love until it hurts [+] Monday E-Devotion

We have been taught for years. Jesus said "go the second mile" ... "turn the other cheek" ... be the "good Samaritan". What is the deal with all three of those stories Jesus told?

Each one was a picture of love in action. It didn't stay on the sidelines. It got involved. It spoke up. It acted love out. I cannot tell you how I feel and how excited I get when I see someone loving someone with true unconditional love. That is when you give and don't expect to get anything back. It is when you go beyond the norm or what others think is enough.

By the way, that is what Jesus did.

"If you want to impact someone's life, love them when they least expect it and least deserve it. When people blow it, you have an opportunity to impact their lives forever. You might think, they don't deserve it. That's the point, isn't it? Do you deserve the grace of God? ... God's love is proactive. He doesn't wait for us to get our act together. God always makes the first move. And we're called to follow suit." --- Mark Batterson, Wild Goose Chase, pages 104-105.

I am convinced that what will turn the church around, what will turn people back to God is not more Bible study or worship songs. What will turn people to God is love in action. What do you think?

Love until it hurts. That is Biblical. I have always hated the old phrase "give until it hurts." In fact I prefer "give until it feels good" (harder to get there). As a leader and as a Christian I have learned that really loving people costs you something because that is when we are giving part of ourselves away. It is time to love like that. Love until it hurts.

John 13:35 (nlt) --- Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

Matthew 5:41 (nlt) --- If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.

Luke 6:29 (nlt) --- If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.

1 John 4:11 (nlt) --- Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.

It is time to love until it hurts. Literally, love more and expect less in return (get ready for more living truth like this).

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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