week I’m talking about servant leadership. Jesus said in Matt. 20:26 “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” This one scripture reveals the heart of Jesus as a leader. When you lead by serving you gain the trust of those you serve. Without gaining such trust you cannot be an effective leader in business, in family, in the church.

If you’re looking for a church that exhibits servant-leadership as a core principle, try Crossfire. We have a prophetic edge, vibrant worship, challenging teaching, and we advocate servant leadership for all of our leaders. We would love to serve you. Come and visit us this weekend!

Pictured: Pastor Peggy Nelson, servant leader of the children's ministry at Crossfire.

Embrace the Servant's Heart

This week I’m talking about servant leadership. Jesus said in Matt. 20:26 “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” This one scripture reveals the heart of Jesus as a leader. When you lead by serving you gain the trust of those you serve. Without gaining such trust you cannot be an effective leader in business, in family, in the church.

People seldom trust leaders who demand to be served. They see the self-centered heart that makes such demands. They see past the façade of faith into a heart that has not been changed to serve rather than be served. Everyone desiring to lead effectively must embrace the servant heart, the servant attitude. It’s not that hard! Just view your job, your role as one of serving a higher purpose, a Godly purpose, a Jesus-centered purpose. Embrace the servant’s heart today!

Leading By Grace

This week I’m talking about servant leadership. Jesus said in Matt. 20:26 “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” This one scripture reveals the heart of Jesus as a leader. His call, his purpose, his desire was to serve God and serve people. The servant leader must function with great grace because it is a selfless style of leadership. By esteeming others highly the servant leader must tap into God’s grace, God’s undeserved favor, knowing that he must also extend grace to those he leads.

By extending grace to those you lead, you exhibit the heart of Jesus. Jesus is our leadership example. He is our leadership model. The more you understand the power of grace in your life, the more you will be a servant leader to those in your life.

Model Servant Leadership

This week I’m talking about servant leadership. Jesus said in Matt. 20:26 “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” This one scripture reveals the heart of Jesus as a leader. he concept of serving as a form of leadership always includes a long range perspective. Jesus knew only had three years of time with twelve guys before they became the leadership of the church.

The most effective long term strategy is to model servant leadership. He lived it. He was the same person whether teaching to thousands, or eating lunch with the guys. He served at all times. Today we can be effective servant leaders only if we model servant leadership. Too many so-called leaders preach one thing in public, but do another in private. There is no room for that in servant leadership.

Serve Like Jesus Did

This week I’ll be talking about servant leadership. Jesus said in Matt. 20:26 “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” This one scripture reveals the heart of Jesus as a leader. His call, his purpose, his desire was to serve God and serve people. This is the true heart of leadership under the new covenant of faith and grace.

Any Godly leader in business, in government, and in the church must reflect the heart of a servant if they are to lead as Jesus led. It is an attitude of the heart rather than a position or a title. It is an attitude that esteems others highly and desires to serve a higher purpose designed by God the Father. If you desire to lead like Jesus, you must desire to serve like Jesus. Tune in the rest of this week to learn how.

Visit Crossfire For Some Encouragement This Sunday

The Bible says in Heb. 3:13 we are to “encourage one another daily.” Yes it says daily! We need daily encouragement, daily good news, daily energy to keep on in the faith and face the challenges of the day.

Encouragement is a by-product of the local church. If you’re looking for encouragement but can’t seem to find it, try our church, Crossfire, in Centennial, Colorado. We believe in building people and encouragement is a building block of our church. We have a prophetic edge, vibrant worship, challenging teaching, and freedom to walk according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Come and visit us this weekend. We will be excited to see you! You will be encouraged!

Pictured: Pastor Deborah, Katie N., and Hope R. at the annual all-church picnic.

You Have Everything You Need

Sometimes we just need to be reassured that God has already given us everything we need to succeed in life today. We need to know that the Lord has blessed us greatly. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” This is an awesome affirmation that Jesus has given us everything we need for living today. Be encouraged that if He lives on the inside of you, you’ve got what you need.

Encourage Someone Through Prophecy

We need daily encouragement, daily good news, daily energy to keep on in the faith and face the challenges of the day. Even the gifts of the Spirit can encourage us. Paul told the Corinthians that prophesy is for “strength, encouragement, and comfort" (1 Cor. 14:1-3).

