THE CROSSING WEEKLY

Psalm 23 says:

“The Lord is my shepherd;

there is nothing I lack.

He lets me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He renews my life;

He leads me along the right paths

for His name’s sake.

Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger, for you are with me.

Your rod and Your staff — they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.”

This is the truth, and from it all else flows.

Often we will wander through life searching for love and acceptance, peace of mind, joy of heart and believe that there is something we must do to attain these things we long for. This past weekend at Winter Basecamp, leaders and youth alike all trekked up to Crossing Life Church in Carmel, Maine to find that it’s not about what we do, but about bringing our heart, honestly and earnestly, before the Lord overflowing with a desire for obedience above all else.

Matt Gioia (Lead pastor at Pines Church in Maine), Cale Roberts (longtime friend of The Crossing Life Church), and Seth Dee (who has consistently brought The Word at Summer Basecamps and ministers in Bangor, Maine) all delivered The Word with holy spirit fire. They herald the call to know Him, dive into the depths of His presence, and discover the truth and life of what we long for.

Jesus is the only thing that will satisfy; above all else.

There’s a song by Maverick City Music and Hillsong that has a chorus that sings “it’s not a building you want to fill, it’s my heart.” God prepared a place for us to enter, connect with, experience, and be filled with hIs presence. But only what is first emptied can be filled. We must be emptied of every thing that takes the place of or exalts itself above God’s good and right place in us. He can only come as close as we are willing to let Him. How much do you long for His Presence? How empty are you willing to be? What do you need to do away with in order to be filled more?

This was a continuous theme flung before heaven like a hungry plea to let the Lord come in and do what He needed to do. He did exactly that. He filled the hearts that were thirsty and ready for more, restored broken places, and made His Glory and Presence known. There is truly nothing good apart from Him and His ways.

Honestly, there are so many things that could be scribed and written about what happened at Winter Basecamp, but I’d implore anyone reading to seek out those who attended, for it is from the heart that everything flows, and the word of testimony stirs up faith and devotion that catapults us to a brand new place.

The God of impossible, who shifts all things to good, tells us now: “You were this way and now you are not: Keep walking forward.” As we make room for Him on the inside, He doesn’t shame us, but his love welcomes and marks us, branding us with His love and compelling us to obey, hoping that it will change not only us, but transform others in the process as well.