watch out for whats under the surface

When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots.

When we are not ready, are spiritually dull or are passive, wrong things come into our lives. Often this is sin or habits that corrupt our lives. Other times it is a person who brings attitudes, problems or influence that keeps us from seeing God.

Be careful not to let darkness creep into your life. The verse I quoted above talked about hidden reefs that are under the surface of the water. A ship that is not watching for what is under the surface will end up having lots of problems. That ship will run aground or might even tear a hole in the bottom of the ship.

The same is true in our lives. The book of Jude is written to Christians warning them, warning us to make sure that we grow closer to God and watch out for the false prophets and the sin that will hinder our walk with God. Be cautious. Hate sin. That doesn’t mean be legalistic. It means making sure that we live by grace and pursue God with all we have and are.

Jude 1:22-23 (NLT)

And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

By watching the things that are under the surface of the water, like hidden reefs, we will not only keep us from getting hurt, but it will also keep others from getting hit by those things too.

Show mercy. That is what God did to us and continues to do. Rescue those that have been hit or who are on the way to being hurt. Stay away from the people and places that will bring you down. Do all this so that your life and the lives of others count for Christ.

Praise God for all He has done for us. It isn’t over. Watch out for the things that are under the surface that will trip you up and keep you from being what God made you to be.

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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