You can give a prophetic word to someone today to encourage them when they most need it. Ask the Holy Spirit if there is someone you can encourage through the gift of prophecy. Ask for an open door to bring strength, encouragement, and comfort to someone in your workplace, your church, or your family.

Sow Encouragement And You Will Harvest Encouragement

A great way to be encouraged is to encourage someone else. The Bible is clear that what we sow we can also harvest. Many people you meet today will need encouragement. Try encouraging them. Sow encouragement into their lives and you will reap encouragement in yours. You see, pessimistic, discouraging people seldom get encouragement from others because they sow discouragement. They harvest discouragement.

Ask the Lord for opportunities today to encourage someone else. You’ll find yourself being encouraged in the process.

Jesus Will Sustain You

The Bible says in Heb. 3:13 we are to “encourage one another daily.” Yes it says daily! We need daily encouragement, daily good news, daily energy to keep on in the faith and face the challenges of the day.

Paul linked encouragement to strength after giving the message of grace to the believers at Antioch. Encouraged people are stronger, more optimistic, and hopeful than those who are discouraged. Jesus desires to feed you encouragement today. He is like a protein bar which gives energy to overcome every circumstance facing you. As you start your week, eat of all that Jesus has given you through His incredible grace and love. It will sustain you in a powerful way today.

Freedom From Legalism

Jesus came to set us free from condemnation, judgment and the burden of the Old Testament law. If you’re looking for a church where you can walk in freedom, free from the legalism of the old covenant, Crossfire is the church for you. We have a prophetic edge, vibrant worship, challenging teaching and freedom to walk according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Come and visit us this weekend near South University Blvd. and Arapahoe Road in Centennial. We are excited to see you!

Pictured: Pastor Harvey (center) grilling at the Annual All-Church Picnic.

Stand Firm in His Freedom

There are many Christians today who try to live by the legal requirements of the Old Testament. There are hundreds of dos and don’ts in the law. But Galatians Chapter 3:12 says “The law is not based on faith." If you try to live by the Old Testament law you are living in slavery.

That’s right. The only way to live in freedom is to live with Jesus on the inside of you. He purchased your freedom from the law. He set you free when you accepted Him as Lord and savior. Stand firm in His freedom.

55% of Americans Believe They Can Earn Salvation

A prominent Christian social researcher found about 55% of all Americans believe they can earn salvation. Yet we know from Ephesians Chapter 2:8 that “it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.”

To believe that you can earn salvation and eternal life is to become a slave to works; a slave to deserving something from God. If you believe this, you are not free; you are a slave to your own belief system and to works for your salvation.

Opportunity During the Democratic National Convention

Christians have a great opportunity to reflect the life of Jesus this week during the Democratic National Convention. Outside of the delegates there will be thousands of protesters and demonstrators. We can cast the light of truth into the shadows of deception. We can speak life when some may speak death. We can present Jesus when others present religion. We can bring true love and peace when many bring anger and a false peace. We can present authentic goodness when others present a ‘knock-off’ of the real thing. God is faithful this week to use many of you to bring life in the midst of this event.

The Ten Commandments Do Not Give Freedom; Jesus Does

About one in ten Christians claim they are going to heaven because they have kept the ten commandments. They believe it is their keeping of the commandments that will get them eternal life. However, Romans 3:20 says that ‘no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law.’ Under the new covenant it is our belief in Jesus Christ that gains us eternal life. The moment we look to our own behavior as good enough to gain acceptance before God, we frustrate God’s grace enter a form of slavery. It’s Jesus that gives us freedom, not the ten commandments.

In the Last Days There Will Be Such Deception

This week we have the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Things will be said by politicians that sound good, but may not reflect the goodness of the Lord. The Bible is clear that in the last days, there will be such deception and confusion that if the time was not shortened even the elect would be deceived. As Christians we can discern what is based in the truth of the Bible, what is based in faith in Jesus Christ, and what is the true goodness of the Lord. Pray this week eyes and ears would be opened to truth and that Christians would would not be deceived in any way.

Jesus Is The Standard

The Bible says in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” The Scripture is talking about slavery to rules and regulations for being right with God. Jesus died and was resurrected to set us free from any legal standard of righteousness except Jesus Christ. He is the standard. If He lives on the inside of you, then you’ve met the standard and you’re free from all other standards of righteousness.

True freedom is available only when we understand that Jesus purchased our freedom. He set us free. To seek to be righteous by any other standard is slavery. Stand firm in your freedom in Christ.

