do you love people?

I was reading through stuff on Twitter when I came across a post that something like this: I hate meetings but I love people. A paradox.

True. I dislike the mundane but love the relationships. God loves people. That is what is always on His heart. His creation, His plan, His truth all revolves around people and nothing else ... not on stuff or things or even situations.

Answer the question: do you love people? You have to answer that honestly. There are some people that are hard to love. There are some people who are impossible to love. There are some people who are easy to love. Which of those does God love most? All of them. Right down the middle. No partiality from Him toward anyone. God loves you and me. He calls us and commands us to love people. Remember?

Matthew 22:39 (nlt) --- A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.

We've heard that. We believe that (at least we say that we do). Now, we have to live that out.

This morning in my reading I came across a prayer that David prayed in Psalm 28 (from God's Word translation). Read on:

8 The Lord is the strength of his people and a fortress for the victory of his Messiah. 9 Save your people, and bless those who belong to you. Be their shepherd, and carry them forever.

It begins inside me. I have to get this, treasure this and hold this tight. God is my one and only strength. The only way to have victory is in and through Him.

Next, the people around need the same. But how with they know unless I live and share this truth? Good question. David's prayer is where I close today and I pray for those I am around in the coming days:

1. God, save your people. May many people get to know and come to love you. Give them hope where there is no hope to be had.

2. God, bless those who belong to you. Let those who are right with you see there dreams fulfilled and even more. Fill them and me so we will overflow with you.

3. God, use me and others to a shepherd and to lift people each day. However you need me, help me be ready? Whatever you need to do in and through me, I give you permission.

Matthew 5:16 (nlt) --- Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Fatherwho is in heaven.

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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