Crosspointe Meadows Church

Daily Devotion - 10/5/26Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord;
And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!” – Psalm 21:1
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Devotion -
In this Psalm of David, it seems David speaks in the third person and, by doing so, either refers in some sense to himself or to the Messiah to come. Several characters in the bible could be viewed as foreshadowing the coming of Christ. Even in the New Testament, this happens with the character of John the Baptist. In this Psalm, David expresses a variety of observations, one being the joy in the strength and power of the Lord and two, the salvation he receives from God. This salvation is a literal and figurative one; an experience fused by both symbolic and real deliverance from dangers.
As followers of Christ, it is important to recognize the language we use when describing our salvation. We also use figurative language when describing biblical elements, but we must never forget that our salvation in Christ is more real than real. Faith in Christ is not a symbol; it is something we exercise daily. We trust in Jesus in a way that has real outcomes and consequences. We are called to make disciples; that is not symbolism. We are called to live by the power of the Holy Spirit; that is not symbolism. We are called to live by faith in Christ; that is not symbolism. Jesus really is the way, the truth, and the life.

Prayer -
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us live by applying your word. We don’t always know what to do, but we read your word and trust that you are directing our steps in the unknown. Lord, help us reach those who are broken, lost, poor, and hurting. Pour out your Holy Spirit on this nation, dear God; heal the blind, heal the sick. We want to see your glory, Lord. We pray for revival; we pray for your name to be preached and that people be added to your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray.

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By Abran (Abe) Garcia

Daily Devotion 10/04/26

Scripture -

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” – Romans 5:1

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Devotion -

Earlier in chapter 4, in Paul’s letter to the Roman church, he explains that Abraham’s faith in God was credited to him as righteousness. Paul draws a parallel between the Old Testament patriarch’s faith and our faith in Christ. Believers have faith that Jesus was delivered to death for our sins and then raised to life for our justification. Because we are justified, we are no longer enemies of God but have been reconciled to him through Christ and have peace with God.

The weight of this knowledge brings on a different kind of strength than what is expected in the world. It orients our attention to Christ our savior and fills us with gratitude toward the Father; a humble place for each and every one of us. Our faith in Christ will sustain us through every and any difficult time, circumstance, or environment. There is nothing to fear, for we have been justified before God through faith in Christ, and the Holy Spirit will guide our steps each and every day.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We submit to you and bow before you, giving thanks that we can be present before you because we are covered by the blood of Jesus. As we go about today, let us be filled by the Spirit, proclaiming your word unafraid. Help us be bold, bright, and wise so that others may hear the good news of salvation through Christ alone. In Jesus’ name we pray.

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By Abran (Abe) Garcia

Daily Devotion - 10/3/26 Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8

Devotion -
As the writer of Hebrews gives his final exhortations, he lists the conclusions drawn from knowing that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. Today’s verse is not just a conclusion but also a claim and a heavy duty one at that. For how could temporal beings understand the “self-sameness” of Christ in the eternal sense?
The writer of Hebrews mentioned the stories of the Old Testament throughout his letter. In it, there are reflections on the character of God and the faith of believers throughout the Old Testament. By observing the love, faithfulness, and grace of God throughout the scriptures, it is clear that Jesus embodies the truth of scripture. Jesus is the word made flesh. The gist is that the pattern of the faith of the Hebrew people culminates in a central faith in Christ because of what Jesus did by his sacrifice and resurrection. The verse is directly connected to the believer's understanding of this and expressed in faith in Christ.
Prayer -
Dear Heavenly Father,
Holy is your name. Blessed is the name of Jesus. Blessed is the Holy Spirit. Thank you, God, for providing for us everything that we need and more. First, through your word, in your son Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, who helps us, leads us, and guides us along the path of righteousness for your name's sake. Strengthen our faith for the times to come and for the people we will encounter. Let us be strong and set to give you thanks and praise, glorifying you through the works you have prepared for us to do. Soften the unbeliever's heart, so they may taste and see that you are good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

By Abran (Abe) Garcia

Daily Devotion 10/2/26 Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
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Devotion -
Chapter 16 works through the ideas of self-righteousness and pride. It establishes an observation of the natural state that people find themselves in on a day-to-day basis when they believe they are doing nothing wrong or that their motives are pure. The proverbs point out that people are blind, limited, and prone to wander, but through relationship with the Lord there is clarity, vision, and direction from the good shepherd.
If we can plan, we can think. If we can think, we can reason out sin. If we can reason out sin, we can justify anything. If we can justify anything, we can judge anyone. This sequence runs its course when we depend on ourselves, but when we are confronted with the truth of Scripture, the sequence is changed. If we can think and reason with Jesus and help from the Holy Spirit, we recognize we cannot justify or judge because we are sinners. Instead, we are humbled by God’s grace and mercy, leaving the judgment in his hands and living to discern his word by relationship with Jesus.
Prayer -
Dear Lord,
Forgive us if we have a self-righteous attitude, or look to point it out in others. Help us focus on the teachings of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the care, love, and presence you have in our lives. As we discern things, let the humility that springs forth from a relationship with Jesus overflow in service to the sick, poor, and broken. May we rely on and meditate on your word throughout this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

