ya never know // Monday E-Devotion

1 Thessalonians 3:8 (nasb) --- for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

From time to time God really sends you a blessing that is bigger and better than you expected. Today is a great day.

First God gave me a gift that I had asked for yet forgotten about. I get to go to Catalyst this week in Atlanta with my oldest brother. This is a huge blessing. Wait till I share some stuff with you after the conference.

Second a friend came by just before Community Worship yesterday and shared some prayer time. His name is Sam, and he leads a ministry of rehab for men in addiction. He just sent me an e-mail. I love praying with Sam 'cause this guy is a man of faith. Pray Sam and the House of Mercy.

In his e-mail, Sam talked about one of the guy he has been ministering to and spending time with traveling this weekend. In their conversation Sunday evening traveling back to Richmond, Sam learned that this guy used to go to our church and that I baptized him. His life has been paved with lots of junk and poor choices, but God is working in this guy's life right now. His name is Bobby is folks attend our church some. I led him to Jesus and baptized him at my last church.

How awesome it is to watch life change! In fact, this is what I love most about ministry. Walk with me.

15 years ago spending time with a guy named Ben that has led him to be a leader in his church and to love God and family like never before.

12 years ago talking with my wife's uncle and watching him grow in faith. I got to baptize Uncle Ken and everything we are together we talk about his faith.

10 years ago getting to know a young guy named BL who is now a pastor and community leader.

5 years ago performing a marriage ceremony at the speedway and getting to see these people a couple times a year and learn how their family is going to church still.

The list, for me, could go on and on.

Bobby, from the e-mail today, I learn is walking with Jesus and growing like crazy. What is ministry all about? It is about life change. Ya never know the impact you will make in a person's life. We have to invest our lives in other people. Ya never know.

Colossians 4:5 (nlt) --- Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

Romans 2:29 (nlt) --- No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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