Sharing the Good News

Sharing the Good News Just before Jesus left earth and ascended to heaven, He gathered His disciples who had been with Him for three years. While they were sitting around a table sharing a meal, Jesus commissioned them to continue the work that He had begun. Jesus had spent most of His ministry proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God, which is the rule and reign of God. The right response to this arrival was for people to turn from their old ways and believe in Jesus.  The very first words of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark are in Mark 1:15, and they are an announcement of the arrival of God’s Kingdom. And Jesus’ last words to His disciples, starting in Mark 16:15, build upon His first announcement. The call Jesus left us with was to continue to tell others the good news of the Gospel. This good news is that Jesus has brought the arrival of the Kingdom of God to earth, and that through His death and resurrection, He has made a way for all people to have a new life in Him. This task of evangelism, or telling others about Jesus, was the first thing that Jesus asked His followers to do as He left earth. Telling others about what Jesus has done for them is one of the most important things that we can do with our time. We have been given the greatest gift of all—eternal life with God. But that free gift is freely available to the rest of the world as well. So take some time today to pray for those in your life who do not know the hope that Jesus gives. Pray for their salvation, but also pray for opportunities to share your own faith story with them.  Telling others about Jesus doesn’t mean you have to stand on a street corner shouting, but it does mean you should seek out intentional and meaningful conversations with others. When we tell others about the new life and new Kingdom available to them, we are continuing the work that Jesus left us to do.

“And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I'm reading the @YouVersion plan 'God’s Surprising Word: Renewed by the Spirit

I'm reading the @YouVersion plan 'God’s Surprising Word: Renewed by the Spirit'.

Willing to Seek Him

Willing to Seek Him The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the most notorious accounts in King David's life (2 Samuel 11-12). After choosing to forgo battle with his troops and lounging about lazily in his palace, the king sees a beautiful woman bathing from his roof. What follows is adultery, conspiracy, and ultimately — murder. When David is confronted by Nathan the Prophet, he admits his sin. It's in this darkness that he experiences anguish (Psalm 51). Which then brings us to the joy of Psalm 32. Here, David rejoices in the mercy the Lord has shown him. After describing the benefits of forgiveness and confession, the point of view takes a meaningful turn in verse 8 with Yahweh becoming the speaker. He says, "I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel." The significance of that shift is no accident. David put this story in motion by not seeking God's instruction, teaching or counsel. Instead, he listened to his own desires. He wanted to control his life, and in a sense, God let him. The results speak for themselves. Now, after repentance and forgiveness, David's soul has regained fellowship with the Lord. And in verse 8, God is telling us a benefit of that fellowship: His loving guidance — not distant or generic, but tailored to every detail of who you are and where you've been. When we're in right relation with God, He won't hide His way from us. When we don’t know which way to go, He will instruct us. When we don’t see how we can carry out what He’s called us to, He will teach us. When we need someone in our corner, He will counsel us. The question is whether we're willing to seek Him.

I'm reading the @YouVersion plan 'God’s Surprising Word: Renewed by the Spirit'.

I'm reading the @YouVersion plan 'God’s Surprising Word: Renewed by the Spirit'.

This Week at Crossroads....

WEEKLY SNAPSHOT May 7, 2026 CONNECT This Week at Crossroads.... FRIDAY, MAY 8 Finance Committee Meeting--9:00am SUNDAY, May 10 Sunday Service--9:15am at the Church Building Mother's Day! Join us for Muffins and Mimosas during service Pastor Ryan's Birthday! WEDNESDAY, May 13 Women of Grace Quilting Group--10:00am-1:00pm at The Station Coffee Co in Florence FOR PASTORAL CARE NEEDS OR EMERGENCIES: Contact Pastor Ryan at: 206-356-7976 ryan@iamcrossroads.org SUNDAY, May 3 RECAP Attendance for May 3: 30 Giving for week of 4/26/26: $1,051.80 SAVE THE DATE: Graduation Sunday--May 17 Book Club--May 21 Baptism Sunday with Potluck--May 24 Last day of Kids Church--May 31 As many of you are aware, about one month ago we had a surprise visit from the Fire Chief for an inspection. As a result of the inspection, we had to make about $10,000 in unexpected electrical upgrades. Luckily, we did have money in a reserve fund, however, due to this unexpected expense, we have depleted most of this fund. If God is calling you to donate to this project and help re-build the reserve, please place a check in the Treasure Box with "electrical" in the memo line or donate online. Thank you! Donate Now! MEET GOD JOIN US ON YOUTUBE LIVE FOR SUNDAY SERVICE Join us through June 21 as our sermon series focuses on the Book of James-"Living Faith When Life Gets Tough". The Book of James (Jacob), Jesus' half brother and pillar of the Jerusalem church under persecution combines Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount with the Proverbs to give the early church needed instruction on how to have a Living Faith during trials. PRAYER CONCERNS: ------------------------------------------------------------ *Kristie who is pregnant with twins *Ray who is battling cancer *The husband and seven children of Marie Lewis *For Elton *Give a healing heart, anxiety free, when meeting with a brother *Healing for the following: Kayden, Lynette, Sharon, Vickie, Nicole, Leo, Evie, Barbara, Gary, and Jamie PRAYER JOYS ------------------------------------------------------------ * The generous hearts of our congregation * All those celebrating April and May birthdays, anniversaries and baptisms CONTINUED PRAYERS: ------------------------------------------------------------ * Pray for world peace and wisdom for our leaders *For those who feel undervalued at work Following Baptism, we will be celebrating with a potluck! Sign up sheet will be at the church. Also, it's Pentecost Sunday, wear RED, symbolizing the fire of the Holy Spirit, the church's unity and the transformative power of faith! MEET FRIENDS This year the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly will be meeting Thursday, June 11-Saturday, June 13 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa. The Assembly kicks off Thursday afternoon with a service project and ends around noon on Saturday. Crossroads Lutheran Church can send three representatives. If you are interested in attending this event, please speak with Pastor Ryan, Lelia, or Rondi ASAP. Registration must be completed by May 18! Join us for Book Club and Fellowship on Thursday, May 21. Our next book selection is: Ten Women of The Bible: One by One They Changed the World by Max Lucado. We will be discussing the second woman in the book, Rahab. We will be meeting at 6:00pm at Vickie's house. For more details, contact Rondi or Jenifer. STATION COFFEE CO. HAPPENINGS Copyright © 2023 Crossroads Church, All rights reserved. Our Address Is: 2769 E. Combs Road Building D I San Tan Valley I AZ I 85140 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

https://www.bible.com/stories/37473

https://www.bible.com/stories/37473