Give OR Take :: Wednesday E-Devotion

John 10:10 (The Message) --- A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

There are two kinds of people in the world. Plain and simple. Either you are a giver or a taker. Either you add to people or you take away from them. You either are part of the increase or robbing and a decrease. It could be money. It be vision. Could be relationships. Even could be time. So what about you?

Watched this video as I got to the office this morning. Funny. But true. (another deposit from Craig and the team at Lifechurch.tv)

I am amazed that many of the people we admire and many of the things we pour ourselves into are the things that keep us poor and rob us blind. Back to the story of the 12 Spies in Numbers 13 who went to check out the land God promised His people. All 12 were 'movers and shackers' in their own tribes and worlds. 10 of them robbed God's people of blessing, of comfort, of peace and much more. Just think about it. God's got a huge plan and wants to give it away. But their stubborn, hard, scared hearts wouldn't allow it.

Are we taking away from people and don't recognize what we are doing? Our families who need and love us. Are we stealing time from them? Our churches that we are committed to. Are we taking resources (money or talents) from the church? Ourselves. Are we canceling out the best we're offered? Make that call. It ain't easy.

Malachi 3:8 (nlt) --- Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! "But you ask, 'What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?' "You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.

Proverbs 3:27 (nlt) --- Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them.

Ok. I have a choice. Press the church forward OR just sit back, relax and enjoy what I have. That choice means I am robbing from people and robbing from God. The status quo or keeping us with the Jones only keeps the church and God's people,us, deeper in spiritual poverty.

Here is the point: it is time to KICK the walls out from around us and let the world and especially those near us see what God is doing. Shut your mouth and you are a taker. Speak up and stand up and you are a giver. There is no middle group. Give or take.

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

Search This Blog