Discern The Times

This week we have the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Along with the party delegates will be many demonstrators and protesters coming to bring a message. We’ll be deluged with clips and images with wild and crazy messages. Some of the messages will line up with Psalms 27:13 (“I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”) but most will not.

Watch and listen this week. Discern the times in which we live. The Holy Spirit will help you discern those messages, few as they may be, that are the goodness of the living Lord. I’d love to hear from you on this topic.

Crossfire Is a Land of Goodness

Our church in Centennial is a land of goodness and very much alive. You’ll enjoy our vibrant worship, our testimony to God’s goodness, our grace based teaching, and our servant style of leadership. We are a prophetic church where freedom in Christ is encouraged the Spirit of God is exalted. We meet near south university boulevard and Arapahoe Road at 10 am on Sundays. We’d love for you to enjoy the presence of the Lord with us this weekend.

Pictured: Sasha L. and her daughter Katie at the Crossfire garage sale to raise money for Habitat for Humanity in 2008.

Bring Some Goodness From the Land of the Living

Those listening in the Denver area will be experiencing the Democratic National Convention next week in our city. I’m already hearing a lot of whining, complaining, and victim thinking about the traffic changes, the extra people, the media, and the politics. So what are you bringing to the convention next week? How about bringing some goodness from the land of the living? Bring prayer, bring intercession, bring a prophetic word, bring Jesus, bring the Word of God.

Choose To Bring Good Stuff Into Your Surroundings

As believers in Jesus we ARE the land of the living. We are designed through the born-again experience to bring goodness and life into our surroundings.

I want to challenge you today. What do you bring into your surroundings? Do you bring whining, complaining, and victim thinking? Or do you bring hope, encouragement, and peace to your workplace, home, and social network? You may have both on the inside of you. One set of stuff comes from the flesh. The other set of stuff comes from the Spirit. You have to choose to bring the latter stuff-- the good stuff into your surroundings. Jesus died so you could bring the good stuff of the Lord. Do it and everyone will be blessed!

God's Love Frees Us To Live Like We're At the Green Light

Jesus and the believers in the New Testament were an active bunch! They lived like they were at a green light all the time! They took every opportunity to bring good news to their community.

The only thing that stands between you and living at a green light is fear. Fear acts like a continual red light, stopping us from bringing life to those around us. Those who live in fear do not see the goodness of the Lord. They’re too afraid!!! The more we receive God’s love and grace the less room there is for fear. It frees you to live like you're at the green light.

Don't Keep the Life Hidden Under a Shell

This week I’ll be talking about the goodness of God. Psalms 27:13 says “I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” As believers in Jesus we ARE the land of the living. We have been made alive by the finished work of Jesus through the cross and resurrection!

Under the new covenant you and I are the "body of Christ." The Word of God says that the Church is a living body. We are a living, breathing, moving being designed to reveal the goodness of God. As the Church, we can bring life and peace into our workplaces, our homes, and our social networks.

But you have to choose to bring it and release it! You can’t keep it hidden under a hard shell, under a façade of fashion, or under a veneer of vanity. You must release the goodness of God into your surroundings! Choose to release God’s goodness today.

Crossfire Lives By Faith

Crossfire is a church that lives by faith and grace. We know Jesus personally and we walk in the freedom He gave us; the freedom to be led by the Spirit of God as we live a life of faith and build people in the faith. We believe in building people, not buildings. We’d love to have you to visit our church this weekend!

Pictured: Aaron singing on the worship team.

I Hope The Crossfire Minute Blesses You!

According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is being sure of something we cannot see. It’s trusting God when there is little or no evidence. I started doing these 60 second messages a few months ago by faith, knowing that they were a God-idea, but not knowing where the money would come from or if anyone would listen to them. Now I'm encouraged more and more as not only is money there for the air time, but people are listening and being blessed by the truth of God going forward each day. God is greatly increasing my faith as I walk out each day in faith. I hope you’ve been blessed by these messages.

Faith Versus Emotion

Many Christians say they walk by faith, but when life gets tough, they let emotions and intellect take over. They can’t handle what they see. And they walk in the flesh. James 1:3 says the walk of faith requires perseverance. Our faith can grow and mature as we walk through life, but we must stick to it. We must persevere in faith even when are emotions are totally whacked out. Persevere in your faith today and you’ll grow in your faith.

