time, precious time

We waste so much. The list of the things that we waste is long as we look at our time, our trash and even the things that we treasure. Yet I am amazed at the people who seem not to waste anything. It is those people who look at things much different that crowd.

Psalms 39:4-7 NLT

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” 6 We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.  We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. 7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

Let’s take a few minutes to look from God’s point of view:

First, God reminds us that our time on earth is short. Compared to heaven and our time there, eternity, our years are short whether we live 20 or 80 years. The fact is we must use the time we have to make the biggest difference we can make.

Second, God knows our time. He has a plan, and to grab the best of life and abundant life will help us make the most of the time we do have.

Third, stop being sad over the fact that our time on earth is short. We worry about so much. We miss some of the best things. Faith pushes worry out of the way. Living by faith makes sure that you use the time you have.

Fourth, I like the imagery of the shadows. The old saying “here today and gone tomorrow” has new meaning when we realize that what we have is gone so quickly. The things that some people treasure are like those shadows. It seems to be so strong and so good, but when you come back to check on it, what you thought was there is all gone.

Fifth and finally, hope comes from God and is all about God. He doesn’t plan shadow games tricking us into thinking all is ok or that we will be rich by doing nothing. Again abundant and rich life comes from investing what we have in what will last for a very long time. Don’t waste your time, your effort or the things you treasure.

We must treasure people. We must use our time wisely. We must make sure our faith is built on what will last.

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

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....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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