what I'm looking for

Too many people sell themselves short. All of us have been there when we settle for less than best. It is like when we compromise so that we can get something over with or avoid pain or not have to deal with confliction. I’ve come to learn that, like the cliché says, “anything worth having is worth working for”.

Psalm 37:4  NLT

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

The Christmas season is full of wants and lists. Our children give us their Christmas wish list that is full of all kinds of stuff. In fact our lists tell us a lot about who we are and what we are like.

When we allow God to have first place in our hearts, our desires will change. That scares many people. Many conversations happen around this topic because humans are basically selfish people. We will do whatever it takes to get what we want. We will go in to debt to have the car or stuff that we want. We will give in to drugs or sex to get the high or the boyfriend or girlfriend we want. God’s way is not like that.

God’s way means that we wait on the Lord but waiting on God is not easy. Have you found that to be true? Waiting means that we live on His time frame and not ours. Waiting also means that we have to trust that God knows best what we need and what we want.

Be honest. Have you ever made a bad choice and ended up with consequences? We all have. By waiting on God He changes our hearts, and God promises us that He will give us our heart’s desire if we delight in Him. To delight is to be satisfied with or to enjoy or to find pleasure in. I’ve heard another fact that I try to live by as well: sin is only fun for a season. What I do for my selfish pleasure doesn’t last and comes with less than desirable results.

Ask the question. Why do I want what I want? Why will I pay the high price to get what I want? Those are very telling and insightful questions. What I’m looking for is not always what is best for me. Is that true for you as well?

Luke 12:34  NLT

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Check your heart. Be honest about what you want. Let God change your wants. When God works in us, it is not only better for us and making us stronger, but our lives will impact many more people as they see God in our lives and become part of the blessings that God brings our way as we trust God to give us our heart’s desire.

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

Search This Blog