Faith Versus Presumption

According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is being sure of something we cannot see. It is trusting God when there is little or no evidence it will come to pass. Everyone puts their faith in something. Even atheists have faith-- it’s just not in Jesus. Where do you put your faith? Is it only in what you can see, feel, smell, hear, taste--those things tangible to the senses? If your faith is only in the tangible, then you are living based upon visible evidence rather that an invisible God. You’re not in faith. You’re in presumption. You’re trusting in what you can see.

Faith Is The Currency Of Salvation

This week I’ll be talking about faith. According to Hebrews 11:1, faith being sure of something we cannot see. It is trusting in an unseen truth. It is trusting God for something when there is little or no evidence it will come to pass. Faith does not rely upon physical evidence to stay the course.

However, scripture is very clear that there are levels of faith. Some have great faith that God will work in their finances. That same person may have little faith that they can be supernaturally healed of an illness. Whether we have little or great faith, faith is the currency of our salvation and our life in Jesus Christ.

The Free Gift of Grace

Grace is Jesus Christ. He is the undeserved favor given freely by God the Father. Christians readily understand getting saved by the gift of grace. But they often want to stay saved by works. That is counter intuitive and it is not the gospel. You don’t have to work to receive Him. You don’t have to work to keep Him. If you received a gift from your dad on your birthday, you got that gift freely. Dad paid for it. He gave it to you. He’s not trying to get it back from you if you don’t behave. So it is with the free gift of grace. You get to keep it and to live in it every day.

Got Jesus? Then You Got Grace!

Got Jesus? Then you got grace! Yes, you no longer have to do certain things to deserve God’s favor and acceptance. You’ve already done it. You received Jesus as Lord and Savior by believing He is who He said He was. You’ve radically changed in your heart to believing that Jesus is the only way to God’s favor and acceptance. This is an awesome thing. It’s an awesome relationship with God. Grace is not just a doctrine upon which you now must work to please God. It is Jesus through whom you will now live and move and have your very being.

Good Deeds Will Come Naturally

This week I’m talking about the topic of grace. Grace is ‘undeserved favor and acceptance by God’. Grace is not a doctrine. Grace is Jesus Christ. Many of us accept Jesus, the undeserved gift of favor and acceptance, then try to perform to prove to people and to God that we are acceptable. This is not new. In Luke Chapter 4 the devil tried to get Jesus to perform to prove He was God’s son. Jesus rejected that approach. If you’ve accepted Jesus, you’ve made Him Lord of your life, you don’t have to perform certain good deeds to prove it. Any good deeds that you do will come naturally out of the life He gave you. You won’t have to check off a daily list of good deeds to perform for God.

The Devil Tempted Jesus to Perform

Grace is ‘undeserved favor and acceptance by God.’ Grace is not a doctrine. Grace is Jesus Christ. If you accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, you have God’s favor and acceptance. Ephesians 2:8 says we are saved by grace, not by works, so that no one can brag about personal accomplishments. Many people, after accepting Jesus, quickly stray into performing for God. Why? The tone was set when the Devil tempted Jesus to perform. He told Jesus to prove his divinity by performing. Jesus knew who He was and chose not to perform.

Crossfire Teaches Grace

This week I’ve been talking about the grace of God. Grace means ‘undeserved favor and acceptance.’ Galatians 5: 4 says, “you who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.” Jesus satisfied the requirements of the law. He satisfied all of the ten commandments. He satisfied all the needs of righteousness. To look anywhere except to Jesus for God’s favor is to fall from grace. If you’re looking for a church that teaches grace, try Crossfire in Centennial, Colorado.

Pictured: a team from Crossfire, including Pastors Harvey and Deborah Wittmier (right) who ministered in Vietnam in 2008.

Jesus Gives Us Favor With God

Galatians 5: 4 says “you who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.” The people who fall from grace are not the ones who overtly sin. It’s those who try to live by the ten commandments to gain God’s favor. Anyone who starts by believing in Jesus for favor, and then tries to sustain that favor through good works is foolish. Paul told the Galatians they were foolish to try to gain God’s favor by human effort. If you're trying to gain God’s favor by daily checking off the "Big 10" or by checking off your personal list of good things, you’ve fallen from grace. Look to Jesus, and Jesus only for favor. If you’ve got Jesus, you’ve got all you need for God’s favor.

