Welcome to the Crossroads Church podcast!

You can find more information and many resources at our Gather page. We encourage you to connect! Head over there when you're ready to fill out the connect card, find more information on how to be involved, ways to give and to see what's going on in the Feed, our e-newsletter.

You also will find the message notes below.....Have a great week!

What’s the Issue Anyway?

“Three things cannot be hidden: the sun, the moon and the TRUTH.” –Buddha

“Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the TRUTH” –Mahatma Gandhi

“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth,

and the TRUTH will set you free.” –Jesus

We love the truth until it contradicts our SELF-DECEPTIONS.

What Wisdom do Esther and Mordecai offer us (Esther 4)?

Mordecai and the Jews responded APPROPRIATELY to the truth of their plight. (4:1-3) PRIVILEGE insulated the palace from reality. (4:4-5)

Esther ASKED for the truth. (4:6-8)

Mordecai spoke a DIFFICULT but HOPE-filled truth to Esther’s self-deception. (4:9-14) Esther TRUSTED the wound of a friend over kisses of an enemy. (4:15-16)

Mordecai didn’t ABANDON Esther in her moment of truth. (4:17)

Don’t Miss This!

Truth tellers bring us to the CROSSROADS of self-deception and SELF-EXAMINATION.

What happens tomorrow when the truth doesn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy?

Does the truth teller have a track record of LOVE?

Is the truth teller acting selfishly or SELFLESSLY?

Will the truth teller WALK with me through self-examination and change? If you think you have truth for someone you love, WAIT for the question. Be a partner not a PROBLEM for the Spirit of God.

As a peacemaker, am I listening for truth from the SPIRIT of GOD?

How does this make me a better person and the world a better place?

Truth offers us a path to becoming the best version of OURSELVES.

What is God inviting you into today?

1. Give permission to someone in my life to be my truth teller.
2. Thank someone for loving me and speaking truth into my life.
3. Open my heart to hear truth from people who love me.

Thought-provoking questions:

1. Have you ever had someone speak truth to you that was hard to hear? Did you ever speak truth to someone?
2. Why do you think Mordecai went to the public square causing such a scene?
3. Esther allowed privilege to close her eyes and ears to the truth of what was happening around her. Has this ever happened to you? Do you see this at play in our world today?
4. Why do you think self-examination is so difficult?
5. Who have you or could you give permission to be a truth teller in your life? Why this person?
6. Over the next 90 days, what peacemaking adventure do you think the best version of yourself could be set apart for? What truth would you have to embrace to make this happen?