show some compassion

Luke 6:36 (NLT) --- You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Compassion is a character trait that the people around Jesus saw often. One of the great things that draws people to God is knowing that Jesus is always compassionate.

Here is the passage that I shared with our folks at The Community on Sunday:

PSALMS 78:35-39 (NASB) --- And they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer. But they deceived Him with their mouth And lied to Him with their tongue. For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant. But He (GOD), being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them; And often He restrained His anger And did not arouse all His wrath. Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passes and does not return.

Notice that the people remembered God, but for some reason they did their own thing. The words they used, their actions and even their hearts weren't focused on the God that they remembered.

BUT GOD. He was still compassionate. The people came back to God and found forgiveness and love. God held back pain because the people turned back to Him.

The same will happen today. In fact the reason why people stay away from our churches is because they see Christians as judgmental and as hypocrites. Many have been to churches or been around Christians who have hurt them. Yet we have to share the compassion Jesus shared. He saw people where they were.

Matthew 9:36 (NLT) --- When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

When we see people in need, what are our thoughts? What is our response? Do people find us gracious, accepting and compassionate? Our churches will grow and people will meet Jesus if they find us compassionate.

Here is what is true about our God:

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NASB) --- The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

What we have found; we can to help others. We can help them find the acceptance we all need and the compassion that might change their lives forever. Who can we share with today?

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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