Jesus Satisfied the Ten Commandments

Grace means ‘undeserved favor and acceptance.’ Galatians 5:4 says “you who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.” Paul was writing to people who had accepted Jesus as the gift of undeserved favor and acceptance from God. But they went back to trying to live by the ten commandments.

Nobody can live by the 10 commandments. That’s why God gave them: to show that we can’t do it. We need Jesus to be acceptable to God. Many people are saved by grace, then try to live by the ten commandments to satisfy God. You can’t do it! Jesus, however, did do it. He met all the requirements of the ten commandments so you don’t have to.

Did You Start In Grace But End Up Somewhere Else?

Today I’ll continue on the topic of grace. Grace is means ‘undeserved favor and acceptance.’ By accepting Jesus as Savior, you receive undeserved favor and acceptance from God the Father. Many Christians accept grace as a gift, then create a list of things to do to be acceptable to God. This to-do list becomes their new law. It becomes their new ten commandments. It’s their law of acceptability. Paul told the Galatians in Chapter 5 that such behavior was a ‘fall from grace.’ Every Christian must be careful not to fall from grace. If you’ve got a to-do list thinking each accomplishment will make you more acceptable, then you’ve fallen from grace. You may have started in grace, but you’re living in legalism.

Throw That List of Works In the Trash

This week I’ll be talking about the topic of grace. Paul the apostle opened most of his letters to the church by extending a greeting of grace to them. Grace was a difficult gift to embrace then and it’s difficult to embrace today. Ephesians 2:8 says we are saved by grace, not by works, so that no one can brag about how great they are. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. But we quickly stray into the arena of works after accepting Jesus. We develop a long list of things we must do to keep God happy. That’s not grace! That’s works. I would imagine it frustrates God to see us receive his free gift of grace, then try to live the Christian life by works. If you’ve got a long list of God pleasing works, throw it in the trash can today! You got saved by grace, you can live by grace.

The Unconditional Love Of Jesus Is the Source of Prophecy

Prophesy builds up and encourages the believer to do and be all you can be. The Apostle Paul told the church to eagerly desire the gift of prophecy. This gift flows from the Father’s heart of love. It’s power and effectiveness is birthed in Jesus whose testimony is the ‘spirit of prophesy’. The unconditional love of Jesus is the source of all Godly prophecy. It’s not something to fear, but something to embrace as we walk life as a Christian. I encourage you today to eagerly desire the gift of prophecy. Ask the Lord for that gift. It will change your life and the life of those you influence.

Prophecy Birthed Crossfire

Prophecy is a powerful spiritual gift that declares God’s will for a specific situation in your life or in your church. Several years ago a pastor here in Denver prophesied specifically that I was going to be in the ministry in a big way. At the time only I knew that the Holy Spirit had been speaking to me about this. I did not want to make that transition. When he spoke those words it cut right to my spirit and I knew I could no longer resist what God wanted for the rest of my life. Not long after, my wife and I started our church. Had it not been for that prophecy, I may have kept God’s plan buried and hidden. Praise God for the gift of prophecy!

Pictured: Pastor Harvey in Kenya during a ministry trip.

Playing Baseball Without A Glove

This week I’ve been speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. The Bible says in 1 Cor. 14:1, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” As we live these end times the gift of prophecy becomes more and more necessary to walk in faith and not in fear.

Prophecy strengthens the believer in Jesus Christ. It builds you up to face spiritual opposition and causes you to look expectantly to God working mightily in your life. A believer without prophecy is like a baseball player without a glove. You can still play the game, but you're not going to be very effective. If you want to be effective and strong in reflecting Jesus in your life, you need prophecy in your life. You can desire it!! Ask the Lord today for that gift today and be blessed!

Abundant Life Includes Prophecy

This week I’ll be speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. The Bible says in 1 Cor. 14:1 “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” Prophecy is a spiritual gift that builds up the local church. Prophecy is speaking forth the mind and counsel of God by declaring that which cannot be known by natural means. This is an awesome gift of God!!

To be able to speak forth God’s mind and counsel to a specific circumstance in someone’s life is powerful. The New Testament says more about this spiritual gift than any other listed in 1st Corinthians because the gift is designed for common use in the life of a Christian. To live a Christian life without prophecy is to live less than the abundance God desires for you. The Word says we should eagerly desire this gift. Why? Because it is vital to the life and liberty of the believer.

This week I’m speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. Prophecy is a gift given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 14:3 says that "he who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort."

