living our convictions // Tuesday E-Devotion

"If we don't stand on our convictions, we will fall all over them." That has been a statement and creed that I have stuck with for over 2 decades. In fact, I have learned more about convictions during times of pain and crisis than in times of victory.

Romans 14:23 (nlt) --- But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

Understand that when we choose to stand by our convictions, that there will be pain and disappointment. People won't understand what you are doing or the reason behind it. Thus, there are some things we ought to put through a testing process.

1. Does my conviction build my faith in God?

2. Does my conviction find proof in the Word of God?

3. Does my conviction point others toward God?

That so-called litmus test may prove to be a powerful tool to answer some of your convictions.

One person aptly said somewhere, choose the hills you will die on. Another said, choose what you are willing to die for.

The convictions we hold ought to cause us to live out our faith and inspire confidence in us. Living our convictions won't be easy if that pass through those 3 questions. I've learned that the hard way. Yet, I am willing to stand on the things that God has taught me.

If you think this is rather bold or even arrogant, you may be right. But I firmly hold to the fact that God gave me vision to move forward and convictions that keep me standing strong. Therefore, living our convictions will lead us to success and victory if they pass the test.

Lord, teach us to stand firm in the things you have taught us and to set aside the things that don't matter. Give us the wisdom and strength to know the difference as we are living our convictions. May others find you in the places we stand. In Jesus' name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (nlt) --- Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

Hebrews 4:14 (nlt) --- So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.

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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