others, others, others FIRST

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

We live in a selfish world. People are bombarded with ideas of success that include stepping on others rather than building them up, but God’s way is very different.

Earlier some of the disciples came to Jesus and asked a couple questions. Some asked who is the greatest in the kingdom. Another asked if he and his brother could sit next to Jesus in heaven.

Both had serious flaws. Both showed tones of selfishness. They might have had some form of pure motives, but they ended up with themselves or what they thought being what is central. That couldn’t be any farther than what Jesus had on His mind and in His heart.

It is all about others. We are to serve others. He died for and gave all for others. Serving means not expecting anything back after you meet the needs of the people around you.

That literally is the attitude, passion and purpose of our Savior, the Son of God, the one who became man, Jesus. By choosing to make others important we choose what Jesus chose. There are several things that happen when we choose to serve rather than to be served.

One of the largest things that happens is that we remind people of their value. Jesus spoke of our value and each person’s value by giving His life for theirs through His death on the cross of Calvary. When we choose to serve, we choose to remind those we serve that they are important to God, they have God given and built in value in their lives.

We all have slants and needs and opinions and desires, and if our desires get in the way of giving others value, we are going in the wrong direction. How will you and I this week remind more people of their incredible, God given worth?

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” -- Mother Teresa

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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