we can't let this one get away

Proverbs 14:11 (GW) --- Rescue captives condemned to death, and spare those staggering toward their slaughter.

That verse almost tore my heart out this morning. It is not just about people with a death sentence imposed by health or prison or situation. It is the sentence that life throws at us, many times by our own choices, that leads us to think it is all over, we're condemned or that we are insignificant. God knows very different.

Early in the week I was honored to spend time with a friend who had been in jail for a while. A sweet meeting that was. This week I've looked back through testimonies and even heard more people talk about being served by the people of The Community Fellowship. Do you know what those situations are? They are opportunities to rescue people from death with the HOPE and TRUTH bigger than us. The hope that only God can give.

I think on a bit further to what is going on at The Community this weekend with the Financial Learning Experience and Joe Sangl. Not many months ago my wife and I were at the bottom of the financial barrel, and we have now seen the light as only God could give. Why? Because someone cared enough to rescue us from what seemed like a death sentence. Have you been there?

Every time we offer someone the hope of God, we rescue them as they seem to be "staggering toward their slaughter." Do you see it? We have to be people who by choice rescue others. It is not easy, but it is right. It is God's way. Further, it is God's call on my life and on the church I serve.

Dino Rizzo in his book Servolution (which is where the title for today's devotion comes from) said it like this: "The heart of God Almighty sees the people in our homes, in our cities, in the cubicles next to us, and down the street. He values them as prizes He is unwilling to go without, and He looks intently into our hearts and says, 'Let's do whatever it takes - no matter the cost. We can't let them get away.'" (pages 14-15)

Look around you. Who is about to get away? Who has life and death starring them in the face and needs the hope of God? Now, how can we rescue those captives? We can't let this one get away!

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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