helping others stand

I literally believe that God has given us the tools and desire to have great relationships, yet when we become selfish, when we pull away from people, when we seek to live life our way and not God’s way, we are in for trouble.

One of the most powerful places in Scripture, a place I run to in my mind often, is this:

1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. 14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Directly from Paul or directly from God we encouraged to be brothers and sisters. Ask like it. Live it out. What is the best way to do that?

Work hard for each other. Think of each other. Seek peace and live people with each other. Be the encourager. Often be the bigger or stronger person in that mix by being patient. Pray through and be thankful.

Listen to what Paul said about being together and understanding why that is vital to our lives:

1 Thessalonians 3:8 NLT

for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

We really live if you stand. Together we will make a bigger impact. Together we will be stronger. Together we will fulfill what God put us here for.

May we connect to God and to others. The three of us will help each other find success and live with purpose!

Ecclesiastes 4:12

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

And I close with a notion about what is being called the Asbury Revival … I am not a skeptic. I am grateful when God shows up and people begin to worship, confess their short comings and seek God. That is what has been happening and what gets me excited even more. Now it is your turn and mine; seek God and watch where He is working!

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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