praying is an act of kindness [t] Friday E-Devotion

Zechariah 7:9 (nlt) ---This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.

Are you touched like I am by acts of kindness and stories about changed lives? I am. Yep, there are people that are out for a handout and to take advantage others, but there are some people who just have big needs. Know what? I am convinced that the people of God have been gifted to give. That is to give of ourselves to serve and love others. By doing that we share the best of God and even point people to God.

That is the calling of my life. I believe it is the calling of yours as well. Yes, giving makes me feel good. That's good. But that giving also goes way far past me. I love it when I hear a story of someone who gave without anyone else knowing where the gift or service came from.

I'm listening to a sermon from Frances Chan right now. He is talking about how people at his church reach out to families who do not know Jesus when they have a family member that dies. They are seeing people won to Christ by simply showing kindness, praying and sharing.

I got a call last night from one of The Community's leaders, and she shared with me with FaceBook group. That group is about doing 1 ARK (act of random kindness) per day during 2009. That is huge. But I am overwhelmed with and love the doors that opened and the stories that come from unselfish acts.

One of those acts that is often neglected is prayer. It is a definite ARK. This can change a situation or a life. It will point someone past yourself to something or better someone greater. Prayer points us and others toward God. Think about it!

"Sometimes have got to pray for someone else's family like they are your own family." – Dino Rizzo

Lets leave this week with something so much more than we could give ourselves. Lets pray for others.

If someone asks you to pray, pray right then. On the phone. In an email. In the store. At church. In the house. You name it. Pray right there. There may be no better act of kindness.

Colossians 4:2 (nlt) --- Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

James 5:16 (nlt) --- Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

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Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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