what makes a difference

What makes a difference?

That is a subjective question as the answers could be all over the place and very different for each person. But if I can for this e-devotion point you to just a few things that make a difference in my life.

Family. Make much of the people who mean the most to you because it is easy to overlook the ones who are the closest. The older I get the more these people mean to me and I desire to make my time with them count.

Joshua 24:15 NASB

…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Friends. I am not sure how big your circle is, but my circle isn’t getting bigger. It might be getting smaller. Fewer people are able to sit in the these that are most important, but I desire to have people who really care and who share similar values and passion with me. These people make me better.

Proverbs 17:17 NASB

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Faith. Always be ready to share what you have built your beliefs on. Better yet, share who you have built on. All of us live by a code of truth or ethics that will determine our actions, our thoughts as well as our motives. I have chosen and believe that this choice must be Jesus who gave so much for me and helps me live every day.

Hebrews 10:38 NLT

And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

Footsteps. The things I do that influence or serve others makes a difference to me. I believe what our church and I get to do by meetings needs is a big and important deal. Our calling is to serve those who are hungry, hurting or homeless. It isn’t always easy, but it is always rewarding. That is also why I love doing missions like what we get to be part of in Cuba.

1 Peter 4:10 NLT

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

Freedom. Oh this word sends people in lots of directions. Talk about our freedom as a nation and I am grateful. Talk about our freedom to worship or serve or speak up or carry a gun or to drive on the right side of the road or so many things. But this freedom is something a bit different. It is the freedom to live in peace and without shame. This is God given freedom.

Psalm 118:5 NLT

In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free.

Let me take a minute to expound on this freedom peace. Years ago I became acquainted with Blaine Bartel who now leads a ministry close to my heart. Find out more at blainebartel.com and learn how he is helping men find real freedom in Jesus. Another ministry that is close to my heart is something I am just coming to learn more about. It is called Celebrate Recovery, and there is now a group that meets at our church.

So, do a little further and answer this question for yourself. In your life, what makes a difference!

NOTE: Help our team with CUBA missions. I will be making a trip to Cuba to support the FCA leaders. Donations of medicines and hygiene products as well as money are needed with the trip. Let me know if you would like to help.

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

why is it Good Friday?

Holy Week is the time we focus on God and His gift of salvation. We come to Friday. The day we remember the cross, Jesus’ death and all God has done for you and me Why do they call this day “Good Friday” because it doesn’t seems good? Jesus was treated as a criminal. He was beaten so much that He could not recognize Him. His pain would have been too much for you or me to endure. That is especially from Scripture I’ve read or as in the movie the Passion of the Christ . Yet it is a good day. It is Good Friday because God had our good in His heart. What Jesus did that day changed our forever direction. Here are some thoughts that come to me: He is Redemption and Redeemer He too our Pain and Punishment He is our Righteousness and Reality He is the Savior and Life All of those happened from the cross. It was meant for the worst lawbreakers. It was not meant for a Savior who never broke a law. It was lifted high so that onlookers could see the price Jesus. Look

Day 8 in Cuba

We have just come off and incredible weekend, and it is day 8 of the mission trip in Cuba. Thank you to all who have been praying for this trip, the mission team and the impact it will have on those we serve. Please don’t stop praying. Last week Alex and I served with a mission team in the mountains of southern Cuba. There were several challenges, but God gave us safety, provision and opportunity to serve some of the sweetest people I have ever met. No running water… sporadic electricity generated by a small, logo dammed up river, no transportation other than animals, limited food sources and more. These people love the Lord and sharing their faith with others. Over the weekend we made our way back to Havana. On Friday our vehicle broke down leaving us on the side of the road for several hours. We then boarded a bus and rode 14 hours. We arrived safely and even got some rest. Sunday was so, so good. We visited two partner churches. In the morning we were with one church that

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Search This Blog