the other side of the fence [+] Thursday E-Devotion

The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Through some pretty awesome conversation this week I have been examining what the other side of the fence may really be like. I am talking about the fence that separates the saved and the lost. Those who know God and those who don't.

My problem is that I dwell too much on the side where all the saved people are. I don't think enough about the other side and how to help people cross this fence. I must listen to their stories. Hear their heart. And most of all find passion for people who need Jesus. By the way, some of them don't know they need Jesus and others simply don't want Him at all. Does that make sense?

Luke 15:32 (nlt) --- We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'"

The Prodigal son or brother jumped the fence and spent all he had in the wrong place. He crossed back over. How do we go after the prodigal?

Romans 10:13 (nlt) --- For "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

That fence is not meant to keep people out. In fact there is a bridge built over the fence. There are even people who help others get over the fence.

I think the major problem is that the church, its leaders and Christians in general don't remember what it is to be lost. It is time to start some conversations. It is not about being right or wrong. It is about knowing God. The fence is not there so that we can stay pure and keep our kids safe. The fence is there because God says I want you to invite people to know me. That takes passion and creativity. It takes love.

By the way, did Jesus ever cross the fence or help get folks across the fence? What lengths did He go to so that people would see and know truth? His death...

My question, as I close, is one that makes me stop and dig in deeper and deeper. It is the question of do I really care about people on the other side of the fence? If so, what am I willing to do about it?

2 Peter 3:9 (ncv) --- The Lord is not slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives.

This is not a time to go get our baseball bats and beat people iuntil they cross over the fence and come into the kingdom. It is time to learn how to listen and to talk with people who are seeking God. We have to hear and see the need and then share across the fence all the while inviting people to meet God. Dig in with me a little....

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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