I recently spoke a word of prophecy to a new person in our local church. God gave me a word of encouragement for her with specific information about which I had no natural knowledge. This person was greatly affected. Her faith increased. She was encouraged, strengthened and desired more in her relationship with Jesus as a result. It’s spiritual but it’s not mystical. We are used by the Holy Spirit to speak into someone’s life in a way that only God Himself can. We get to be the mouthpiece. What a deal! It is powerful and wonderful.

Crossfire Embraces Biblical Prophecy

1 Cor. 14:3 says that ‘he who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.’ This gift was common in the early church at the time of Paul the Apostle. It is also common today in some churches, but only in those who are open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

If you are looking for a church where you can be strengthened, encouraged, and comforted by God’s gift of prophecy, try our church in Centennial, Colorado. We embrace God’s gift of prophecy and are open to the Holy Spirit’s gifts in our church. Check out this article by Cindy Munger, Crossfire's worship leader. It gives a solid overview of prophetic worship.

Pictured: The gift of prophecy being exercised within the worship service at Crossfire.

Be Eager To Prophesy

This week I’m speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. Prophesy is a gift given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 14:3 says that "he who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." That sounds like a great thing for anyone of us to have and to experience. The Bible also says in 1 Cor. 14:39 "be eager to prophesy."

Are you eager to prophesy? Or do you dread the very thought of it? Prophecy is a powerful new covenant gift that you can eagerly desire to flow through you. It is a gift that God designed to build others up. If you desire to build people up, to help them, to encourage them, but you run out of natural, intellectual ways to do that, prophecy is a spiritual gift for that purpose. Ask God for that gift today!

Prophecy Reveals God's Heart

This week I’m speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. Prophecy is a gift given by the Holy Spirit. 1st Cor. 14:3 says that "he who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." We need prophecy in our churches, our home groups, and our marketplace ministries. It is one of God’s gifts to build us up.

Prophecy is speaking forth the mind and counsel of God by declaring that which cannot be known by natural means. This is a common occurrence in our local church. In any one of our Sunday gatherings we may have one or more words of prophecy that reveal God’s heart for a specific person or for our church. It is exciting. It is filled with grace and mercy. It reflects the Father’s heart. The Bible says we should eagerly desire to prophesy! Ask God for that gift today.

Prophecy Brings Abundant Life

This week I’ll be speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. Prophecy is a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit. 1st Cor. 14:3 says that "he who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." Prophecy under the new covenant of grace is designed to build you up, not tear you down. It is God’s gift to encourage and comfort us when circumstances do not.

I have received prophecy spoken to me and I have given prophecy to others. This is a Godly gift that should flow in every New Testament church. When prophecy flows in your church it will bring abundant life to your gatherings and, when done in an orderly way, bring the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Prophecy is a good gift. Pray for it to flow in your church.

Attending And Pretending

Many people will attend church this weekend who have a level of faith that is only skin deep. They intellectually acknowledge Jesus, but have never received Him as the only way to eternal life. A recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found 57% of people attending evangelical churches believe that many religions can lead to eternal life. This means over half of the people in evangelical churches are attending and pretending, never having embraced Jesus fully as savior and Lord. Maybe they have never been confronted with the great decision to accept his unconditional love and grace.

Maybe you are one of those people. I’m here to tell you Jesus is the only way! If you’re reading this today, you can accept Him as Lord right now in your car, your house, your office. Do it now! You’ll no longer be a pretender.

We're Not Dating Jesus

This week I’ve been talking about the depth of our faith in Jesus. Many people attend evangelical churches but have a level of faith that is only skin deep. They’re dating the church and they’re dating Jesus. They’re just checking it out to determine if Jesus is worth a long term relationship.

If you’re looking for a church that’s more than skin deep, a church where the people are past the dating game, Crossfire is the church for you. We’re not dating Jesus. We are in an eternal relationship with Him. We don’t attend church, we are the church. We don’t see many ways to eternal life, we see one way to life: Jesus. As we live in difficult times, we embrace a faith that is deep, solid and unshakable. We are a dynamic, small church with a world-wide impact. Check us out this weekend in Centennial, Colorado near South University Blvd. and Arapahoe Road.

Pictured: Josh N. at the sound board before worship at Crossfire.

Are You Wading In Three Inches of Religion?