​By Abran (Abe) Garcia

Daily Devotion - 10/01/26 Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” – Psalm 86:15

Devotion -
David prays in the psalm, humbly presenting himself before the Lord as a poor servant in need of mercy. During the prayer, he exercises faith, understanding that the Lord listens to those who call upon him. David worshiped the Lord in reverence and asked for guidance and wisdom, fearing the Lord during a time in which David’s enemies were after him. It is that very respect and dependence that made David seek guidance, protection, and mercy from God.
Who does our heart immediately seek help from? So much of the time our faith is informed by our feelings, by our own understanding. But what we see in the passage is that a knowledge of God informs David’s emotions in a difficult circumstance. Knowing God’s attributes of compassion, grace, love, and mercy informs our prayers not only about God’s character and will, but also about where we may apply those aspects in our lives as well. A heart dependent, submissive, and obedient to Christ will always respond to hostility in a way that glorifies the Lord, by walking away from sin and being delivered from evil.

Prayer -
Dear Heavenly Father,
Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We humbly ask that you help us not be carried away in our thoughts or actions by our own understanding, but instead that we act and respond wisely by a knowledge of your word. We ask that the passion in our hearts be tempered and refined by your Holy Spirit as we act in compassion, grace, love, and mercy toward those around us. Help them do the same to us. Thank you for having mercy on us. We know we are not deserving, but in Christ we are made righteous and can stand before you. Help us, lead us, and guide us in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

By Abran (Abe) Garcia

Daily Devotion - 9/30/26 Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” – Deuteronomy 7:9
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Devotion -
As Moses gives his final speech to the people of Israel, he instructs them on how they are to take over the promised land. He gives them commands from the Lord for the Israelites not to intermarry with the people of those nations, and hyperbole is used throughout the passage to show the degree of chosenness of the people of God over the pagans in the promised land. The Israelites were called to be separate so that their descendants would not serve other gods. If the people were to keep the commandments of the Lord, they would see his faithfulness, but if they were to hate him, they would face destruction.
How this looks today has a different flavor. Following Jesus doesn’t mean that we are forced to follow the commands of God; it means we can trust and obey the commands of God through faith in Jesus in the new covenant. Where before the Israelites lived under possible judgment, we live under grace. It is the grace of God toward us and his wrath toward sin that crushed Christ on the cross and raised him from the dead so we could have a new life. We cannot separate the wrath of God from the love of God. And so we cannot separate the life of faith in Christ from obedience to his word.
Prayer -
Dear Heavenly Father,
As you call us to deeper faith, we don’t know the mystery of the process, but we know the outcome from the promise. As we apply your word, help us discern and hold in tension both your love and discipline. Help us not put your word in a box ,but instead be open to the grandeur of your presence in our lives, taking care not to fall into self-righteousness or self-doubt but always claiming the blood of Christ over our lives. For you, God, “made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” We give you thanks and praise. Help us, lead us, and guide us by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
By Abran (Abe) Garcia

Daily Devotion - 9/29/26 Abran Garcia Jr
Scripture -
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10
Devotion -
Paul begins the introduction to chapter 1 with a declaration and an affirmation of not only his mission but also the authority who sent him: Christ. As he writes to the church in Galatia, he expresses astonishment at how they are deserting the Lord for a false message given to them by people trying to pervert what Jesus said. As Paul explains that these people are cursed, he asks them the questions in today’s verse. He answers the questions with allegiance and a posture of service to Christ and not to pleasing people.
Paul understood that the gospel message divides and polarizes people because it requires believers to declare Christ as our supreme authority and Lord of all. Jesus himself said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Jesus demands complete allegiance, devotion, and love even over our own parents, children, brothers, and sisters. This means that serving God and being sent by Christ puts us in a position where we are hated, but Jesus brings us consolation here too. He says in John 15, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” As believers, we are not seeking the approval of man. We seek to glorify God through serving Christ, and that service overflows to serving others; knowing full well that the word of the Lord in the gospel message will make us enemies to the world.
Prayer -
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us, lead us, and guide us. You are our good shepherd, our way, our truth, our life. We understand that the gospel message will sound like foolishness to some, anger others, and bring discord even among family members. But we also understand the power of the gospel message to unite, to harmonize, and bring peace. Help us sift through and discern the details of all this entails first through an allegiance to Christ, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit and your will, dear Father. We give thanks for all you help us with, and we know your healing hand is at work even with our enemies. We give you all the praise and glory. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
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By Abran (Abe) Garcia