reasons for reading the Bible

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Each day I continue to use the YouVersion.com devotions to feed my spirit. Yesterday was another great day, and thus I am sharing with you Day 17 of 30 of “Life on Mission”. I pray this will encourage you as it did me…

I was speaking at a youth conference in Australia to about 50 youth. At one point, I asked them to all shout their name so I could hear them; all the kids screamed at once. The sound was chaotic. It rattled the windows and forced people to cover their ears. I couldn’t differentiate a single name. I then asked one girl to stand up in the back. On the count of three everyone else was to shout “Noise.” She was to shout her name. I counted to three and listened intently. Literally, through the noise, I heard her say Sharon. I heard her voice because I was intentional about disregarding the noise.

The point is this, there is so much noise in the world that when we really need to hear God, that isn’t the time to come up with a strategy. Spend time with God in the quiet. Learn the sound of his voice away from the chaos. Then, when you need to hear him, you will be better able to hone in on His voice and separate it from the noise.

Trying to explain what God’s voice sounds like is a real challenge. How do you explain the sound of being barreled in a wave while surfing? How about the sound of a beautiful sunrise? How do you explain the sound that an infant makes when they are happy? The best way to know what God sounds like is to read your Bible.

It is my conviction that God will never speak anything to you that conflicts with what scripture says. Thus, knowing what the Bible says is hugely important.

Ask God to help you store his word in your heart. Pray that he will remind you of the things you’ve read when needed.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

John 10:27 NLT

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

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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