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” A recent survey on religion in America found little adherence by evangelical church attenders to Biblical beliefs. When asked about the survey, Michael Lindsay, a sociologist from Rice University stated, “The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3000 miles wide and only 3 inches deep.”

I’m here to tell you Jesus is more than 3 inches deep! When you embrace Jesus as Lord, you dive into deep water. What do you believe? If you believe anything except Jesus only as the way to eternal life, then you are wading in 3 inches of religion. Take a leap of faith into the deep end today. Accept Him and Him only as Lord and Savior.

A Mile Wide And An Inch Deep

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the gate keeper of eternal life, yet a recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found 57% of people attending evangelical churches believe that many religions can lead to eternal life. Therefore, over half of the people who attend these churches do not believe that Jesus is the only way!!! That is an astounding statistic.

Perhaps church leadership has watered down the good news of Jesus to the good news of affirmation and success. Perhaps the one dimensional messages of affirmation and success have bred a church population a mile wide and an inch deep, while the good news of Jesus is a mile wide and it’s also a mile deep.

Attending Church Does Not Make You a Believer

This week I’ll be talking about the depth of our faith in Jesus. Many people attend church but have a level of faith that is only skin deep. They intellectually acknowledge Jesus, but have never received Him as the only way to eternal life. A recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found 57% of people attending evangelical churches believe that many religions can lead to eternal life.

I was personally shocked at that until I again read the survey results. It reported on the people who attend evangelical churches, not on people who embrace evangelical beliefs. Attending an evangelical church does not make you a believer in Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life. You can be transformed from an attender to a believer by receiving Jesus as Lord today.

Are You Serving In the Old Way or the New Way?

One of the awesome indicators of Christians truly living under the New Covenant is that they are not legalistic. Romans 7:6 says "we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." The ten commandments and the associated regulations were the old written code. But under the new covenant we are serving by following the Holy Spirit.

2nd Corinthians 3:6 says that believers in Jesus are "ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." Unfortunately, many Christians today live under the legalism of the old covenant. Check yourself today. Do feel like the letter of the law is killing you? Or do you live by the Spirit and experience life? It’s a choice. Choose a life led by the Holy Spirit and you will experience a new way of serving God.

The Holy Spirit Is Our Seal And Guarantee

Just before Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection, he told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would be coming to them. When the Holy Spirit filled them days later, they changed. They became sure and confident in their salvation. Ephesians 1:14 says that the Holy Spirit is a seal and a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. When ask for and receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit, we have a confidence in who we are in Christ because the Holy Spirit is a seal on that salvation and a deposit that guarantees our future.

What a deal! Just like the first believers, we too can be sure and confident of our faith after we have received the Holy Spirit. When it happened 2000 years ago, there was no doubt! They had a guarantee. If you have received the Holy Spirit like they did in the book of Acts, you’ll know it and you’ll have that sense of being sealed in your salvation. The Holy Spirit in our lives guarantees our future. That is good news!

Not A Sip, Not a Taste, But An Immersion

Jesus told his disciples in Acts Chapter 1 to “wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” When that baptism happened 50 days later, their lives changed dramatically. They became confident and powerful in their declaration of the Good News of Jesus! They didn’t get a taste of the Holy Spirit. They didn’t get a sip of the Holy Spirit. They were immersed in the Holy Spirit.

To be baptized with the Holy Spirit is a significant event in the life of a believer. If you have not been immersed in the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus, you’re missing out on God’s best for you. You can have it. . . just ask and receive that Spirit baptism. God is faithful to give the gift if you’re open to receive it.

Immersed in the Holy Spirit

Jesus told his disciples in Acts Chapter 1 to “wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Jesus’ disciples were believers, committed to Jesus, yet they lacked confidence and power. They had yet to receive and experience The Holy Spirit.

Jesus said they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. To be baptized is to be immersed in something. They had yet to be immersed in the Holy Spirit. That immersion happened 50 days later as they waited in the upper room. It was a dramatic event that changed their lives forever. They were transformed from insecure to confident, from weak to powerful.

Many Christians today have not been immersed in the Holy Spirit. How about you? Have you experienced Him? When you do, you will know it!

Where The Spirit of the Lord Is, There Is Freedom.

Paul told the believers in Corinth that ‘where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom’ (2 Cor. 3:17). The local church was designed to be a place where the Holy Spirit was free to do his work. The local church was designed to express the freedom we have in Christ. If you’re looking for a church where there is freedom in the Holy Spirit; freedom to worship openly and to express your excitement about Jesus, try Crossfire in Centennial, Colorado.

