how to go to the next level

“The way up is down.”

That sounds wrong. But God does things different than the world does, and when we come to see from God’s perspective, we are allowed to rethink what we call success. Some people say to get ahead in life you have to step on people and fight. God teaches us very different principles.

Read each of these verses below. There is something different about the thoughts of success and getting ahead when God is in the mix or when God gets holds of our heart.

Philippians 2:5-7 NLT

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.

Success by God’s measure is about becoming like Jesus. He didn’t push His way forward. He served His way forward.

Luke 22:26 NLT

But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.

To be great means to serve. It is not about the comfortable place. It is about serving others no matter the cost.

Mark 10:45 NLT

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Again, becoming like Jesus is to give our lives, our resources and even our desires to love others.

1 Peter 5:6 NLT

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.

Finally and most importantly, godly success is about allowing God to measure, to appoint, to honor or to give you a high and exalted place. To be exalted you are to humble yourself. To climb to the top you have to start at the bottom.

Far too many people in my generation and younger generations want things handed to them. They don’t want to work for what they have. Our parents and grandparents seemed to have known patience and a great work ethic. That is what we must learn. The people who do the best, the people who are the strongest are those who work hard, are humble and are willing to help others. That is a new view of success. That is God’s view of success. But that literally is how to go to the next level. It works. Let God show you!

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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