the small things :: Friday E-Devotion

The mint on the pillow. A card in the mail. Sweet hug before they leave for school. Unexpected text message. Tiny gift for no special occasion. The small things make a huge difference.

Don't get me wrong. I like the big gifts and look forward to the big check or the new iPhone, but its the small things really stick out in our minds. Often we miss doing those things for others and it means so very much. Listening to people's hearts, I understand that not just the hug or the note or the call is important, but the smile or nod or wave is also a big thing.

People need to know that they are loved, accepted and appreciated. It doesn't take a new car or a trip around the world to let them know that. When was the last time you did one of the small things? Whose life have you made a difference in?

Hebrews 10:24 (nlt) --- Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (nlt) --- So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

It may be the person you missed at church last week or the friend who has been sick. It may be a neighbor that has been away or a co-worker going through a though time. But maybe it is the person with the same last name that lives across the nation or the one that lays in bed with you at night. Who is it that deserves the small things from you today?

Go out of your way this weekend to do 3 or 4 small things for some special people. It will make a huge difference.

Malachi 3:17 (The Message ) --- ... Once more you'll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn't, between serving God and not serving him."

I close with part of a post from Gary Lamb from Revolution Church in Canton, GA (this rocked my thinking this morning):

WHAT STANDS BETWEEN REVOLUTION BEING WHAT IT IS AND WHAT GOD WANTS IT TO BE IS PAIN. The question is not what will it take or if I have the ability to do it; the question is am I willing to do it? Am I willing to pay the price that it will cost? Am I willing to be uncomfortable? The answer is YES. Yes, I am willing to do whatever it takes to become the leader God wants me to be and I am willing to do whatever it takes for Revolution to be the church that God wants it to be.

Chew on that and let God give you and me passion for HIS BEST for HIS CHURCH.

Catalyst ticket arrived

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

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....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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