Crystal Hills Assembly

2/28/2010 – Women’s Ministries Sunday – “Cure for a Thirsty Life”

cha — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:33:12 +0000

I believe a lot of people today can relate to the term: a thirsty life. Or in other words, an empty life. All around us on any given day, individuals are running and living their lives on very low reserves. So many run to and fro and never take the time to refuel their souls and spirits. Each of us must understand this is not the life Jesus intended for us to live out. His desire for us is to live our lives to the fullest. In order to truly be filled as Jesus intends, we must recognize our need for His presence and power in our lives. We must recognize the areas of out lives that need mending and healing by the Lord. And lastly, we must worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.

2/14/10 – Sermon Series: Religious Myths and Legends – “Is it true, to forgive is to forget?”

cha — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:59:26 +0000

The question each of us must ask ourselves is: Does forgiveness mean automatic forgetfulness? Our minds are an amazing thing and they have the capacity to remember everything that has ever crossed through them. Forgetting some things is much harder said then done. Forgiveness and forgetfulness are actually two separate items and must be dealt with in that manner. When we truly forgive, it means choosing to no longer allow the bitterness and hurt to continue its destructive work within us. To truly forgive means making a choice with God’s help to not replay and continue to dredge up the negative events of our past. Will there possibly be scars? Does there need to at times be some accountability? Yes, many times it does, but even that must considered through the lens of God’s word and love. Forgiveness is a lifetime choice and can only be accomplished as we recognize who and what we are in Christ. This can only be done when we recognize the measure of forgiveness shown to us.

2/7/10 – Sermon Series: Religious Myths and Legends – “All Sin is the Same”

cha — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:14:36 +0000

Throughout the ages there have been many myths and ideas contrived related to man’s sinful nature. Some of them go like this: All sin is equal, I am no worse than anyone else and Nobody’s perfect. The Bible is very clear, We are all sinners fallen short of the glory of God. All of us have sinned and all unforgiven sin separates us from God. May be very careful though to recognize that all sins are not the same and they have differing consequences in our lives. Justification of any and all sin as the same is dangerous ground to tread upon! This thinking leads one down a road to desensitivity and continuance to greater sin. Small sin leads to greater sin. Each of us must be aware of this truth and stand guard. If we find ourselves entertaining even the smallest level of sin, let us recognize it for what it is and flee! May we choose to pursue righteousness and purity in all areas of our lives.

1/31/10 – Sermon Series: Religious Myths and Legends – “God wants us happy all the time”

cha — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:22:43 +0000

There is a common myth and legend that God wishes for his children to be happy all the time. This would be best described as the theology of “feel good religion”. The great danger of this belief system, is that it elevates us to the point where God exists to serve us rather than us living to serve him. When we believe that God is nothing more than a cosmic vending machine in the sky, we set ourselves up for a great amount of discouragement and disappointment. If God doesn’t deliver on our every request, we become upset and angry because he didn’t do for us that which we think will make us happy. May we understand that the best thing God can do for us at times is to not make us happy. Why? Because he is much more concerned with us being holy!

1/17/10 – Sermon Series: Religious Myths and Legends – Is the Bible Reliable?

cha — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:19:45 +0000

It is not an unusual experience to hear someone say that they question the Bible’s authority and accuracy. Many wonder if the words found in it are truly the words of God. How can we be sure that the Bible is what it says it is? Isn’t it possible that over the years, the words and ideas found in it may have been altered from their original translation? This can be answered by the fact that great care and effort has been given over the years to make sure the accuracy of the original writings stayed true and pure. The legend that the Bible is not true and full of errors can also be reputed by numerous historical, prophetic and scientific proofs. There is no other piece of literature ever written that can claim as much! Each of us must make a choice. Will we believe the Bible is God’s holy word to mankind, or will we believe the myth that it is a book of make believe? That choice will change and impact every area of our lives! Let us choose wisely and carefully.

1/10/10 – Sermon Series: Religious Myths and Legends – “There are many ways to God”

cha — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:15:03 +0000

Just like there are urban legends that never seem to die and are passed around and believed by many, there are religious legends and myths that are passed around regarding God and his holy word. They seem to live on even though there is no truth or basis for them. The myth of: “There are many ways to God” is one of the most dangerous and damaging of all religious legends! Confusion over this will affect one’s life for all eternity! Each of us must separate fact from fiction and know what the scriptures actually say about this topic. There is only one true way to God and that is through his son Jesus!

1/03/10 – Value Beyond Measure

cha — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:12:36 +0000

How often do you think of yourself as unique and special? How often do you consider yourself as one of great value and importance to God? Sadly, most of us would have to answer that question with: “very seldom”. Psalm 139 tells us that we were fearfully and wonderfully made by our heavenly father and that we are of great importance to him. When we recognize this truth, it should motivate us and inspire us to pursue and fulfill the plan and purpose he has for each of our lives. By faith may we be all that God created us to be and live in confidence and boldness that we are one-in-a-million and of great significance.

12/27/09 – God’s Commas in Our Lives

cha — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:10:52 +0000

Throughout the course of human history, God has moved and worked in the lives of people and events where it appeared that a period had been placed and the story over. May we never forget or lose faith in the fact that our God has the last word in our lives. What appears at times to be a period and possibly the end of the matter, may only be a comma in God’s planning and purpose for our lives. In the midst of life’s tests, may we place our trust in the one who sees the whole picture. May we know in our hearts that God is still writing the story and that it is he who places the commas and periods in their proper places.

12/20/09 – Why Jesus Came to Earth

cha — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:16:31 +0000

Over the holidays, millions of people will go through the stressful experience of traveling to the homes of family and friends. What is the motivation? Why do we fight bad roads and traffic? Why do we deal with crowded airports? Because we love to be with the ones we love! There is nothing like the experience of being near the ones we care about.

God feels the same way! He loves to be with the ones he loves! That is why he chose to do what he did on that first Christmas morning. He left his place in heaven to make himself like one of us. “The word became flesh and dwelt among us” That is the most wondrous part of the Christmas story.

12/13/09 – The Call Of Mary

cha — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:23:16 +0000

When the angel Gabriel appeared before the young virgin Mary and told her of God’s plan, it must have come as quite a shock. She must have had some great fears of the consequences about to take place in her life as others found out about her pregnancy. Rather than argue or disagree with the angel. She simply by faith and obedience said “I am the Lords servant, may it be according to your word”.

We too yet today, are called to carry the presence of Christ to a lost world. Will we be obedient as Mary was? Will we be the vessels of forgiveness, healing, grace and compassion to our modern day world? Will we birth and shine God’s presence?