Our ministry reach extends to more than 12 countries through the open doors provided by the Holy Spirit. If you’re tired of seeker-sensitive philosophy and looking for power and freedom, Crossfire is a place for you. We meet every Sunday near South University Boulevard and Arapahoe Road at 10a.m. Get the details on the web at http://www.crossfirechurch.us/. ‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.’

Let Him Be In Control

This week I have been speaking to you about the Holy Spirit, that incredibly awesome third Person of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a conduit of power and freedom in our lives. We see clearly in the Book of Acts that the early church functioned in a way never thought possible before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Paul told the believers in Corinth that ‘where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom’ (2 Cor. 3:17). The Holy Spirit brings not only power but freedom. Are you free today? Have you truly experienced Him today? Are there areas of your life where you are still bound up? The Holy Spirit desires to set you free. But you must let him do it!! Stop holding Him at arms length thinking you’ll lose control….yes, you will lose control….let Him be in control…. it’s an awesome thing.

The Holy Spirit Gives a New Dimension of Power

Philip was a great evangelist in the early church. He left Jerusalem after persecution broke out and started preaching about Jesus in Samaria. Many people believed and accepted Jesus as Lord. Peter and John heard about this outpouring and went to visit. They found a bunch of new believers in Samaria. But Philip had not told them about the Holy Spirit. In Acts Chapter 8 we find that ‘Peter and John placed their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit’. Wow! They experienced not only salvation through Christ but now a new powerful dimension and baptism called the Holy Spirit.

If you have experienced salvation by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you too can receive the Holy Spirit into your life. If you have questions about the Holy Spirit today, come visit our church on Sunday and we’ll pray with you for this incredible gift promised by Jesus.

Jesus Promised the Holy Spirit. Have You Received?

In Acts Chapter 1 Jesus told the disciples there would be a coming baptism of the Holy Spirit. They would receive a dimension of power after He was gone. Fifty days later this occurs in an incredibly powerful way when the believers in Jesus received the Holy Spirit. It was an awesome day! Peter got up before the awestruck crowd and told them this was the fulfillment of what the prophet Joel said that God would pour out His spirit on all people.

From that day forward believers in Jesus could receive the powerful dimension of the Holy Spirit. The incredible events in the lives of believers are recorded throughout the book of Acts and elsewhere confirming the wonders of the Holy Spirit. Do you have that dimension in your life? Have you received the Holy Spirit? Just ask and the Father and He’ll give it to you.

Have You Been Baptized With the Holy Spirit?

This week I’ll be speaking to you about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is clearly the third Person of the Trinity of God. We have the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament only a few leaders, hand picked by God the Father, had the Holy Spirit. The average person back then didn’t understand, know, or experience God’s Holy Spirit. However, today we live in the New Testament. Our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior opens us to receiving the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said to his disciples in Acts 1 to “wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is the distinct third Person of the Trinity. Have you been baptized with Him? It is an awesome, powerful thing when you are. Ask Him today and He will do it!

Choose Faith

We’ve been looking at faith for several days during this daily one minute message. Faith is a powerful force in your life. However faith has an opposing force. Its name is fear. Faith and fear compete for the same space in your heart and mind. You can walk by faith in one area of life, and hide in fear in another area of life.

Whenever you are challenged with uncertainty and bad news, you can choose to fill your heart space with fear or faith. Choosing faith will bring hope and peace into your life. Choosing fear will bring anxiety, trepidation, and even panic. Make a conscious choice to focus on Jesus, His unlimited grace, and His all powerful love for you and you will experience faith filling your heart space. You have the choice of what fills your heart space. Choose faith.

Fearing Something Is the Same Thing As Worshiping It

The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1 that ‘faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ Faith requires us to believe something positive we don’t see. In fact, Godly faith even has an element of fear involved. Deuteronomy 6:13 says ‘fear the Lord your God, serve him only.’ However, Jesus quoted that same scripture to the devil in Matt. 4:10 by saying ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only’. Jesus equated the God kind of fear with worshiping God. It is an awesome reverence for God that draws you by faith to Him. You don’t have to be afraid of him.

When you fear anything except God you are actually worshipping the thing you fear. You’re placing the thing you fear higher than God, thereby displacing faith in your life. Who or what are you worshipping today? Is it God or the thing you fear?