two. 3 days of Thanksgiving

Day Two. Yes. This week I am sharing some notes and stories as well as Scripture that go along with thanksgiving. I believe that when our lives are connected to and pursing God we will have some incredible blessings from God. The natural outcome really is gratitude or giving thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Today I had plan to share with you about family, but I want to change directions a little and focus on the days ahead. Let’s focus on how we are blessed.

You’ve heard me say or quote this, “obedience brings a blessing”. That is a fact. I’ve lived out that one as well.

But there is an equally true similar saying. It is almost like a two sided coin. The other side is that disobedience has consequences.

The choice is ours as to which one we will follow. Obedience to what we know. Or disobedience by going in the opposite direction or our own way. I want to be blessed. I want my family, my wife and children, to be blessed. I choose not to live in the negative consequences.

Choose blessings. Choose to be a conduit of blessing for yourself and for the ones around you. It might very well be the faith you practice that leads the people around you to come to know God. It is personal.

Ephesians 1:3 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

First we are blessed because of what God has done.

Matthew 5:3 NLT

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Second we are blessed we know we need God and pursue Him.

Deuteronomy 28:2 NASB

And all these blessings will come to you and reach you if you obey the Lord your God:

Third we are blessed when we follow Him.

I choose blessings. Back to what I originally planned to talk about, family. One of the big ways that I know I am blessed is by looking at my family. My wife is a blessing to me and from God. My kids are such a blessing in so many ways.

May we take the week of thanksgiving and realize that how blessed we are. Those blessings come from our good and great God!

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....

Catalyst ticket arrived

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

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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