be brave & deal with left-overs

On Sunday we talked about being "sick of left-overs" as it applies to what we offer God and how we live our lives. God intends for us to get the most out of like, to experience real life and blessings as well as to give back to those we meet along our past. That makes life right for me. Give me hope and passion and meaning. Lets unpack a bit of those thoughts.

First, no leftovers for me!

Hosea 13:6 (nlt) --- But when you had eaten and were satisfied, you became proud and forgot me.

Luke 14:33 (nlt) --- So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

We could talk about giving or serving or a number of things, but the biggest part, in my opinion is the barriers to knowing, spending time with and serving God. It can be a barrier of pride, anger, prejudice or other. What barriers are in your way keeping you from giving your all to God? Honestly, what makes us as Christians continue to give God only what we have left overs. By the way, I hate left-overs. God does too.

1 Chronicles 21:24 (nlt) --- But King David replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!"

Revelation 3:16 (nlt) --- But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

Last thing. What is gonna take for us to be brave in 2009? I'm having these thoughts every day and even took them to our leaders last night. They are a big deal. Read on and dig in!

Psalm 27:14 --- Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Bravery includes WAITING ON GOD and Waiting involves TRUSTING GOD FULLY.

1 Corinthians 16:13 --- Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

WATCH or be prepared KNOWING what you believe. Be Firm in your Faith. Remember that being Strong and brave include being OBEDIENCE to God!

Joshua 1:7 --- Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.

God Commanded us to be COURAGEOUS and to remember His INSTRUCTIONS that lead to success (but God isn't a puppet master). He allows us to choose. So, we must Learn from what it is like when we LEAVE the truth and do our own thing.

I choose to be brave and to deal with left-overs 'cause I'm tired giving left-overs to God. It takes being brave to stop giving them. My choice. How about yours?

Catalyst ticket arrived

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

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....

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 ...

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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